And we're done with eclipse season! I don't know about y'all, but I am so ready to move on from the retrogrades and eclipses and get a little break. On to August! Remember to sign up for the monthly worksheet so you can keep track of the astro happenings every month, including the new and full moons! What is a new moon?
A new moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact same position in the Zodiac (called a conjunction). New moons are related to beginnings, have high energy, and are enthusiastic.
What is a full moon?
A full moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact opposite positions in the Zodiac (called an opposition). Full moons are related to endings, culminations, and are emotional energy.
Full Moon in Aquarius: August 3rd 2020 (11:59AM ET/8:59AM PT)
An Aquarius full moon comes to us in August, and this full moon can be a time when we're super focused on the changes we hope to make, the future we want to have, and what we envision life could be instead of what it actually is. We may strive to make more progress with what we want, and can feel more hopeful when we do make progress, and more defeated when we don't. We need to keep our eyes on the long-term view of things and remember that sometimes it takes a long time to make what we want happen.
Aquarius is a highly independent sign, and we may want more independence in our lives to be true to ourselves and our individuality. We can celebrate what makes us different and unique creatures. We may push back against anyone we feel is trying to box us in and make us adhere to what's "normal". A little bit of rebellion can be a good thing, but we may need to be mindful of acting out about one thing when we're actually upset about something else entirely. Being more mindful of the Aquarius energy is extra important with this full moon since it's square (hard aspect, 3 signs away) the natural ruler of Aquarius, Uranus, who is in Taurus. Uranus is also gearing up to turn retrograde (appear to move backward) on August 15th, so it's slowing down for this full moon. There can be a strong desire to break out and break free, to challenge the status quo in big ways, and to make a mad dash toward the future, but we have to be smart, thoughtful, and wise in our choices, otherwise we may set ourselves up for more trouble down the road. Avoid that! This full moon occurs at 11 degrees 46 minutes Aquarius. The aspects to this full moon are: Conjunction: 9 degrees 46 minutes - 13 degrees 46 minutes Aquarius Sextile: 9 degrees 46 minutes - 13 degrees 46 minutes Aries or Sagittarius Square: 9 degrees 46 minutes - 13 degrees 46 minutes Taurus or Scorpio Trine: 9 degrees 46 minutes - 13 degrees 46 minutes Gemini or Libra Opposition: 9 degrees 46 minutes - 13 degrees 46 minutes Leo New Moon in Leo: August 18th 2020 (11:41PM ET/8:41PM PT)
This new moon is just what the doctor ordered! The Leo new moon is a time to enjoy ourselves, to take some time for fun and play. It's been such hard energy for this year, especially the last few months, and now we get a little window to remember how to have fun! Make time for what you love most, for the people you love most, and connect to your heart. Live from a heart-centric place for a little while and see things with fresh eyes.
Creativity is likely to be high with this new moon, so it can be a great time to start some new creative project or venture. Approach problems in creative ways to find new solutions, and bring some creative energy into your life daily with the new moon. It can help you to enjoy yourself more, and make daily life a little less monotonous. This new moon is conjunct (aligned with) Mercury in Leo and trine (positive aspect, 4 signs away) Mars in Aries. This adds to the positive energy of this new moon, and Mercury stimulates new ideas and activities, helps with short-term plans, and makes us more engaging and better communicators. Mars helps bring extra energy and drive for what we want, and we can take the steps we need to in order to make things happen. Just what we need! This new moon occurs at 26 degrees 35 minutes Leo. The aspects to this new moon are: Conjunction: 24 degrees 35 minutes - 28 degrees 35 minutes Leo Sextile: 24 degrees 35 minutes - 28 degrees 35 minutes Gemini or Libra Square: 24 degrees 35 minutes - 28 degrees 35 minutes Taurus or Scorpio Trine: 24 degrees 35 minutes - 28 degrees 35 minutes Aries or Sagittarius Opposition: 24 degrees 35 minutes - 28 degrees 35 minutes Aquarius Suggested Reading: The New & Full Moons page for interpretations of the new and full moons in the houses and aspects You can use your natal chart to see many different things in your life. You can map out your personality, and you can assess different areas of your life and what they hold. But you can also use your natal chart to see the other people in your life! The other people in your life & astrology
In general, the 7th house governs the people in your life and your relationships, but this is an umbrella position that everyone else falls under. The 1st house, which exactly opposes, is the house of the self, so of course, the opposing house, the 7th house, rules others.
