Week 30: July 2023, Week 4 - The Week Ahead Horoscope
Venus is now Retrograde, and conjoins Mercury early this week near the Heart of the Lion. Mercury enters Virgo and joins Mars in deciet and fraud. All building up for the Full Moon next week.
Weekly Graphic
Monday, July 24th
[3:32 AM ET] MANZIL 16: The Moon enters Al-Zubana 12º51’ Libra
To start off this week, the Moon’s journey continues in Libra. The Moon is in a Cardinal sign which makes the pace of events faster, quicker, and liable to change. The Airy nature of the Moon is supportive for social interaction, communication, and bringing people together. The nature of Libra, as Venus’ domicile, is a passion for harmony, curating balance, soothing tensions, and bringing people together. The Moon in Libra has some interesting conditions this time around. First, Venus has stationed Retrograde over the weekend, and she’ll now be moving backwards through the zodiac over the next 40 days.
The Moon in Libra especially highlights this change in direction of Venus. She makes matters of diplomacy, relationships, union, and friendship of the utmost importance to review today. Venus’s Retrograde brings delays, anxieties, unreliability, and frustrations with what she represents: love, marraige, union, diplomacy, justice, alliances, and aesthetics.
When a planet is Retrograde, it is often compared to a person who encounters illness, and then their function becomes hindered by their weakening in condition. In this case, Venus makes the situations around relationships, partnerships, and the way people relate to each other a LOT more unstable, unreliable, and creates complications in the way people connect with others. A Retrograde planet also indicates the virtue of a planet eventually being undone, as the planet retraces its steps through the zodiac. If its Venus, marriages encounter delays, relationships are ending, and aesthetics are changed. If Venus is the planet who brings people together, when she is Retrograde she also has the power to push people apart. Like magnets who attract and repel each other— this is a very clear example of the relationship of Venus and Mars and the influence they bring into our live.
As Venus is situated in Leo, she brings this influence specifically to those signified by Leo. One thing we have seen in the news over the past week is the INSANE amount of divorces and relationship scandals amongst celebrities, or those who work where they are public. In Leo, Venus brings her influence amongst celebrities, those who are public, kings, and rulers. In terms of world astrology, this station is also in Leo and it speaks to the way the actions of the rulers, kings, and those in positions of power making circumstances hard for those who are women/femme/LGBTQ, all governed by the influence of Venus. The way politicans have been waged full on war on women’s reproductive health, transgender folk’s rights to access safe health care, and the ability for businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ folk is what the conjunction of Venus and Mars is that has been building since June, when Venus joined Mars in Leo. The warmongering politicans are Mars who are emboldened to show their hatred. I see that this month, and in August, it is a moment where people will be dealing with the ramifications of these news laws set into place as Venus enters into the heart of the Sun.
There’s also something to be said about Venus & Mars’ conjunction in Leo being very public displays of disrespect towards women/femme/LGBTQ+ folk amongst celebrities, in politics, & in 1-1 relationships. Mars is an indicator of harm & violence in relationships when paired with Venus. Mars in Leo is (was) the arrogant warmongerer. The interactions Venus and Mars have had in the sky show clear indications of men transgressing boundaries and being selfish/exploitative. Especially with legislation that has been passed in MANY states discriminating against LGBTQ folks, taking away women’s reproductive health, trans folks safe access to healthcare, its very obvious that people are feeling more emboldened to show their hatred. There is a selfishness that Mars brings to interactions that makes it imbalanced in power, not focused on mutual pleasure, and is violating. Venus stationing Retrograde is reflecting on the harm that has incurred between the interaction of the 2 planets. Additionally, seeing people double down on their arrogance is the entrance of the Sun in Leo moving closer towards Venus. The Sun in Leo is arrogant and abrasive as it harms planets who draw near to it, in this case Venus. Im seeing it globally & between others interactions.
Im very critical of delineations I see of Venus and Mars paired together. Its common to frame Mars as sex drive, passion, & sexuality, but this to me is reflecting more of how society tends to view sexuality from the perspective of men, which is commonly self-serving for men and only men. When we talk about relationships, sex, sexuality in astrology, Mars is a a malefic omen, and in the context of relationships it is often selfish, self serving, exploitative, and violating in nature. Venus is the significator of mutual pleasure, intimacy, union, LOVE, and playfulness.
