Cancer, the Mommy sign, and Leo, the Daddy sign, govern July.

The first part of July is dominated by the sensitive, emotional sign of Cancer. We are concerned with the home front, family reunions, security, patriotism, and all things near and dear to our hearts. Perhaps as the Sun’s light begins to diminish we feel a need to draw closer to the hearth. In the Southern Hemisphere, the deepest winter can spark a similar urge.

As the month moves on, radiant fire-sign Leo begins to shine, and we rise renewed from that family hearth, ready to express the flame that shines within us.

In cardinal Cancer we reach for comfort and security. In fixed Leo we hold our ground. Leo wants to be king/queen of the mountain, and because it does not give way it is more prone to conflict. Many baby boomers, including our last two presidents, were born with strong Leo energy which will now be stimulated.

All Cancer Sun signs now start their new solar year. This includes a hefty contingent in the Western hemisphere—the United States, George W. Bush, Canada, Venezuela, Vicente Fox, and Donald Rumsfeld. Afghanistan and Iraq also have their Suns in Cancer. The beginning of any new cycle is most active, so we can expect emotions to run high, and many security concerns to come up in July.

As Leo energy moves in towards the end of the month, conflict will arise about who’s in charge, and their manner of dominating.

One of the underlying themes of the month is working out how to use aggression in a way which nurtures us.

Ceres, the Great Mother, is especially important during Cancer time. She will be in mid-Aries for the entire month, where she will nurture by encouraging self-assertion and martial actions. This is a great opportunity to learn to use our anger as a fuel for positive change.

Ceres relates to the entire food cycle, including labor and labor problems. We can expect strikes and labor disputes to come to a head now. Ceres will also encourage demonstrating and speaking out against those people and groups whom we consider non-nurturing. Long-suppressed family conflicts may also emerge.

The U.S. government will be challenged, for Ceres opposes both the U.S. Saturn—authority—and the U.S. progressed Mars—military and police action.

In addition the U.S. natal Mars, and transiting Mars, are featured from the very start of the month. The natives will be restless.

The other underlying harmonic of the month relates to the resurrection of technology for the future.

The other month-long aspect is Pallas Athena opposing Transpluto. Pallas Athena is now in Aquarius, where she is the voice of the future. She conjoins Uranus, who incites revolution, progress, and reform. Pallas is the strategist, Uranus the inventor, and in Aquarius science and technology are the means.

Pallas is also the defender. With the company she is keeping now, she pertains to missile defense and all defensive measures to assure future security, including everything from a world in which social justice prevails to a police state. In the mental sign of Aquarius, defense can include everything from adherence to a code of human rights and democratic procedure to development of remote viewing and mind control. Telepathy and all ESP are also enhanced.

Transpluto is traveling in the opposite sign of Leo. Transpluto is the principle of earthy resurrection, and since its entry into Leo in 1939 has been resurrecting world leadership—i.e., Leo energies. Transpluto moves slowly, and will enter Virgo in 2011, just in time for the target date for vibrational change of December 21, 2012. In the meantime, tussles for king-of-the-mountain continue.

This opposition indicates the resurrection of technology for the future, particularly in regard to defense. Special insight, inventiveness, and innovation are extraordinarily keen now.

We can also resurrect our lives in a new form, particularly in regard to connection with our hearts, ruled by Leo.

The Leo planetary energy now entering Earth’s field will help us with this rediscovery of our heart centers, and our ability to infuse our lives with love.

Black holes add turmoil and unpredictability to July.

There are no planets giving us the excitement of changing direction this month. There are no eclipses. Also, there are very few squares, which are the challenging, stressful (and most creative) aspects. In the ephemeris this looks like a very peaceful month.

But the month is loaded with planetary placements conjoining Black Holes, which are very high energy vortexes that suck in everything in the vicinity. Black Holes depict areas of susceptibility to dramatic, intense, sometimes violent and usually unsuspected shifts in the status quo reality. Alex Miller-Mignone has written about black hole influences, and I find his work very sound.

