Here
in the muggy heat of a Midwestern summer, a perfect storm of astrological
proportions reaches critical mass as the planetary movers and shakers
form a cross on the cardinal points of the zodiac. Astrologers refer
to this as the Grand Cardinal Cross, a configuration that speaks of
the dynamic power to initiate Change and introduce new forms.
Because the Cardinal
Cross is the most powerful feature this month and next, other astrological
features should be seen as auxiliary and not be taken too literally
or linearly. This can’t be underscored enough, as we’re dealing with
a configuration that involves planets that haven’t been this close
and personal with one another since the late 1960s.
The Cancer New
Moon/Total Solar Eclipse of July 11 triggers the feminine side of
the equation, including but not limited to mothers, security and bodies
of water. This could be a very emotional time for people as the psychic
landscape shifts in unexpected ways, setting events into motion that
will reach a climax of sorts during the last week of July through
early August.
After a short
absence, Saturn returns to Libra on July 21, placing greater emphasis
on relationships and our responsibilities to one another. From the
cusp of Libra, Saturn moves opposite Uranus for the fifth and final
time since November 2008. The previous four oppositions took place
across the Virgo (Saturn)/Pisces (Uranus) axis, emphasizing a more
passive, if not cynical, approach to the problems confronting us (see
economy, health care reform). This final opposition falls across the
Libra/Aries axis — the potent Equinox Points of the zodiac — where
events between the Self and the Other appear more magnified.
The economy is
likely to become another big story as we make our way through the
end of July, with large sums of money being thrown around, perhaps
an effort to fix something by throwing good money after bad. Corporate
unaccountability could be sending citizens out into the streets while
the big players remain out of sight. This will be most evident at
the Aquarius/Leo Full Moon of July 25, putting a human face on bigger,
more abstract crises taking place around the world. The message here
is that we’re all in this together.
The first week
of August sees the Cardinal Cross alignment finding its greatest expression,
with the Moon crossing the cusp of Cancer, pulling the cosmic trigger.
What exactly will come out of this is difficult to read, but it seems
likely that it won’t come as a total shock or surprise as it’s been
in the works for some time now. Warfare, financial crisis, environmental
disaster, social chaos . . . all of these things are possible as old
structures give way to make room for the new.
Things become
slightly more settled as we make our way to the Aug. 9 New Moon in
Leo, completing the cycle it commenced with last month’s Solar Eclipse
and beginning a new one. As Leo places greater emphasis on individual
creativity and self-expression, this can be a very positive and moving
time for individuals who have been reluctant to share their gifts.
It’s also possible that there could be considerable drama building
up around recent events. Really nothing new there.
Mid-August could
see an impasse or stalemate taking place as Jupiter moves opposite
Saturn, when the principle of expansion and growth (Jupiter) faces
off with contraction and limitation (Saturn). Economic diddling and
stalling is likely, but the real results won’t become clear until
next March, when Jupiter and Saturn repeat this opposition one last
time.
Speaking of stalling,
Mercury stations retrograde Aug. 20, indicating a change in how information
operates, going from output mode to input over the course of the next
three weeks. As is the case three times a year, Mercury retrograde
represents a short break from constant output in order to review,
assimilate and take stock of where things are. Wherever possible,
avoid contract signings, mailing important documents, purchasing cars
or computers (or fixing them) and booking travel arrangements. Mercury
will resume direct motion again Sept. 12.
At about the
same time as the Mercury station, a rather harsh alignment involving
the Grand Cross becomes acute, suggesting a major blow to existing
structures or belief systems. It seems likely that whatever is getting
our attention at the end of August has its roots in whatever was taking
place in late July. As the configuration involves planets that barely
move, this isn’t some flash-in-the-pan deal but a feature that dominates
the astrological landscape into autumn and beyond.
The Pisces/Virgo
Full Moon of Aug. 24 is the last major feature of August, illuminating
the spiritual and mundane realms of experience or else moving them
into conflict with each other. As the Full Moon falls into an area
recently touched by Chiron, there could be a large, gaping wound that
we need to tend to here — a wound that lies at the bottom of the ocean,
perhaps, mirroring the wound that lies at the heart of humankind’s
separation from Nature.