But each of the houses govern a different person who is in your life specifically, so while you can default to looking at the 7th house in general, it only gives you an overall picture. Signs on the cusps and plans in the house can give info about the specific people you attract with that house, and you can actually use transit aspects and progressions involving that house and the planetary ruler of that house in your chart to map out what could be coming for each person predictively using your own chart. This can be helpful when someone in your life doesn't have a known birth time but you do (and you can use it in reverse if you don't have a known birth time but others in your life do, you can use their natal chart and transits to track potential impact on you!). The Houses in Astrology & Other People
So let's review which people in your life are governed by which houses in astrology:
1st house: this is the house of the self, so it governs you in general; also one of your grandparents (the parents of your 10th house parent) 2nd house: this is the only house that isn't really assigned to anyone except perhaps those you deal with in a financial sense (though that usually falls under the 8th house) 3rd house: your siblings, cousins, neighbors, young people in your life (that are not your children), your students (those you teach) 4th house: your parents (usually one parent each is assigned to the 4th and 10th houses; it's said the dominant parent is the 4th house parent) 5th house: those you're dating, your children 6th house: your co-workers, your employees, aunts and uncles from your 4th house parent 7th house: all others in general, but also specifically your committed partner (spouse, even common law), your "open" enemies (the ones you know about), one of your grandparents (the parents of your 4th house parent) 8th house: mutually beneficial partners (usually financial) 9th house: your grandchildren, your in-laws, your lawyer, stepchildren, your teachers 10th house: your parents (one is 4th house and the other is 10th house), your boss, your mentor 11th house: your friends, those you are in a group with, adopted children 12th house: your "closed" enemies (those you don't know about), your spiritual guides, aunts and uncles from your 10th house parent Suggested Reading: Intro to Astrology Houses Today, Saturn moves backward into Capricorn once again, retrograding out of air sign Aquarius. Saturn remains in Capricorn until mid-December 2020, and joins back up with Jupiter and Pluto in Capricorn for the Capricorn stellium for the next 5 1/2 months. Once Saturn is back in Capricorn, Saturn will be anaretic. This is intense energy that we have to deal with - again! If you want to keep track of the planets like Saturn every month, make sure to sign up for the free monthly worksheet! What does anaretic mean in astrology?
In astrology, there is something called the anaretic degree. Every Zodiac sign is made up of 30 degrees, and the very last degree of any sign, 29 degrees, is called the anaretic degree. Because it's the very last degree of a sign, it's a point of crisis energy, containing way more energy in it than any other degree position.
Anretic Degree: Transit, Natal, Progressions
If you were born with a planet at the anaretic degree, you're very familiar with this energy. That planet is likely a source of challenges for you in your life, because it's either got way too much energy to control, or nowhere near enough to do something with. There is often some sort of block or trauma associated with it, and that has to be worked through. Once it is, this position becomes a huge asset, one of the biggest you'll have.
When a progressed planet comes to the anaretic degree, it means that progressed planet is nearing the end of its time in the sign it's in, and is gearing up to move into a different sign. In progressions, there is often a feeling that you have to get things done while you still have the chance to do so, meaning before the progressed planet leaves the sign and completely shifts your focus. In the progressed chart, the anaretic degree isn't really negative, just a lot of extra energy that's pushing you to take action. The transit planets at the anaretic degree are where it gets dicey. This is probably the hardest to control because it impacts all of us all at once. It's virtually impossible to get all the billions of people to make one group effort to use the energy of something astrological positively. So, we tend to see big problems! Saturn at the Anaretic Degree
Saturn at the anaretic degree is problematic because Saturn is the teacher, the disciplinarian, the one who wants us to learn lessons and squeezes us until we do. So, when Saturn is at the anaretic degree, we tend to struggle with those lessons, and feel like we're being punished endlessly. We have to stop being stubborn and do things the right way, and for the right reasons. This is always the way out with Saturn, otherwise we suffocate under the pressure.
