We’ve got numerous planetary shifts today that will change the current course of events in many people’s lives.

First and foremost, this month’s New Moon is in Cancer today, and was exact at 8:04am EST.  This New Moon joins the Sun and Mercury in Cancer thus heightening its strength.  This is particularly nice since Mercury is now FINALLY moving forward again beginning today.  Although I do expect some more trickery from Mercury until it’s in full motion on the 18th. This New Moon is shining on all Cancers and impacting each of us.  How it impacts each individually is based upon the House Cancer represents in your natal chart.

In general, Cancer rules the Home and Family, thus these areas are accented for all of us.  Cancer is also one of the most emotional signs of the zodiac, so don’t be surprised if everyone’s emotions seem heightened over the next 2 weeks.  New Moons are excellent for beginning new projects or embarking on new courses of action.  So utilize this energy now, through the end of the month, to make progress in your life. 

However, the Moon went void of course (between signs) as soon as it went exact at 8:04am EST and will be void of course until 10:43pm EST tonight.  So wait until tomorrow to begin anything new.  

Next, Venus entered Virgo today, Sat., July 14th, at 2:23pm and will remain in the sign of Virgo until August 8th.  At that time it will retrograde back into the Sign of Leo.  But between now and then Venus will transit Virgo as Mars continues to transit Taurus.  This is particularly fortunate for all of us for it is when Venus and Mars couple up in same element signs (Virgo and Taurus are both Earth Signs) that love tends to improve, and this will be the case through the first week of August.   So that’s the good news.  While Venus is in Virgo, people may well be a bit more analytical about their love relationships.  So be aware of that while dealing with the object of your affection.  It is certainly worth noting.

However, Venus is going to be going through some changes between now and October and as a result people’s love lives could make some course corrections or changes while Venus retraces her steps.  These are the critical dates when Venus could begin to make course transitions:

Today, July 14th – Venus enters Virgo
Friday, July 27th – Venus retrogrades in Virgo
Wednesday, August 8th – Venus retrograde re-enters Leo
Saturday, September 8th – Venus goes direct in Leo
Monday, October 8th – Venus re-enters Virgo thru Nov. 8th

So as you can see, we have FIVE phases of Venus to contend with through early November and through each phase we may see changes of situations, hearts and minds.  This will mean something different to everyone, but keep a watch on these dates and know that the whole story may not be told until we get into October. 

What is very clear with Venus transiting back and forth between Leo and Virgo is that all of us are being asked to BALANCE romance (ruled by Leo) and analysis (ruled by Virgo) in our love lives and come to terms with what is best for us based on that balance.  This is, of course, a gross generalization of both of these signs, but you get the idea.  There are definitely reasons that Venus feels the need to retrace her steps right now back and forth through  Leo and Virgo.  So the best thing to do is go with the energies, lay back, and watch how events fall out.  And pay close attention to how you’re feeling as well.  This most affects Leos and Virgos and those with strong planetary placements in one or both signs within their natal charts.

Below, I have outlined which sign each planet is currently in and the date that each will change signs.  Note that Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto all remain retrograde.


Current Planet Positions:
Sun – Cancer, until July 23
Mercury – Cancer, until August 5
Venus  – Virgo, until August 8
Mars – Taurus, until August 6
Jupiter (R)  – Sagittarius, until Dec. 19
Saturn – Leo, until Sept. 3
Uranus (R) – Pisces, until Mar. 12 (2011)
Neptune (R) – Aquarius, until Feb. 4 (2012)
Pluto (R) – Sagittarius, until Jan. 27 (2008)