July 2020 Newsletter
Dearest Friends
Kindly note that the days and times given below are in PST (Pacific Daylight Saving Time). For Rocky Mountain Time (except AZ which is in the summer on PDT) add 1 hour. For Central Time, add 2 hours. For Eastern Time, add 3 hours. For Alaskan Time, subtract 1 hour. For Hawaii-Aleutian Time, subtract 2 hours. For Greenwich, add 8 hours. For Central European time (CET) add 9 hours, for Eastern European Time (EET), add 10 hours.
JULY 2020
RUNE OF THE MONTH: Rad “Riding the chariot”. This month is about riding the wave to the best of our abilities, learning the lessons that present themselves to us, making the most of our encounters and growing from all those experiences. We may not be able to control our environment and what happens in it, but we need to master our reactions to the situations thrown at us and focus on their gifts, no matter how dramatic things may seem in the moment!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Saturn re-enters Capricorn on Wednesday 7/1 at 4:39 PM till December 16. This is the last period of Saturn being in its own sign. On December 17, Saturn will re-enter Aquarius for good, until March 8, 2023. These next few months complete a two years’ cycle that required of us to be very clear on the structures in our life, re-examine our relationship to authority and anchor ourselves in our own center with personal responsibility and inner maturity.
6 retrograde planets out of 10 this month! That is a highly unusual occurrence. Many situations could revert to a previous condition. We are required to slow down, go within and ask ourselves deeper questions.
Jupiter remains retrograde this whole month (24º01’-20º15’ Capricorn) until September 13. Its shadow period extends until December 6th, 2020. The degrees traveled in July are represented by the following images: “A store filled with precious oriental rugs”, “A woman entering a convent”, “A soldier receiving two awards for bravery in combat” and “By accepting defeat graciously, a general reveals nobility of character”. Being, or remaining, in integrity is of utmost importance. As we are transparent in our own authority, deal with outer structures with honesty, and assert ourselves with self-confidence and positive energy, we strengthen our inner wealth and serenity. Whether life offers us awards or challenges, welcoming both with equal grace and elegance, reveals our true nature.
Saturn remains retrograde this whole month until September 29th. Its shadow period lasts until January 4, 2021. The degrees covered in July (0º04’ Aquarius – 27º54’ Capricorn) are symbolized by: “An old adobe mission in California”, “A secret meeting of men responsible for executive decisions in world affairs”, “A woman reading tea leaves”, “A large aviary”. Our relationship to authority is tested. On a global scale, we could see famous dignitaries falling from power. On a personal level, listening to our intuition and standing in a meditative state of mind helps us discern facts from fiction and recognize the walls of the prison we have taken to be reality.
Neptune remains retrograde this whole month until November 28. Its shadow period remains until March 19, 2021. The degree traveled in July (20º57’-20º36’ Pisces) is represented by: “Under the watchful and kind eye of a Chinese servant, a girl fondles a little white lamb”. A time to return to innocence, enjoy the simple things of life, care for those less privileged than ourselves, be sensitive, empathic and kind. As we focus on the love that truly matters, all the elusive external aspects of our lives lose their power over us.
Pluto remains retrograde this whole month until October 3rd. Its shadow period lasts until January 26, 2021. The degrees traveled in July (24º05’-23º23’ Capricorn) are represented in the Sabian Symbols by: “A store filled with precious oriental rugs” and “A woman entering a convent”. It isn’t that there is so much more darkness in the world, but it certainly no longer can escape visibility. As major purging is occurring outwardly, we need to tap more deeply into our inner wealth through peace and meditation.
Lunar Eclipse on Monday July 4 in Capricorn (13º38’) at 9:44 PM. This degree is symbolized by “An ancient bas-relief carved in granite remains a witness to a long-forgotten culture”. Eclipses always mark major turning points. We are being required to clear ancient karma, dig deeply into our subconscious, bring to the surface all those vulnerable aspects of ourselves we may have been embarrassed, confused, or insecure about. Major, sudden mental insights could completely challenge everything we thought to be real, throwing us into the unknown. Rebellion against excessive limitations is likely to occur. A dream could inspire us a new way of creating abundance. Our creativity is enhanced, helping us find new comforting ways of expressing ourselves and attracting money.
