A combination of factors provide a more genial atmosphere than previous weeks.  Venus strolls through Cancer unafflicted this week, handing out rewards, pouring honey on wounds and greasing wheels.  On Friday night, the Sun moves into Leo, lending a vital light to the atmosphere for the next month.  The next day, Saturday the 23^rd, boasts an unusually benefic configuration as the Moon conjoins Jupiter in Taurus.  Behind the scenes, however, Mercury is gearing up for another retrograde, sowing the seeds of tricks yet to be played- so keep an eye out for the old word-thief.

 The Great Goddess of Comfort Food

  Venus spends the week sauntering through the second half of Cancer, baking us up comfort food as well as greasing both wheels and palms.

Right now and for the next year Venus is unusually important because she rules both Jupiter in Taurus and Saturn in Libra.  For those who don’t speak astrologese, it means that both our obstacles and victories will go hand and hand, closely linked to Venus’ passage through the skies.

From now until the 28th, Venus will be in a position to soothe ruffled feathers and pad empty bank accounts.  Take advantage of it while it lasts.

A Lion’s Toothy Smile

The Sun’s move into Leo on the 22^nd reinforces confidence, renews  spirit, and relieves us of the excessive sensitivity the Sun’s time in Cancer brought.  This bright center burns a path through the coming month, holding hot and steady in the sky until Sol’s egress into Virgo on August 23^rd.  It’s a good time to consider what you represent, as well as how you represent it.

Early Warning System

Mercury will not be retrograde until August 2^nd, but has already entered the degrees of Leo which he will wipe back across retrograde.  This area, shadowed by the coming retrograde, is strewn with small errors, miscommunications and technical problems.  It is here that we’ll first encounter the issues that will bloom into  problems come August.  Keep an eye on communications and the technology you depend upon.  This is your change to nip issues in the bud.

Horoscopes

Horoscopes are not a real chart reading by an experienced astrologer.  However, they are fun and can be reasonably accurate.  In addition to referring to your Sun sign, read your from Ascendant and Moon if you know them.  If you don’t, find out. I’m a long time fan of the free chart generation software at astro.com.

Oh, and if you’re still concerned that your sign has changed, get a little clarity here.

Aries:  The Ram

Venus in Cancer soothes your rankled foundations, magnetizing good times to the place you lay your head.

The Sun’s movement into Leo on Friday tones down the last month’s drama,  its rays shifting to boost your confidence and creative energy for the next month or so.

Meanwhile, Mercury creeps into the shadow of the coming retrograde.  You’ll likely find yourself begin to consider how what you think about yourself structures your energy.  What you create is defined, in part, by what you think you are.

Taurus:  The Bull

Venus in Cancer greases the wheels for you socially, opening the door to some good times and pleasant communications this week.

The Sun’s movement into Leo on Friday night dials down the tension a little bit, bringing a certain warmth to your emotional foundations and some support to your living situation.

Meanwhile, Mercury creeps into the shadow of the coming retrograde.  See if you can spot the changes that August will deem necessary to your living situation and/or what you consider your base- your foundations.

Gemini:  The Twins

Venus in Cancer puts some resources in your hands this week and may well slip you a few bills.

The Sun’s movement into Leo on Friday dials down the tension a little bit, sending a few sunny rays into your mind over the next month.

Meanwhile, Mercury creeps into the shadow of the coming retrograde, asking you can spot the snarls in your schedule that August will bring.   Keep your short term plans open for adjustments as we edge closer to August.

Cancer:  The Crab

Venus in Cancer brightens you mood this week, slathering your days with a little extra garlic and butter.

The Sun’s movement into Leo on Friday dials down the tension a little bit, shining a bright rays on your financial situation for the coming month.

Meanwhile, Mercury creeps into the shadow of the coming retrograde, asking you to consider what changes to your earning/spending ratio will be necessary as we stroll toward August.

 Leo:  The Lion

Venus in Cancer lends you some respite from uncomfortable emotional issues that likely flared up in the preceding weeks.

