The major celestial events in July are two eclipses, one lunar and the other, a rare, full solar eclipse. July also brings magnificent, starry summer nights, the passage of the summer solstice (June 21) after which the days get increasingly shorter and, lastly, the 233^rd birthday celebration of the United States of America.

The lunar eclipse will take place on the 7^th at 21:25’ Sagittarius, beginning at 10:38 GMT (5:38 pm California time) and lasting about two hours. However, it will not be visible, though the full moon can be seen above the horizon. Because this lunar eclipse is of low magnitude, it may only have an effect on the individual level.

The two nodes, Rahu and Ketu, are the physical locations where the solar and lunar eclipses occur. Since an eclipse is an interplay of light and shadow, they are called shadowy planets. They have been on the Cancer/Capricorn axis for the past year. Rahu stands for confusion, illusion, delusion, deception, and addictions but it balances itself by also representing innovation, individuality, independence and insightfulness.  Ketu represents escapism, eccentricity, fanaticism, explosiveness, violence and impulsiveness; on its good side are seclusion, universality, idealism, intuition, self-sacrifice and spirituality.

The full solar eclipse, which will occur on the 22^nd in 5:26’ Capricorn is quite rare. A total solar eclipse at any given point on earth occurs, on average, only once in about 360 years. A total eclipse is when the moon completely covers the sun as seen from the earth. At the most, it lasts about 7 minutes and 31 seconds. This rare solar eclipse’s maximum duration will be 6 minutes and 39 seconds, starting at 03:38 GMT.

The path of the eclipse will cross through India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Japan and other parts of Asia and over some cities, such as Surat and Indore in India and Chengdu, Wuhan, Hangzhou, and Shanghai in China; Akuseki-hima in Japan will experience a total eclipse for 3 to 5 minutes. Other cites such as Tokyo will witness a partial eclipse. You can follow this eclipse’s path by logging on to www.timeanddate.com. Its impact is expected to be on a bigger scale. Eclipses are considered inauspicious for worldly affairs so it advisable to be very attentive during this period; avoid traveling and starting significant endeavors. Gazing at the eclipse is also considered inauspicious.

Jupiter has begun its retrograde motion towards Capricorn and on the 30^th it will be back to its place of debilitation conjoining Rahu for the rest of the year. This could result in an acceleration of the global economic decline.

Mars and Venus are still traveling together and will be in Taurus for the entire month but not so close to each other as they’ve been the last two weeks. This is their last encounter for the year.  Have you felt the extra energy, a certain intensity and passion that they produced?

Venus in Taurus, its own house, is strong but will suffer some affliction from Saturn and Mars.

Saturn and Mars have a reciprocal influence, aspecting each other for the next 45 days. These two malefic energies, added to the solar eclipse, may disturb global events by bringing about violence and accidents.

Mercury, which will be involved with both eclipses, is currently in Gemini and will move to Cancer on the 14^th. The sun will follow Mercury on the 16^th.

The summer night sky’s spectacular show has begun. Overhead, slightly to the northeast you can gaze at the bright “summer triangle” that Vega, Deneb and Altair are forming any time after 10:00 pm. The red, bright Spica and Arcturus can also be easily found towards the western horizon.  A few new constellations are now visible—Scorpio and, a little more dimly, Libra, the scale, and Sagittarius, the teapot. Stargazing, even for just a few moments, can give such an uplifting feeling of awe and wonderment at the vastness of if all.

On the fourth of July, the moon will be in the middle of the constellation of Scorpio, close to the center of the Milky Way. I wish you all a happy July 4^th. Let’s remember to be grateful for the birth of this land of freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Though America faces countless problems today, let’s hope that the upcoming changes will be for the better. I would like to end with this historical quote from one of our most beloved presidents, Abraham Lincoln.

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

Dalia Cahill

530-692-0214

www.gracevedicastrology.com