Astral Meanders 2-9 August 2011

In General: Mercury becomes retrograde again in Virgo on August 3. It’s wise to get essential paperwork finished, documents backed up and important appointments and meetings accomplished before the end of July as the 3-week period of challenging communication, missed appointments, wrong numbers, technological break downs and lost objects of all kinds overtakes us. To top off this sometimes chaotic energy Mars moves into Cancer on 3 August and this instigates the Cardinal Cross between Ceres retrograde, Uranus retrograde, Pluto retrograde, and Saturn. Mars is uncomfortable with this level of sensitive emotion and can bring old issues to the surface. The Cardinal Cross will arouse our intellect, and creative projects will get much attention. August 9th and 10th are likely to be tense and unpredictable with Mars square Uranus. At the same time Uranus and Pluto continue to edge closer together as we move into August, having a significant and possibly transformational strength. The areas of Greece, Indonesia, Madagascar and Somalia will be principally affected by this energy in some way. If you have a birthday this week it will be a standout year with emotional intensity and capricious opportunity. On the world scene more scandals are in the news and unusual accidents as well as increased numbers of accidents are possible. The stock market is also in for an erratic time, though this applies to most of August and not just to this week.

Quote of the week: To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance... Albert Einstein

Aries:
You are feeling encouraged to be more proactive about your life, to go out and seek the things you want to have a little more fun this week. The home is getting busier and possibly more demanding of your time too! It’s a great time to resurrect an old project and complete it with a new twist.

Taurus:
Old emotional issues, habitual emotional reactions, the same old arguments and the same old family matters seem determined to rear their heads this week! It can challenging week for you but the best way to deal with it lies in your ability to let go of things, look at issues from a new perspective and give a little self nurture.

Gemini:
Seeing old friends again and making connections with others who have been absent from your circle for some time will be enlightening and surprisingly enjoyable this week. Your life is beginning to feel fun again and you feel revitalized. Just remember that your ruler is retrograde so don’t start anything complex or new!

Cancer:
It’s an emotional week, beginning what could prove to be quite an emotional month for you guys. The 9th and 10th need to be watched carefully as they are tense and difficult days for you. Why not plan a low key time, stay at home and read a good book! Practice extra relaxation this week and you will cope effectively.

Leo:
It’s time to take a good long look at yourself and make those little changes where necessary so that you can get the most joy and satisfaction out of your life. Plans may also need some gentle tweaking. Watch the 9th especially for its volatile and difficult energy. Check and double check details and don’t leave anything to chance.

Virgo:
Retrograde Mercury suggests that you avoid signing contracts, making new plans or starting new projects this week. Spend your time wisely doing research and getting prepared to do all those important things next month! See this as an opportunity for time out and to replenish your lagging energies instead.

Libra:
Relationships are finally looking as romantic and dreamy as you would like them to be dear Libra! You are feeling stronger, more focused and have a larger storehouse of energy to draw upon. Life seems good for you guys now! Just beware of the 9th and 10th as these are unavoidably challenging days. Avoid conflict!

Scorpio:
Life is getting busier and new and pleasurable adventures are in the offing! The 9th and 10th will be a tad difficult but only if you insist on doing it all your way! Communications can be challenging and others could misunderstand you and visa versa, so try to keep a more laid back neutral attitude.

Sagittarius:
A new cycle has begun for you guys and you should be feeling more in control of your world again. Demands on your time, responsibilities and task that need your attention will test your patience somewhat but given your focus much can be accomplished now! Avoid over doing things and give rest its proper place in the scheme of things!

Capricorn:
Double check all documents for any mistakes or inappropriate exclusions. It’s all too easy to make mistakes in communications now so be sure to think through what you are saying or writing before you begin. Your best plan is to quietly and gently go with the flow and avoid trying to control things.

Aquarius:
You might think that you have plans organized this week but others will have a different idea! It seems everyone around you is making a change or two and things can get quite confusing as a result! Take this time moment by moment and infuse it with a good dollop of humour for the most rewarding results.

Pisces:
The week begins in a slightly confusing manner but by the 5th it should all be getting a little clearer for you. It’s a wise Pisces who makes sure of details and tends to little problems immediately now! Health and bad habits receive a nice boost of energy now and you will be inspired to take better care of yourself.

Astral peeks: Mercury Retrograde

3 or 4 times every year Mercury moves in a retrograde motion. This means it appears to move backward within the constellation it is in, actually it is just stationary. Mercury's influence affects our ability to think clearly, be logical and communicate soundly. It also affects contracts, agreements, travel, computers, technological and mechanical equipment and transportation. During Mercury Retrograde we experience misunderstandings, delays, and problems with computers and other communication or transport items. This can prove to be an exasperating point in time! Odd things habitually start to happen when Mercury slows significantly, a few days before the actual retrograde station. This month Mercury will begin to move in this retrograde motion on August 3rd. It will continue in this retrograde motion until August 26th.
We can choose to see it all as difficult or we can take up the challenge and see what gift it has to offer us. Mercury retrograde asks us to change our perception and to restructure our thinking processes. It encourages us to be in the moment and see the world with beginners mind, as if for the first time. Unresolved issues from the past tend to push themselves forward giving us a wonderful opportunity to affect real closure!

Meditation Moments: Imbolg August 3rd

Coming up for us now, in the Celtic Calendar, as best as we can translate it for the Southern Hemisphere is Imbolg on the 3rd August.
Imbolg is a celebration of initiations and beginnings. Imbolg literally means “in the belly”. It is the “quickening” of the year, the stirrings of spring in the womb of our Mother Earth. In the Celtic Traditional Calendar this was the time when all the candles for the coming year were made - to symbolize the light coming out of the darkness. From now on we enter a time of growth and discovery! There are many things we can do to remind us of this and one of the things I like to do to honour this time is to Light 3 candles for 3 dreams or wishes and place these around my home. The first candle is a wish for the world, the second for a friend, and the third for me.