Mercury Retrograde lingers for another week (it goes direct on July 31) and the summer slog continues as regular routines are sabotaged by incessant techno and travel snafus, travails that could challenge even the most dedicated meditation practitioner. Only seven more days till the end of this retrograde phase and its concentration on details, details, and more details. I don’t mind the attention to detail, even if it’s a pain to redo what I thought was done. What I mind is the heat. The planetary heat—Earth’s heat—also continues, and as a gazillion people attempt to cope with ever-increasing temperatures, temper tantrums are certain to inflame daily interactions. And, really, there is so much to be upset about, I’m surprised some of us aren’t spontaneously bursting into flame. The good news is that a majority of our fellow travelers know that violence won’t produce the necessary transformation to restore our collective sanity. We just have to figure out and implement positive action to counter the roiling negativity.
Today, tomorrow, and Friday are probably the testiest days of the week. Today the Moon begins its transit through Taurus with a conjunction to Uranus, fueling impulsive behavior and the need to break free from what whatever constrains personal freedom. Thursday, as it transits Taurus, the Moon squares Mars, in Leo, a fractious interaction with the potential to foster a stubborn need to cling to self-righteous stands—and the square doesn’t end until late in the day on Friday, when the Moon starts to trine Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. Try to keep your head for the next couple of days; it will help you to avoid getting swept away by the waves of emotion that are sure to pound on the shores of reality, personal and collective. Interestingly, Mr. Mueller is scheduled to testify before Congress today and both his testimony and the reaction to it are certain to be filtered through this Moon/Mars square. It will be fascinating, as Spock might say, to see whose tempers ignite a firestorm.
Any cynicism about Mr. Mueller’s testimony and its effects are likely to be filtered through the ongoing Mars/Jupiter trine, which imbues the week with a sense of honor, especially when it comes to pride in the military and other government agencies meant to enforce the law. Mars in Leo signifies passionate loyalty and the confidence to be true to one’s principles. Jupiter in Sagittarius symbolizes the power of ideals and a love for justice. Both are in Fire Signs, which means the light of their ideals burns brightly. (It’s still remarkable to me that even though my family was chased by the FBI when I was a child, my sympathies are now aligned with the members of the FBI and Justice Department whose lives have been ruined and reputations maligned by Mr. Trump’s systematic dismantling of our government. I may not like the FBI, but I do know that most of the people who are called to serve at that agency love their country and treasure its principles.)
The other burning issue this week is climate change. Apparently, June 2019 is the hottest June on record—and we’re barely midway through the summer. The challenge of finding solutions and implementing them is the biggest collective challenge we are facing—the inevitable extinction of Planet Earth should be our daily concern. And it is, although there are still deniers. Recently, I had a conversation with a young person who despairs that there is no hope. I don’t know what it would feel like to be at the beginning of my life and feel the existential despair that I may not live a full lifespan because the water will be polluted and the air will be on fire and my species will be facing extinction. While those of us who have known the Earth before there were waves of garbage in the sea must participate in Earth’s healing, it grows increasingly clear that the brunt of the work is up to young people who care about their world. They don’t have the luxury of apathy. And even if the challenge seems impossible, there is hope and inspiration everywhere. Here’s a video by young people about the damage done to their world—our planet—and the healing that’s needed. www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=8441
As the week unfolds, spend some time identifying where your contribution makes a difference or could make a difference. We’re all in need of more than a little compassion, so hold hope high and help your fellow travelers whenever possible.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April 19
You’re in the leadership position, but handling that kind of power at this particular moment requires the ability to unite people in a common cause. Contemplate how you can inspire others to get involved in positive action and then use that information for personal inspiration.
Taurus April 20-May 20.
Honor your desire to stay at home and hunker down in familiar surroundings. Even if the travel goddess starts humming a tune that’s hard to resist, there’s plenty of time to sing along in the coming days. Right now what’s important is acknowledging your need to rest and to restore your inner reserves.
Gemini May 21-June 21
Lively conversations with significant others—spouses, lovers, cousins, or friends—stimulate a new perspective that has the power to shift your attitude and realign your intention. Pay attention to what’s said, but pay more attention to your responses and you’ll discover several new approaches.
Cancer June 22-July 22
It might be wise to focus your attention on specific tasks. Yes, I know it’s Mercury Retrograde and new initiatives are likely to be filled with obstacles. But there are plenty of old projects that require energy and effort, and spending your time dealing with some of those details could be beneficial.
Leo July 23-August 22
You’re in your element, so let your light shine brightly and don’t be shy about taking the lead. Just remember that one of your greatest gifts is generosity of spirit, so as you take the helm, be sure to delegate responsibility to your followers. Everyone benefits from your example, even you.
Virgo August 23-September 22
I’m not suggesting that you start writing the next great memoir (although if you are inspired to do so, have at it), but this would be the perfect moment to chronicle your experiences. The world is shifting, and articulating how that shift affects you will help you to identify your next steps.
Libra September 23-October 22
Lots of social interaction keeps you busy, and while some of these exchanges have the potential to be exhausting, others have the potential to expand your frame of reference and alter your day-to-day patterns. So rather than resist this expansion into new territory, welcome it—you won’t be bored.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
You could be presented with several opportunities to improve your financial situation, and even though the retrograde rule is “nothing new,” these opportunities might be difficult to turn down. Instead of just saying “no,” consider whether the potential benefits outweigh any extra work.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
There’s no need to apologize if you find yourself vacillating between optimism and pessimism—that’s what happens when Jupiter is your ruling planet, although more often than not, you tend to be optimistic. The remedy is to acknowledge your mood swings and accept that you are in process.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
Consider the week a slight break from the unrelenting intensity of Saturn and Pluto in your Sign. Take as many deep breaths as you need to clear the air and meditate as much as possible to clear your mind. When you are ready, give yourself permission to simply rest—the only thing you’ll miss is the stress.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
The best way to avoid strife, internal or external, would be to practice wu-wei, the Taoist principle of taking no unnecessary action. I know that sounds contradictory, but if you can avoid insisting on your way and your way only, the appropriate course of action will present itself at the right time.
Pisces February 19-March 20
The best way to spend the energy of the week is to devote yourself to work—even if you are retired or unemployed, find a meaningful endeavor that will engage your mind and heart. If you can focus your energy and harness your ambition, you’ll keep yourself inspired and active.