Mercury is still retrograde until July 11. Its shadow period remains until July 26. The degree it goes direct on 7/11 (5º34’ Cancer) is symbolized by: “Game birds feathering their nest”. Contrarily to most, I personally love Mercury retrograde. It is always a chance to reconnect with old friends, return to places we hadn’t visited in a while, adopt a slower pace, remember activities we had forgotten about. On the more challenging side, installing software is ill-advised at this time, cars, computers may break down, we could lose our keys, miss a plane, information could get misunderstood, and we could generally feel rather scattered. On the positive side, for most of the month, we are required to examine who and what make us feel safe. Family ties are tested. Creating a solid and nurturing basis for our lives is essential. Issues regarding children, financial security and home, come to the forefront. Our imagination is particularly developed, inviting us to revisit creative projects we had abandoned. Our psychic abilities are enhanced.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The Moon will be Void of Course (V/O –forming no major aspect with any planet before entering the following sign-):
· On Wednesday 7/1 between 6:20 PM and 6:21 PM (1 minute!): when the Moon enters Sagittarius.
· On Friday 7/3 between 6:06 AM and 9:48 PM: when the Moon enters Capricorn.
· On Monday 7/6 between 9:37 PM and 3:08 AM: when the Moon enters Aquarius.
· From Monday 7/6 at 9:37 PM till Wednesday 7/8 at 11:13 AM (38 hours!): when the Moon enters Pisces.
· On Friday 7/10 between 8:49 PM and 10:06 PM: when the Moon enters Aries.
· On Monday 7/13 between 8:54 AM and 10:34 AM: when the Moon enters Taurus.
· On Wednesday 7/15 between 8:21 PM and 10:19 PM: when the Moon enters Gemini.
· On Friday 7/17 between 2:14 PM and 7:24 AM: when the Moon enters Cancer.
· On Monday 7/20 between 10:55 AM and 1:16 PM: when the Moon enters Leo.
· From Tuesday 7/21 at 5:27 PM till Wednesday 7/22 at 4:40 PM: when the Moon enters Virgo.
· On Friday 7/24 between 4:08 PM and 6:54 PM: when the Moon enters Libra.
· On Sunday 7/26 between 6:09 PM and 9:12 PM: when the Moon enters Scorpio.
· From Tuesday 7/28 at 9:01 PM till Wednesday 7/29 at 12:25 AM: when the Moon enters Sagittarius.
· From Thursday 7/30 at 5:08 PM till Friday 7/31 at 4:58 AM: when the Moon enters Capricorn.
Mark these periods in red in your calendar and avoid scheduling anything of importance during these times as they would amount to… NO thing!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Scheduling our activities using the zodiacal position of the Moon:
Moon in Scorpio until Wednesday 7/1 at 6:20 PM + between Sunday 7/26 at 9:12 PM and Wednesday 7/29 at 12:24 AM: Perfect for scientific research, esoteric studies, self-transformation, shamanism, dealing with the mysteries of life, death, and sexuality, as well as insurances and issues involving personal power.
Moon in Sagittarius between Wednesday 7/1 at 6:21 PM and Friday 7/3 at 9:47 PM + between Wednesday 7/29 at 12:25 AM and Friday 7/31 at 4:57 AM: Perfect for traveling, religious and/or philosophical activities or matters related to higher education and the law. Excellent for lecturing, learning, perfecting a foreign language, exploring other cultures… Perfect also for athletic training and tending to large animals (horses….).
