Astral Meanders July 2016

July 2016

Thought for the month: Adopt the pace of nature:  her secret is patience.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

In General: July 2016 is a lot more relaxed than previous months this year. Mars has resumed its direct motion and energy is now disbursed in a more efficient manner! Many of us will now begin to learn and grow from the difficult experiences of previous months. The first three weeks of the month favours the intuition, imagination, creativity, passion, and communication.

Mercury is close to Venus for almost all of the month. This grouping of planets is excellent for socializing and communicating in particular. This month we have a New Moon in Cancer on July 4, which highlights issues with birth, death, relationships, children and security. The Full Moon in Capricorn on July 19^th helps individuals to redefine their goals for the future; and encourages us to release those things that no longer \serve our higher purpose. If you have a birthday this month then the year ahead looks more goal oriented than usual.

On the world scene, The T-square formed by Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune will bring out things that have been buried such as fraud, deceit and lies and will also generate a general atmosphere of instability and change. Locally it’s a great time to take stock and redefine goals.

Aries

There is tendency this month to see the worst in everyone and everything. Be careful of your actions as a result and take the necessary time to breathe and think things through before you act. It is all too easy to misread people and situations now. The final week of the month however is lovely for romance.

Taurus

July gives Taurus the command of good personal expression which helps in self-promotion and the achievement of goals. You should be feeling confident and animated. This is an outstanding time to make progress with the things in life that mean a lot to you, work, relationships and longer term goals.

Gemini

Mid-month is the right time to tell someone you love them. You might also be inclined to show your appreciation for someone through a gift or some other display of love. There is also just as much chance that you could be on the receiving end of someone’s love or overall gratitude. You should be feeling self-assured and enthusiastic.

Cancer

July should be a time of happiness and optimism for Cancerians. It’s a time when good things seem to come naturally. Health and vitality should be good. You should be feeling sociable and can expect good relations with loved ones as well as people at work and in general group activities. The new moon is great for new projects.

Leo

What a lovely positive month for Leo! A balanced mind allows you to speak clearly and easily explain your thoughts and ideas in a straightforward manner. This is generally a favorable time for attending significant meetings, appointments and business conferences. It’s a good time to apply for work because of confident self-expression.

Virgo

This month favours prestige and status. Venus, Mercury, and the Sun go through Virgo’s 11th house, which heightens your popularity and brings protection and support from others in general. You are likely to gain extra money from intellectual activities, information or communication.

Libra

Your public image is enhanced with greater visibility, a growth of personal authority, and a good dose of luck this month. The second half of July brings you increased popularity and the opportunity to find support for realizing your projects, ambitions or ideals. Finances experience an encouraging dynamic, and your efforts are generally productive.

Scorpio

With Mars in direct motion through Scorpio now, July brings Scorpios a renewal of their physical energy and a greater appetite for accomplishment and conquest. Your ideas are a lot easier to put into practice, your desires are easier to express and realize. General finances improve during the second part of July and notable achievements come your way.

Sagittarius

July encourages Sagittarians’ financial pursuits. During the first part of the month gifts or some extra income should come your way. Long-distance collaborations, connections to abroad, business travels, scientific or cultural pursuits are also nicely highlighted. The only caution is to learn to organize yourself better!

Capricorn

You will have a full and joyful social life in July. You’re more charismatic than usual and as a result romantic opportunities may arise at any moment. There’s a greater chance of extra income now, gifts, and other material gains. You might make an surprising investment that you’ve been thinking about for some time.

Aquarius

One way or another, July draws Aquarians’ attention toward health and wellbeing régimes. You are on a quest to improve your health and exercise more. As an aside it is also a good month for medical investigations and treatments, therapies, and care related to hygiene and beauty.

Pisces

You have a lot of energy and are in a generous and good mood this month. Love and romance are nicely highlighted and you can enjoy some particularly lovely moments with a partner in the first twelve days of the month. Work, whilst slow, due to Saturn’s influence, is laying good foundations for success and achievement in the future.

Astral Peeks: July Planets

July 4 - New Moon. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

July 4 - Juno at Jupiter. NASA’s Juno spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at Jupiter after a five year journey. From this orbit the spacecraft will study Jupiter’s atmosphere and magnetic field. Juno will remain in orbit until October 2017, when the spacecraft will be de-orbited to crash into Jupiter.

July 19 - Full Moon.

July 28, 29 - Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower. The Delta Aquarids is an average shower that can produce up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by comets Marsden and Kracht. The shower runs annually from July 12 to August 23. It peaks this year on the night of July 28 and morning of July 29. The second quarter moon will block most of the fainter meteors this year but if you are patient you should still be able to catch quite a few good ones.

Meditation moments: My six best tips for meditating mindfully!!

1.      Breathing meditations. The most basic and most useful of which is mindful breathing. Whether you sit or take a minute or two throughout your day to practice mindful breathing, whatever works for you is fine.

2.      Don’t worry about whether you’re doing it right or not, it’s not meditative to worry, it’s stressful! With time, provided you’re doing you best to follow the instructions given, you’ll get the hang of it.

3.      Stretch a bit before you begin meditating, as this will help to not only relax you but actuate your body to some degree. It doesn’t matter what you do, just pick a few simple stretches that relax you and do them for a minute or two before meditating.

4.       Proper posture. Improper posture is usually an obstruction to your breathing. make sure while sitting in meditation that your back and neck are straight, tuck in your chin so as not to over stretch the neck and let the base of your spine sit down into your buttocks!

5.      Adopt a simple half-smile. We hold a huge amount of tension and stress in our facial muscles, and a half-smile can relieve much of that tension and stress. It’s a simple act with a powerful effect.

6.      Simply sitting or walking in nature and being mindful of the many sights or sounds within your field of awareness is very nourishing and helps to expand your mindfulness practice.

 Touring 2017… plan ahead, don’t miss out!!!

 Once again I urge individuals to seriously consider a magical journey with me in 2017… we always have so much fun and life friendships are made whilst memories that nourish for eternity are created!

Dragon’s Eye Tours, in collaboration with WindRose Travel (formerly Jetset Travel Ballina), is pleased to announce its eighth season of sacred sites tours of pilgrimage and magic, the first to the West Country of England and Cornwall, and the second to Scotland. Travelling with a small group (12 max) and with plenty of time to relax, wander, explore, meditate and experience the power and energy of the special places we visit, you can be assured of a unique and exceptional holiday experience. Along with this you have the pleasure of my company and opportunity to join me for meditation and ritual in sacred places. I will facilitate tarot readings during the journey as well.