Feeling the Feels

July opens with a whole lot of feelings.  Cancer the Crab rules emotion, nurturing, home, food, mom and family.  With the Sun (our Will), Mars (active energy) and Mercury (communication) all in the watery emotive Cancer, we are feeling the feels.  Deeply.  Direct your energy toward positive and constructive directions:  healthy, conscious eating (mom says “eat your veggies”), repairing or renovating your home, organizing a family get together, spending time with children and elderly.  It will do your heart good. 

The caution with Cancer is not to let emotions run away with you.  Ride the waves of feelings when they surge rather than fighting them.  You will only be dragged down by the undertow of swelling emotions if you push back.  Breathing now is all-important.  Stepping out of the fray to walk around the block is not just a good idea this first week of July but imperative.  Clear your head so you can think. 

Adding significant stress this first week of July finds Mars, Pluto and Jupiter challenging each other.  Motivating Mars is not at its best in nurturing Cancer.  A fiery planet in a water sign is an awkward combo.  Here we are drawn into the depths of emotion far more than we may normally like or allow.  Opposite Pluto in stolid Capricorn with Jupiter in Libra swinging in the balance prompts us to take action regarding relationships.  Pluto and Jupiter are reserved and objective in these signs sparking us to stand back and assess our involvement and reactions to people and situations.  They offer calm in the emotional storm ignited by Sun/Mars in Cancer.

Talk matters out with loved ones and valued friends.  Hearing, really listening to the other’s perspective is sorely needed now more than ever.  Just as key is slowing down your own life to hear your quieter, soulful voice often drowned out by clamoring and competing agendas.  What do you want?  What do you believe is right for you?  Are you listening to what others are saying (maybe repeatedly) to you?  How do you integrate your needs with those of others?  This can be a hugely revealing week.   Explore the underbelly of relationships that have been swept under the rug far too long. Speak up for yourself by all means. Just make sure you think through your actions and choose words carefully before speaking.

Maintaining and working toward serenity, with measured actions as our goal, we build toward the Full Moon on Sunday, July 9^th.   The first of two planetary sign changes occurs on July 5^th when Venus shifts into communicative Gemini.  Endlessly versatile, Venus in Gemini is detached and cool, can assess relationships with reason.  Here in Gemini, the planet of love and money is an expert conversationalist.  She makes connections easily and keeps people “in the loop”.  We will need all the level-headed reasoning we can get as Messenger Mercury moves into dramatic Leo on July 6^th adds significant fire to our thoughts and words.

Underlying this mix is the combustible pyre of the Lunar North Node, change agent Uranus and Saturn in fire signs.  Ch-ch-ch-change and change now say these three.  Creative solutions abound and we are best to harness this remarkable energy while it prevails to move our lives in positive directions.  The only constant in life is change and this Full Moon of July 9rth, like the one on June 9^th, pulls the trigger on us.  Surrender and surrender now to change.  Flow with it or get pulled into the undertow. 

So  let’s break down this Full Moon energy:   The Sun conjoins Mars in Cancer so our feelings are raw and powerful.  Both planets oppose the Moon (emotions)  and Pluto (transformation) in Capricorn and form an odd angle to Saturn (responsibility).  The Moon rules the sign of Cancer on the 9^th, she is in the opposite sign:  structured, formal, practical Capricorn.  Can you feel how uncomfortable the Moon is in this sign?  She is absolutely chafing.  Paired with transformational Pluto, something's gotta give.

An earth sign, Capricorn gets down to business, is no nonsense; whereas Sun-Mars in Cancer wants to cling like a static slip to pantyhose to whatever has been in our life.  Moon-Pluto says there will be a profound transformation of emotions, complete restructuring of family, your relationship to food, home and homeland, as in country and nation.  Moon-Pluto in cold, pragmatic Capricorn opposite Sun-Mars in warm, nurturing Cancer is a challenge indeed, one of evolutionary growth.  They don’t teach this stuff in school…No, the only way to master this lesson is through on-the-job-experience, life lessons.   

