Astrological Trends July 18 - 24, 2011

Astrological Trends for July 18-24

Last week, you may have felt like a mouse scurrying through a maze, having to perform certain tasks before you could scurry to the next, never able to see your way through that maze. I am happy to tell you that this week is much easier and has a slower pace. A peaceful start to the week is likely on Monday, July 18th, due to the moon in the mutable water sign of Pisces joining Neptune, the planet of inspiration and spirituality, and Chiron, the planet of healing, also in Pisces. This wonderful combination of energies makes you more aware of your own divinity and finer human qualities, like compassion, forgiveness, and gratitude. It is also a highly creative energy, which gets extra assistance now from the moon/Neptune/Chiron trio forming a supportive sextile to Jupiter, the planet of optimism, abundance, and expansion, in the fixed earth sign of sensual Taurus and a sextile to intensifying Pluto in structured Capricorn, which, in turn, activates the extremely fortunate trine between Jupiter and Pluto! Now is the perfect time to manifest dreams and wishes or begin large creative projects. With faith and other positive emotions, you can make things real and tangible. There is pleasure to be had in creativity and working with material things. Uranus in the cardinal fire sign of Aries is still involved in a problematic square to Pluto in the cardinal earth sign of Capricorn. I have mentioned this aspect in the last two weekly trends I have posted. After having a bevy of strange, disruptive, unwelcome events and breakages of material objects that I didn't request through deliberate intent - and after hearing other people recount similar stories of their last few weeks - I think it is safe to say that Uranus square Pluto is the culprit. I now think of this square as "The Lemony Snicket Square," with Pluto being the terribly nasty and frightening uncle who continually makes life miserable for his unusually unique and talented young nieces and nephew as they move through one unfortunate event after another. Youth, change, and new endeavors have the edge of resiliency thanks to Jupiter in Taurus semi-sextile to Uranus in Aries. Mars in Gemini semi-sextile Venus in Cancer mixes the fun of flirtation and mental stimulation with the comfort of symbiotic romance. Early this evening, the romantic Pisces moon forms a quincunx to Saturn in Libra. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder now as whatever or whomever we put on a pedestal becomes the perfect embodiment of what we find most alluring in a partner or material object.

After last week's three-ring circus of activity, you may be taking things cautiously on Tuesday, July 19th. The mutable Pisces moon suggests adopting a "wait and see - you go first" approach on Tuesday. The Pisces moon forms an encouraging trine to Venus in Cancer and it becomes safe to be emotionally expressive. Unfortunately, the moon/Venus trine can lull you into feeling everyone IS you at the emotional level. Remember that the planets work their magic on other people, too, but not everyone has the same feelings about the same things! A reality check comes at noon as the moon in Pisces forms a challenging square to heated Mars in the mutable air sign of impish Gemini, saying, "I beg to differ!" and sparking lively debates. Early this evening, the Pisces moon forms a quincunx to Mercury in Leo. When it comes to communication, people will vacillate between aggressive and dramatic outbursts to passive or shy retreat. If I were a novelist, I would use this aspect pattern to help me write the early chapters of a love story where the two lovers have met but are unsure of their attraction and feelings for each other, resulting in conversations that mimic a fencing duel. If you happen to be at such a stage in a dating relationship, you may think the script this evening came right out of a romance novel. Don't take every word seriously, but consider the hidden meaning behind every word.

Make the most of harmonious and creative water energy early in the day on Wednesday, July 20th. The moon in the late degrees of Pisces forms a flowing trine to the sun in Cancer, helping you to manifest things easily. The sun in the cardinal water sign of Cancer is quincunx Neptune in Pisces. If you tenaciously persist in following a dream or direct your imagination with intent, you can expect satisfaction. At lunchtime, the energy will shift noticeably as the moon moves into the cardinal fire sign of Aries and joins Uranus, strengthening the square between Uranus and Pluto in Capricorn. Just when things felt like they were moving safely and smoothly, Lemony Snicket strikes again! Expressions like "flying off the handle" and "jumping from the frying pan into the fire" come to mind. Slow down and think about consequences before taking action. Do only the things that must be done and avoid taking on more than you can realistically manage.

