Turning Tides

July is notably spicier than June.  We cannot help but feel the elevated energy arising at the beginning of the month now that three planets have shifted gears.  As we enter July, Messenger Mercury is retrograde, Motivating Mars joins Uranus in Gemini and Generous Jupiter turns into festive Leo.

July is known to be the hottest month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere; and July 2026 will be one of the hottest months cosmically.  The whiz-bang effects are already on a roll now.  Let’s look at why:

At first glance, July seems to be a vibrant month, full of festivities and frivolity.  Especially with Jupiter, planet of abundance and growth, in the first phase of creative, expressive Leo. Where Jupiter nurtured and nourished in Cancer the Crab over the past year, it now roars in Leo the Lion.  We find ourselves less reserved and instead, ready to take a leap or two.

All five of the outer planets boost our eagerness to dive into life as they helpfully align to each other, Jupiter, Neptune and Saturn in fire signs, Pluto and Uranus in air signs. The outer planets mark our collective shift.   As the individual goes, so goes the group. Each planet moving further into these respective energies underscores the brand-new template experienced by humanity.  In other words, we’ve tested the cosmic temperature and are getting used to it.  We are becoming more comfortable with continual changes and are willing to step in deeper now. 

While the outer planets are on a mission, have us feeling there is absolutely nothing we cannot do, Messenger Mercury reversed gear in cautious Cancer is not so sure.  Enjoy invitations to play and indulge in revelry this July; all the while keeping a firm eye on the end game.   Mercury rules how we think and speak.  Retrograde, it slows our efforts, reminds us to take our time before we commit to anything.  This Mercury retrograde lasts until Thursday, July 23^rd.  Use the time to practice the RE words:  rest, restore, review, research, relax, etc. The first three weeks of July are perfect for vacation, whether a full-blown journey or a long weekend.

Retrograde, Mercury seeks to protect our best interests, to read the fine print before signing significant documents or buying big-ticket items.  We will need every bit of cautious reserve Mercury can muster since Mars is now operating at warp speed as it joins Radical Uranus, aligning to the outer planets. 

Think of a brake pedal and gas pedal, and you get the picture.  Mercury retrograde is the only cosmic force encouraging us to take it easy, slow down a bit.  Gemini Mars connecting to fast-paced outer planets is the proverbial lead foot, heedless of speed limit signs.  Any planet conjoined to Uranus ramps up the energy exponentially.  Then there is Mars.  The action planet is always ready to leap tall buildings in a single bound, committing to projects and people without understanding the long-term impacts.

Tightly joined to Uranus during July, Mars bends and bowls over our best intentions.  Think Tasmanian Devil meets Whirling Dervish.  In talkative Gemini, our minds and mouths will play fast and loose with words. Mercury may very well be overwhelmed and overruled by the sheer dominant cosmic CAN DO, WILL DO of the Uranus-Mars duo.

Before you become a cautionary tale of epic proportions:  watch what you say.   Words once out of your mouth can never be retracted.  Even with the most sincere apology, the damage is done. So: take a breath.  I cannot emphasize the importance of hitting the pause button now during July before agreeing to anything of consequence.

Just after the Fourth of July holiday, Neptune turns retrograde on Monday, July 6^th.  We typically do not feel the gear shifts of outer planets as easily as those cycling closer to earth, such as Mercury, Venus and Mars.  But any cosmic brake pedal is welcome now. Retrograde in Aries, Neptune slows down its mission-from-god effect.  The lead foot on the gas pedal eases up a bit; or at least goes underground for the next few months.

Only a few days later, Valuable Venus turns into practical Virgo on Friday, July 10^th, offering additional stability and grounding energy.  Over the next week, through July 15^th, Venus gut checks the rambunctious and rowdy Mars-Uranus in Gemini.  Meticulous and precise Venus in Virgo asks whether we really want to go there, into the danger zone of language stirred up by Gemini Mars-Uranus.  Bear in mind, Mars and Venus go head-to-head for the rest of July, like two disagreeable siblings or an argumentative couple; so better to keep lips sealed rather than digging ourselves into deep trouble by uttering something better left unsaid.

 Sensitivities are running especially high at mid-month under the light of the New Moon in Cancer the Crab on Tuesday, July 14^th. Our emotions hover close to the surface and feelings are very easily hurt.  So, mind your mouth.  You never regret the things you do not say.

Awareness of the impact we create on others and our world is heightened by Jupiter’s opposition to Pluto from July 18-23^rd. Creativity and innovation are ours for the asking now.  Craft your image and message carefully.  You will be especially seen and heard on or after Thursday, July 23^rd when Messenger Mercury turns direct motion.

Go ahead now and sign the key documents, book travel plans and purchase pricey items.

As we move toward the Full Moon at the end of July, watch for the lunar nodes to change signs.  Their shift is significant.  The nodes are directional markers, pulling us toward and pushing us away from certain energies.  Think of the lunar nodes as a GPS point of origin and destination. The nodes only change signs every 18 months.  For the last year and a half, our directional calling has pulled us toward Pisces and away from Virgo energies; in short, we have been drawn toward surrender, rest, dreaming, illusion/delusion/disillusionment, the non-profit and charitable realm, hospitals, prisons, film, photography/video, music, and water.

Our efforts in the Pisces realm are realized through Virgo qualities such as service, daily routines, habits, health and wellness practices, day-to day work and lifestyle, and animals.  So perhaps you found yourself volunteering at an animal shelter, taking up a water-related exercise, or listening to music throughout your day, just a few examples of the Pisces-Virgo node effect.

Now, through Spring 2028, the lunar nodes move from Pisces-Virgo into Aquarius and Leo.  We are increasingly drawn toward inventive, unique, and yes, rebellious qualities. The Lunar North node calls our name. From July 27^th until March 2028, the North Node will cycle through Aquarius.  Individuality, marching to our own drum, innovation, repeatedly speak to us.  Do not fence me in will be our theme song.