Currently, Venus is NOT have fun in matters or relationships in the sky currently. Separating from a malefic, stationing retrograde, and about to enter under the beams— the condition of Venus right now is ROUGH. Not in good condition, severely maltreated. Unions dont currently feel mutual. Even in client work, it is very clear to see when Venus and Mars are in hard aspect that relationships in the person’s life often deal with individuals who are angry, harmful, and violate boundaries, like cheating (transgressing oaths when paired with Jupiter).
I think its important that astrology is reflective of ALL experiences that are going on and that be demonstrated in the language we chose to use when interpreting configurations. How do we articulate patriarchy’s attack on women/femmes/LGBTQ+ individuals through astrology? These larger structures in society affect our interpersonal relationships too, which is what Venus is all about. Institutionalized violence gives permission to those who uphold the instution to enact that violence in their interpersonal relationships. The person is always political.
ANDDDD this is where we are currently at in the sky y’all. This is the major themes for the week. Today the Moon will not connect with any planets, but applies to a sextile to Mercury and Venus, which will go exact tomorrow. Do not expect much to develop or move forward today as the Moon floats through the cardinal air sign. The Moon will be in the 16th Lunar Mansion today, Al-Zubana. Al Buni says that when the Moon is here, a spirit of opposities descends to the Earth. He mentions that whoever wears new clothes will endure a dog bite, slandered by their enemies, and endure painful bodily injury. Act accordingly with today being a day of opposites.
Tuesday, July 25th
[2:39 AM ET] The Moon in Libra sextile Mercury at 24º40’ Leo
[4:41 AM ET] MANZIl 17: The Moon enters Al-Iklil 25º42’ Libra
[10:00 AM ET] The Moon in Libra sextile Venus Retrograde at 28º28’ Leo
[11:05 AM ET] The Moon conjoins the South Node at 29º02’ Libra
[12:55 PM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Scorpio
[6:06 PM ET] The Moon in Scorpio square the Sun at 02º43’ Leo
On Tuesday, the Moon will make a sextile to Mercury and Venus in the morning ET. One of the major aspects that is highlighted this week is Mercury and Venus’ conjunction in Leo. They’ll make their conjunction on Thursday but the Moon highlights this aspect a few days earlier (today). Mercury has just exited the rays of the Sun and has become visibile in the evening sky as it conjoined Venus (28º away from the Sun). Usually when Mercury emerges from the beams, it signifies a proclamation of news, from messengers, and declarations are made. Mercury is the messenger who delivers news and in this case about aforesaid relationships, partnerships, unions, and binds. Mercury brings revelations of the changing of circumstances around relationships this week. The Moon will also conjoin the South Node in Libra for the first time as this sextile goes exact, so there is a really prominent theme of a loss, decrease, and ending brought to relationships and partnerships.
Throughout this time, the Moon will be in the 17th Lunar Mansion, al-Iklil, which is said to be of mixed fortune. Al Buni tells us that the spirit that descends to Earth urges malice between others, unrest, nefarity, corruption, and hatred. It is not advised to travel, marry, prosecute, dispute things, petition for your needs, planing fruits or crops. Additionally, Al Buni advises us to not wear new clothing nor tailoring it. A lot of these significations comes from the overlap of the Moon’s mansion falling in Libra and Scorpio. Right after the conjunction to the South Node goes exact, it will enter Scorpio.
