As we move on through the cosmos and beyond the Sun and Moon, the next planets to explore are the personal planets: Mercury, Venus and Mars. The Sun and Moon are sometimes considered personal planets as well. However, I wanted to discuss them separately as “The Luminaries” in my previous article. These planets are called personal planets because they affect you on an individualized basis related to your own personal development and provide you with the greatest degree of freedom of action, free-will, and determination.
We know that planets represent personality functions and urges – the different parts of who we are. They are the activating energies in our birth chart. It is sometimes fun to assign roles to each of our personal planets and imagine how they would get along inside of us. Let’s learn a little about each of these players beginning with Mercury.
Mercury is the fastest planet in the solar system, zooming around the Sun in 88 days. He is the planetary ruler of both Gemini and Virgo. Mercury is the planet of the mind and rules all things related to communication and our intellect. In Greek mythology, Mercury was portrayed as Hermes, the winged messenger of the Gods, delivering messages throughout the land with amazing speed and enthusiasm. He gives us our ability to speak, think, learn and reason.
Not only is Mercury the planet of the mind, but he also represents the planet of youth, since it is in our early childhood that we learn to speak and understand information. He is representative of early education, not higher education, and is important in our growth and how we develop our style of communication.
Mercury governs everything we do to communicate both verbally and in the written word, how we go about gathering information and the way we share that information with others. Mercury helps us understand life and make sense of our daily experiences. His position in our charts shows how we think, reason and express ourselves. This planet is very influential in our interaction with others, especially through technology, computers, telecommunications, software, electronics, the media, and all forms of transportation.
I picture Mercury as a slightly mischievous and possibly a bit hyperactive young male, exhibiting curiosity and a victim of “shiny bright object” syndrome. Mercury does all of our talking for us. Think about how you communicate since this is the first impression people will have of you. Are you direct and to the point, or polite and friendly?
Venus is the planetary ruler of both Taurus and Libra. Venus represents the core essence of the feminine. The Goddess of Love and Beauty. In her earlier origins, she was worshipped as a nature goddess and mother of all on-going creation. She is the embodiment of grace, harmony and beauty, cultivating these attributes through the arts and through her diplomacy and charm. She symbolizes how we attract the things that we love and value, and through her energy, we determine the things we appreciate.
The human impulse is to connect with others, and Venus is the planet that helps us form relationships. Her primary function is love in all its forms. But make no mistake, she is also a rejecting planet, having no problem discriminating with whom she forms attachments and who she doesn’t. This is the goddess who taught the lessons of sexuality, desire, and the affections we arouse in others, as well as sorrow, loss, and rejection in love.
Venus expresses what makes us feel good and is inspired when we are in partnership and romantic situations. My vision is that of a gorgeous Greek goddess in a beautiful Grecian gown, lying on a settee eating grapes and asking Mars to go out and bring her all things she desires. Which leads me to our last personal planet – Mars.
Mars is the planetary ruler of Aries. This energy is action-oriented and assertive based upon our personal desires. He represents the qualities of courage and survival, giving us our energy, drive and motivation. Mars helps us deal with pressure and gives us the ability to face our fears. Through Mars we learn to act independently, to project ourselves into the world, to stand up for our rights and to assert ourselves and express anger when necessary. Where Mars falls in your chart shows how you use this energy and what motivates you to act. It brings drive to the area of life it’s touching.
I picture Mars as a handsome and muscular warrior, with a breastplate, spear and all. Mars and Venus always work together and share a special relationship. The Venus in us projects our needs and wants, and the Mars in us finds a way to assert ourselves to fulfill and satisfy those demands. Venus describes what you want, and Mars describes how you move out into life to get it. Sometimes this works in our favor and sometimes not so much. The best possible scenario is for us to achieve balance between the masculine and feminine energies that reside in all of us.
JULY 2021 NEW MOON/FULL MOON HOROSCOPES
The New Moon will occur on July 9, 2021, and the Full Moon arrives on July 23, 2021. Let’s see what this month has in store for us based on these two phases.
ARIES – March 21 – April 19
You will be feeling extra sensitive and extra emotional, especially concerning matters centered around family and home. During the first part of the month, your desire to nest is heightened, and you may find yourself reflecting on the types of changes you would like to make in your home. Take some time to explore what gives you an inner sense of security, and then make long-range plans for the future by deciding how you want to reorganize or remodel your home environment so that you can fully enjoy family related activities and feel safe and secure. By month’s end, you’ll find yourself ready to extend yourself to include friends and acquaintances inside your circle.
TAURUS – April 20 – May 20
The New Moon at the beginning of July has you reflecting on the ways you have been communicating your ideas and messages. This is the beginning of a new way to express yourself. Your mind is being re-wired to learn new ways of getting yourself out there. Perhaps take a class to develop your speaking or writing skills, or maybe develop new ways to promote your truth through social media, podcasts or videos. By the time the Full Moon appears toward month’s end, your ideas should be well-lit, and you will be ready to go public with new career ventures. Promoting yourself at this time will be good for your career, so put yourself out there and let others know of your endeavors.
GEMINI – May 21 – June 20
You are being called to take a good look at what you value and where you find your self-worth. July begins with you reflecting on your financial status in terms of how and where you’ve been spending your money. If you don’t already have a budget plan, now is the time to create one. This area of life will be undergoing a much-needed reboot. Be on the look-out for new opportunities to increase your income or be open for a new investment opportunity. By the time the Full Moon rolls around, the path to what you want becomes clearer and your perspective shifts, shedding light on how your spiritual and personal belief systems affect your goals for the future.
