9 July 2006 – 15
July 2006
The Week beginning July 9th, 2006
Week as a Whole:
Mercury retrograde and elections don’t mix very well. Last weekend Mexico held its Presidential election just as Mercury was coming to a stop to go retrograde. The election was extremely close, hotly contested, recounted, and will be fought in the Mexican courts for several months. Allegations of fraud, harassment, and government interference have been made. Sound familiar?
The last major election held on Mercury retrograde was the U.S. election of 2000. Click here to read what was forecast for that election. Note that the main effect of Mercury retrograde, besides confusion, is to turn our heads backward and focus us on what’s past. This is a key to making proper use of this Mercury retrograde period. Almost anything that can be revived from the past is an excellent project during this period. Old friends, missing relatives, lost items, and stalled plans can and should be revisited while Mercury moves backward. Listen to your inner voice, your hunches, and act immediately. But continue to eschew new projects, contracts, and major purchases until July 29th when Mercury resumes direct motion.
Some astrologers would wait longer until the Mercury has left his “shadow”. This somewhat subtle concept focuses on the two points in the zodiac at which Mercury changes direction. As he moves forward, slowing up to go retro, Mercury will pass over the point on which he will stop his backward motion and begin to move forward. Once he’s moving forward again, he will cross over the point at which he began his retrograde motion. Imagine a backward “S” curve. These two points define Mercury’s shadow. He entered the shadow on June 18th and he will leave on August 12th.
This week begins with Venus connecting dreamily with Neptune. This puts us in slow motion, lays down a sound track to life, and opens the imagination. Words are almost unnecessary with people we love. This is followed on Monday by a Full Moon in Capricorn.
The Capricorn Full Moon reminds us that, much as we would prefer to spend time with our families on vacation, in the yard, or on the beach, we have to break away to maintain a career presence. Some families find themselves divided as the breadwinner returns to work. The Moon in Capricorn is cautious and somewhat self-inhibiting. We may find ourselves alternating between emotional openness with those close to us and distance, even suspicion, for those “outside” the family structure. On this Full Moon we’re either on the bus or off the bus. A better use of the Capricorn Full Moon is to plan and organize…maybe next year’s vacation or junior’s college plans.
Note that Mercury, in the Full Moon chart, has just backed into Cancer and he’s in the very last degree. This suggests that Gemini’s and Virgo’s, who are specially influenced by Mercury, may find themselves having to adjust or modify a project or task that seemed finished but now needs further work. All of us may find this Full Moon spotlighting endgames in our lives.
Note also that Venus and Mars (6 o’clock and 4 o’clock) are close to exactly two signs apart and that Venus is opposite to Pluto (12 o’clock). By Friday, Venus and Mars will be exactly two signs apart and both will connect with Pluto. It’s rare to have both “interpersonal” planets connect with each other AND with Pluto on the same day. Venus and Mars make the two-sign connection twice a year and it marks are period of natural grace. Somehow people are more easily approached; there are more smiles on the street; flirtation rules. It’s an excellent time to talk with your partners about your future and your direction.
Pluto’s energy always signals change, metamorphic change, change that seems inexorable. When he combines with Mars, there’s often too much creative/destructive energy for some people and situations. Violence can result. This triple connection of Venus, Mars, and Pluto indicates a break with the past. Some people we’ve outgrown are left behind. Some of us will feel like people we care for have been taken away, but the easy Venus – Mars contact can bring in new people or new facets to existing relationships that are, in fact, our next steps in our own growth.
Daily Forecasts:
This Week:
Sunday 9 July 2006
Although the Moon is Void from 3:31am/6:31am until 12:25pm/3:25pm we sail over Neptune’s ocean. We feel united with humanity even if we can’t quite wake up.
Monday 10 July 2006
Look for a mental shift as Mercury backs into Cancer this afternoon, followed by the Full Moon at 8:02pm/11:02pm. Some people will feel the spotlight as judgment, others as a pressure to worry, and still others as a spur to ambition. This Full Moon is best enjoyed at home.
Tuesday 11 July 2006
The Moon is briefly Void at 1:58pm/4:58pm when she passes opposite Mercury. She enters Aquarius at 2:46pm/5:46pm. Maybe take a break or sneak away for some late afternoon delight.
Wednesday 12 July 2006
The morning is slow starting and we may have to curtsey to those in authority to get what we want as the Moon opposes Saturn. Listen to your dreams for an answer tonight because the Moon aligns with Neptune at 10:15pm/1:15am.
Thursday 13 July
2006
A long Void period begins at 7:23am/10:23am and lasts until 3:59pm/6:59pm when she enters Pisces. Keep up routines, coast a bit, and don’t plan to make decisions during the Void period. With Mars moving to connect with Pluto overnight, situations can escalate and go out of control unless carefully managed. Find a healthy outlet for physical energy.
Friday 14 July 2006
Change is in the air. People look different, their vibes are clearer to feel. We’re less tolerant of old social games and neurotic patterns. Do something different, meet some different people, trust “coincidence”.
Saturday 15 July 2006
All the action is either in the morning before the Moon goes Void at 12:56pm/3:56pm or in the evening after she’s entered Aries at 5:39pm/8:39pm. This evening may be when the Venus-Mars-Pluto changes come clear.
Long Range Forecast:
July 5th – July 29th – Mercury undergoes his retrograde period. Entering into contracts and major purchases are to be avoided. Communications tend to be confused and important messages should be repeated and verified. Often issues from the past re-surface. Those born when Mercury was retrograde will enjoy this 3 week period.
Long-Long Range Forecast:
April 14, 2009 – August 21, 2010
- Saturn makes a series of squares to Pluto newly in
Capricorn. The end of business-as-usual
politics. The nationalistic
dinosaurs will enter their twilight times.
The transition to organic regional government will not be smooth…the
result may be some corporate feudal mixture.
June 24, 2012 – April 17, 2015 - Uranus in Aries forms his first major hard aspect to Pluto, a square
angle, since they were aligned in the second half of the 1960’s. Hippie dreams may come true when the ecology
and/or petroleum-based economies fail.
Plan to live where there is food and water and you don’t need a
car. Plan to live where you’ll know your
neighbors…maybe even love them. What a
thought! We may have to choose between eating grain on a commune or growing very thin in the city.
Notices for Los Angeles area readers:
Ongoing Classes:
(Classes are on summer break
and will resume on September 9th at the times below.)
10:30am Intermediate Class in Predictions - Heroes and Villains. Using the charts of well-known people, good guys and bad guys, the effects of progressions, transits, and solar returns will be taught and explored. The class is open to people who know the basics of astrology. Call the New Age Bible and Philosophy Center, 1139 Lincoln Boulevard, 310-395-4346 or me, 818-316-0702, for details.
12:00pm – Beginner’s Class. All are welcome. There are no prerequisites except an open mind and curiosity. This class will begin with the signs, planets, aspects, and houses and explore the basics of reading a horoscope. Every effort will be made to teach the class in plain English. Call the New Age Bible and Philosophy Center, 1139 Lincoln Boulevard, 310-395-4346 or me, 818-316-0702, for details.
Visit the Celestial Weather
Web Site at http://www.celestialweather.com
Copyright 2006 Rich Humbert