by Robert Wilkinson
Mars activates and accelerates the pace of events in our lives. People currently going through dynamic activity, a hectic fast-paced period, or having the hardest time the first half of July are Taurus born late April and the first week of May, Leos born in late July and the first week of August, Scorpios born late October and the first week of November, and Aquarians born the end of January and the first week of February. If you were born in these zones, focus on what constitutes responsible action, given these birth periods show more highly agitated energy than usual.
Mars tests us to get a grip on our energy and shows us how well we are demonstrating self-control or not. Mars is our "fight or flight" principle, and symbolizes what aggravates us, so beware of hasty action, argumentativeness, or impulsiveness. A way to use what I post here is that if you know your chart, examine the effect for the signs in light of planets you have in these signs.
For instance, if you have Mercury between 5 and 26 degrees of a Fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), examine the challenges relative to your mind, interpretations, or thinking patterns, as well as other planets influenced by Mercury. If you have Venus in those degrees of Fixed signs, examine what is said in light of your likes and dislikes and other Venus-influenced areas in your chart.
If you have a Fixed sign Mars between those degrees, regard what is stated in the context of Mars-ruled affairs and activities. This shows an important shift in your Mars cycle, so heads up! You can also apply what follows regarding this month if you have an Ascendant (Rising sign) between 5 and 26 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius.
While the rest of this article deals with how Mars will specifically impact certain signs and birthdays, please remember to relate what is said here to yesterday's Stress Zones article, as it introduces primary considerations about the overall influence of Mars this month.
The first half of the month, Aquarians born in late January and the first few days of February are seeing the first emergence of something begun March 2007. This month shows a new life direction or the beginnings of new ways of expressing yourself, so get grounded, and remember that "as the roots, so the flowers." This applies the second half of July to Aquarius people born between February 4-15.
Effort now affects future success. Don't allow hassles or aggravations around the home or with family to put you off, and be a good communicator. You'll get new insights into how you view your early life and family situation. Just try not to get aggravated by neighbors and expect intense activity around the home.
Aquarians also need to be less abrupt with family, and be more loving, playful, creative, focused, and do purification rituals, letting go of outmoded feelings and responses to others' demands. This affects Aquarius' way of viewing their environment, siblings, having people close, how they communicate, as well as their profession and public standing in the world.
In the first half of July, Taurus born the end of April and first week of May confront the end of a 2-year cycle, so begin anew with an eye to what culminated in March 2007 of the cycle that began August 2005. This month speeds things up, so apply new skills and strengths, and face a future that's already underway. Quickly finish what you need to, realize an old way of life is over, and there is a need for new effort and directions.
In late July, this applies to Taurus born May 6-16, and they finish a cycle that culminated in March 2007 of whatever began in September 2005. You will recall this was a time when Mars went retrograde in Taurus, so in truth mid-May Tauruses really didn't begin their 2 year cycle until late January-early February 2006.
Since it continues to be a time of endings and beginnings, embrace the new, get ready for the pace to quicken, and try not to be too blunt, impulsive, abrasive, or leap before you look. This primarily affects Taurus in the areas of partnerships, opportunities for greater social effectiveness, karma, motive, and self-undoing behaviors that created sorrow in the past. These are ending somehow, and a new two year pulse is opening up.
The first half of July fulfills an old cycle for Leo people born in late July through the first week of August. This period is one of following through on what's culminating in your public or professional affairs in the cycle that began June 2006. Learn as much as you can, prepare, then be willing to take responsibility, since this is a very high profile time for you. This occurs the last half of July for Leos born between August 7-19, and culminates the cycle begun July 2006.
Leos are very visible and at the end of a major period of matured activity due to Saturn occupying their sign since they began this cycle. Leos are primarily affected in the areas of truth, travel, philosophy, spirituality, home, family, and ways of relating to early childhood experiences. People of this sign need to stay focused, let of of unnecessary things and feelings, purify, and be detached, friendly, impersonal, and keep in mind the bigger picture of a greater service or set of goals.
During the first half of July, Scorpios born late October through the first week of November are tested not to get aggravated, sidestep oppositional people, and decrease agitation or impulsiveness while correcting things that began early November 2006. The last half of July this applies to Scorpios born between November 7-18, and is a shift in the cycle they began in late November 2006.
