Getting Moving
I don’t know how schools are scheduled these days, but if you’ve ever had a long, indulgent summer break, you’ll know what it is to loaf around for far too long in a state of comfort and familiarity. Eventually, that indolence gives way to restlessness – or maybe mom nags you into getting outside for some exercise or just working on something productive. And then you find that even if you’re cranky about getting off the sofa, more often than not, tackling something productive leaves you feeling invigorated.
That’s the feeling of the Sun in Cancer square Saturn in Aries (July 6, 2026, 3:46 am PDT). The Sun is on the Sabian symbol 15 Cancer, A group of people who have overeaten and enjoyed it, and 15 Aries is An Indian weaving a blanket. Indulgence is addictive, but too much of it can push you into a dissatisfied torpor.
Like all squares, this one builds into strong tension. And ideally, it can motivate us to get moving and focus on creating something beautiful and practical.
Walking on the Waterline
Navigating Neptune’s retrograde periods (beginning July 7, 2026, 3:54 pm PDT) is like walking along the beach when the tide is out. The landscape looks a little stark, littered with ropes of kelp, chunks of driftwood, and birds scavenging for something to eat.
It’s a lot easier to walk on the compacted sand at the waterline, though. And at Neptune’s retrograde times, we seem to walk on more solid ground, with a clearer view of the inner and outer landscapes – whether we like that view or not. And then, when Neptune turns direct again (on Dec. 12), the tide will come in and we’ll be pushed back to the shifting sands of the shore – to sit, spellbound, lulled by the sound of the waves.
Let Aries Be Aries
Today’s Last Quarter Moon is in Aries (July 7, 2026, 12:28 pm PDT, 15º41’ Aries). Aries’ superpower is taking action – dwelling neither in the past nor the distant future, but responding to the most urgent considerations in the here and now.
But the Last Quarter Moon is a serious, reflective phase. Why did we do what we did, say what we said? Do we need to make amends, or just be more conscious moving forward? Throw in the Moon’s conjunction with Saturn, and you’ve got a rather heavy environment for Aries.
The Moon is on the Sabian Symbol 16 Aries, Brownies dancing in the setting Sun. It’s a light, whimsical symbol for such a serious Last Quarter Moon, but then, Aries is ruled by Mars, which is in Gemini now. So indulge in some reflection, but don’t let it go on indefinitely, or take you too low. Remember to dance a little while the Sun is going down. Let Aries be Aries.
Cleaning Up After the Party
It’s the day after a big, loud, memorable party, and your house is a shambles. You can be forgiven for just flopping down on the sofa to recover. But eventually, surveying the damage makes your head hurt and your nerves jangly. You decide you can manage the mess on the coffee table, so you slowly clear away glasses and crumpled cocktail napkins. On the way to the kitchen garbage bin, you pick up a few bottles, cans, and paper plates. The kitchen counter looks overwhelming, but you start by scraping serving platters and bowls and shifting them to the dishwasher. Soon, you’re moving methodically from room to room, humming a contented little tune as you restore order.
After the Venus in Leo party that began on June 13, when the emphasis was on fun, bright colors, and generally overdoing things), Venus enters Virgo (July 9, 2026, 10:22 am PDT, through Aug. 6) to play cleanup. Just remember that whether it’s cleaning your house, balancing your checkbook, or organizing your office, it doesn’t have to be done all at once. Pick away at it, piece by piece. You’ll soon find yourself sitting in a clean, quiet space, with a mindset to match.
Meanwhile, at the Bodega
Mercury turns retrograde when it’s reached its maximum distance ahead of the Sun. Like a little kid attached to its parents by an invisible leash, it races back toward the Sun with news of what’s just ahead. Some of it’s important, some of it isn’t. “There’s a big white dog about two blocks up the road!” and “The Wilsons are painting their house red!” spills out alongside “There’s a group of scary looking guys hanging around the bodega!” It’s not really Mercury’s job to sort out the important from the trivial; it’s all just news.
When retrograde Mercury reconvenes with the Sun by conjunction (July 12, 2026, 6:25 pm PDT), we get to ask ourselves whether any of its news is important to us, and how much energy we should put into preparing for what lies ahead. Meanwhile, Mercury continues on its way backward through our recent journey, looking for missteps. Did we forget to pay a bill? Overlook an important page on the document we signed? Neglect to make a service appointment for the car?
What needs to be addressed? Start with the things that will put you in a better position to deal with what you know is around the corner – the white dog, the Wilsons, the guys at the bodega. Then handle what’s obviously going to be helpful whatever comes your way. Pay the bill. Get the car serviced. And take some dog treats along with you.