The operative phrase here is:  HAS BEEN.   There is no going back.  What has been is no more.  Gone are people, lifestyles, possessions perhaps, passages and life purposes that no longer serve us.  In short, these are dead.  It sounds very cruel to say or read; however, this is the effect of this combination.  Cancer Sun-Mars are all about attachment and sentiment (clinging to the old).   Capricorn Moon-Pluto demands and will see to it that the old is buried for good.

Be mindful if you are stubbornly clinging to the old ways, outmoded people, this will be a difficult phase. If you put on your pragmatic, can-do hat with efficiency and point yourself toward the future and what can be, what is possible, you will find your way through the dark.  Super helpful to remember now is the cycle of life.  All things must die to make way for new life.   Irony abounds that this passage occurs during the very height of summer:  the growing season.   Yet that is the cosmic point driving home the need to grow or stagnate.   Choose to see, believe, and have faith in the positive side, what can be planted anew. Walk out from the old and into the new during summer’s peak is a blessing as we can grow and harvest whatever we desire.

At mid-month, Venus challenges Neptune.  This conflict poses a test to us.  Think of it as a set of stairs to climb.  Be aware now of self-deception and landscapes of mirage.  For the more discerning is endless versatility as to how to approach relationships and money matters.  Neptune in Pisces is highly intuitive.  What does your soul want?  Be still for a moment and tune in.  Listen.  Follow its direction.  Then allow Gemini Venus to be its best, flexible self and merge your needs with those of others.

For a full week from July 18-25^th, we are given an immense boost as Messenger Mercury joins the aforementioned grand fire alignment between the North Node-Uranus and Saturn.  Our thoughts and words align with our directional calling (north node), our mission (Saturn) and ingenuity (Uranus).  I cannot emphasize enough the sheer power this troika affords.  Whatever projects and relationships you have stoked to date, irons in the fire are ready to be launched, used, born.  The manifestation strength is off the charts.  Within this time frame, Motivating Mars moves into Leo on July 21, the Sun shifts into festive Leo on the 23^rd, and the New Moon occurs the exact same day! WOW.  In a flash we turn from a landscape of watery emotion to the Launchpad of Life.  You will feel this energy change sharply.  Awash with feelings no more.

Rushing in to fill the draining emotional void is hyper creativity and dense action.  Fully five planets are in fire signs from July 21^st well into August.  Incite and invoke your dreams, goals and wishes on the New Moon July 23^rd.  The Sun, Mars, North Node and Mercury in Leo want to party, live life to the fullest, be romantic, play, play, play, take risks and…shop for new clothes.   Leo rules the heart.  Passion?  You bet.  Step out of yourself and love with abandon.  In this increasingly wary world, Leo reminds us of the lyric, “what the world needs now, is love sweet love.”'

Messenger Mercury moves into analytical Virgo on Wednesday, July 26^th.  Pointedly discerning, making sure everyone has their exact slice of pie counted down to the last crumb (or penny as it were), the messenger planet adds a phrase to the above lyric, “...No not just for some, but for everyone.”  As we dance into the last month of summer, let’s emphasize sharing in equal parts to caring.  Truly, there is enough for ALL on Mother Earth.

On a very personal note:  

I would like to thank the legions of people who have supported me during my mother’s recent death.  Endless gratitude goes out to family, friends, clients and fellow astrologers who held me up during this most difficult time.  I am grateful to you each and all.  Blessings be, Hilary

Self-Sabotaging or Saving Yourself?

June opens with some very curious energy that reminds us that with every situation we face in life, we have control over our decisions and how to wield our power positively or destructively.

Chiron, the wounded healer, in cleansing Pisces, challenges Motivating Mars in communicative Gemini.  Look for old wounds being picked open, harsh verbal exchanges targeting the vulnerable, our soft spots splayed wide by someone’s remark gone wrong.  Like any challenge, there lies within it tremendous hidden potential:  to use healing words, meditation, prayer, and most especially: conscious re-direction of our thoughts out and away from the dark holes we often back our mind into.  This is the key to this combination:  re-focusing thoughts along positive lines of thinking before they become regretful words or actions.

