Mars forms an exact conjunction with Uranus in Taurus while squaring the South Node in Leo and the North Node in Aquarius by July 4. As we have already seen with the earthquakes in Venezuela, this configuration tends to rattle the world. With Venus slipping from Cancer into Leo on the same day, many layers point to an event or tide shift that impacts the world in a big way from here on out. Watch for signals and more unexpected disruptions. These may bring a pleasant change for some, but also more extreme highs and lows, regardless. With Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune all retrograde in July, there are likely no clear answers to the questions as yet. As Neptune retrogrades along with Pluto, they both move into an exact alignment with Uranus in Taurus and Jupiter in Cancer, the idealised “Barbault basket”, named after the French astrologer, André Barbault, who pointed out the potentials of this alignment, many of today’s astrologers have pinned their hopes on for a “new humanity.” I’ll simply stick with my take, which is that it’s about a subtle yet powerful shift as the outer planets align. Another important piece of the pattern is when Jupiter opposes Pluto, while both planets are trine Uranus and Neptune. As these outer planets form this potent alignment, a ‘minor grand trine’, it shows a subtle yet powerful shift in perspective. This may bring major change across the political spectrum, strengthening the revolutionary atmosphere and the potential for more profound transformation in societies. Jupiter's exaltation alone reflects a need for something better than the plutocracies of the world are doing, as Pluto’s transit through Capricorn continues to show the breakdown of world structures. As Saturn turns retrograde by the end of July alongside Neptune, they remain in a supportive trine to Jupiter, as many sectors of society require further revision and restructuring due to the uprisings that are possible. All of this unfolds while the planets remain clustered on one side of the lunar nodes in July, creating a sense that events are somehow disjointed, exaggerated, and imbalanced. Yet Venus' conjunction with the South Node offers a corrective influence after its conjunction by July 11. Venus may help break the spell by revealing where imbalances have developed, encouraging a slow but necessary return to a clearer perspective. This may mean an economic correction, of course. Whatever appears to be happening in the world or in your life, the simplest answer is probably the correct one. Venus-South Node conjunctions typically demand we cut out the noise to get clear, of course. July is likely a month where truths are revealed, which, in hindsight, seem obvious all along. Nonetheless, there are likely some surprising turns of events in July to keep us on the edge of our seats.
