Astral Meanders 24-31 July 2013

In general: Recently, we've had a rare Grand Trine happening between Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. In itself, this is an auspicious alignment. Now, as the trine climaxes, Mars forms a conjunction to Jupiter, Venus forms a pleasant alignment to Saturn and the Full Moon moves in to complete the Grand Sextile. Our deepest hopes and dreams should become more of a focus, and in many tiered ways we can begin to replace war with peace.  On July 29th a rare aspect known as a Grand Sextile occurs. It’s fundamentally a six-pointed star, or hexagram, comprised of seven planets that form trines and sextiles to each other. Many astrologers view this as the defining moment in which the world moves toward a more compassionate and soft yin energy. As individuals we should find this energy gives greater emotional balance, inspiration and productivity. If you have a birthday this week it will be an auspicious one and should herald a very successful year. On the world scene it is a defining week and it should be intriguing to see what changes will be made in government policy and how the world’s peoples react! Locally it’s also a great time to change our personal policies!

Thought for the week: I don't think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.  ~Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl


Aries

The struggle between your individual needs and the demanding needs of others could come to a head around this time as assertive Mars in Cancer, clashes with quick-tempered Uranus in Aries. On a positive note you have the chance to get to the bottom of some deep insecurities as a result. You can come across as more analytical, now.

Taurus

Older folk can be more emotionally open with you, and you’re more open with your feelings now too, even if you don’t want to be. You may come across as more sentimental, nurturing, and quiet than usual. A sudden job opportunity, or some form of assistance with regards to career, home, or property matters is likely.

Gemini

Your nervous energy could get a bit of down time this week, making you better able to sit still, focus and do one thing at a time. You are eager to investigate new things and explore now.  It is also the beginning of a good communication cycle for you guys! However do expect to be busier than usual now!

Cancer

Undue extravagance with your pocketbook is something you may want to look out for at this time. Your forte lays mediating conflicts this week, in smoothing over differences and using your considerable diplomatic skills. It is a prime time to take charge of your life and get things moving forward!

Leo

Many Leos may experience insomnia through this phase, expressly if they are not allowing themselves the chance to recuperate after a hectic paced month and if they are not letting their intuition help them. Others may instead experience a more active and vivid dreaming life. Old issues can be resolved now.

Virgo

Take time to catch up with people whose energy lifts you this week. Networking is strong for you now and opens you up to countless new opportunities.  Stronger than usual emotions cause you to pursue a cause dear to your heart. This is a time when you naturally express your softer, more accessible side.

Libra

Wonderful opportunities for success and good financial returns are again forecast for Libra. This is a time for dreaming big dreams and making solid business or creative plans. You are stimulated by all that is unconventional during this phase, and your ideas are innovative and enlightened now.

Scorpio

Your predisposition during this cycle is to think about the big picture rather than the ordinary circumstances and particulars of your everyday life. Missing appointments and other forms of vagueness could be part of the picture now, as a result. You should have a lot of energy for studies, travel, or new projects.

Sagittarius

An important communication could occur this week that furthers your personal interests and possible plans. Success could come through your good managerial qualities or some form of artistic ability, or, more indirectly through your intimate partner. This is an excellent phase in which to do some monetary planning and organizing.

Capricorn

Important long-term connections can be made around the 26^th and 27th. You have a taste for the unusual now that can show up in many areas of your life, like who you are drawn to, what you purchase, the kind of art or entertainment you like, and so on . You will find that your own thoughts become clearer through discourse with others.

Aquarius

You have more energy for work and your daily schedules are apt to speed up during this cycle. You may have a larger workload than usual too. Productivity and efficiency should be your goal now. Your physical health is also in focus, try to balance work and downtime and look after yourself.

Pisces

This week strong emotions are emphasized. You need a sense of belonging through connection to something larger than yourself now. Love relationships and social connections can help to enhance a healthier self-image for you. Establishing a happy work environment is important.

Astral Peeks: Uranus retrograde.

Uranus will be retrograde until December 17th, and through this time he will make the fourth of seven whole exact squares to Pluto. Because the seeming motion of planets (from our discernment on earth) slows as they prepare to change direction, Uranus has been relatively motionless for the last couple of weeks and will continue to be at a near standstill.  Mars in Cancer will be within range of a challenging square to Uranus over the next two weeks and it is advisable to be somewhat cautious throughout this time.  Mars can aggravate the latent radical conduct of Uranus to the point where actions detonate in ways that we never proposed.

The less we allow bitterness and irritation to build up during this next couple of weeks the healthier we will be.  Exercise to release the physical energy of Mars is supportive, as is not being afraid of direct communication where needed.  While Uranus is retrograde it is wise to try to grasp where our life needs altering.  In what areas do we feel stale and jaded, where can we bring in a bit more enthusiasm into things and change our ways of thinking? During Uranus' retrograde period our desires to make changes in our lives can be turned inward as we get in touch with what it is that is holding us back from existing more instinctively.

Meditation moments: The wonderful benefits of right breathing.

I cannot extoll enough the benefits of paying attention to your breath! It really can change your life! By changing your breathing, you can change how you emotionally feel at a particular moment, and it takes just a few minutes to do. By shifting to abdominal breathing and slower and longer exhalation, you can influence many physiological and emotional processes such as lowering the blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormones, and improve oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, coherent heart frequency and brain waves, concentration, to name just a few.

Try these: Whenever possible, breathe slowly and easily through your nose: When we breathe through our nose, the hairs that line our nostrils filter out particles of dust and dirt that can be injurious to our lungs. Another important reason for breathing through the nose has to do with maintaining the correct balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in our blood. Keep your shoulders down as you breathe: Raising your shoulders takes the considerable weight of your shoulders off of your lungs, which stimulates upper chest breathing. Upper chest breathing is not deep breathing. So remember to allow your shoulders to drop down. Let your belly expand as you inhale and retract as you exhale: When you relax your belly and allow it to expand as you inhale, your viscera drop slightly down and out and thus make it easier for the diaphragm to contract downward. Then, when exhalation takes place, the diaphragm begins its upward movement of relaxation, aided by the elasticity of the diaphragm and the natural movement of the belly as it returns toward the spine.