This is particularly relevant since the July 29^th Full Moon occurs in Aquarius, opposite the Sun in Leo.  The energy during the final days of July is incredibly potent. In fact, the impact of this Full Moon is difficult to overestimate. 

First, the Sun is tightly conjoined to Jupiter in Leo.  This combination is immense and grand.  Think go big or go home.  Exactly opposite the Sun-Jupiter are Powerful Pluto and the Moon in unpredictable Aquarius.  The Pluto-Jupiter opposition exacerbates already heightened Full Moon energies.  Voices will be heard; those feeling undermined and oppressed rise up now en masse.  This is not energy to mess with. Shock and surprise are the watchwords.  Add the upcoming eclipses in August to the mix and we are staring down the barrel of a cannon.  Lay low as much as possible from July 26-31^st. 

In an ideal world, beautiful events will unfold at the end of July.  For some, they will.  However, given the current global state of affairs, expect the completely unexpected. Forewarned is forearmed.

The Thought that Counts

Mindfulness is a term often over-used these days.  Not very long ago, paying attention or being aware were phrases used to describe living intentionally.  Each of these phrases are particularly relevant during June due to two cosmic influences.  First, the empathic nature of Cancer the Crab where a trio of planets greets us, as well as the mentally oriented Sun in Gemini.

In the wake of May’s blue moon, June opens with a soft place to land.  Messenger Mercury enters nurturing Cancer the Crab on the first day of June, joining Valuable Venus and Generous Jupiter in this compassionate water sign.

June is typically known as Gemini’s month since the Sun cycles through this communicative sign; however, the three key planets in Cancer draw our focus, how we relate and communicate, to family and home during the first half of the month.  The Cozy Crab rules food, family and ancestral roots, our land of birth, real estate and housing, inheritance as well as psychological conditioning.

Cancerian energy now is ideal if you have residential projects underway, family celebrations, growing or preparing food, welcoming new members of the family, or alternatively, saying goodbye to loved ones.  Yes, Cancer oversees all matters involving family, including hospice, life-endings, funerals and cemeteries.

Often, people with significant Cancer placements are the trusted confidante, the wise ones, the family elder even if not the chronologically oldest relative. They are often tapped to be the power of attorney, estate trustee or executor, or simply the one relied upon to effectively manage family affairs.

During the first two weeks of June we are particularly empathic and sympathetic, as Mercury aligns to the lunar north node in Pisces.  Our spidey senses, aka, our intuition is very sharp indeed.  You are certain about what you know now, even if you do not understand how you know it.  Pay special attention to your gut instincts because they are precise and accurate.  If someone tries to convince you otherwise, that your feelings are not real or valid, stand firm in your position.  You have strong feelings for a reason.

The trio of planets in Cancer also make us rather porous, notably influenced by others.  We pick up their energy like flies to glue.  So it is vital to set boundaries with those who have a tendency to take advantage of your good graces. Whether dealing with family or not, it is more than OK to say NO when asked to invest your time and effort in something.  Instead, allow others to pitch in and contribute.  You can always decide if, when or how to show up.

Mercury challenges Neptune and Saturn in Aries through mid-month, begging the question: do we go along and get along as we always have, or rather, stand up for ourselves and do what feeds our goals and soul.  Best to take turns with this Cancer and Aries energy: prioritize your needs in equal measure to external demands on your time.  

This is a primary lesson of 2026:  to put your own proverbial oxygen mask on before assisting someone else.  Self-care is not selfish because an empty pitcher cannot refill another vessel. 

While effective boundaries are like preventative medicine, the corollary is to clear your energy after any event is over and done.  Clearing your energetic field is equally important as effective boundaries and is similar to showering after a workout.  Clearing your field does not need to be time-consuming; rather, the simpler the better: a brief visualization, use of essential oils or flower essences, spending time in nature, or a brief meditation.

When we feel protected and clear, we may act in our best interests and live to our highest potential.

Through June 12^th, the planetary energy is calm. By the end of the second week, the cosmos begins to stir.  Saturday, June 13^th, Valuable Venus gets the party started when she moves into playful Leo.  Venus shines in this creative sign.  Romance and festivities blossom now. Venus opposes Powerful Pluto in Aquarius over the next week prompting groundbreaking innovations in art, science, technology and fashion.

Two days later, the New Moon on Monday, June 15th in communicative Gemini offers a ripe opportunity to set clear intentions for the next month, season or year.  Be sure to take advantage of this strong energy and hand write three to five goals and intentions, then plant these in the warm late spring soil or carefully ignite.

Your goals take root during the Summer Solstice when the Sun shifts into Cancer the Crab on Sunday, June 21^st, marking the longest day of the year. The Sun aligns helpfully to the lunar nodes, sharpening our intuition which offers equally practical sensibility.  No unrealistic pipe dreams here.  You will feel divinely grounded and guided now as the Sun challenges spiritual Neptune in Aries.  We take inspired action on dreams and plans. You know in the center of your soul what is right and true for you.   Think of a trail of breadcrumbs leading you onward.  Follow its path, where it takes you.  Careful not to allow others to persuade you otherwise.

A trio of cosmic shifts marks the final days of June.

First, on Sunday, June 28^th, Motivating Mars enters talkative Gemini for six weeks. From the end of June into mid-July Mars tightly conjoins Radical Uranus, both aligning to Pluto.  Expect breakthroughs on every front.  This is one powerful magic wand!  Use it wisely and well.  Our ideas soar, and so do our words.  

So a few cautions worth noting here:

While this energy can feel like a magic carpet ride, it is also wise to watch for sharp tongues and hot exchanges of words.  Remember that uncontrolled language once out of your mouth, even with apologies, is difficult to erase. Hurt feelings have staying power.  So hit the pause button before speaking out of turn.  Ask: will my words heal or hurt?

Mars-Uranus in Gemini may also impact ground transportation, sibling situations, or those involving neighbors and communities.  Be especially mindful of language impacting the latter groups when Messenger Mercury turns retrograde on June 29^th.  Rely on the good old-fashioned adage think before you speak.  

