In the Stars July 26-August 2, 2020...shining light on the astrology of the week

The Sun has just moved into Leo, the sign it rules and where it is strong, symbolizing boldness, courage, strength, and creativity. It is the time of year for summer vacation and play, though now that energy is constrained. Two asteroids and five planets are still retrograde: Ceres, Pallas Athena, Saturn, Chiron, Pluto, Jupiter, and Neptune. Mercury is now out of its shadow.

The early part of the week is influenced by the exact Jupiter-Neptune conjunction, amplifying creativity and imagination. The end of the week is full of tension with Saturn at the Jupiter-Pluto midpoint and the Moon highlight this stellium on Sunday. The Full Moon alignment on Monday, August 3rd, squares Uranus, giving volatility and intensity.

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A Libra Moon serves as a backdrop Sunday. While this could symbolize ease, harmony, and connection, this Moon makes edgy, challenging aspects that pack a big punch, as the Moon makes hard aspects to Jupiter, Pluto, and Saturn. Libra is a cardinal, action-oriented sign, so put this energy to work getting things done; go slowly and carefully, and keep your temper cool. The Moon is void of course Sunday evening from 6:09-9:12 p.m. PDT, allowing a time to sit back and relax before the work week begins.

Jupiter and Neptune, planets of vision and possibilities, make an exact opportune sextile aspect on Monday, inviting expansion and creativity. Mercury squares Mars, making us prone to arguments and edgy communication. A mid-afternoon Moon-Uranus opposition may pop us out of our comfort zones. Give people their space, and take your own freedom.

Even though emotions continue to run deep with the Moon in Scorpio on Tuesday, the day is full of benefic lunar aspects, so the wind will be at your back. Tuesday is a day to advance your goals and visions.

We bounce into mid-week Wednesday, buoyed by a Sagittarius Moon which forms a beautiful trine with the fiery Leo Sun mid-day. Take a walk or hike in the outdoors if possible. The Moon joins with the Sun and Chiron to form a Grand Trine in fire—igniting inspiration and vision.

Thursday, Jueves, Jupiter’s Day is crowned with the Moon in Sagittarius, which is ruled by Jupiter, meaning that the day is especially Jupiterian—expansive, optimistic, and wise. We may feel overwhelmed with ideas and possibilities. This is a day that you may bite off more than you can chew, and yet you will accomplish a lot.

Friday is a day for work, framed by the Moon’s expression in Capricorn. The only major aspect is a Moon-Uranus trine late in the evening which may rearrange the planned routine or bring an element of surprise.

These first days of August hold a great deal of tension. Saturday, August 1st Saturn is positioned as the Jupiter-Pluto midpoint, and the Moon in Capricorn conjuncts this intense energy that mirrors that of the beginning period of the COVID-19 outbreak. Mercury opposes Pluto and then Saturn, challenging thinking and communication.

On Sunday the Moon exactly conjuncts Saturn, while the Sun exactly squares Uranus. Moon/Saturn symbolizes restraint and limitations; Sun/Uranus symbolizes freedom, surprise, and explosiveness. The Moon is void of course until 11:11 a.m. PDT when it moves into Aquarius. At least with the Moon in Aquarius there is some detachment from the chaos.

The Full Moon in Aquarius on Monday is squared by Uranus. The energies in this Full Moon alignment are challenging and volatile. Exercise caution and go easy. There may be unexpected twists and turns in the day, and it may not go as planned.

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We are all interested in the big picture now, and the energies of the months ahead, given that we are dealing with the coronavirus and its implications for us personally and for the collective. Below is an excellent summary of the energies of the coming months, written by astrologer and software developer Henry Seltzer, published in the New Moon Time Passages Newsletter, July 19, 2020:

…”Certainly there has been abundant evidence of Saturn’s presence in recent headlines, in the retreat back toward lock-down that we have been seeing over this past cycle, at least in America, as the coronavirus tightens its hold, and our economic recovery stalls.

Pluto continues to be highlighted as well, in this current initiating lunation and with every other one for the next few months, leading right up to another peak in mid-November, when both the political situation and the coronavirus pandemic will likely be raging. Colder weather and normal flu season are one complication and the peaceful transition of power after the November 3rd election is another.

By that mid-November timing, Jupiter is again closely conjunct Pluto, with Saturn nearby, and with the new planet Eris remaining closely square. We look to be really in for it, right through to the end of the year, primarily according to the dance of these two outer planet energies, Saturn and Pluto, representing contraction and structural rebirth…The indications in terms of the pandemic tell a story of grave difficulty, now very nearly out of control here in the U.S., and continuing to pose a dire threat worldwide, at least until such time as a vaccine or effective treatment becomes globally available.

