Retrograde season is in full swing now, with three out of the five physical planets in retrograde motion, which may lead to unpredictable events. Retrograde motion promotes results that are opposite from the material nature of the planets, though results are felt more prominently since the planets are closer to Earth. But at the same time, they feel more fated.
Mars is the most recently retrograde in his sign of exaltation from June 26 – August 26. Whilst Mars is powerful in his sign of exaltation, two months of retrograde motion may push Mars toward erratic, impulsive actions. Especially as Mars is close to Ketu, this puts him under the direct aspect of Rahu, currently in Cancer. With the nodes as the major influence on Mars, issues of power and control will come to the surface, and with this nodal affliction, can result in disastrous outcomes. Be vigilant because anger, frustration, and anxiety will be coming to the surface with respect to the areas Mars rules and the house represented by Capricorn. It is better to postpone major decision making and cultivate a spiritual practice to foster balanced results, particularly since retrograde planets respond well to going inward, so practicing silence and meditation is a great remedy.
Venus Transits Leo July 5 – August 1
Venus can breathe a sigh of relief, as it leave the nodal axis of Cancer and Capricorn. Venus moving into Leo should help for gaining some clarity when it comes to relationship matters, particularly for focusing on regaining the ability to find and express one’s individual point of view in the context of relationship. Venus in the Sun’s sign of Leo brings forth that recurring theme of how to balance the “me” with the “we.” But bear in mind Venus is not completely free of negative influence in Leo, as Mars will still be able to aspect Venus, and this time from its retrograde status.
Jupiter Resumes Direct Motion in Libra July 10
Jupiter regains direct motion on July 10, approximately 6 pm UTC at 19°14′ of Venus’ air sign, Libra, and will begin to make forward progress once again. This should collectively give us a boost of positivity.
Around June 18, Jupiter’s retrograde motion pushed him back into the nakshatra (lunar constellation) called Swati, which runs from 6°40′ Libra to 20°00′ Libra. Swati is connected to prana, the energy that breathes life within us and around us. Vayu, the god of wind, rules over Swati. Vayu is said to be the animator of life and the invisible force that keeps our hearts beating and our lungs breathing. This is another reason spiritual practice – any breathing technique such as kriya – can give particularly good results now, as Jupiter, the Guru itself, is transiting Swati. Through the remainder of July, Jupiter will regain speed in forward direction, finally moving out of Swati nakshatra and into Vishaka nakshatra on August 1. This will bring more stability and positivity as Vishaka is ruled by Jupiter.
New Moon/Partial Solar Eclipse in Punarvasu, Jupiter’s nakshatra, on July 12
As Jupiter regains direct motion in Libra, the Sun and Moon join at 27° Gemini in the constellation of Punarvasu, which means “light again.” The direct articulation of Punarvasu is the coming or appearing again of something, standing back up again after falling. It is the supreme expression of winning over failures and becoming more stronger than ever before. Plus, there will be a positive aspect to the New Moon from Jupiter, having recently returned to direct motion, which for Jupiter is akin to “returning to light.” Punarvasu nakshatra is ruled by the planet Jupiter itself, so will appreciate the good will.
Though here, we have also have some obstacles against this idea of birthing a new era of light. First, the new Moon itself is considered weak and spent, as well as unable to provide light during the dark nights. Second, the Sun and Moon are close enough to Rahu, currently shadowing the neighbouring sign of Cancer, to experience a partial eclipse.
Eclipses are either solar or lunar, with a lunar eclipse happening during full Moon and solar eclipse happening during new Moon. The Sun is eclipsed by the Moon blocking the view of the Sun from Earth (solar eclipse.) The Moon is eclipsed by the Earth blocking the sunlight from reflecting on the Moon’s surface (lunar eclipse.)
Rahu and Ketu, the eclipse points or Moon’s nodes, are mathematical points that indicate the occurrence of an eclipse. It is the point in space where the Moon crosses the ecliptic point, which is the path of the Sun around the Earth, as the Moon crosses the ecliptic upwards, that is Rahu. And as the moon crosses the ecliptic going downwards, again the path of the Sun, that is Ketu. They are always 180 degrees opposite to each other.