Anaretic Saturn 2020
Saturn has been at the anaretic degree once already this year, March 9th - 21st. COVID-19 was really kicking our butts at that point! Will that be the case again? Hard to say, but it does put Saturn conjunct (aligned with) the USA's progressed Pluto yet again, so if you're in America, watch for the big surge in what we saw in March: FEAR.
Saturn is anaretic again starting today (July 1st) until July 16th. This time, it's while Saturn is retrograde, so Saturn left Aquarius and moved into Capricorn and became anaretic. This time, we may be focued again on something we were focused on before, and the energy around it is super critical. There's a huge feeling we have to do something, and we have to do it now, and why didn't we do it before, and why didn't things work out before? (yes, this could be COVID related, but we have to consider all possibilities, not just the obvious ones - Saturn won't like it if we do that!) Saturn is anaretic again in December, December 7th - 17th, before officially moving into Aquarius. At that point, we may be closing the books on something important, and feel like we're starting a whole new chapter in some way. We may feel ready to move on, and want to get that last chapter finished. It's been weighing us down and holding us back, and it's time to release. But we can't just let it go without making sure we've learned the important lessons first, otherwise it creeps back up as a problem at some point again in the future. On a personal level, if you have any planets or points at 29 degrees of any sign - doesn't matter which sign - that gets jazzed up. It elevates in importance in your life, and you have to give it extra attention. This can be great if you learn lessons, get focused, stay disciplined, and go about things the right way and for the right reasons. Always! If you have nothing at 29 degrees, then look to where 29 degrees Capricorn falls in your natal houses. The areas of life ruled by that house get the attention. Take action, take charge, be smart, be considerate, do it right. Suggested Reading: Zodiac Signs at the Anaretic Degree In astrology, there is something called the 0 degrees Aries Point. The 0 degrees Aries Point is 0 degrees Aries, but it links to any cardinal sign: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. This is a sensitive, critical degree with extra special energy compared to the other critical degrees. The 0 degrees Aries Point connects with 0 degrees of the cardinal signs, which are connected to the solstices and equinoxes, with Aries being the spring equinox, Cancer being the summer solstice, Libra being the autumnal equinox, and Capricorn being the winter solstice. That's right, the start of each season is dictated by astrology! 0 degrees of cardinal signs are critical degrees
0 degrees of the cardinal signs are critical degrees, which are the positions of the start of each Lunar Mansion (a part of Vedic astrology). Every 12 degrees 51 minutes around the 360 degree Zodiac is the start of a Lunar Mansion (to make it easy, we just round to every 13 degrees). Critical degrees have critical energy associated with them, and this energy tends to be challenging until we learn how to harness it. Then it becomes a source of power.
This seems to be especially true to 0 degrees of the cardinal signs. They have a little extra energy associated with them that the other critical degrees don't! What does 0 degrees of a cardinal sign mean for me?
When you have a planet, asteroid, or angle at 0 degrees of the cardinal signs, that position REALLY wants to come out. Trying to hold it in isn't going to work out too well for you! You'll feel repressed and like you're suffocating, and it'll just be itching, waiting for the chance to erupt. Which might not work out too well!
It's better if you consciously try to use the energy in a positive way in your life. If it's Aries, you need to show your true self with the position; if it's Cancer, you need to show the emotions with the position; if it's Libra, you need to connect with others with the position; and if it's Capricorn, you need to create something solid and real with the position. If progressed planets or angles come to 0 degrees of the cardinal signs, this can signal an important period for whatever is associated with that planet or angle in your life, and you're often forced to bring something outward, to take more control, and to make things happen. I used to highly recommend an article by Kim Falconer for placements at 0 degrees of the cardinal signs, however it appears she isn't doing astro work anymore; I was able to find the old article on the internet archives HERE. 0 degrees Aries in the Houses
Even if you don't have any planets or angles at 0 degrees of the cardinal signs, you can see find where 0 degrees Aries falls in your natal houses. That house shows where you connect to take action, moving from the inward to the outward. This is most obvious with the 1st house, since that rules the self; in the 2nd house, it may be with your values; in the 3rd house, it may be with your mind and ideas; in the 4th house, it may be with your core and emotional self; in the 5th house, it may be creatively; in the 6th house, it may be through your work; in the 7th house, it may be through relationships; in the 8th house, it may be through transformations; in the 9th house, it may be through expansion; in the 10th house, it may be though your profession; in the 11th house, it may be through your ideals and dreams; and in the 12th house, it may be through your spiritual pursuits.
