The moon is full in Aquarius August 15 (7:29am)!  Spring free and spring forth up into outer space!  Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars in the sign of Leo pour the glamour, glitter and gold on thickly.  A lioness pounces on goals, taking pride in striving for success.  What victories can be relished then loosed and catapulted into the great beyond to benefit all?  A Leo quality is to shine in uniqueness, but the Aquarius moon asks how special talents contribute to the group?

Bruised egos and perceived slights cook up drama, as a battle ensues to determine who is boss. Words are heated and tempers flare hot. Fuel for self-expression wills strong emotions into creativity! Haughty kings and queens come out of the woodwork to sit upon the throne. Where do we reign as royalty, showering attention upon those we love and getting showered with love by others?

It is the season of sun-drenched summer parties and various forms of entertainment.  How can we celebrate who we are and those we love?  In the theatre of life, one side of the mask is the humorous clown, getting laughs from the audience by playing the fool.  The other side of the mask is weeping, but will the performer convey tragedy and tears to the audience?     

Jupiter in Sagittarius resonates well with the planets in Leo, as a fire is lit in the belly.  What passions are calling to you at this time?

*image found on rubylane.com

The new moon in Leo is July 31 (10:11pm, CDT)!  The gears grind to a near stop before they change direction.  This “in between” time is when insights flash into consciousness as Mercury goes direct the same day in Cancer, fresh out of deep and difficult conversations (10:58pm).  Electric inspiration jolts into an awakening this new moon, opening eyes toward the unforeseen.  Jarring curveballs jostle deeply seated patterns! Bask in the spotlight and dare to shine with ferocity!  What do we take pride in perfecting to show off to the world?  A swift kick pushes a talent out into the open.  How do we wish to be treated like royalty and how do we treat others royally?  The fire element, with a Leo signature, adds vigor to the end of summer!  How do we demand to be paid attention to and admired?   

Game-changer Uranus goes retrograde August 11.  Look back to early January.  Where did unexpected (or desired) change occur?  Restlessness stirs yet again.  What new (uncomfortable) changes showed up, and how do we view them retrospectively?  The same day, expansive Jupiter goes direct.  What opportunities waiting on the back burner can now be acted upon?

July holds the essence of being suspended in time, not moving forward or backward.  Conundrums pop up without immediate explanation or solutions as new realizations about past events become clearer.  Much-needed endings give a sense of peace and closure, yet long-standing issues demand to be dealt with.  July 31 is a cogent time to shift into gear after idling in neutral.  That said, a baby colt walking on rubbery legs falls a few times before gaining sure footing.  Proceed with care.  How can a playful attitude be integrated with discipline?

The lunar eclipse in Capricorn (4:30pm, CDT) and the full moon (4:38pm, CDT) are on July 16! 

A kissing goodbye and a bidding adieu is bittersweet.  The solar eclipse on July 2 brings about an epiphany, opening a new door.  But, for the door to open, an obstacle that is blocking its path is removed.  The eclipse on July 16 brings to light what can be let go of.  Being drawn back into the past occurs, stepping closer to a sense of completion.  This allows endings to outworn situations so that transformation can begin. 

Mercury retrogrades July 7-July 31, turning up the volume on subconscious underpinnings.  Eclipses plus Mercury retrograde redirect the course; routinized rhythms reset.  Untold stories become unearthed.  Truth is stripped down to its bare bones, to its skeleton, having a sobering effect.  Difficult conversations resurface and finally get to the root of the problem.  Yet non-verbal cues and underlying meanings may reveal more than direct communication.  Mercury turns direct July 31 and dynamics reverse.  Calm waters turn tempestuous as a storm rolls in, just as problems resolve and disappear.

