July - the astrological month ahead

   July is a very busy month in astrological terms. As usual the sun changes signs in the third week - nothing new there of course, this happens every month, just as the moon changes signs every 2.5 days. What is more interesting however, is that Mercury and Saturn start forward motion again whilst Uranus, Neptune and Pluto go into reverse gear. We have ended a long period (almost a year) of personal planets (Mars included) having retrograde motions. When planets are 'retrograde' or appearing to go backwards in the sky, it is a time to be more introspective and to review and revisit the 'terms and conditions' of our situations in life. Now therefore is a time to use the knowledge gained in review to turn a corner and start to make progress again!
   The grand Cardinal Cross in the sky has now dissipated to some extent. This gave a very tense and pressurised feeling to the backdrop of everyone's lives for many months with a particularly strong influence in April. We can to some extent sigh with relief as we enter a whole new scenario. Jupiter is clear of the situation so things are no longer being blown out of proportion. Mars is now moving out of the range of the cross taking much pent up energy with it. However, do be aware of the Sun opposition to Pluto on the 4th July as the final gasp of the cross. We all may feel power issues raise their head in some form. 
   As we enter July Mercury stands still ready to get into 1st gear and move forward again. Don't try and push things in the first couple of days as we are still going over old ground until the 14th as far as ideas and thoughts are concerned. After this date Mercury enters Cancer and we may well find that our minds are somewhat preoccupied with home, family and a more generally emotional approach. We then look to shoring up how and where we feel secure and our sense of belongingness. 
   Venus enters Cancer on the 19th reinforcing a strong need to feel loved which will be centred around family or clan. We pick up on a much more emotional and possibly romantic sense and our values and appreciation of beauty become keener.  Food and enjoyment through entertaining could well be part of this. 
   Jupiter has been in the sign of Cancer since 30th June 2013 and finally moves into Leo on 17th July this year. We will feel a shift in energy for sure as Leo is not a sign that is backward in coming forward! The enthusiasm of Jupiter will certainly make itself felt in Leo. Since Leo rules the heart this should be a time to express heartfelt joy. A great time to be creative particularly in a dramatic way! Jupiter stays approximately a year in each sign so we have until 12th August 2015 to make use of the generous and optimistic quality that this position engenders.
   On the 21st July Saturn stands still ready to move forward after a month of reversal. This time it is serious about getting into forward motion though it will not be ready to leave the sign of Scorpio until Christmas. We are already used to this energy which has coincided with many scandals coming to the fore. Recent news items have reiterated this theme. 
   The Sun moves into Leo on the 23rd July and brings with it a renewed sense of self. Leo is the sign of sovereignty, over ourselves as much as onyone else. We can therefore go out into the world with a stronger sense of self-belief. I often think of Leo as the sign of entitlement and having a rooted belief that all needs will be met. The sun links directly with Jupiter on the 24/25th providing generous, fun loving and creative energies for the height of summer! Be careful not to go over the top on those days though. 
   Both Pluto and Neptune turn retrograde at the beginning of the month followed by Uranus on 22nd. These outer planets have a more transpersonal i.e. generalised/societal effect. How they influence you as an individual is heavily influenced by the position in your natal chart and therefore better ascertained through a personal reading.