In the Stars June 27-July 4...shining light on the astrology of the week

Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto are now retrograde for several months. When planets are retrograde they are slow moving. With these four strong planets in backward motion the next few months, there is opportunity to pause and look at the big picture and consider what inspires you.

Each week the Moon aligns with the Saturn-Uranus square aspect by conjunction, square, or opposition, igniting this change energy. This week the Moon-Uranus-Saturn aspects occur on Sunday mornings, Pacific Time, June 28th and July 4th.

Cancer the Crab

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On Sunday the Aquarius Moon triggers the ongoing Saturn-Uranus square when it aligns with both planets, highlighting a strong thrust for change. If we work with this strong aspect each week we can move closer to the change we want to make in our lives. The cosmic setting is an invitation for a gathering with a variety of friends.

Monday morning is slow and meandering. The Moon is void of course until 10:50 a.m. PDT when it moves into soft, flowing Pisces. We may want to take the day easy and let things flow. Mars makes a benefic sextile to the North Node in Gemini, fostering creative writing or learning a new skill.

Intuition is accessible on Tuesday, thanks to a benefic sextile of the Pisces Moon to Uranus. Tune in to your inner knowing. At the same time, communication could be confused due to a Mercury-Moon square. Passion runs high as a result of a Mars-Juno trine. Juno is the asteroid of the mate, or marriage. Tuesday is a day for expressing love.

Wednesday is a dreamy, fluid day. The Pisces Moon conjuncts Neptune, amplifying vision and creativity. We may also feel ungrounded and a bit spacy. The Moon is void of course from 10:39 a.m. until 6:21 p.m. PDT. This is not a day for meetings or definitive activities. Instead, it is a day to putter in your garden, take time off to relax at the beach, paint a picture or do something creative. When the Moon moves into Aries at 6:21 p.m. PDT, we feel excited to get ready for a more energized Thursday.

A Mars-Saturn opposition is Thursday’s theme. This may manifest in things being much slower than we would prefer; be patient about taking one step at a time. This is a day to slow down and think things through. The conjunction can also be used for tremendous, deliberate focus on a single project. We can also experience it as blockage. So, don’t expect much forward movement, but seize the day and pause to reconsider projects and how to move them forward. The Aries Moon does offer a quick, spontaneous energy, so we can make this day count with our careful, deliberate, forward-moving response.

Friday calls us to step out in confidence. Start the day with vigorous exercise. Lean in and work hard. A Moon-Pluto square in the evening might create some frustration. You can use this energy positively by getting to the bottom of a problem, or by watching a powerful, transformative film.

The Moon enters Taurus early Saturday morning Pacific Time, ushering in a sensual weekend oriented toward nature and beauty. Plan a hike, at least on one of the weekend days, if not both. A Mars-Uranus square sparks fireworks on this Independence Day Eve. Surprising things may happen. Let’s hope they are not fires in California or other disasters. You can employ the energy by being creative and innovative.

Sunday is Independence Day, 4th of July. The Taurus Moon connects with the tense, provoking energy of the ongoing Saturn-Uranus square. The Moon squares Saturn and conjuncts Uranus in the morning Pacific Time. There are two more squares as well, symbolizing tension, irritation, and action: Chiron-Sun and Moon-Mars. The energy quiets as the day wears on. You may be gathering with family or friends to celebrate the holiday. I’ll be in on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State with my niece Veronica and her family. When the Moon is in Taurus, we have an appetite for good food, so Independence Day BBQs will be satisfying. Keep things simple and practical, and don’t take risks—especially with fireworks.

The Taurus Moon is void of course most of the day Monday from 9:56 a.m. until 6:23 p.m. PDT. When the Moon is void things often do not come together, and decision making is not at its best. Use the energy for practical, insignificant matters such as cleaning up, reading, or tending your garden. However, the Sun makes a benefic sextile to Uranus, demanding something different than the same old routine. A benefic Pluto-Moon trine in earth signs, gives energy to get a great deal accomplished. A confounding factor is a Mercury-Neptune square that may draw us toward the imaginary realm and lead us off track. Allow yourself to veer off your usual pathway, and be open to awe and discovery on this first day of the week.

The Week in Short:

Sunday: Thrust forward with goals and projects, and gather with friends.

Monday: Slow, meandering start to the day. Moon VoC until 10:50 a.m. Go with the flow and allow creative juices to stir you.

Tuesday: Intuition and passion run high. Allow inspiration to work magic.

Wednesday: Dream and express your creative talents. Moon VoC 10:39 a.m. – 6:21 p.m. PST. This is a day for puttering and relaxing.

Thursday: Things may seem blocked or extremely slow. We can benefit from pausing and thinking things through.

Friday: Lean in, work hard, and step out courageously.

Saturday: All things sensual are called forth. Dangers and surprises lurk. Emphasize creativity and change.

Sunday, 4th of July: Shake off the tension in the day with a walk in nature. Share delicious food at the Independence Day BBQ.

Monday: Moon VoC from 9:56 a.m. until 6:23 p.m. PDT. Day of mixed energies that may lead you in unintended directions and toward new discoveries.

Ten Things to Do with Venus in Leo (June 26-July 22)

1. Play with your children or grandchildren.

2. Wear a smile and be joyful!

3. Express appreciation.

4. Adorn yourself with gold jewelry.

5. Make a greeting card—and send it.

6. Dance!

7. Make life a game.

8. Be generous.

9. Update your wardrobe with bright colors.

10. Enjoy a fun summer picnic!

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:

June 27 at 12:07 p.m. through June 28 at 10:50 a.m. (Moon into Pisces)

June 30: 10:39 a.m. – 6:21 p.m. (Moon into Aries)

July 2 at 9:14 p.m. through June 3 at 5:27 a.m. (Moon into Taurus)

July 5: 9:56 a.m. - 6:23 p.m. (Moon into Gemini)

July 7 at 11:46 p.m. through July 8 at 2:57 a.m. (Moon into Cancer)

July 10: 4:03 a.m. – 11:38 a.m. (Moon into Leo)

July 12 at 5:28 a.m. through July 13 at 1:30 a.m. (Moon into Virgo)

July 14 at 11:46 p.m. through July 15 at 7:31 a.m. (Moon into Libra)

July 17: 4:03 a.m. – 11:38 a.m. (Moon into Scorpio)

July 19: 9:30 a.m. -2:07 p.m. (Moon into Sagittarius)

July 21: 3:25 p.m. – 3:36 p.m. (Moon into Capricorn)

July 23: 9:34 a.m. – 5:12 p.m. (Moon into Aquarius)

July 25: 4:13 p.m. – 8:29 p.m. (Moon into Pisces)

GMT (Greenwich Mean Time):

June 27 at 19:07 through June 28 at 17:50 (Moon into Pisces)

June 30 at 17:39 through July 1 at 1:21 (Moon into Aries)

June 3: 4:14 - 12:27 (Moon into Taurus)

July 5: 16:56 - 13:23 (Moon into Gemini)

July 8: 6:46 - 9:57 (Moon into Cancer)

July 10: 11:03 – 18:38 (Moon into Leo)

July 12 at 12:28 through July 13 at 8:30 (Moon into Virgo)

July 15: 6:46 - 7:31 (Moon into Libra)

July 17: 11:03 – 18:38 (Moon into Scorpio)

July 19: 16:30 - 21:07 (Moon into Sagittarius)

July 21: 22:25 – 22:36 (Moon into Capricorn)

July 23 at 16:34 through July 24 at 0:12 (Moon into Aquarius)

July 25 at 23:13 through July 26 at 3:29 (Moon into Pisces)