Harley and the Heavens: Summer Edition 2022
Harley Woods | May 3, 2022
May
Current zodiac season: Taurus (April 19 - May 19)
Symbol: Bull
Element: Earth
Quality: Fixed
Traits: Stubborn, dedicated
May Planetary Transitions
Coming this May is a total lunar eclipse during the full moon in Scorpio! Keep an eye out for this event on May 16, peaking at 12:14 PM. A full moon in Scorpio puts individuals in touch with their hidden emotions, though a lunar eclipse may drive us further inward. The full eclipse will likely not be visible to this region. This month’s new moon will peak in Gemini on May 30 at 7:30 AM.
Yet another Mercury retrograde (RX) begins on May 10 at 7:47 AM, starting its shadow period in Gemini. Mercury’s roots lie with Gemini, so an RX could affect people in one of two ways: a person will either be able to harness the internal energy provided by RX to their advantage or find it more challenging to communicate fluidly.
The RX moves into Taurus on May 22 at 9:15 PM. If this seems confusing, here’s a reminder for what an RX is! All planets reach a point in their orbit where it appears as if they are moving backward. While this is an illusion, it still has astrological significance and is often referred to as the shadow period. This is why an RX may sometimes shift backward into the zodiac prior to where it was at the start of the RX.
This month, Venus will appear in two different signs. First, Venus finds its way into Aries on May 2 at 12:10 PM. The planet of love can be expressed very impulsively and passionately in this sign. However, feelings of intense love may seem fleeting in this placement.
On May 28 at 10:46 AM, Venus returns home to Taurus! During this period, love may become much more sensual and slow and devoted. Taurus is a very sensual and grounded sign and is ruled by Venus. Expressing love at this time may come very naturally.
Another planet appearing in its ruling sign is Mars, peaking in Aries on May 24 at 7:17 PM. Mars symbolizes instinctual aspects of personality: anger, passion, sex drive etc. While in Aries, these parts of ourselves will be expressed very freely and hotly. Be weary of using too much fire!
There are some interesting things happening with Jupiter this month. First, on May 3 at 5:33 PM, Jupiter will share a relationship described as a sextile with Pluto. A sextile indicates a very natural state of being, so natural that it seems innate. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and Pluto is the planet of the subconscious. What this signifies for people is a very natural ability to expand on and understand our deep fears and subconscious feelings.
Later, on May 10 at 7:22 PM, Jupiter moves into Aries. This may mean for more impulsive or action-oriented ways of engaging with knowledge and growth.
June
Current zodiac season: Gemini (May 20 - June 20)
Symbol: Twins
Element: Air
Quality: Mutable
Traits: witty, perspectivists
June Planetary Transitions
This month’s full moon peaks in Sagittarius on June 14 at 7:52 AM. The new moon occurs on June 28 at 10:52 PM, peaking in Cancer. Because the moon rules emotionality and a new moon represents a closing off, use caution and care when tending to emotional affairs on this day. Cancer tends to be very sensitive.
Mercury RX will end on June 3 at 4:00 AM sharp. The planet will end its backward motion in Taurus, bringing us to a grounded place to regain full control of communicative abilities. Only ten days later on June 13 at 11:27 AM, Mercury will return to Gemini where it began its RX orbit. Some might experience a feeling of deja vu surrounding communication patterns due to the recent RX.
Also making its way into Gemini is Venus, starting on June 22 at 8:34 PM. This placement might clash a bit; Venus is a loving and sensual planet whereas Gemini tends to be logical and less affectionate. However, communicating feelings of love and appreciation may come naturally.
There are two other RX’s happening this month! First, Saturn will RX in Aquarius on June 4 at 5:47 PM. Then, Neptune will RX in Pisces on June 28 at 3:54 AM.
Saturn is the planet of structure. A Saturn RX in Aquarius may symbolize a person being able to reorient themself and think on how they might uniquely improve the structure of their life.
Neptune, on the other hand, is the planet of spirituality and illusions or fiction. An RX here may allow for things that were unclear before to become clearer. Because this RX is in Pisces, we can approach these revelations with compassion and sensitivity.
July
Current zodiac season: Cancer (June 21 - July 21)
Symbol: Crab
Element: Water
Quality: Cardinal
Traits: devoted, gentle
July Planetary Transitions
The July full moon will peak in Capricorn on July 13 at 2:37 PM. On July 28 at 1:55 PM the new moon will peak in Leo.
Mercury will occupy two placements this month. First, Mercury moves into Cancer on July 5 at 2:25 AM. This placement might lead to emotionally-based or care-centric interactions. Then, on July 19 at 8:35 AM, Mercury will move into Leo. Contrary to the position before, the self will be the focus of interactions. This is a great time to prioritize your own needs during conversations.
On July 17 at 9:32 PM Venus will enter Cancer. This placement is great for those who love to love. Romantic Venus feeds off of Cancer’s caring energy to create strong emotional bonds within relationships. Be cautious of growing too attached or clingy!
Making its way into Taurus on July 5 at 2:04 AM is action-planet Mars. This planet rules instinctual behavior, and will benefit from taking a seat in slow and stubborn Taurus. Take this opportunity to think through impulses.
Another major RX coming occurs on July 28 at 4:37 PM where Jupiter will RX in Aries. Planet of expansion finds itself paired with the action-man. Matters of knowledge and expression will happen without a second thought in this placement, though the RX may provide a moment for that second thought to occur.
August
Current zodiac season: Leo (July 22 - August 21)
Symbol: Lion
Element: Fire
Quality: Fixed
Traits: driven, confident
August Planetary Transitions
The full moon will peak on August 11 at 9:36 PM in Aquarius. The new moon that follows takes place in Virgo on August 27 at 4:17 AM. These moons compliment each other. Aquarius is an independent thinker, and Virgo is a great delegator. Use this energy to kick off the new semester on a good note.
Mercury will also find itself in Virgo on August 4 at 2:58 AM. This is also a natural pairing, meaning that communication will flow effectively and with meaning. One flaw that Virgo Mercury may have is its tendency to leave feelings out of a place where they may be important to consider.
On August 25 at 9:03 PM, Mercury will move into Libra. Virgo and Libra have similar traits, though Libra may be more indecisive or keen on weighing different perspectives. Of the two, Libra is more likely to both consider feelings as well as turn inward and shut down in a way.
In alignment with Leo season, Venus will also make its way into Leo on August 11 at 2:30 PM. The self will be the focus of relationships during this time. For many people, it is important to use this time to focus on valuing themselves. Be cautious of letting this cloud or block opportunities to share love with others.
Dragging behind the other planets is Mars, entering Gemini on August 20 at 3:56 AM. This is a great placement to have. Mars feeds off of Gemini’s airy nature, using wit and logic to its advantage. Matters of passion become easily communicated under this placement. Keep an eye out for moments where you might be rationalizing impulses, however. Instinct is still important!
Yet another summertime RX happens on August 24 at 9:54 where Uranus goes RX while in Taurus. There has been a lot of discussion in my column about the importance of the generational signs, several of which are currently in RX.
Uranus is the planet of awakening and independence. When in Taurus, approaches to these ideas are structured and approached with determination and stubbornness. The RX may provide people with a way to focus on themselves and get to the root of where they need to begin their journey of independence.