Astral meanders 10-16 July 2013

In general: A little home renovating is in store for many this week. With so many planets in Cancer at this time and a grand trine in water signs, many may also discover themselves drawn to the water for a short break, some form of recreation or just a family picnic. Mars enters Cancer on the 13^th of the month encouraging individuals to put all their energy into one, favourite activity and cultivate it. Mars in Cancer also has the propensity to take care of the needs of others in the hopes that this will somehow convert into our own needs being met. Co-dependent behaviours can develop during this period as a result. If you have a birthday this week then you might find that this year you move closer to the water or take up a new water activity! On the world scene it’s a bit like the quiet after the storm! We can all take a breath from the recent political turmoil, but beware this peace is not a forever one! Locally the focus is on jobs around the home!

Thought for the week: I believe the world is one big family, and we need to help each other.
Jet Li

Aries

On July 13th, your ruler, Mars, enters water sign Cancer. You might wish to spend more time with family, or with the people you think of as your family. Jupiter is also in Cancer, and Mercury is retrograde in Cancer so it’s likely that your focus on your home and family may well be because of muddles, confusions or breakdowns of some sort.

Taurus

You are paying more attention to the details of your life now, but you seem to have a harder time with the bigger picture of things. You might decide to follow through on an old plan that you thought you had given up on, finding a new approach and new lease of life with it. Responsibilities seem easier to shoulder.

Gemini

Many of you will try to revise your finances this week, and put more emphasis on getting your money matters in better order. Something or someone from the past could come back into your life and help you to regain your old confidence in yourself! Whatever health issues you work on now will display some obvious progress.

Cancer

Mars enters Cancer, on July 13th, and as a result you should experience a surge in personal energy. With more energy and drive, you will want to start new projects and are likely to come up with innovative plans. Old projects that didn't work out previously can be successfully tried again.

Leo

Your energy comes and goes in spurts at the moment. It seems you've just had a tough time carrying your family responsibilities and you've been somewhat overwhelmed. Now that energy seems freed up, you can do more of what you want to do, and not see family as such a big burden.

Virgo

You guys may find that communications with friends or with groups of folk can easily become difficult during this cycle. Group meetings may be put off or cancelled, and friends may be uncommunicative or giving off mixed signals. Try to escape the tendency you have of allowing the ego to try to direct others.

Libra

You can begin to get a handle on your finances and improve your confidence as a result this week. You are especially willing to work industriously for money now too.  It's a good time for networking and settling disputes if there are issues with friends. Warm new friendships can be made during this phase.

Scorpio

Your personal charisma is at an all-time high and others find it very easy to see your perspective on matters. This is a less assertive or forceful period for you as you take the time to process events in your life and to cultivate strategies for going after what you really want in the near future.

Sagittarius

This is a time when you approach life with more gravity, and others can sense a more thoughtful and less impulsive streak to you. You are still however, attracted to anything that is non-routine and fare best when you stretch beyond your usual boundaries. Some material benefits may come through real estate or family.

Capricorn

Relationships are vibrant and a dynamic focus this week. You are quick to settle differences, and are keen to get everything out in the open. Your close personal relationships are animated during this cycle, full of both conflicts and resolutions or reconciliations. You are more buoyant when it comes to chasing your dreams.

Aquarius

Extra care should be implemented when it comes to work, health matters, and daily routines, this week. It might be harder than usual for you to work with others in a harmonious manner now and disagreements with co-workers are likely. It would be prudent to find little jobs and things to do so that you can channel your energy more fruitfully.

Pisces

You can truly sell your ideas, creations, and personality to others this week. Happiness can be experienced through the expansion of your awareness, widening of your social circle, travel and romance. Confidence comes more naturally to you and your personal goals and dreams seem more attainable.

Astral Peeks: Saturn

The Saturn in Scorpio retrograde we have been living under since February 18 has finally ended! This Saturn in Scorpio retrograde demanded that you stop flitting form one thing to another, focused yourself, and did the hard work needed in order to be successful in some area of your life.

Coming out of this Saturn retrograde period we have Mercury in Cancer retrograde giving us a little more time to do inner work on our emotions, before we shift into gear on our new approach to our world. By the end of July or early August we should all notice that we have gotten a push forward in some area of our lives. This is a time to own our inner authority and make the changes that will ultimately empower us.

Meditation moments: Sound

Sound heals. Mothers know this intuitively, crooning soothingly or singing a lullaby to their crying babies. Sound heals also when applied explicitly though music, song or bells, or even Tibetan singing bowls. When used during healing sessions, these sound modalities can have a deep impact. The gong is one of the oldest instruments of healing and has been used for thousands of years in meditation, ceremony and rituals. The sounds from the gongs travel from the outer ear throughout the body via the vagus nerve, impacting brain waves, respiratory rate and heart rate.

The psychic Edgar Cayce forecast that the medicine of the future would be sound. And, indeed, we are moving into that future or so it seems. Interestingly major corporations are employing the use of sound in a variety of resourceful ways to counter the effects of workplace stress. The California corporate headquarters of Toyota have a unique approach for overcoming stress and building morale with their ‘Toyota drum circle.’ ‘Drumming away stress’ sessions are also being offered by New York psychotherapist Robert Friedman for a range of clients including companies such as Xerox and Time-Warner. Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, Director of the Centre for Neuroacoustic Research, has developed programs using sound for Nike, Cisco Systems and Mattel that enhance creativity, productivity and health and wellness.