Going Beyond Our Shadow Side
The month of July we have several planets that will be in retrograde (Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto). Last month we had Mercury retrograding in its own sign until June 11th. When retrogrades take place the energy of those planets allows us opportunity to re-examine our true intentions before moving forward. Understand that the planets do not change direction but appear too from the view of Earth. There is a slowdown of energy that does take place. I call it a time to pause and reflect. After, and a little before these retrogrades, there is a shadow time where reflecting on past decisions and how to take the next step forward in our journey as spiritual beings, individually and collectively.
This means that even though the planets are no longer retrograde they remain in a shadow until they move back to where they started before the retrograde. That is, what degree in a sign in the constellations.
The month of July is in the sign of Cancer and also Leo starting on the 24th. Cancer the cardinal water sign (Chariot in the Tarot) and Leo a fixed fire sign (the Strength in the Tarot). The Chariot the “receptive will” combined with “suggestion/digestion” of the Strength card. There will be a full Moon on July 4th, our nation’s Birthday, in Aquarius as it was in 1776, which represents personal freedom for all. It will be interesting to see how this Solar return will manifest for our Nation. Venus and Jupiter meet up to bring knowledge and creative insights at the same time as well.
Solar energy expands as the Sun enters Leo on July 22nd and meets up with Mercury to put those ideas into action that have been on the back burner. Venus will begin retrograding on the 25th til September 5th and in shadow until October 9th. Venus, the planet of love in the sign of Leo until October will find some moments of hesitation and re-examination with the retrograde taking place. The shadow side can slip out during the retrograde, best to go within before acting. Waiting some times works best until we are coming from our true self. To add to the excitement, Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, will go retrograde on July 26th to December 25th and the shadow period will end next year on April 16. Even though Uranus is in the active fire sign of Aries to light up the sky and rebel, the retrogrades will slow things down and give us a feeling we are in a holding position. This will effect us as an individual, a Nation, and collectively here and elsewhere.
The elements at play are Fire, Earth, Water and Air which are a universal set of energies that we as a collective are in agreement. There is a book called “The Four-Fold Way”, which is about walking the paths of the Warrior (Air), Teacher(Water), Healer(Earth), and Visionary(Fire). The Warrior shows up with right action, the Teacher is open to outcome with right timing, the Healer pays attention with right speech, the Visionary four-fold way of telling the truth with right placement. We can claim these energies that are apart of us at any moment. During “shadow” periods when we feel that we are not clear as to what direction to move in, we can take time to reflect and empower who we really are.
In conclusion, as we feel these retrogrades and their shadow energy know it is a time of reflecting and being present with right timing along with right action, and being open to a new outcome. We play a part in this by telling the truth with right speech as the Warrior, Teacher, Healer and Visionary,and co-creator.
With Love and Blessings,
Sharyn Norwood
Sharyn Norwood