Saturn and Pluto join the moon in Capricorn, as matters are finalized.  Limitations are defined.  Issues regarding real estate arise.  Power changes hands.  The influence of Saturn and Pluto give emphasis to the topic of boundaries, such as walls and structures that divide, separate and support.  Trauma surrounds the borders of our country, as accountability for the treatment of fellow human beings is called for.  What boundaries need to be set to prevent cruelty and suffering?   

The well of intuition runs deep right now.  Psychic and empathic antenna is tuned in- receiving messages from the ethers.  Whatever ends up lost in translation over the radio fuzz becomes clearer as the summer continues.    

*Image from the Ancient Tarot of Lombardy

The new moon is in Cancer on July 2 (2:16pm, CDT) combined with a total solar eclipse (2:22pm, CDT).  An influx of energy, like a tidal wave, pushes events forward.  This eclipse in Cancer probes the meaning of security in family systems.  “Family” is of a genetic lineage but can also be people, not blood-related, who are supportive in maternal and paternal ways.  How is security found?  Is it through the stomach, pocketbook or a warm embrace?  How do we take care of others and how do we need to be taken care of?  Where is “home” and what nurtures us?  Cancer hoards and holds on- keeping feelings tucked away in an attic that serves as a safe space.  The attic hatch gets unlocked as repressed feelings fall down the ladder and are expressed out in the open, exposing vulnerability and truth.  A sense of release brings relief.

Unfinished business is served with a side of homemade apple pie July 4.  Mercury goes retrograde July 7.  Communication could become heated when hidden information rumbles to the surface.  Unexpected situations are triggered, leading to a few surprises.  Anger that was more restrained and held inside over June becomes more openly volcanic in July.  Those cliché sayings about Mercury retrograde could apply.  Tapping into your internal dialogue enhances communication, revealing solutions to old problems.  Listen to intuition when commuting or using technology, picking up hints in non-linear ways.

It’s clear changes are afoot.  A time of flux in our culture and government has certain structures crumbling and it’s not quite known what may rise from the ashes. Oppressive political tactics seem stronger and more aggressive during their final punch before defeat.  Traditional values are glamorized now, some in our country cling to an idealized version of itself that never actually was.  How can we begin to Make America Great Again before we Make America Read Again?  The myth of stars, stripes and mom’s apple pie gets a second look.  It’s not about throwing away old and revered traditions, but redefining them in a heart-based way, acknowledging diversity and a complex history.

A backdrop of magical creativity dances its way into the scenery, tempted by a muse!  Roadblocks may appear that can serve as vessels for refinement and improvement of a project or dream.  Eclipses spark change in the collective.  But the influence on the individual depends on your natal birthday chart. 

The moon is full in bombastic and wild Sagittarius, Monday, June 17(3:30am, CDT).  Celebrations ensue for Midsummer on June 21(10:54am, CDT)!  The longest day of the year gives the most hours of daylight to explore the world and discover the fruits of summertime!

It’s the essence of letting the animals out of their cages to roam free and lighting the rocket ship to watch it launch full blast!  Travel, whether through a book or on a train, fills the soul up with wisdom and new perspectives. Seeking adventures and exploring provide outlets for maximum energies that peak during Midsummer.  Dreams and schemes, which have been gestating during 2019, are born.  The risk-taking gambler comes out to play and make it big.  Celebrations and libations may be aplenty, though keep aware of imbibing too much! 

Strengths of Sagittarius are honesty and bluntness, which can shock the sensibilities at times.  Use sensitivity when communicating, as words can flare up and be extra cutting.  Anger, moodiness and irritability intensify with Mars in Cancer.  The sign of Cancer rules family, mothers, home, roots and nourishment; these areas of life are stirred.  How can we blow off steam to release some of the pressure and promote a sense of wellbeing?  Fighting instincts may be sparked by personal, cultural and political strife.  The boxing gloves are on, but the punches are indirect.  What are strategic and protective ways of responding to turmoil?

Summer Solstice launches into eclipse season with a solar eclipse in Cancer July 2 and a lunar eclipse in Capricorn July 16- more to follow!

