We start the week with retrograde Mars moving up towards its upcoming trine with Saturn. The retrograde Mars trine Saturn aspect is exact late morning (11:41 am C.S.T.) on Monday and should start to wane by mid-evening on Wednesday. 

Saturn can usually have a stabilizing influence over Mars, but this Mars is retrograde, out of bounds, and ruled by Mercury which is in detriment and also out of bounds. Generally speaking, it could be a good time to get in and do something, especially if it is something rather physical, but you may find that it takes a lot longer than you originally anticipated. 

From the very early hours of Tuesday, Mercury moves up toward its upcoming opposition with retrograde Mars. The Mercury opposition retrograde Mars aspect is exact early afternoon (2:27 pm C.S.T.) on Tuesday and will start to fade out from the early hours of Wednesday. 

Mercury (communications, thinking, learning) opposed to Mars (anger, aggression, energy) can manifest as  “fighting words” or harsh exchanges. It could also be that communications are rushed and, therefore, garbled.

The fact that both Mercury and Mars are out of bounds at this time (acting more individualistic and maverick in nature) doesn’t help matters. 

Adding to the tension, Mars is currently retrograde in the sign of Gemini (which is ruled by Mercury). Mercury, meanwhile, is in a sign of its detriment, where it doesn’t function as it usually would.

From mid-morning on Tuesday,  Mercury is also moving toward its upcoming sextile with Saturn.  The Mercury sextile Saturn aspect will be exact late night (10:02 pm C.S.T.) on Tuesday and start to fade by mid-afternoon on Wednesday. 

Mercury sextile Saturn can bring a serious tone to discussions and thinking. As Mercury is currently in detriment and Saturn in a sign that it rules, this is a very helpful aspect. 

From late morning on Wednesday, Venus moves up to oppose retrograde Mars. The Venus opposition retrograde Mars aspect will be exact late night (11:21 pm C.S.T.) and start to fade from mid-afternoon on Thursday. 

Venus opposite Mars can often lead to sexual tension. Mars is retrograde, in the chatty sign of Gemini, making Mercury the ruler of this Mars placement. Mercury and Mars are both out of bounds at this time, and as Venus is moving beyond the 1 degree orb of its opposition to Mars it also is out of bounds. 

Both Mercury and Venus are in the adventurous sign of Sagittarius – so this could be quite a fun aspect, but with all those planets out of bounds, a lot of boundaries could be pushed – for good or bad. 

From early morning on Thursday, Mercury moves up towards its upcoming square with Neptune. The Mercury square Neptune aspect will be exact early evening (6:57 pm C.S.T.) on Thursday and start to fade from late morning on Friday. 

Mercury square Neptune can lead to foggy or unclear thinking and communications. In some cases it could lead to deception. 

From the very early hours of Thursday, Venus moves up toward its upcoming sextile with Saturn. The Venus sextile Saturn aspect will be exact late night (9:02 pm C.S.T.) on Thursday and start to fade from early evening on Friday. 

Venus sextile Saturn has us appreciating the comfort and reliability of our relationships. With Venus out of bounds and having recently opposed retrograde Mars, it might feel nice to come home to something that feels safe and secure. 

Early evening (6:16 pm C.S.T.) on Saturday, Neptune stations direct. Neptune has been retrograde since the 28th of June.  If you have natal planets around 21° to 26° of Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius, you might find that matters to do with that natal house topic become a little clearer soon. 

From mid-morning on Sunday, Venus moves up toward is upcoming square with Neptune. The Venus square Neptune aspect will be exact early afternoon (1 pm C.S.T.) on Sunday and will start to fade from late evening on Sunday. 

Venus square Neptune can have us wearing rose coloured glasses.It’s easy to get carried away at this time, and as Neptune has only just stationed direct, it is appearing to stand still. This has its good and bad effects. As it is standing still, Venus will whiz past it faster than ever. As Neptune appears to be stationary, it will have more impact than it would if it were in motion. 

All times and dates given are for United States Central Standard Time (C.S.T.).