The Moon enters into the sign she is Depressed/Fallen in when she comes to Scorpio. The Moon is the planet of safety, protection, comfort, and intimacy but when she is in Scorpio, she brings somewhat of the opposite: fear, malnourishment, and invasion of privacy. The Moon is not in a state of feeling protected and brings dissapointments with the flows of fortune. The Moon in Scorpio is connected to health problems and injuries while in Scorpio, but also the ensouling of things becoming corrupt. Harsh words, slander, and rumors are passed around by the Moon in Scorpio who indicates whisperings. As the Moon ingresses, they immediately make a square to the Sun in Leo in the overcoming square. The Moon will be half full in the sky by this time, and it highlights major tension and conflict in the sky today. There is this tension between Scorpio and Leo that describes privacy, secrets, and what is concealed versus publicitiy, visibility, and overt prescence. The sting that the Scorpion inflicts is the attention, visibility, and forcefulness of the Sun. Beware of sunburns and afflictions from heat. A square from the Sun also indicates conflict with rulers, authority figures, and their harm inflicted on the people.
Wednesday, July 26th
[12:27 AM ET] The Moon in Scorpio trine Saturn Retrograde at 06º03’ Pisces
[5:12 AM ET] MANZIL 18: The Moon enters Al-Qalb 8º34’ Scorpio
[7:31 AM ET] The Moon in Scorpio sextile Mars at 09º48’ Virgo
[1:38 PM ET] The Moon in Scorpio opposes Jupiter at 13º05’ Taurus
On Wednesday, the Moon will separate from a square to the Sun and apply to make a trine to Saturn. While the Moon approaches Saturn, it brings slowness, delay, and sluggishness into our lives. Saturn is an influence that brings seriousness, melancholy, and anxiousness early in the morning. The Moon will be besieged during the malefics during this time period, while being in Scorpio. It is an especially challenging condition for the Moon to be in while ALSO fallen. The advice of the ancient astrologers is to not drink, have sex, or go to war when the Moon is in Scorpio. When the Moon is besieged, it can bring injury and illness, accidents, fights, and conflict as the Moon applies towards a sextile to Mars, spurs action, energy, and fights. Mars in Virgo ruling the Scorpio Moon can also be an indicator of fraud, specifically fraud that is concealed. Actions taken are done out of fear, transgressing boundaries, and out of selfishness. Be mindful of the sting of the Scorpion felt through the words that are said during this time. The Moon besieged can also talk about food being spoiled, as the Moon is the ensouled of all spirit into matter and material form, but in Scorpio, all that is created is destroyed and decays. As the Moon is in the besiegement, it will be in the 18th Mansion, al-Qalb, which is said to be fortunate for buying weapons, war equipment, medicine, farming, ploughing, digging up buried things, taking purgatives, blood-letting, and cupping— all Scorpionic in nature. After the Moon leaves this besiegement, it will then make a trine to Jupiter in Taurus, which shows liberation, removal of burdens, restrictions, and limitations. Whereas Mars confers violence and conflict, Jupiter shows reconciliation and peace-making but not without conflict and strife, since the aspect is from the opposition. After this, the Moon will actually be enclosed between benefics since it will separate from Jupiter and apply to Venus. After a period of anxiety and stress comes comfort and security.
Thursday, July 27th
[4:59 AM ET] MANZIL 19: The Moon enters Al-Shawlah 21º25’ Scorpio
[11:15 AM ET] Mercury conjoins Venus Retrograde at 28º11’ Leo
[5:05 PM ET] The Moon in Scorpio square Venus Retrograde at 28º08’ Leo
[5:53 PM ET] The Moon in Scorpio square Mercury at 28º23’ Leo
[8:23 PM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Sagittarius
On Thursday, the Moon will enter the 19th Lunar Mansion, al-Shawlah, which is said to be characterized by fortune interwoven with misfortune according to Al Buni. It is recommended to bind or untie things apart during this time, making or breaking agreements, and deeds that are ambivalent. However it is not advised to sew new clothing, make talismans, or do spiritual healing. Seclusion and isolation are recommended. While the Moon is in this mansion, she will be applying to both a square to Mercury and Venus, who make their conjunction today. The Moon in Scorpio squaring Venus Retrograde in Leo shows stings, irritation, and scandal in relationships. It makes relating to each other, friendship, and interactions challenging as the Moon is disappointed in her fall and connecting with an unreliable (retrograde) planet, Venus. Additionally, challenging news about relationships, conflicting information, and mental stress are indicated by the Moon making a square to Mercury. The revelation of news about changes in relationships, partnerships, diplomacy, and alliances is revealed today as the Moon witnesses Mercury and Venus conjoin from a harsh gaze. Partnerships and unions met with scorn and slander from the Moon. Afterwards the Moon will leave her depression in Scorpio and enter Sagittarius. This brings a much needed relief and shift from the challenges of the Scorpio Moon.