Our thoughts turn inward now, a perfect time for research and development, summer vacations and a change of pace.  A different gear is exactly what’s in store as Generous Jupiter moves into look-at-me Leo on Tuesday, June 30^th.  For the next year, the mood is FESTIVE.   Get your party shoes polished!  Creativity, fun, romance, playfulness overflow now.

And boy do we need it.  Leo Jupiter arrives not a minute too soon.

The planet of expansion and abundance is a help wherever it cycles.  That said, during these highly unsettling times, Jupiter in Leo is most welcome to remind us to be silly, to take that chance, that life is more than details and drudgery.  So step out on that limb you’ve been toying with. To win, you need to play.  What do you have to lose?  Go ahead and toss your hat in the ring.

Of Special Note:

Is your intuition calling you?  The 3 Wise Women are veteran metaphysical practitioners offering community, conversation and connection via zoom every first Tuesday of the month @6 pm eastern.  For just $10/session, feel safe among like-minded seekers to ask your wildest woo questions and learn from each other.  Join us!  To enroll: www.hilaryharley.com

Mystical Messages features my monthly astrology forecasts if you prefer listening via podcast.  Also featured are cutting edge healing arts practitioners.  Tune in and listen through Youtube, Apple or Spotify or hear previous episodes: www.hilaryharley.com

 

Uranus Awakening in Gemini

 By now you have no doubt heard about the BIG DEAL that happened cosmically on Saturday, April 25^th?

About once every seven years, the Great Awakener Uranus changes signs.  Until late April, Uranus cycled through earthy Taurus.  The two are mutually uncomfortable together.  The primal earth sign of the zodiac, Taurus likes stability, predictability and to stay put.

But along came Radical Uranus to turn over the apple cart.  That’s its purpose after all:  to incite change.  Uranus does not stir up change simply for the sake of chaos and upheaval.  Rather, Uranus influences us to align with our soul’s purpose, to get out of the rut we may be stuck in, to move outside of the lanes to which we may have confined ourselves and see life through different perspectives.  Uranus catalyzes change and evolution even if  radically, through shock, surprise or sudden events.

As a result, Uranus’ passage through Taurus brought earthquakes, epic flooding, volcanos,  the rise of crypto currency, fluctuations in monetary valuation and greater globalization of commerce and business transactions.

Now until 2033, Uranus cycles through Gemini, an infinitely more comfortable fit for the planet called the Great Awakener.  Why is it so much more at home here?  As the ruler of Aquarius, an air sign, Uranus finds a like-minded friend if you will in Gemini, the first air sign of the zodiac.  Think of Gemini as a cousin or sibling to Aquarius which Uranus rules.  Gemini is more amenable and receptive to Uranus’ energy; whereas Taurus is renowned for its resistance, aka, stubbornness, resisting and pushing back against Uranian influence.

Instead, Gemini offers a Uranus a glove that fits like a dream.  Hand in hand, the pair flow seamlessly together, aligning helpfully now to two outer planets:  Neptune in Aries and Pluto in Aquarius.  This fortuitous alignment lasts through the next 18 months, ushering in entirely new lifestyle frontiers unimaginable just a few years ago.

For context, history is always our best teacher; so let’s take a look at the last time Uranus passed through Gemini, eighty-four years ago when Uranus changed planet earth and humanity as a result.  1942-1949 found the world embroiled in the second World War and the years immediately following. 

What emerged from this phase occurring precisely at mid-century, divided life into what came before the war and after, not simply because of the war itself, but rather the groundbreaking technology that dramatically shifted how humanity interacted.  Think about how your life would be without the following:

-Television, the microwave, radar, antibiotics, jet engine, dialysis, Velcro, Tupperware, FM radio, electronic digital computers, freeze dried foods, the ball point pen, electron microscope, handheld calculator, and photocopying (aka xerox).

These are among the primary technological developments of that seven-year period. Products we use and take for granted so integrated now are they in our everyday life.  We can only imagine how our lives will evolve by 2033 when Uranus concludes its tour through Gemini.  The 1970s cartoon show called the Jetsons comes to mind.  In some respects, we are already living like that with drone usage and driverless cars.

Which brings us to the source of all these innovations:  Uranus.  Known as the Change Agent or Great Awakener, Uranus disrupts.  Like the sign it rules, Aquarius, Uranus is different and unique among planets for rotating vertically rather than horizontally.  Where the other planets are referenced by gender (Mars and Pluto are masculine while Venus and Neptune are feminine), Uranus is gender neutral like its younger planetary octave Mercury, referred to by the pronoun it.  

Both Mercury and Uranus rule the intellect; but Uranus takes intelligence even farther than its interior sibling:  Uranus rules invention, innovation, humanitarian causes, groups, teams, collective consciousness and rebellion. Surprise, shock and awe are its playground.  When Uranus activates your world, life takes an unexpected turn.

It switches things up to bring us into alignment with our soul’s purpose.  Uranus is in its element when we have become too comfortable on our path and the routine of life has become a hum-drum rut rather than brimming with vitality.  Sometimes Uranus blindsides us via an accident, job loss, illness, relationship collapse or otherwise, diverting us from the path we thought we were supposed to travel. 

Many times, Uranus delivers windfalls, eureka moments, ideas, realizations, solutions and connections that alter the course of our lives.  Artists and scientists work diligently for years to then arrive upon that perfect answer awakened by Uranus seemingly out of the blue.

And yet, did that answer really emerge from out of the blue?  The Uranian maxim is: expect the unexpected; and while human beings do not like sudden turns of events or change, Uranus marches on a diet of the only constant in life is change. 

So now let’s turn to Gemini and why this sign cooperates with Uranus so easily.  Gemini brings a breath of fresh air to the Awakener Uranus.  Ruled by Mercury, the younger sibling of Uranus, Gemini offers spunk, energy and a veritable buffet of outlets for Uranian ideas.  This initial air sign of the zodiac represents communication, transactions, ground transportation (cars, trains, buses), siblings, tribe, community and neighbors.

