Quote of the week

“Maturity is achieved when a person postpones immediate pleasures for long-term values.“

― Joshua L. Liebman

As soon as Mars moves into Taurus and Mercury into Cancer, they meet each other with a sextile on 5 July. Mars is moving out of its fiery home and forced to slow right down in the steady sign of Taurus. Meanwhile, Mercury moves out of its zippy, social home of Gemini and into the territory of the crab where it must learn to walk sideways and dwell on deeper emotions. While both planets will not be as comfortable in their new signs, there could be a sigh of relief as things start slowing down a little. Perhaps you may appreciate a more passive and indirect approach to life. While you may find the lack of productivity a little annoying, this slowing down will allow you to be more mindful about what you’re doing. Especially with Mars being in Taurus now – a sign of its detriment – you’ll need to remember to look at alternative ways to go about your day, especially in the house ruled by Taurus in your natal chart. It’s a good reminder to think outside the square and to see people and situations from a different light to what you’re usually accustomed to.

The Moon will make its 1st Quarter Square on 7 July, continuing its good vibes from the New Moon in Cancer last week. This 1st Quarter Lunation will occur in Libra, which will be approaching a trine with its ruler Venus from Gemini, and opposed by Jupiter from Aries. Having the two benefic planets witnessing the Moon is quite an auspicious configuration, so expect to have a nice flow in social dynamics, beneficial exchanges and strokes of serendipity on this day of the 1st Quarter Moon. This would be a good day for socialising, reconciling and gathering together with others. Saturn will also be trining this lunation which will help ground these activities into reality. Pluto looks at the Moon with a wide square, indicating that there are some tense underlying emotions at play here. However, take what you can get and make the most out of the Moon’s contact with the benefics!

Mercury will be making its Morning Set on 8 July, a time where you could be challenged to extend your mental capacity about an important undertaking, even though all you may feel like doing is to fall in a heap and surrender. You could start to lose some objectivity and rationality, feel mentally weary or even a sense of mental exhaustion for the next couple of weeks. This is especially so if Mercury is your lord of the year. Think back to 22 May – was there anything important that emerged on that day? This could be the important issue that is pushing you towards some kind of showdown or confrontation in the coming week (literally or metaphorically). The feeling of overwhelm and dread could be strong as Mercury moves closer to the Sun, but trust that a revival is on its way to you. Soon, you’ll feel regenerated with new insights to inspire you towards your next step. Meanwhile, hold this space with plenty of rest, meditation, fresh air and reflection of the current Mercury cycle that commenced 22 May. It may also be beneficial to take a break from current activities that require heavy mental focus for this coming week.

As it sets into the beams of the Sun, Mercury will square Jupiter the next day. Jupiter is ever so exuberant and enthusiastic from its position in Aries, but this could possibly add to the sense of overwhelm to the setting Mercury. Make sure you listen when your intuition tells you that you can’t take on any more – because it’s probably right. At this stage, it’s important to consolidate and regroup on what you’ve already started, rather than adding more to the cauldron. If opportunities come knocking, look at ways to buy yourself more time – two weeks to be specific. If this falls through, it could simply be the case that the timing is not quite right. Don’t worry, there’s a Jupiter Mercury Opposition story coming up in September/October that may see such opportunities and ideas re-emerge from a different perspective. Meanwhile, don’t be tempted by ‘big, shiny things’ in the short term – the ‘real gold’ is just around the corner (aka Mercury Cazimi – 17 July).

Support the Interpsycle Observator

I hope you find this information useful for your week ahead. Feel free to share your experiences and observations of the week in the comments below as this will help us bridge our understanding of the macrocosm and the microcosm of our lives.

You can also help support this project by…

• Sharing this article around
• Referring your friends to sign up to this newsletter (Facebook link / Twitter link / Email link), or,
• Booking in your personal session (www.interpsycle.as.me).

See you next Sunday for the next installment of planetary news.

Shu xx