After all the soft, feminine water energy of the first part of this week, the energy of Thursday, July 21st, may feel distinctly masculine and harsh. As the moon in the cardinal, masculine air sign of "I am" Aries begins to move apart from freedom-loving, independent Uranus in Aries, it opposes restrictive Saturn in "you and me" Libra. Absolutely everything you perceive today may be through a lens of self versus other and compromise may feel unsatisfactory. It is alright to discern and weigh options, but it is not wise to make independent decisions today without consulting the people or person your decision may involve, nor is it a good time to come to a conclusion about a relationship. Your mood and mind may change after this opposition aspect fades, leaving you to wonder, "Whatever was I thinking?"

Relationship could be "interesting" or complicated on Friday, July 22nd, as the moon in the cardinal fire sign of self-aware Aries forms a challenging square to needy, clinging Venus in the cardinal water sign of Cancer but a supportive sextile to active Mars in the mutable sign of platonic Gemini. People want attention for themselves now but are not as eager to bestow affection or attention if they feel like someone expects it from them or demands it. There is no give-and-take now unless both agree to keep it light and playful. It is best for all couples to join their energy in outward-directed, non-romantic activities. It is also possible that the excitement raised during shared activities can be misconstrued as sexual or romantic attraction. I did say it could be complicated! At midday, the Aries moon forms a supportive trine to Mercury in the fixed fire sign of Leo. This aspect encourages brainstorming and creating original ideas, plans, or projects. Relationships settle down and there is no more confusion surrounding romantic intentions this evening as the Aries moon forms a sextile to Neptune in Pisces. You know what you want and the signals you receive should be clear. This is a great date night for both singles and matched couples.

On Saturday, July 23rd, the moon enters the fixed earth sign of Taurus and joins Jupiter in Taurus, which intensifies the magnetic attraction factor of the trine that has been in place for a few weeks between Jupiter in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn. Bigger and more in the material realm is what this aspect is all about. Keep your thoughts positive to manifest what you want and need. Hit the cancel/clear button any time your thoughts or energy dive down below positive expectation. The Universe will deliver what you think about with strong emotion, so watch what you think and feel today. The sun has now left Cancer and has entered the fixed fire sign of Leo. You may be aware of the energy shift from the element of water to fire as the sun in Leo trine Neptune in Pisces heightens perceptions and sensitivity. Early this evening, the moon in sensual Taurus conjunct Jupiter forms a quincunx to Saturn in Libra. I recommend a gourmet dinner out, a couples massage, or an evening of dancing, music, or theater. Artists or lovers of art have a deeper appreciation of beauty now. Couples trying to conceive a child may be able to do so now.

A quiet and subdued morning arrives on Sunday, July 24th, as the moon in the fixed earth sign of Taurus is free of any major planetary aspects. You may not be permitted much lazing about, though, due to Mercury in the fixed fire sign of Leo forming an opposition to Neptune in Pisces. Calls from friends to come and play or help them with projects may intrude on morning reveries and peaceful solitude. Oh, well. That's what friends are for, right? Early this afternoon, the sun in the fixed fire sign of Leo forms a supportive trine to Uranus in the cardinal fire sign of Aries, creating the urge to get out and play, compete, or find a challenging adventure or new location to explore. The Leo sun also forms a quincunx to Neptune and Chiron in Pisces, making moments and activities between people heartwarming and memorable. Early this afternoon, the Taurus moon forms a semi-sextile to Mars in Gemini. Mars, in turn, forms a semi-sextile to Venus in Cancer and Venus forms a semi-sextile to Mercury in Leo. All these happy little semi-sextiles linking these planets together remind me of a jingling charm bracelet. Your Sunday should be a delightful unfolding of pleasant activity and conversation - a perfect end to a productive, not-so-bad, sometimes challenging, but overall good week. Satisfaction reigns at the close of the day.