Monthly Astrocast July 2009 Key Events: Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse (15:24 Capricorn): July 7, 2009 New Moon/Solar Eclipse (29:27 Cancer): July 21, 2009 Retrograde Planets: Pluto: April 4 - September 10, 2009 Neptune: May 29 - November 3, 2009 Jupiter: June 15 - October 12, 2009 Uranus: July 1 - November 30, 2009 1
Long-term Aspects and Lunations This month the New and Full Moon each have a little extra punch due to the fact they both involve an eclipse. While a typical lunation usually lasts a month give-or-take, an eclipse can remain in force for a year or longer, sometimes being noticeable even before it actually occurs. Even the ancients recognized them as significant events and the Babylonians as far back as 747 B.C. could predict them. What most people don't realize, even though the Babylonians did as far back as 400 B.C., is that they come in cycles. The Greek lexicographer, Suidas, named them the Saros Series in the 10th century A.D. Eclipses in a given series carry similar characteristics as most families do and occur every 18 years plus 9-11 days to account for the leap years in between. I'll spare you all the gory details, but suffice it to say that the ones coming up this month are dubbed 11 South and their influence is to institute sudden reforms. Old ways of doing things will fail with new approaches required to be effective. If there are obstacles in the way, they can be removed in a sudden or even forceful manner. It's hard to predict the effect an eclipse will have on an individual; some are readily apparent with dramatic outcomes while others come and go uneventfully. About all you can do is note the House in which they occur and assume that any effects will relate to that part of life. These horoscopes are based on Sun Sign astrology, where the first House is the Sun Sign, which works quite well for events beyond your control and going on in the world at-large. If you know your ascendant, take a look at the horoscope for that Sign as well as it will apply as well, perhaps on a more personal level. The beauty of astrology is that any significant that is going on in your life is going to show up in so many different ways and places that it's all but impossible to miss. Discerning the details may be a crap-shoot, but the general theme can typically be derived. That said, let's take a look at the Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse on July 7. For this eclipse the Sun is in Cancer, your 8th House of sex, death, other people's money (a.k.a. debt), and transformations, while the eclipsing Moon is in Capricorn, your 2nd House of finances, possessions, needs, and pleasures. Given the economy these days, this will certainly be interesting to watch. Note that this could go either way, whether good or bad, but you can bet that your 2nd/8th Axis of Desire is going to be affected. While all family members tend to have similar characteristics, each is also unique and eclipses are no exception. The personality of these will be formed by the aspects accompanying the eclipse. One aspect to keep an eye on is a Triangle of Potential formed by Saturn in Virgo, your 10th House of career, reputation, and public image. Saturn is sextile the Sun and trine the Moon, two favorable aspects that will help mediate the Sun/Moon opposition, or definition of a Full Moon. This implies that any financial issues you're dealing with can be influenced by your career. This, of course, is not rocket science, since I assume your career is your source of income. This may not be the case but for the moment let's assume that's the case. If your birthday is between December 6-10, Saturn is square your Natal Sun, which could indicate some problems in this part of your life. Note, 2
however, that with the positive aspects involved this will probably turn out in a beneficial manner even if you don't like what's going on. For example, if you lose your job you may find another one that is much better or you may choose to change jobs to make more money, thinking you won't like it, but wind up liking it better than the one you left behind. Saturn is all about responsibility, obligations, delays, structure, restrictions, and authority. These clearly relate to career ambitions and if you've been ignoring those traits chances are your career won't be doing too well these days in a very competitive workplace. On the other hand if you've been exhibiting them in an exemplary manner, your career and public image should thrive. Remember, however, the theme of this eclipse series is sudden reforms and finding new methods. So if anything isn't working, look at it in that context and prepare to make some changes. Another aspect of note is a quincunx between Venus in Gemini, your 7th House of relationships, and Pluto in Capricorn, your 2nd of finances, where the eclipse takes place. A quincunx brings a Catch 22 or the necessity for an adjustment and in this case that will apply to your close relationships and finances. Venus in your house of relationships is a rather pleasant placement and implies that things should go well in this area while the quincunx to Pluto in your House of finances indicates that you also might want to look very closely at your expenditures, particularly as they relate to those close to you. Hard times call for hard measures and if you're struggling financially maybe it's time to look at the plethora of ways you and yours squander money and how it adds up, like that Starbucks triple caramel expresso latte you pick up every morning. Maybe it's time, like it or not, to start using coupons religiously at the grocery store, which can be a supreme nuisance but also pay huge dividends. You need to make some adjustments and do something differently, particularly when it involves those close to you, so look at it from all angles, then, in keeping with the spirit of these eclipses, deliberately do something you haven't done before. Another aspect to watch that's flavoring these eclipses is that Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron stellium in Aquarius, your 3rd House of thoughts, ideas, neighborhood and short journeys. As your Sign Ruler, Jupiter carries a lot of weight for you (no pun intended), and that's a pretty interesting grouping with a plethora of interpretations. Furthermore, all three of them are retrograde, internalizing their energy, which will probably serve to drive their influence to your unconscious mind. Jupiter in retrograde usually involves ethics in some way; Neptune can inspire but also tends to dissolve what he touches; and Chiron, the wounded healer, can bring injury and/or healing to yourself or others. Throw all this into your 3rd House of thought etc. and you may find yourself assuming an entirely new belief system based on inspiration that helps you and others heal or conversely one that is based on deception and is injurious to you and those around you. This trio in and of itself is enough to think about, but for this eclipse Mars is throwing a square at them from Taurus, your 6th House of work. 3