Depicted by the Twins glyph, Gemini is adaptable, varied, and flexible.  Think of a light switch in ON and OFF modes.  The assertive twin is the ON mode of Gemini; while the passive twin is the OFF twin.  In order to be ON, Gemini must spend equal time OFF or otherwise burnout in overdrive mode.  ON equals To Do while Off equals To Be. One is the transmitter, the other the receiver.

The assertive Gemini twin fully engages, best known as the salesman of the zodiac, talking, speaking, persuading and dazzling linguistically.  It is the social media maven, the VP of Sales and Marketing, the TV talk show host, the Tik Tok influencer.  To be that person takes a great deal of energy, thus the requisite downtime offered by the passive Gemini twin.

Unplugged, the calm, receptive version of Gemini listens, reflects, meditates, contemplates, ruminates, and integrates.  If we never slept, relaxed with a book, listened to music, or simply sat quietly, we would not have energy to work or go about the business of living.

Now entering Gemini, Uranus finds a wide-open channel to stream endless ideas, thoughts, and concepts.  The genius inventor, Uranus is the font and source of the avant garde and cutting-edge prototypes; while Gemini is the immense river branching out in infinite directions. Uranus seizes the opportunity afforded by Gemini to share, exchange and amplify its ideas and inventions.   If you’ve ever experienced a thought only to see it come to life before your eyes, this is Uranus in Gemini.  Magic awaits.

We only have history to predict how life might change by the time 2033 arrives and Uranus departs Gemini.  Science, medicine, art, music, technology, transportation, communication, will be enhanced and challenged in ways we can only imagine come 2034.  One thing for sure is that no facet of our world will remain the same after the next seven years conclude.

 

 

 

 

 

Minding the Store

May draws our focus to our resources with the Sun cycling through practical Taurus, the first primal earth sign of the zodiac.  The proverbial Botton Line, our bank account, how much money fills the till, absorbs us now; yet it is not just the kind of assets we can touch or feel that occupy our awareness.  In May, intangible resources such as our time, energy, skills and talents come to mind as well.

May is prime planting season.  How we invest our resources is key.  As the saying reminds us: where focus goes, energy flows.  Be mindful of what you plant as much as when and how with your limited time.

The first of May brings a Full Moon in Scorpio opposite the Sun in Taurus.  Where Taurus deals with our personal resources, Scorpio rules other people’s treasure, whether power, information, monetary assets or possessions.  Under the spotlight of the Full Moon it is easier to see how the macro affects the micro, the cause and effect playing out in real time:  other peoples’ decisions cost each individual higher prices to live via gas and groceries. There is a clear through-line to individual impact.

Price and cost gain even greater impact as Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, turns retrograde on Tuesday, May 5^th.  As it shifts reverse in Aquarius, the god of the underworld, chafes against Messenger Mercury in Taurus, pushing us to be inventive with our resources. The effect may be especially churlish, with groups speaking out about financial pain, or how collective taxes are used.

The collective need hitting home personally is a key theme during the first weeks of May and the mood quite frankly is dour. Penny pinching is rarely fun.  How many people truly enjoy a game creatively cutting corners without sacrificing quality?

Innovation is the essential word; and now that Change Agent and Great Awakener Uranus moved into versatile Gemini, adaptability lends itself to invention asked of everyone.  We begin to feel the helpful effects of Gemini Uranus as it aligns to Pluto in Aquarius.  New frontiers of connection, communication, ideas and information break ground over the next 18 months.  This flowing planetary aspect boosts creativity making ends meet.

The last time Uranus cycled through Gemini during the 1940s, television emerged allowing for mass connectivity.  Watch for peak idea exchange raising collective awareness through mass media, social and otherwise.  In short:  people awaken.  Groups and individuals share information, talking face to face or via technology.

And with Neptune, Saturn and Mars in fiery Aries, anger roils humanity.  Motivating Mars rules Aries, is in its home sign; like a cattle prod Mars challenges Generous Jupiter in Cancer:  domestic agendas dominate the first week of May.  People are coming to terms with harsh realities pertaining to family dynamics, housing, food, estate plans, inherited ancestral programming and national/homeland concerns. 

With increased connective understanding, humankind demands that its basic needs be met. The Collective Will asserts itself now with greater authority.  It starts organizing and will not be ignored. See French and American revolution for reference when Pluto last cycled through Aquarius…

As the saying goes:  You can fool all of the people part of the time, and some of the people all of the time; but you can never fool all of the people all of the time.

May 13-14^th look particularly tumultuous when the emotional Moon is wedged sharply between Mars and Saturn in Aries dueling with Jupiter to boot.  Four Aries planets (Neptune, Saturn, Moon and Mars) has us impatient and on a mission.  We’re looking for a fight wearing warrior gear and ready to charge into battle.  The value of pausing cannot be over-valued now. Ask questions to gain a full understanding before committing to anything. 

The Pisces escape hatch and lure of self-delusion from earlier this year is long gone now; there is nowhere to run away from collective realization; duped once, twice even, but no more.

 By mid-May, several planetary shifts occur.  Kicked off by the New Moon in Taurus on Saturday, May 16^th, our focus doubles down on resources.  Sun, Moon and Messenger Mercury in pragmatic Taurus are Bottom Line driven.  What is the ROI (return on investment) for our time, talents and treasure?  Taurus wastes none of these; rather, embodies efficiency.

Spreading the word, Mercury joins change agent Uranus in Gemini the very next day; and by Tuesday, May 19^th Valuable Venus and Motivating Mars shift signs, keeping the focus on the domestic needs front. Venus rules relationships and money. Now in Cancer the Crab, Venus attends to what feeds us (literally) along with our home life.  Mars’ move into Taurus heightens our resource management, what we have already or need more of.

Mars is not about to let our attention waver, keeping our eye directly focused on the price we pay in time, effort and assets.  Through the end of June we want a complete accounting of all funds incoming and out-going, assessing the cost versus benefit. 

