Planet Weather for the Week of July 2, 2006

                                                                                                                                  

SkyWatch – Moon phase of the week: 7/3 -- The Moon enters her First Quarter phase at 12:37 PM, at 11 degrees of Libra, just before moonrise. Since she is 90 degrees behind the Sun, the First Quarter Moon rises just as the Sun is beginning its downward journey towards the western horizon. The First Quarter Moon reaches her highest point in the sky (still low in the south this time of year) just at sunset. Skywatching events of the week: 7/3 -- Earth reaches aphelion, the farthest point in its orbit from the Sun, about 7 PM EDT. This phenomenon is not visible. (If you could spot such differences, the Sun would seem only about one percent smaller than in midwinter at perihelion or closest approach.) However, it is always interesting to take a moment out to contemplate the fact that, in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is somewhat over a million miles closer to the Sun in winter than in summer. 7/5 -- The Moon passes near Jupiter, their point of closest approach occurring just before sunset on the East Coast. The two will still be romantically close together for the rest of the evening until the Moon sets around midnight. Space News of the Week: By the time you read this, the Space Shuttle Discovery will have either launched successfully or had its launch postponed due to inclement weather or other problems. We wish the Discovery astronauts Godspeed! Late-breaking note: There have been two weather postponements so far, with launch now tentatively scheduled for July 4. Go out! Look up!

It’s another very active week astrologically – so go easy and pay attention – inside and out!

Mercury turns Rx (retrograde) @ 1 Leo on 7/4/06 @ 3:34PM EDT. (Mercury entered fixed, fiery Leo on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 @ 3:57PM until 7/10/06 when it retrogrades back into Cancer. Mercury turns direct @ 21 Cancer on 7/28/06 @ 8:04PM EDT. Mercury re-enters Leo on 8/11/06.) This is a tricky Mercury Rx happening on one of the most traveled days of the summer in the US. Even trickier is the fact that the Rx takes place at the first degree of Leo but spends most of its time in Cancer. This creates greater complexity because it spans two signs. Early degree Leo Sun signs are specifically affected and the last third of Sun sign Cancer. Of course if there are other planets or points in your chart at these degrees, you will also receive a greater effect from this Rx cycle. A professional astrologer can tell you where and what part of your chart is being affected. In general, strong opinions and statements (Mercury/Leo) need more emotional processing (Mercury/Cancer). There’s also a male/female component because Leo is ruled by the Sun and Cancer is ruled by the Moon. There may be more specific miscommunication or misunderstanding in the different communication styles of men and women. The issues also refer to how creativity and truth stem from home and community and one’s personal history. We always speak from our origins, conditioning, and the life experiences that have shaped us – these are also the source of our creativity! We have the opportunity to understand more of this during the Rx cycle. The bottom line with Mercury Rx is a confusion of issues which necessitates retracing one’s steps (literally and figuratively), and reviewing one’s thought processes in relation to others, actions and events.

Mars in fixed, fiery Leo makes an opposition (180 deg.) to Neptune in fixed, airy Aquarius @ 19 deg. on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 @ 8:48AM EDT. With Mercury Rx confusing the issues, Mars meeting Neptune doesn’t help. If you are focusing in imaginative or artistic ways, then the events the aspect brings can mean spiritual insight or can simply mean that you have taken a detour – for better or worse. We’re talking about taking a Neptunian action or experiencing one in some area of your life. If you are taking the action – be careful that you understand the implications or consequences. With Neptune there are often factors hidden from view. If you are experiencing an event externally, again, be careful and know what the motives might be. You may be cognizant of the complexity of the situation – if it helps, seek advice from those you trust to give good counsel. Helping others and offering compassionate service is one positive way this aspect can manifest itself. Hearts may be saddened by unfortunate events in the lives of others or even the state of life on the planet. You can’t save everyone or everything but you can help where you have the appropriate talents and abilities.

Jupiter turns Stationary Direct (SD) @ 8 deg. of fixed, watery Scorpio on Thursday, July 6, 2006 @ 3:19AM EDT. Jupiter’s station marks the third big event this week. With this station, Jupiter surges forward to the end of its cycle, without going Rx again before it leaves Scorpio on 11/23/06. The options and opportunities that arose for you since 10/27/05, when Jupiter first entered Scorpio, will now reveal themselves in a more developed and obvious way. However, you still have to determine whether the opportunities offered are ones that are worth exploring. This position in Scorpio is meant to help you contact your gut instincts and learn to trust them.

Sun in watery Cancer makes a flowing trine (120deg.) to Uranus Rx, in watery Pisces on Thursday, July 6, 2006 @ 3:59PM EDT. This annual aspect brings, in these signs, a heightened awareness of human nature and the bigger picture of the state of the culture. It may indicate surprising alliances and unusual behaviors that impel us to question and discuss important truths that affect us as human beings. 

 

News Bits: Solar Return for the USA! Before my assessment of the Solar Return of the US let me just say that in terms of shuttle launchings, it is never a good idea to launch on or near a Mercury Rx. The latest launch has already been postponed several times and is now scheduled to blast-off about 20 minutes before Mercury goes Rx on 7/4/06. The Columbia disaster in 2003, although not technically in the active part of the Mercury Rx cycle, was launched about a week post Rx and so was still in the larger part of the cycle, on the degrees that Mercury had retraced, which is still a sensitive time. Another unmanned shuttle had great technical problems due to launch at or near a Mercury Rx. – The USA Solar Return (SR) shows a Sun in House 12, just like its President’s natal Sun position! We can continue to expect cover-ups and non-disclosure from out government. (Among other definitions, H12 is about things hidden and kept secret.) Mercury Rx is exactly conjunct the SR Ascendant which makes the press exceptionally active and spin control all the more powerful. Expect the Mercury Rx to unravel some bold and arrogant past statements and hidden information to rise and be exposed in the news. Old issues may return to be reviewed. Power, control and leadership are big issues with the high focus on Leo planets, including Saturn/Leo in House 1.The exact Mars/Leo opposite Neptune/Aquarius contributes to the lack of trust that prevails for the president and to the fact that US actions continue to be suspect. Leadership is being severely questioned and this aspect could indicate an upset in the mid-term elections. The aspect portrays, in general, a dissolving, eroding of the strength of the political leader, whether king or president! The bid for continued or more power is denied. The press appears to become more active and more willing to ask the critically tough questions and hold the administration accountable. Several powerful scandals have to be dealt with. A former ally of the US is critical or withdraws support. The US will continue to be mired in the war in Iraq and continues to carry huge debt from the war (fixed horizon angles and Moon/Jupiter in Scorpio in House 4). As the debt load increases, it decreases US power and makes the people agitated and uneasy. Grassroots politics continue to grow and thrive and protest groups become more vocal and demonstrative. The end of July and August will be difficult times with much posturing and spin. November will test the strength of the administration. Late January – March 2007 is another time band that is problematic, with potential scandal and leaks weakening the administration further and creating public outrage.