I’m running a tad behind this morning.
I should have written this yesterday, but I was making the most of the Virgo Moon, head down and bum up editing Faultlines. Then I decided to reward myself with a binge of Ride or Die on Prime. So... this post is late.
Hey ho.
I’ve hit the 15,000-word mark of my new novel, Second Chance Kitchen in Mannus Ridge—although whether that title survives is another matter—so I’ve done what I usually do at this stage of a manuscript: stop and read back through everything I’ve written.
Although I write without a plot or detailed plan, getting to know my characters as I go, I always pause for a tidy-up a few times during a first draft. Usually around 10–15,000 words, again at 25–30,000, and then somewhere around 50–60,000.
It means the first draft isn’t really a first draft at all. Each pass lets me refine the story while it’s still taking shape, so by the time it goes to my structural editor, the heavy lifting has largely been done. The Virgo Moon mightn’t be great for creativity, but it’s perfect for that sort of work.
This week in the stars
This week is still dominated by the ongoing dance between Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. If you’d like the deeper version, I wrote about it last week—you’ll find it here.
While Uranus, Neptune and Pluto will continue weaving this longer story over the next couple of years, Jupiter remains part of the picture for the rest of this week.
In short:
Some people will hit frustrating roadblocks; others will stumble across remarkable opportunities for change. Often, the difference comes down to a willingness to adapt.
Stop keeping your dreams in your imagination. Start finding practical ways to bring them into reality.
Stay open to unexpected opportunities, fresh thinking and sudden breakthroughs.
Alrighty... here’s what else is happening. As always, I’m working in Brisbane time, but you’ll get the general vibe.
Monday 20 July
Moon in Libra
Mars sextile Saturn
Last night I received an email from one of the councillors I’d written to during our campaign to save the community writing group. He thanked me for what he called my “respectful advocacy.”
It made me smile because today’s astrology feels rather like that.
Sometimes diplomacy is enough to shift an obstacle. Sometimes it isn’t. Today asks you to be firm without becoming combative. Push if you need to—but don’t burn bridges that don’t need burning, or hurt people who don’t deserve it.
With the Moon in Libra, think iron fist, velvet glove.
Thursday 23 July
Moon in Scorpio
Sun enters Leo – 5.13 am
The Sun moves into Leo today. I’ll have a full post up on Wednesday, but here’s the short version.
We all have Leo somewhere in our chart, and it’s the part of life where we wrestle with two opposing fears:
not being seen
being seen... and failing.
Leo season asks us to take creative risks, express ourselves honestly and shine anyway.
So where does Leo fall in your chart?
That’s where the Sun is encouraging you to stop hiding and step a little further into the light.
Also keep in mind that, over its first few days in Leo, the Sun will activate the basket pattern we’ve been talking about.
Friday 24 July
Moon in Sagittarius
Mercury stations direct – 16° Cancer
Did I hear a collective sigh of relief?
Mercury is finally moving direct. It’ll still take a little while to gather speed, so don’t expect every delay or misunderstanding to disappear overnight—but things are moving again.
The Sagittarius Moon certainly helps. After Scorpio’s emotional intensity, it feels like opening a window and letting fresh air into the room.
Saturday 25 July
Moon in Sagittarius
Mercury sextile Venus
This is one of those gentle little aspects that’s more of a pleasant interlude than a major event.
It could be the perfect moment for an honest conversation or a heartfelt message. Just remember that Venus is in Virgo, and she’s not in the mood for any faffery. Sincerity rather than grand gestures or unnecessary drama.
Sunday 26 July
Moon in Sagittarius
Saturn stations retrograde
Saturn stations retrograde today at 14° Aries 45′ and will hover around this degree until September.
When Saturn slows like this, it’s less about forging ahead and more about dealing with the things you’ve been avoiding. The jobs you’ve been putting off. The foundations that need strengthening.
If you have planets or chart points between 13° and 15° of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, you’ll probably be feeling this already.
This isn’t the time for speculation. It’s the time to get your ducks in a row.
I’ll write something more detailed about Saturn later in the week.
That’s your astro weather for the week ahead.
How it plays out down here? That’s the part that’s up to you.
Work with the energy where you can, don’t fight it where you can’t, and above all, be kind to yourself.
Jo x
I laughed, my natal Mars splits the difference with 14deg in Cancer. Yay for Mercury doing its stationing, it's been intense for welll, everyone, but many around me.
I'm curious how you write about Leo later in the weeks. For myself, Leo is caretaking 8deg Venus in the 2nd but I have a Leo son, who is I think the last degree of Leo (if he's waited 11minutes for his birth time to be clocked, he would have been a Virgo....that late in the picture Leo. My sister clocked his time for our mother who has done Western astrology since I was a very young girl and Vedic astrology for at least the last 35 years...yes, it gets confusing having conversations with her sometimes when she swaps between mid conversation).