Overview

Freedom of speech and freedom of action are meaningless without freedom to think. And there is no freedom of thought without doubt.

-- Bergen Evans (1904-1978), from The Natural History of Nonsense, (1946), chapter 19

July begins with a Cancer New Moon on July 02. Retrograde Jupiter in Capricorn opposes the New Moon, giving us pause to rethink our philosophical or spiritual structures as they relate to our personal comfort zones of home and family. This review is aided by retrograde Uranus in Pisces trining the Cancer New Moon, so that we are open to changing our beliefs in ways that are nurturing and promote compassion to all.

Mars moves to conjunct Saturn in the early degrees of Virgo, and the two make an out-of-sign trine to Pluto retrograde in Sagittarius at the anaretic degree. Taking action to create structure in our daily lives of work routines and health habits is in easy accord with the internal transformation of our religious philosophies and ethical foundations.

Retrograde Neptune, the North Node of the Moon, and Chiron are still keeping company in the third decanate of Aquarius, making it possible for us to positively envision and implement new technologies that heal the human condition. Spiritual revelations are floating freely in the waters of the collective unconscious as we turn our sails towards the future with hope and into humanitarian directions.

Jupiter, along with the outer planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto all remain retrograde for the entire month, again emphasizing an introspective mood in the collective noetic experience.

Towards the end of the month, the Sun moves into Leo where it conjuncts transiting Mercury. Thinking or talking excessively about ourselves could lead to mental burnout. In addition, Venus in Leo conjunct the South Node of the Moon and opposing retrograde Neptune in Aquarius emphasizes the warning that expressions of egotism could become a waste of valuable energy, or lead to romantic infatuations that could prove to be disillusioning. On the other hand, the same Venus/Neptune opposition may be positively expressed through artistic self-expression that serves a humanitarian purpose.