Alex says that the basic essence of a black hole is change, especially sudden, dramatic reversals of the status quo reality. What has gone before is no more, and bears little, if any, resemblance to what will come.

Black holes are metaphoric of major life passages, passing from one state of awareness to another. They are also metaphors for where we feel trapped, or disempowered, and suffer a loss of energy.

Finally, says Alex, black holes stand for the alienation we experience in modern society.

Here is one example of Black Hole action. At the time of the 9-11-01 attack, Black Hole Nemesis, along with Mercury, was rising on the East Coast. The term "nemesis" originally meant "due enactment," but it has come to mean divine vengeance.

Nemesis’ role was to step in and exact punishment when some favored mortal had boasted of his good fortune without giving due thanks, and properly giving of his largesse to public charity. It was Nemesis’ task to intervene and humiliate the offender, sometimes depriving him of all he had to make her point.

Now in July, Black Holes Kali, Parvati, Apsu, Hecate, Pele, Inanna, and Durga all fall on critical degrees. Mythology buffs might like to check out their stories to get a feel for this month’s reality shifts.

In general, July is when we begin to solidify our eclipse changes, which have everything to do with connections, information, business, and relationships. We do this through striving for our own security, creating forms and boundaries in our lives, and reconnecting with our heart energy.

Gemini, the Twins, is the dominant sign for this year. We will have many choices before us. Our major choices this month involve those options which truly make our lives more secure.

Note: A VOC Moon period is when the Moon is making no further major planetary aspects before it changes signs. Moon and its aspects are strongly associated with our everyday behavior, and without those aspects to direct our course, we are left much more free to pursue our own ends in our own way. It is like you’re driving down the freeway and find the road signs removed for awhile. On the one hand, plans may go awry, you may miss your exit; on the other hand, inner work is greatly favored as those external "instructions" are reduced. Times used are EST, because the overall influences for the United States are centered in Washington DC.		Click on a date to jump to the calendar entry for that day:
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This is definitely not a gung-ho way to start the week. But on the other hand, rest up while you can. The next two days are volatile. Today Moon is VOC in Pisces until 3:49 p.m. EDT, when it enters Aries. Feelings are expansive and compassionate, but ambition is lacking. Just flow with it, and relax. Tomorrow energy will lift, and goals will be clear. With Aries moon tonight, we may find ourselves acting rashly or impulsively.

We have two black holes which prevail for the entire month. Wounded Healer Chiron conjoins Black Hole Durga, who is a warrior maiden in the Hindu goddess triad. Durga is in the business-institutional sign of Capricorn, and her role is the removal of negative energy, disease, and toxins. We certainly see that negative energy erupting now in the business world, like boils. Durga manifests with Chiron for most of 2002.

TUESDAY JULY 2

Fourth Quarter Moon at 11 Aries occurs at 1:19 p.m. EDT. This Aries-Cancer combination is difficult, and can give rise to irritability. Aries Moon reacts quickly, spontaneously, and assertively to life events. Cancer, on the other hand, is receptive, defensive, and cautious. Being assertive about needs for home and security is a way to use the combination. This is a day of action.

One thing scheduled for this day is the beginning of the first international tribunal on war crimes—the International Criminal Court. This Treaty has been years in the making and has been ratified by about 70 nations, and signed by another 70. The Bush Administration unsigned it last May—an international first—and not only refuses to participate, which is its right, but is currently trying to undermine participation of U.S. allies to make it unworkable.

Mother Ceres is the star of this drama. She sits next to Moon, and the two of them nurture through encouraging autonomy and taking the initiative. Aggression in the name of security is the name of the game now. Ceres in Aries dominates the July skies. Autonomy and independence are her drives.

There are several conjunctions in the sky. This indicates that there is much power and backup behind actions taken now. It also indicates the beginning of a few new cycles.

For example, Mercury conjoins Saturn to start a new one-year cycle in organizing thought and information. They are in Gemini, which includes trade and commercial links. They also conjoin the U.S. Mars, and stimulate feistiness, a desire to quarrel, and a focus on the armed forces for the U.S. U.S. isolation will intensify.

