Yearly Astrology Trends Calendar

Mercury turns retrograde today at 11° Virgo 38′ beginning a retrograde cycle that lasts over three weeks. Mercury entered its pre-retrograde shadow on July 24, 2017.

Mercury retreats into the sign of Leo on August 31st.

Mercury will be retrograde until September 5th when it reaches 28° Leo 25′.

Mercury ends its post-retrograde shadow on September 19th (when Mercury once again reaches 11 Virgo 38).

Mercury Retrograde Cycle in Virgo and Leo: August 12 to September 5, 2017

Uranus forms a semi-square with Neptune

On August 11th, Uranus and Neptune form their first semi-square in a set that spans until May 1, 2019. This aspect is considered in effect within these wider range dates. This is a time when we can feel particularly inspired, although we may feel restless if our dreams are no longer fulfilling us or keeping us hopeful. Watch for impractical ventures and unusual tangents that may not last.

Uranus semisquare Neptune dates:

1st: August 11, 2017, when Uranus is at 28° Aries 30′ and Neptune is at 13° Pisces 30′.

2nd: October 7th, 2018, with Uranus at 27° Aries 01′ and Neptune at 12° Pisces 01′.

3rd: June 16th, 2018, when Uranus is at 1° Taurus 30′

4th: December 15th, 2018, when Uranus is at 28° Aries 49′

5th: May 1st, 2019, when Uranus is at 3° Taurus 01′ (last)

Uranus semi-square Neptune

A Full Moon LUNAR ECLIPSE occurs in the sign of Aquarius on August 7, 2017.

This eclipse occurs at 2:11 PM EDT and is a total Lunar Eclipse.

Read more about the eclipses here.

When a Full Moon occurs, we can suddenly burst forth with proclamations and outpours that seem fresh and new, simply because they are not yet rationalized. A Lunar eclipse is a more potent Full Moon, and its effects tend to last longer. Many astrologers believe that the effects of a Lunar eclipse last approximately six months.

The Lunar eclipse on August 7th, 2017, occurs when the Moon is at 15-16 degrees of Aquarius, opposing the Sun at 15-16 degrees Leo, and is a Partial Lunar Eclipse.

Lunar Eclipses are about relationships and polarities. This Lunar Eclipse presses us to look more closely at our needs, lacks, and wants in our lives. The Leo-Aquarius polarity deals with the balance between all that is personal (Leo) and all that is impersonal (Aquarius). The energy of Leo is creative self-expression and the boost to the individual ego that we receive through pleasure and romance, while Aquarius rules the group, more impersonal friendships, and objectivity. This Full Moon urges us to strike a balance between romance and friendship, and between expressing ourselves in personal and impersonal ways. The Leo Moon is proud and intensely individual—not content with simply being just one of the team. The Aquarius Sun, while individualistic as well, values independence and the team. The Full Moon illuminates this conflict.

Some sort of crisis (which can be a crisis of consciousness) or sudden awareness of a lack in our lives provides us with a golden opportunity to explore our emotional needs within the context of the house polarity where the eclipse occurs in our natal charts. Relationships may be challenged, broken, or strengthened dramatically at this time. Our discovery is emotionally charged and dramatic. Epiphanies are likely at this time as we become acutely aware of our lack. This understanding can propel us into affirmative action.

This lunation occurs when the Sun forms a conjunction to Mars, a sextile to Jupiter, and a trine to Saturn. Events or epiphanies are likely to feel urgent but also right – things seem to fall into place now.

Full Moons and Lunar Eclipses bring issues in our lives to fulfillment. Our emotions are heightened, and there is often some sort of drama involved with the house, sign, and any contacted planets activated by the Full Moon. Look at 15-16 degrees of Leo and Aquarius in your own chart (allow up to about a 5-degree orb when examining the planets and points it aspects). This Lunar Eclipse gives us a cosmic push to make needed changes in our lives. The areas of life activated by the eclipse may see dramatic turns, after which the path is clear to move forward. Note that whatever happens at this time is nothing truly new. The issues have been brewing inside of us, and emotions have been building. Something comes to light at the time of the Lunar Eclipse, and if we get in touch with our emotions, we can get a better idea of what needs to change, or what needs to go.

Read more about the eclipses here.

Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius Chart – August 7, 2017

Jupiter forms a square with Pluto

On August 4th, Jupiter and Pluto reach their third and final square aspect in a set. This aspect first occurred on November 24th, 2016, and recurred on March 30th, 2017, and can be considered “in effect” throughout the wider range dates.

We can be quite ambitious now, feeling that if we set our sights high enough, we can achieve anything. However, treading lightly now, while it may not come naturally, is advised as it is easy to stir up opposition. We may take on too many interests, activities, or desires under this influence. Exaggerating our importance or power, either to ourselves or others, should be avoided. Our belief system could be challenged now, and the need for a major attitude change arises, or we might have to face narrow-mindedness in others (or in ourselves).

Trying to force our beliefs on others will only lead to frustration. The tendency now is to push too hard in general and to ignore the important details. Thinking in big terms is fine, as long as the practical details of any pursuit are also considered.

Jupiter square Pluto dates:

1st: November 24, 2016, when Jupiter was at 15° Libra 47′.

2nd: March 30th with Jupiter at 19° Libra 17′ and Pluto at 19° Capricorn 17′.

3rd: August 4th when Jupiter is at 17° Libra 32′ (last)

Jupiter square Pluto

Uranus turns Retrograde

On August 2nd, 2017, Uranus turns retrograde at 28 degrees and 31 minutes of Aries.