People with these birthdays are moving through a period of tensions in relationships, and have had to shift in how they regard their health, work, or how to serve your world. If this applies to you, detach from relationship dramas that scatter you. Avoid unnecessary confrontations and don’t get hassled by impulsive, abrasive, aggressive or argumentative people.
For Scorpios in a relationship, it's an intense time for your partner. This is opening new doors of perceiving and acting with others where you are an equal rather than a follower or reactor to them. Areas coming to surface include new forms of self image and ways of relating to their physical bodies, as well as new work opportunities, new health regimens, and new ways of relating to those in their service.
Scorpios should embrace new ways of relating to others, since this time is a breakthrough in your way of being in relationships, and allow others to take the initiative in new ways of expressing themselves. You are finding new forms of self-expression and self-adjustment to practical necessities.
The quincunx effect significantly influences 5 to 10 degrees of Libra and Sagittarius the first week of July, 10 to 15 degrees of Libra and Sagittarius the second week of July, 15 through 20 degrees of Libra and Sagittarius from the third week of July, and 20-26 degrees of Libra and Sagittarius from July 21-31. Quincunxes are associated with physical, emotional, or mental health issues requiring sacrifices and adjustments.
Thus the first week of the month most impacts Libras born between September 27 through October 3 and Sagittarians born November 26 through December 2. The second week of July most impacts Libras born October 3-8 and Sagittarius born December 2-7. The third week of July most affects Libra born between October 8-13 and Sagittarians born December 7-12. The last 10 days of July most affects Libras born October 12-19 and Sagittarians born December 12-18.
Through the quincunxes, Libras will have sacrifices and adjustments in the areas of loss, regeneration, shared values and wealth that will help them learn focus, discrimination, attention to details and procedure. They will learn how to get their magnetism and desires straightened out and eliminate that which cannot be carried into a future already taking shape.
Sagittarians will also have sacrifices and adjustments in the areas of work, health, and those they do service for or who do service for them that will whatever needs to be done.
The first week of July, Pisces born March 9-14 and Gemini born June 10-15 are extraordinarily affected by the Mars semisquare to their Suns. The second week of July primarily affects Pisces born March 14-20, and Geminis born June 15-20. The third week of July affects Aries born March 20-25 and Cancers born June 21-26, and the last 10 days of the month affects Aries born between March 24-April 1 and Cancers born between June 26 and July 2.
The semisquare is a 45 degree aspect indicating internal crises of direction, or a sense that something is beginning to open (or close) with decisions to be made. They show important factors regarding things that are emerging or ending, and offer information about hidden or unconscious influences at work.
For Pisces and Aries birthdays mentioned above, new developments and challenges in the cycle that began in May 2007 don't have to be a problem if you become more visionary, adaptable, future oriented, organized and mature in your values and relationship to things and money. Gemini and Cancer people with birthdays mentioned above need to end some things they began April 2006, so capture the harvest and close out what you need to without getting aggravated at friends or the goals that you couldn't fulfill.
Gemini and Cancer people are entering a fallow period where you'll need to do closure rituals, preparing for a new cycle to come in September-October 2007. However, due to Mars going retrograde in mid-Cancer in November 2007 and moving back into late Gemini in January 2008, you may have to re-do, undo, or rearrange the plan, preparing to launch the idea in February or March 2008 when Mars is direct.
As I've explained the past three months, sometimes Mars' influence extends far beyond whatever is going on in the sky. Notably, the Mars article from November 2006 offers an insight into why things are changing the way they are:
Since the Mars degree of the recent September 2006 Lunar Eclipse is highly active and was also the exact degree of the Solar Eclipse take note of what is liberating you from a previously "narrow destiny" and hear the call that can help you joyously rise to some larger occasion. Here's an article about the September 2006 Solar Eclipse in terms of its general meaning and effect, while in this article you can find out what it means for each sign specifically. December 2006 and January 2007 mark turning points in the liberation process.
Signposts of future developments connected with 30 Virgo presented themselves in late March-early April 2007, with important points occurring the second and last weeks of May 2007. Expect more definitive developments in September 2007 and December 2007 through early April 2008.
June through November 2008 shows Pluto exactly square the degree, Saturn conjunct the point in October 2009 and April through July 2010 opposed by Uranus April 2010 through March 2011, setting up some fairly volatile developments. Escaping from a "narrow destiny" may be destabilizing, but it's also guaranteed to put you and your dharma on track and remind you that life on Earth is one of endless change.
