Astrological Winds for Week of 7-22-2013

First, a few of my (many) thoughts on current events and the astrology of these times being reflected in them: Mars in Fall (Cancer) has seen the fall of those who came into power through some type of “outsider conquering” actions in Egypt (Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood), yet they still hold out hopes to the return to the throne as seen through the protests by the followers of the Muslim Brotherhood since Morsi was deposed. This is exactly how we’d expect a planet in fall to act, – to gain power through external force and then have a major fall from grace/power yet hold out the hope to return to former glory someday -  and being that it’s Mars it fits the violence/anger/rage/aggression that surrounds the Egyptian political situation. Meanwhile, back in the USA, the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin has once again exposed the naked underbelly of racism still prevalent in the USA leading to ensuing and ongoing protests and a return to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s (seeded during the Uranus/Pluto conjunction), while at the same time the Republican Party continues to thumb its nose at Mexican Americans and any immigration reform. Here we see the Uranus/Pluto square at work again as those in power once again are exposed and revolution/rebellion is sparked. The Grand Trine this past week brought people together over these highly emotionally charged issues and out to the streets and online they went. Then there’s the continuing unfolding saga of Eric Snowden and the NSA’s secrets being exposed. I can’t help but feel right now this may end up becoming a major turning point in the USA’s history as the years ahead unfold. The Emperor has been caught with his pants down fully exposed and even committed an act of war against a foreign country’s leader by forcing his plane to land – could you imagine the reaction of the USA if a country dared to do that to our President? The truth is the USA is losing face to the rest of the world by the day. (We saw this was quite possible this summer in the chart of the summer solstice for the USA with the retrograde Saturn in Scorpio in the 7^th house of allies! It also fulfills the energy of the progressed USA Mars now retrograde.) The audacity of the corporation and government collusion to run the world through capitalism that only favors them is being ripped apart on multiple fronts and every time the USA tries to defend its policies it comes off looking like a fool. This is Pluto in Capricorn being ripped asunder by Uranus in Aries: the corporate/big government power structure being upset by rebellious and courageous individuals, who were at one time the warriors for that said power base. The hackers are the very employees of the companies they are hacking! They understand – soon the military and police may follow (as in Egypt) if those in power don’t start making concessions. The military itself is very upset at the politicians in Washington DC over the impasse over the automatic budget cuts and the ensuing forced employee furloughs without pay and the loss of promised educational benefits to enlisted men after discharge. That being said, as Mercury stationed direct on Saturday, a coalition of Republican and Democrat Congressmen started to introduce bills to begin to dismantle much of the NSA’s power – once again the Grand Trine brought the opposing parties (Jupiter and Saturn!) together to try and bring some stability to a quickly moving situation that had built up to a bursting point and just let go. Note also the silence of the Executive Branch of the government on the Snowden case as Mercury was retrograde, and now suddenly as its gone direct, they are beginning to make official statements about the situation. With Mercury in Cancer, the two sides are fighting for the care of the USA citizenry as best they see fit, and how it’s best to let them act as parents caring for the safety of their children (us). Note also the audacity of statements like “trying to protect us from possible future acts some may take” that go against the very foundation of the laws of this land that not only require criminal act to actually be committed for arrest and detainment, but that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a trial of his peers. Talk about mixed messages during Mercury retro!

As for the week ahead get ready for some pretty heavy weather on the horizon. Things get started with a bang on Monday as Mars perfects its conjunction to Jupiter keeping the Grand Trine in Water very active and giving us a huge burst of energy. We can maintain a high degree of optimism during this transit and tap into much physical energy. You can accomplish much today. Risks may pay off better than usual and confidence is high. We then get two sign changes: first Venus ingresses into Virgo, the sign of the Goddess’ fall. Here she may turn timid/conservative/judgmental/hypercritical in matters of the heart and relating to others – not the best way to endear herself to others, and can actually end up driving them off. Expressions of love are centered on service and duty under this influence, but you may not cut yourself enough slack to have some fun for yourself. This is a good time to tidy up our own environment, as it will lift your spirits. It’s also a good time to be careful/conservative with finances. Then the Sun ingresses into Leo, its sign of rulership. Here people feel freer to truly express who they are – to let their talents and gifts shine, which allows others to do the same, and can bring harmony and abundance to life. Opportunities that were missed in the past may return for another chance. We must be careful not to get too arrogant/self-righteous and recognize equality in everyone’s uniqueness. Under Leo’s influence we can be more generous, affectionate, playful, yet also more prideful, voyeuristic, selfish. This is a time when we can also become a leader somehow, more involved with children, find romance, or tap into our own creativity more easily.

