“MAY YOU LIVE IN INTERESTING TIMES” is an old Asian curse. As the weekend begins, a sense of worried excitement or urgency can push us to dither or act before we’re ready. Let’s stay calm, cool, collected and think for the long haul. With the sun in Leo, we can tend to grandstand or exaggerate any situation, though we need to look at existing problems with clear eyes. Let’s only exaggerate the joy and possibilities.
This anxiety and excitement are stimulated as Venus quincunxes Saturn to unsettle our hearts and Mercury quincunxes Pluto to unsettle our minds just the moon in Aries nags us to hurry up and fix things. Unsettling can be positive; it can help us break out of a rut and pursue a new path, new relationship, or new habits if we shift gears. The asteroid Chiron also turns retrograde now and can bring up some tricky memories or feelings of déjà vu, encouraging us to learn from the past so we can create a healthier future.
Mercury turns retrograde August 4-28 so events will slow down as the week progresses and take a circuitous route. Deal with logistics now. Mercury’s energy gets wonky when it appears to slow down, so let’s confirm a story before reposting. Make sure messages get through and our intentions are clearly understood.
FRIDAY, JULY 26: A situation may feel more urgent than it actually is; use the Aries moon excitement thoughtfully. Solve small problems and watch the tension level decrease. If some event reminds us of a past dilemma, don’t reinscribe the pain, but take a new path. Tonight could bring a big sigh of relief.
SATURDAY, JULY 27: Long-term ramifications of recent decisions can hit us this morning; we need time to integrate as the moon enters Taurus and squares Pluto. It furthers to putter, meander, and savor the creative; keep the front brain busy and give the back brain a chance to process.
SUNDAY, JULY 28: Move slowly and steadily; we know what we need to do, but let’s not rush through a potential opportunity for joy in this rough summer. We may feel stubborn and resistant to change; nurture possibilities rather than try to talk someone out of their position.
MONDAY, JULY 29: We could feel socially edgy, preoccupied, and step on others’ toes as the moon squares Venus then conjuncts Uranus. Midday could bring minor helpful surprises. Keep conversation productive; make the point without a charge as the moon enters Gemini and trines Pluto.
TUESDAY, JULY 30: Political diatribes can get pointed. If feelings get hurt, notice if it’s more an ambient soul klutziness than an intent to attack. But if we keep our empathic heart open, we can speak compassionately and supportively as Venus trines Chiron. Notice a lighter mood tonight as the moon conjuncts Jupiter.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31: Engage life and run into new people on this social day; explore fresh ideas with humor. If our nerves wind up, let’s slow down, look at the quality of our thinking, and choose carefully where we focus our minds. Tonight, as the moon enters comfort-loving Cancer, we’ll want to come home to safety and good food.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1: A maudlin vibe can bring out an emotional or grumpy streak; we won’t want to explain ourselves and can feel easily imposed upon. The mood changes quickly if we take responsibility for our situation; set a needed boundary or address some unmet need. Good things happen when we don’t feel trapped. Take care of ourselves, operating with less blame and more abundance.
Astrologer Heather Roan Robbins’ new book, Starcodes: Navigate Your Chart with Choice-Based Astrology (Hay House), was released June 11. Learn more atroanrobbins.com.