It’s a really good thing that Mars is keeping account, especially when the Sun turns into Gemini on Thursday, May 21^st.  Where the Sun left off in Taurus, Mars picks up minding the store, and cash register.  Life gets a little slippery with Sun, Mercury and Uranus in Gemini, all challenging North and South Lunar Nodes in Pisces-Virgo.  We want to have our cake and eat it too. 

Gemini is the Magician of the zodiac, aka the salesman, a polished smooth talker.  The slick power of persuasion and sleight of hand is heavily at work with the Gemini trio leading us on.  We may struggle to discern fact from fiction.  The upside is this troika aligns to Pluto in Aquarius, highlighting possibilities and opportunities to seize. 

A very good thing then that Mars in Taurus keeps it real, brings us back to earth helpfully aligning to the Virgo south node.  Can two opposing truths hold space together?  Can we reach for dreams while building coalitions, firming up ideas, marshaling resources and plans?  Perhaps not conveniently or comfortably; yet that is what the planetary dynamic demands during the final days of May.  We feel every inch of this dichotomy. Is it something to resolve, though, or is it something else, to notice, to be aware of, or to simply allow? 

The lessons we learn are highlighted indeed as we move toward a Blue Moon, a second Full Moon, on Sunday, May 31^st.  The Sagittarius Full Moon invites us into the cosmic schoolhouse as it aligns to Saturn and Neptune in fiery Aries. We are receiving a new type of education. It pushes boundaries and wanders into uncharted frontiers, placing power in our own hands, self-determination driving our individual destiny, where we are the masters of our fate by choosing our focus. The Full Moon opposes the Sun and Uranus in Gemini, what shall we do with the information shared with us?  Will we harm or heal?  

Of Special Note:

Is your intuition calling you?  The 3 Wise Women are veteran metaphysical practitioners offering community, conversation and connection via zoom every first Tuesday of the month @6 pm eastern.  For just $10/session, feel safe among like-minded seekers to ask your wildest woo questions and learn from each other.  Join us!  To enroll: www.hilaryharley.com

Mystical Messages features my monthly astrology forecasts if you prefer listening via podcast.  Also featured are cutting edge healing arts practitioners.  Tune in and listen through Youtube, Apple or Spotify or hear previous episodes: www.hilaryharley.com

 

Rushing In

 April’s planetary energy is free and clear in comparison to the prior month of March.  However this does not necessarily translate to an energetically calmer month by any means.  While the ether is not stirred by any eclipses, or a single planet turning retrograde, the April cosmos is dominated by the fiery sign of Aries.

Aries is called the Great Initiator.  It kicks up dust just for the sake of it.  The first sign of the zodiac and a fire sign to boot, Aries lives to light a fire, to get things going. Impulsive, fierce, brave and courageous, Aries is the pioneer, warrior, first responder and trail blazer.  It leaps and asks questions later.

May all of your children be Aries is an old astrology taunt for those who are stubborn and resistant to change.

By no means are all Aries individuals extroverts.  That would be far too sweeping a generalization.  But each in their own way knows how to move forward in pursuit of their interests.

Aries dominating the cosmic waves gives that much more thrust to the planetary all clear underway since the Spring Equinox, March 20^th, when Messenger Mercury turned direct motion, joining every other planet spinning forward.  True to its nature, Aries energy does not hesitate getting a jump on life heralded by the Full Moon in Libra on April 1^st.  

The peacemaker Libra Moon wants everyone to play nicely and get along. Known as the Velvet Hammer of the zodiac, Libra is nobody’s fool.  Never underestimate her. She comes on like a charm, artfully soothing and pleasing; yet underneath her silky veneer is a core made of steel. The Libra Moon will need every bit of her steely strength in her tricky Full Moon phase.

Libra’s job is to discern and judge:  what is fair, just, healthy, balanced, beautiful?  Given the current global circumstances, she has her work cut out for her, made that much more difficult by the Full Moon’s position on April 1^st.  This Libra Full Moon is not aligning helpfully to any planet.  She cannot seem to find a friend or ally in this phase.  Intensifying her energy that much more is that this is the first Full Moon since the March 3^rd total lunar eclipse, the reverberations of which we are still feeling and that set off the chain of events in the Middle East.

The Libra Full Moon opposes the Aries Sun as both challenge Jupiter in Cancer the Crab.  Libra Moon calls for peace, negotiation and mediation; while the Aries Sun pushes onward for war, to burn the proverbial house down with Jupiter caught in the middle schooling us about the prolonged costs of war to the human family.

Jupiter’s lesson for us remains the same:  to learn that we are one humankind.  Our lesson is not going away, not going anywhere until we acknowledge, master and integrate that we share vastly more similarities than differences.  Our test and examination is to remember that separation and division are an illusion.  So far, we have not been doing well on our collective examinations. 

Hopefully, the Libra Full Moon’s pleas for peace will be delivered upon; however, April is statistically proven to be the most violent month of the calendar year, with good reason. Impulsive Aries rarely takes a back seat. Where Libra hesitates, debating the best option, Aries jumps right in. Well-intentioned Libra gets left in the dust.

Our pants-on-fire proclivity escalates with the Aries’ fire spreading quickly this month. As April begins, the Aries trio Sun, Saturn and Neptune widens to five planets in the Warrior sign by mid-month.

Motivating Mars turns into Aries on Thursday, April 9^th followed by Messenger Mercury on April 14^th, teeing us up for the New Moon in Aries on April 17^th.  Can you say, Ready, Aim, Fire?  For a few hours, until the Moon shifts into earthy Taurus, 6 out of ten planets in Aries will have us feeling like the world is on fire; that we are in a collective hospital emergency room.  To say this is an extremely charged New Moon is a vast understatement.

How to lower the temperature and manage this hair-raising energy? 

Seize the day:  Aries is terrific for starting anything new; so begin with a new practice or habit.  One such example of such a healthy habit is to take a breath before you say yes or dive right in.  In the world we live in of compulsive immediacy, do something radical and hit the pause button.   Wait an hour or more before replying to the phone call or the text right away.  Jupiter in caring Cancer approves.  Pausing before acting is a strong form of self-care.  It can seem passive in our current times; but buying time as a means of giving to yourself is clutch soul nourishment.

