July 2007 Astrocast

Key Events:  

New Moon 7/14/2007

Full Moon 7/29/2007

Mercury Direct 7/10/2007

Venus Retrograde 7/28/2007

Other RX Planets:  Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto

Venus is hanging out with Saturn in your Sign, which you are likely to feel in a variety of ways.  Venus will do good things for your self-image and self-esteem, which, if you're a typical Leo, doesn't really need that much help.  She's been there since June 6th, so this isn't exactly new, so you've probably been feeling the effects since then.  Your natural charm will be enhanced, people will find you even more attractive than usual, and you'll be able to relate to others in very positive ways.  This is a good time for anything you need to do that involves presenting a favorable impression, but bear in mind she's only there until July 15.  [NOTE:--She'll return August 9th, but that will be due to retrograde (RX) motion, so the effects will be slightly different.  More on that next month.]  However, she is not alone and that will temper these effects somewhat. 

Saturn is also in your Sign and has been for quite a while.  In fact, Venus' arrival was probably quite a relief since Saturn isn't exactly the astrological party-boy of the Zodiac.  His influence is generally quite somber and reeks of responsibility and obligations.  This has probably thrown a bit of a damper on your usually vibrant personality.  This month he'll be wagging his finger primarily at those whose birthdays lie between July 12th - 18th.  Those folks are in luck, however, because Venus will be significantly tempering his influence.  Rather than feeling as if someone has thrown a bucket of sand on your usual Leo fire, the effect will be much softer.  If you're in a position of authority or responsibility (which most Leos are, sooner or later, since Leos are born leaders) any dealings with your subordinates will be more readily accepted and perceived in a more positive way.  You'll be able to express yourself in a firm but pleasant manner, which should make such encounters significantly more effective as well as less stressful for all concerned.  You'll be seen as more serious than usual, but not as a stick-in-the-mud since you'll be able to do any disciplining with a gentle hand.  This is also an excellent time to do some serious introspection.  While you may tend to beat yourself up a bit due to Saturn, Venus will mediate the dialog and put a much more optimistic spin on it by balancing any self-discipline with reminders of all your many positive traits.

Internal rumblings of a long-term nature continue in your Natural 5th House of children, creativity and love affairs due to the presence of Jupiter and Pluto who are both retrograde, to boot.  These are also nicely balanced like the Saturn-Venus pair in that Jupiter is generally a very benefic planet who is usually associated with good luck while Pluto is often considered one of the Zodiac's bad actors who's associated with less than enchanting subjects.  This combination, however, should yield some interesting insights into this area of your life.  Jupiter RX typically generates some serious introspection into ethics issues.  We tend to reevaluate our core beliefs relative to the House affected and achieve some significant progress in our outlook.  Pluto, who's been referred to as the Zodiacal Medical Examiner or, in some cases, Roto-Rooter, can cause some of the most grueling transits know to man (or woman, of course).  With these two in the same house, however, it's likely that anything Pluto is digging up will play into the ethics reevaluation and ultimately result in some significant wisdom and understanding in this area of your life.  Leo resides in the Universal 5th House, making this area near and dear to a Leo's big heart.  So any mistakes you've made there were particularly painful in the first place and Pluto's exhuming them for another look is probably less than pleasant.  However, Jupiter will help assure that the lessons learned are permanent and incorporated into your core being in such a way that they'll not only have a regenerative and healing effect (which is the ultimate result of a Pluto transit) but become a part of your values in such a way that it should guarantee the lessons are learned and the future will be much better.

The Full Moon occurs in Aquarius on the 29th, which could see the ending of a one-on-one relationship of some sort, or perhaps simply that the relationship is entering a new phase.  Our closest friends, business partners and significant others all fall into this category that are encompassed by your Natural 7th House.  Friends come and go so this could mean that someone you've been associated with has served their purpose in your life (or you in theirs) and will be moving on, literally or figuratively.  With Neptune camped out in this House for a while, you may have tended to be a bit idealistic about your relationships and as a result set yourself up for disappointments from time to time when people did not meet your expectations.  Delusions are also possible and some people may have wandered in and out of your life over the years who took advantage of you.  After all, Leos tend to be very kind-hearted and are easy prey for charlatans and con artists of all kinds.  Use this Full Moon to think about this area of your life and if any of this applies, then make up your mind to be a bit more prudent in the future.  You know how to roar, when necessary, but you also have a tender heart beneath it all, so use any lessons in this area to avoid similar unpleasantries in the future.

More long-term effects are undoubtedly being generated by Uranus in your Natural 8th House of sex, transformation and other people's money.  You may see something from this placement this month if your birthday is around July 8 - 12.  Something may occur unexpectedly in one of these areas that requires an adjustment on your part.  Your best course is to be as conservative as possible in these areas and not invite some unexpected event or surprise.

You could encounter a confrontation of some sort this month with Mars transiting your Natural 10th House of reputation and community status.  Make sure you keep that Leo temper in check, particularly if you get pulled over for speeding or have some other encounter with the law.  Best to keep within the speed limits and not invite a problem in this area.  Treat your boss with respect and if he or she ticks you off, keep your cool and if you must, grouse to one of your trusted friends.  Watch your public behavior so as not to affect your reputation in a negative manner.

With the Sun as well as Mercury in your Natural 12th House of spirituality, transcendence and institutions, it's a good time to seek a higher plane and further discover who you really are.  There are many aspects out there ready and willing to help you with this task, which should make this a richly rewarding month in numerous venues.