Only major aspects (conjunction, 0°; sextile, 60°; square, 90°; trine, 120°; opposition, 180°) between the sun and planets are included here. All lunar aspects (other than full and new moons) have been omitted, hence there is not an entry for every day. Aspect patterns frequently overlap; where there are several major aspects occurring on the same day, synthesize their combined characteristics to determine the overall trend, then act accordingly. But remember...YOU make the final call! An aspect's influence can last from a day or two, in the case of Mercury, Venus, or Mars, to several weeks and even months when the slower-moving 'outer' planets are involved. Times given are when aspects peak. In addition, planets periodically appear to slow down, stop, then change their orbital direction, turning Retrograde or Direct; these periods of apparent motionlessness are called Stations and for a week or two either side of them, all themes associated with the planet are greatly emphasized.

1 Mercury sextile Mars 5:17am—Get some physical and mental exercise today; catch up on phone-calls, correspondence; run local errands; clean house.

5 Uranus stations Retrograde 9:49am, at 00°35' Aries (till Dec 5)—The sudden disruption of plans or affairs due to unexpected changes in conditions, circumstances or attitudes is highly likely; expect shocks, surprises, and a lot of nervous energy for several days either side of this station. Aviation-related events may be in the news. Review ambitions or career objectives; address your needs for personal freedom; pay attention to your intuition...learn to trust it, give your "hunches" more credibility.

8 Venus opposition Neptune retrograde 4:56pm—Handle finances realistically; don't "space out" while shopping...you could end up with items you really didn't need; don't fall for any get-rich-quick schemes, either; a delightful romantic liaison is possible Mercury sextile Saturn 10:35pm—Make business decisions, buy or sell real estate, sign or negotiate contracts; organize your office or place of work; seek sage advice.

9 Mercury enters Leo 9:29am (till July 27)—Do creative mental work; communications can assume a theatrical air; a boost for sales, advertising or PR operations. Mercury trine Uranus retrograde 4:46pm—Unexpected news or announcements; your intuition could help you solve a problem; engage in stimulating activities with friends or groups; if you have a natal horoscope, study it now for insights.

10 Venus enters Virgo 4:32am (till Aug 6)— Get in touch with your emotions...identify what it is that "pushes your buttons"...during the next five weeks; seek alliances with those who share your work or intellectual interests; spruce up your place of work. Sun sextile Mars 9:13pm—Make productive use of an abundance of dynamic energy...get some exercise today (no, just visualizing it won't do, I'm afraid!); constructive, creative self-expression is encouraged; have faith in your ability to achieve; work undertaken with others brings satisfaction; romantic encounters are not entirely out of the question.

11 Mercury trine Jupiter 1:13am—Sign contracts, conclude a deal; move forward with PR or advertising plans; open up to new ideas and philosophies; plan a trip. New Moon, Solar Eclipse 12:40pm, at 19°24' Cancer—Emotional sensitivity increases; nurture those around you; go with your instincts now regarding proposed new ventures or alliances; resolve to jettison any detrimental emotional attachments.

13 Venus trine Pluto 10:54am—Overhaul financial or business practices for greater efficiency; profound psychological insights or feedback may provide the inspiration to seek greater harmony in close personal relationships; an intense yet meaningful relationship could begin for some.

21 Saturn enters Libra 8:09am (till Oct 10, 2012)—The ringed planet, Saturn, lord of karma, is said to be exalted in Libra, the sign of balance. While positioned here, it inclines one towards the higher path of cooperation, rather than competition, and decisive, fair and responsible action. Individuals with cardinal sun signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) will likely feel the effects of Saturn's shift first. Developing a greater social awareness, together with mastering inter-personal relations, are major themes of Saturn's transit through Libra. Indeed, one's sense of social justice will be greatly heightened during the next two to three years. To prosper now, and to ensure that you incur minimal relationship karma, you will need to employ tact, diplomacy and patience, and be more receptive to the needs of others.

22 Sun enters Leo 3:21pm (till Aug 22)—As the sun enters its home sign of Leo, it boosts self-confidence, enhancing one's creative prowess, and encouraging one and all to reconnect with their inner child over the next thirty days. Make time to play; not only is it fun but it can relieve stress and pent up pressures. Sun sextile Saturn 6:14pm—Constructive progress can be made towards career goals; being both practical and creative achieves best results; advice from an authority figure could prove helpful.

23 Sun trine Uranus retrograde 3:07am—Flashes of inspired thought could reveal hidden goals or ambitions you didn’t realize you’d harbored; seek creative ways to finance a project; begin a new creative enterprise; take a vacation or get-away break. Jupiter stations Retrograde 5:03am, at 03°24' Aries (till Nov 18)—Exercise greater tolerance of others' philosophies and methodologies; reassess goals and ambitions; consolidate recent gains or business progress. While the truth "out there" may be harder to get at, we would be best served now by seeking our own truths within.