Motivating Mars rules Aries and will be in its own sign for a solid month.  As it tightly conjoins Saturn, Neptune and Mercury from April 10^th -20th, with the Aries New Moon occurring during this timeframe to boot, Mars incites us to action.  Other than our own force of will, there is very little to slow us down now.  Messenger Mercury governs how we think and speak.  As part of the Aries battalion, we may commit before fully grasping the consequences. With so much fire burning inside us, we may feel mission-driven, compelled to do or die.

Fortunately, a bit of reality-based, grounding energy softens our sense of urgency when the Sun turns into practical Taurus on Monday, April 20^th.  The next four days are key.   The Sun joins Valuable Venus and Radical Uranus through April 24^th, bringing up the cost of our hasty actions, the actual price we pay for not considering the long-term ramifications.  Three planets in Taurus definitely shift the dynamic.

As the first earth sign of the zodiac, Taurus rules resources, both tangible and intangible.  Money, yes. Crops and commodities harvested from the earth, possessions we can feel and touch, our skills and talents; but also the most invaluable resource:  time.  Sure, money makes the world go around.  It is a truth universally acknowledged.  But you can never buy more time once you’ve given it away.  What many would not do to get more of it, go back on the calendar and spend some of our time differently.

Time is money, money is power.  And boy are we learning the priceless lessons now about how NOT to spend our time, money or power.  How is the operative word here.  Because while Taurus is all about resources and how we spend our resources, especially the most priceless commodity called time that rests upon our values. 

These four days of April, the 20^th to the 24^th will see a pivotal shift around our personal values. Change Agent and Great Awakener Uranus has been hovering at the final degrees of Taurus for a few months now.  Here Uranus has steadily nudged us about what and whom we value and why.  Those who have been resistant to try new approaches or change their beliefs may have a real reckoning now, as the great A-Hah strikes. The same goes for actual earth developments; watch for immense volcanic and seismic activity.

Valuable Venus rolls into communicative Gemini on Friday, April 24^th, joined by Uranus on the Sunday, the 26^th.  How we engage with others is shifting dramatically.  While Venus cycles through Gemini every 18 months, Uranus has not passed through this first air sign since the 1940s.  Think about that.  85 years ago.  Television just began to emerge. Computers and NASA were in their infancy. 

Uranus will stay in Gemini for the next seven years, until 2033.  We can only imagine the technology advances and how we will communicate by the end of its tour through Gemini. One thing is for sure, though.  Life is about to step into overdrive.  Big time. 

All three outer planets are helpfully aligning to each other:  Transformer Pluto in Aquarius to Uranus in Gemini, with both aligning to Neptune in Aries.  These three are generational markers.  Those born in the next few years will operate on completely different frequencies and harken to totally different drums in their uniquely individual way.

The next few years are tremendously exciting and a substantially needed-breath of fresh air.  The old days and ways are now done and over.  Rise up and greet the new.

Of Special Note:

Is your intuition calling you?  The 3 Wise Women are veteran metaphysical practitioners offering community, conversation and connection via zoom every first Tuesday of the month @6 pm eastern.  For just $10/session, feel safe among like-minded seekers to ask your wildest woo questions and learn from each other.  Join us!  To enroll: www.hilaryharley.com

Mystical Messages features my monthly astrology forecasts if you prefer listening via podcast.  Also featured are cutting edge healing arts practitioners.  Tune in and listen through Youtube, Apple or Spotify or hear previous episodes: www.hilaryharley.com

 

 

Blank Page of Possibilities

 Ask any writer or artist about a blank page or canvas.  It    can be so exciting as well as very intimidating.  What to put on that page and canvas? Its meaning, representation and projection reflects the writer and artist, their mind, skill and creativity.

Such a blank page or wide open frontier and landscape is offered to each of us now, cosmically speaking with Neptune and Saturn hovering around 00 degrees Aries.  Called the Creator Degree, 00 Aries is the very beginning, the initial spark of the entire zodiac.  As I record this podcast in mid-March 2026, both planets are at near 1-2 degrees Aries.  These critically early degrees of Aries brings to mind Michelangelo’s painting on Sistine chapel depicting God’s finger reaching across the sky and touching life to Adam’s outstretched hand. 

If you know the Tarot at all, this moment is represented by the Fool card.  The card shows a person with a completely unspoiled, natural expanse of land in front of them.  No decisions have been made; not a single foot has stepped out yet, perhaps not even an inkling of ideas, let alone agenda stirs regarding what action to take next.

This image represents each of us now, just like the Fool in the Tarot deck, staring out at the vast stretch unfolding before them, life inviting us forward, with no pressing constraints about how to use that land, what to become, grow or build on it.  For some, the sheer emptiness may be difficult to comprehend, scary even; for others, they know exactly what they want to do, say, or create.

So let’s talk about the two planets involved here.  First, Neptune, since it crossed the threshold of Aries in late January 2026.  Neptune represents our soul, its journey through the zodiac. Neptune is consciousness itself as well as our subconscious and thus the mental health realm, mysticism, spirituality, and nothing short of the entire breadth of human condition, from the desperate, disillusioned and downtrodden to divinely inspired artists, saints, and angels.

That is quite a huge range.

Then we have Saturn.  Saturn followed Neptune into 00 Aries on Friday, February 13^th.  Saturn is the taskmaster of the planets, ruling dharma and karma, responsibility, honor, and integrity. It sets the agenda, focuses our time and attention on current events, what is front and center in our life.  Saturn moves much more quickly than Neptune, as it is an outer planet of the galaxy.

Where Neptune takes about 12-14 years to move through a zodiac sign, Saturn cycles through a sign in two and half years.