Sandwiched between Chiron and Mars are three (3) planets making beautiful angles to aid and abet your redirected focus.  The emphatic point here:   you have the power to change course with any decision you make.  The first pair of planets cycling between Chiron and Mars is change-agent Uranus and gracious Venus in fiery Aries; both align helpfully with Chiron on one side and Mars on the other.  Aries is a tour-de-force of CAN DO energy.  This planetary duo of change and love say yes you can jump trains of thought, heal those old wounds, put them in the past and walk on new paths to well-being. The strength of this alignment, Mars-Uranus-Venus-Chiron cannot be overstated.   Uranus-Venus are part of grand fire trine, an immensely beneficial alliance with the Lunar North Node in Leo and Saturn in Sagittarius that offers invaluable energy throughout the summer.  Come on baby light my fire!  Says this combination.  Grow, baby grow.  How high do you want to climb?   How large are your dreams?  Now is the time to set wheels in motion.

Supporting the “how” part (as in, how will I bring my dreams to fruition?) are Messenger Mercury’s super helpful angle to Transformer Pluto, both in hardworking earth signs.  This pair says, "so you’ve got all these great inspirations and aspirations….well, here’s how to tackle them one, by, one." Mercury in earthy Taurus and Pluto in pragmatic Capricorn function on the material plane and want to know exactly how you will manifest your grand ideas into reality.  And how much it will cost to do so!

This is no small energetic pattern.  It holds incredible healing and expansion potential.  Bear this mighty force in mind as we move into June.  Otherwise, a cosmically calm month, the last month of Spring is a terrific time to plant what you want to grow.  The first week of the month unfolds a series of planetary sign changes where Motivating Mars takes the lead.  On Monday, June 5^th, Mars shifts from mentally charged Gemini into nurturing Cancer.   We now feel more apt to act from our emotions, directing our interest toward food, family and home.  The next day, Venus moves into her own sign, Taurus, really boosting our efforts to plant (literally in the garden) or invest in the virtual garden of our lives.  Venus shines like crazy in Taurus.  Creature comforts, art and beauty, and yes, world peace are all on our minds under gracious Venus’ guide, especially as she makes a flowing angle to Mars in Cancer.  Kindness, caring and compassion toward yourself and others prod these two.  They are an unbeatable combination of love and nurturing to initiate and grow any project, relationship, business, venture.

Then June 7th, Messenger Mercury shifts into Gemini.  “Let’s try it this way or that way, and if those methods don’t work, then let’s try it yet another way,” is the theme.  Endlessly versatile and flexible in its own sign of Gemini, Mercury has us believing in infinite possibilities.  Here it refuses to take “no” for an answer and will blast through any obstacle in its way.  The trick is staying focused long and steady enough to conquer your challenge.  (Rely on Venus in Taurus for that!)  Can’t get around that obstinate boss at work, lack of funding for a beloved project or are you blocked in a relationship?  Mercury in Gemini directs our thoughts to find a way over, under or through what stands in our way. 

Gemini Mercury is not beneath using less than honest tactics to get what it wants, so a word of caution:  make sure your words and thoughts are honest.  Watch for deception and deceptive people and practices in yourself and others, especially at mid-month June 12-16 when Mercury challenges illusory Neptune.  Look yourself in the mirror.  Have an honest talk with your reflection, and others, even if that conversation is painful.   Because of the wildly potent energy during June, it is vital to walk your talk, with truth, in truth.  We reap what we sow particularly now under the late Spring Sun, and you really don’t want to find yourself in a month or two, a year from now, caught red-handed for shading the truth dating back to June 2017.

