The Great Shift

Exhausted and wired at the same time is a complaint shared often with me; and I must confess, not a feeling unknown to me.  It is the result of overwhelming energetic bombardment we are currently enduring in this time known as The Great Shift.  We are experiencing far, far more than planetary passages now.  Solar flares, geomagnetic storms, Schumann Resonance (the earth’s pulse) changes and much more than I am aware.

The sheer volume of energetic waves to navigate is both exhausting and energizing.  I feel that there is both never enough time for adequate sleep, (and when I do wake up, I am still exhausted), and yet weirdly eager and ready to get going.  There is so much to do! This massive energetic push and pull reminds us that there are forces much greater than ourselves at work; and that all we can do is show up and do the work.  Our work is a call and response with the Universe, playing the cards we’re dealt to the best of our ability.

Due to the very strong energies at play, allowing time for integration and development is essential. Fortunately as August begins, we are afforded the perfect time to do just that!  Messenger Mercury has already been retrograde for two weeks and has another ten days until it turns forward motion.

Cosmically, we are let off the hook so to speak, to play hookey, go on vacation for the next ten ten days until Monday, August 11^th.  Rest, restore and renew now.  Valuable Venus has just entered compassionate Cancer the Crab slowly joining Generous Jupiter.  Both align to the Moon in intuitive Scorpio on August 1^st inviting us to flow.  Allow. Swim with the current, what carries us.  It is a time to soak in self-care. Choose what is most soothing and what feels relaxing. You will be very glad you did.  Further, you might not have much choice now anyway as trying to push forward on projects and pursuits yield little if any traction. The more you push, the more pushback you will get during the first ten days of August.

Magic is afoot as we move toward a waxing Moon. 

First, on Thursday, August 7^th, Motivating Mars enters lovely Libra.  The rough and tumble planet of action is not especially comfortable in graceful, relationship oriented Libra.  However, any awkward edge is enormously softened by Mars’ flowing alignment to Powerful Pluto in Aquarius and Change Agent Uranus in Gemini, forming what is known as a grand air trine.  These planets are the movers and shakers of the solar system. With such powerful planets in connective and communicative energies, our thoughts, words, and technology are extremely potent now through mid-August.  Ideas flow, connections are seamless, groups and teamwork are effortless, communications are well-received.

This is like being given a Harry Potter magic wand.  

What will you do with your wand?  Where will you point it?

Just remember to control the wand and not allow it to control you.  Because your wish is its command. If ever there was a time to be careful for what you wish for, this is it!   To effectively control your wand, or the power of your thoughts, focus on what you do want (not what you do not want).   Visualize, write, then speak your desire.  Pause.  Then watch what you most desire manifest quickly.  Faster perhaps than you ever dreamt possible.   

Have you ever thought about someone only to receive an email or phone call from that person?  Thought about a song and then it comes on the radio?  Thought about an old, favorite movie then it appears on television?

These are small examples of the intentional communication energies at play from August 7-20^th.  We are all getting strong lessons now in the power of intention.

The stage is set.

Under the glaring spotlight of the Full Moon in revolutionary Aquarius on Saturday, August 9^th  Messenger Mercury, the planet ruling communication, turns direct motion the very next day on Sunday, August 10^th.   Everything is exposed now, all of it, the dirt and the blessings.  This is an incredibly auspicious and powerful Full Moon. 

Opposing the creative Leo sun, this innovative Full Moon knows no bounds.  It runs on information, takes ideas and invents what never existed before.  Radical, independent and non-comforming, this Moon could care less whose toes it steps on; rather, may step very intentionally on specific feet to make a point, be heard and seen.

Those seeking attention will indeed get it now, regardless of reason or purpose. To expect the unexpected during the second weekend in August is a major understatement.   If you thought 2025 was too much, too fast, this Full Moon says, hold my beer.

We have crossed the Rubicon, passed the tipping point of no return.  There is no going backward.  Resistance is futile, as is trying to hold on to what once was or re-creating the way life used to be.

Not only is Messenger Mercury now rolling forward, it aligns smoothly to Neptune and Saturn in Aries.  Feeling fierce and fearless?  Time to tackle your dream; for there is little but our own internal blocks and resistance to stop us now.  And need I emphasize:  This is no time to play small.  Leap and the net will appear.  The moment is upon us to take up space, to be heard and seen, to walk with destiny.

It is particularly safe to do so the week of August 11-17^th while Generous Jupiter and Valuable Venus travel together in maternal Cancer the Crab, aligning helpfully to the lunar North Node in Pisces.  This configuration has our back and acts as a guardian angel by heightening our intuition.  Silver linings appear.  You know.  You don’t why you know; you just do.  And you are correct.  

You might have some extra time on your calendar only to receive the call you’ve been waiting for to fill that gap.  You might get held up in traffic only to be spared a life-threatening car accident.  You get the idea.

With Mercury moving full steam ahead, sign the key documents, launch your projects, book your travel plans, or purchase the large ticket items you’ve had your eye on. 

Our grand designs will be called into sharp focus at the time of the New Moon on Saturday, August 23^rd.  In practical Virgo, both Sun and Moon ask us to get real, to make a plan, and to be prepared for what is to come.  All of our ideas are terrific but if they lack basic common sense or a plan to execute them, how will you see the results you desire, asks this New Moon?

Remember to hand write three to five intentions or goals you seek to manifest over the coming month or season.  Plant in the soft earth to be harvested at a future time.

A few days later, Valuable Venus emerges out of her Cancer the crab shell and moves into Look at me Leo.  Aligning to Neptune and Saturn in fiery Aries through the end of August, we are rarin' and ready to go.  Good thing we set those intentions on the New Moon last week! We have energy to burn.  Now, it’s time to bring your plans to life. 

Of Special Note:

ZENATHON!  is ON!!! Join me on Sunday, September 14th in Sharon, MA for a day of peace, learning and incredible vendors!  I am offering a class on the current astrology influences including a forecast for 2026.  For more information and tickets, please visit:  www.zenathon.org

Are you in search of a healer?  Don't know where to look to find excellent, vetted alternative and metaphysical practitioners?  Check out The Seekers Field Guide!! I am so thrilled to now be a guide and offer my services with this groundbreaking resource offering a directory of the best healers in the business. Visit:  www.seekersfieldguide.com to learn more!

The 3 Wise Women is off and running!  Our community is about to celebrate its first anniversary. Join us!  We are three veteran metaphysical practitioners offering community, conversation and connection via zoom every first Tuesday of the month @6 pm eastern.  For just $10/session, feel safe among like-minded seekers to ask your wildest woo questions and learn from each other.  To enroll:  www.cathyripleygreene.com

Mystical Messages features my monthly astrology forecasts if you prefer listening via podcast.  Also featured are cutting edge healing arts practitioners.  Tune in and listen through Youtube, Apple or Spotify or hear previous episodes:  www.hilaryharley.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up in the Air

As months go, July lends itself to jumping off the hamster wheel of life and into the road less traveled.  This is not only driven by gentler weather patterns in the Northern Hemisphere but school vacation schedules and yes, nurturing Cancer the Crab energy.  Warm, compassionate, nourishing Cancer rules the stomach, breasts and womb. The first water sign of the zodiac, Cancer focuses on family, house and home, food, ancestry and nation. 

The slow feel of July is particularly noticeable this month as three planets will turn retrograde.  It is a welcome change after the gangbuster action of May and June.  Cosmically, July is a busier month than the past few months; but we are downshifting out of overdrive in the fast lane and on to the lazy, winding scenic route in first gear.

And: One of the most fortuitous aspects in all astrology welcomes us as July begins.  The Sun and Generous Jupiter are tightly paired offering comfortable familiarity and abundant security.  Think big comfy couch, a heartfelt hug, your favorite delicious home-cooked meal, or coming home after a long trip away. This is expansive Jupiter joining with the Sun in Cancer the Crab.

Their combined warmth stays with us through the July 4^th weekend, lending hope that despite appearances to the contrary, all will be will at home, whether local, national or global. In the best sense, Cancer offers reliable, time-tested wisdom.  She is the trusted counselor we turn to when the chips are down or we have an achievement to celebrate.

She reminds us to take deep comfort now, that there is so much more than meets the eye, so much more happening behind the scenes, divinely orchestrated, beyond our comprehension, working out for our highest potential and fullest well-being, if only we trust.  Will you?

Our call to trust is amplified by Spiritual Neptune turning retrograde on Friday, July 4^th.  We tend to feel the outer planetary gear shifts far less than those closer to the Earth, such as Mercury, Mars or Venus.  Still, it is worth noting Neptune’s reversal of motion, especially as it is so tightly joined to Taskmaster Saturn.  In fiery Aries, take care with matches, stoves, grills, engines, campfires, or fireworks, of course. 

