by Rick Levine

Now that summer has arrived, your thoughts may drift to romantic moonlit walks, vacations with someone special or just having enough time to enjoy the love in your life. Your words are the key to getting what you want as Mercury visits his own witty sign of Gemini. You have just the right things to say, but you could speak before you think, stirring up unneeded trouble. Still, Sweet Venus is quieter than usual as she makes her way through emotional Cancer. Although you can be clever, you don't want to come right out and say what you feel. Other person should be sensitive enough to know what you want, before you even ask. You start off as a house on fire with feisty Mars is in dramatic Leo, so don't wait to make your move.

Full Steam Ahead
When Mars moves on into analytical Virgo on July 1, though, you are more careful, thinking through everything first. Use the exciting Mercury and Venus connections with anything-goes Uranus on July5–6 to get up enough courage to ask him or her out on a date. All is looking good when jolly Jupiter opposes the Sun on July 9, but you could take something too far. Be prepared for a reality check or a setback when physical Mars joins serious Saturn on July 10, possibly acting like a wet blanket that can cool even the hottest fire in someone's heart. Your words become more tentative, even passive, when Mercury slips into self-protective Cancer, also on July 10. But stylish Venus eagerly dances into showy Leo on July 12, so go out and make a splash! Buy a new outfit or visit the salon for a makeover. Anything that makes you look better now is also a perfect antidote to the blues and you should be feeling better in just a few days.

Total Eclipse of the Heart
Your chances for romance improve when party time officially arrives as the Sun enters playful Leo on July 22, followed by trickster Mercury on July 26. But a pair of eclipses can either make or break a potential deal. The first, a New Moon Solar Eclipse in the Sun's own sign of Leo on August 1 is joined by motor mouth Mercury. If there's a conversation that needs to happen, do it now. But be prepared for your discussion to change the course of events. You become more analytical about what you want in love when Venus enters discerning Virgo on August 5, followed by Mercury on August 10 and the Sun on August 22. Yet in the meantime, an unexpected change of direction could result from a risk you take when macho Mars opposes erratic Uranus on August 6.

Emotions get more serious when yummy Venus and wordy Mercury run into cold Saturn on August 13–15, reminding you to get real. It's crucial that you take this seriously, for the second eclipse of the month -- a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in freedom-loving Aquarius on August 16 -- can send you or your partner running for the hills if you're not getting what you want.

More Summer Fun
Luckily, emotions start to settle down as the planets leave nervous Virgo for the easygoing realms of Libra. Mars starts the exodus on August 19, followed by Mercury on August 28 and Venus on August 30. Look back at what happened over the summer, put your thoughts in balance, and get ready for what's ahead. Keep in mind, though, there's still summer fun to be had. Mercury and Venus are zapped by electrical Uranus on August 23, indicating several days of unexpected twists and turns. Pleasure is yours if you can let go of your expectations. By the time September rolls around, you may be ready to get on with your life. A romantic entanglement either will get more practical or may fall to the wayside. Make long-term decisions with confidence around September 8 when your vision is balanced by your common sense. Even if you consider ending a romance on September 12 when the Sun opposes Uranus, a solid relationship will surely endure some extra excitement. As the month wears on, it's better to delay significant decisions, for uncertainties increase as Mercury slows down to begin its next retrograde just a couple of days after the Fall Equinox on September 22

About the Author
Rick Levine is the co-author of Barnes & Noble's Your Astrology Guide 2009, as well as the sole author of two books: Quantum Astrology: Essays on the Physics of Metaphysics and The Gift of the Magi: Christmas for the New Millennium. He's been a professional Astrologer since 1976, providing astrological consulting services for individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations.