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Errata: My last article on Prigozhin had an incorrect date for Pluto’s last transit at 29 degrees. It’s been corrected on the Substack site but you my subscribers, received the emailed article. The correct dates: Pluto’s last transit of Capricorn’s 29th degree takes place between 9/1/24-11/19/24. Side note: The 2024 Presidential election takes place with Pluto at the final, volatile degree of Capricorn (where it is right now)! We’re at a pivotal and crisis moment in American (and world) history (in case you hadn’t noticed!)
Key July 2023 Phenomena: Happy Birthday USA! Wishing everyone a safe and fun-filled Fourth of July weekend. – Venus/Leo makes the first of three squares to Uranus/Taurus. Mars enters Virgo. Mercury and the Sun enter Leo. Venus/Leo begins her retrograde. Read more below.
**A note about aspects. The following list gives you the day the aspect is mathematically exact, but effects are often felt a day before or a day after. With very strong aspects, such as Stations or Eclipses, we may see events several days before exactitude and later when other planets re-trigger those marker degrees. Aspects affect you personally the most if they connect closely to planets or points in your chart. Contact your astrologer for individualized interpretations.
1. 7/2/23 – Venus in fixed fiery Leo square Uranus in fixed earth Taurus #1 @ 21 deg. – This first of three fixed squares between Venus and Uranus reminds us that what we value, and love (Venus) may undergo unexpected change. Then again, it means so much more. Your sense of beauty and style beckons refreshment. A creative project leaps into a new dimension of expression. Relationships end and new ones begin. Honesty is required now in all your important relationships, especially the ones you want to maintain. Recognize how your sense of self-love affects the quality of your relating. Recklessness may damage what you love most. Upgrades and innovation are essential to progress. Your friends may surprise you or you them. Included in this 3X transit is how ego, pride and stubbornness affect our relations, in all ways. Be aware that you can too easily be blinded by the light of your own perceived relevance. Striving to be the best is one thing – needing to be right all the time is a serious flaw. We can expect high-jinks and false showmanship. Being famous doesn’t automatically mean you have the best values. Venus in Leo, signifying freedom in life and love at its core, we are challenged to support those values on practical levels in the world. Our alignment with those values shapes us, informs us, and affects our brothers and sisters on the journey with us. May we rise to the highest expression of love and goodwill. The remaining squares: #2 on 8/9/23 @ 22deg., when Venus is retrograde and #3 on 9/29/23, when Uranus is retrograde. 7/3/23 – Full Moon 11 Capricorn. This is called the Buck Moon or the Thunder Moon.
2. 7/6/23 – Mars/Leo inconjunct NeptuneRx/Pisces @ 27deg. – I’ve included some potent inconjunct aspects (150’) as they are tricky and quirky and demand fine tuning and nuanced attention. The natural masculine thrusting of Mars/Leo or “Superman Mars,” as I like to call it – can be overbearing, as well as courageous. Too much blinding light at times or self-praise, chest-thumping! This combination reminds us that when we push too hard, we fail to understand the nuances and the sensitivities in a situation. We might be blindsided and entirely miss the objective. Adding insight and a spiritual component softens the willful Mars/Leo energy. Depending on the user this can be a trojan horse. The action is unclear or deliberately deceptive.
3. 7/9/23 – Mars/Leo inconjunct PlutoRx/Capricorn @ 29deg. – This combo is a push comes to shove energy. The drive to reach a goal is so intense that power and money are badly misused. The extreme intensity combined with willpower and need for recognition creates destruction and chaos. We’re likely to hear of abuses of power in high places. On a personal level, you can push through to the other side as long as your heart and integrity is in the right place and the consequences are honored.
4. 7/10/23 – A day with 2 major aspects.
-- Mars enters mutable, earth Virgo (until 8/27/23). – One of the planets supporting Venus/Leo’s fiery summer journey slips into pragmatic no nonsense earth-sign, Virgo. We are asked to use our powers of discrimination and analysis to come to terms with our overwhelming, confusing, contradictory, and increasingly complex world. Virgo, however, breaks it down into manageable pieces. We can make the complex simple if we stick to core principles and enact a posture of service to the world that gives us life and the people on the journey with us. Service requires skills. This is a time to hone your skills and share them to make a difference. Details matter and we’ll recognize how something seemingly small has a huge impact.
-- Mercury in cardinal, water Cancer opposite PlutoRx in cardinal, earth Capricorn @ 29deg. – You may not feel oppressed but you’re surely thinking very hard or maybe you’re obsessing. Pluto instinctively chooses to go to depth. If you’re comfortable immersing yourself in a problem, researching a situation or entwining yourself in powerful ideas, then this aspect’s for you. Plumbing the depths yields riches but may equally arouse an old wound. You may be challenged by what you say. Remember this energy concerns powerful or persuasive rhetoric.
5. 7/11/23 – Mercury enters Leo. – Mercury takes its turn joining Venus/Leo confronting fixed and ego-based rhetoric in itself and in others. The courage to speak your speak or walk your talk is highlighted. Mercury/Leo, at its best, will align itself with the values Venus has identified as needing a larger, louder voice. Use this creative energy to shine the light of freedom of expression in those places that have been darkened by prejudice. Curb ego by remembering that what you do affects everyone else. What new creative ideas will you birth?
6. 7/15/23 – Venus/Leo inconjunct NeptuneRx/Pisces @ 27deg. – Mars had to contend with Neptune this way and now Venus takes a turn. Venus and Neptune are more compatible in some ways. Venus is exalted in Pisces and Neptune is the modern ruler of Pisces. That aside, Neptune is always tricky and plays to your illusions, delusions, dreams, and imagination. Neptune has a reputation for playing games with vulnerabilities. Can you be persuaded to change your mind if the benefit is sweet enough or seemingly so? Neptune is a master of magic. What you see is not always what you get. The other part is the ability to yield to what is, whatever happens because of not seeing clearly or not seeing the whole picture. You may feel you’re being deceived but haven’t you deceived yourself? This aspect requires reflection to realign with spiritual values.
7. 7/17/23 – Mercury/Leo square Jupiter in fixed, earth Taurus @ 11deg. – The creative, determined, and stubborn mind meets immovable reality. Here you can spin a tall tale or observe it being spun. The tendency to go all out – go big or go home syndrome can be successful but, if not planned with a stable foundation, come crashing down. Your words may not land well but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t speak. Be prepared for pushback and stick to your principles while being reasonable. A tall order sometimes, I know.
8. 7/20/23 – A day with 2 major aspects.
-- Sun/Cancer trine NeptuneRx/Pisces @ 27deg. – The softer side of life beckons your participation. Summertime, after all, is for counting the clouds in the sky, wearing less clothing, and feeling the sun and the waves. Daydreaming is recommended and any other activity that allows you to escape and recharge. On the other hand, we may hear of secrets, deceptions and deliberate activity meant to deceive. If you can, leave the world behind and make your own sweet oasis, wholly to your own liking, a magical place where all is well, and you feel re-inspired to be your best self.
-- Mars/Virgo opposite SaturnRx/Pisces @ 6deg. – The extra careful Mars/Virgo meets the lord of accountability. A temporary pause may be necessary. A door closes, so try another one. Saturn’s nature is caution and typically means that a task is unfinished, not according to spec or simply unviable. The good news is that energy is available to re-work, reconstruct and stabilize the intention and purpose of the plan. If you’re frustrated, take time off and return to the project later.
Thank you kindly, Cameron!