The sun entered the "moon child" sign of Cancer on June 21, initiating the first day of a new season at the Summer Solstice. This promises to be a remarkable Summer, as we had a solar eclipse exactly on the Solstice, making this an incredibly powerful turning point that brings new beginnings for all of us. The solar eclipse in Cancer on June 21 initiated changes in our emotional nature. Old patterns are being broken up and released to make way for new possibilities in the quality of our relating to the people we care about. So much of our life experience is conditioned by our beliefs and attitudes, and this Summer, we have an opportunity to make a quantum leap into more positive and creative life patterns.

Lunar Eclipse brings new patterns in relationships

On July 5, we have another eclipse. This is a lunar eclipse in Capricorn, opposite the sun in Cancer. While the solar eclipse in June brought changes in the depths of our inner nature, the lunar eclipse brings changes in the actual expression of our being. It may be that some old traditions, institutions, and customs need updating now that we are in the 21 Century, and this Summer we will see some of those changes. In our personal lives, the lunar eclipse in the first week of July asks us to separate ourselves from what is familiar, to begin to seek a new possibility, and to establish new patterns in our lives. The new patterns have to do with how we give and receive love and nurturing in our relationships.

Sun and Jupiter in Cancer teach us nurturing

From June 21 until July 22, the sun travels through the feminine, nurturing, sensitive sign of Cancer, which usually brings our attention to home and family matters, but comes this year with the added emphasis of the two powerful eclipses bringing changes in our domestic life and in our emotional patterns. The more we release, let go, and allow the changes, the easier they will be. The giant planet Jupiter, which brings opportunities and expansion, enters Cancer on July 13 for a year long trek, opening the way for us to learn new and better ways of nurturing and taking care of ourselves.

Mars brings clarity about our life's work

The planet Mars, which is our drive for survival, meaning our work, has been traveling in retrograde (apparent backwards) motion since May 11, giving us a long pause in which to assess where we are currently with our work or career life. Occurring only once every two years, retrograde Mars gives us a retrospective look at the energy we have put out into the world and the marketplace, which can result in greater clarity about our life's work. Career changes or other needed adjustments may be the result of this clarity, but putting changes into motion happens best after Mars returns to direct motion on July 17.

Allowing the flow of giving and receiving

A new moon at the very last of the sign Cancer occurs on July 20. Setting the theme for the coming four weeks, the new moon in Cancer helps us to bring what we have learned about our emotions and home and family life into clear focus. In the last half of July, our challenge is to make time for, and allow the emotional flow of giving and receiving in spite of the incredibly busy pace of life.

Strengthen love and trust in relationships

Our romantic life endures some testing in the later part of July as passions run hot and cold with Venus, the planet of love and romance, opposite fiery Mars and Pluto. The essential thing is to hold our boundaries, keep a sense of humor, and dispel fear in our love life. Transformative Pluto, opposite Venus and Saturn, will bring out issues or concerns that need to be addressed with your lover. Good communication is enhanced by positive planetary aspects, so this is the time to strengthen the love and trust between you.

Sun Signs for July 2001

ARIES - The sun in your fourth house brings your attention to home and family matters. A romantic relationship brings challenges, and your values endure testing this month. Take another look to discover what truly nurtures you.

TAURUS -Uranus' deep challenge to your ethics and values over the past two years has left you feeling spent. This theme continues until you make needed changes in your career life, however, financial increase and spiritual pursuits bring you a feeling of security and peace this month.

GEMINI - Saturn traveling through your sign brings greater responsibility and more grounding in life. You are laying a foundation for the future, so stay with it, while your love relationship takes you through much transformation. Listen to the spiritual insight which is your guiding light now.

CANCER -The sun eclipsing in your sign this month can bring deep and far reaching changes in your life. Let go of the steering wheel and let Spirit drive. Old, karmic patterns are being released and a new beginning is in sight.

LEO - A spiritual realization and breakthrough happens this month, giving you insight into your past karmic and family patterns, and freeing up your emotional body. Although relationship challenges and changes continue this month, you have tremendous support from friends.

VIRGO -Take another look at your long term goals and future visions. Have you factored in self-care, rest, and revitalization? Your energy may be split off in too many directions, leaving you frazzled. Success will come, but you will need your health to enjoy it.

LIBRA - Significant changes in your home life and career direction have you hopping this month. You may experience a spiritual or philosophical breakthrough precipitated by interaction with relatives. Making time for creative expression brings you back into balance.

SCORPIO - This month's eclipse teaches you to let go of control and allow Spirit to provide for you and nurture you. A philosophical breakthrough precipitates a transformation of your value system. Learning how to receive gracefully brings you into balance with your spirituality.

SAGITTARIUS - An ongoing process of self transformation is energized this month. Challenges in your personal relationships trigger issues of feeling you need to defend yourself. You are being asked to let go of an old sense of identity, and to allow your inner truth to shine,

CAPRICORN - The full moon in your sign illuminates patterns in your relationship with yourself, and in your most intimate relationships with others. Past, subconscious patterns surface for healing, and self love, or self worth issues can be resolved this month.

AQUARIUS - You are emerging from the past two years of radical change, awakening, and learning to surrender to Spirit. Past karma is complete. This month you are poised for new adventures and creative exploration with friends or a love partner.

PISCES - Your work life or career may be in so much transition that it seems like you will never have stability again. If you can tolerate the uncertainty for a time, there will be much opportunity for personal creativity in the future.

Carolina Eastwood is a professional astrological consultant, counselor, and teacher with over 22 years experience providing insight and guidance for clients throughout the world. Carolina has appeared on national TV, hosted radio shows, spoken at national conventions, and presented classes and workshops to numerous audiences

Your astrological chart is your "blueprint" for this lifetime. A personal session with Carolina Eastwood is a journey deep into the heart of your being, a look at your entire lifetime, and a remembrance of your spiritual purpose.

For more information, or to schedule a session with Carolina, call Earth Star Consulting Services 1 858 - 259-1590, or email to estar@cts.com. You can also visit Carolina's website at www.earthstarconsulting.

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