I'll digress here and point out how the 10th House of career and 6th House of work differ. The 10th House relates to our public image and the mark we leave on the world while the 6th applies to our work, those things we do to occupy our time day to day. There was a classic example of the difference between these two on one of those circulating emails a while back where a retired farmer had built this incredible scale model of Herod's temple which was housed in its own building where people came to see it. This man's "work" would have been what he did as a farmer while he'll be remembered for his model which may or may not be bringing in any income. Same goes for artists, writers, composers, and actors who have day jobs to pay their expenses while their heart is really with their craft. If you're lucky they're one in the same, but in many cases they're not. One possibility to consider is whether any avocations you entertain might have the potential to increase your income. Thus, this energy hailing from your house of work could stir up some inspiration for something you could do to earn some extra cash. It may also manifest as increased drive in the workplace, fueled by inspiration and the desire to help create a better world. Something unexpected at home may trigger this entire process, such as an unexpected expense. Expect to scramble for a while, but there's plenty of energy there to see you through if properly applied. The New Moon/Solar eclipse on July 21 occurs in Cancer, your 8th House of sex, death, other people's resources (debt) and transformations. This one is a bit more ominous than the Lunar Eclipse, particularly with that quincunx to Pluto in your 2nd House which implies adjustments to your finances will be required due to something that's been hidden or covered up. That could be anything from poor spending habits to something breaking down that you didn't see coming. (It's also worth noting that it's on the very tail-end of Cancer and thus on the cusp of Leo, your 9th House of higher learning, legal matters, beliefs, expectations, relocation and long-distance travel, so if something turns up in that area, you can probably blame this eclipse.) Uranus is trining the Sun/Moon from your 4th House of home environment, indicating something unexpected there will kick things off. Venus in your 7th House of close relationships is square Saturn in your 10th House of career and reputation, implying you'll be looking at any people who touch both categories with a critical eye. Remember that close relationships are not only your significant other but close friends and relatives and business associates; anyone with whom you have a one-on-one relationship, so this could pertain to your boss or someone else associated with your career. This could even pertain to you if you're in a position of authority and perhaps have to lay someone off that you like. Yet another aspect to note is a sextile between Mars in your 7th of relationships and Mercury in Leo, your 9th of higher learning, cultural matters, etc. This indicates some lively communications, a confrontation, or information coming your way from one of those 9th House venues, including a foreign entity of some description. 4
Daily and Short-term Aspects The month starts out with Venus and Mercury tweaking that Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron stellium. This implies that relationships and work are going to be on your mind, for good or ill considering that variety of ways that stellium could manifest. Mercury goes into Cancer on July 3, bringing his active information flow to you 8th House of transformations and all that other stuff. Mercury opposes Pluto on the 4th of July right across your 2nd/8th Axis of Desire, so called because it involved both sensual pleasures and money. Look for something to come out of hiding at this time that influences these two areas. On the 5th Venus goes into Gemini, your 7th House of relationships, and from July 6-7 Mars will be throwing energy toward that stellium discussed above in the context of the Lunar Eclipse and also bringing a few surprises your way from the home front. Relationship and financial issues are also likely to surface at this time. The Sun sextiles Saturn on July 9 which indicates an opportunity to transform your career in some way. Now is a good time to think about whether you have other options. A bubble of some sort may burst on the 10th, perhaps collapsing some old beliefs or expectations. Mars goes into your 7th House of relationships on July 11; this energy may come out in a tendency to be more confrontational or aggressive, either on your part of the other person. From the 12th to 14th big news with an opportunity that could have a transformational effect on your career is likely. Lively discussions with those close to you about finances are also there on the 14th. Mercury is stirring up matters on the mental plane today which is going to have a deep affect on your beliefs. Now is a good time to take a good, hard look at your ideals. Mercury goes into Leo on the 17th, bringing news from afar or data pertaining to higher learning, legal matters such as contracts, relocating, or simply your beliefs and expectations. From July 18-19 the Sun will be stirring up that stellium and causing more adjustments to you way of thinking; any delusions will be swept away by the stark light of day in a potentially unexpected way. Beliefs and expectations regarding your relationships are on the agenda for the 20th and on the 21st that New Moon/Solar Eclipse will unleash its power as described above. The Sun goes into Leo on the 22nd, bringing more light to your 9th House, Sagittarius' zodiacal home. This means that these matters are comfortable and important to you. On the 23rd more financial forensics will necessitate more adjustments and between July 27-28 Venus will be beckoning some of those new thoughts and possibly inspired beliefs to bear on one or more relationship. July 20-31 should see your thoughts turning to those 9th House issues again and requiring some negotiations to solve. If your thoughts have been slightly off target, the truth will come out, but in general your thoughts and beliefs will confront each other at this time and have an unexpected affect on your home environment. On the 31st Venus goes into Cancer, bringing her luck and blessings to your 8th House of transformations, debt, sex and so forth. Obviously there's a bunch going on this month that is going to linger for quite some time due to the effects of the eclipses. In fact, the first lunation of August is another eclipse, 5
so we're being bombarded with them. Remember the theme is to find new methods of dealing with old problems and if there are any obstacles in the way, they'll be removed, possibly in a forceful way. The times they are a-changin' and in order to keep up, we need to as well. Copyright 2009 Valkyrie Astrology All Rights Reserved If you enjoy these monthly horoscopes and find them helpful, please share them with a friend! --Whobeda 6