We’re now officially in a month of Mercury square Mars! While this aspect has an obvious hard edge, it can also be used wisely, if we know how to release forces in productive ways.

First, why a month? Because Mercury is squaring Mars while retrograde, ensuring that once it’s direct in motion, Mercury will speed up to square Mars in Aries again on July 27. So this month we have Mercury square Mars from 7 Cancer to 7 Aries. From these symbols, we can infer that this tension can release powerful forces from our invisible helpers in forms of “unusual good luck” which can help us use energies in practical direct forms to take care of whatever needs taking care of.

In any square, the voids are what needs activating to attain maximum productivity; that means 7 Libra and 7 Capricorn are the antidotes for any hard edged communications or actions we encounter. 7 Libra is about protecting what needs protecting while taming that which is in excess and uplifting that which is not strong enough. 7 Capricorn is hearing a new “Law of Life,” or understanding that because of recent telepathic channels being opened, we now can be the voice of a Higher Law.

Obviously the traits of Libra and Capricorn are needed now, so stay balanced, keep it as diplomatic yet factual as possible, be practical and mature, know your duty and others’ duties, beware of rationalizations by people who are out of balance or have a skewed perspective, and if necessary, bring others to stillness through a dignified reserve. And slow down!

This agitation from Cancer to Aries will persist through the month, so if you have planets near 5-9 Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn, or 20-24 Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius, be more deliberate and thoughtful in expressing yourself, and show more caution than you might at other times. This can help us cut to the chase in some very practical and direct ways, but the temptation is toward diversion and jumping in and then jumping out of things.

In general, Marc Jones advised us to use this aspect to find the right motive to give “a profitable direction to our initiatives” while not wasting energies in “idle speculation and wishful thinking.” Turn away from superficial matters, and be practical in “cutting to the chase” in discussions. What opportunities do you see? This is the time to develop them.

While these same themes will hold all month, the late July square is from 17 Cancer to 17 Aries, implying that period of the growth of some things and withdrawal from others will give us an opportunity to retire from, and contemplate the purpose of, old dramas we no longer need. This will also be a time to shed old inhibitions, and allow that which has been abnormally repressed to come to expression.

Anyway, for the next 25 days, SLOW DOWN and take it a little easier than ordinary. Relax, take care of yourself, and refuse to be hassled by passing moods or people who don’t have a clue. Yes, this aspect can produce aggravations by or at self-indulgent people, as well as superficial or controlling behavior. Take it all in stride, since Mars is favored by its specializing quintiles to Jupiter, Pluto, and Saturn at this time, while Mercury is “held firm” by its sextile with Uranus and wide but forming tredecile with Neptune.

See how to operate in multiple realms simultaneously, finding “fulfillment and happiness in each.” Cooperate with your “invisible helpers” and you’ll find “unusual good luck.” Bring that which is in excess under control, and strengthen what needs it. Be willing to speak the truth, and you’ll find confirmation of your view in the middle of the month. In the meantime, be a little more cautious than usual, especially when others are presuming something they shouldn’t presume.