Mars is joining Jupiter—exact tomorrow—to begin a two-year cycle of creative, expansive, enterprising action. In Cancer, the activity is directed towards establishing emotional security. This pair conjoins the U.S. Mercury to provide a wealth of plans and new organization in the nation’s consciousness. Mars has just passed over Vesta, and financial changes are likely now

These conjunctions indicate new security-oriented projects in the works for the United States, with warrior Mars figuring importantly in them.

The Sabian Symbol for 11 Aries is

"THE RULER OF A NATION. The power resulting from the formal integration of the collective desire for order. A desire for a larger type of integration has now emerged. At this level of ego integration, laws and the restrictive power of a police force are dominant features. Psychologically this means that the integrative principle is the limited "I am" realization. It indicates a CENTRALIZATION OF POWER at the level of a rigidly structured consciousness."

Indeed, here we are.

WEDNESDAY JULY 3

This is a day for some big action, with a lot of scope. Moon in Aries is adventurous and impulsive, ready to meet any challenge. Mars conjoins Jupiter to set in action the Spiritual Warrior, one who is ready to do battle for an ideal or a cause. Emotions are volatile, and it is easy to get upset and indulge in rash action.

It is quite likely that George W. Bush will do exactly that, for his chart is stressfully impacted. It is, in fact, a very big day for him. He could be playing in a drama where he is the hero of the moment. In some way, his image will be transformed.

It would be well on this July 4, Independence Day, to read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and to meditate on the meaning of liberty. (You can find them at your local library.) Our losses of freedom and constitutional rights in the last nine months have been absolutely enormous.

In particular, great damage has been done, and is being done, to all immigrants and all people of color.

(In the recent Daryl Cherney-Judi Bari civil rights case in Oakland, upon adjourning for deliberation, the Jury put in a call to the Court for a copy of the Constitution. The presiding judge refused! After an appeal by the plaintiffs’ attorney, the judge was willing to read relevant sections aloud to the jury—but he was never willing to give a copy of the Constitution to the jury!)

THURSDAY JULY 4

This is a mellow holiday. Moon is in easygoing Taurus with no aspects to move us along. We can just enjoy the pleasures of the day. Good food and drink will be at the top of the list. A day in nature, going barefoot on the green grass, lazily lying on the beach, or working in the garden would all appeal. Fireworks can be spectacular.

FRIDAY JULY 5

Moon continues quietly traveling through Taurus, and we enjoy our peaceful respite. This is relaxing vacation energy.

SATURDAY JULY 6

No lying in bed this morning. The action begins early and continues nonstop until it culminates in a surprising event or conclusion around noon. The drive with Taurus is to be practical. Sun squares Ceres in Aries today, vitalizing martial activity. Unexpected events can occur from noon until 3 p.m. EDT, which is VOC moon time. At 3 p.m., Moon enters sparkling Gemini. Have fun tonight!

SUNDAY JULY 7

This is a sensitive, dreamy, contemplative day. With Moon in Gemini we will want mental stimulation, but we might prefer to find it in solitude rather than through socializing. This is the perfect day for serious work on visualization of the kind of future we want.

MONDAY JULY 8

We may awaken early this morning, ready to work. Our work is extraordinarily creative and inventive today. It is a great day for planning. We can clearly visualize forms for future needs, particularly in regard to building new information structures. Our vision encompasses the wider society.

TUESDAY JULY 9

Again we are apt to waken early, now in a sensitive and super creative mood. This is dark of the moon time, and solitude is welcome. Opportunity is maximal now for connecting with our guidance and with universal energy. Take special time to open to the light.

WEDNESDAY JULY 10

New Moon at 19 Cancer occurs at 6:26 a.m. EDT. Cancer New Moon is when we begin to create our security foundation for the coming year. Vulnerable Cancer, whose job is to delve into and explore emotions, needs protected space for its work. Feelings, by their nature, are idiosyncratic, not justified by reason, and we are often subject to attack for exposing them. Thus Cancer has a need for a safe nest, and a need to defend its space.

