Astral meanders August 14-20 2013

In general: Venus will enter Libra and the Moon will enter Capricorn on the 16th. This will be a great opportunity for improvement and personal enhancement of any kind. The only problem this week is Jupiter and Uranus, who are at odds with one another. Some of our ideas at this time will be very unrealistic, so it’s best not to act hastily. With Mercury in Leo our thinking is more confident and grand than usual as well, so yes, it is best to pull back and think things through properly. The Aquarius Full Moon occurs on August 20th. This Aquarius Moon opposes the Leo Sun. This is also the second Aquarius Full Moon this year. A great many of us will be going through some kind of spiritual and humanitarian awakening or at the least will be aware of some changes in the way they think. A timely conjunction of the Sun to Mercury will help us to assimilate and communicate our new found insights, and an exact trine from Jupiter to Chiron can open us up to a deeper sense of healing and growing of wisdom. If you have a birthday this week then it’s an opportune year ahead, which can put you on the path to your true destiny. On the world scene it’s again a strong time for humanitarian and spiritual change, though this comes with the erratic and undisciplined energy of Uranus! Locally enjoy the full moon and perhaps spend some time quietly pondering what it is you are feeling in your heart.

Thought for the week: The most important political office is that of the private citizen.  ~Louis Brandeis


Aries

Work wise things may seem a little slow for you guys now, but it’s a temporary thing so instead of pushing uphill, just enjoy the down time! You want to spend more time at home and with loved ones anyway so perhaps let yourself indulge in that a little. Great energy abounds for a really good spring clean!

Taurus

You'll have more pleasure when you can take a risk without fixating over everything. This week and indeed for the rest of August you’ll be doing a lot of networking, communicating and changing of your routine. It’s time to get clear about what you want career-wise so that you’re ready to make your mark in the world!

Gemini

You guys radiate a lot of energy now which attracts new people and experiences to you. Relationships get a lot of attention too.  A lot of Geminis are also thinking about a career change or taking on more responsibility in their careers at this time. This is also a creative period, full of new ideas.

Cancer

If things are off balance on the home front, you will do whatever you can to create a peaceful and stable atmosphere, this week. This is also a strong period for analysing your income and earning power. You should find that you are more practical and sensible in your approach to finances through this period.

Leo

Mercury in your sign at the moment boosts your ability to socialize and make important connections. There may be benefit through siblings, communications, or short trips too. A certain inner restlessness can make you seem highly strung. You would do well to learn to relax now!

Virgo

This is a good time to listen to your intuition, to take a break from the frantic pace of your life, and reflect on what you have learned in the past year. Research, silent contemplation, and meditation are favoured.  Examining the past in order to develop the best for your future is definitely valuable now.

Libra

This is a period when you naturally express your softer, more receptive side. Romantic matters, as well as nicely self-indulgent activities, come to the fore now. You are self-motivated and your enthusiasm can be harnessed in whatever way you choose. Many Librans will also do a lot of thinking about long-term goals.

Scorpio

You will have a chance to receive acknowledgement or commendation for your work or virtuous character now. Acquiring support from authority figures is easier at this time too. Use the proactive energy of this period for developing career and professional plans. Family or domestic matters may require attention around the Full Moon on the 20th.

Sagittarius

This is a period in which you look for to expansion in your experiences and consciousness, whether through philosophical thinking, higher education, travel, or just activities that take you away from your ordinary routines. You want to expand your knowledge base and communications with someone far away may be part of the picture.

Capricorn

During this period, you are most charming and well-received on the job. Your personal approach to responsibility is noticeable now, making this a favourable period overall for liaising with those in a higher position than you, as well as for negotiations or social activities related to business or study.

Aquarius

You guys are set to experience an emotional time around the 20th, with the Full Moon in your sign. Whatever epiphany you have then is likely to be in a very early stage, so allow yourself time to process the whole thing. Some level of overwork or the exaggeration of problems surrounding work or your daily schedule may also be experienced.

Pisces

You guys may need to tone things down a little now and dodge the feeling that you have to push things in order to get where you want to go. Pace yourself. You can also be more critical than usual now, but this process is necessary for you to sort out what works for you and what doesn't.

Astral Peeks: Persied meteor Shower This Month!!

The Perseid meteor shower comes from Comet Swift-Tuttle.  Every year in early to mid-August, Earth passes through a cloud of dust spluttered off the comet as it approaches the sun.  Perseid meteoroids hit our atmosphere at 132,000 mph to produce an annual light show that is a favourite of many backyard sky watchers. Most meteors (or colloquially shooting stars or falling stars) are smaller than a grain of sand, so almost all of them disintegrate and never hit the Earth's surface. This annual meteor shower is active from July 17th through August 24th, and usually peaks on August 11th and 12th and 13th. Sadly, the Perseids are very low on the horizon in Australia and for all of us south of Brisbane, the radiant (where the meteors appear to originate in the sky) will be largely below the horizon. Australian observers in the North should expect to see 6-7 meteors per hour under clear conditions. On August the 12th and 13th, between around 3.30 am and 5.30 am go out and face north. The meteor shower will be between two to three hand spans from the horizon.

Meditation moments: Breath

As you read this, you are breathing, and yet you are probably not aware of your inhalation or exhalation. Perhaps you have other thoughts playing on your mind. You might be thinking about a particular person in your life, wondering about the state of the world, planning an appointment you have later today or recalling a conversation you had yesterday. Meditating provides you with  an opportunity to disconnect from the mind’s endless ponderings and experience the harmony of being fully in the present moment . . . the here and now that is so deftly squeezed between your past experiences and your future dreams. Right now, today, in this moment, I ask you to take a few minutes to disconnect from your own busy thoughts and activity and be aware of your breath, listen to its sound, notice the coolness of the air passing through your nostrils as you breathe in and its warmth as you breathe out. Allow yourself a moment to celebrate the gift of breath, the gift of life.