JULY 26th to AUG 5th, 2018
THURSDAY, JULY 26th, 2018
On Thursday, Mercury does an about-face and goes "backwards" as seen from Earth until August 18th. This RETROGRADE MERCURY phase is a time of confusion in communications and commerce. About three times each year, Mercury the communications wizard turns into Mercury the fast-talking con man. This is the RETROGRADE MERCURY phase, and it lasts about three weeks. RETROGRADE MERCURY will be serving up glitches and snafus in communications, computers, transport, travel and social media. If you are buying a new mobile phone, be sure to read the fine print about hidden costs. Planning to move into a new apartment? Check the kitchen and bathroom for tell-tale signs of mold before signing the lease. Remember over the next three weeks that MERCURY wants you to play his sly game to win — not to be a whining victim. Make him proud of the way you play his game!
FRIDAY, JULY 27th, 2018
This weekend promises to be one of the darkest and most tragic times in human history when the Sun is in 180-degree opposition to Retrograde Mars during a Total Lunar Eclipse even as Mercury is standing still in space and turning from Direct to Retrograde. Because Mars is Retrograde (going "backwards" as seen from Earth), long-buried conflicts and resentments from the past will flare anew. The Cold War could return with a vengeance. The threat of nuclear annihilation could take on new life. In your personal life, an old dispute with your neighbors or with your ex-lover could come home to visit you again. This configuration occurs while Mars is at its closes to the Earth, meaning the War God's energies are at their strongest. Meanwhile, this Total Lunar Eclipse occurs during the AQUARIUS FULL MOON. This is the summertime moon of generous gifts which we associate with Antinous/Vertumnus, the shape-shifting God of summertime bounty and generous gifts. We call this the DONUM MOON when magical rituals are performed for fortuitous gifts.
SAT-SUNDAY, JULY 28th-29th, 2018
This weekend, love planet Venus is in a powerful trine aspect with Pluto. Virgo Venus is looking for someone to share a nurturing life with, while Capricorn Pluto is looking for a profound relationship which endures for all eternity. So this Venus trine Pluto configuration can help you find your soul mate. Venus trine Pluto is also very good for financial and business transactions which will provide long-term yields.
MON-FRIDAY, JULY 30th-AUG 3rd, 2018
This is the most explosive week of the year when Mars, which has just entered Aquarius (and has now turned Retrograde), squares off against Uranus, which has just entered Taurus. These are major sign changes and this week's 90-degree square configuration (the second Mars-square-Uranus since May 2018) will show us what we can expect from both planets in the months and years to come until Uranus leaves Taurus in 2025 — there might literally be explosions or at least volcanic eruptions when the warrior god is at odds with unpredictable Uranus. Pent-up anger bursts out into all-out armed conflict. This is a classic textbook recipe for assassinations and terrorist attacks. It definitely spells trouble for the world's hot spots such as the Mideast and Korea. And it does not bode well for health and environmental issues either. On the personal level, you need to be on guard for outbursts of rage. The important thing is to be aware where your rage is coming from. Don't vent your rage on innocent victims. Instead, be consciously aware of the source of your anger so that you can harness the powerful energies of Mars/Uranus to carry out constructive projects you have been stalling on for way too long.
SAT-SUNDAY, AUG 4th-5th, 2018
This weekend we come to the Taurus Third Quarter Moon — the LUCIUS MOON OF BROTHERS — when we honor Lucius Aelius, who was like a brother to Antinous in the imperial court of Hadrian. This night is when we celebrate our gay brothers.
SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK:
Another exciting week lies ahead between August 6th and 12th when we come to the Leo New Moon. That is the lunar phase we call the SACERDOTE MOON which spiritually kick-starts your life ... Take time to reflect on becoming who you were born to be ... Rather than focusing on a specific task, go to the center of your heart and meditate on the core strength of your soul ... Perhaps you are here to bring beauty, whether through art, justice, or fashion ... Perhaps you are here to help heal the offering of the world, whether through your writing, activism, or as a physician ... Or maybe you are here to bring insight and truth where there is confusion and ignorance ... More details next time ....