We can see this motivation behind the huge military machine of the U.S., and how GW and Donald Rumsfeld, both Cancerians, look for personal security in the armoring of the nation.

However, at a higher level Cancer knows that it is in connecting with our soul that we find true security—the only kind that endures and is truly satisfying, for soul abides. In astrology, the crescent, the moon’s symbol, symbolizes the soul. Cancer is the sign especially associated with the moon.

The U.S. national identification with a quasi-Christianity is perhaps a limited attempt to express this inner knowledge.

The sign of Cancer is extraordinarily strong now, thus emphasizing the building of security throughout the world.

The three main action planets—Sun, Mars, and Jupiter—are all in Cancer. So is receptive Moon, along with Mercury, which shows what’s on our minds. Vesta, Goddess of the Hearth, also security-oriented, is in Cancer as well, providing very focused energy.

Mars conjoins Black Hole Kali, the second of the protective trio which includes Durga. Their primary purpose is to siphon off negativity from various bodies of humankind. According to Alex, Kali’s position in the water sign Cancer allows her to remove negativity and suppressed fear and rage from the emotional body. In order to be transferred, that fear must, of course, be expressed. Mars is just the planet to take on that assignment.

This sensitive degree will be enlivened by Sun on July 21.

Charts of both GW Bush and the United States are particularly impacted now.

This New Moon is the degree of the spectacular total Solar Eclipse of July 11, 1991. That eclipse was visible in Hawaii and Mexico, and there was much fallout around it, including earth changes, accidents, and political upheavals. The power vortexes during 1991 were located exactly where power struggles are occurring now.

The Sabian Symbol for 19 Cancer is

"A PRIEST PERFORMING A MARRIAGE CEREMONY. The ritualization of productive interpersonal relationships. The married couple is the basic productive unit in our society—as it has been for millennia in all patriarchal societies. The purpose of any established religion is to glorify, sanction, and bless with a superpersonal meaning all personal and interpersonal activities. This occurs through religious rites. Through this technique commonplace individual endeavors acquire SANCTION."

Energies now are expansive and potent throughout the world.

THURSDAY JULY 11

The drama begins. Moon in Leo is ready to create her stories, and play them out on a stage for all to see. Channels to imagination and fantasy are wide open now, and all kinds of creativity are encouraged.

FRIDAY JULY 12

This is a long and wakeful day. Moon continues in passionate Leo, fortified by a good dose of intuition. Jupiter conjoins Vesta to show a very intense drive towards expanding security. This is another major step in the U.S. becoming a Security State—which is perhaps appropriate for a Cancer nation. This nation is letting go of something major now, perhaps its core sense of freedom.

Juno yesterday and today passes over GW’s Mars. He will be inclined to lash out against his inner feelings of terror. This is the degree of Black Hole Apsu, the Babylonian Lord of the Abyss. GW’s Mars is in his house of money, and he has lost millions of dollars of investors’ money over the years—like a black hole. He has a similar pattern with the money of the U.S. people; it disappears quickly down a black hole. The Sun at the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993 was opposite Black Hole Apsu. The huge Asian financial crash in 1997 occurred when Sun conjoined Apsu.

SATURDAY JULY 13 and SUNDAY JULY 14

Moon is in industrious Virgo this weekend. It’s a great weekend to work, to take care of loose threads and clean up old projects, in preparation for the new ones now entering our lives. Mars enters Leo to give us enthusiasm for the work at hand, and to make a game out of it. Mars’ pride will also be enhanced as we spiff things up. Labor events will top the agenda this weekend.

MONDAY JULY 15

We will enjoy returning to the job today and sharing with our comrades. Moon in Libra provides a pleasant atmosphere, and with Mars in Leo we will have lots of stories to tell one another.

TUESDAY JULY 16

Excellent communication continues, although there may be a moment of sensitivity in mid-afternoon (or noon PDT). Creating plans, protocols, and designs for future building is very much favored today for the next few days.

