Astral Meanders 11-17th July 2012

In general: Uranus goes retrograde on Friday 13th July, escalating the pressure of the current Uranus-Pluto square. Uranus retrograde is about looking over our lives with a discriminating awareness, hopefully learning from our past mistakes. As if this wasn’t enough intensity, Mercury also goes retrograde on Sun 15 July, heightening the probability of misunderstandings, slip-ups and delays. Make sure you resist the temptation to make extravagant and improvident purchases now. If you are doing your tax returns double check everything as errors are common when dealing with details this week. If you have a birthday this week then prepare to approach your next 12 months with caution and attention to detail. On the world scene it’s a time when faux pas abound. Locally remember to keep an eye on computers and other communication technology as problems can arise very easily.

Thought for the week:  There is so much good in the worst of us, And so much bad in the best of us,
That it hardly becomes any of us To talk about the rest of us.Edward Wallis Hoch

Aries

It is a generally challenging time for you guys and it is necessary to think before you act now or it will only get more complex and tense later. Retro Mercury is affecting you in the areas of communication, job and health. There can be delays or a change of course here. Gossip and gambling are not recommended right now.

Taurus

Relationships settle down after a long period of discontent and doubt. You are cautioned to be more careful physically, especially around the 16^th and 17^th. You might be a little excessive with money this week, as your longing for luxury and comfort items is amplified.  This is something to keep an eye upon.

 Gemini

Energy levels are still a little low and you need to make sure to get some down time this week. This is not the chief eventful time of year for you, in fact it’s a bit slow and comfy but this is what you need now. Mercury can cause a bit of chaos for you, plans could go awry, transportation issues can arise and emails or letters get lost.

Cancer

Extra attention should be applied to any new financial initiatives this week. There might be the necessity to revisit old, niggling issues regarding personal finances. It would be wise to take this time to re-budget instead of making hasty purchases. You might also feel annoyed regarding emotional issues from the past that are re-emerging now.

Leo

This is another quiet week for Leo. Your physical energy levels are lower than usual and it is wise to listen to your body and take a break when you can. You are inclined to spend more time than usual making decisions now, and this is a positive thing as hasty decisions may be regretted later. Breathe through your impatience.

Virgo

It’s very important for you to feel you can truly express who you are right now. You are coming across well at work and opportunities for advancement, or more chances to socialize and network, are probable. However the 11^th and 12^th require some caution as you can over react to difficult situations on these days.

Libra

It would be astute to be sure you are clear when it comes to communicating with friends and associates during this cycle as miscommunication can become a real problem. Take this period to rethink worries and gripes before speaking about them prematurely. You will be attracted to people who are unusual or different in some way.

Scorpio

Legacies, bonuses or some kind of windfall can easily arrive this week. Business, work and partnerships of any kind will be positive and auger well for you. Accept whatever support is offered to you as good things will come from your involvement with others now. Your energy is sturdy, open, and welcoming.

Sagittarius

You feel inclined to take a step back, focus on closeness with a partner, or simply retreat a little from the frantic speed of life this week. Ridding yourself of bad habits may be part of this picture now too. Venus continues to move through your solar sixth house making this is a time when enhancing your working environment is of importance.

Capricorn

There are challenges this week but you are more than usually up to them! It can be hard to please everyone all the time and this week is no exception. But you feel strong and capable and the inner voice is happy to resound with a firm, ‘yes you can’ right now! You are powering ahead and thinking positively no matter what.

Aquarius

You can be more critical than usual this week and might get yourself into some trouble as a result so do deliberate before you speak! Re-thinking where you stand with a partner is likely now, but you ought to avoid any rash decisions. Be especially clear when it comes to communicating with partners and take the time to reassess properly.

Pisces

It’s a great week for planning and researching anything new and reassessing your health regimes. If you are looking for work or to make changes to your career then this is also highly favoured. Home based relationships and your family environment are pleasant and peaceful during this week which helps you think clearly.

 

Astral Peeks: Vesta

Discovered by Heinrich Wilhelm Matthäus Olbers,Vesta was the fourth body discovered in what we now call the asteroid belt. In Roman mythology, Vesta is the goddess of home and hearth. In recent months this little world, 550 km across, has been "home" for NASA's Dawn orbiter. Some of Dawn's findings have scientists scratching their heads. The surface composition is basaltic; meaning that early in its history Vesta must have been hot enough to flood much of the surface with volcanic flows. Yet, direct evidence for volcanic activity is lacking. Also Vesta was already notable for being one of the most reflective objects in the solar system. Yet Dawn has identified some spots nearly twice as bright as others. Elsewhere, images reveal mysterious dark splotches that are often, but not always, associated with impact craters. This month however, Dawn will bid Vesta goodbye. The spacecraft will set a course for its second and even larger destination, the giant asteroid 1 Ceres. Arrival there is planned for February 2015.

Meditation Moments:  Dream recall.

Dreams are one of our greatest easy to access tools for personal insight and self-understanding. Meditation can calm and relax the mind well enough to allow it to remember dreams and thus to learn from their symbols or recreations of the past. Dreams are an important aspect of our inner life. They assist in the process of clearing mental confusion, of coming to terms with loss, of re-examining the past and encouraging the imagination. Many people find it hard to recall their dreams. This happens because on waking, the mind moves out of its subconscious state and into the facts of the day at a fast pace, causing dreams swiftly fade. Meditating first thing in the morning, before one rises, is a very effective way to retrain the mind to recollect your dreams. Don’t open your eyes right away when you wake up. Just lay motionless to allow the dream to stay on the surface of your mind. Then try a simple breathing meditation. Don’t turn on the radio or TV or talk right after waking either. Silence lets further dream memories come up to the surface of your awareness.