After the dust settles from Monday’s full Aquarius Moon, this week will see sign changes for Mercury and Venus. But before even lightening-fast Mercury can bust a move into fiery Leo on Tuesday, Mars will get into it with Jupiter. With Mars now firmly ensconced in its home sign of Aries, and in fact already into the shadow zone of its next retrograde, the conflicts with planets in fellow cardinal signs will continue into autumn. In effervescent Aries, Mars is raring to go. But the squares it will form with the Capricorn contingency, of Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn, will be checking Martian impulses at every turn. This week’s battle with Jupiter will be followed by squares to Pluto on the 13th and Saturn on the 24th. This is astrological shorthand for “No pain, no gain.” Hard work doesn’t need to be depressing. In fact, it can be full of inspiration.
Mercury’s ready for its run through courageous, confident Leo. In the regal sign, it will be closely allied with the Sun, and by the 16th the Sun and Mercury will trine enthusiastic Mars. These are some of the month’s most uplifting energies, and the time to begin harnessing this cosmic firepower is now. Mercury’s Leo visit is quick, from the 4th through the 19th. While we get a boost from the Sun, Mercury and Mars, Venus will slip into Cancer on Friday. Venus desires nothing more than harmony and pleasure. In Cancer, however, she will be on course for direct confrontations with Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn and a clash with Mars. The oncoming struggles suggest that we may be paying too high a price to keep an uneasy peace. Emotional and domestic issues that arose while the Sun and Mercury were in the Cancer will have another shot at resolution. Venus will be in Cancer from August 7th through September 6th, before joining the Leo party. On the flip side, if your home already is your oasis, Venus will enhance the tranquility you’re experiencing there.