The Sun’s movement into Leo on Friday night bounces a few bright rays off your luxurious aura.  You’ll likely feel a few power surges as the Sun makes its way through your sign.

Meanwhile, Mercury creeps into the shadow of the coming retrograde, asking you to reconsider the mask and crown you wear.  The next month and a half holds an opportunity to revise the way you imagine and present yourself.  Self concept is your wardrobe, but you are the star.

 Virgo:  The Virgin

Venus in Cancer provides your social life with a pleasant energy this week, coating your contacts with chocolate sauce.

The Sun’s movement into Leo on Friday night shines a light into your hidden circuitry.  For the rest of the month, and much of August, the Sun will illuminate the darker corners of your mind, spotlighting the confidence you always forget exists.

Meanwhile. Mercury creeps into the shadow of the coming retrograde, stirrings questions of questions about who you are and what the hell you should be doing.  The next month and a half has plans to help you better understand the parts of yourself you have trouble with.  Like your taste in sweaters.

Libra:  The Scales

Venus in Cancer slathers your professional situation with a little bit of country gravy this week, kicking out rewards for jobs well done.

The Sun’s movement into Leo on Friday night brings a little relief, illuminating your social life and bringing a bit of good cheer for the next month.

Meanwhile, Mercury creeps into the shadow of the coming retrograde and you may find that it’s come time to rethink the way you move through social circles.  Consider making new friends, or deleting old ones.

Scorpio:  The Scorpion

Venus in Cancer sees you considering your trajectory though life in a favorable light this week.

The Sun’s movement into Leo on Friday night brings a strong spotlight to bear on your professional situation.  This spotlight will shine steady for the coming month.

Meanwhile, Mercury creeps into the shadow of the coming retrograde, prompting you to begin rethinking the way you approach your profession.   Watch out for miscommunications and technical problems at work.  Remember: Loose lips sink ships, but tight lips make your mouth look like an anus.

 Sagittarius:  The Archer

Venus in Cancer shines on your arrangements with people,  putting other people’s resources in your hands.

The Sun’s movement into Leo on Friday night expands your perspective, putting an emphasis on long range planning for the coming month.

Meanwhile, Mercury creeps into the shadow of the coming retrograde, prompting you to consider whether you may have made some errors whilst calculating your epic destiny.  Like you’ve been basing your life plan on a comic book character.  Which you have.  Own up.

 Capricorn:  The Goat

Venus in Cancer drizzles a little chocolate sauce on your relationships with people this week, adding a little ease to troubled dynamics.

The Sun’s movement into Leo on Friday night warms things up a bit, shifting the solar spotlight’s focus off of tense relationship dynamics and onto the resources you have to draw on.

Meanwhile, Mercury creeps into the shadow of the coming retrograde, asking you to begin consider changes in the fiscal arrangements between yourself and others.  If you need to collect on a loan, might I suggest the aluminum baseball bat?

Aquarius:  The Water Bearer

Venus in Cancer helps soothe a few fiscal and physical irritations this week, drowning a bill and an ache or two in sweet honey.

The Sun’s movement into Leo on Friday dials down the pressure on fiscal issues a bit, illuminating your significant relationships with a few sunny beams.

Meanwhile, Mercury creeps into the shadow of the coming retrograde, asking you to consider a new angle on partnerships, both professional and personal.

Pisces:  The Fishes

Venus in Cancer oozes a little fuel into your creative machine this week.  Make something pretty.

The Sun’s movement into Leo on Friday shifts the solar spotlight to your  physical and fiscal health.

Meanwhile, Mercury edges into the shadow of the coming retrograde, asking you to consider what habits you might change for the better.  A good start would be a solid commitment to not get poop on anything but the toilet.

 Portland Lecture and Workshops

 I’ll be in Portland from the 22nd-27th of September and have a few events planned for the weekend.   Click here for more info.

Private Consultations

If you find yourself a little confused by the strange waters of the season, or interested in a personalized map of those yet to come, consider a consultation.  For details, click here.  Send inquiries to ac@austincoppock.com.