Symbolically, they are the shadow planets that show the path each being on Earth takes between material and divine experience. The nodal axis itself travels in retrograde motion compared to the normal motion of the other planets. The overall motion is retrograde, but the true motion wobbles back and forward, creating a subtle, vibrating field of influence. This concept of the shadow helps us understand how a partial eclipse happens even when the Sun and Moon are 15-16 degrees away from the placement of Rahu, as they will be on July 12. So, we don’t have a total covering of the Sun by Rahu, just partial, giving a small challenge to “return of light.”
Mars and Ketu Conjunction July 18
We have another conjunction of Mars and Ketu at 12°16′ Capricorn during this six-month transit of Mars through Capricorn. Both planets are associated with the fire element and are located in an earth sign at the moment. Ketu represents past karma and its conjunction with Mars can bring old karmic issues, leading to anger and aggression or unresolved issues about power. Four signs most impacted are: Aries, Scorpio, Cancer, and Capricorn. For Aries and Scorpio, both Mars and Ketu rule their first house. So, the lagna lord is situated in 10th house for Aries, whereas for Scorpio, it is their third house. Capricorn is hosting the planets and thus, they are directly impacted, along with Cancer where the drama takes place in the 1-7 axis of relationships. If you have any personal planetary placements in this axis you will also feel the effects personally. Watch for feelings of anger, aggression, impulsive thoughts connected to past events/situations.
Sun Transits Cancer July 16 – August 16
The Sun moves from Gemini to Cancer on July 16, fully entering into the nodal axis which will cause a total lunar eclipse when the Moon opposes the Sun on July 27.On July 16, the Sun moves out of the opposition with Saturn and into the sign of Cancer, which puts him in the pool with Rahu and Mercury. This also puts Sun in opposition to the Mars/Ketu combination in Capricorn, adding heat to the already smoldering energy caused by the exalted Mars and Ketu joined together. We may be challenged to set firm plans during this period, so expect obstacles, change of plans and sudden events.
Mercury Retrograde in Cancer July 25 – August 18
By July 25, the waxing Moon has joined retrograde Saturn in the sign of Sagittarius and Mercury will have reached the final degree of Cancer when it begins a retrograde cycle that pulls Mercury back into the hazy environment of Cancer which holds Rahu and Sun. Mercury retraces his steps back to 18º Cancer, where he resumes direct motion once again on August 18. Once Mercury begins rewinding through Cancer, that gives us a plethora of retrograde energy with Saturn, Mars and Mercury all holding retrograde status at once and in addition, we have Mars and Mercury both amplified in the nodal axis. Retrograde periods are perfect opportunities to reevaluate, introspect, and revise your actions and thoughts, it is not for taking new decisions as it is easy to change your mind when Mercury turns direct.
Full Moon, Total Lunar Eclipse in Shravana July 27
After encountering Saturn, the Moon moves into Saturn’s sign of Capricorn and glides in between Mars and Ketu as she becomes full on July 27. Retrograde Mars will be at 10°, the Moon at 11° and Ketu wobbling around 12° Capricorn while the Sun is opposite at 11° Cancer with Rahu at 12° and retrograde Mercury at 30°. This is said to be the longest eclipse of the 21st Century. However, given the Moon’s position crunched between Mars and Ketu, it will be a volatile one, promoting instability and possibly triggering violence.
This eclipse is the highlight of an astrologically intense July that is ripe with retrograde energy and the strong influence of the nodes, resulting in karmic, fated events. The two benefics, Venus and Jupiter, are the only planets to escape the direct influence of this total lunar eclipse and the surrounding retrograde energy. Unfortunately, during this eclipse Venus sits in Leo, an enemy sign, while Jupiter sits in Libra, an enemy sign. Each of the gurus has its own set of challenges during this time, so it may be difficult even to connect with the knowledge, advice or compassion that is sorely needed during this time. Surrender is key so keep your schedules light and decision making to a minimum.
This intense astrological pattern continues throughout August with the second partial solar eclipse and Venus entering debilitation in Virgo. Collectively and individually, we may experience some turbulence during July and August. It will take effort to create calm spaces where we can rejuvenate and reflect. Take time to do this through solitude, walking in nature, spiritual and devotional practices, such as kriya and meditation.
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