StarWatch by James Jarvis, M.A. By adding the universal year 1998 (1+9+9+8=27) to the 7th month of July, we come up with the vibration of 34/7. The 34/7 month is about taking the time to tune in to what has meaning in your life. It is a time for inner reflection, contemplation and rest. Use this month to tap into what has meaning for you through art, meditation, being close to nature and, if possible, retreat time. Look to see how you can harmoniously balance alone time for expanding your insights, creativity and practical accomplishment. July 1-2 Mercury opposite Neptune From July 1-2 Mercury is opposite Neptune in Aquarius. Neptune in Aquarius helps us to visualize our ideals through what I call "divine discontent." For those that have awakened to the realization that there is a larger plan or mission to their existence here, Neptune in Aquarius offers us the opportunity to open to an expanded vision of mission. Since Neptune is opposing Mercury (the opposition aspect = awareness of the opposites), this is a time of greater awareness of your vision for yourself and your life. Pay attention to the subtle ways of knowing employed by Neptune as you go through this transit. Pay attention to your dreams, your intuitive knowing during relaxed states, and information received during meditation or quiet, retreat times. July 1-2 Mercury square Saturn With Mercury in Leo squaring Saturn in Taurus July 1-2, we have an opportunity to align our desires with a definite plan of action. How can I realize the goals that would support my creative nature? What is the form or specific plan that I can begin implementing that would really contribute to my overall sense of well being? July 3-5 Mercury trines Pluto, July 7-9 opposes Uranus After Mercury moves into Leo on June 30, it will trine Pluto July 3-5 and oppose the planet Uranus July 7-9. With these two transits, we have an unusually strong connection with higher mind. Mercury/Pluto deepens the mind and the desire to probe the mysteries of life. Mercury/Uranus can seem a little over-stimulating at first, as the concrete mind is flooded with insight from higher mind. Have a tape recorder ready so you can "download" some of this highly intuitive or introspective information. Find ways of getting into your body through physical expression: dance, yoga, martial arts, or physical exercise. July 6 Mars enters Cancer The planet Mars, ruler of the power or third chakra, moves into the sign of Cancer on July 6 until August 20 and then sextiles Saturn in Taurus from July 8-11. With Mars in Cancer and Saturn in Taurus, we can expect to feel a strong urge to get things done, albeit in an altogether different way. The reason this is so is that Mars in Cancer wants to go with the flow, so to speak, and Saturn in Taurus is concerned more with productive action. There is an opportunity here to be free flowing and spontaneous (Mars in a water sign) and to get a tremendous amount done on the physical plane (Saturn in a earth sign). One way to deal with these somewhat different energies is to find ways of getting into your body through physical expression: dance, yoga, martial arts, or physical exercise. This will help you to balance the emotional body and get a lot done at the same time. July 9 Full moon in Capricorn The moon is full at 17 degrees Capricorn on July 9 at 9:01 a.m. For this next month, the emphasis is on creating emotional safety, groundedness, and security. The moon in Capricorn calls us to reconnect with the earth element in our lives. The challenge this month is to tune in to our natural self-reliance. The full moon in Capricorn is asking us to take whatever steps are necessary so that we can be more fully in our bodies; secure in the knowledge that we are approaching life with a pragmatic and realistic focus. Tune in more deeply to the wisdom and creativity that wants to flow through us out into the world. July 17 Jupiter retrograde Jupiter in Pisces will begin its retrograde journey from July 17 until October 13. The Jupiter retrograde, lasting about four months, is a time to tap into our own inner teacher. In Vedic or Hindu astrology the Sanskrit word used for Jupiter is "guru." Each of us, whether formally or informally, is a teacher of something. The sign and house placement of Jupiter in your chart not only refers to where you get the greatest expansion of your own consciousness (where you teach yourself) but also indicates what you naturally wish to teach others. Since Jupiter also is the ruler of the second chakra, the center of "pro-creation," it is also associated with how you express your creative urge. In a Jupiter retrograde period, we can tune in more deeply to the wisdom and creativity that wants to flow through us out into the world. July 19 Venus enters Cancer Venus moves into the sign of Cancer on July 19 and will be there until August 13. With Venus in Cancer, the emphasis this month is on finding ways to nurture ourselves and others. Many associate the traditional nurturing quality of Cancer with that of the "smother mother;" the overbearing, codependent and disempowering nurturer. Take time this month to find out what really nurtures you. This month we have an opportunity to take a deeper cut at what nurturing can be. Venus in Cancer asks us to open up to become instruments for Divine Mother to flow through us and into the lives of others. When we are in touch with the Divine Mother who is compassionate, all-nurturing and protective ourselves then we don’t have to work so hard to nurture others. As we open to the grace of Divine Mother flowing through us there is no sense of being "sucked dry" by the needs of others because we have established our connection with divine nurturance. Ask yourself this month: Who nurtures the nurturer? If you find that you are better at receiving than giving, take time this month to find out what really nurtures you. As you establish that nurturing connection, you will find that it will be much easier to unconditionally nurture others. July 22 Sun enters Leo The sun moves into Leo on July 22 at 5:55 p.m. In nature, it is the height of the heat of summer and the fruit is ripe and ready for picking. The Leo principle relates to the ripening and expression of one's creative energies. Our job in Leo is to tap into the beauty and fiery spirit of the divine child within and be role models for others in how to let that energy flow outward so that it is brought to fruition. July 23 New moon in Leo On July 23 at 6:44 a.m. we start a new moon cycle at 0 degrees Leo. With each new moon, we have an opportunity for a new quality to emerge into our consciousness. This month the quality that is emerging is our ability to nurture ourselves through becoming aware of the divine child within. This is a time to relax the inner critic, the overly responsible part of our personalities, so that we can tap into the pure, spontaneous innocence of the child. For many of us, this is not necessarily an easy task as we may have been overly responsible all our lives and the part that likes to have fun has been pretty much squashed out of us. The beauty of contacting that child, though, is that he or she holds the potential of our creative gift to the planet. It is the divine child within us that knows our mission, our unique creative gift to the world. By tapping into that wisdom we not only express our own personal creativity more fully but we then release the possibility of contributing our unique legacy to the planet. James Jarvis, M.A. is a professional astrologer, intuitive counselor, seminar leader, and musician. He is available for astrological and numerological LifePath readings and psychospiritual counseling for individuals and couples Tuesdays and Thursdays at East West Bookshop in Seattle ([206] 523-3726) and other times at his office at the Ananda Community near Lynnwood. For a brochure of his services, upcoming classes/workshops, or to schedule appointments please call (425) 774-4975.