July 28th ~ August 4th

Be yourself ~ not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be. ~ Henry David Thoreau

When looking at the Full Moon in Aquarius, we are looking at our larger social circles, and what we do, or do not do, in order to fit in, to be accepted and popular. And that can include what we are, or are not, willing to compromise in order to be accepted by others, and be a part of a larger group. If we are not being entirely honest and forthcoming with ourself or others, the Full Moon in Aquarius is when the flimsy facades we present to others can crack and fall apart. And what is revealed when that facade falls away can be eye opening. 

On August 1st, we have a Full Moon at 9º Aquarius 16’. The Sabian Symbol for this degree of Aquarius speaks to “the need to deal with human beings as persons rather than as screens upon which one projects one’s dreams and ideals.” In a much larger context this can be applied to the ephemeral and changeable roles we play in the outer world, as well as in our own lives, brief moments of worldly acclaim followed by a fall from grace, the ebb and flow of popularity and disgrace on the public stage. People also simply may not be what we thought they were.

Perhaps this Full Moon in Aquarius is something of a reminder that you can please some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all the people all of the time. This is a Super Moon, a term coined by astrologer, Richard Nolle, for a Full or New Moon that occurs when the Moon is perigee, or at the point in its orbit where it is closest to the Earth. Not only does the Moon appear larger than life at these times, but they also have a greater impact on the phenomena and lives of those who inhabit our planet. 

Realizations can sometimes be shocking. But they can also be healing. Like heaving a tremendous sigh of relief, we can let down our guard, and release some of the heartache, blame, guilt, and grief that is being churned up by the retrograde phase of Venus and the Pluto/Nodal squares. For this is when we could find ourselves all examining our relationships: why we do relationships the way that we do; why we find ourselves drawn to certain people and keep repeating certain patterns in our lives. Like a declaration, the Full Moons during this period can show us what we are needing to see in this regard; and bring some things, perhaps some chapter in our lives, to a final, and yet illuminating conclusion.  

Mercury enters Virgo

On Friday, July 28th, Mercury enters the sign of Virgo, where it will remain through the beginning of October. Usually only spending 3-4 weeks in a single sign, this is a rather extended stay, due to its retrograde from August 23rd thru September 15th. 

One of the things we become aware of during the retrograde phase of Venus, is the importance of self-care, and recognizing what you need and what you want. Pluto at the south bending of the Nodes is asking us to resolve issues within the South Node in Libra paradigm: the ways we compromise and sacrifice our own needs in order to keep the peace, not rock the boat, and try to avoid conflict. This can be true on both the macro level, as well as individually. There are also reminders here that the only one we can change is ourselves. This is important to remember for the weeks that Mercury will be in Virgo, as the tendency to want to fix, to serve, to make oneself small and meek, is stronger. 

But if we were to take that desire to fix others or our outside circumstances, and place the focus on our own minds, ourselves, Mercury in Virgo is brilliant. Especially so during the retrograde phase at the end of August. In this way, Mercury in Virgo is an incredibly valuable tool for self-improvement, healing, and benefitting our lives in general. Mercury is strong in its own sign of Virgo, and will be even stronger when it is in its retrograde phase. 

The first aspect Mercury will make as it enters Virgo is an opposition to Saturn, showing us all the stuff that needs fixing, cleaning, mending, healing and organizing. Mercury/Saturn weather can feel like we are being blocked, controlled or limited in some way, or that things are impossible to change; so don’t be surprised if you come up against a brick wall.  It can bring delays and reversals. We feel censored, criticized, unheard, and ignored. But rather than thinking in terms of what is wrong with everything, and everyone, think of it as an opportunity to see what needs improving, and what you might be able to do to rectify the situation in the future, when the obstacles fall away. The opposition will be exact on August 1st/2nd, but we will be feeling it all week. 

Some positive ways of using this myopic Mercury/Saturn transit, is to: 

• focus on what is right in front of you for now, for that is where your attention is needing to be. 
• take that focus and apply it to a project that requires a deal of concentration and attention
• this is fabulous weather for organizing, taking care of details, and work that requires your absolute attention
• looking at a situation objectively and dispassionately
• giving yourself permission to say No, set better limits, or to back out of an obligation. 

For this week’s horoscopes, click below: 

HOROSCOPES

Image: “Cancer” by Johfra Bosschart

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