Solar Eclipse in 19 Cancer 19, July 11, 2010 at 3:32 pm EDT
New Moon in 19 Cancer 24, July 11, 2010 at 3:40 pm EDT

a conjunction with the asteroid Juno and a square to new planet Eris, named for the Goddess of Discord. This could relate to stress in relationships/partnerships, though if handled with fairness and consideration, manageable. On a wider mundane level, though, this eclipse occurs as outer planet movement converges on the cardinal world axis (Jupiter and Uranus at 0 Aries, Pluto at 3 Capricorn, and Saturn to arrive at 0 Libra later this month.) Mars, often a "trigger" for larger events, moves to 0 Libra July 30. Whatever the wider world events might be, the sign of Cancer for all of us relates to home, and to our care and protection of home and family. For this, our closest concern, appropriate ritual for this New Moon and Eclipse could be a house cleansing. Clearing our home space on both physical and spiritual planes also clears mind and spirit, reinforcing our ability to more effectively handle our outer world concerns.

Ritual for Cleansing, Refreshing and Blessing the Home
The first step (and the least fun, but necessary) is to declutter. What are we really keeping all this stuff for anyway? Get rid of what you no longer really want or need, straighten up what's left and you'll find that you're decluttering your mind and spirit in the process.

Now, in your decluttered and better organized space, gather ritual tools: a white candle in a secure holder, a broom, a bowl of water, salt, incense and a censer. For incense for this purpose, I favor using a blend I came up with years ago made from frankincense and myrrh with dill, dragon's blood powder, wood betony and rose geranium. You can do this ritual alone, but of course it is best if you can involve whomever else lives with you in helping you do it. The process will also go faster with family paricipation, since multiple tasks can be done at the same time, rather than you alone needing to completing each task in turn, after completing the prior one. Here is the sequence of the cleansing:
The broom goes around the enire house first. Start at the front door and move clockwise around the entire perimeter. sweeping through the air ahead of the broom all unwanted energies. When returning to the front door, it is opened and all that's been gathered is firmly swept out. The water bowl follows the broom after first being ritually mixed with salt and blessed create the Goddess elements of earth and water. Dip fingers in the bowl and sprinkle the salted water around the entire house as you visualize it being cleansed and blessed. Next comes the incense, after being lit and ritually blessed to create the God elements of fire and air. Waft the incense around the entire house as you visualize it being cleansed and blessed. Finally, light and bless the white candle with power of Spirit, then carry it around the entire house. Pause at each opening (window, door, vent...and you also might choose to include your phone or other media that permit outer world access into your home) and draw a solar cross with the candle (stand straight and tall, then raise the candle up at arms length, bring it down in a straight line, then raise it to center left then cross to center right, then trace a circle around your cross). Say: May this home and all who dwell here be secure in the name of God and Goddess who are within. Any remaining candle should be placed in a non-flamable holder and left in a safe place to burn all the way down.

First Quarter Moon, 25 Libra 42, July 18 at 6:11 am EDT
Now we are in the phase that calls for decisive action. Libra may be "on the fence," but Moon passes into Scorpio at 1:42pm EDT and sextiles ruler Pluto. Action in this phase now! Independence is likely to be more important today than sharing everything, although sociability with good humor can be to your advantage. Assess your plans and prepare to move forward bright and early Monday. Some adjustment or compromise may be needed in thinking or communication, but you can persist in your goal while also being considerate of the concerns of others. Look for creative ways to allow you to work on your own.

Gibbous Moon , 14 Sagittarius 12, July 21 at 10:25 pm EDT
During this phase lunar aspects are mostly harmonious, but changes of energy are indicated by Saturn's passage into Libra at 11:09 am EDT today and Sun's passage into Leo tomorrow. Adjustments with others may be necessary, but moods can lighten with Sun in Leo, Moon in Sag. A bit of caution is recommended in what you say, but some risk in what you do could pay off. This is still is a time to move forward. Be alert for that brass ring of fulfillment that could be just ahead, though be aware that Jupiter turns retrograde early the 23rd, so don't risk more than you can afford to lose.