All of our efforts, truth telling, strident compassion and eager push forward will be under the bright spotlight of the Full Moon on Friday, June 9^th.  Every Full Moon make manifest our intentions and shine on every aspect of our lives – even that which we prefer to keep hidden.  This particular Full Moon is super-charged.  We’ll call it “Extra Strength Full Moon”, like dozens of super nova bursts added to its power.  There will be zero chance of escaping its glare.  Why?  Let’s break it down:

First, this Moon joins heavyweight Saturn in sagacious Sagittarius, truth teller extraordinaire.  Saturn rules karma and dharma, so whatever you’ve been playing at, for good or ill, the results,consequences and effects roll in now.  There just will not be a place to hide, run though you might.  Saturn in Sagittarius demands raw honesty.  The Sagittarian moon hitched to Saturn demands emotional truth.  Pure and gut-wrenching. 

With this duo combined with the Lunar North Node in Leo and Venus-Uranus, expect a radical show of justice.  Or simply, a radical show.  Parades of Truth.  Moon-Saturn opposite the Gemini Sun presses our will to communicate off the charts.  We will learn, know, every single thread, detail, puzzle piece to the story of our lives.  Cases gone cold, unsolved mysteries are revealed in whole complete detail under this Full Moon.  Ugly facets, the underbelly shadowy parts of ourselves, our relationships, will be shown for exactly what they are.  You still may not embrace these but they are highlighted for all to see.  Better to own up, deal with it all now.  Be red-handed no more.  This is true as well for the United States Presidency as well.  If there are back lines, hidden communication, conversations and ties with Russia, these are exposed now for everyone to see.

If all this wasn’t enough to heighten the strength of this Full Moon, the super-nova power of this moon derives from Jupiter, planet of Truth and Justice.  It turns direct motion the very same day as the Full Moon.  Wow.  In the sign of Libra, the planet of Law, Truth and Freedom will surely balance any situation or any one that has been out of whack or off kilter, (read:  not being honest in any part of their life).  Turning direct motion gives a huge kick start and forward thrust of energy to any planet.  So it is with titanic Generous Jupiter now, especially as it aligns helpfully with the Gemini Sun, to communicate and get our message out.  We will know every precise turn of events in a cascade of overflowing truth on June 9^th and surrounding days.  Fess up now while you still have time!

By mid-month we are afforded an opportunity for emotional cleansing.  Neptune in its own sign of Pisces, turns retrograde motion conjoined to the Moon (our feelings) in Pisces.  Use this opportunity to wash away impurities, emotional illusion and self-deception now.  Moon-Neptune in Pisces form a quirky angle to Generous Jupiter.  There is emotional balance to be had, pursued.  Sweep under the run no more, my friend.

A rather pronounced event occurs days later on the summer solstice, June 21.  Both the Sun and Mercury enter nurturing Cancer.  This is significant as the Sun, our will, directs our energy, while Messenger Mercury channels our thoughts and communication.  00 degrees Cancer on June 21 is a giant flashing light astrologically, urging us to pay attention and act on all things patriotic, family, food, home, mother, anything inherited psychologically or biologically.  This includes your own physical being “home”:  body, mind, soul and spirit, and how you care for it.  After all the “frenergy”, frenetic energy of the Full Moon, this really could not come at a better time.  Unlike fast-moving, mercurial Gemini, Cancer is a slow study, a watchful, observant dance.  There is beauty, grace and charm to its careful movement that allows for vast absorption of detailed information.  Cancer is a sponge.  Little escapes Cancer’s notice.  Her memory is vast.  She forgets nothing.  All is stored away for future use.

Give yourself over one day at a time to Cancer’s embrace.  We could all sure use some tender loving care:  a home-cooked meal, warm bath and bed, and great big mama bear hugs right about now.  Nurturing ourselves and others is one of most undervalued, unseen, unrecognized acts.  It is often even labeled selfish when we practice self-care.  Beneath the glow of warm summer sun, its slow simmer, hand write your intentions on the New Moon on Friday, June 23^rd.   Promise, incite vows for radical self-care first.  Then you will be able to give endlessly to others.