WEDNESDAY JULY 17

First Quarter Moon at 25 Libra occurs at 12:47 a.m. EDT. At this Quarter we reach for partnership with others to help us feel more secure. Pallas Athena, the strategist, is very much in charge here. In Aquarius she has a social vision for the future, and she can now share, and finalize, that vision. Pallas is a defender, and now she is part of a grand air trine, which shows that words and ideas are her main defense tools. Information, linkages, and communication are going through deep reform now. In Aquarius, visionary group work is central. This is the foundation for the building of the Cancer security cycle.

This Moon is a turning point in the events of last mid-October. That was when the Taliban offered to hand over Osama bin Laden to a third party and the U.S. refused. The U.S. then began its land invasion of Afghanistan. There was also a big tax cut for business at this time, as well as Bush’s introduction of the "Patriot" Act.

Vesta now begins a week of action. Vesta, goddess of the hearth, represents both security and focus. Money—investments—is one of her domains. So are clan, and territory, and everything to do with safety and protection. These areas will all be headline issues during this next week.

Six black holes are now being activated. Reality shifts are happening en masse.

The Sabian Symbol for 25 Libra is

"THE SIGHT OF AN AUTUMN LEAF BRINGS TO A PILGRIM THE SUDDEN REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY OF LIFE AND DEATH. The ability to discover in every experience a transcendent or cosmic meaning. We are brought to a new state of consciousness which is truly the spiritual state. It is a state of "CLAIR-SEEING" or "seeing through." This world is an illusion only to the individual who cannot see through its phenomena and fails to apprehend the reality these phenomena reveal even as they conceal it."

THURSDAY JULY 18

Moon is in profound Scorpio today. Take time to yourself to tune into the universe. It is full of messages now.

FRIDAY JULY 19

We awaken early, and energy this morning is excellent for deep and productive communication. It may lead to a surprise or breakthrough by the time Moon goes VOC at 10:34 a.m. EDT. Exchange secrets over a leisurely lunch, and return to action at 2:02 p.m. when Moon enters energetic Sagittarius.

Energy is buoyant today, for vital Sun has its annual conjunction with optimistic Jupiter. The sky’s the limit; we can accomplish big things.

SATURDAY JULY 20

Yesterday’s enterprising and adventurous energy continues, and we can make huge plans. Travel, get your vision on distant horizons, open to new perspectives, and be willing to take risks. Or start a new project at home.

SUNDAY JULY 21

Our concern with security continues. How much freedom are we willing to give up for "security"? Today we want it both ways. Moon goes VOC at 3:44 p.m. At 7:26 p.m. EDT it enters Capricorn, and we settle down to serious business. The serious business could be entertainment, though, for tonight the Leo parade begins with Mercury moving into Leo. Leo likes to enjoy life.

MONDAY JULY 22

Partnership is today’s keynote, especially where business or service is involved, for Venus and Juno conjoin in Virgo. Having a constructive purpose is important today. Tonight Sun enters Leo, and we can feel the shift to the extroverted energy field which we will develop for the next month.

TUESDAY JULY 23

We jump from a huge concentration of receptive, magnetic energy to a huge concentration of outgoing, dynamic Leo energy. Moon remains in industrious Capricorn, keeping our focus steady and our outlook task-oriented.
After chasing Vesta all month, Sun finally catches up with her in Leo. Vesta will be fierce, like the Lioness, in protecting her cubs and her territory. Tonight Moon opposes Jupiter to expand our horizons.

WEDNESDAY JULY 24

We get a double dose of Full Moon in Aquarius this summer, giving us a big emphasis on the Leo-Aquarius polarity. The first Full Moon at 2 Aquarius occurs today at 5:07 a.m. EDT.

Leo is about self as center, centering in oneself, and freely expressing from one’s center. Leo is the Sun, star of the daytime sky. Aquarius is about seeing the many unique selves who make up society, and encouraging each one to find its place and to shine its light. Aquarius rules the many stars of the night sky. "One for all, and all for one" describes this polarity.