24 Jupiter retrograde square Pluto retrograde 6:51pm—A growing need for something in which to believe and have faith in may become more apparent; conversely, religious fanaticism might also be in evidence; personal transformation, perhaps through educational pursuits, could be a higher priority now; there is potential for conflict or deception over joint finances...be the epitome of integrity! Avoid coercion or contentious behavior, allow others to have their own points of view; values and principles could fall by the wayside as the overzealous pursue grandiose and unrealistic objectives.

25 Full Moon 6:37pm, at 03:00' Aquarius—Rely upon inner inspiration and guidance if considering new beginnings or a life-direction change; issues of personal freedom and relationship expectations are likely topics for discussion now; indeed, one's values in terms of relationships could be subject to redefinition.

26 Mercury opposition Neptune retrograde 3:04am—Don't jump to conclusions now as you may not have all the facts; re-check all figures for accuracy, leave nothing to chance. Sun trine Jupiter retrograde 4:30am—Pursue educational goals; plan a long-distance business trip, or vacation in search of spiritual knowledge…a pilgrimage; participate in group activities or just be with friends; opportunities for romance may come through cultural activities; reflect on life. Saturn opposition Uranus retrograde 10:05am—Difficulties with friends, groups or official organizations is a distinct possibility; circumstances beyond your control could impede your progress; old routines that clearly are not working must now change.

27 Mercury enters Virgo 2:43pm (till Oct 3)—Logic and reasoning power are enhanced by this transit so put your mind to work for you now; cultivate organizational skills; plan projects.

29 Mars enters Libra 4:47pm (till Sept 14)—Productivity now may depend on the cooperation or approval of others; we can learn much about ourselves through our interactions with others during this period; maintain a balance between personal needs and those of others.

30 Mercury trine Pluto retrograde 3:03am—The forceful, dynamic energies at work here can give one's will-power a huge boost; therefore, begin a new physical exercise regimen or diet; improve efficiency wherever possible...eliminate waste and unnecessary effort; recycle wherever possible; passions and physical desires are dramatically increased...be aware of your motivations! Mars opposition Uranus retrograde 6:32am—Exercise caution while traveling; irritability or excessive agitation could lead to accidents, or heated arguments; avoid acting on impulse...take the time to consider the consequences of your actions.

31 Mars conjunct Saturn 1:09am, at 00°49' Libra—Persistence and perseverance win the day; banish any feelings of malice or resentment; set out now, undaunted by recent trials or tribulations, on your new or newly-defined path with drive and ambition.

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EXPANDED FORECAST FOR JULY, 2010

Expect a few shocks, surprises, and a lot of nervous energy for several days either side of the Uranus retrograde station on July 5th, at 9:49am, PDT, in 01° Aries. Don’t take too much for granted during this unstable period, when recklessness and impatience can lead the unwary astray. Uranus in retrograde (till Dec 5) asks us to review our ambitions and career objectives, to redefine our goals, perhaps along more humanistic or progressive lines, and to reconnect with the higher mind or "Christ principle" within when seeking guidance. Pay attention to your intuition now, learn to trust it; give your "hunches" more credibility. Aviation-related events or stories may be in the news, while unstable weather conditions and seismic activity are possible.

Following Mercury's entry into Leo's world of drama on the 9th, communications can assume a more theatrical air. This transit (till July 27) can provide a boost to sales, advertising or PR operations. It also favors creative mental work.

Mercury then trines Uranus later on the 9th, when unexpected news or announcements are possible. Your intuition could help you solve a problem around this juncture. Activities with friends or groups could be particularly stimulating and enjoyable. If you have a natal horoscope, study it now for timely insights.

After Venus enters Virgo on July 10th, get in touch with your feelings—identify what it is that "pushes your buttons" during the next five weeks. Seek alliances with those who share your work or intellectual interests. Spruce up your office or workspace, add a few plants to provide a grounding influence.

Make productive use of an abundance of dynamic energy when the sun sextiles Mars on the 10th. Be sure to get some vigorous physical exercise this weekend. Constructive, creative self-expression is encouraged. Work or sports activities undertaken with others can bring satisfaction now.

A solar eclipse occurs at the new moon on July 11th, in 20° Cancer, heightening emotional sensitivity. Be more nurturing to those around you. Go with your instincts now regarding a proposed new work venture or employment opportunity. Resolve to jettison any detrimental emotional attachments in the weeks ahead.

After two and a half years in meticulous Virgo, the ringed planet, Saturn, enters Libra on July 21st. Saturn, lord of karma, is said to be exalted (functions optimally) in Libra, the sign of balance. While positioned here, it inclines one towards the higher path of cooperation, rather than competition, and decisive, fair and responsible action. Individuals with cardinal sun signs—Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn—will likely feel the effects of Saturn's shift first. Developing a greater social awareness, together with mastering inter-personal relations, are major themes of Saturn's transit through fair-minded Libra. Indeed, one's sense of social justice will be greatly heightened during the next two to three years. To prosper now, and to ensure that you incur minimal relationship karma, you will need to employ tact, diplomacy and patience, and be more receptive to the needs of others.

