Monday 7/29/2019: Sneak Peek at the Week; U.S. Mercury Eclipsed; Saturn-Pluto stress & the Power of YES

Dashing off a few thoughts to carry us through until Wednesday’s New Moon in Leo, exact at 11:12 PM ET.  Until then, remember that we are in the dark of the Moon and thus may feel a sense of restlessness or listlessness, as we sense that something new is just around the corner. Look up in the sky tonight and you can enjoy the annual Delta Aquarids meteor shower. Meanwhile, the week goes like this:

• MONDAY — Moon enters Cancer at 7:31 AM ET, shifting our focus to matters of home and emotional security. It comes after an especially long Moon void that started at 11:25 AM ET on Sunday, which gave us a chance to chill. The buzz that’s been in the air for the past few days reflects the electric energy of the Leo Sun’s square to rebel Uranus, exact at 7:13 PM ET. Keywords for Sun-Uranus (in the headlines): aviation, rebellion, tech innovation, seismic activity, sudden shocks, astrology. If you were born around the 29th of July, October, January or April, you are feeling the buzz more than most. Your state of independence could make headlines, as it did last week for Dr. Leana Wen, who was ousted from her post as the head of Planned Parenthood. I wrote about Dr. Wen’s horoscope in the Aug/Sep issue of Mountain Astrologer.
• TUESDAY — A challenging day for the Cancer Moon, as it makes its weekly clash with Saturn and Pluto at 9:57 AM ET and 7:27 PM ET, respectively. For the former, we see a potential authoritiative advance or control; for the latter we have a potential emotional catharsis or power play. The hours in between have an easier flow for getting things done, though communications still have a higher than average probability of being misunderstood or simply stuck. Double check and triple check before you hit “send” — and keep your cool no matter how many times you may have to repeat what you just said. Moon goes void at 11:33 PM ET, not to enter Leo until…
• WEDNESDAY — …at 9:18 AM ET. The early Moon void is the East Coaster’s excuse for the twist or flake to her morning routine. Once the Moon enters Leo, it seeks opportunities to shine like the drama queen it needs to be. A jolt or revelation may present itself around 7:54 PM ET, when the Moon squares Uranus. The New Moon kicks in at 11:12 PM ET, and minutes later, at 11:58 PM ET, Mercury turns direct. I will write more on the New Moon in Leo later this week.
• THURSDAY — the day begins with an optimistic harmony between the Leo Moon and Jupiter, planet of expansion. Ease on down the road — but not full speed ahead, as our minds need time to adjust to Mercury’s change of direction. A regal outburst or executive action may manifest around 4:48 PM ET, when the Moon meets up with Mars in Leo, a placement more likely to get away with murder than any other. Moon goes void after the Mars meet-up, so take time to chill and do not make mountains out of molehills.
• FRIDAY — At 5:59 AM ET, Venus is squared by Uranus, echoing the Sun-Uranus square that started the week. Venus-Uranus patterns suggest unconventional attractions, gender-benders, free-spirited women and disruptive news in matters of money, value and art. Volatility in the markets is one potential.  I hear the Fed is going to cut interest rates…. At 9:20 AM ET the Moon enters Virgo, determined to restore order in the aftermath of the Leo Moon’s party and/or parade.
• SATURDAY — More Virgo Moon and no void to deter your shopping expedition.
• SUNDAY — Moon goes void at 12:27 AM ET and enters Libra at 9:30 AM ET. The focus for Libra is balance and fairness in relationships; social decorum and avoidance of conflict.

Overall, planetary patterns for August are much more expansive than the patterns dominating July. For now, the patterns reflecting authoritarian control and naked power plays are humming in the background, like so much white noise. But they will be back front and center in October, when Saturn and Pluto again challenge the Sun, as they did in July.

And now, the news.

Frankly, the news has reduced  me to tears on more than one occasion this month, as in here — here — here — here — and here.  Not that any of it should come as a surprise, given the aforementioned authoritarian power plays that reflect the approaching meet-up between Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn in January, and especially how this meet-up activates the horoscope of the United States. I could spell out a few of those distressing headlines, but why be such a Debbie Downer (I think to myself as I write). I could also direct you to a resource where you can see them all for yourself, and here I would be referring you to Amy Siskind, whom I last wrote about in June of 2017.

Ms. Siskind has been publishing The Weekly List since November 20, 2016. Her inspiration? “Experts in authoritarianism advise to keep a list of things subtly changing around you, so you’ll remember.” When I wrote about the Weekly List in June of 2017, I offered this perpective on the US horoscope:

There are 82 items on Amy Siskind’s list posted on June 24th, Week 32.

Where might this be going? In 2018, Saturn moves into Capricorn, the sign it rules. Saturn refers to patriarchy, structure, authority, ambition, corporations, governments. It will square the U.S. Venus and Jupiter in 2018, suggesting a streamlining squeeze. Then it will oppose the U.S. Sun and square the U.S. Saturn in 2019. The U.S. last experienced this pattern in 2010 and 2011, so a look at government initiatives back then would be helpful — fodder for another post. In 2020, Saturn will meet up with Pluto, which it has not done since 1982. Here’s a helpful article on the Saturn-Pluto cycle.   In 2021 and 2022, the U.S. will have its first Pluto return, along with transiting Neptune squaring our natal Mars and our natal Neptune. Breaking down and rebuilding (Pluto) on a new vision (Neptune-Mars)?

• Puerto Ricans took to the streets for 12 days, finally prompting its corrupt governor to resign.
• “Russian police crack down on protests as (opposition leader) Alexai Navalny suffers possible poisoning behind bars”
• “Asteroid that could have wiped out city narrowly missed Earth, catching scientists by surprise”