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Summer Solstice Brings a Turning Point, Opening a New Direction
In Life
THE SUMMER SOLSTICE on June 20, with the sun entering
the sign of Cancer, brought our themes for the coming 90 days. An important
turning point, the Solstice provides a symbolic pause in time to reflect
on what we have experienced since last January's Winter Equinox,
and a time to look ahead to what we may wish to create in the coming
three months. On June 19, Mercury returned to direct motion after being
retrograde (apparent backwards motion) since May 26. As we enter the
month of July, Mercury's return to direct motion energetically
encourages us to move forward with plans and goals that may have been
delayed.
Sun In Cancer Brings Energy To Nurture Our Home and Families
During
the time that the sun is in the sensitive, nurturing, feminine, and
highly intuitive water sign of Cancer, we naturally focus our energies
on nurturing home and family. We may feel inspired to get to the yard
work, the garden, or home improvement projects. From June 20 until July
22, we become more attuned to our own, and our loved one's emotional
needs. Those born with the sun, moon, or rising sign in Cancer need
time to feel secure with people before they will share their vulnerability
along with their nurturing energy and intuitive wisdom.
New Moon In Cancer Opens Positive New Possibilities
We
have a new moon in Cancer on July 2, which, together with Venus, sets
the theme for the coming four weeks by raising our awareness about our
own emotional needs, and the needs of those we love. The "great
awakener", Uranus in Pisces, forms a favorable aspect to the sun-moon,
urging us to open our eyes and our hearts to the voice of our own intuitive
wisdom and allow it to guide us in all of our choices. The planet of
opportunity, Jupiter, joins in the favorable configuration, adding the
possibility of expansion in new directions. The planet of transformation,
Pluto, now retrograde, has returned to Sagittarius after having been
in Capricorn since the last few days of January. This adds to the spirit
of exploration, opening new possibilities for expansion in the next
several months.
The Full Moon Highlights Emotional Awareness and Connection
The
full moon in Capricorn, opposite the sun in Cancer, occurs on July 18,
bringing to fruition the theme of emotional awareness. The full moon
highlights our experience of connection and the progress we have made
with our homes and families. In mid-July, and particularly at the full
moon, our intuitive and creative energy flows freely, and we are inspired
with innovative ideas. The planet of action, Mars forms a very favorable
triangle with expansive Jupiter, igniting our enthusiasm for new ventures
and our professional or business growth.
Creative Inspiration Flows Abundantly
In
the last week of July, the planet of communication, Mercury enters a
favorable aspect with Uranus, supercharging our minds with creative
ideas and a download of intuitive understanding. Another aspect from
Jupiter to Mercury expands on that theme, stimulating grand ideas. On
July 22, the sun enters the sign of the Lion, Leo, a fixed fire sign,
ushering in the second (astrological) month of the Summer Season. The
sun in Leo sparks romance, creativity, and playfulness, making the last
week of July a great time to create opportunities for social gatherings,
return to some of our creative projects, and focus on recreation.
B
E S T D A Y S
The
very best days of the month to start new projects or relationships,
acquire new clients, launch a creative project, apply for a new job,
list your house for sale, and generally start anything new
(PDT).
These
days are excellent:
- July
2 and 4
- July
14-16
- July
20 and 23
The
following days are also very good:
Acceptable
days for new starts:
- July
18-19
- July
29 (after 8:30 am, PDT) and 30
Avoid
making new starts on the remaining days. Use the excellent days to launch
important new projects, businesses, relationships, or to apply for a
new job or list your property for sale.
S
U N S I G N S F O R J U L Y 2 0 0 8
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This is a great month to spend time envisioning and creating
your future. Since your future is unfolding as you have envisioned,
use this time to establish new health routines that will support
you in the very active coming months. Your work to expand your
business or to advance in your career is undergoing some review
until early September; having patience with this process and taking
the time to build correctly will result in greater success as
the autumn season approaches.