Uranus Retrograde Cycle in Aries: August 2, 2017, to January 2, 2018

Venus enters Cancer

Venus is in Cancer from July 31-August 26, 2017. In Cancer, Venus is nurturing, protective and self-protective, cautious, and fertile. We experience many emotional ups and downs in love under this influence due to increased sensitivity and impressionability. We are tender, romantic, and attached. Cancer love is dedicated, warm, and devoted. We show our love through our devotion, care, and concern. We are affectionate and cuddly, and are at our best when we feel safe and secure. 

Mercury enters Virgo

Mercury is in Virgo from July 25-August 31. When Mercury is in Virgo, precision in speech, thought, and process is now important to us. This is a time when we analyze and decide what is useful and what we deem to be impractical. Mercury feels right at home in Virgo, one of the signs that it rules. Dealing with details is natural and easy now. We need to be careful that we don’t lose perspective if we find ourselves lost in details. We should also be aware of the possibility of expressing ourselves in a too factual manner, so much so that we come across as dry, critical, or unimaginative.

The Moon is New in Leo on July 23, 2017, at 5:45 AM EDT.

On Sunday morning, the New Moon occurs early in the sign of Leo.

The New Moon in Leo is an excellent time for formulating goals regarding “all things Leo.” We might concentrate on new ways to enhance our romantic life, creative endeavors and hobbies, and relationship with children, as well as to build our self-confidence and healthy pride in ourselves.

Some of Leo’s “lessons” involve taking pride in ourselves as unique individuals, assuming responsibility for our lives, and giving ourselves warmly and generously to others. This New Moon period is an excellent time to meditate upon some of the characteristics of Leo. Keywords for this self-expressive fire sign — such things as proud, magnanimous, generous, hospitable, caring, warm, authoritative, active, and open — are traits that might be incorporated into our personalities. We all have Leo somewhere in our charts. Seek this month (and next) to improve those areas of life. It’s time to awaken the “inner child” in ourselves and to find ways to creatively express ourselves.

With this potent Leo energy, we have the chance to make significant changes in our lives that will benefit us well beyond this Moon cycle. It’s time to make some plans and to set the stage for reaping the rewards from our new beginnings, as little or big as they may be, in approximately two weeks’ time after the Full Moon occurs.

Next month, a New Moon will occur again in the sign of Leo, this time late in the sign, and will be a Solar Eclipse and particularly potent. With the New Moon occurring at the very beginning of the sign of Leo, new beginnings are emphasized. Events occurring now and next month may relate to January and February 2015.

Where does the New Moon fall by house in your natal chart? Read more here.

New Moon in Leo chart on July 23, 2017

Sun enters Leo

Sun is in Leo from July 22-August 22. In Leo, the Sun is proud, outgoing, and playful. The Leo Sun is intensely individual—not content with simply being just one of the team. It’s time to shine, add a touch of color and drama to our lives, and perform. Like the flowers and fruit of the season–blossoming and ripened–this is a time when we want to enjoy ourselves and express ourselves. We are more generous and grand in our gestures and attitudes. On the shadow side, we can also be self-centered and vain.

Mars enters Leo

Mars is in Leo from July 20-September 5. In Leo, Mars is proud, self-confident, and grand. We are spirited and have grand goals. We go after what we want in a direct, self-assured manner, desiring dramatic results. We prefer not to worry about details, and take the least complicated route to our goals. The sex drive is strong, and passion for life is high.

The Moon is Full in Capricorn on July 9, 2017, at 12:07 AM EDT.

Full Moon in Capricorn Chart – July 9, 2017

Mercury enters Leo

Mercury is in Leo from July 5-July 25. When Mercury is in Leo, our thinking is more confident and grand. The focus is now on the goal–and the grander a goal the better! The details may not be quite as important now. We are more expressive, even theatrical and given to speech-giving and story-telling under this influence. We are also more convincing and persuasive, as we exude confidence when we speak or write. We may not listen as well as we normally do under the influence of Mercury in Leo.

Jupiter forms a quincunx with Neptune

On July 5th, Jupiter forms a quincunx with Neptune. This aspect first formed on October 23rd, 2016 and recurred again on May 17th, 2017.  This is the final exact aspect in a set.

There can be difficulties with limits and boundaries now. We may feel disorganized and it can be difficult to stick to a routine or to find satisfaction with our current pursuits. There can be a strong desire or need to help others now, but we may not know how to do so and feel guilty for escapist tendencies or for not being as effective as we’d like. There is a tendency to take the easy way out, but consequences are likely to be faced by doing so. We may be misled by wishful thinking or invest in impractical ideas and plans.

Jupiter quincunx Neptune dates:

1st: October 23, 2016, while Jupiter was at 9° Libra 27′.

2nd: May 17th with Jupiter at 14° Libra 01′ and Neptune at 14° Pisces 01′.

3rd: July 5th when Jupiter is at 14° Libra 11′ (last).

Jupiter Quincunx Neptune

Venus enters Gemini

Venus is in Gemini from July 4-July 31. In Gemini, we have a finger in every pie. Curiosity motivates us on romantic and social levels. “Variety is the spice of life” is the attitude now. We are sociable, communicative, and interested. We can be animated and fun but may also keep our distance on an emotional level. Attractions now may begin with words, as we tend to bond more readily on a mental level with Venus in Gemini. The shadow side of Gemini is fickleness.