Friday, July 28th
[3:59 AM ET] MANZIL 20: The Moon enters Al-Na’a’im
[5:21 AM ET] The Moon in Sagittarius trine the Sun at 05º04’ Leo
[6:51 AM ET] The Moon in Sagittarius square Saturn at 05º55’ Pisces
[4:08 PM ET] The Moon in Sagittarius square Mars at 11º16’ Virgo
[5:31 PM ET] INGRESS: Mercury enters Virgo
On Friday, the Moon will continue to move through Sagittarius and it enters the 20th Lunar Mansion, al-Na’a’im, which is said by Al Buni to be “fiery, fortunate, and dazzling.” He goes on to say that it urges love between others, good fortune, and happiness. It is recommended to craft precious stones, embark on the study of religion and wisdom, make talismans, build buildings, and wear new clothes. The Moon will make a trine to the Sun in Leo as this happens. This is very fortunate as the Sun is a triplicity lord of the Moon, who is domiciled, in Leo, and in the 9th house from the Moon. Sagittarius and the Sun both have significations of prophecy, wisdom, and the attainment of knowledge and that is definitely felt as the Moon applies towards a trine to the Sun. It is good for seeking the favor of rulers, entertainers, those knowledgeable and wise, as well as administrators. Just an hour after this goes exact, the Moon will immediately square Saturn in Pisces, which makes us very aware of blockages, limitations, restrictions, and delays found in our path. Saturn’s influence can make us lethargic and tired, desiring no action or energy. There is this dual influence to the Moon in a double bodied sign and we can see this embodied in the aspects the Moon is making. She makes a trine to the Sun which bestows knowledge and clarity but the square to Saturn brings fear, uncertainty, and anxieties. Be mindful of sudden shifts towards uncertainty. The Moon will enter into a much harsher besiegement right after this square goes exact and will then be applying towards Mars for most of the day. This besiegement is more harsh than that of the Moon in Scorpio because the Moon was making softer aspects to the malefics, but here the malefics are throwing all of their harmful rays towards the Moon. This can look like getting attacked for your beliefs, perspective, and worldview. Mars overcoming the Moon from Virgo can look like inflamed passions that can be borderline dogmatic if pushed too far. Mars overcoming the Moon brings fights, conflict, confrontation, attacks, and injury. Be mindful of the challenging condition the Moon is making today.
Today also marks Mercury’s entrance into Virgo which builds a really INTERESTING story over the next few weeks. Mercury will enter into its domicile and exaltation where all of its qualities are supported and strengthened. You’ll notice communication gets clearer, sharper, and more articulate as Mercury comes into prominence. However, there is a LOT of malefic vibes that Mercury sees upon its ingresses. It will be applying towards a conjunction to Mars, it witnesses Saturn from the opposition, and it witnesses Jupiter from a trine in Taurus. Wherever Mercury travels in the zodiac, it communicates the influence of that planet— so Mercury communicates the tension of Mars/Saturn that is felt in the sky currently. Mercury will apply to oppose Saturn in Pisces first which brings muddiness, uncertainty, and confusion met with strong facts, details, discernment, and critical analysis from Mercury. Mercury is actually going to spend some time in Virgo though because it will be here for the next 2 months, gearing up for its next Retrograde cycle in the entire sign. Mercury stations Retrograde on August 23rd, Direct on September 15th, and leaves Virgo by October 4th. So August to October is all Mercury in Virgo. Mercury is seeking Mars in Virgo, but a very familiar circumstance will occur between the planets. Leading up to the end of August, Mercury and Mars will be moving closer in the sky signifying a building of circumstances and expectations in the sky, but because Mercury slows down, the conjunction will never perfect, and Mercury will revoke its aspect from Mars. It’s another Refranation. Mercury will revoke their aspect from Mars, and in Virgo there is a lot of significations related to fraud, scams, and trickery with technology that is expected. Mercury in Virgo offers a good level of discernment to cut through the bullshit but Mars in Virgo is an indicator of fraud and corruption of money, of letters, and documents. Mercury will put their head on straight thought and separate from Mars as they station Retrograde. We’ll talk more about this later, but this is the situation Mercury will be walking into come today. Interesting omen as the Moon is besieged as this ingress happens.