More from the Eclipse article:
In December, Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter all conjuncted... Wherever we have Aries, Gemini, Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Pisces energies, they were fused and renewed in whatever house we have early Sagittarius... a very important area of major focus and attention in the next two years for us. I hope you enjoyed December and January since the wild ride accelerated toward a more amazing vision, freedom, and group involvement than we've known in a long time. Welcome to February through June 2007, the edge of dynamic change!
As I've noted previously, Mars activated the March Lunar Eclipse Sun conjunct North Node position around April 21-22 when it conjuncted that point. This launched the next phase of that eclipse, and the simultaneous triseptile to Saturn triggered an important fork in our destiny helping us dump old social rigidities and find joy in fellowship despite the general tension.
Mars in the Grand Fire Trine in June brightened up our lives in multiple areas, assisting understanding, harmony, and flow. Use the July Mars aspects to secure your new momentum even as you navigate through the twists and turns of the multiple septile series aspects between the visible and invisible planets.
This should be a very important month in showing us the changes in our destiny, leaving behind old paths while entering into new, if unknown futures. Of course, we've been preparing for some time, so don't sweat the changes while you plow forward into new paths. We are now securing what we need for further effectiveness in the months to come.
© Copyright 2007 Robert Wilkinson
i amborn 29-7-62 9.29 pm new delhi and my husband sunny born 8 sept 1961 3.45 am new delhi. will we stay married or will he leave? can i make a living as an astrologer? what does a combust mercury do for me?
Posted by: ANU | July 03, 2007 at 04:38 AM
Hi Robert,
I love your articles. You did mention all the aquarians between 1 to 15th, but what about the rest of us born between 16 to 19. I was born on the 17th and I wonder what July holds for me.
Namste,
Madhuri
Posted by: Madhuri | July 03, 2007 at 07:46 AM
Hi, Robert.I enjoy your insights very much. I am 4 May 1941 El Paso Texas 1:49 p.m. My life has been somewhat in disarray since about April 2006. That is understatement. I am having problems jettisoning old stuff. Do you know what aspects are causing me the most trouble? I was looking forward to Saturn's leaving Taurus, but Virgo is my ascendant. Am I looking toward yet more discipline? I feel like a kid who has been put in the corner.
Posted by: Anne | July 03, 2007 at 08:24 AM
Hi ANU - Astrology is not fortune telling. You and your husband will stay together if you choose to, or not, if you choose not to. Free will is stronger than any astrological position, and contracts are agreements between two or more free wills. As for making a living as an astrologer, it is one of the hardest professions, as there are many demands, superstitions, and expectations. Most people study a little and then jump into charging, which carries BIG karma. I did hundreds of chart readings for free for years before people started demanding I charge and tape. If you are called, by all means study and practice, but realize chart readings will not be as great a source of wealth and many other worthy professions. Of far greater importance is realizing and applying the Ageless Wisdom, since an astrologer is only as good as they live their Spiritual Dharma. There are many who "talk the talk" but do not "walk the walk." It is a very high calling, and most who practice it should not call themselves "professionals" and charge. And a combust Mercury is said to be "swallowed up" by the Sun.
Hi Madhuri - It means that what I've said will apply to you in early August. You're finishing a major cycle of Saturn opposed your Sun, and by September will be living a different reality in some important ways.
Hi Anne - Well, Saturn has been conjunct your Moon, square your Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus conjunction, and opposed your Mars. Saturn in Virgo will put you into a rigor, but as it is trine your Taurus planets, it will be a natural fit. You're now deeper, and know what you know, what you need to know, who you care for and cares for you, and are in a position to do quite well in the future, since you know what you can and cannot live with. You may need to "let go-let God," and stop holding on so tight. By January 2008, you should be doing great!
Posted by: Robert | July 03, 2007 at 09:05 AM
Thank you, for your quick response. I will try to get a full reading when I am financially comfortable. Namaste.
Posted by: Madhuri | July 03, 2007 at 09:32 AM
Thank you so much, Robert. Love and light.
Posted by: Anne | July 03, 2007 at 10:05 AM
Hi Robert,
Thanks for this information on Mars.
You had mentioned that Cancerians and Geminis would be experiencing a fallow time this summer. Does that mean we will be acting as support for all of those Sagittarius, Libra and Scorpio friends going through the purging process?
