July sees the second eclipse season for 2019 with a total solar eclipse in Cancer on July 3 and a partial lunar eclipse in Capricorn two weeks later ...and Mercury turns retrograde in the time between the eclipses, adding to the introspective mood.
June begins with Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune and Pluto all retrograde with Mercury joining them on the 8th. Note: All the dates below are for Australian Eastern Time.
July 2: Mars to Leo
July 3: Total Solar Eclipse in Cancer
July 4: Venus to Cancer
July 8: Mercury retrograde in Leo
July 17: Partial Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn
July 19: Mercury retrogrades back into Cancer
July 23: Sun to Leo
July 28: Venus to Leo
The New Moon / Total Solar Eclipse on July 3 falls at close to 11 degrees of Cancer and is opposite Saturn and square to Chiron, suggesting the possibility for reactivation of old emotional patterns, especially dynamics that are part of our family of origin.
With Saturn opposite the Sun [and coming to conjunct the Moon at the lunar eclipse in 2 weeks] it is time to get clearer about our responsibilities to others [especially family members and the people we live with], set clear boundaries and take responsibility for what we wish to achieve. Saturn calls us to become more disciplined, ordered and structured but to beware over-functioning due to the perfectionist voice of the Inner Critic. Saturn often calls us to take action, get our act together, but sometimes this means doing something that may feel uncomfortable …this month is definitely the time to ‘take the bull by the horns’ and at least plan what needs to be done to put your life back on track, if that is what is needed.
The square to Chiron invites us to open to the healing images in our dreams and to become aware of feelings of rejection - including self-rejection – and open to healing in the form of greater self-acceptance. Chiron stimulates the urge to individuate and be true to our [Higher] Self. It may be time to reflect where / how you have you held yourself back because you fear the rejection of those around you …and together with Saturn there is a strong call to do something about it.
The Eclipse fall in Cancer invites us to reflect on family, the past and our emotional connections and bonds and all things ruled by this watery and emotional sign which include: • Emotions and feelings • Private life - family life • Parent / child roles and responsibilities • The past • Our emotional security
This is a potent time to ask ourselves what nurtures us and honour our feelings: review emotional attachments; explore patterns around co-dependency, playing the martyr and the victim; reflect on what home and belonging means for us and explore new ways of feeling safe, nurtured and contained.
All eclipses can herald a crisis but they also provide the opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start again. Eclipses tend to be neutral energetically but they function to bring to the surface whatever has been buried, hidden and repressed. Meditation, quiet self-reflection and any form if inner work allows the messages from our soul to be heard and the stillness needed to align with the creative and re-organizing potential of both the solar and lunar eclipses.
The Full Moon / Lunar Eclipse on July 17 falls at close to 24 degrees of Capricorn and is conjunct both Pluto and Saturn as well as squaring Eris, highlighting the Pluto Saturn conjunction that will perfect in January 2020, challenging us to take responsibility [Saturn and Capricorn] for our fears and shadow self [Pluto] in that area of our life.
Pluto will be at the mid-point of His retrograde phase a few days before the eclipse [when it opposes the Sun] highlighting our shadow self and fear-based patterns around power, control, trust and betrayal. Through the illumination of these patterns, we have the opportunity to gain more insight and awareness so we can work at letting them go and find a greater sense of inner safety.Potentially this eclipse calls us to re-claim our personal authority and experience empowerment that is not at the expense of others.
Lunar eclipses tend to be more emotional and internal than solar eclipses. They stir up whatever is simmering in our subconscious and invite us to reflect and see things from a more objective [solar] perspective. Sometimes this may lead to the desire to act, but more often they are potent times for insight and illumination. Any full moon /lunar eclipse is essentially about working with polarized feeling states and seeing how we can find a more centred space where we can be this and that, not just this or that.
The Cancer / Capricorn polarity always invites us to reflect on the balance between our public and private lives, career and family as well as achievement and nurturing. Life may have become all work and no play, leading us to feel overburdened with our responsibilities and therefore in danger of sinking into a depressed mood which allows the inner critic to take over. If life feels too hard, try to take some time out around the full moon to reflect on how you can experience more balance in your life, especially quality time with loved ones.
Mercury Retrograde Mercury moves retrograde on July 8 at close to 4 degrees of Leo and remains retrograde until August 1 when it turns direct at close to 23 degrees of Cancer. Please be aware that the retrograde phenomenon is activated from the time that Mercury enters the loop to the time that it leaves: June 20 to August 15 and it will be in effect during the lunar eclipse, making this an especially fertile time for introspection and insight. The most chaotic times are when Mercury stations – the few days around July 6 and August 1 when Mercury adjusts to the change of direction.
The energy is intensified by an opposition with Pluto [also part of the lunar eclipse energy] that was exact on June 19 and sits within an orb of one degree from July 16 through to August 13. This aspect challenges us to speak our truth and face the fears that our mind can create but there is a warning about the darker potential of this aspect: a desire to control, manipulate, or ‘get back’ at others for perceived suffering. Try to get clear on your motivation for speaking up and let go if it is to hurt. Can you speak your truth in a way that does not dis-empower yourself or others? Key dates / degrees
Exact dates: retrograde from July 8 to August 1
Sensitive degrees 23 Cancer to 4 Leo
Full time of influence: June 20 to August 15
Time for insight: around July 21 when the new Mercury cycle begins at the Inferior Conjunction of Mercury and the Sun
Time to act on new ideas / beliefs: August 1 to 15 …but sit with any decisions a little longer than usual, especially with the opposition to Pluto challenging us to be clear in our intentions if we feel called to speak our truth.
Remember, Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking from habitual ruts and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs. Concerns may arise early in the retrograde phase but around the time the new cycle begins on July 21 when new solutions and insight may emerge. Sit with your insights until after August 1 when Mercury goes direct.