0 degrees Aries Point NOW
Mars moves into Aries June 27th, and is at 0 degrees Aries June 27th - 29th. This stimulates the energy for everyone; it'll be strongest if you have any 0 degrees cardinal sign planets, but we'll all feel it (it'll just focus on house for you if you have no 0 degrees cardinal placements).
We also just had a solar eclipse at 0 degrees Cancer, so the energy is ripe right now. We need to focus on manifesting and bringing the within to the external. There is enormous potential in the air right now! Suggested Reading: Intro to Astrology Houses Another month, another eclipse! Our third lunar eclipse for 2020 is the last eclipse in Capricorn in July. We'll also experience a new moon in Cancer, the second Cancer Moon in a row. Remember to sign up for the monthly worksheet to keep track of the astro happenings every month, including new and full moons! What is a new moon?
A new moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact same position in the Zodiac (called a conjunction). New moons are related to beginnings, have high energy, and are enthusiastic.
What is a lunar eclipse?
A full moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact opposite positions in the Zodiac (called an opposition). Full moons are related to endings, culminations, and are emotional energy. Lunar eclipses occur with full moons that are within 18 1/2 degrees of the Lunar Nodes (the points in the Moon's orbit where the Moon crosses the ecliptic).
Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn: July 5th 2020 (12:44AM ET/July 4th 2020 9:44PM PT)
This lunar eclipse comes early in July in the sign of Capricorn, and this is the final Capricorn eclipse for some years. We've had these Cancer and Capricorn eclipses for a couple of years now, and we're closing the books, ending chapters, and wrapping things up now. There may be a sense of big things coming to an end, and this may be the culmination of something that started 1 1/2 - 2 years ago.
With this Capricorn energy, we may see big goals realized, or final failures for things that have been done wrong. We may reach heights in some ways, or we may get kicked down and stay down. It all depends on how responsible, ethical, and disciplined we've been (Capricorn's way). Capricorn rules our governments and countries at large, so there may be extra emotional focus on the way they've been acting during this time. Judgments can be cast, and we can be pretty definitive, and go forward with those judgments in place. I also want to note that this eclipse comes just a few days after Saturn retrogrades back to Capricorn, and is anaretic (at 29 degrees, the anaretic degree, and a point of crisis energy). So there may be some highly critical, intense energy floating around with this eclipse, and it may be focused on governments, corporations, countries, big entities. We have to be extra responsible, disciplined, and ethical to make it through alright. Otherwise it may be rough! This eclipse makes one aspect, a trine (positive aspect, 4 signs away) to Uranus in Taurus. This is a helpful aspect, and it can get us thinking about the future, moving forward, and most importantly, what needs to change. What has been likely will not be, and we can think outside of the box with the changes we make. We can put the finishing touches on some changes, and become more passionate about others. We may care more about the world as a whole, humankind as a whole, and want to move forward together. The new normal can start to take shape and be embraced. This eclipse occurs at 13 degrees 38 minutes Capricorn. The aspects made to this eclipse are: Conjunction: 8 degrees 38 minutes - 18 degrees 38 minutes Capricorn Semisextile: 11 degrees 38 minutes - 15 degrees 38 minutes Sagittarius or Aquarius Sextile: 8 degrees 38 minutes - 18 degrees 38 minutes Scorpio or Pisces Trine: 8 degrees 38 minutes - 18 degrees 38 minutes Taurus or Virgo Quincunx: 11 degrees 38 minutes - 15 degrees 38 minutes Gemini or Leo Opposition: 8 degrees 38 minutes - 18 degrees 38 minutes Cancer New Moon in Cancer: July 20th 2020 (1:33PM ET/10:33AM PT)
We get out of eclipse season with a new moon in Cancer, except, it's not really getting us out of eclipse season just yet! Because the solar eclipse in June is also in Cancer, so we have two new moons in a row in this sign. Consecutive Moons in the same sign tie together in some way, so this new moon likely ties into the June solar eclipse. What is stirred up by the June solar eclipse can see progress, culminations, or new opportunities presented with the new moon in July. This new moon can act as a bookend in some way.