Moon in Capricorn between Friday 7/3 at 9:48 PM and Monday 7/6 at 3:07 AM + between Friday 7/31 at 4:58 AM and Sunday 8/2 at 11:10 AM: Good for furthering our ambitions, asking for a promotion, enlisting the support of people in positions of authority, making a good impression, re-structuring our business and redefining our long-term goals…
Moon in Aquarius between Monday 7/6 at 3:08 AM and Wednesday 7/8 at 11:12 AM: Perfect for philanthropic activities, charitable organizations, meeting with friends, making new acquaintances. Good also for inventions, far out, progressive ideas, inter-dimensional and time travel, anything related to UFOs, computers and technology in general….
Moon in Pisces between Wednesday 7/8 at 11:13 AM and Friday 7/10 at 10:05 PM: Great for meditating, sitting by the ocean, anything related to the sacred, dancing, painting, swimming, dreaming, music, photography, film, sleeping, channeling, connecting with the mystical, the magic and the oneness of all that is…
Moon in Aries between Friday 7/10 at 10:06 PM and Monday 7/13 at 10:33 AM: Perfect for intense physical activities, anything requiring forceful, direct action and self-assertion. Good also for leadership, spontaneity, good will, being a way shower, initiating new projects or bringing our car to the mechanic….
Moon in Taurus between Monday 7/13 at 10:34 AM and Wednesday 7/15 at 10:18 PM: Perfect for any financial matter: paying our bills/debts, asking for the money that is owed to us, investing in real estate, buying and selling. Perfect also for a stroll in the park, going to the countryside, connecting with our Mother the Earth… Good also for gardening, pottery, sculpting, as well as bodywork…
Moon in Gemini between Wednesday 7/15 at 10:19 PM and Saturday 7/18 at 7:23 AM: Excellent for multi-tasking, curiosity, any form of communication, exchanging information, sending e-mails, calling friends and acquaintances. Great also for social activities, attending conferences, reading a book, watching a documentary, gathering data on various topics, connecting with new people….
Moon in Cancer between Saturday 7/18 at 7:24 AM and Monday 7/20 at 1:15 PM: Perfect for family activities, especially those involving children. Good for spending more time at home, cooking, nurturing ourselves and those we love, inviting the people we cherish over for dinner. Excellent also for drawing, creative writing, humor and anything requiring imagination and a touch of craziness….
Moon in Leo between Monday 7/20 at 1:16 PM and Wednesday 7/22 at 4:39 PM: Excellent for anything glamorous, dramatic performances, being in the public’s eye, throwing or attending an elegant party, playing with children, romance and creativity in general…
Moon in Virgo between Wednesday 7/22 at 4:40 PM and Friday 7/24 at 6:53 PM: Excellent for starting a new fitness program, learning, healthy nutrition, fasting, clearing our closets, cleaning our home, reorganizing our drawers…. Perfect also for detailed work, the focused use of our intelligence, and taking care of small pets….
Moon in Libra between Friday 7/24 at 6:54 PM and Sunday 7/26 at 9:11 PM: Great for relationships, associations, diplomatic exchanges with others, anything related to beauty (a haircut, buying new clothes, a make-over…), art (especially painting and decorating…), a pleasant social event (concert, art exhibition…).
* * * * * * * * * * * *
This month’s intentional meditation is particularly powerful given that it coincides with 2 major eclipses. It starts on Saturday 7/4. Take out as many blank sheets of paper as you will have intentions and put them near a window, on a balcony or in a garden so that they will bask in the light of the Full Moon in Capricorn (Lunar Eclipse) at exactly 9:44 PM. Once that moment had passed, gather your Full Moon charged blank sheets and place them in a folder.
On Monday 7/20 on the New Moon in Cancer (Solar Eclipse) take out your blank full moon charged papers and write on each a concise, positive intention. Place them on a balcony, in a garden or near a window so that they are out by exactly 10:33 AM. Once that moment has passed, staple them together and put them away in a folder expecting the manifestation of all your dreams…
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Wednesday 7/1: Sun Sextile Uranus (3:02 AM), Saturn re-enters Capricorn (4:30 PM until December 16)
A day to expect the unexpected. Going with the flow leads to exciting new developments. Unusual circumstances as well as original people lead to freeing opportunities that reveal our uniqueness. Regarding Saturn in Capricorn, kindly refer to the opening paragraph.
