Moonsign,
Sunsign
and More
by Jenny Yates

July 21 to 28, 2017


What sign is the moon in?  What signs do the planets occupy?  
What is the current lunar cycle about?  

For the aspects currently affecting everyone, click here.  

And for a daily overview, click here.   

Venus is in Gemini

In Gemini, Venus is devoted to
intellectual pleasures.  This can mean
anything from crossword puzzles to
lectures on Medieval candle magic.   

It's especially good for scintillating
conversation.  Everyone is wittier and
more interesting, and everyone is
quicker to respond to your ripostes.
(And they're ready to repost
everything you write, too.)  

And yes, it's a good time for puns.  
Try to control yourself.    

Venus will be in Gemini until July 4.   

Venus entered Gemini
in NYC: Thurs, June 9, 10:23 am
in Vancouver: Thurs, June 9, 7:23 am
in London: Thurs, June 9, 3:23 pm
in Berlin:  Thurs, June 9, 4:23 pm


The Moon


moves into Cancer
in NYC: Fri, July 21, 4:09 am
in Vancouver: Fri, July 21, 1:09 am
in London: Fri, July 21, 9:09 am  
in Singapore: Fri, July 21, 4:09 pm  
in Sydney: Fri, July 21, 6:09 pm

moves into Leo
in NYC:  Sun, July 23, 4:33 am
in Vancouver: Sun, July 23, 1:33 am
in London: Sun, July 23, 9:33 am
in Singapore: Sun, July 23, 4:33 pm  
in Sydney: Sun, July 23, 6:33 pm

moves into Virgo
in NYC:  Tues, July 25, 6:32 am
in Vancouver: Tues, July 25, 3:32 am
in London: Tues, July 25, 11:32 am
in Singapore: Tues, July 25, 6:32 pm  
in Sydney: Tues, July 25, 8:32 pm

moves into Libra
in NYC: Thurs, July 27, 11:37 am  
in Vancouver: Thurs, July 27, 8:37 am  
in London: Thurs, July 27, 4:37 pm    
in Singapore: Thurs, July 27, 11:37 pm    
in Sydney: Fri, July 28, 1:37 am

moves into Scorpio
in NYC: Sat, July 29, 8:23 pm
in Vancouver: Sat, July 29, 5:23 pm  
in London: Sun, July 30, 1:23 am
in Singapore: Sun, July 30, 8:23 am   
in Sydney: Sun, July 30, 10:23 am

What does the
moon's sign tell
you?

See
Moon Signs and
Lunar Transits

Pluto is in Capricorn


Pluto has to do with the slowest, most relentless and most
inexorable trends.  In spite of being demoted from planet
status, it's still very influential when it comes to social
transformation.  

As soon as Pluto entered this pragmatic, restrained ascetic
sign, the economy took a very different shape.  Everyone
switched from spending and speculating to worrying and
saving.  The emphasis is on what works, not necessarily what
feels good.

This is a long-term conservative influence, but the word
"conservative" can mean a lot of different things.  It could
mean conserving the land, and becoming better stewards of
the earth.  It could mean conserving the wisdom of our elders.  
It could mean looking to the people who have spent their lives
developing practical skills and asking, "Okay, how do we do
this?"

Pluto has been in Capricorn since November 2008 and will be
here until March 2023.  

The Current Lunar Cycle
(2° Cancer)

This is an emotional lunar cycle. People are more
sensitive, more apt to cry at movies, to hug each
other, and to gush at every cute baby that passes
by.  The Cancer influence is very strong at the new
moon, so there’s also a very strong attachment to
home and family.

At the same time, because Mercury is close to the
sun and moon, there will be an outpouring of words
and other messages.  Everyone will have something
to say, and so there will be a lot of family chatter,
greetings from old friends, and round-table
discussions. People will share news and opinions,
especially about things that have a strong impact on
the family.   

Relationships will be stronger during this lunar
cycle, since there is a very close Venus/Pluto trine.  
It’s in earth signs, so there will be definite, practical
steps taken to strengthen your bonds with others.  
You may get married, buy a house with your
partner, or find another concrete way to make your
connection clear.  It’s not just about personal
relationships;  you could also make a commitment to
a group or an organization that is deeply relevant to
your life at this moment.  Artists could deepen their
commitment to their art.    

This lunar cycle lasts until the next new moon on
July 23.  Its climactic moment is the full moon on July
9.   