There is also a Full Moon at 1* Aquarius: time to download some new lessons on how to cooperate with others for the benefit of all because what has been recently exposed to the light requires serious decisions to to be made about changing the way things are. A need to sacrifice some of our individual self-interest in order to benefit all or to use our individual talents together to create changes in our ways of living. This is a calling card for people to come together and wield their power together – it could be a new chapter in the history of humanity beginning that is more cooperative and equal. This is a seeding moment at 1* of a sign – what we choose to do now can have far off rippling effects into the future, thus choose wisely. It’s time to connect with others and create a new future. Look to the houses in your chart that this Full Moon falls into – they will represent the main areas in your life where this energy will play out. Any planets in your chart that are tightly aspected (0-2*) by the Full Moon will also color the energy of it for you personally.

Tuesday is a quiet day that will help us absorb/process all that went on Monday. The Moon is void-of-course in Aquarius all day so it’s not a good one to start new projects.

Wednesday night can be quite pleasant/harmonious as Moon locks into Grand Trine with Jupiter/Saturn, conjuncts Neptune, and opposes Venus.

Thursday is the third straight day of calmer astrological weather before the storm comes in with a Moon/Mercury trine bringing a good connection between mind and heart, fluid communications, and a decisive mind.

Venus is the the “star of the day” Friday as the Goddess opposes Neptune and sextiles Saturn. Like I mentioned earlier, Venus is pretty conservative in Virgo and the sextile to Saturn supports that, as she desires stable, realistic relationships with high standards. This favors business relationships and relationships with older people. However, Venus opposite Neptune can really douse the exactness Venus/Virgo/Saturn requires in relating, as we can easily be misled by another or by what we believe about another. The high standards Venus/Saturn/Virgo demands may be unrealistic in today’s reality, which can be quite disappointing/disheartening. You may believe there’s an imbalance in a close relationship that is all because of the other, when you may have just as much or even more to do with it being so, yet you’ve successfully kidded yourself into believing otherwise and blaming anyone but you. Still, you may find some beautiful moment to share with another today. This would be a good day to work on some charitable project, but not a good one to fall in love.

Saturday the storm arrives: the Moon in Aries conjunct Uranus locks into a Cardinal T-square with Mars/Jupiter in Cancer and Pluto in Capricorn while Mars locks into its exact opposition to Pluto and stays in a T-square with Uranus/Pluto through next week while the Sun exactly squares Saturn. Astrologers have been looking at this late July 2013 configuration for a couple years now since Uranus/Pluto square locked in, sensing that this could be one of the most volatile periods of the whole Uranus/Pluto square period (2011-15). Here, we basically have the three most malefic planets acting together and being triggered hard. There could be violent outbreaks against or by those in power reaching peak energy. With what has gone on the last few weeks in world events, there is sure enough sensitive things going on that could spark this kind of energy into an inferno quite easily. Mars/Pluto can get quite violent – stay away from unsafe people and places this weekend. This is the energy of active, aggressive transformation that is straining against considerable resistance. Power struggles are imminent. Ruthless actions may break out. Long term/relentless energy can be tapped into to fight. People will revolt against restrictions and authorities. Many difficult issues will have to be addressed. The desire to break through may be overwhelming. If nothing else, some big changes will occur.

We get some welcome relief on Sunday as Venus sextiles Jupiter, considered one of the most beneficial aspects of all – however, it will be tempered by Venus weakness in Virgo. It does bring some inner peace and some happy social times usually. Also, we might get some kind of financial windfall. A great day to hang with friends relaxing.

The powerful Mars/Pluto/Uranus T-square will remain peaked next week – acute volatility is likely to continue. Time to accept the changes going on around us.