It sounds like some Cancerians, June 26 through July 2nd, will also be going through a purging process of some kind, although not as intense?
You had mentioned projects from April 2006. I had one project then, a radio segment that only aired once. I guess I can stop fuming about that now and chock it to planetary circumstances.
I still have a project from 2005 on hold, which I am hoping won't be purged but completed. It is hard to let go of projects when so many people are involved and fume when I don't complete it due to circumstances outside of my control. (But I would love to purge this tension associated with this project).
But what is IS so...
namaste,
Patricia
Posted by: Patricia H. | July 03, 2007 at 04:25 PM
Hi all - I have a moment, so...
Hi Madhuri - Sure. Whenever your resources permit, please email me and we'll schedule you for as soon as I am able.
Hi Anne - Thanks. Love and light indeed!
Hi Patricia - Well, it could be that. The signs you mention are certainly going through changes! Perhaps your radio project was the initial push into a greater life, and with time that initiative will bear fruit. Just relax, and breathe into the moment. Stop getting bugged because you cannot control the process, and enjoy just being alive to DO the process. And of course my blessings on whatever project floats your boat. May it all be perfect as soon as possible.
Posted by: Robert | July 03, 2007 at 08:52 PM
Hi Robert,
Talking about change for Cancerians: I'll be moving away this fall, going back to France, I will be finishing my story with an Aqua-person, (please don't judge me, but I'm between 2 situations, 2 loves, one is a "Jupiter-Neptune-Saturn" person, the other one is an "Uranus-Pluto-Saturn", 2 different characters, 2 sides of me...something that I would have never thought could be possible, be in love with 2 persons for very different reasons, and soon there will be a "reasonable" road to follow, since I'm moving away...) could this be Pluto transiting my Ascendant and opposing my natal Venus in my 7th house? Thank you in advance Robert.
Posted by: Leana | July 03, 2007 at 09:51 PM
Hi Leana - Yes. Each has a Dharma to fulfill, and only the individual can choose in the moment which to take, whether "right" or "wrong." No judgment, my dear. As one who lives with Pluto on the Asc, yes, the aspect is one of clearing out the relationships that prevent one from attaining one's values and what one needs to concretize one's destiny. Reasonable? Probably more "radical!" (Reasonable will come through Jupiter and Saturn in Earth by December).
Posted by: Robert | July 03, 2007 at 10:11 PM
Thanks Robert.
Best wishes for your move to New Mexico.
namaste,
Patricia
Posted by: Patricia H. | July 04, 2007 at 07:00 AM
Thank you Robert.
You are right to say it's not about being reasonable with Pluto, it's a radical change. What happens if you run away from your destiny?
Posted by: Leana | July 04, 2007 at 09:42 AM
Hi Leana - I'm not sure you can, since whatever choice you make IS your destiny. However, there is always the road not taken. We've all spent time wondering if we should have, how it would have looked, and base many assumptions on a subjunctive (could have been, might have been, etc.) approach which has no substantial reality. We cannot know what it would have been because we never lived it. And you "can't go home again," since with the passage of time and experience everything is different than it would have been had it been chosen to begin with. Time and experience are one-way streets. Perhaps running away from certain things that cannot be true for you in the long run, or could be true but would bring difficulty and suffering, IS as much your destiny as running toward other things.
Posted by: Robert | July 04, 2007 at 09:55 AM
I confused myself Robert. I was using the word "destiny" when what I meant was "North Node"...I'm sorry for my confusion...so my question was what happens when you run away from your North Node, and when you decide to "stay" in your South Node? Because that's what I'll be doing this fall, I'll be going back to something familiar (South Node in Leo), something very "cozy" and safe, and leaving behind my North Node in Aqua that I share with this other person + forming a conjunction with his moon in Aqua. As if he had come to show me my own way, except it feels so unsafe!!!
Robert, I understand you have many things to do in regards to your travels, so you can give me your insights on this when you will have more time...there's no rush...
Wishing you good things during your travels and beyond...
Posted by: Leana | July 04, 2007 at 09:00 PM
Hi Leana - You cannot run away from your NN for long. Impossible to pull out of the gravitational field. You can choose the familiar for only so long before it'll become boring and repetitive. And I gotta go.....
Posted by: Robert | July 05, 2007 at 12:49 PM