Saturday, July 29th
[2:13 AM ET] MANZIL 21: The Moon enters Al-Baldah 17º08’ Sagittarius
[7:51 PM ET] The Moon in Sagittarius trine Venus Retrograde at 27º39’ Leo
[11:44 PM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Capricorn
[11:44 PM ET] MANZIL 22: The Moon enters Sa’d Al-Dhabih 0º00 Capricorn
Going into the weekend, the Moon will leave the besiegement of Mars and Saturn which helps to alleviate some of the stress that incurred yesterday. Moving forward, her next application is a trine to Venus Retrograde in Leo. While Venus is unsure, uncertain, and moving backwards this aspect of friendship can be supportive for reflecting on what one’s values are after experiencing this inflaming situation of the besiegement. What types of connections and relationships are supportive becomes the main question of the Moon today. The Moon trine Venus is good for socializing, but with delays or uncertainty, friendship, and laughter. The Moon and Venus aspect each other with no reception here, so the indications of the support Venus has to offer is weak. It can be supportive for sleep, relaxing, rest, as well as artistic and creative pursuits.
The Moon will be in the 21st Mansion, Al-Baldah, when this aspect perfects and Al-Buni says that it is fiery and unfortunate. The spirit that descends below strives for enmity, hatred, separation, and malice. It is advised to not do any works at all— do not barter, wear new clothes, make talismans, work with gem stones, spiritual healings, farming, or planting, or traveling, marrying— none of it is advised.
The Moon will then enter Capricorn where it enters the sign of its exile. In the Saturnian territory, the Moon becomes slower, sluggish, more tired, and lacking action. The Moon enters the 22nd lunar mansion, Sa’d Al-Dhabih, which is said to be mixed fortune according to Al Buni. He claims nothing in it shall work well— people are nitpicky and regret after buying and selling, the spirit of the mansion strives for hatred and enmity. However, he mentions it is good for secrets, burying things, and concealing things. It is definitely advised to remain cautious in action today.
Sunday, July 30th
[2:55 AM ET] The Moon in Capricorn trine Mercury at 01º56’ Virgo
[9:15 AM ET] The Moon in Capricorn sextile Saturn Retrograde at 05º48’ Pisces
[8:41 PM ET] MANZIl 23: The Moon enters Sa’d Bal’ 12º51’ Capricorn
On Sunday, the Moon will continue to move through Capricorn and it makes a trine to Mercury in Virgo. This is a very supportive application as this happens while the Moon is in Mercury’s Bound. Mercury in the overcoming position, strong, evening star, exalted, domiciled and whatnot is SUPER good for studying, learning, reading, writing, and doing all things related to Mercury. Mercury provides us with accuracy, clarity of knowledge, discernment, and the ability to learn skills with correctness. The Moon will then apply towards a sextile to Saturn which definitely slows down the pace of the day and brings more seriousness, desiring rest, and feeling overworked. Once the Moon sextiles Saturn, it will move into the 23rd mansion, Sa’d Bal’, which is said to be of mixed fortune, but is good for speaking with elder and community leaders, according to Al Buni. It is also good for crossing rivers, digging wells, and doing heavy labor— all things that speak to the Saturnian nature of this mansion. They say it is also suitable for going on outings and preparing banquets. After the Moon sextiles Saturn, it will be briefly besieged as its next aspect is a trine to Mars, which confers fights, conflict, confrontation, and action. There may be a period of anxiety that Saturn kicks in as the Moon connects with it. This should only last into the night and will not be as severe because the Moon’s next aspect after Mars will be a trine to Jupiter, who dissolves the challenges and conflict Mars brings, creating peace and creates alliances between the planets.
What software are you using for the charts? ty