Home & Health Horoscope July 14-20
Mercury and Mars ask for flexibility & patience this week
Pause for this week: Mercury Retrograde & Mars/South Node conjunction
Two planets that speak often for our every day affairs, Mercury and Mars, are experiencing movements and alignments this week that give pause. First, Mercury will begin retrograde motion this Friday. Mercury’s energy speaks of aspects related to our mindset, communication, technology use, and travels, so it may be possible to experience some trickiness with these or similar topics. On the positive side, we have opportunity to edit and revise a Mercurial topic in our lives in order to create something new and improved.
Retrograde Dates: Jul 18 - Aug 11 (energy especially heightened several days before or after Jul 18)
Second, Mars, the planet that speaks of topics related to our drive, ambition, will, defensiveness, and experiences with conflict and anger, is aligning with the South Node on Sunday. We may feel like we don’t have the energy for certain aspects of life, or that we are losing steam or motivation. It is also possible that we find ourselves engaging in an intense activity that requires us to utilize a ton of our vital force, resulting in temporary depletion. Heat, inflammation, and edgy vibes may also be strong in response to energetic deficiencies. On the positive side, while energy in our outer world may feel like it’s dimming a bit, energy is always available for inner exploration and work.
Mars South Node conjunction Dates: Jul 15 - Jul 25 (3 degree orb) with strongest energy at its exact conjunction, Sunday Jul 20
** More details on the day of these alignments below!
Monday, July 14
Waning Gibbous in Pisces Double Water Day💧💧
Favorable day for: Showing compassion and gentleness with ourselves and others, infusing our spaces with Spirit, art, music and other Divine inspirations, trips to the ocean or other water bodies, sound baths
Daily vibe: A bit of harmony may be felt with the Sun and Moon sharing the element of water. Both Cancer and Pisces are signs that bring depth and care to our feelings and the emotions of others. Attention to how we can spiritually expand our inner life — as well as how we can incorporate presence and devotion into our homes, families, and our self care — could be a nice way to work with the next two days. “It’s taking the things you do every day and making those actions into a sacred offering” — Ram Dass.
The Pisces moon during Cancer season brings compassionate and gentle vibes. A caution for this energy: stay mindful of doing for others if you “feel bad” for their current story and watch tendencies to over give or self sacrifice.
For children: This double water day could encourage working with the arts, music, and imagination. I know a lovely woman with this sun and moon combination who was an art teacher for 30 years! Finger paints, water colors, jewelry making, or other creative works, and having music playing in the background (or practicing their own instruments) would be highly supported by the cosmos today. Feelings may be heightened and sensitive ones may be a little more so under these vibes.
For health: Utilizing vibrational tools such as tuning forks or listening to healing frequencies may be extra supportive and restorative under this sun and moon combination…this would be a time to immerse ourselves in healing and high vibe music and other sound baths!!
Tuesday, July 15
Waning Gibbous in Pisces Double Water Day💧💧
Moon conjoins North node (6:40 am)
Favorable day for: July 14 activities
Daily vibe: The emotional and psychic energy may be extra strong as the Pisces moon aligns with the north node of the moon. Today may be a good day to receive messages from other worldly places. We may also find ourselves craving a bit of magic, connection, and meaning. It is possible that our experiences may be similar to that of yesterday, and that we may be really feel attracted to music, the arts, our spiritual life, and the element of water.
The north node energy can also be a bit ambitious and feel like a power surge, so note how you feel today, especially this morning and afternoon (if on EST). This conjunction occurs monthly and is always a nice one to note.
For children: Pisces, being called a double bodied or dual natured sign in astrology, can easily bring fluctuations in the lighter and darker side of human experience. Children could experience this while reading a story for example — one minute they are loving the magical world of Harry Potter and all of a sudden they are hyper sensitive to the dark forces being battled. Pisces can attune us to the extreme of both worlds — the beautiful fairy realm but also the dark places that the trolls live. For watery, super imaginative, or psychically sensitive children, ensuring that they stay well fed, rested, and away from upsetting imagery during the Pisces moon may help avoid intense fears and “creepy” vibes.
For health: Foot baths and reflexology would be highly restorative while the moon is in Pisces. Giving ourselves or those we love pedicures during this time is also a nice use of the energy. A wonderful moon sun and moon combination to give thanks to our feet.
Wednesday, July 16
Waning Gibbous enters Aries (12:32 am) Air & Fire Day 💧🔥
Favorable day for: Wise utilization of strength & energy, spiritual athletics such as yoga or tai chi, organization, service, tending to practical home and family matters
Daily vibe: The moon, now in the fire sign of Mars, may highlight the upcoming Mars/South Node alignment whose energy we may begin feeling now. This alignment may have a variety of themes and messages. We may see a drain or loss around Mars ruled topics such as our physical energy or our ability to move forward in some way. We may have troubles around keeping our Martian side in check — anger and tension may flair a bit more or we may be overadrenalized in some way if we are not careful. The South node also can bring up things from the past, so a past conflict or Mars like person in your life may resurface for a bit. I have had old boyfriends email me on more than one occasion when the South Node is activated!