Both respective signs of each planet deal with finality, finishing and completion.  Neptune rules Pisces, the final water sign of the zodiac; while Saturn rules the final earth sign, Capricorn. Where Neptune operates in rainbows of color, Saturn is black and white.  Neptune blurs, mingles, fades, fogs, cleanses and clarifies. Saturn, on the other hand, holds us to formal, crisp account.  You either did it, or you did not. Neptune is the very hippy dippy music group, deeply immersed in the creative moment; while overhearing their music, Saturn calls the group and offers them a record deal.  After all, there’s money to be made!

In short, Saturn brings into useful form all of Neptune’s dreams and fantasies. This is how the two planets work together.  One inspires, the other anchors.

Neptune is ephemeral, temporal, that which you cannot touch, such as music, soul and spirit.  Saturn is form and matter itself, granite and coal to be harvested from the earth and used.  Together, they make a very interesting couple.  That much more so when they cycle through Aries, the first primal sign of the zodiac.

Let’s talk about Aries, the sign Neptune and Saturn have just entered and will be passing through together until early 2028.  A fire sign, Aries is the Great Initiator.  It gets things started, hence it begins on the Spring Equinox and signifies all new beginnings.  It is brave, fearless, and impulsive. Aries is the Warrior, Pioneer, the First Responder, the Leader.  Aries jumps right into action, leaps before looking without much consideration for any consequence. Aries is that Tarot Fool card that I mentioned earlier.  The Fool doesn’t know what it doesn’t know as it looks out at that wide open landscape; but boy, is it rarin’ to get to it.  What, exactly, IT is we will figure out as we go along.

So altogether, in combination, Neptune and Saturn in Aries draws our soul’s focus to anything brand new.   Saturn anchors to earth Neptune’s divine inspiration in entirely uncharted territory. Enter that blank canvas, page or landscape.   Begging the question:  What will you paint, write, build, or create upon your blank screen?

Making matters that much more interesting or challenging for many, is that there is no one currently alive who has ever experienced the Neptune-Saturn in Aries dynamic.  No elder or wise woman to turn to for guidance, about what happened the last time this combo occurred.

For context, the outer planet Neptune has not cycled through Aries since 1861, or, 165 years.  Thirty years ago, Saturn cycled through Aries.  Together, Neptune and Saturn have not overlapped in Aries since 1703.  Historically, this was early colonial America, 70 plus years prior to the American Revolution. Europe was having a moment, in the full throes of expansion, colonial domination of foreign lands, prospering at the expense of others.

Diving even further back in time, Neptune and Saturn were last joined precisely together at 00 degrees Aries in 4361 BCE.  No one alive has any remembrance for these periods of time, neither 1703, nor 4361 BCE.  However, at least in 1703 we had written historical records to document events; but it was anyone’s guess as to what daily life was like in 4361 BCE, since the period occurred before written language.

The best we know about this time is archaeological evidence using carbon dating.  It was the Stone Age.  Think Stone Henge.  Communal villages were beginning to form.  Life was rural, agrarian, hunting and gathering, and still largely nomadic. Talk about a blank canvas.  A time before pre-Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, when the maternal, goddess culture prevailed as humanity followed cosmic cycles of the Sun, Moon and Earth.

Now in 2026, we have just completed a long cycle of shedding, cleansing and purging.  Some may know this as the Year of the Snake in Chinese Astrology.  In the Western cosmos, Neptune and Saturn completed a protracted tour through Pisces, the final water sign of the zodiac.  Mystical, dreamy, spiritual, inspirational and delusional, ruling fear as well as faith, Pisces’ influence these last few years cleared out any residue, person or situation not to be carried into this next new era.

The age of all-knowing gurus, especially of the spiritual kind has now ended, giving way to invitations for self-empowerment and trusting that you, your SELF knows best, what is for your highest potential, long-term well-being.  No more outsourcing your own gut knowing, intuition and natural intelligence.  We are each being pushed out of the proverbial nest.  Time to spread your wings and fly!

A caution is that Aries energy might have you inclined to rush in where angels fear to tread.  Just remember to take a breath.  There is absolutely no rush.

We are just now getting our bearings in this brave new landscape.  Be mindful as you are still growing, developing and getting the lay of the land.  To say that this is a highly holy and sacred time is an immense understatement.  It is not to be messed or tampered with.  After all, such a moment has not occurred for over 6000 years!  Yes, for those who have done their work and have been patiently waiting, it is a tremendously exciting time.  Most, however, are given to pause.  All of us sense the enormity of now.  Our souls know that we signed up to usher in this brand new era.  So, take your time.  There is no urgency to decide, to become, to do.  You will know when the right time comes to take action and move forward. For right now, trust the process.

Of Special Note:

Is your intuition calling you?  The 3 Wise Women are veteran metaphysical practitioners offering community, conversation and connection via zoom every first Tuesday of the month @6 pm eastern.  For just $10/session, feel safe among like-minded seekers to ask your wildest woo questions and learn from each other.  Join us!  To enroll: www.hilaryharley.com

Mystical Messages features my monthly astrology forecasts if you prefer listening via podcast.  Also featured are cutting edge healing arts practitioners.  Tune in and listen through Youtube, Apple or Spotify or hear previous episodes: www.hilaryharley.com

 

 

Into the Fire

In terms of the weather, March notoriously begins like a lion and exits like a lamb. Cosmically speaking, this tenet proves the opposite is true during March 2026.  March begins like a slow, soft drum beat that increases in volume and pace as we move toward April.  In the wake of February’s planetary whiplash, a quiet hangover lingers as we try to get our bearings.  We are recuperating from February’s tumult and turbulence.

I’m not one to exalt the glories of Mercury retrograde; but it does have its purpose, time and place.  And as we enter March, the messenger planet’s reverse motion feels like a reprieve to sort ourselves out.  Mercury continues its retrograde cycle for the first 3 weeks of March, the tide pulling us into retreat and reflection mode. 

Mercury turned retrograde on February 25^th, cycling in reverse gear through the March 20^th spring equinox.  Dive into the RE words for the first three weeks of March:  research, restore, renew, refresh, renovate, relax and more.  Many school spring vacations occur during this window; so use this time for a break or escape from the daily routine.

