Even the most mild-mannered among us are likely to be challenged this week, and not because the planets are aligning in difficult patterns—if anything, they are calming down. But a slightly less riled celestial attitude doesn’t immediately translate into less terrestrial agitation. The challenge, here on Earth, is figuring out how to maintain an even-tempered attitude in the midst of so much disheartening information about our current collective situation, with all of our ongoing religious, political, physical and economic crises.
The planets have been stirring the pot for quite some time, and now it seems we’re left with a roiling caldron of change in desperate need of our attention—and if you have the time to pay attention, it all feels too overwhelming to tackle. From a personal perspective, many of us—perhaps too many—are facing the dismantling and collapse of belief systems that used to sustain hope and fortitude. The word that’s been repeated to me in so many recent conversations is “disheartening.”
But don’t give up yet. Margaret Mead was right: “…a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world.” And if most of us take the time to look around at our communities, it is possible to see consciousness in action, as well as innovative, ingenious spirituality being applied to local and global situations in dire need of positive, peaceful solutions. These “activist” endeavors don’t get time on the network news shows, but they are deeply and steadily exerting an influence that will eventually erode the negative status quo. So rather than being disheartened, take heart in the efforts of your fellow travelers, even if those efforts seem silly at first or minimal and inconsequential. Remember, we’re in the midst of a massive evolutionary process and turning the wheel of our collective life away from violence and greed is going to take a gargantuan united effort, an effort greater than the sum of its parts that will only succeed if all the parts participate fully.
From a more mundane (but not less practical) perspective, this week’s astral influences coalesce into a confusing stop/start rhythm that’s simultaneously exhilarating and exhausting. One minute you’re lying down on the couch passed out in an instant, while the next you’re up and out the door ready to move into action. This extreme flux can be attributed to Mars, as it gets ready to go direct on Monday, May 19. Do I hear a sigh of relief? Don’t get too excited just yet. Mars slows to a crawl for the next two weeks, and that snail’s pace not only frustrates Mars, who is ready to gather momentum and move forward, but it also frustrates all of us who are just tired of this seemingly endless retrograde. Be patient—the end is in sight. And those of you tired of looking at relationships, Mars leaves Libra, the Sign of relating, on July 25—only two more months of relationship intensives to go.
A Venus/Uranus conjunction, in Aries, feeds the need for excitement, so even if you’re tired, you’ll still be in the mood for romance. Venus is the goddess of love and beauty, and when she shares the same space as Uranus, the god of invention, they engender erotic arousal, unusual sexual choices, and immediate gratification. Be aware: The motto for Venus/Uranus contacts is “Marry in haste, repent at leisure.” Pluto squares this Uranus/Venus coupling, and its presence could translate into power struggles. For those not interested in erotic or romantic encounters, this entire Venus/Uranus/Pluto bundle fosters all sorts of creative activities.
Try not to let the Plutonian power struggles or the Martian frustration devolve into petty squabbles that will do nothing more than excite the ethers with aggravation and emotional bodies with anxiety. What’s needed these coming weeks is tolerance and acceptance. That doesn’t mean tolerating injustice or accepting violence. It means making a strong effort to find innovative ways to widen the bandwidth of your personal contribution to the collective evolutionary process.
If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that, too.
Aries March 21-April 19
Give yourself complete permission to be creative, and as you do, extend that permission to others. Allowing yourself and others freedom from constraints, just might have the power to spark a new, more collaborative creative coalition.
Taurus April 20-May 20
You won’t be able to resist getting lost in your dream world, so rather than wasting one moment of energy struggling with the inevitable, surrender to the pull of the Dreamtime. Just do your best to hold onto the practical application of your mystical experiences.
Gemini May 21-June 21
Don’t hold back: It’s time to turn on your charm and wow the members of your community who need to be reminded of just how good you are at innovating on the basis of integrated information.
Cancer June 22-July 22
It’s time to use your super powers for your own well-being, so don’t be shy about sparkling in the workplace. Go forth and conquer, and don’t worry about what others think. Simply figure out how to include them in your grand plan, and they will be happy to bask in your light.
Leo July 23-August 22
Think big—and then think even bigger, especially when it comes to plans and projects that need the biggest possible perspective. Yes, there is a lot of work to do to actualize those dreams, but you can only create what you can envision—and now is the time to see it clearly.
Virgo August 23-September 22
You’re in a deeply transformational process, and while some of it is simply hard work, other aspects of it are quite exciting. Give yourself permission to enjoy the process, and you might be surprised about its depth and breadth.
Libra September 23-October 22
Expect unusual and/or shocking revelations from or about significant others. Yes…you’re exhausted from all the “stuff” that keeps coming up, but that is just the way it is right now. Keep an open heart, even if that takes tremendous effort, and you’ll emerge stronger and wiser.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
It’s normally easy for you to mind your words, but not when your ire has been ignited and you’re emotionally involved. Keep breathing…you might think you understand the entire situation, but then, again, there might be more to it than you realize.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
You love romance, and this week there is no denying that longing—even if you’re partnered. Figure out a way to handle the heat of infatuation and then give yourself permission to flirt your days and nights away.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
You’re hunkering down at home, but that desire to nest is equally matched by a desire for extreme housecleaning. Go ahead, let loose, and get rid of all the things that you no longer use or need. There’s nothing like a good release of the unnecessary.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Surprising conversations stimulate a new creative outlook. Pay attention: These discussions have the power to inspire a fresh perspective that will allow you to open up to a new channel of ideas that easily translate into innovative plans and projects.
Pisces February 19-March 20
You think it is a financial issue, but it isn’t. At the core, your current situation is about self-esteem and self-confidence. It may be expressing itself as a m-o-n-e-y crisis, and that needs your attention. But to handle it wisely, you have to trust yourself and acknowledge your true value.
Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-888-937-9264, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail ralfee@aquariumage.com.
Copyright © 2014 by Ralfee Finn