As the sun enters its home sign of Leo on the 22nd it boosts courage and self-confidence, enhancing one's creative prowess, and encouraging one and all to reconnect with their inner child over the next thirty days. Make time to play; not only is it fun but it can relieve stress and pent up pressures.

Later on the 22nd the sun sextiles Saturn, when constructive progress can be made towards career or educational goals. Being both practical and creative achieves best results now. Advice from an authority figure or savvy elder could prove helpful.

A flash of pure genius may facilitate progress towards a goal or cherished ambition when the sun trines Uranus on the 23rd. Look for new ways of raising investment capital or of financing a project dear to your heart. Delve into astrological or metaphysical studies for timely insights.

After Jupiter stations retrograde later on the 23rd, in 03°24' Aries (till November 18), be prepared to exercise greater tolerance of others' philosophies, world-views, or methodologies. Reassess your goals and ambitions over the next four months, to see if you're still on track. Consolidate recent gains or business progress. While the truth about something you seek to know may be "out there," it could be harder to get at during Jupiter's retrograde phase, so your interests might be best served by seeking your own truths within for the time being.

A growing need for something in which to believe, and have faith in, gathers momentum as Jupiter squares Pluto on the 24th. Conversely, religious fanaticism might also be in evidence. Personal transformation, perhaps through educational, philosophical or ideological pursuits, could become a higher priority now. There is potential for conflict or deception over joint finances now, so endeavor to be the epitome of integrity! Avoid coercion or contentious behavior, allow others to have their own points of view—as they most certainly will. Values and principles could fall by the wayside as the overzealous pursue grandiose and unrealistic objectives.

July's full moon culminates on the 25th in 03° Aquarius, and completes the formation of a "mystic rectangle" aspect pattern that also involves the conjunction of Mars and Saturn and the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction. The creative energies inherent in this positive, flowing alignment can help you to build a bridge from the past to a more progressive future. Rely upon your creative ingenuity if considering new beginnings or a life-direction or career change. Issues of personal freedom and relationship expectations are also topics to contemplate now.

Plan or begin a long-distance trip, vacation, or pilgrimage on July 26th (Mayan New Year), when the sun trines outgoing Jupiter. Participate in group activities, or just spend time with special friends. Opportunities to broaden your knowledge may come through cultural activities. Reflect on life—where you've been, where you are now, and where you're going.

The last in a series of four unsettling and potentially destabilizing Saturn-Uranus oppositions perfects on the 26th, an augury that old routines or strategies that clearly are not working must now change. Circumstances have a way of conspiring to help clarify where change may be needed, which might be the case now. Difficulties with friends, groups, officials, or organizations are a distinct possibility. Somehow, circumstances beyond your control could impede your professional progress around this juncture. This alignment previously occurred on November 4th, 2008; and February 5th and September 15th, 2009. Events that transpired then could provide helpful hints about potential scenarios now.

Mars enters the airy realm of tropical Libra on July 29th for a six-week sojourn, during which productivity may depend on the cooperation or approval of others. Indeed, we can learn much about ourselves through our interactions with others during this transit. Strive to maintain a balance between personal needs and those of others.

Heightened perceptions are possible as Mercury trines Pluto on the 30th. What you learn or read today may be profound and effect you deeply. Plan business strategies now.

When feisty Mars opposes free radical Uranus on July 30th, exercise greater caution while traveling, or if using power tools. Irritability or excessive agitation could lead to accidents, or heated arguments. Avoid acting on impulse; take the time to consider the consequences of your actions. You may be glad you did!

Mars and Saturn align in a precise conjunction on July 31st, in 01° Libra, when persistence and perseverance win the day. Banish any feelings of malice or resentment—why create more karma? Set out now, undaunted by recent trials or tribulations, on your new or newly defined path with drive, ambition, and determination.

Tim Gunns is an astrological writer and consultant with over 25 years experience, a conference coordinator and producer, new age market and speaker consultant to the entertainment industry, formerly program director of the national Whole Life Expos, and currently program director of the Conscious Life Expo. To help you to better understand yourself and those you closely interact with, Tim prepares personalized no-nonsense interpretations of Natal Horoscopes ($40), Future Forecast Transit Reports ($75 for 1 full year) and two kinds of Relationship Compatibility analyses ($45 each). Private consultations with Tim by phone may also be scheduled, which must be pre-paid and scheduled in advance. Send Name (as you'd like it to appear on the chart), Date of Birth, time (as close as possible), place of birth (city/country, etc.) for each person, and return address & phone# to: Tim Gunns, 110 Hilltop Drive, Waynesville, NC 28786, USA, or phone 828-452-7885 or email: tgearthstar@aol.com to schedule a Consultation.