Charm School
The Libra First Quarter Moon (July 2, 2025, 12:30 pm PDT, 11º09’ Libra) marks the first action point in the lunar cycle, where it’s time to act on the dictates of the recent Cancer New Moon – a New Moon that focused on home, house, family, and tribe. The Cancer New Moon is protective, its cardinal influence hewing close to home. Our Cancer New Moon objectives can take time to unfold, because we’re shy of pushing them out into the world.
But Libra is more sociable, more collaborative, and moves things forward with dimples and social connections. Libra has a sweet way about it, but make no mistake – it is a cardinal sign and determined to get things moving. Astrologers used to like to say that Libra is just an Aries who’s been to charm school, and there’s a lot of truth to that. Libra has a way of persuading others to do its bidding while making them believe it was all their idea. It feels good to do things for someone who is smiling, flattering you, and making you feel smart and good-looking. At this First Quarter Moon, these are the methods that can further our New Moon plans.
There Will Be Lightning
More than thirty years ago, I met my husband when he came to me for an astrology reading. But I’d first heard his voice several months before, on my answering machine. The minute I did, I felt an intense rush of something I can only call electricity. I’d never experienced anything like that before, nor have I experienced anything remotely like it since.
Which is weird, because when I actually met him in person, he seemed fun, but not like romance material. That part took a lot longer, after many months of getting to know each other as friends. But something in me knew, from that first phone message, that this person would change my life.
Within two years, I’d left my fledgling, pre-internet astrology business, moved to another city, and married him.
We don’t like to change much, most of us. Oh, there are a few renegades who live for it; but generally, as long as we’re in a fairly comfortable position, we’d prefer to stay put.
But watch. Look at that fellow over there, who’s fallen madly in love with some divine creature. Watch as overnight he quits his job, gives up his apartment, and moves across country to be with the object of his desire. Oh, he can’t change his life fast enough.
Given a chance, love can change us. Watch as Venus, the goddess of desire, makes a conjunction with Uranus, the god of change, just before it leaves Taurus (July 4, 2025, 5:45 am PDT, 29º52’ Taurus). If you’re paying attention, Venus might kiss your cheek. If you’re lucky, there will be lightning – and there’s no telling where you might end up from there.
The Neighborhood
I’ve lived in the same neighborhood for many years now. On my daily walk, I encounter neighbors who are familiar, even if we don’t know one another by name. There’s the man with the knit cap and his one-eyed corgi; the quiet older woman who, I’m told, single-handedly remodeled her home; the two men with the adorable sheepdog, who trade quips with me. At the supermarket, I pick the line for my favorite checker.
Venus entering Gemini this week (July 4, 2025, 8:31 am PDT) reminds us of the pleasure to be found in simple, pleasant interactions with those around us. Gemini is the first of the three relational signs. Libra rules close relationships, Aquarius rules the way we relate as a society, and Gemini rules the casual conviviality of the neighborhood.
It seems we’ve not entirely recovered our social footing after the pandemic, and we’ve grown hungry for these connections; they are the social lubricant that keeps the gears of society moving comfortably. Venus in breezy Gemini reminds us that while we won’t become close to every person we encounter in our daily lives, a passing smile and a cheerful hello go a long way toward making us feel less alone.
Walking Along the Waterline
Navigating Neptune’s retrograde periods (beginning July 4, 2025, 2:33 pm PDT, 2º10’ Aries) 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. 10), the tide will come in and we’ll be pushed back to the shifting sands of the shore – to sit, spellbound, lulled by the sounds of the waves.
Work and the Spirit
When everything we desire seems to have been denied us, we can give up or we can try harder. Sometimes, we’ve been wishing for the wrong things, and the universe holds up a stop sign for our own protection. Other times, the approach we’re taking is wrong, or the timing is off.
As Venus sextiles Saturn (July 6, 2025, 1:43 am PDT, 1º53’ Gemini and Aries) we’re trying to decide whether something we want, or want to do, will be worth the hard work it will take to get it.
Fortunately, this aspect forms within hours of Venus’s sextile to Neptune (July 6, 2025, 7:47 am PDT, 2º10’ Gemini and Aries), when vision is strong and the muse is with us. It’s a fertile time for romance, and all manner of artistic endeavors – but the challenging work we do this week may be less important than the loving spirit with which we do it.
Writing and images © 2017-25 by April Elliott Kent
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