Stargazer – astrology for July 2022

Image: Gayatri Malhotra| Unsplash

Stargazer – astrology for July 2022. Roe V Wade | Capricorn full moon – powerful feelings | Embracing winter hibernation | Astrological health tips for Cancer, and more...

by Stella Woods

"Make a commitment to openly share your feelings and express your needs. Think of this full moon as a chance to regroup in this mid-year, mid-winter period. Where have you been? Where are you going? What is important? And what and whom do you love?"

Roe v Wade – astro-analysis

Research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that worldwide, one in five pregnancies are terminated each year. In Australia, a woman’s right to an abortion is legally protected, but the WHO reports that unsafe and illegal abortions account for 13% of maternal deaths, particularly in developing countries, with five million women hospitalised every year for treatment from abortion-related complications, such as haemorrhage and sepsis.

The history of abortion rights in the US is long and complex, with friction between pro-choice and pro-life activists dating back to the era of slavery. The recent US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade, a 1973 law that guaranteed American women the constitutional right to an abortion, has been met with fury and astonishment.

However, the news that Roe v. Wade has been overturned is not entirely surprising, given that leaked documents from the Supreme Court revealing their intention to change the law were published at the beginning of May in the run up to Mercury retrograde. Mercury retrograde brings confusion and the need to revisit issues so, this new decision does not mark the end of the story – the controversial legislation could well be reversed or amended.

Roe v Wade birth chart

The law giving US women the constitutional right to an abortion came into effect on 22nd January 1973 at 10am in Washington, DC. We can draw up a chart for the time the legislation was passed and examine the astrological symbolism.

Roe v Wade chart analysis

Sun in Aquarius – Revolutionary and visionary change. Focus on human rights.

Moon in Virgo – The moon represents women in general while Virgo, the Virgin, symbolises the purity of the unchained woman, free from a dominating family or spouse and respected as an equal in her community.

Four planets in Capricorn – Power and authority of the law. The four planets are Mercury (documents, ideas); Jupiter (law, justice, fairness and ideology); the north node (karma) and Venus (women and love). The four planets make a favourable connection with the moon in Virgo, showing the Capricorn legislation of 1973 supported the autonomy of women.

Mars in Sagittarius opposite Saturn in Gemini – Hard won change coupled with resistance from those who oppose the change.

Neptune in Sagittarius – Ideals of freedom, justice, equality and truth. Sagittarius is also the sign of international affairs; countries all over the world were influenced by this ground-breaking legislation.

Neptune is flanked by the asteroid Ceres and black moon Lilith in house eight, the house of death. I don’t normally include these astral bodies in chart analysis, but Ceres symbolises the archetypal mother and nurturer, so I added her into the chart. Black moon Lilith represents the dark feminine archetype – the untamed woman who refuses to submit to male authority and as a result is usually reviled and excluded.

In Sumerian mythology Lilith was a winged demon who caused miscarriages and stole babies from their cradles! By contrast, modern feminists have embraced Lilith as an archetype of female autonomy, sexual choice, and control of one’s own destiny.

The powerful combination of Neptune in Sagittarius (ideals of freedom) coupled with Ceres (the archetypal mother) and Lilith (the independent female) is surely not a coincidence.

Comparing the 1973 and 2022 charts

In 1973, the scales of justice tipped in favour of a woman’s right to bodily autonomy. How and why have things changed in 2022? To find out, we can look at how the 2022 astrological energies interact with the 1973 chart.

The diagram has the Roe v Wade birth chart in the middle ring, while in the outer ring we have the planetary positions on 24th June 2022 when the legislation was overturned.

Chiron return – opening old wounds

The first thing that struck me is that Roe v Wade is having its Chiron return this year. (Chiron is the green symbol like a letter K in house one in both inner and outer rings). Chiron takes 49-50 years to circle the sun. Chiron represents the unhealed wound and, in the Roe v Wade chart, Chiron is in Aries, meaning the wound is related to autonomy and personal power.