On a positive note, the South Node provides opportunity for spiritual growth and awareness. We may have experiences where we learn the cost of anger, impulsivity, reactivity, or have opportunity to excavate what is really beneath those reactions. For the next week, I am hoping to tune into my relationship with Mars (as I am a very Mars ruled girl with Aries & Scorpio placements) and see what I need to continue to work on — one most likely being patience, I suspect 🔥
For children: I once examined the chart of a little boy, incredibly sweet, who had a strong expression of Mars ruled themes. He was incredibly gifted with masculine traits — expressing energy at a constant go (often to help others) as well as working with sharp tools and machinery, with talent, from a very young age. On the flip side, while he had an abundance of vital force, he also had a track record of many accidents — stitches, excessive bumps and bruises and also, when tired, a clumsiness that often led to injury. He was born under a Mars/South Node alignment. Accidents and injuries are a Mars ruled theme. This would be an alignment where I would keep an extra close eye on my one child who likes take serious risks and watch for all my children doing any activity when they are tired. More about this alignment when it perfects, on Sunday.
For health: A classic Mars/South node conjunction expression is exhaustion or the feeling like you are losing steam or vital force. This also isn’t a time for muscle building, strength training, or endurance work. It is an excellent energy for “spiritual athletics” like yoga, tai chi, qi gong, etc or spiritual cleansing and purification. For the next week or so, be gentle on yourself or others. When/if you do feel energy, it may be helpful to not overestimate that which you can get done, and use that energy to get essential work done. It is also quite possible that some area of life may call you to overuse your vital force (I have a cousin running a very challenging marathon this coming weekend, which is a great example). Rest and recovery will most likely need to be yielded to afterwards!
Thursday, July 17
Last Quarter Moon in Aries (8:37 pm) Air & Fire Day 💧🔥
Favorable day for: Taking action to finish a project or to clear a little space for next week before the new moon
Daily vibe: It may feel natural under an Aries moon to respond to work or a concern as quickly as possible or to start something new before we follow through on a current project. With the moon waning, Mercury about to retrograde, and Mars about to join the South Node, it may be helpful to watch the impulse to work too hastily on something to just get it done, or to ignore something that was already started and go put another pot on the stove. The last quarter moon in fire asks us, what actions do I need to take in order to wrap up things I began 3 weeks ago around the new moon? What actions may help create extra space so I can rest during the balsamic moon phase?” (48 hours before the new moon, next Tuesday & Wednesday)?
Next week B and I are taking the kids to the Outer Banks. When looking at the calendar, I realized my traditional packing day (the day or two before we leave) coincides with the balsamic moon. Unlike my last minute nature, I have begun packing this week so I can have extra space before the new moon.
For children: Aries energy is willful, assertive, often confident, and ready to seize the day! If you have a little fire baby with this kind of energy, it may add a bit more spice to the heat. On the other hand, for those with extra feminine or slow-to-go energy, the Aries Moon may add the warmth needed to get something moving and help surface “take charge” vibes they may not normally express.
For health: Mars rules our blood as well as the iron in our blood. For anyone currently contending with iron issues, this may be a time that symptoms associated with iron deficiency may surface or need a little extra care. The Mars/South Node conjunction may also speak of experiences with blood loss. This alignment would be a definite time to avoid surgeries or procedures, (if possible), blood donation, and to be extra attentive to any injuries or heavy menstruation.
Friday, July 18
Waning crescent enters Taurus (3:48 am) 💧🪴
Mercury stations retrograde (12:44 pm)
Venus sextiles Mercury (9:36 am)
Favorable day for: Consideration of what you may need to re-intend, redo, renegotiate, revise, review, rethink, especially with something you wish to communicate, create, experience or express for your Heart and Soul
Daily vibe: The moon and the solar season of Cancer are both in their final stages of completion before beginning new lunar and solar cycles next week. With Mercury retrograding today, we can reflect on our summer experiences since the Solstice and see what areas or life topics still need more attention. What is on our summer bucket list that we have yet to get to? Perhaps we can include some of them on the upcoming new Leo moon intentions.
Mercury retrogrades sadly have a bad reputation. Our culture enjoys speed and forward moving motion, and when the fastest planet is traveling backward, we tend to label that negative. This retrograde in the sign of the Sun brings opportunity to take two steps back and redo or renegotiate a solar experience or part of yourself. Where did you not speak from your heart or give attention to your authentic self? What do you really want to create, express, or experience this summer that has been on your mind but you haven’t been able to get to? It may appear or feel like we are delayed or behind, but we can trust in the opportunity to finally get to an intention or have a second draft come out even better. With Venus in Gemini in a harmonious angle with Mercury today, I would expect a little support, relief, or a good girlfriend, sister, or daughter, to ride this retrograde with you.
