July 2009 Wellness Horoscope

July 7, 2009: Cancer /Capricorn Full Moon Lunar Eclipse (exact at 2:21 am PDT)

Today’s Full Moon initiates the first of this season’s three eclipses (July 21 and August 5 mark the other two). Even if we can’t see an eclipse in the sky where we live, these celestial events are renowned for being very powerful in the way in which they can impact our lives.

A Full Moon Lunar Eclipse signifies a time when things come to fruition. It portends an auspicious time to let go of something that is outworn, whether it be a possession, a habit, a limiting belief, or a relationship that doesn’t serve your highest good. Additionally, eclipses provide a great opportunity for outward manifestation with life-changing events—sometimes expected, sometimes not—often happening around this time.

Issues of security are brought to the forefront during the Cancer/Capricorn Full Moon. It urges us to look at our life through the lens of the questions, “Where do I feel at home?” and “How can I feel more safe and protected regardless of where I am?” In pure Capricorn fashion, these aren’t light-hearted questions, but they are ones whose answers can provide us with the riches of insight to live a more integrated and productive life.

With this Full Moon, we are reminded that while the past is essential, it’s important not to wallow in it. What came before may be an integral part of who you are but don’t let it pull you from the joys of the present. “Be here now,” as Ram Dass is famous for saying and recognize that that which you may have inherited is only one aspect of you, and one that you can channel to help you build your own personal legacy.

This month’s Full Moon falls at 15 degrees of Cancer (Sun) and Capricorn (Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of a Full Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Cancer, Capricorn, or the other cardinal signs—Aries and Libra—it may impact you more intensely. Also, take note of the houses in your personal astrology chart that the eclipse falls in as these represent arenas of your life that will hold special import over the next 6 months.

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse Apothecary Suggestions

Cancer is associated with the stomach, sinuses, body fluids, and breasts while Capricorn is associated with the skin, skeletal system, and joints. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body around the time of this Full Moon.

Skin scrub: With Capricorn ruling the skin and the Crab—the symbol for Cancer—famous for its molting, why not do a skin scrub ritual during this Full Moon. Sloughing away dead skin cells enhances circulation, reduces clogged pores, and allows the skin to breath better, improving our detoxification capacity. It also makes the skin more radiant and allows it to hold onto more moisture. Exfoliate the skin after several minutes in a hot shower or bath, or if you prefer do dry brushing before you bathe. Skin scrubbing tools—such as brushes and mitts made from sisal or nylon—are available in many beauty stores and natural foods markets.

Turtle meditation: The turtle, the animal which carries his home on his back no matter where he travels, is a great image to focus upon during this Full Moon Lunar Eclipse. Invoke the image of the turtle today in your meditation, or even just look at pictures and read about these wise hard-shelled animals. The turtle is a great symbol of inner wisdom, a deliberate approach to life, and the sense of self-protection inherent within all of us.

July 10, 2009: Jupiter Conjunct Neptune

This is the second of the three cosmological meetings this year of the planets Jupiter and Neptune (the first occurred on May 27, the last will be on December 21). It’s a day that may feel dreamy but one that will remind you that your dreams can become reality.

What happens when hopeful and visionary Jupiter dances in the sky with imaginative and spiritually inclined Neptune? You may feel captured by a sense of romanticism that infuses even the most mundane with a sense of poetics. You may find yourself drawn to music, color, and images—rather than solely to words—when expressing your thoughts and feelings. You may experience especially vivid dreams, as your subconscious mind more strongly pierces the veil of your conscious mind during sleep.

Yet, take heed: Jupiter conjunct Neptune can usher in the trio of “sion”s: confusion, delusion, and illusion. Due diligence is even more important during this time so that you can best tune into the “reality” of what is occurring.

However the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction individually manifests for you, one thing is for sure: both these planets carry an “up, up, and away” energy and so it’s important to stay open to their inspiration but grounded at the same time.

Jupiter Conjunct Neptune Apothecary Suggestions

Walk and soak: Tune into your body and ensure your feet are planted firmly on the earth. One way to do so would be to start your day with a brisk walk. Afterwards, soak your feet in a warm salt-water tub infused with your favorite essential oil while you meditate on your goals for the day and dreams for your life.

Holy basil: Also known as tulsi, holy basil makes a delicious non-caffeinated “tea” that provides a meditative sense of centering while at the same time boosting the immune system and helping the body guard against stress. Holy basil is delicious hot or prepared as iced tea.

July 21, 2009: Cancer New Moon Solar Eclipse (exact at 7:35 pm PDT)

Today’s New Moon is also an eclipse, the second of this season’s three (July 7 and August 5 mark the other two). Even if we can’t see an eclipse in the sky where we live, these celestial events are renowned for being very powerful in the way in which they can impact our lives.

A New Moon Solar Eclipse signifies a time for beginnings. While something may inherently be coming to a close, there is great focus on the initiation of the new that it brings. Like Lunar Eclipses, a Solar Eclipse is often accompanied by identifiable life-changing events that manifest around the time of this celestial happening.

This Cancer New Moon provides an opportunity to resolve familial wounds. This is not only because Cancer is the sign of the family, the home, and the past, but also because this is the second New Moon in this sign this summer. Reflecting back to the other one that occurred on June 22 can provide you with insights as to the issues that may re-arise—and potentially come to closure—during this time.

The great emphasis on healing also occurs because Jupiter and Chiron are also conjunct today (with their traveling partner this year, idealistic Neptune, close by). Chiron helps us to identify the areas of our lives where our wounds-would-be-strengths lie. Jupiter not only expands that which it touches but is also the planet of the scholar, s/he who awards lessons of wisdom. Taken together, we have the opportunity to become more aware of our personal Achille’s heel and learn what it may need for healing. As this day also heralds a square between Saturn and Venus, it is likely that the issues will center on women relatives or the way in which we relate to females in our lives, including our own feminine spirit (anima).

This month’s New Moon falls at 29 degrees of Cancer (Sun and Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of the New Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Cancer or the other cardinal signs—Aries, Libra, Capricorn, it may impact you more intensely. (This also applies to those with pivotal points or planets within the first few degrees of the fixed signs—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.) Also, take note of the house in your personal astrology chart that the eclipse falls in as it represents an arena of your life that will hold special import over the next 6 months.

New Moon Solar Eclipse Apothecary Suggestions

Cancer rules the stomach, sinuses, body fluids, and breasts. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body around the time of this New Moon.

Jasmine essential oil: As the jasmine flower is governed by the Moon—the planetary ruler of Cancer—enjoying its aroma can help support the energetics of this Solar Eclipse. Jasmine has a rapturous fragrance that arouses our ability to connect to the feminine spirit within us. It’s a lauded aphrodisiac as well. Use it as perfume, combine it with body oil for a sensuality-inspiring massage, or sprinkle a few drops in a bath and soak in its feminine revelry.

Brassica vegetables: Enjoy some Brassica vegetables—such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, or watercress—during this New Moon. Not only are these vegetables incredibly healthy, but they are also ruled by Cancer in medical astrology. In addition to fiber, vitamins, and minerals, they are concentrated in powerful sulfur-containing nutrients. These phytonutrients are thought to be cancer preventive and help the liver detoxify chemicals. They can be delicious raw; for example, broccoli with dip makes a healthy snack and chiffonaded pieces of kale are a great addition to a salad. Cooking them into delicious dishes is also easy. For example, try roasted cauliflower. Or steam mustard or collard greens and top them with lemon, olive oil, and salt for a quick-and-easy side dish.