CANCER – JUNE 21 – JULY 22
Your planetary ruler is the Moon and with this New Moon in your own sign and in the 1st house, this makes for a very strong transit. You are used to nurturing others and putting their emotions and needs first. This is a month to put yourself first and reflect upon how you want to nurture yourself. Where would you like to initiate personal changes? This is the time to recognize your own rhythms and to acknowledge exactly what you need and when. Focus on your sense of self and become more aware of what helps you feel personally fulfilled in life. The Full Moon at month’s end will illuminate where these transformations will occur on a deeper level. It will shed light on whatever needs to be released that is holding you back from restarting your life in a more positive and innovative manner.
LEO – July 23 – August 22
Normally dynamic and accustomed to being in the spotlight as the center of attention, the beginning of July finds you shining your light behind the scenes and enjoying your connection to the collective unconscious. The part of yourself being triggered is that secret side that you don’t reveal to others. Do some soul-searching and take time alone to recharge your emotional and spiritual energy. This is a good time to tap into your imagination and creativity, as well as a time to clear your mind to embrace any healing modalities such meditation or personal therapy that could be beneficial. This will be important as the Full Moon transits your 7th house at month’s end when you will be focusing on relationships of all kinds. Your inner reflections at the beginning of the month will be helpful as the Full Moon sheds light on the culmination of important one-on-one relationships. This could signal an ending of some sort in the partnership area, or perhaps a transitioning of one phase to another.
VIRGO – August 23 – September 22
Your focus is on your friendships and social groups. You’ll feel the need to connect and align yourself with those whom you share a common goal or cause. Create a network to strengthen and nurture your vision for the future. Evaluate your present and future dreams and wishes and make sure they are what you truly need and desire. Toward the end of the month, you will be feeling that familiar urge to be of service. This is a good time to implement your plan on how you can best work with a team of individuals to benefit those in need. Make positive changes in your life by working to perfect your daily goals through routine and hard effort.
LIBRA – September 23 – October 22
This month has you focusing on your professional goals and public recognition. With the New Moon transiting your house of career and life path, your soul will be asking how you can leave your mark on the world. You find yourself longing for more recognition, more responsibility, or simply more meaning and purpose in your life. It is a good time for planning and reflecting on the changes you want to make in this area, whether it means deciding if you are in the right career or following the right path in life. By the time the Full Moon arrives, you will need to take a break from all of this serious pondering. Incorporate some time to have fun and play. Do something using your creative self-expression or spend time with your children. This is when you get those “light-bulb” moments and what you truly desire will be illuminated.
SCORPIO – October 23 – November 21
This is a great time to learn something new that will stretch your belief systems and philosophies about how you view the world. The focus is on exploring the bigger questions in life and to seek out where you find truth and meaning in your existence. Venture outside your normal thoughts and perceptions. Expand your horizons by reading books that explore different theologies and perspectives. Perhaps travel to distant places and view different cultures and beliefs. Listen to others who may inspire you to take up a new special interest or further your education. The goal is for your spirit to grow and expand beyond the regular experiences in your life. The end of the month could present you with a feeling of destiny or karma and illuminate how your home and family factor into finding your true sense of security.
SAGITTARIUS – November 22 – December 21
The New Moon transiting through your 8th house will have you approaching this month in a more powerful manner. You may find yourself investigating how to merge your finances or property with a significant other or possibly a business partner. Are you perhaps considering taking out a loan or signing some sort of financial agreement? The way you deal with joint finances this month will be changing. Now is the time to dive deep into your intentions revolving around joint finances, investments, and financial agreements of all types. The end of the month could find you becoming more visible in your community, which could include something being completed or improved in your local environment.
CAPRICORN – December 22 – January 19
Your focus this month is all about relationships, both personal and business. The emphasis is on new beginnings in this area, which could be taking the next step in a personal relationship, such as moving in together, getting engaged or married, or entering into a new business partnership. Now is a good time to set your intentions around the relationships you have and the ones you want. Resolve to work on connections that are mutually supportive. This is an opportunity to improve your partnership and plan for the future with another in mind. Your challenge will be being able to incorporate your powerful and strong independent presence with another’s needs and opinions.
AQUARIUS – January 20 – February 18
Your focus for this month will be around healthy habits and healthy work routines. Reflect on the areas of your day-to-day routine that need to be reset and rejuvenated. Reevaluate how you serve others and how they serve you. Make a commitment to self-care, set healthy boundaries, add some new diet and fitness regimens to your schedule, and make sure your work and life are in balance. It would be a good idea to follow a calendar listing your goals and intentions until you get into a nice, even flow. The end of the month should bring more self-awareness as the Full Moon helps you to see yourself in a whole new light, giving you more understanding into your life's direction. This will be the time you will start to see the results of your intentions.
PISCES – February 19 – March 20
This month emphasizes new beginnings with regard to children or the child within you, creative self-expression and all of the things that make life fun. Think of the seeds you would like to plant this month. Is it a new venture? Do you want to try your hand at an artistic endeavor? What is it that brings you joy? The act of creation requires some courage and risk. Focus on the things you put your heart, soul and emotions into. You will also want to connect with others through fun and recreation. Go outside your comfort zone and try new and creative possibilities. The end of the month brings more introspection. It is time to balance your life, take a breather and get in touch with what is beneath the surface.