Astrology for July ~ Pt. 2 Backwards and Full

My astro-preview this month is split into three parts, published a few days apart. A summary list of all July’s events and links is included at the end of each post. Click for Pt. 1 

July 9/10*: Uranus turns retrograde ~ The Storm Breaks

The Retrograde period for any planet symbolises a time when the energies and urges the planet represents go inwards, slow down and come up for review.

What does this mean for intense, rebellious, freedom loving Uranus?

A burst of exciting, electrifying energy is likely when Uranus goes retrograde, preceded by a sense of frustration as it slows down before turning. It’s a bit like the feeling when the sky feels dark and heavy and you know a storm is coming. Dramatic change is in the air. When the storm breaks there’s a big sense of relief and awe as the heavens open up and crack with lightning.

Uranus turns retrograde at 04Ari34 and turns direct on 10 Dec 2011 at 00Ari39. If you have planet or angles between zero and four degrees of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) you will get the second hit of a Uranus transit while Uranus is retrograde. (Get your chart for free at www.alabe.com)

Under a Uranus transit things suddenly become clearer. The urge for freedom, to break out of a rut seems intense. Change is coming over the horizon, but you don’t quite know what that change will look like or when exactly it will arrive, but you hope that clear blue skies will follow the storm. You may feel inspired and energetic about embracing the new and full of inventive ideas. Expect the unexpected under a Uranus transit! During this retrograde second hit of your transit you may feel that old ground is being re-covered or you might feel frustrated that change and freedom is coming too slowly. Don’t rush to make all or nothing changes now, but do claim some space and a little extra freedom for yourself though, this is important for finding and holding a clear perspective on all the craziness that may be going on around you.

For more on Uranus transits, have a look at my recent post about Good News Uranus Transits here and also see Uranus in Aries Transits
Tuning into the Sky God: I love synchronicity and as I started to write this slot about Uranus a storm broke and as I finish the storm is passing and I can glimpse a little bit of blue sky beyond the clouds.

July 14/15*: Full Moon in Capricorn

In Capricorn, this Full Moon brings to a head issues associated with the sign of the sea goat, whose goal is to cross every raging torrent and conquer every mountain top, little by little, steady as he goes. Yes, Capricorn is the upwardly mobile organizer-administrator of the zodiac, the practical, ‘get things done’ type, driven by ambition and the need to progress.

The Capricorn Moon opposes the Cancer Sun. Oppositions invite us to see the other side of things and to find a balance between the opposing urges of the two signs involved. With Capricorn and Cancer, the need to balance work life and home/family life could crop up. With more of us working longer and harder to provide for ourselves and our families, our ability to hold things in equilibrium needs addressing. While we need to be financially secure (Capricorn), we also need to remember that emotional security (Cancer) is just as important.

Venus Square Saturn: Ultimately Full Moons, being oppositions, are about relationships. Because this Full Moon is accompanied by a square between Venus in protective, sensitive Cancer square Saturn in partnership focussed Libra, it’s reasonable to expect that our relationships could feel tested during this Full Moon and the few days leading up to it. Perhaps it’s time for us to consider setting some healthy boundaries in all our partnerships.

This Full Moon will be particularly relevant if you have planets or angles around 22 degrees of Cancer, Capricorn, Aries or Libra. Venus square Saturn (exact on July 13) will be relevant to you if you have planets or angles around 11 degrees of Cancer, Capricorn, Aries or Libra.

Summary of July’s Main Events

July 1: Eclipsed New Moon at 9 degrees Cancer
July 1/2*: Mercury enters Leo 
July 3/4*: Venus enters Cancer 
July 9/10*: Uranus turns retrograde at 5 degrees Aries
July 13: Venus in Cancer square Saturn in Libra (11 degrees)
July 14/15*: Full Moon at 22 degrees Capricorn
July 22/23*: Sun enters Leo
July 28: Venus enters Leo
July 28: Mercury enters Virgo
July 30: New Moon at 7 degrees Leo

Click for Void of Course Moon times for July
Click for Astroair’s three month Solstice Forecast

NOTE: *Where two dates are given, the event occurs on the earlier date in American time zones and on the later date in European time zones. This is due only to time differences on the clock, in reality the event occurs simultaneously everywhere. In the summary of July’s events the degrees have been rounded up or down to the nearest degree.

Picture credit: Nasa

With love, Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/