Relationship arts of Venus

Thurs 8 July – Wed 21 July
Sun in Cancer; Mercury in Leo from 9th: Venus in Virgo from 10th; Mars in Virgo
Total solar eclipse 11 July (new moon 19*30 Cancer) visible over Pacific Ocean

If you thought the partial lunar eclipse of last edition was something to write home about then get ready for the total solar eclipse on the new moon of 11 July. It will be visible over the Pacific Ocean if you want to catch a glimpse. When there is a disruption of the pattern, via an eclipse, the natural flow of the dark/light cycle is temporarily stopped in its tracks. There is darkness where there should be light. It is as if the Laws of our Universe are temporarily inverted, and the world is stood on its head. Granted, this happens somewhere twice a year, to a greater or lesser extent, but compared to the massive numbers of regular daily and lunar cycles, eclipses are fairly rare and therefore significant. So the eclipse becomes much more significant when thought of as a disruption of time. And, similar to sleep deprivation, things can get a little unsettled rather quickly.

The Sun continues to inspire thoughts of home and hearth while in Cancer, and a somewhat moody undertone may persist particularly if the weather is grey. Emotions are stronger now and so is the need to feel protective over them as well as any dependants you may have. Of course with Mercury parading through Leo from the 9th the mind and willpower are strengthened but be careful of a potential stubbornness or dogmatic, opinionated mindset which could spoil your family gatherings. Is it really so important that you be seen as the authority on how to make the topping for the cheesecake? On the other hand, if you need to dramatically or forcefully present your case to the world of the immanent arrival of Planet Nibiru and her extraterrestrial inhabitants, then now is the time to sharpen that quill and pump up that charisma. After all, they too may need an ambassador. They may even have a soccer team. Just don’t be surprised by the pride and boastfulness potentially available if they win a match though. If you usually tend to generalize or forget details, then this current influence of Mercury won’t help either. Unless you are able to harness the influence of Mars and Venus, both in Virgo now. This is also not an ideal time for romance, as the sign of the Virgin inclines Venus to over-analyze emotions and become critical of the near and dear. The emotions may be kept in check as one plays it safe until the object of your affection is exactly what you want. May as well wait for Nibiru at that rate. Fortunately commitment and devotion are available now and the practical needs of the partner will be met. This is a good time to clean up your act by sorting out your files, improving your personal hygiene, neatening your appearance and improving your manners and politeness. Even that alone may turn Venus’ glance in your direction. Mars in Virgo continues to focus more on the job than the relationship, pleasing the boss but not necessarily the partner, unless of course it also means bringing home the bread – probably a gluten-free rye considering Virgo’s penchant for health.
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Thurs 22 July – Wed 4 Aug
Sun Leo 23rd ; Mercury Leo, Virgo 27th ; Venus Virgo; Mars Virgo

When Mercury comes home to his own sign of Virgo on the 27th, precise analytical reasoning becomes easy. And with our goddess of Love and her chaperone, Major General Mars, already present in Virgo, you may find yourself living completely in your head. The cool, clinical approach may bring out your critical side, which is great if you are writing your thesis at campus, but it may leave you appearing somewhat remote and unfeeling. Discernment is a valuable quality to cultivate during this edition. In fact it is available by the bucketful. Thus now is the time to go on a health programme of some sort, or refine your nutritional intake. Just be careful not to worry so much about how sinful your little snack is that you end up unable to eat at all, defeating the very purpose of your regimen – health and happiness; or becoming so self-critical that you forget that as a human being its alright to find yourself being human. “Whose idea was this human form of life anyway? Surely they could have come up with a better, more efficient model” you think to yourself. “I mean look at all these hairs coming out of my nose, and various other orifices, even growing on my toes, for heaven’s sake” your mind mutters. “I can’t go out in public like this.” Fortunately the rest of the public has the same model, give or take a few hairs, so not to worry yourself out of yourself just now. Rather use this time to become well-informed and learned in the various hair removal creams, lotions and techniques, while remembering that the Sun is also at home in his own palace in Leo now, and we all know how lions take great pride in their mane of hairs. Hopefully the Leo warmth, pride and self-dignity will help you to counteract any excessive self-criticism or overly modest tendencies for now. And on the other hand, the potential Leo vanity can be tempered too. This combination could, for example, enable you to very intricately and meticulously create your fine work of art that you have been waiting to show the world. By paying attention to the details and being well-informed, you can feel confident in having the desired effect on others and gaining some respect. The month of Leo can – on a normal day - facilitate romance and creative expression. It’s just that the triple planetary placements in Virgo may be fussy, difficult to please and sometimes downright neurotic, not to mention undemonstrative. Another synthesis of the scenario might facilitate taking a stroll up to the moral high ground, where one can maintain a good view of one’s reputation, sexual hygiene and purity of heart, while at the same time cultivating a modest courtship over a glass of prune juice and parsley. There will be other times in the future when one can get down and dirty, if required. Venus is astrologically considered to be “in its fall” in Virgo because love and beauty simply do not take well to analysis. Fortunately pure and natural love, as well as art or beauty, also has a place in time and this could well be it. And from July 29th Mars is in Libra, joining Saturn there (from the 21st already) to facilitate the most important and absorbing subject to the human race – relationships!