This new moon in Gemini, a chick hatches out of its shell and starts to peep (5:01am, CDT)!  Gemini, a sign that embodies duality, tends toward multiplicity.  One chick hatches and soon follows another and another.  Before too long, a brood of chicks is running around.  The chasing of chickens begins!  Fun and exhilarating at first,  chickens run in opposite directions all over the place as it becomes trickier to keep track of them all!  

A craving for variety inspires dabbling in multiple pursuits at once.  Opportunities make themselves known as spring inches closer to summer, some take root while others blow away like dandelion fluff in the breeze.  Nets are cast wide this month, catching social butterflies to begin mingling.   The gift of gab and gossip are enhanced.  Trickery and evasiveness may cloud circumstances. 

Gemini is known for cleverness and communication.  While connecting with others and sharing ideas, inspiration may be found in the world of the arts.  A work-worshipping paradigm begs for balance as the new moon suggests finding wealth in songs, books, music, poetry, theatre- any form of creative expression.

Mars joins north node in Cancer June 12,  defending the oppressed and fighting against the backsliding our country has witnessed.   A stop-go dynamic faces off with old structures collapsing as rebuilding takes place.  More to come on this later, as we prepare for eclipse season this July.

The moon brims full May 18 (4:11 pm, CDT) near the last degree of Scorpio. Passionate intensity reaches peak pitch! Maintain the garden — be it actual plants and flowers or future goals — to see it flourish. What needs tending to and nurturing so it may remain vibrant?  An all or nothing approach can be harnessed and put to use, though stubbornness and inflexibility might show up.  Intensity of commitment is at hand, locking into place what is working well.  But black and white thinking can indicate a separation if something isn’t meeting the rigidity of all or nothing standards.  Possessiveness may show up similar to the eternal grips of a snapping turtle’s jaws, not letting go when feeling threatened.

The desire to stop and smell the roses feels more like a leisurely stroll than a sprint to the finish line. Taurus isn’t to be rushed.  Immersing in the five senses can be luxurious.  Yet the need to be comfortable and cozy aids in remaining stagnant and stuck, digging heels in and not moving!

Economics, relationships to money, how land is owned and valued get a fresh perspective this full moon.  Themes of ownership over our sexuality and our bodies are highlighted.  The time is fertile for transforming schemes once just a twinkle in the eye into what we can feel, hear, taste, touch, see and measure.

Greenery greens! Flowers blossom in vibrant color and scent as the new moon in Taurus bears its fruitful horns May 4 (5:45pm, CDT). The five senses light up as sensual pleasures are heightened! Creature comforts and earthly delights reign supreme. The Aries ram charged ahead forcefully this spring (3/21-4/19), yet Saturn in Capricorn held the reins tightly to keep the ram from getting too fast and too far. Sun journeys through Taurus (4/20-5/20) and the horns that previously pierced against the constraints of Saturn now dance in rhythm with him. A solid earth goddess stands strong and immovable as her stoic and loyal nature melds well with Saturn’s persnickety rigidness! Slow and steady dedication paves the way.

Busting out of stagnant routine clashes with the tendency to dogmatically follow rules. Saturn in Capricorn is separative when certain ideas that are polarizing become more keenly perceived as they are reflected in the physical reality. Modes of thinking and inner processes become externalized in sometimes painfully obvious ways. This dynamic ushers in change as it becomes crystal clear what is working well and what is not. Pluto goes retrograde April 24, events that happened in early October 2018 return for re-evaluation.

The cosmos snap, crackle and pop with fire as we put words to zany and original ideas that dawned into consciousness this spring season. A strong push turns ideas into action!

What rules and regulations will keep Mother Earth’s environment safer from harm when she comes back to life after the long winter? What new ways can we infuse the care of the natural environment into our daily habits? The earth element is strong now, a good time to reaffirm sensitivity and care toward our planet as well as the physical body and its needs.