The new moon occurred
in NYC: Fri, June 23, 10:30 pm
in Vancouver: Fri, June 23, 7:30 pm
in London: Sat, June 24, 3:30 am
in Singapore: Sat, June 24, 10:30 am  
in Sydney: Sat, June 24, 12:30 pm

Venus is in Gemini

This is a friendly place for the planet of
love and pleasure.  It lends itself to easy-
going conversations, low-key
discussions, and pleasurable mental
diversions.  People are friendly, witty and
engaging, and they laugh a lot under this
influence.  Nothing seems quite as
serious as usual.  

The emphasis is on popular culture -  TV
shows, romance novels, thrillers, pop
music, action films.  Everyone wants to
be entertained, without having to work
too hard to figure out what’s going on.  
However, there’s a lot of curiosity to
Gemini, and so even rather abstruse
works of art can find an audience.  There
will always be someone ready to explain it
to everyone else.

The main thing now is communication.  
There are lots of bridges being built –
between people and people, between
people and ideas, between ideas and
ideas.  Everyone is engaged in making
connections.  The world is a small place,
but it’s a place of constantly milling
people.  Everybody wants to experience
the whole range of activities, to glide
smoothly from one place to the next,
never stopping or getting too enmeshed.

When it comes to relationships, this lends
itself to casual friendships and to speed-
dating more than to deeper levels of
intimacy.  It’s a good time to get to know
someone, to hang out with them in lots of
different circumstances.  By the time
Venus leaves Gemini, you’ll have
developed an easy and comfortable
connection, and you can see whether
you’d like to take it further.          

Venus will be in Gemini until July 31.      

Venus entered Gemini
in NYC:  Tues, July 4, 8:11 pm
in Vancouver: Tues, July 4, 5:11 pm  
in London: Weds, July 5, 1:11 am  
in Singapore: Weds, July 5, 8:11 am    
in Sydney: Weds, July 5, 10:11 am  

Neptune is in Pisces

This could be a time of beautiful spiritual
flowering, a time when large numbers of people
open up their hearts and connect with each
other. The idealism of Neptune becomes
deeply intuitive, emotional and sympathetic
when this planet goes through Pisces.

The matter of faith is likely to be paramount as
Neptune goes through this sign.  Who and
what do we trust?  People will have a stronger
need to believe in something (or someone),
and this can mean that some folks will be
preyed upon by unscrupulous con men. A
gullible populace isn't always good at picking
leaders, so it will be important to talk as clearly
and fully as
possible about all the issues of the day. Open
communication is important and protective
during this period.      

Neptune is the planet of the strange, so things
may take odd turns.  Everyone will be a little
more susceptible to illusions, confusion,
fascinations, and poetic deliriums.  New drugs
could make an appearance – both medicinal
and recreational -  and new healing techniques
be developed.  Creativity is enhanced by
Neptune in this sign, especially when it comes
to rhythmic forms like music and poetry, and to
the arts of illusion such as theatre and film. We
could see the flowering of some amazing new
art-forms.  

Religious institutions get new life from
Neptune’s passage through Pisces, but only if
they offer a true connection with the wisdom of
the inner self.  It’s not a time for dogma, but for
breaking down all artificial divisions and
merging with the infinite.  

Neptune will be here until March 2025.  

Neptune entered Pisces
in NYC:  Fri, Feb 3, 2012, 2:03 pm
in Vancouver: Fri, Feb 3, 2012,
11:03 am
in London:  Fri, Feb 3,2012, 7:03 pm
in Berlin: Fri, Feb 3, 2012, 8:03 pm
in Sydney: Sat, Feb 4, 2012, 6:03 am
   
Mars is in Leo

This is a time of extra passion, excitement and will-
power.  Mars is the planet of action, and in Leo, it’s
especially strong, confident and in charge.  You are
less likely to stand on the sidelines, more likely to
charge into the fray, to get involved, to take a few risks.

Pride is stronger when Mars is in Leo, and the urge to
defend your pride is stronger too.  And so sometimes
conflict is all about posturing, bluffing, and scoring
points, with nothing real at stake.  If you find yourself
involved in something like this, try to find the funny side
of whatever is going on.  Once you can laugh at
yourself, you can usually move on to some more
productive activity.  But don’t laugh at other people
before they’re ready, as they could become even more
infuriated.

This is a very creative time.  You’re more ambitious,
and you need to express yourself in a big, vivid,
colorful way.  Everybody needs an audience, and
everybody needs a certain amount of applause.  So
don’t hog the spotlight, but don’t avoid it either.  Take
your turn in the sun, and then be generous with other
people as they show what they can do.