Certainly the first week of March we want to drop everything and run away. With four interior planets (Sun, Mercury, Mars and Venus) plus the lunar north node in Pisces, dreaming dominates.  Music, water, imagination and inspiration surround and envelope us.  Watch for divine downloads, pristine clarity and insight. 

Artists of all variety benefit from this energy, especially musicians or those using fluid mediums in their work or the maritime trades.  Equally, athletes who ski, skate, swim or boat shine now. It is also a deeply spiritual time.  Retreats for yoga, meditation and contemplation are highly restorative.

The volume of water signs at the beginning of March may feel emotionally overwhelming to some, as though they are drowning, hence driving a big urge to escape.  Pisces rules both fear and faith.  Should fear spike its gnarly fangs, hit the pause button.  Avoid heavy drug and alcohol use now.  Ground yourself:  Turn music on, take a hot bath, shower with essential oils or walk in fresh air near a body of water.

Ask yourself:  what is real and what is not. 

Helping to keep things real is the Lunar eclipse in practical Virgo during the wee small hours of Tuesday, March 3^rd.   The moon in earthy Virgo seeks healthy practices, adores animals and asks how to be of service.  With Sun and Moon opposite in Pisces and Virgo, this eclipse emphasizes health, wellness and work.  On one end of the equation, the Virgo Moon streamlines information while the Pisces sun invites surrender.  If someone or something is not feeding your soul, they do not deserve a seat at your table nor receive your service.

Lunar eclipses focus on endings.  Situations and relationships must be healthy for you.  If not, then the time has come to surrender it.  What is your soul asking you to give up for the sake of your future self?  Your highest potential, well-being and benefit?  A lifestyle, a belief system, a toxic relationship, a soul-crushing job?  Pay particular attention to those in power, influencers wielding power, including spiritual influencers or gurus.  Smoke and mirrors of yesteryear dissipate now and all are seen clearly.  See those whom you look toward for guidance, direction, answers, for who they actually are now.  Instead of relying on others for answers, derive your own guidance by asking what feels right for YOU?

This is the primary lesson of 2026:  to become our own guru, mentor, and guide.  The Universe is pushing us out of the proverbial nest.

Increasingly, we are invited to step into our strengths, to be fully empowered and less reliant on external validation. This may certainly bring an end to a variety of imbalanced relationships.  Do not expect to be liked should you walk away from anyone using you as their battery, energy or power source. The price tag is your freedom.  Yet the cost is worth every cent, no?

Stirring life up and adding some spice, Valuable Venus joins the Saturn-Neptune duo in Aries on March 6^th.  We feel an urgency to get going; however it feels like we’re swimming against the current or pushing against invisible forces.  With an equal number of planets (Sun, Mercury and Motivating Mars) still cycling through Pisces, the tide of life is decidedly out right now.  While Messenger Mercury continues its retrograde for the next two weeks, March 7-20^th, we feel at loose ends.

Best to use this time for preparation, as a dress rehearsal if you will.  The weeks from February 25^th to March 20^th offer a steep stillness and profound quiet when we allow for it. This is the Great Pause before a leap into action.   Reflect, reset and recalibrate; take inventory and consider your plans.  You will be glad you did. Because just after mid-month, we may feel like we were shot out of a cannon.

Three back-to-back events occur beginning on Wednesday, March 18^th.  Late in the day, the New Moon in Pisces arrives, helpfully aligning to Radical Uranus in Taurus.  Talk about make a wish! With both Sun and Moon in dreamy Pisces our intentions and goals are realistically grounded into reality by change agent Uranus.  Take time on March 19^th or the spring equinox March 20th to carefully hand write 3-5 goals you seek to manifest over the coming months and season.

The Sun enters fiery Aries on Friday, March 20^th, marking the beginning of Spring. After a particularly long, cold winter in the Northern Hemisphere, we move increasingly toward light and new growth.  Fully one-third of the planets, four out of ten are in Aries.  Here they throw down the gauntlet:  what are you doing about all of your dreams and desires?  The Sun, Neptune and Saturn hover at the Creator Degree, the initial impulse and spark igniting our creativity.  Feel the urge to take action.  You are ready to leap at a mere suggestion, to take the risk you’ve been mulling over but never quite pulled the trigger. Now, you do.

This is the energy of the Chinese astrology Fire Horse that you may have heard about.  It is here. The warrior in you has arrived!  Leap and the net will appear.  Creativity, momentum, strength and speed carry us forward into unknown terrain. 

Underscoring this, the very same day on March 20^th, Messenger Mercury turns direct motion ushering in a two month phase where every planet is moving forward.  Time to sign the significant documents, book the travel plans and invest in major purchases.

Our thoughts, words and drive continue downloading dreams and clearing out residue from the past.  This is one powerful moment.  Our visions are inspired like never before; our next steps clear and grounded in practical values. We possess fearless courage to create the reality of our dreams. Late March 2026 is one potent time.

April draws near and the promise of longer, warmer days ahead.  As if to seal the promise of what is to come, Valuable Venus turns into its own sign, Taurus on Monday, March 30^th.  Earthy yet artistic, sensual yet pragmatic, Venus clashes with Powerful Pluto through early April, asking us to keep our goals realistic.  Exactly how do you plan to finance the house you plan to build, or the invention designed in your head?

Ask whether these are roadblocks or rather tests that, when tackled head-on, will make your dreams that much stronger and built sturdier for the long term?

The Universe has already said YES to you.   The Divine gives us an open-book test.  Now you are tasked with filling in the blanks.

Of Special Note:

Is your intuition calling you?  The 3 Wise Women are three veteran metaphysical practitioners offering community, conversation and connection via zoom every first Tuesday of the month @6 pm eastern.  For just $10/session, feel safe among like-minded seekers to ask your wildest woo questions and learn from each other.  Join us!  To enroll: www.hilaryharley.com

Mystical Messages features my monthly astrology forecasts if you prefer listening via podcast.  Also featured are cutting edge healing arts practitioners.  Tune in and listen through Youtube, Apple or Spotify or hear previous episodes: www.hilaryharley.com