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Click on Your Sign to Read Your Monthly Forecast. Dates listed below indicate the sun’s transit through each sign for the 2007-2008 calendar year. For those whose birthdays fall on the cusp of a sign, refer to an ephemeris chart to determine which sign the sun was in at the precise time of your birth.

ARIES March 21- April 20	LIBRA September 24 - October 23
TAURUS April 21 - May 21	SCORPIO October 24 - November 22
GEMINI May 22 - June 21	SAGITTARIUS November 23 - December 22
CANCER June 22 - July 23	CAPRICORN December 23 - January 20
LEO July 24 - August 23	AQUARIUS January 21 - February 19
VIRGO August 24 - September 23	PISCES February 20 - March 20

July 2008 Featured Question of the Month:

Dianne in Boise asks,
“What’s the difference between your Sun Sign and your Moon Sign?”

Dear Dianne,

     The Sun Sign is based on which zodiac sign the sun was in on the date of an individual’s birthday, while the Moon Sign is determined by preparing a natal chart based on the exact time and location of birth.

     The Sun Sign refers to a person’s character and ego and how she tends to behave or react to certain situations. The Moon Sign is a good indicator of the emotional self and how one best expresses her emotions, as well as giving quite a bit of insight into how one’s subconscious self works. The combination of these two signs can usually give a fair idea of what someone’s total personality is like.

      Since the Sun’s position in the sky can be predicted with a certain degree of accuracy from year to year, it has therefore become the “popular” astrological sign. The Moon, however, changes signs about once every 2-½ days. That makes it a little more difficult to use in forecasting, though not impossible.

July 2008 Aspects:

SUN in Cancer, moves to Leo July 23
NEW MOON in Cancer, July 2
FULL MOON in Capricorn, July 18
MERCURY in Gemini, moves to Cancer July 11
VENUS in Cancer, moves to Leo July 13
MARS moves to Virgo July 1
JUPITER in Capricorn, Retrograde
SATURN in Virgo
URANUS in Pisces, Retrograde
NEPTUNE in Aquarius, Retrograde
PLUTO in Sagittarius, Retrograde

Your ruling planet, Mars, moves into Virgo on the first of July. This aspect will be of great benefit in helping you analyze where to direct your energies and in what order for the best end result. As someone who tends to “ram” his way through a situation rather than thinking it out first, this may seem like you’re being asked to wear an ill-fitted suit at first, but by the second week you should have figured out how to use the more structured energy to your advantage. Here’s an advance heads-up: there’s a significant change brewing for you in the fall, so it would be a good idea to use the Mars in Virgo energy to get your proverbial ducks in a row this month and next.

The significant change for some Arians will be in the relationship area…either because of a major commitment or break-up. For them, the signs will begin to show up this month.

Taurus, you are accustomed to other people trying to prod you into moving faster or making quicker decisions than you are wont to do, but this month the shoe seems to be on the other foot. On at least one project or work situation, you will be ready to make a move but other people will be blocking the way or not holding up their end. After the full moon on the 18th, you may be glad for their lack of cooperation or assistance as something comes to light that shows that, had you moved forward when you were ready, it would have been a mistake. Thus, do not be in a rush to accomplish anything important, business-wise, the first half of July.

Your ruling planet, Venus, is encouraging you to give in to your love of beautiful things and lovely people during the first two weeks while she is still in peaceful, homebody Cancer. In fact, a Cancer person could be the perfect solution to get your mind off that project that isn’t going anywhere anyway.

     Summer has arrived, Gemini, and you are more than ready for a vacation. If you don’t have anything special planned for July, at least get away for a long weekend or two, doing something totally different from the norm. Otherwise you’ll find yourself daydreaming every day while you should be working or studying. Two events are making you feel rather antsy. First, Mars in Virgo is an uncomfortable placement for you as you prefer spontaneity to planned action. Second, your ruling planet, Mercury, moves out of your sign July 11, after spending a good portion of its visit with you in retrograde motion. You almost feel cheated over that! So it’s not surprising that you want some excitement now.

      Think back to last summer. There is a good chance you had an idea then about something you’d like to do or a place you’d like to live. It looks like the idea will pop up again and this time you’ll be in a better position to do some research and give it serious consideration.

      Meanwhile, a summer fling seems to be on the itinerary…perhaps someone you meet on that impromptu vacation. Don’t let the fantasy make you forget your good sense.

     For those Cancers who have already celebrated their birthdays in June, congratulations, and for those getting ready to party, many happy wishes go out to you. You have probably already noticed that something is going to be different this year. It may be that you are starting to feel stronger or more confident mentally, emotionally, financially, career-wise or health-wise, all depending on your individual chart, but in some way you should be feeling an “upgrade” is in progress in your life.

      Venus, in your sign since June 19, has been doing whatever she can to encourage you to update your appearance to match the sex appeal she’s been bestowing on you. The sun has also been on you full blast to attract attention to you and your talents. Romantic interludes are highly possible but you seem to be more preoccupied with business and financial security (which is another Venus area). If you are single and truly want a mate, there is at least one someone who would fit the bill, but it will require your leaving the office/house. Business gets even more interesting though when Mercury joins the celebration on July 11. Expect lots of help with anything that needs written or verbal skills to leap to the next level.

      There is a strong possibility of an important contract or written agreement being finalized in the second half of the month.

