Astrologically, the coming week/month is very challenging. The upcoming transits, phenomenal in their power, force, strength and multiplicity (with more to come), have long-range, enduring and continuing effects upon all of humanity’s endeavors.

Thursday, Mars enters Libra. Mars presents humanity with nine tests, including testing our ability to recognize and discriminate between the two forces presently at battle on our planet. Simultaneously, as Libra asks us to choose sides, Mars allows us to distinctly see the difference between personality and the Soul. Watch the news for “arbitration,” mediation (Libra) between two distinct factions often at war (Mars).

Last Wednesday, in the early morning, Saturn (Dweller on the Threshold, Taskmaster, Disciplinarian) entered Libra. Saturn is very dignified and in “exaltation” in Libra. It does good things. Libra is the sign of relationships and the creation of Right Relations. “Exaltation” in astrology means the planet continues to grow in strength, bestowing goodness and the power of cooperation (Aquarian principle, and Saturn is the ancient ruler of Aquarius). Saturn reorganizes, reforms and redistributes. While in Libra Saturn restructures our relationship to each other, allows us to see the essential needs of a partner and how to make the relationship last forever. Saturn in Libra also restructures our money and economic systems. The new currency will eventually shift to food.

We’re in the midst of summer. The days are hot in the northeast, cold and rainy out west. It’s as if the earth has shifted positions and every area is now experiencing different weather patterns. The situation in the Gulf worsens daily. The news media lacks the truth. I wonder how long before the revolution begins. Perhaps after December. Let’s look at our week. Thursday is Virgo moon, a gentle gestating day till early evening when Mars (action) arrives for dinner. Friday morning moon enters Libra, calling us to Right Relationships. Let’s pray for those (all kingdoms) living in and around the Gulf Coast waters. Friday is orderly,  disciplined in the morning, unruly in the afternoon. Saturday, Mars joins the U.S. Neptune. Neptune is oil. Mars/Neptune gives an indirect, roundabout response, which is how BP is handling the situation. With Mars/Neptune there can be lies told, cloudy realities presented, things left to “fate,” real control is illusive, facts are unclear, infections (disease, illness) appear, there’s mystery and secrecy.

At 12:40 p.m. (PST )Sunday, there’s a new moon total solar eclipse (19 degrees Cancer). New moons bring forth new endeavors. Solar eclipses (hidden Sun) inform us that something substantial, having completed its purpose, is no longer available. Eclipse means “hidden.” The personality-building theme for Cancer new moon is “Isolation is the rule, yet the crowd exists.” This is how our personality feels, before Soul integration. The personality often feels isolated; connecting with others is difficult, even with family members. Something’s always missing. We feel imprisoned in an isolated reality, seeking something, not knowing what. Until one day, one lifetime when, having built a strong and vibrant personality (physical body, emotional body, lower mind) the Soul (love, unity) makes contact and the personality, feeling exhausted, responds with surprise and surrender. Then the meditative seed thought becomes “I build a lighted house and therein dwell.” We then become the “Light of the world,” nourishing the “little ones” (Earth’s kingdoms).

Sunday, July 4, the United States will be 234 years old, the numbers adding up to a nine. Nine means endings. Esoterically nine signifies Initiation, a shift to a higher state of consciousness. Endings and Initiations work together. The United States is presently having a transit of Pluto (3 Capricorn) opposite Venus (3 Cancer) indicating economic transformation. Pluto has opposed Venus several times. Thus the U.S. has seen the dollar fluctuating (moving toward hyper-inflation), debt mounting and food prices soaring. Humanity will soon begin defining its true values. This occurs only after revolutionary breakdowns. We’re no longer slouching toward that happening.