July 4-10, 2008
Cruising on Wednesday's Cancer new moon energy could get
you out of town fairly easily. Especially if you're willing to pay a higher
price, a choice the extravagant, self-indulgent Venus-Jupiter polarity would endorse.
An aspect-free, unmotivated Independence Day allows you to enjoy your freedom,
the food and the fireworks in that order. By Sunday, as affectionate Venus and
barrier-breaking Uranus finally perfect their mutually rewarding trine, you may
have something truly remarkable to celebrate. And when the cuddly Cancer sun confronts
jolly Jupiter on Wednesday, you can do it again. That is, if the doubly difficult
Mars-Saturn conjunction in Virgo doesn't present a problem well worth worrying
about.

Aries

The biannual conjunction of your energetic Mars ruler with Saturn could feel daunting,
but while Mr. Macho and Mr. Management merge on the 10th in perfection-seeking
Virgo, those ambitious Aries may realize that they've bitten off more than
they can or, at that point, want to chew. Too much work or too many bosses? Health
practitioners and service providers, especially those with sensitive stomachs,
should keep an eye on their own body parts. Virgo is known for its gut-wrenching
experiences; plus, this summer salmonella is running rampant.

Taurus

Before your sociable Venus ruler runs off to play with the lions, give the goddess
one more chance to bring something interesting or someone new into your life.
Her rewarding relationship with Uranus, the planet of progress, could do wonders
for a Bull who has been content to nestle in the cozy comforts of Cancer since
the last full moon. Just remember that cavorting with capricious felines, a practice
confined to the summer months, means there'll be more scratches and hisses
from the Misses in the family.

Gemini

Nobody wants to hear, “I told you so!” So on the 10th, when Mars and
Saturn, the classic “malefics” of astrology, join forces in picky
Virgo at the nadir of your chart, don't complain that you weren't
warned. Because the Twins can go either way where advice is concerned, to heed
or to seek another opinion, it's possible that you'll circumvent the
problem entirely. Or, since you're such a buoyant air sign, rise above it.
Except for a twinge of jealousy masquerading as a power play, there are no other
clouds on the horizon.

Cancer

Some Moon Children will be able to celebrate their birthdays without a care in
the world, except maybe what to do about all the gifts they'll receive,
particularly those from significantly generous significant others. Yet some will
be saddled with responsibilities both real and imagined: “Did everyone get
enough to eat?” “Who is driving you home?” A compassionate Crab
on a guilt trip can easily suck the air out of a room, not a good thing when there
are wishes to make and candles to blow out.

Leo

A sense of what the next hazy, lazy days of summer will bring can kick in as soon
as pleasure-loving Venus enters Leo on the 12th. Until then, you'll have
to make due with the myriad possibilities you envision when your creative sun
ruler gets a peek at Jupiter's extensive gift list. Being able to look into
the future, especially through rose-colored glasses, is just one of them. The
annual sun-Jupiter opposition rarely occurs while you're preparing to celebrate
another birthday; therefore, the weeks leading up to this one could be special.

Virgo

Making up for lost time? Not yet. Not until your Mercury ruler advances well past
the point at which it turned retrograde on Memorial Day. Best to wait until the
Messenger leaves the Twins altogether and crosses over to the Crab on July 10
before digging into a new project. But once you do, plan to move fairly quickly.
That transit lasts for only a short fortnight. Once Mercury enters the Lion's
den, i.e., your karmic 12th house, it'll be a lot harder to maintain control.
The visit to the Virgin starts on August 10.

Libra

Right about now you could feel torn between two equally attractive choices, one
impacting your reputation outside the house, the other your clout at home. More
than any other sign, Libra knows how important it is to keep a foot in each camp,
to maintain a sense of balance. Or to appear as if you're giving both alternatives
equal weight. Although we know you're going to do whatever you damn well
please, we also know that, because gigantic Jupiter is involved, the Scales could
be leaning in favor of the family.

Scorpio

It's been two years since you had to maneuver around an obstacle as problematic
as the one currently blocking your way. If you recall what occurred in July 2006,
when your Mars co-ruler last ran into Saturn, you should be able to figure out
how to bypass the restrictions Saturn imposes. One thing in your favor: their
conjunction takes place in Virgo, a well-informed, health-conscious earth sign
that gladly lends support to the Scorpion. This wasn't the case when they
met in fiery Leo, a fixed sign as stubborn as your own.

Sagittarius

Archers born in November have the nasty Mars-Saturn conjunction in early Virgo
directly in their sightline. Going in for the kill? Worried that you'll
be wounded in the process? Getting out of the way seems the sensible thing to
do, but if your reputation is at stake (Virgo governs your career house), you
might opt to fight. Even though you're up against the God of War and the
Great Satan, remember that, especially for the literate and the brave, the pen
dipped in vitriol is mightier than the sword.

Capricorn

While other signs may rue the day that macho Mars teams up with your Saturn ruler,
for Caps, having another set of balls to help fight your current battle can be
a blessing. Mars should add bite and heat to what, so far, has been a well-constructed
and polite Virgo presentation. In the long run you'll be rewarded by your
fellow earth signs, but not until the next time Saturn trines generous Jupiter
in your sign, like they did in January. How does the first Monday Night Football
game of the 2008 season strike you?

Aquarius

Granted that having imaginative Neptune in your sign has helped you wax poetic
when the occasion arose, but what else has access to so much rhythm brought you
but more blues? You'll have another opportunity to explore the highs and
lows of true romance after Venus enters your Leo house of partners on the 12th.
Will the seasonal visit from the goddess of beauty leave you drained or will you
be inspired to create a work of art we can read about or view or dance to all
winter long? Try to go easy on the exaggerations, okay?

Pisces

Throw in the towel. There's not much use in continuing to struggle against
the opposition, not after militaristic Mars joins the Saturnian establishment
in your Virgo house of significant others. Best to relax and let the other guys
accomplish whatever it is they plan to do. Know that this dynamic duo could be
strategizing like crazy until their meeting on the 10th is history. However, if
you want the services of a well-oiled machine, with all the technical knowledge
currently available, as backup, be your own charming self and ask, pretty please.

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