The Astrology Blog 18 July 2022
All times in BST
“You have to remember the value of your individuality – that you have something special and different to offer that nobody else can.”
“Doubt is a killer. You just have to know who you are and what you stand for.”
Jennifer Lopez – Sun Leo, Moon Scorpio, 24 July 1969
https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Jennifer_Lopez
https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Ben_Affleck
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IN THE HAPPY NEWS BOX ….
Sometimes we need a news moratorium – don’t fill your head with the depressing or terrifying world events. Take a break. So this week am only looking at one news story, about love and marriage.
Think back to last week and you might remember that the most important bit of last week’s astrology was the Sun – Mercury conjunction –
Any planet, not just Mercury, conjunct the Sun to within 17 minutes of arc (ie just over a quarter of a degree) is said to be “cazimi” – defined as being in “the heart of the Sun”. The symbolism of this is about the other planet drawing strength from that heat instead of being burned up by it. It’s a window of opportunity, the stuff of light bulb moments, vital information or having the chance to get your point across exactly in the right way and at the right time. In that hot spot is a golden nugget of truth or a lifeline of help.
- The Mercury cazimi period lasts approximately for 8 hours, about four hours either side of the exact conjunction
- This cazimi will therefore be from approx 4.30pm on Saturday through to just after midnight on Sunday in the UK. Adjust to your own time zone – eg Greece 6.30pm on Saturday through to 2.30am on Sunday
This cazimi showed for me at several levels, including contact from someone who’d been out of touch and surprise news about two friends getting married and then announcing it on Facebook.
In the world of celebs the headline news this morning was that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck got married, 20 years after meeting and 17 years since calling off their first engagement. They didn’t do the lavish nuptials but queued with four other couples at Las Vegas, and then announced it.
THEIR SYNASTRY
- They’re both Sun Leo and Moon Scorpio, a strong synastry feature in terms of similar natures and needs.
- Ben Affleck has a Cancer Ascendant – Capricorn Descendant, the super sensitive Me – You horizon
- His life partner is therefore signified by Saturn (ruler of Capricorn) and is at 18 Gemini, sign of the Twins, a textbook indication for two marriages (first marriage to Jennifer Garner)
- Jennifer has a Libra Ascendant – Aries Descendant. Her chart ruler is therefore Venus (ruler of Libra) at 19 Gemini, exactly conjunct Ben Affleck’s Saturn. There’s the delayed marriage as well as the indication of a karmic link
- Venus in Gemini does multiples – this is her fourth marriage
- Her Ascendant is 14 Libra, his Uranus is 15 Libra – Uranus rules both splits and anything sudden, whirlwind or unexpected
THEIR TIMING MEASURES
BEN AFFLECK
- Saturn, ruler of 7th, is currently transiting backwards and forwards opposite his Leo Sun (April 2022 – January 2023)
- Natal Chiron is 17 Aries, and Chiron is now stationary retrograde at 16 and a half Aries, so he’s on his Chiron Return (which we all get in our 50th year) that will play out between now and next April
- Aries is the opposite sign to Libra, therefore he’s also having the transit of Chiron opposite his natal Uranus
JENNIFER LOPEZ
- Libra Ascendant – Aries Descendant is at 14 and a half degrees Aries. Chiron started the three transits conjunct her Descendant (marriage angle) last May, when they reunited, and repeats this coming October and next March
- She’s a few years older than Affleck but she also has Chiron in Aries, 6 degrees and 47 minutes. So she’s had her Chiron Return but Jupiter (the Greater Benefic of blessings and opportunity) is now stationing at 8 degrees Aries
So Chiron is the key planet in their astrology, the Wounded Healer. Transits from this planet are particularly strong for healing rifts or emotional wounds. If these guys were my clients I would be talking to them about the healing journey that they’re on between now and next spring.
I chose this week’s quotes from J-Lo not just because she’s in the news but also as an illustration of the quintessential Leo nature, sign of creativity and individuation. Leos more than any other sign do battle with issues connected to pride, self esteem and confidence, and the flipside to the sign – every sign has got one! – is the need for attention, which can sometimes be overwhelming. Ben Affleck is on record as saying that he’s born for interviews as he just loves to ramble on about himself!
Another J-Lo quote, from many years ago so I wonder how far/if she’s moved on from this, capture the Leo need for validation and security. It’s probably safe to say that no celebrity needs their adoring public as much as a Leo:
“I’ve always had a huge fear of dying or becoming ill. The thing I’m most afraid of, though, is being alone, which I think a lot of performers fear. It’s why we seek the limelight, so we’re not alone, we’re adored. We’re loved, so people want to be around us.”
