This week, Mercury stations for its latest retrograde period. An Aries Last Quarter Moon issues a final call to action in the Cancer New Moon cycle. Mars makes a conjunction with the South Node and asks that we let go of negative Mars traits. Mercury and Venus highlight heartfelt communication, and a listener question about synastry - what if you and your partner have very difficult aspects between your birth charts? Plus: Revisiting a major eclipse, sunshine after a storm, and – are you fooling yourself?

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Timestamps

[1:22] Moon Report! The Aries Last Quarter Moon is on Thu. July 17 (5:38 PM PDT) at 25º40’ Aries-Cancer. Both the Last Quarter phase and the Moon in Aries love a call to action-move toward the finish line with purpose. The Moon’s Sabian symbol is 26 Aries, A man possessed of more gifts than he can hold, and the Sun is on 26 Cancer, Contentment and happiness in luxury, people reading on davenports.

[4:30] This is the Last Quarter in a lunar phase family cycle (LPFC) that began at the New Moon/Solar Eclipse on April 19, 2023, at 29º50’ Aries. The First Quarter phase (first action point) of this LPFC on Jan. 17, 2024, at 27º31’ Aries, and the Full Moon (awareness point) was on Oct. 17, 2024, at 24º35’ Aries.

[6:41] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon periods. On Tue. July 15 (10:10 AM PDT), the Moon in Pisces trines the Sun in Cancer. It's VOC for 11 hours, 22 minutes, then enters Aries (9:32 PM PDT). Go with the flow instead of trying to force things that are not coming naturally.

[7:59] The Moon in Aries squares the Sun on Thu. July 17 (5:38 PM PDT). It's VOC for 7 hours, 20 minutes, and enters Taurus on Fri. July 18 (12:58 PM PDT). Use this VOC Moon period to assert your needs in a way that others will probably respect, even if they aren't always pleased with your point of view.

[9:05] On Sat., July 19 (11:43 PM PDT), the Moon in Taurus sextiles the Sun in Cancer. It's VOC for 3 hours, 39 minutes, then enters Gemini on Sunday, July 20 (3:22 AM PDT). Spend relaxed time with loved ones, and pledge to make such get-togethers a more frequent occasion.

[10:37] Mercury stations retrograde on Thu. July 17 (9:45 PM PDT) at 15º34’ Leo, on the Sabian symbol 16 Leo, Sunshine just after a storm. Mercury will be retrograde until Aug. 11, when it turns direct at 04º14’ Leo. Retrogrades are the universe's way of slowing us down for a bit, so keep your schedule lighter than you normally would. This retrograde is, in a sense, our permission slip to hit pause.

[12:48] On Fri., July 18 (6:37 AM PDT), Mercury retrograde sextiles Venus at 15°34’ Leo-Gemini. This aspect invites us to revisit conversations or creative ideas we previously put on hold. Catch up on your emails and your texts on this day. The Sabian symbol for Mercury is 16 Leo, Sunshine just after a storm. The Sabian symbol for Venus is 16 Gemini, A woman Suffragist haranguing.

[14:54] Mars conjoins the Moon's South Node on Sunday, July 20 (6:59 PM PDT), at 19º38’ Virgo on the Sabian symbol 20 Virgo, An automobile caravan. Adjust your expectations to a somewhat more reasonable standard or level. Refuse to judge others and yourself based on imperfection, and avoid criticizing.

[16:57] Listener Joanna asks about synastry. What if you and your partner have very difficult aspects between your birth charts?

[22:11] If you’d like to have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: Subscribe, like, review and share with a friend!

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299 | Mercury Retrograde: Permission to Pause!

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