You are more playful while Mars is in Leo, so be sure to
incorporate some spontaneous playtime in your life.  
Go out and run around with your dog in the park, or
find some kids who want to play hide-and-seek.  When
you do things just for the fun of it, you’re
rejuvenated.       

Mars will be here until September 5.  

Mars entered Leo
in NYC:  Thurs, July 20, 8:19 am
in Vancouver:  Thurs, July 20, 5:19 am
in London: Thurs, July 20, 1:19 pm
in Singapore: Thurs, July 20, 8:19 pm  
in Sydney: Thurs, July 20, 10:19 pm

The sun is in Cancer

Happy summer solstice!  Cancer is a warm, sweet, nurturing sign,
and as the sun moves through this sign, people spend more time
laughing, crying, hugging, and being sentimental.  There is an
emphasis on caring for others, and protecting those who are
vulnerable.  Your children will be more likely to bring street urchins
home to dinner, and to adopt all the lost animals they find.  

At the same time, because feelings are so strong, everyone can be a
little moodier while the sun’s in Cancer.  One minute, your lover gives
you the shirt off her back, and the next minute she’s pouting because
you forgot to praise her bread pudding.  People can be needier,
more dependent on each other.  If you’re normally a person who
goes solo, you may get a little too much togetherness during this
sunsign.  On the other hand, it might be nice to have a lot of friendly
people watching your back for a change.

Whenever the sun goes through a water sign, sensitivity is
increased.  So you’re picking up what other people are feeling,
whether they admit it or not.  You’re picking up the vibes in your
environment, even if it’s not quite clear where these vibes are coming
from.  You may be sensing what that silent person over in the corner
is going through, or you may be in touch with something that
happened in this room forty years ago.  It’s a time when psychic
abilities are increased, but it still takes some practice to use them
effectively.       

The sun will be here until July 22.  

The sun entered Cancer
in NYC: Weds, June 21, 12:24 am
in Vancouver: Tues, June 20, 9:24 pm  
in London: Weds, June 21, 5:24 am  
in Singapore: Weds, June 21, 12:24 pm   
in Sydney: Weds, June 21, 2:24 pm

The Next Lunar Cycle
(0° Leo)

This is a very stimulating, dramatic new moon, and it
ushers in an exciting lunar cycle.  The moon and sun
are very close to Mars, so there’s a lot of fiery
energy.  It’s bold, audacious, adventurous, and in
fact it looks rather like we’ll all have ringside seats at
a prizefight.  The sun, moon and Mars are all
squaring Uranus, and there’s a Jupiter/Pluto
square.  

Could this mean a major regime change here in the
US?  Of course, in the current administration, heads
are falling practically every minute, so it wouldn’t be
unusual for a few extra ones to roll.  But this doesn’t
look ordinary.  It looks like a swift, sudden, and
audacious exchange of power.   It looks like
unexpected acts of heroism.  It looks like a gamble
on a very different future.    

People will be motivated by a strong desire to stand
up and be heard, and there will be many taking
center stage who haven’t been there before.  Maybe
they’ve been modest, maybe they’ve been waiting in
the wings for the right moment.  This lunar cycle is
that moment.

Is that you?  Is there something you really want to
do, but you haven’t believed in yourself enough? If
your heart is in it, if your passions are stirred, then
go for it.  During this lunar cycle, the real losers will
be those who are motivated by cynicism.  

This lunar cycle lasts until the next new moon on
August 21.  Its climactic moment is the full moon
(with a powerful lunar eclipse) on August 7.  

The new moon occurs
in NYC:  Sun, July 23, 5:45 am
in Vancouver: Sun, July 23, 2:45 am  
in London: Sun, July 23, 10:45 am
in Singapore: Sun, July 23, 5:45 pm  
in Sydney: Sun, July 23, 7:45 pm

Mercury is in Leo

This is all about the Voice of Authority.  Some people
have it naturally, and they thrive when Mercury is in
Leo.  Other people are shy and retiring, but they are
also more likely to speak up with confidence when
Mercury is in this sign.  

It’s not just about being sure you’re right – although
that’s definitely a good part of it.  But Mercury in Leo
offers more, when it comes to communication skills.  It
gives warmth, passion, enthusiasm, and honesty, and
so people find it easier to understand and appreciate
each other.  Leo is not a cerebral sign, and so you
pick up as much from body language and expression
as you do from the actual words.  

Shared passions are important, and it doesn’t matter
how you convey your feelings – whether in long
speeches or entirely in mime!  You get your point
across, and your heartfelt message can kindle lasting
friendships and a few love affairs during this time.      