Wednesday 7/8: Mercury Square Mars (3:42 AM)
Important today to control our frustration and impatience which could hamper our judgement. Best to stay away from potentially angry or violent people and avoid conflicts, especially while driving or using sharp objects.
Sunday 7/12: Sun Trine Neptune (11:43 AM)
We could feel particularly serene and dreamy today. Great to meditate, watch a romantic movie, read an inspiring novel, paint, write poetry and/or enjoy some relaxing music. Our imagination is greatly enhanced. We are sensitive to beauty and compassionate towards those less privileged. Not the best though for practical considerations which feel tedious and boring.
Tuesday 7/14: Sun Opposition Jupiter (12:56 AM)
We could feel overly enthusiastic, greatly confident in our own capacities and quite proud of what we have achieved. While our optimism and faith in ourselves is wonderful, we should however be careful not to overdo any of it and avoid overspending. Gratitude is rewarding. A long-distance trip is spiritually, culturally and philosophically, meaningful.
Wednesday 7/15: Sun Opposition Pluto (12:13 PM)
Circumstances could feel particularly confrontational today, manipulating us into a difficult corner. Yielding as far as honoring our integrity allows us to, is the best approach. Collaborating for the good of all with poise and elegance, supports our forward movement while inspiring others.
Monday 7/20: Sun Opposition Saturn (3:28 PM)
We could feel quite depleted today. Demands, duties and obligations seem to be weighing heavily on our shoulders. If we work hard, act with maturity, are disciplined and focused, and avoid the fear of failure, we can get a lot accomplished today. Yet deception, or simply mistrust, from someone around us, could leave us feeling used and depressed. Best to stay low and keep our own counsel.
Wednesday 7/22: the Sun enters Leo (1:37 AM till 8/23), Mercury Sextile Uranus (1:25 PM)
During the next month, we could feel more generous than usual. We assert ourselves with warmth and glamour. Being lazy seems very appealing. We could be drawn to the dramatic arts and wish to express ourselves with decorum. Elegant social events are attractive. Today, more specifically, we connect dots in unusual ways. Exciting people cross our path, inspiring our own originality. Remaining very present to the present and welcoming unexpected changes in plans, reveal dynamic new opportunities.
Monday 7/27: Jupiter Sextile Neptune (9:07 AM), Venus Square Neptune (10:48 AM), Mercury Square Mars (2:46 PM)
A day of mixed and vastly diverse influences. We could feel vaguely restless. We are particularly idealistic but should stay clear from get rich quick schemes. Our dreams could be very vivid and inspiring. However, unrequited love is a danger today. Someone we truly admire could let us down or be downright deceitful. We could feel unusually sensitive and vulnerable and should stay away from scam artists who could easily manipulate us today. Beauty and the arts are extremely attractive. We need however to beware that our words do not exceed our thoughts. We could speak impulsively, only to later regret what we said. Best to not confront rude or verbally aggressive people, we might not win the argument and be left quite humiliated by it.
Thursday 7/30: Mercury Opposition Jupiter (7:17 AM), Mercury Trine Neptune (11:45 AM)
A great day for an inspiring journey, whether physically, or just in our mind. We should be careful to not promise more than we can deliver. Signing legally binding documents is definitely ill-advised today. We feel dreamy, meditative and mystical. A wonderful transit for artists, especially those involved in dance, photography, film and painting.
Wishing you all a wonderful month of July!
In Loving Light.
Michelle Karén, M.A., D.F.Astrol.S.
Astrologer, shaman, international conference speaker
Author of Astrology for Enlightenment (Atria Books, Simon & Schuster)
3961 E. Chandler Blvd.
Suite 111-161
Phoenix, AZ 85048