Full Moon, July 25, 9:36 pm EDT at 2 Aquarius 60
Full Moon aspects begin with Moon trine Saturn, then sextile Uranus—a relatively benign connection for Moon with that gathering of the "heavies" around the cardinal point, but nevertheless, a connection. Caution is called for. Be open to discussion to resolve problems equitably. We're moving into a potentially confusing Mercury opposite Neptune early on the 26th, though Sun trines Jupiter.
At 1:05 pm EDT, the Saturn-Uranus opposition perfects. Mercury will change into Virgo and Moon conjunct Neptune before void-of-course. We could be seeing considerable tension in the news during this Full Moon phase.

Ritual for Full Moon in Aquarius
A group ritual conducive to shared communication is the creation of a weblike network of connecting strings. It would be best to simply explain the following sequence before you begin, along with its purpose: to acknowledge successes achieved and to work out whatever is needed to successfully carry forward into the important disseminating phase of your shared activity.
Stand or sit in a circle holding a ball of string or yarn. You could begin by tossing the ball across the circle to someone else, while holding onto the end of the string yourself. As you do this, give the recipient a sincere compliment on anything related to whatever your group has been working on together. That person then compliments someone else, tossing him or her the ball while holding onto the string. With each toss a network of strings begins to form, a network of connection and cooperation. When everyone has received the ball at least once and it returns to you, change the dialogue to a suggestion for what you, personally, might improve, tossing the ball to someone else as you do. That person should then do the same, and so on. Finally, ask if anyone has a good idea for what can be done to consolidate what has been accomplished and improve upon it. Toss the ball to the first volunteer, who makes a suggestion and asks who agrees or has another suggestion. While the energy of this final round stays high, continue. When it shows signs of winding down, conclude by saying that the network you have created is a magickal bond among you for continued success until the conclusion of your work together. Lead the group in a final chant, everyone holding the network taunt as you move the circle clockwise. Chant the following nine times, building the tempo:

Forward we go, strong are we
Working together successfully!

Now everyone move toward center, gathering the network into a ball, as you conclude with “By all the power of three times three, as we do will, so mote it be! As we do will, so mote it be! As we do will, so mote it be!”

Keep the ball in a protected place until conclusion of the work it represents, and then offer it back to Spirit in a ritual fire.

Disseminating Moon, 21 Pisces 56, July 30 at 12:24 am EDT
Mars moved into Libra last evening, so today Mars will oppose Uranus, then conjunct Saturn on Saturday. Moon moves into Aries at 4:42 am, so becomes dominant in this phase even though it began with Pisces. During this day Mars will contact each of the outer planets gathered around the cardinal axis: conjunct Uranus, opposite Mars then Saturn, square Pluto, conjunct Jupiter. Mars conjuncts Saturn early the 31st. It's an interesting thing to consider, this: the planet of war in the sign of peace. Could this mean that compromises are possible in one or more of the controversies around us (or in which we may be involved)? Major news of one kind or another would not be surprising. In our own lives, if we encounter expressions of these transits, we can do our best talk things over as needed and progress toward equitable solutions.

Last Quarter Moon, 10 Taurus 47, August 3 at 12:59 am EDT
Aspects of tension continue with Jupiter square Pluto this morning, and Mars opposite Jupiter then square Pluto early tomorrow. Confrontations could be difficult to avoid, and patience may be scarce both in self and from others. Taurus is a fixed and stubborn sign. If a boil-over can be avoided, expressing self well after Moon moves into Gemini tomorrow afternoon would be a better time.

Balsamic Moon, 29 Gemini 16, August 6 at 4:35 am EDT
In this final phase of the cycle, it is a time to let go...of what? The energy release now could be dramatic on the world scene with a Grand Cross forming at and very near the 0 degree of cardinal signs, the world axis. Moon moving into Cancer quite early in this phase means that on this day she squares Venus, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter then opposes Pluto just before Venus also enters the cardinal sign of Libra at 11:48 pm EDT. Venus, Goddess of love and peace in the sign of peace...may we all invoke her! Pressures have been building in more than one matter that has the capacity for world-wide concern, and likely for many people personally, as well, especially for those with planets or angles near 0 of the cardinals. This is a phase of release. If this theme fits with something in your life,recognize it and do what you must, then prepare for a fresh new beginning at the New Moon soon to come.

Lammas, Sun at 15 Leo 00, August 7 at10:49 am EDT
Still within Balsamic Moon phase, we come to the solar-seasonal holiday of Lammas, or Lughnasad. the early harvest of the grain. Here are links to my articles on the lore of this Sabbat, along with ritual ideas:

Lore of Lammas/Lughnasad

A Lammas Ritual