Leo is a very creative and expressive sign, so artists
of all kinds can enjoy Mercury in Leo.  It’s especially
good for performance artists, since Leo is so
dramatic.  Singers and poets can move people not
just by the words but by the tone and nuance and
rhythm of their voices.  

However, there are likely to be more arguments
during this Mercury sign, because the sense of being
right gets notched up to a new level.  There’s more
ego invested in the things people say and believe.  It
definitely helps that Mercury in Leo also inclines to
laughter, although it won’t necessarily deescalate
conflict if you laugh in your opponent’s face.  But
later, when you’re talking about it, laughter is good.  

Mercury will be here until July 25.     

Mercury entered Leo
in NYC:  Weds, July 5, 8:19 pm  
in Vancouver: Weds, July 5, 5:19 pm  
in London: Thurs, July 6, 1:19 am  
in Singapore: Thurs, July 6, 8:19 am    
in Sydney: Thurs, July 6, 10:19 am  

The sun enters Leo

The sun is exuberant in its own sign, Leo.  
Everyone is encouraged to live a little bit more
loudly:  to be more dramatic, to express
themselves, to shine.  People who are
comfortable in the spotlight are even happier
to be there when the sun is in Leo.  People
who are shyer gain confidence as they see
how much fun everybody else is having.  And
audiences are also greatly appreciated when
the sun is in this sign.  

This is a nice time for children, and it brings
out the child in all of us.  It’s a time to soak up
the sun, to be free and playful, to sing and
dance, to clown around, to climb trees and
look at the view from above.  Everything is out
in the open, there’s freedom and high spirits
and bright colors, and people are living for the
moment.  

There can also be quite a lot of jousting while
the sun is here.  Some battles for dominance
are just for show, but others are quite serious.  
This is the time when the alpha dog may have
to deal with a lot of challenges from the lesser
dogs.  There is more posturing, and social
events may become fabulous and outrageous
affairs during the sun’s sojourn in Leo.  

The sun will be here until August 22.  

The sun enters Leo
in NYC: Sat, July 22, 11:15 am
in Vancouver: Sat, July 22, 8:15 am
in London: Sat, July 22, 4:15 pm  
in Singapore: Sat, July 22, 11:15 pm  
in Sydney: Sun, July 23, 1:15 am

Mercury enters Virgo

Mercury is at home in Virgo, one of the signs it
rules.  Everybody becomes more organized,
analytical and methodical, and a little more
conscious of the objects around them.    Even
normally untidy people may feel a sudden urge
to organize the spice-rack, or wash their sheets,
or recycle all their newspapers.     

It’s a good time to look at the smaller issues,
and figure out how they all fit together and form
bigger issues. Small parts make up a smooth,
unified whole.  Everything has a place, and
when things are in their places, and functioning
as they’re meant to function, it all goes more
smoothly.

Mercury’s passage through Virgo is a good time
to deal head-on with health issues.  How is your
nutrition, how is your level of exercise, are you
doing things to combat stress?  This is a good
time to fix anything that isn’t working well, in
relation to your body or your lifestyle.  It’s also
good for mending things around the house, and
for working in the garden.  And it lends itself to
an efficient bout of summer cleaning.  

There’s a focus on figuring out definite,
practical answers to specific questions. The
main danger of Mercury in Virgo is that details
can be so involving that you don’t see the whole
picture.  If you spend hours on some small task,
making everything perfect, you may not have
time to get to more crucial work.    

Mercury will be here until August 31.     

Mercury enters Virgo
in NYC:  Tues, July 25, 7:41 pm
in Vancouver: Tues, July 25, 4:41 pm
in London: Weds, July 26, 12:41 am
in Singapore: Weds, July 26, 7:41 am  
in Sydney: Weds, July 26, 9:41 am

Jupiter is in Libra

Jupiter enters a new sign yearly, so this could be considered the
astrologer’s New Year.  Jupiter’s effect is to expand the
characteristics of its sign, and so during the coming year, the
emphasis will be on relationships, and on finding the balance
between opposing viewpoints.

Libra is, at its best, a cooperative, egalitarian, altruistic sign, giving
an emphasis on what’s right.  So we can hope that the year will be
dedicated to promoting peace and justice in the world.  There will
be more negotiating, more legal processing, more diplomatic
overtures.  

Libra is all about the way we treat each other, and so the focus will
be on courtesy, manners and protocol.  To some, this will seem
curiously bloodless, but there is also a beauty to urban ritual.  
Because Libra is such a social influence, these repeating patterns
allow us all to interact without bruising each other’s sensibilities.   