      Your personal new moon is on July 3rd. Be sure to spend some time outdoors that night and tell your wishes, big and small, to the Goddess, then release them to her care.

Mars has moved out of your sign but he left plenty of good stuff behind! You should have all sorts of projects starts, irons in the fire and so on. All you have to do is keep everything moving for the first two weeks of July and more cosmic help will be descending upon you. On the 13th, Venus enters Leo, which is a little like putting a cherry on top of a six-inch high hot fudge sundae piled with whipped cream. Everyone will want to be a part of anything you are doing. There should be no shortage of assistance if any is needed…and that goes for financial support as well as Venus rules love and money.

If that doesn’t put a big enough smile on your face, add to that the Sun enters Leo on July 23 and then, well, let’s just say, the sky’s the limit for the lion. Just try to remember all the little people…

Saturn, the Karmic Lord and Taskmaster, has been putting you through some pretty tough paces but you’re about to get a reprieve in July. Although Saturn will still be throwing tests and challenges at you, at least you’re beginning to expect them and, if you’ve done your homework, you’ve probably also figured out the life area in which the big lesson is going to be learned. But on July 1, Mars enters Virgo with its gift of male energy. Mars works fast and aggressively so don’t be shocked if you wake up on the 2nd feeling better than you have in months. Also, don’t waste a minute questioning it. Just take advantage of it. Get things done. Make decisions. Charge full speed ahead on something…anything that will make you feel good about yourself and your abilities.

Another effect Mars will have on the Virgin is to create a magnet for romance. By the way, it may come in a very unexpected package. Just accept it as a gift from The Universe to help you cope with Saturn’s visit.

Libra, your ruling planet, Venus, begins July in homebody Cancer and finishes it in look-at-me Leo. Expect to personally feel the drastic shift from being “pretty in pink” to “too sexy for my clothes”. At either end of the spectrum, however, you can expect attention from the opposite sex this month.

You seem to be in the mood to forget about work, money, home, even family and lose yourself in the yummy sensations of falling in love. The only problem is that you want it to be like it is in the movies and romance novels—instant and without thought—but Mars in Virgo is going to insist you think it through and perform an analysis on any viable applicants for the position of your romantic lead. Ah well, it’s still better than sleeping alone. Or is it?

One thing you instinctively know is when to speak and when to listen. July is one of the listening times. And watching. And filing away information and observations. There is much to be learned this month by being passive and very little advantage to making your thoughts or positions known to others. Even in personal/intimate relationships be sure to do more listening than talking.

There is one caution flag being waved in the stars for Scorpios this July. Take care of your health. If you’ve been negligent or abusive to your body, this is a good month to correct that. If you haven’t had a checkup for a while, get one and take care of whatever shows up. If nothing else, commit to a healthier lifestyle and take action to make it so.

The current placement of your ruling planet, Jupiter, may be causing you some difficulties in your office or wherever you work. Although Jupiter is called the Great Benefactor and Fairy Godfather of the zodiac, in a natal chart, Jupiter has influence over an individual’s career area. It is now sitting in Capricorn, which is the workaholic of the zodiac and thus, additional focus is being placed on work and careers at this time. Added to that is the fact that Jupiter is in retrograde motion, which translates to a general lack of progress and in some cases, work-related projects are having to be completely redone. As Sagittarius is the fun-loving free-spirit sign, anything that forces him or her to keep nose to the grindstone is unpleasant and all of the above aspects are resulting in just that. The best advice I can give you this month is to take any vacation time you’ve accrued and get out from under the scrutiny of the workaholics.

In the wee, wee hours of the morning on July 18th, the moon is full in Capricorn! This is an annual event that should not be taken lightly. It bestows you with unlimited magical power, feminine mystique, telepathy, levitation, precognizance… Okay, maybe it won’t do all that for you, but it does possess very strong energy that has scientifically proven effects on tides, plants and human behavior. Be sure to stand outside, be still and soak up some of that energy as soon as you wake up. Pay special attention to any thoughts or new ideas that come to you. The Moon Goddess just may have a little gift of true magic for you if you are open to receive it.

Jupiter continues to be retrograde in your sign so the advice to use this time to research and review ideas and plans regarding work and career still holds. It also makes it a good time to get out of the office/house and socialize. When things start perking again, you probably won’t have time. Separately, this is a very good month to re-start that health regime you promised to keep up back in March.

If the last two months have felt like you’ve been running on a treadmill—lots of exercise without actually getting anywhere—feel free to blame the stars. But only if you will also give them credit when things finally start breaking loose in July. What had seemed like lack of progress will turn out to be a solid foundation. The delays will have turned out to make for perfect timing. Mars in Virgo is going to help you pick up some little details that others have missed. In other words, everything will work out exactly as it is meant to.

In your personal relationships, try to be extra considerate and soft-spoken with family members who are feeling left out of certain parts of your life.

Fellow water sign, Cancer, has such lovely aspects this month that some of it has overflowed onto you. Read Cancer’s message to get a hint of what might come your way. Definitely expect to have some attention paid to you by the opposite sex and at least one solid romantic offer within the month of July.

Mars in Virgo is also promising to help you follow through with any of those great ideas that pop into your head this month. Be sure to carve out time to work on them.

Felix Rodriguez has been a practicing astrologer since 1981. A member of the American Federation of Astrologers, he has been trained in all areas pertaining to Natal and Progressed Horoscopes. Felix can be reached at felix@thelotuscircle.com