Venus Retrograde and a Lucky New Moon

Vedic Astrology Transits for July 15-23

The next couple of days are going to be packed with exciting astrological transits. Read on to learn about the most important cosmic shifts that will occur during the next week.

July 13 to 17: Balsamic Moon Phase – Time to Tune In, Dream, and Envision What We Want To Manifest at the New Moon on July 17

We will begin the new week in the midst of the Balsamic Moon phase which extends from July 13 to the New Moon of July 17. This is the Dreamtime Moon, a time for deep rest, clearing, healing, cleaning out, and letting go in preparation for the New Moon ahead.

July 16 to August 17: The Sun Will Transit in Cancer - A Generally Peaceful Time of the Year

On Sunday, July 16 at 7:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time (11:36 PM UTC), the Sun will transit into Cancer, where it will remain until August 17. The day that it moves into Cancer is known as Karka Sankranti in Vedic tradition. According to some schools of thought, this date rather than the summer solstice marks the transition into the second half of the year.

The half-day before and the half-day after the Sun’s transition into a new sign is called the sankranti. During this time that the Sun is sandhi (on the cusp or edge between two signs), we should be extra-mindful. At this point, we may become a bit absent-minded, feel more tired or sensitive than usual, on edge, in the process of a change, or we may even temporarily lose our way either literally or figuratively.

When the Sun transits in Cancer, many will be focused on socializing or on family-oriented activities. Due to malefic aspects to Cancer now, familial conflicts and concerns may also arise for some. The ever-fluctuating Moon rules Cancer, so the Sun’s passage here can be a time when our moods, vitality, and self-assurance waver. We could also experience digestive issues, swelling in the body, or need more sleep that usual. On the plus side, intuitive insights will be heightened for those who are tuned in.

July 17: New Moon in Cancer and Punarvasu Nakshatra - Blessings and Spiritual Rebirth

On Monday, July 17 at 2:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time (6:32 PM UTC), the New Moon will occur at nearly one degree of Cancer in Punarvasu Nakshatra. This New Moon may have a nurturing quality because it will occur in its own sign of Cancer. It will be even more fortunate as it occupies Punarvasu nakshatra, the sign of rejuvenation, prosperity, and accomplishment.

The New Moon will also occur in the luckiest section of Cancer and Punarvasu nakshatra, known as the "pushkara navamsa.” This should set the stage for an energizing and spiritual period in the coming days and weeks, an excellent time for traveling and exploring, and for self-improvement intentions and regimes.

Not only are the Sun and Moon in Cancer in the New Moon chart, but Mercury is also in Cancer from July 8 to 24. As I discussed in a previous article, this transit of Mercury may sensitize the mind with deep feeling. Mercury here can trigger buried memories coming to the surface, which could be either pleasant, painful, or neutral.

This transit can also enhance intuition but at the same time may slow down our intellectual functioning and lead to intense emotional reactions. Mercury in Cancer also suggests heavy rainstorms and damaging floods, such as what has already occurred in some parts of the world.

Additionally, the signature of the New Moon chart is Cancer, the Cardinal Water sign. This is calculated based on the predominance of planets in Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra in this case), and in Water signs (Cancer and Pisces in this case). Along with the Cancer signature, the New Moon (Sun-Moon) are in opposition to Pluto, squaring the lunar nodes, and in a quincunx (6/8) with Saturn now.

This means that challenges and conflicts within family or group systems could be a potential concern for some. In addition, financial problems and material insecurities are being highlighted for many people at this time.

Hot and Dry Summer Weather Due to El Niño: The Planets in Fire Signs Reveal an Astrological Correlation

While some areas are suffering from heavy rains and floods, a heat wave with triple-digit temperatures is bearing down on other areas. In mid-June, NOAA issued a forecast saying that the majority of the United States is expected to see "above-normal" average temperatures from July through September, particularly in the West, Southwest, Gulf Coast, and Eastern regions. This is part of a natural weather pattern called El Niño.

These hot temperatures correlate astrologically beginning around July 6 when the sweltering Dog Days of Summer began. The Dog Days will extend into the third week or so of August. When they began, Venus and Mars were conjoined in fiery Leo, and magnified by an aspect from Jupiter and Rahu in fiery Mars-ruled Aries. That’s a lot of hot fire energy, and it will continue a while in some locations as Mars will transit in Leo until August 17. Venus will retrograde out of Leo into cooler and wetter Cancer on August 6, but Mercury will also transit in Leo from July 24 into early October during its extended retrograde cycle!

July 18 to August 16: Adhika Shravan Masa - A Time for Quiet Contemplative Practices and Acts of Charity and Devotion

According to the North Indian Vedic lunar calendar, the month called Adhika Shravan Masa will occur from July 18 to August 16. This extra (intercalary) lunar month is added to the solar calendar every few years so that the lunar and the solar years are synchronized. It occurs in the Shravan month so is called Adhika Shravan Masa (masa means month).

There are no religious festivals during Adhika Shravan Masa, which is instead set aside for contemplative practices and humble acts of charity and devotion. The positive benefits of these spiritual practices and acts of devotion and charity will be multiplied tenfold during this month.

This extra month is further contraindicated for muhurtas (muhurats), as it is not a time to initiate new ventures like a marriage, or professional or business matter, and it is also contraindicated for all the various saṃskāras (Vedic sacraments such as the mundan/baby’s hair tonsure or naming ceremonies).

July 20 and 21: The Moon and Mars in Leo Will Oppose Saturn in Aquarius - An Important Time to Focus on Spiritual Protection

On July 20 and 21, the Moon and Mars in Leo will exactly oppose Saturn in Aquarius. This transit can trigger anger, frustration, and accidents. Venus is also in Leo and preparing to station retrograde, which intensifies this stressful aspect further. It may be helpful to cultivate patience, caution, and calm, and to perform prayers and rituals for spiritual protection.

July 22: Venus Will Station Retrograde - Stay Anchored in Your Heart and Pay Attention to Your Gut Feelings

On July 22 at 9:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Venus will station retrograde at four degrees of Leo. It will remain retrograde until September 3, when it will station direct at 18 degrees of Cancer.

In my previous article about this transit, I mentioned that two days on either side of the Venus retrograde station can be a time of intense world events such as storms, seismic eruptions, protests, violence, accidents, fires, and geopolitical incidents. Stay anchored in your heart and pay attention to your gut feelings during this time.

As you can see, we have an exciting week ahead! As we move further into summer, the Moon and Venus may have a strong influence on our thoughts and feelings. This is an excellent time to reflect, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the season. 

You are, and ever will be, a perfect reflection of Spirit. You were Spirit; now you imagine yourself to be mortal; but by meditation on your true Self, and by performing God-reminding actions constantly, you can remember your forgotten Spirit-nature and remain in that consciousness through all futurity. Since you are immortal, do not burden yourself with earthly limitations. (Paramahansa Yogananda)

Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the constellational (sidereal) zodiac used in both Vedic and Western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most Western and a small number of Vedic astrologers. All the astrological charts that I work with and share are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.