Libra is not a sign of extremes.  And yet sometimes the Libran
emphasis on justice and equality can lead people to radical acts.  
It can be a strongly humanistic sign, with an inherent belief in the
value of human effort and understanding.  So we are likely to see
some people, and some groups, that take a strong stand for a
better world, and that don’t back down.   

Libra has a shadow side too.  It’s the sign that gives the strongest
desire to be liked, and so we could also see a lot more political
pandering under this sign.  Social scenes may become even more
intricate tangles of who’s in and who’s out.  And this sign, which is
so egalitarian at its best, can also be quite prejudiced, since
certain people may seem to fit better into the group.  
They’re read as more civilized, but the truth may be that they’re
just easier to label.    

This is an air sign, so it has to do with mental constructions.  Libra
emphasizes culture, so Jupiter in Libra could indicate an upsurge
in the arts.  Art could become more formal, more mannered, and
more graceful.  The Grecian urn is the most Libran of art forms:
perfection for its own sake, unrelated to human emotion.

Jupiter will be here until October 10, 2017.  

Jupiter entered Libra
in NYC:  Fri, Sept 9, 2016, 7:18 am
in Vancouver: Fri, Sept 9, 2016, 4:18 am
in London: Fri, Sept 9, 2016, 12:18 pm
in Singapore: Fri, Sept 9, 2016, 7:18 pm   
in Sydney: Fri, Sept 9, 2016, 9:18 pm

Saturn is in Sagittarius

Saturn is the planet of structure, duty and
responsibility, but it cuts loose a bit in
Sagittarius.  Sagittarius is expansive, and
so it lends itself to bigger, more ambitious
structures.  You want to create systems
that are solid and lasting, but that will fulfill
some of your larger ambitions as well.  

You see your responsibilities as part of a
larger picture these days.  
You’re thinking about the community as a
whole, about the future, about the world
you live in.  And this gives a little edge of
excitement to mundane plans.  

Rome was built brick by brick, with great
attention to structure, right?  And when it
was done, there it was:  a gorgeous,
cosmopolitan city.  You’re thinking that
some of your structures may have the
same grandeur when they’re done, and
you’re willing to put time and attention into
the process, to make sure that they’re the
best they can be.  You can defer
gratification, but you don’t want to deny
your visions.  

During the years that Saturn is in
Sagittarius, there will be an emphasis on
thinking internationally.  People who have
lived insular lives will become acquainted
with a lot of people who are very different
from them.  Languages and cultural
literacy will become serious business, more
codified. There will be classes, exams,
promotions, on the basis of excellence in
these fields.  

Higher education itself will grow in prestige
during this period, and more people will get
college credit for traveling.  They’ll go off to
distant parts of the globe, and learn from
people who have figured out efficient and
sustainable ways to live on this earth.
There will also be a lot of tourists out there,
visiting parts of the planet that will vanish
or change utterly as the climate changes.  

Saturn will be in Sagittarius until December
19, 2017.  

Saturn entered Sagittarius
in NYC: Thurs, Sept 17, 2015, 10:49 pm
in Vancouver: Thurs, Sept 17, 2015,
7:49 pm  
in London: Fri, Sept 18, 2015,
3:49 am  
in Singapore: Fri, Sept 18, 2015
10:49 am    
in Sydney: Fri, Sept 18, 2015,
12:49 pm  

Uranus is in Aries


This is the revolutionary planet in the
revolutionary sign, so you know some stuff is
going to happen while it's here - mainly,
during the next seven years.

This is about liberation.  It's about freedom.   
It's about looking at the fixed structures that
rule our lives, figuring out which ones limit us,
and dismantling them.

There's a fast, reckless rhythm about Uranus
in Aries;  it's not always the wisest approach.  
There's an urge for immediate, spontaneous
action, and so people rush into things without
stopping to think.  Every moment is charged
with creative fire.      

It's pretty exciting.  But it's definitely not a
calm influence.  Everyone will need to stop
and take some deep breaths once in a while.

Uranus will be here until May 2018.

Uranus entered Aries
in NYC:  Fri, Mar 11, 2011, 7:49 pm
in Vancouver: Fri, Mar 11, 2011, 4:49 pm
in London:  Sat, Mar 12,2011, 12:49 am
in Berlin:  Sat, Mar 12, 2011, 1:49 am
in Sydney:  Sat, Mar 12, 2011, 11:49 am