In our ordinary lives as well, we are individually being put to the test of how we will react to the evolving social setting in which we find ourselves. It is a time of trial, but it need not be a time of despair; on the upside, there were systemic near fatal flaws in the pre-Covid society that we will now, in the recovery, finally be able to address. It is of course quite daunting that the current difficult situation looks to be continuing far longer than anyone thought. One thing, however, that you can do during this remaining Covid active time is to get your own self together. “

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The Week in Short:

Sunday: Challenging, provocative day; lean in and make things happen, but go slowly and carefully.

Monday: Creative day of vision and possibilities, but also an edgy day. Take your space.

Tuesday: Easy day with the wind at your back. Advance your goals.

Wednesday: Walk in nature and allow your vision and enthusiasm to flow.

Thursday: Ideas and possibilities abound. You will stretch beyond what is possible, and in the end, accomplish a lot.

Friday: Lean in and work hard.

Saturday: Intense, challenging, frustrating day, but a lot of work can be accomplished.

Sun: Explosiveness or creative ideas may be triggered by restraint and limitation.

Monday: Full Moon. Challenging, volatile day with twists and turns.

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Ten Things to Do with Venus in Gemini (through

1. Exchange books with neighbors that lead you in new directions.

2. Exercise flexibility in relationship.

3. Pick up the phone and connect with someone with whom you’ve been out of touch.

4. Acknowledge the various expressions of love in your everyday life.

5. Write letters.

6. Plan a short and safe trip.

7. Take an internet excursion and make at least three new discoveries.

8. Explore your surroundings and discover something new.

9. Connect with aunts, uncles, or cousins.

10. Think (and act) more flexibly with money matters—learn something new from a podcast about finances.

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I am available for astrology readings/consultations at ccoleman829@gmail.com. Feel free to forward this blog! Sign up (free) at: http://www.cathycolemanastrology.com.

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Moon Void-of-Course: This is the time when the Moon makes its last major angular aspect with a planet before it moves into the next zodiacal sign tropically. This void time, when the Moon is not aspecting a planet, but rather floating on its own, is a time when things don’t come together and it is difficult to make good decisions. Purchases made during void Moons often turn out to be unsatisfactory and not work out. Appointments often don’t come together, and meetings don’t result in progress or sound, lasting decisions. We more easily get lost or meander in trying to get somewhere. The VoC Moon times for the next month are listed below so that you can plan meetings, decisions, and purchases at times when the Moon is not VoC; and use the void times for gardening, reading, and routine task work.

Void-of-Course Moon times for the month ahead (one lunar cycle):

Pacific Standard Time:

July 26: 6:09 p.m. – 8:12 p.m. (Moon into Scorpio)

July 28 at 9:01 p.m. through July 29 at 0:25 a.m. (Moon into Sagittarius)

July 30 at 5:08 p.m. through July 31 at 5:58 a.m. (Moon into Capricorn)

August 2: 6:59 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. (Moon into Aquarius)

August 4: 2:45 p.m. 7:28 p.m. (Moon into Pisces)

August 7: 5:53 a.m. – 6:05 a.m. (Moon into Aries)

August 9: 12:50 p.m. – 6:28 p.m. (Moon into Taurus)

August 12: 0:55 a.m. – 6:46 a.m. (Moon into Gemini)

August 14: 4:19 a.m. – 4:35 p.m. (Moon into Cancer)

August 16: 4:59 p.m. – 10:39 p.m. (Moon into Leo)

August 18 at 10:39 p.m. through August 19 at 1:20 a.m. (Moon into Virgo)

August 20 at 8:37 p.m. through August 21 at 2:16 a.m. (Moon into Libra)

August 22 at 9:19 p.m. through August 23 at 3:16 a.m. (Moon into Scorpio)

GMT (Greenwich Mean Time):

July 27: 2:09 – 4:12 (Moon into Scorpio)

July 29 at 6:01 through July 30 at 8:25 (Moon into Sagittarius)

July 31: 3:08 - 13:58 (Moon into Capricorn)

August 2: 14:59 - 19:10 (Moon into Aquarius)

August 4 at 22:45 through August 5 at 3:28 (Moon into Pisces)

August 7: 13:53 – 14:05 (Moon into Aries)

August 9 at 20:50 through August 10 at 14:28 (Moon into Taurus)

August 12: 8:55 – 14:46 (Moon into Gemini)

August 14 at 12:19 through August 15 at 0:35 (Moon into Cancer)

August 17: 0:59 – 6:39 (Moon into Leo)

August 19: 6:39 – 9:20 (Moon into Virgo)

August 21: 4:37 - 10:16 (Moon into Libra)

August 23: 5:19 - 11:16 (Moon into Scorpio)