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Significant shifts in your life philosophy and spiritual
awareness take place this month as you become clearer about your
priorities with family. As a steadfast and responsible Taurus,
many people rely on you, and this month, you find great pleasure
in being able to find answers to an ongoing financial concern.
Your intentions will be manifested when you absolutely know that
they will. There is great support and relatives, as well as an
appealing career opportunity.
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July is an exciting month with several new opportunities,
including career decisions or changes that can lead to a greater
financial flow. Now that Mercury is no longer retrograde, use
this month to implement career or business changes by finding
inspired long-term solutions to recent challenges. Your partners
and family offer assistance, remember the power of gratitude to
open your life to a greater flow of abundance.
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The last of some old habitual patterns with communication
and proper use of power gets cleared this month, relieving you
of frustration in communicating your higher understanding. Communication
flows easily now and spiritually inspired creative ideas abound.
People are naturally drawn to you and wish to hear what you have
to say and to experience your beautiful, nurturing energy.
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Much work to build your career or business has
happened this year, and now, you reap some of the fruits of your
efforts. Changes in the solidity of your investments affect your
financial status, requiring your attention early this month. Do
not try to go it alone; getting professional advice will be most
beneficial. The July 2 new moon in Cancer may inspire you to develop
a new health or fitness routine.
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Long standing issues in personal relationships and/or
business partnerships heat up this month, and must come to resolution.
In business, applying your spiritual wisdom as well as your experience
and expertise to arrive at a mutually satisfactory agreement brings
renewal of future goals. You will continue to be working extra
hard as you endeavor to stabilize your life. Friends and romantic
partners are supportive, and may bring innovative ideas.
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Increased energy available for productivity in your work
sparks new creativity and innovation, opening the channels for
greater financial flow. Early to mid-July is a great time for
travel that opens the gateway to new, and very inspiring experiences.
You have the opportunity to resolve legal and educational issues
freeing you to make plans with your home and family.
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With Mercury in forward motion once again,
frustrations and delays with business processes, contracts,
and partnerships ends this month. The July 2 new moon highlights
publishing, higher education and long distance travel. Expect
changes with children or in your creative projects. Business
and finances are flowering once again, and you are fortunate
to receive support from many sources, especially organized groups.
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Pluto is back in your sign, where it will stay until
late November. If there was any area of your life that still
needed transformation after Pluto left your sign in late January,
these next few months will provide the opportunity to address
it. The July 2 new moon stimulates positive changes with shared
resources or investments. Clearing any remaining issues with
partners is easy when you follow your higher guidance.
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The new moon highlights your partnerships, bringing
positive changes that follow good communication with loved ones.
With Pluto in your sign since late January, you have experienced
much transformation in your way of being in the world and find
that you are doing things very differently than in the past. Now
entering Sagittarius, Pluto gives you a respite from deep personal
work until late November. Health issues should be addressed in
the early part of July.
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At the new moon, just in time for the 4 of July celebration,
love relationships, friends, and the people with whom you have
much in common bring you great joy. A two-year cycle of hard work
to re-structure and improve your most important relationships
comes to a close now, and you begin to see the fruits of your
intentions in this arena of your life. The planet that moves us
to transform our consciousness, Pluto, has left your sign for
a few months, relieving you of the pressure to do focused inner
work until late November.
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The new moon early this month stimulates creative expression
and pleasurable pursuits. You find innovative new ways to express
your artistic talent, and to interact with the children in your
life. Issues in your professional life begin to resolve, leaving
you freer to enjoy your work. Sharing inspiration with your friends
and family helps you to feel more aligned with your spiritual
purpose.
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© Carola Eastwood, 2008 |
Carola
Eastwood is
a professional astrological consultant, counselor, and teacher with
over 22 years experience providing insight and guidance for clients
throughout the world. Carola has appeared on national TV, hosted radio
shows, spoken at national conventions, and presented classes and workshops
to numerous audiences.