"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. "

— Matthew 5:15

Venus leaves practical Virgo this week and moves into charming and creative Libra, setting a tone that may leave us less practical and prone to perfectionism. The Sun and Mercury's square to Jupiter increases idealism and may inspire over-optimism. However, Uranus turns retrograde in Taurus, increasing a desire for security — even though we want the freedom to do our own thing. The early part of the week may bring some determined, ego-invested, bluster. However, Mercury's inferior conjunction with the Sun on Wednesday offers [...]

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

— Lewis Carroll,
Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There

Mercury turns retrograde in Leo this week in a highly pressurized atmosphere that may be fraught with extreme frustration and feelings that our efforts are blocked at every turn. The Sun arrives in Leo to set off a Fixed Cross with the retrograde Mars and Uranus. To top the week off, Friday's Full Moon (4:20 PM PDT 4° Aquarius/Leo) brings surprises that will likely lead us to [...]

"People need trouble -- a little frustration to sharpen the spirit on, toughen it."

— William Faulkner

The seeds of profound frustration are sown this week and are likely to be fully apparent by Thursday's Cancer New Moon (7:57 PM PDT 20° Cancer). Mercury has entered the shadow of the next retrograde period (July 27th - August 19). As well, Mars is now retrograde and won't turn direct until August 27th, leaving us without effective levers to effect direct action. There are likely to be serious temptations to demonstrate our frustrations with explosive outbursts — or more. With Mercury in dramatic and demonstrative Leo, we may seek to display our feelings with extra flair and flourishes — even bombastic emphasis. However, no matter what pronouncements we may make or demands we issue, we are [...]