In Neptune’s wake, Change Agent Uranus enters communicative Gemini on Monday, July 6^th.  It has been 76 years since we’ve experienced this planetary combination during Uranus’ last tour through Gemini from 1941-1949.  So most of us alive on the planet have not experienced this energy which will last until 2033. 

Infinitely more comfortable in Gemini than earthy Taurus, Uranus heralds breakthroughs and awakening en masse.  How we communicate and use technology will be seismically different in seven years when Uranus moves out of Gemini.  Television was a significant development of the last Uranus in Gemini cycle.

Fortunately, Uranus aligns seamlessly to Pluto in Aquarius for the next few years, easing our experience of this shift. How we gather, integrate, share and use ideas, language, and information will be dramatically altered over the next seven year Uranus cycle.

Think of how you communicated before cellular phone technology or the internet came along.  Whole generations cannot imagine life without these communication devices.  That gives us insight into how unimaginably we will exchange information by the mid-2030s when Uranus enters Cancer the Crab. 

Along with communication, Gemini also has to do with ground transportation, siblings, community, sales and marketing.  So expect developments on these fronts as well.  Helpful to remember now that in the name of progress, the only constant in life is change.  

Uranus enters Gemini under the waxing light of the Full Moon on Thursday, July 10^th.  In practical Capricorn, the Full Moon aligns to Motivating Mars and the South node in efficient Virgo, grounding us and offering reality based solutions.  These earth energies serve as a counterweight to the otherwise lofty, heady planetary placements in air and fire signs.

Just two days later, Task master Saturn turns retrograde.  Serving as a bookend to its counterpart Neptune, Saturn retrograde in Aries puts life on the backburner to simmer.  What was urgent or emergent now does not seem quite so immediate.  Instead, you might rather feel the urge to go to the beach.

Relaxation mode sweeps us up fully in its grasp on Thursday, July 17^th when Messenger Mercury turns retrograde.  The third of three planetary retrogrades in just two weeks, Mercury in Leo turns our minds toward vacation and play.  No matter your budget, now is the time to take a day, long weekend or extended time off to re-set and refresh.  Fertile and festive Leo beckons us to take a chance, to explore with childlike creativity on canvas, paper, day tripping down the road, making sand castles or mud pies.

Manage your expectations about how much will be accomplished the second half July and the first part of August.  People are out of the office now so do not expect prompt replies.  Best to wait until after August 11^th to make significant purchases, including houses, cars, appliances, booking vacations, or buying electronics, especially communication devices. As always, if an urgent large-ticket item must be replaced (such as a washing machine, cell phone, laptop, refrigerator), make sure you buy the extended warranty as you may need it down the line.

The Sun enters Leo on Wednesday, July 23^rd towing the Moon in its wake to deliver the New Moon in Leo on Thursday, July 24^th.  Opposite Pluto in Aquarius, the Leo Sun and Moon draw distinction between our individual needs versus the group and community. Where do you end and others begin?  The New Moon aligns helpfully to Saturn and Neptune in Aries, meaning that creatively, we are on fire.  For every problem, there is a solution if only we look around. Now is the time to experiment, to see what works and what does not.                                                                                                                     

Leo says:  No dream is too big; no ask is too great.  So hand write three to five wishes you seek to manifest over the following weeks, months and seasons.  Plant these intentions in the ripe earth or set safely alight.

Soon enough, your time is going to come.  Meanwhile, make some popcorn, put your feet up and enjoy the show.

Of Special Note:

Are you in search of a healer?  Don't know where to look to find excellent, vetted alternative and metaphysical practitioners?  Check out The Seekers Field Guide!! I am so thrilled to now be a guide and offer my services with this groundbreaking resource offering a directory of the best healers in the business. Visit:  www.seekersfieldguide.com to learn more!

The 3 Wise Women is off and running!  Our community is about to celebrate its first anniversary. Join us!  We are three veteran metaphysical practitioners offering community, conversation and connection via zoom every first Tuesday of the month @6 pm eastern.  For just $10/session, feel safe among like-minded seekers to ask your wildest woo questions and learn from each other.  To enroll:  www.cathyripleygreene.com

Mystical Messages features my monthly astrology forecasts if you prefer listening via podcast.  Also featured are cutting edge healing arts practitioners.  Tune in and listen through Youtube, Apple or Spotify or hear previous episodes:  www.hilaryharley.com