Chiron return is often a painful and challenging time when wounds are opened in order to be healed. The 2022 legislation revisits the issue of women’s autonomy and power. In order to heal, this wound must be opened and acknowledged. Although a majority of Americans agree that abortion is a constitutional right, there are still many who vehemently disagree.

The times they are a changin'

But times have changed and women have far more power today than in 1973. In 2020, the brutal murder of black American George Floyd by a white police officer sparked the largest racial justice protests in the US since the Civil Rights movement, triggering global protests against racism. The Roe v Wade overturn is certain to provoke a similar response as people become aware of the inequality and injustice faced by women all over the world. Social media users have expressed horror and dismay at the new legislation, joined by celebrities, activists, and public figures, many sharing their own stories of abortion and using their influence to raise awareness and provide resources to take action.

I can’t resist mentioning that the Sabian Symbol for Chiron at 13-14 degrees Aries in the 1973 chart is ‘a serpent coiling near a man and a woman’. The original meaning of this symbol is the magical relationship between the sacred feminine, sacred masculine and the universal life force (serpent). Over the centuries, this symbol has been distorted and the serpent now represents the evil projected onto women by institutions and religions seeking to repress and control them. Chiron return could change this narrative.

Capricorn power and control

The second thing I noticed is that Pluto in Capricorn (the brown symbol in house eleven of the outer wheel) is currently passing over Jupiter and Mercury in the Roe v Wade chart. Pluto is the destroyer and transformer. Under the guise of upholding the Constitution, the forces of Pluto in Capricorn, represented by the Supreme Court, seek to crush the laws made by their predecessors 50 years ago. Their decision has nothing to do with the wellbeing of mothers and children and everything to do with Capricorn power and control.

The conversation surrounding the overturn of Roe v. Wade began while Venus (women) was retrograding through Capricorn (power) in January 2022. A retrograde step, one might say.

According to the Supreme Court judges who voted to uphold the original legislation:
“The majority substitutes a rule by judges for the rule of law. Today’s Court does not think there is anything of constitutional significance attached to a woman’s control of her body and the path of her life. A State can force her to bring a pregnancy to term, even at the steepest personal and familial costs.”

To add insult to injury, Justice Clarence Thomas declared that in light of the rationale for overturning Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court should also reconsider its rulings in three other past cases – the right to use birth control; the right for same-sex couples to have sex, and the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Moon in fertile Taurus

The moon (the feminine) in the overturn chart is favourably positioned in Taurus next to Uranus, planet of sudden surprise and the karmic north node. This suggests that while women are shocked by this new legislation, they are in a strong position to fight for their rights and for reproductive freedom. The zodiac glyph for Taurus is the horned bull, symbol of fertility, with images of Taurus closely resembling the female reproductive system.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned

Finally, as in the 1973 chart, we have mother archetype Ceres and black moon Lilith travelling close together, this time in Cancer, sign of the mother. The sun is also in Cancer in house four, home of Cancer. The millions of enraged and disenfranchised Ceres and Liliths of this world will certainly fight to uphold their rights as mothers and independent women. They will challenge this Supreme Court decision and the manner in which it came about. Joining them in the fight will be the LGBTQ community and all those whose hard-won freedoms and privileges might suddenly be withdrawn.

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot
–Joni Mitchell (1970)

Full moon in Capricorn – powerful feelings

The lunar qualities of emotion, instinct and intuition reach their peak each month at the full moon, which in July falls on the 14th in earth sign Capricorn. The July full moon is the largest supermoon of 2022.

The full moon in Capricorn is conjunct Pluto bringing powerful and sometimes uncomfortable feelings to the surface. Opposite the moon we have communication planet Mercury and Ceres flanking the Cancer sun and providing insight and awareness via logic, intuition and good old gut feeling. Things begun or planted at last month’s new moon on the 29th June come to fruition.

