Astral meanders June 26-July 3rd 2013

In general: Yet another Mercury Retrograde begins Today, June 26^th. We could experience a few of the usual Mercury retrograde problems, like internet or computer glitches, travel delays, and general misunderstandings, but at this time we should handle these with overall ease. On June 29th after the Moon enters Aries however, it gets harder to handle! Individuals could get a little spirited and may make some rash and imprudent decisions. Please ask yourself, “What difference will it make five years from now?” before choosing to act in an aggressive, insensitive or feisty manner. By July 3^rd however most of this negative energy will have passed and we can let the little upsets go. If you have a birthday this week then you will find the year ahead will be a little muddled at times, stay focused though and you can achieve a good deal. On the world scene it’s a confusing time for travel, communications and media related issues. Locally choose to stay positive and let the little irritations slide!

Thought for the week: Forgiveness is the economy of the heart... forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits. Hannah More

Aries

You could find yourself in high demand now. This is a strong week for learning, particularly self-taught or home-learning. Family members may be on edge. Home repairs may not turn out as expected. Try to put off major decision-making with regards to home enhancement, moving, and family matters for the time being.

Taurus

Much energy is used in understanding and adapting to your immediate environment this week Taurus. Siblings, neighbours, friends, and co-workers may play a more significant role than usual in your life during this phase. There can be a learning experience with someone with whom you can come to a better description and understanding of yourself.

Gemini

June 26^th Jupiter leaves Gemini and will spend a year in Cancer, which means soon, it’s “put your money where your mouth is” time. Mercury retro for 3or so weeks is a perfect time to look back, balance finances and review your life. Early July is a good time to hold back on too much spending.

Cancer

Late June and early July is a rough ride for you guys as communications get tricky. Be prepared to redo things and rethink plans.  The spotlight is on you and your ability to lead, so make sure you are on the ball! Take steps to improve how you come across to others. It's time to carve your own path in life.

Leo

On June 26 your real year begins! July is the month to start searching in your subconscious, letting ideas and memories come up. This could be the key to an exceedingly creative year to come. Connecting in a more intimate way with another person serves to boost your sense of inner security.

Virgo

You may discover that communications with friends or with groups can seemingly effortlessly become problematic during this phase. Meetings may be deferred or cancelled, and friends might be withdrawn or give off mixed signals. It would be prudent to be particularly clear with all your communications during this cycle.

Libra

You are coming across well at work now, opportunities to socialize and network, are likely. However on a deeply personal level this is an especially introspective cycle throughout which you have the opportunity to really uncover your individual strengths and capacities. Getting rid of bad habits may be part of your journey now.

Scorpio

Extra care ought to be exercised concerning travel or education plans. Delays or difficulties are very conceivable in these areas now. Self-promotion and the like are favoured. It is more about how you express yourself than anything else! You may find you have an especial connection with foreigners during this time.

Sagittarius

Take your time before taking on new investments and loans during Mercury's retrograde! All that is intensely personal comes to your attention now. You are questioning just how well you are handling your life. You are drawn to anything that expands your vistas, both physically and intellectually.

Capricorn

At this time you need the companionship and support of other folks, and they may also seek out your support and friendship. It's very important to include others this week rather than to go solo. If you are feeling frustrated, or restless, then try to find little projects and things to do so that you can use your excess energy usefully.

Aquarius

Details are important to you this week. It's good to bring order to your life by focusing on the little things that make up the whole. On a more romantic level it’s a time for more focused attention to a significant other as well as attention from that person! You are inclined to flatter and charm others now.

Pisces

You feel inspired to extend yourself in creative and unusual ways this week. This is a phase in which you find happiness in expressing who you are! This is not the time to hide your light under a bushel! You could also find that your talents are especially appreciated now. There is also a good deal of family support coming your way.

Astral Peeks: The fast winds of Venus

The most detailed record of cloud motion in the atmosphere of Venus chronicled by ESA’s Venus Express has revealed that the planet’s winds have steadily been getting faster over the last six years.

Venus is well known for its curious super-rotating atmosphere, which whips around the planet once every four Earth days. This is in stark contrast to the rotation of the planet itself – the length of the day – which takes a comparatively laborious 243 Earth days.

By tracking the movements of distinct cloud features in the cloud tops some 70 km above the planet’s surface over a period of 10 Venusian years (6 Earth years), scientists have been able to monitor patterns in the long-term global wind speeds.

When Venus Express arrived at the planet in 2006, average cloud-top wind speeds between latitudes 50º on either side of the equator were clocked at roughly 300 km/h. The results of two separate studies have revealed that these already remarkably rapid winds are becoming even faster, increasing to 400 km/h over the course of the mission.

“This is an enormous increase in the already high wind speeds known in the atmosphere. Such a large variation has never before been observed on Venus, and we do not yet understand why this occurred,” says Igor Khatuntsev from the Space Research Institute in Moscow and lead author of the Russian-led paper to be published in the journal Icarus.

Meditation moments: Posture!

Just as a tree needs to set down deep roots so it won't fall over as it grows, you need to find a comfortable position for the lower half of your body that you can sustain for 5 or 10 or 15 minutes — or even longer, if you wish to meditate. After several millennia of experimentation, the great meditators have come up with a handful of traditional postures that seem to work especially well. Different though they may appear from the outside, these postures have one thing in common: the pelvis tilts slightly forward, accentuating the natural curvature of the lower back.

Many meditative traditions teach that the spine should be kept "straight," that is, the individual should sit erect but relaxed, by balancing the torso such that the spinal column supports it with very little effort. Sitting on a cushion, or by other means tilting the pelvis slightly forwards, makes it possible to do this. The correct posture causes the chin to drop down to the neck to the point where the tongue is pressed against the teeth, the chest to lift and tilt backwards, the shoulders to sit further back, and the low back to curve forwards. If done correctly, this posture is easy to maintain for long periods of time without discomfort, as muscular effort is used only keep the spine balanced, and not to support the weight of the torso. Often this posture is explained as a way of encouraging the circulation of what some call "spiritual energy," the "vital breath", the "life force".