This week, the Sun and Mars further the North Node's energetic agenda; as Venus squares Uranus, look for the unexpected in money and relationships; Venus enters modest Virgo; Mercury enters its latest retrograde period; the Leo New Moon is uncharacteristically reflective; and April revisits a listener question about the Sun's annual cycle through your birth chart. Plus: Retrograde hygiene, dreaming of fairies, and annoying mouth noises!

Read a full transcript of this episode.

Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here!

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Timestamps

[1:20] The Sun trines the North Node on July 31 (1:48 am PDT 08º38’ Leo-Aries). The North Node’s Sabian Symbol is 9 Aries, A crystal gazer, the Sun’s is 9 Leo, Glass blowers. Create something new and beautiful from the breath of creative spirit.

[3:20] Mars sextiles the North Node on Aug. 1 (8:19 pm PDT), 08º23’ Gemini-Aries. Mars is on 9 Gemini, A quiver filled with arrows. What skills, contacts and ideas do you have to fan the flames of that pioneering Aries North Node?

[4:20] Venus squares Uranus on Aug. 2 (6:27 am PDT), 26º52’ Leo-Taurus. The Sabian symbol for Venus is 27 Leo, Daybreak. When Venus comes together with Uranus, we never know what's coming next in love or money.

[6:23] On Aug. 4 (7:23 pm PDT) Venus enters Virgo and is here through Aug. 29, 2024. Venus in Virgo favors modest surroundings, finds beauty in functionality, is particular in relationships, and organized about money.

[9:30] On Aug. 4 (9:56 pm PDT) Mercury stations retrograde at 4º06’ Virgo on the Sabian symbol 5 Virgo, A man dreaming of fairies. Mercury is retrograde through Aug. 28th. Simplify your schedule, reduce time on social media, finish up practical projects.

[12:31] Moon Report! The Leo New Moon (Aug. 4, 4:13 am PDT, 12º34’ Leo) is on the Sabian symbol, 13 Leo, An old sea captain rocking. To express Leo's creative potential fully requires periodic rest, refueling.

[15:19] This is the beginning of a lunar phase family cycle (LPFC) that unfolds over the coming three years. Pay close attention to what is important in your life at this New Moon. Action comes at the First Quarter of this LPFC on May 4, 2025, insight at the Full Moon on Feb. 1, 2026, final action at the Last Quarter on Nov. 1, 2026.

[17:15] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon periods. On July 29 (1:59 pm PDT), the Moon in Taurus sextiles Neptune. It is VOC for about half an hour and then enters Gemini (2:28 pm PDT). Learn to handle practical affairs more effectively.

[18:14] On July 31 (7:46 pm PDT), the Moon in Gemini squares Neptune, is VOC for about half an hour and enters Cancer (8:19 pm PDT). Use this time to write down what you are imagining, and what you're dreaming of.

[19:09] On Aug. 3 (3:31 am PDT), the Moon in Cancer trines Neptune and is VOC for 38 minutes before entering Leo (4:09 am PDT). Caring for those around you earns love and acceptance.

[19:56] Hop in the Wayback Machine to revisit Ep. 131 and a question from Listener Asher about the Sun's annual cycle through your birth chart.

[26:09] If you’d like to have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april(at)bigskyastrology(dot)com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line.

[26:41] Free ways to support the podcast: Subscribe, like, review and share with a friend!

[27:14] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you’d like to support the show, please go to bigskyastropod.com where you can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor! Donate $5 or more to receive access to April’s Cancer Solstice episode.

This week, the Sun enters its fiercest season as it slips into Leeeooooo! Its connections with powerful Pluto and ferocious Mars boost dynamism and creative energy, but heed your limits and be sure to get some rest and recreation. Mercury enters hands-on Virgo; get organized! The Taurus Last Quarter Moon brings an important eclipse season from 2022 to a close. And April answers a listener question about the mysterious 12th House. Plus: putting the “I” in AI, jammies and toast, and your invisible teacher!

Read a full transcript of this episode.

Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here!

Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon!

Love the show? Make a donation!

Timestamps

[1:09] The Sun enters Leeeeeeoooooo, the Sun’s strongest sign, on July 22 (12:44 am PST). It's in this sign through August 22, 2024. Take some time to rest and restore during Leo season.

[3:29] Also on July 22 (10:37 pm PDT), the Sun opposes Pluto at 00°52’ Leo and Aquarius. Celebrate the glorious individual, but heed its limits.

[6:55] Mercury enters one of the signs of its rulership (some say exaltation too): Virgo (July 25, 3:42 pm PDT). It will be in Virgo through Sep. 26, 2024. Note that both Mercury and the Sun move into their strongest signs this week. Think about developing systems to make life’s tasks more efficient.

[9:18] On July 25 (7:32 pm PDT), the Sun sextiles Mars at 03º36’ Leo-Gemini. Use this extra energy to boost Leo's most creative impulses and make them real.

[11:12] Moon Report! The Taurus Last Quarter Moon (July 27, 7:51 pm PDT) is at 05º32’ Taurus and Leo. Gather resources to bring domestic-oriented dreams closer a reality.

[12:23] This is the Last Quarter in a lunar phase family cycle (LPFC) that began at the New Moon/Solar Eclipse on April 30, 2022 (10º28’ Taurus). The First Quarter in this LPFC was on Jan. 28, 2023 and the Full Moon on Oct. 28, 2023 (a Lunar Eclipse). What changes from those eclipses need to be brought to conclusion?

[15:33] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon periods. On July 23 (2:58 am PDT), the Moon in Aquarius opposes Mercury in Leo. It's VOC for about 3 ½ hours before entering Pisces (6:23 am PDT). This is an opportunity to shift your habits to better balance feeling with thinking.

[17:18] On July 25 (7:31 am PDT), the Moon in Pisces conjuncts Neptune. It's VOC for about 21 minutes and then enters Aries (7:52 am PDT). Try developing a new habit of focusing on tackling simple, easy-to-complete chores to help you deal with emotional overwhelm.

[18:38] On July 26 (3:14 pm PDT), the Moon in Aries trines Venus in Leo. It will be VOC for a little over 19 hours (!!!) before the Moon enters Taurus, on July 27 (10:22 am PDT). The courage to act on your desires is strong during this VOC Moon period.

[20:50] Listener Swimfan asks about the 12th House in astrology. Check out Episode 162 for another discussion about this fascinating house of the chart.

[28:51] To have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line.

[29:19] If you like what you’re hearing, please subscribe, follow, like and share!

[29:53] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you’d like to support the show, please go to bigskyastropod.com where you can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor! Donate $5 or more to receive access to April’s Cancer solstice episode.