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK?
Here’s your “at a glance” list of the celestial calendar for the coming week, all very evenly spaced out –
Tuesday 19 July
- Mercury ingress Leo 13.36
Wednesday 20 July
- Sun 27 Cancer opposite Pluto 27 Capricorn 02.36
Thursday 21 July
- Jupiter 8 Aries semi-square Saturn 23 Aquarius 12.18
Friday 22 July
- Sun ingress Leo 21.06
Saturday 23 July
- Mercury 8 Leo trine Jupiter 8 Aries 18.53
Monday 25 July
- Venus 8 Cancer square Jupiter 8 Aries 07.14
SUN & MERCURY
We actually start the week under a separating aspect, Mercury being exactly opposite wipe out Pluto at 8am BST this morning. This was Mercury’s final aspect while travelling through the end of Cancer, signalling endings or transition, and also things like bad news or tough decisions. It’s a disruptive combo too and I expect many people’s plans fell apart over the weekend, in the UK and the rest of Europe, because of the extreme heat.
The Sun makes the same aspect in the early hours of Wednesday, and both planets then move into Leo, Mercury tomorrow (Tuesday) and then the Sun at the end of the week –
Tuesday 19 July
- Mercury ingress Leo 13.36
Wednesday 20 July
- Sun 27 Cancer opposite Pluto 27 Capricorn 02.36
Friday 22 July
- Sun ingress Leo 21.06
This means that both Mercury and the Sun are on those “critical degrees”, 29 being the last degree of a sign and 0 degrees being the beginning of the next. This is Tuesday for Mercury, who is in top gear and at full speed, and then Fri/Sat for the Sun. Events or news midweek or Friday may link back to this last weekend, watch out for a connection. But also look out for the start of new cycles, such as paying close attention to anyone or anything new coming into your life. Look out for the Leo hallmarks such as boldness, creative opportunities or recognition.
JUPITER THE “GREATER BENEFIC”
From the bad news combo of Mercury – Pluto we move on to more optimistic or beneficial news as Mercury’s first link on the new top speed journey through Leo is to lucky Jupiter –
Thursday 21 July
- Jupiter 8 Aries semi-square Saturn 23 Aquarius 12.18
Saturday 23 July
- Mercury 8 Leo trine Jupiter 8 Aries 18.53
Monday 25 July
- Venus 8 Cancer square Jupiter 8 Aries 07.14
The Mercury – Jupiter combo is basically “good news” but at the moment we do need to factor in that Jupiter is virtually at a standstill, getting ready to switch to retrograde next Thursday, a backwards journey that will last for the next four months.
That in itself is nothing unusual, Jupiter is always retrograde once a year for four months at a time, but it’s the turning points from direct to retrograde and then the reverse that are worth clocking, especially if you have planets or Angles at or close to 8 degrees Aries or the opposite sign of Libra.
At a universal or personal level look out for turning points that carry the hallmarks of Jupiter, such as rethinks or replanning anything in connection to travel, overseas or at a distance, moving, education or legal concerns.
Also don’t bite off more than you can chew, especially as “over the top” Jupiter is making the semi square to sensible Saturn (ie half a square, half as difficult as a full square! And although it’s a minor aspect it’s a rare one as both planets are slow moving). For example Jupiter is generosity but watch your boundaries (Saturn) whether you’re on the giving or receiving end.
Overall I would say don’t force things and don’t abandon realism but this doesn’t mean that plans for the future won’t work out. Saturn has a way of slowing things down and making us wait. And I think there’s a codicil here about what’s worth waiting for and what isn’t. Just try to take the longer view.
The over the top element carries on into the Venus – Jupiter square that’s exact in the early hours of next Monday, but there’s no need to attach alarmism to any of this picture. Remember that Venus rules money as well as love/life’s pleasures, so this is the stuff of the urge to splurge, or maybe spending over the odds to have a good time but worth it. Venus and Jupiter combinations by any aspect are still the two Benefics coming together, they’re good for us, even if it’s just about time off and letting your hair down.
As I finish writing it’s now 12.30 Greek time and 35 degrees so am signing off! Stay cool everyone, don’t forget your electrolytes replacement and the hot water bottle in the freezer!
Until next week, with love from Greece,
Joanna