The Cancer-Capricorn full moon asks us to make compromises and seek the middle ground. Capricorn likes to plan and organise, powered by logic and practical considerations. Cancer likes to go with the flow, responding to feelings and inner promptings. Both have a role to play, though integrating these two energies can be challenging.

Make a commitment to openly share your feelings and express your needs. Think of this full moon as a chance to regroup in this mid-year, mid-winter period. Where have you been? Where are you going? What is important? And what and whom do you love?

Embracing winter

The period following the winter solstice as the sun moves into Cancer is a time for reflection, withdrawal, and release, as energy contracts and condenses. The solar energy is at its weakest at this time of year with the darker lunar forces on the rise.

July is the perfect time to spend indoors in front of a warm fire with a hot drink or glass of wine, feasting on nourishing stews, pies, and roasts. Embrace the cooler weather and long dark evenings and snuggle up in bed with a good book. The sun is in home-loving Cancer for most of the month, so spend quality time with family and loved ones, dig out the cookery books, and enjoy the slow pace. Light candles and burn incense. Visit the sauna or spa, take a bracing walk on the beach, or enjoy the mountain air. Refuse to be rushed or pressured. Hibernation is the keyword!

Those who honour the energy of the season of death and decay will easily ward off illness, exhaustion, and the winter blues. Think of winter as a time to release unwanted baggage, rest up, and conserve energy.

Imbolc – from winter to spring

The final day of July marks the eve of Imbolc, a traditional pagan fire festival. Seeds planted at the winter solstice in June are quickening and spring is just around the corner as the days grow longer. ‘Imbolc’ means ‘in the belly’ or womb of Mother Earth.

Celebrate the gradual return of the light by burning a blue candle in the main room of your house to represent peace, wisdom, truth, patience, health, and calm. Fill a small bowl with water, place it next to the candle and add a pinch of salt for protection and purification, plus a few drops of your favourite essential oil.

Leo new moon – take a risk or two!

The lunar month begins on the 29th with the new moon in Leo, symbol of the leader, performer, hero, and creative. New moons are always about new beginnings and the Leo new moon invites us to move out of the comfort zone and try something dramatic, exciting and out of the ordinary. Sun and moon are both trine Jupiter in Aries adding optimism and big-picture thinking. You may well feel fired up, courageous, daring, and ready for absolutely anything!

Mars, Uranus, and the karmic north node are in close conjunction in Taurus at this new moon. Expect the unexpected and watch out for encounters with those who could take your life in a new direction. The Mars-Uranus combo is particularly feisty and somewhat accident-prone, so think big, but stay grounded.

Astrological health tips – Cancer

In the world of astrology, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to health. This month we take a look at the tenacious and emotional sign of Cancer.

Water sign Cancer is the nurturer of the zodiac, taking care of family and the world at large. But the key to good health for Cancerians is to practice self-care and put themselves first. Their other important lesson is to accept help and support from others. Cancer rules the stomach and breasts, and when out of balance, these sensitive folk are prone to digestive upsets, emotional eating, and anxiety. Cancer has a fertile imagination, but this can lead to worrying over health issues and even to hypochondria. There can be a build-up of mucus in the chest area and Cancerian women often suffer from tender/swollen breasts coupled with menstrual and hormonal issues. Emotional balance is vital for optimum physical health, so the advice is to avoid stress and get plenty of rest.

Cancer health recommendations

Warming foods like soups and stews
Avoid emotional eating – talk things over instead
Baths, swimming, hot tubs and ocean bathing
Drink plenty of water
Rest when overwhelmed or upset
Socialise with kind, supportive friends
Ask for help or a loving hug
Chamomile, peppermint and lemon verbena tea

About the author:
Stella Woods is an astrology teacher, writer, and consultant. Contact Stella at stella@stellastarwoman.com or www.stellastarwoman.com or
www.facebook.com/stellastarwoman

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