by Heather Roan Robbins

This weekend could bring a summer high point, a gathering of like minds, rally for a cause, or a great day for a swim and a picnic as this morning’s full Moon in communal Aquarius illuminates our need for interconnection.  This glowing Moon also opposes the Sun and Mercury shining in Leo which loan us the ability to shine and share ourselves. Venus joins the party as she retrogrades back in Leo over the weekend and approaches her second of three conjunctions to Jupiter this season. She also squares Saturn and so increase the outpouring of our emotions (Jupiter) just as she reminds us of our Saturnine responsibilities.

We just have to remember to share the limelight, because the difference between the gift of Leo and it’s shadow is the ability to respect others, to empathize and share with them. What a leonine gift it is to shine when we can also see the light in all others, and what a gift it is to be willing to have our authentic self truly be seen.

A Sun-Neptune quincunx over the weekend adds to this panache and imagination, but it doesn’t help us be realistic. The Moon enters Pisces on Saturday and Sunday, infuses all things creative and softening our hearts, but leaves us a bit raw and protective of our vulnerabilities. Let’s practice being fully present to the people around us, as they may need it.

We can too easily return to old emotional patterns or get tangled in a difficulty that has plagued us all month as Venus retrogrades back into Leo and squares Saturn again, but this time be able to break a cycle and experiment with a fresh approach that feels more aligned with our purpose. We can tap in to the extra free-floating emotions just spilling over  all around us, but instead of getting caught up in the drama, just let it open the heart.

We’re much more ready to shift gears and take action on Monday and Tuesday as the Moon heads into proactive Aries while Mercury trines Uranus.

Over the next few weeks can feel momentum build in campaigns and our own progress and process as Saturn turns direct, it’s been retrograde since March 14, slowing us down and asking us to go back and do some foundational work. Pay attention to a review of issues with one’s father or father-like authority figures. Choose what teaching to keep and what to release, and build the strength of personal authority in the process.

Saturn squares Jupiter all week, which can lead to political stalemate, not that we’d really notice the difference these days, but one where the differences get articulated and underlined.  Like they might be, for instance, by the image of Bernie Sanders running against Donald Trump. And as we articulate the difference, we also get the chance to reconcile or repair those differences, or find some common ground to build upon, if we so choose. All our ambitions begin to find its feet again, and we can bring a fresh, kinder mindset back to our long-term goals.

Friday, July 31: The Moon is full early this morning and calls our attention to all group dynamics, politics, gossip, and our communal sense that we are all one underneath. It also can entrench our stubborn side, but possibly for good cause. We want to know that no matter how busy  our beloveds are, we are special to them, not a burden. Our mind and heart can disagree tonight; mediate between needs as the Moon opposes Mercury.

Moon opposed Sun 5:42 AM, Venus retrogrades back into Leo 10:27 AM, Moon opposed Mercury 9:25 PM

Saturday, August 1: Today brings magic, not logic or clarity as the Sun quincunx Neptune. Mornings hums with generosity, afternoon we grow edgier, more easily discouraged and need of support as the Moon squares restrictive Saturn and the Moon enters Pisces.  Be direct about needs, avoid a sullen response to vulnerability. If a quirky concern or fear wriggles to the surface as Mercury bi-quintiles Pluto, get more information. We benefit from mutual gentleness tonight, take this softness as an opportunity for healing dreams.

Moon sextile Chiron to 11 AM, Sun quincunx Neptune 1:23 PM, Moon opposed Jupiter 2:15 PM, Moon squares Saturn 2:49 PM, Moon semi-square Pluto 3:23 PM, Moon oppose Venus 5:02 PM, Moon enters Pisces 5:36 PM, Mercury bi-quintile Pluto 11:06 PM

Sunday, August 2: After a magical, soft and squishy morning as the Moon conjuncts Neptune in Pisces, Take a subtle opportunity to grow in personal authority as Saturn turns direct. Take notes about the new ideas for long-term progress, but be patient and determined about how they unfold. Because we’re distracted by many different needs and ideas, our communication can be disjointed and off center mid-da unless we listen deeply as Mercury aspects unsettling Uranus and Chiron.

Saturn turns direct 12:52 AM, Moon semi-square Uranus 2:28 AM, Moon conjunct Neptune 8:27 AM, Mercury semi-square Uranus 9:50 AM, Mercury quincunx Chiron 3:01 PM, Moon sextile Pluto 3:39 PM.

Monday, August 3: We may be slow off the mark this morning under a sleepy Pisces Moon. And may not feel we have the energy to over come some intransigent contradictions in our life. If so, it will help to accomplish one, small, doable thing, and then another, until the momentum builds. Enthusiasm picks up this afternoon as the Moon forms a grand trine in water signs, with Mars in Cancer and Saturn in Scorpio. We can speak about future actions our hearts demand, and then kick into gear later as the Moon enters active Aries.

Moon conjunct Chiron 3:28 AM, Moon quincunx Mercury 5:20 AM, Jupiter square Saturn 5:36 AM, Moon trine Mars 12:49 PM, Moon trine Saturn 3:35 PM, then VOC, Moon enters Aries 6:23 PM

Tuesday, August 4: This will be a hard day to be bored; make this day action- packed and eventful, versus melodramatic. Just do it, as the Aries Moon tines the Sun. If tension arises because achieving goals seems like a struggle, let’s not buy the melodramatic thought that all are out to frustrate our plans, or that we are all alone in this work, but instead follow any lines of opportunity to make progress.  Restraint helps, redirect temper flashes into mutual support and satisfying work. Success is the best medicine, and the best revenge.

Jupiter sesqui-quadrate Pluto 2:22 PM, Moon trine Sun 2:23 PM, Venus conjunct Jupiter 4:46 PM, Moon square Pluto 4:50 PM, Venus sesqui-quadrate Pluto 6:14 PM

Wednesday, August 5: Take any green lights and run with them as the Moon conjuncts energizing Uranus, trines Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter. Check with logic as well as heart, but say yes wherever possible. Share heart, people need effusive signs of love and respect. Let opinions flow, just try to keep them focused on desired outcomes. We love the people that help us this afternoon, and get crabby when people are in our way. The Moon enters Taurus tonight, slows down, asks us to get more comfortable, and firms up plans. So make changes earlier,

Moon conjunct Uranus for 20 1 AM, Venus square Saturn 10:08 AM, Moon trine Mercury 2:25 PM, Moon square Mars 5:06 PM, Moon trine Venus 5:21 PM, Moon trine Jupiter 6:29 PM then VOC, Venus semi-sextile Mars 8:23 PM, Moon enters Taurus 8:29 PM

Thursday, August 6: Identify the most urgent need, and attend to it, even of the hammock calls and entropy maximizes. Once we’re in action, we can make steady, enduring progress as Mars trines Saturn, but if we sit still, we’ll tend to stay that way. We need to blend aesthetics with function, world with our love life, rather than see these needs competing as Venus and Mercury square Saturn.  Relationships may take care and negotiation, and a common goal to work on when other conflicts get in the way. Practice good relationship skills rather than test the love; it may feel awkward and self conscious at first, but will produce  much better results.

Sun quincunx Pluto 2:30 AM, Mars trine Saturn 3:29 AM, Mercury conjunct Venus 9:24 AM, Moon sex tile Neptune 12:20 PM, Mercury squares Saturn 3:19 PM, Mercury semi-square Pluto 6:23 PM, Moon trine Pluto 7:44 PM, Moon square Sun 9:02 PM, Mercury semi-sextile Mars 9:59 PM

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