Vesta culminates this month as the main character on this Full Moon stage. The Goddess of the Hearth, the Keeper of the Sacred Flame, indeed burns brightly in Leo, the sign of the Sun. Vesta is above all things dedicated to maintaining the hearth, the integrity of the home, the light for the family, and the center for the community. Money, remember, is one of her main concerns.

Vesta here can blind us with her brightness and single-minded focus, like a laser. It is important now to step back into the detachment of the Aquarius moon, and not be swept up in the intense Leo energy.

Mercury now conjoins Mars in Leo, to begin a two-year cycle of forceful, confident, and assertive projection of thoughts and speech. The belief here is that "If I say it, it’s true." This conjunction conjoins GW’s Ascendant—his personal projection, as well as conjoining the U.S. North Node, the place of destiny. This placement on GW’s magnetic Plutonic Ascendant, as well as the unconscious intake of the North Node, indicates that the American people (not the rest of the world) will have a tendency to be swept along by Bush’s words for the next two years.

Venus squares Pluto to indicate relationship crises and transformation. With Venus in Virgo conjunct Juno, the armed services and labor are apt to be under the gun.

The Sabian Symbol for 2 Aquarius is

"AN UNEXPECTED THUNDERSTORM. The need to develop inner security which will enable us to meet unexpected crises. It refers to an event for which one is not prepared. Nature may reduce to impermanence the seemingly most permanent endeavors. Under a downpour of rain, adobe brick can return to mud. All human institutions and their achievements can be washed away, even in their day of great glory. This is NATURE’S CHALLENGE."

THURSDAY JULY 25

Yesterday’s strong Leo-Aquarius energy continues full speed ahead. We need to communicate, and we will not be subtle about it.

FRIDAY JULY 26

This morning we’re blessed with a free-wheeling VOC moon in Aquarius. At 12:04 p.m. EDT Moon enters Pisces. This could be a good time to take a three-day retreat. We are restless, and we yearn for something more than the daily humdrum. Travel may call to us. Falling into addictions is a pitfall of today’s energy. Keep your own counsel this weekend and try not to get caught up in others’ complexes. Confusion is sure to result.

SATURDAY JULY 27

Raw power grips the weekend’s fantasy energy, and uses it for its own ends. Relationships may be difficult, and confusing as well. Some of those people who are now feeling disenfranchised may speak up powerfully.

SUNDAY JULY 28

This day can be debilitating. Aggressive Mars, primed to put physical energy into goals, opposes Neptune, ruler of imagination, who operates on psychic planes rather than physical ones. Our energy can be low, and we can feel discouraged. We may feel sabotaged in our efforts.

We are especially sensitive today, and subject to psychic attack. Communication with others may be confusing. We may feel others are not honest and straightforward with us, and others may feel the same about us.

Strive for honesty, and awareness of subtle forces. Do not take drugs. Spend some time alone, in contemplation or in meditation. Spiritual work is favored.

This is the midpoint of a cycle which began last November. Global warming talks were occurring then, and all industrialized nations except the United States agreed to sign the Kyoto Treaty, an international agreement to reduce industrial emissions.

At that time the U.S. began to drop 15,000 lb. bombs on Afghanistan, each one of which destroyed a space the size of seven football fields.

MONDAY JULY 29 and TUESDAY JULY 30

Moon is traveling in Aries, and life speeds ahead, no holds barred. Aspects are excellent, and all of our tasks and projects go well. If you rested on Sunday, you’ll be ready for action on these days. Labor issues are up for discussion.

Those destiny points, the Moon’s Nodes, now meet Pluto, Lord of Evolution. We are ready to release something long-held, perhaps another level of toxins and negativity.

WEDNESDAY JULY 31

Moon continues in Aries this morning, with its fine aspects. At 11:48 a.m. EDT, Moon goes VOC. However, it resumes course quickly. At 12:17 P.M. Moon enters Taurus, and heads for tomorrow’s Last Quarter meeting with Sun. With this move, we all begin to dig in our heels on whatever we’re standing for or promoting. The stubborn fixed signs are now very much in charge.