We can try to be more positive emotionally, and want to secure ourselves internally. We can work on strengthening foundations, and start new ventures from the ground up. We can move forward more swiftly and securely if we're emotionally stable and supported. And we can come together emotionally to focus on a common cause or goal. This new moon makes one aspect, opposing Saturn in Capricorn, who is retrograde. Saturn just went back into Capricorn July 1st, so it's fresh at this new moon. Saturn seems to tie into both the lunar eclipse and the new moon, so all eyes on Saturn in July! This opposition may bring about some tension with the way we're coming out of eclipse season and dealing with the endings, the culminations, the judgments, and the new normal we have to embrace. This new moon occurs at 28 degrees 27 minutes Cancer. The major aspects made to this new moon are: Conjunction: 26 degrees 27 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Cancer Sextile: 26 degrees 27 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Taurus or Virgo Square: 26 degrees 27 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Aries or Libra Trine: 26 degrees 27 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Scorpio or Pisces Opposition: 26 degrees 27 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Capricorn Note that since this new moon is so late in Cancer, there may be some out-of-sign aspects that are felt. They'll only be with planets at 0 degrees of Leo (conjunct), Gemini or Libra (sextile), Taurus or Scorpio (square), Aries or Sagittarius (trine), and Aquarius (opposite) - and even then, it may be minor and subtle. Suggested Reading: The New & Full Moons page for interpretations Retrogrades are times when everything can seem pretty wonky. Or sometimes, a lot wonky! There's something that comes with them called the Inferior Conjunction, and in tandem with that, the Superior Conjunction. These are actually very positive. For once, something positive with a retrograde! If you aren't already, don't forget to sign up for the monthly worksheet to help you keep track of the planets (including Mercury retrograde). What is a retrograde?
A planet is called retrograde when it appears to be moving backward through the Zodiac from our view here on Earth; it isn't actually moving backward, and just looks that way. The Sun and Moon are the only planets who don't retrograde.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto retrograde for months at a time every year. Mars retrogrades for a couple months every couple of years; Venus retrogrades every 1 1/2 years for 1/2 months; and Mercury retrogrades for several weeks 3-4 times each year. Mercury is generally the one we look to for the Inferior and Superior Conjunctions. What is a conjunction?
A conjunction occurs when two points are at the same position in the Zodiac. They come together in the same location, and this brings their energy to together. Conjunctions are generally seen as neutral, but in this case, they're usually seen as positive.
What are the Inferior and Superior Conjunctions?
The Inferior Conjunction occurs while Mercury is retrograde, and is when Mercury conjuncts the transit (moving) Sun. This occurs during every Mercury retrograde because it doesn't move too far away from the transit Sun in the Zodiac. The Inferior conjunction is seen as an excellent time during the retrograde to start something. It's one of the few times during a retrograde when that's the case! The Sun shines a light, and helps bring some focus and clarity during what is often an uncertain period. The impact on your personally usually depends on where the conjunction falls in your natal houses and aspects it makes to your natal planets.
If it makes easy aspects (sextiles and trines), you can have an easier time using it; if it makes hard aspects (squares and oppositions), you may feel challenged with what you want to pursue. If it makes a conjunction, that may be where the focus lies for you. The Superior Conjunction occurs AFTER the retrograde ends, and is when Mercury conjuncts the Sun again. This usually occurs 6-8 weeks after the Inferior Conjunction. The Superior Conjunction usually ties into whatever came about with the Inferior Conjunction, and is generally a good time for culmination or success with whatever you started at the Inferior Conjunction. It usually occurs about two signs later. The impact on your personally usually depends on where the conjunction falls in your natal houses and aspects it makes to your natal planets. If it makes easy aspects, that may signal you have some success; if it makes challenging aspects, that may show you have to adjust and remain open to how you'll come out with it. If it makes a conjunction, that can directly show how it gets wrapped up. So, with every Mercury retrograde, you can mark on your calendar when to watch for the Inferior Conjunction, and know that this is a time you should take advantage of. Know you have about 6-8 weeks to work on whatever you want to get going with. Use the time wisely! Suggested Reading: Bright Spots During Mercury Retrograde |
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