For children: Today, Venus in Gemini brings lightheartedness and playfulness to our words. This is a fun aspect to work with letters, words, tongue twisters, crossword puzzles, jokes, or other word smith games. Family game night would be well supported tonight by the cosmos, and may bring a bit of relief to any Mercury retrograde tensions.
For health: “Spiritually, Mercury represents the power of the spoken or written word to evoke a perception of higher truths within us, and our capacity to share these insights with others” (Renn Butler, The Archetypal Universe). Mercurial energy supports us in knowing our true selves and communicating that to others. An excellent question to ask during a Mercury retrograde in Leo could be “Who am I and what do I want to create, express, or do in order to communicate that?”
Saturday, July 19
Waning crescent moon in Taurus, Water & Earth Day💧🪴
Favorable day for: July 18 activities, quick trips out and about to support everyday needs at home, “hobbitting” around the house, chats with girlfriends, listening to the body’s messages
Daily vibe: Today’s energy gives opportunity to feed and nourish our intellectual side a bit. What new idea, book, knowledge or data can you bring into your space to promote a sense of well being for matters of home and health? How can we refresh our routine or rooms to invite in a little lightness and fun? An inspiring conversation or an errand to a beautiful and joyous space whose energy you can bring back home may be one of many possibilities to nourish and uplift your inner and outer dwellings.
Taurus is an earth energy that tends to the care of our physical spaces and body. While the ruling planet of this sign Venus is in Gemini, we may have opportunity to research, collect data, have uplifting conversations and implement an upgraded mindset into our physical reality in service to more beauty, harmony and peace.
For children: Today the cosmos would support educational activities (Venus in Gemini) around Taurus ruled themes of nature, farming, gardening, and food preparation. Environmental education centers, animal sanctuaries, connecting and learning about farm life and life in the kitchen could be some possible activities today that could easily manifest. This could be done through in person visits or through books, videos, conversations, or any means you can imagine.
For health: Receiving messages from our body: “Taurus wants you to know: the most loving thing you can do is to resource your wisdom from your body. Your body remembers way more than your mind does. Your body already knows all of the answers” (Britten LaRue in her book, “Living Astrology.”)
Considering this message from Britten & Taurus, today is an excellent day to contemplate how your body speaks to you. How do you get yes or no answers in your body? How often does your mind try to override or negotiate the message?
Sunday, July 20
Waning crescent enters Gemini (6:21 am) Water & Air Day 💧🌬️
Moon conjoins Uranus (7:15 am)
Mars conjoins South Node (9:59 pm)
Pause: Moon makes her monthly conjunction with Uranus. Feelings of high voltage and overstimulation are always possible under this quick alignment. Keep a little room for the unexpected or unplanned today - Uranian energy is a bit spontaneous and can throw expected rhythms off a bit.
Favorable day for: Feeding our social and intellectual side, choosing spontaneity and newness, watching our tech use and tempers, wise utilization of energy & strength
For today: Today with the moon in the lighthearted and social sign of Gemini, we may feel the need to get out of the house a bit for some fresh air. This energy could support a nice errand or church day that facilities simple and sweet socialization. The vibes could also help prioritize some movement and exercise to help qi circulate in the body. Today the moon conjoins Uranus for the first time in Gemini, so we may also see more hints of the winds of change we spoke about Monday, July 07.
I would still take pause and remember the Mars/South node conjunction energy in the background. If you are working with this energy in any big way (revisit July 16 for more detail), remember that any energy can be worked with in a positive way. This would be a day to surrender, not push, a day to consider how we can spiritualize our movements, ambitions, and drives in life. We can all hold some spiritual guidance too related to a common significator of Mars: conflict. “When you go to war, both sides totally lose.” ~ Yoko Ono
For children: Our middle child is a serious stump jumper and today is a day you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be encouraging more Gemini related social experiences, instead of physical activities that hold any potential for injury. If you have any Evel Knievels in your house, you may want to do the same! I don’t want to give any astrological anxiety with potentially difficult planetary alignments but I do like to be honest and then trust in our abilities to work with tricky energy consciously.
For health: The energy of a Gemini moon conjoining Uranus will be extremely stimulating, exciting, and working our nervous systems in a big way. Notice if you find yourself in an overabundance of socialization, texting, tech use, or other stimulating activities. This energy could be super fun, but if you begin to feel some signs of high voltage — heart palpitations or tension in the chest, buzzing in the body, or inability to focus or complete tasks or thoughts — consider unplugging the Wi-fi for a bit and apply some earth element. Stabilizing foods, time in nature, gardening, baking, creating something with your hands, and diffusing/wearing grounding essential oils that calm the nerves — lavender, vetiver, firs and spruces, and other essences extracted from roots and trees — may all help ground the voltage.
