JULY 2013 HOROSCOPE. OVERVIEW

by Leigh Oswald (London-based Astrologer and Teacher)

This is the month of Cancer and as a result, focus can be quite significantly on the United States, which a Cancerian country, but importantly with Mercury retrograde in Cancer, up until the 20^th there will be a feeling of everything being on hold until that date and there is room for us all personally and globally to suffer from frustrations, miscommunications and blocks. When Mercury is retrograde we have to remember that sometimes the timing of the universe is wiser than us (not hard) and takes precedence over our own desir

Saturn currently in Scorpio moves direct on the 8^th, having been retrograde since February 18^th which would suggest that there are a lot of things that can start to feel more controllable on the planet and a sense that we will feel less a victim of circumstances personally and collectively.

Hopefully, with Jupiter now establishing himself in Cancer, the desire to be more nurturing and caring towards planet Earth and indeed our fellow humans, will be a growing part of the collective unconscious. Neptune in it’s home ground of Pisces (the opposite sign to Virgo) is definitely awakening the collective unconscious awareness of the distorted values that have come to dominate us globally i.e. the power of money and materialism that have eclipsed the value of the natural world. The mass demonstration in Brazil (Virgo country), which has a flourishing economy, is testament to the consciousness that just money is not the answer (especially when confined to the hands of a few and used for showcasing power only) and value systems need readdressing. Virgo is about purity and service and has a respect for nature. Similarly in Turkey, also a Virgo country, demonstrations have been sparked because of rampant development being pushed through in an area of a rare natural Green Park in Istanbul. This uprising again reflects an instinct for being on the side of the natural world in the archetypal battle that is raging globally between man and nature. We all need the input of nature for mental, physical and spiritual health; otherwise we can suffer from “nature deficit disorder.” Neptune in Pisces is indeed ensuring we have an awakening reverence for our rapidly diminishing natural world.  If we don’t, nature will have the last laugh, and it will be fairly cataclysmic.

The good news however is that Saturn and Jupiter are now absolutely harmonising with Neptune in a grand trine configuration (exact mid month). Neptune is about inspiration and idealism and has a spiritual dimension as well as a very creative one, and indeed also an empathetic one. Saturn is about discipline, hard work and pragmatism and Jupiter is about protection and opportunity for growth. Put the three together in harmony and great achievements can be manifest through will, conviction, and luck and disciplined inspiration. We have a short window to get the wise balance between money/man and nature.

Saturn in forensic Scorpio, which is all about digging to expose uncomfortable truths, continues on his watch to oversee a huge period of revelations about corruption and misuse of power in the various bastions of the establishment, whether related to exposure re the Catholic church, the police force, politicians, the financial world or government backed surveillance as in the Edward Snowden whistle blowing case.  Looking into the dark to try and reach the light and to effect redress is Scorpio’s job.  Saturn, the karmic schoolteacher, in Scorpio, represents the necessity principle to get this particular job done.

An bizarre cosmic occurrence is about to happen this summer. A massive gas cloud is being sucked into the gravitational pull of the black hole at our Galactic Centre, which lies at approximately 26 degrees of Sagittarius. This cloud will be sucked into the black hole into whatever lies beyond. This is a rare event not recorded by astronomers before. How it will affect the astrological picture is up for guesses, but all who have planets or significant birth chart points (Ascendant or Midheaven) at 26 degrees of Sagittarius, may possibly be aware of some effect.

Days when there is a potential stand off of power and the unexpected lies in the first 4 days of the month. Days when the arts are favoured and more sensitivity is pronounced are the 18th, 20th and 26^th. Pioneering, zealous and confident energy abounds on the 22^nd.

The New Moon is on the 8^th at 16 degrees of Gemini and the Full Moon occurs on the 22^nd/ 23^rd in the 1st degree of Aquarius.

 Sow on the new and reap on the full.