July 2024A Tale of Tenderness
Dear Agents of Evolution,
The above photo was taken while my partner Kelly and I were touring a magnificent garden south of Miami, Florida while visiting with our friend, Mary. It's hard to find the right words to describe the lushness of the Southern Florida landscape. I hope this picture gives you an idea.
We'll be continuing with the "Meditation for Evolution" sessions the last two Thursdays in July – July 18, and July 25. (I will be traveling for family events until July 11 so we'll skip the first two Thursdays.) These sessions are intended as "upayas" – remedial measures to counteract any difficulties we face. During each session I will offer a quick summary of the planetary weather of the week, then we will do a short meditation together, leaving time at the end for discussion and questions. These sessions are free of charge. I hope you'll join us!
If you haven't seen it already, check out my essay on "Kincentric Astrology" on Substack.
May our tender selves receive the gentle care they desire this July. May we cultivate a field of kindness and dwell there.
July Astro Weather Highlights
(June 29)
Saturn stations retrograde (assumes direct motion again Nov. 15)
Integration
Saturn has been making his way through some pretty heavy territory the past few months requiring us to attend to the healing work needed in our lives, traveling first through the healing sign, Shatabhisha, and then through Purva Bhadrapada. On Saturday June 29 he did an about face and began retracing his steps over that same terrain, asking us to integrate the new life directions of the past four months, and all the hard healing work they entail. This is a chance to re-examine choices with new understanding, rest rather than initiate, revisit recent collaborations, and tend, with care, to the wounded places inside ourselves that limit us.
July 5
New Moon in Punarvasu
Renewal
With Mercury exchanging signs with the Moon on this New Moon, the way we tend to ourselves may be with words and ideas. In the same way a gentle rain shower refreshes the land, so too do we, at this New Moon, become refreshed by gentle ideas.
I will offer another set of insights on this New Moon on Instagram.
July 15
Mars conjunct Uranus
Zap
On the day of this conjunction the planet of speed meets up with the planet of brilliant ideas and hair-brained schemes, inside a field of fire. You may need to act fast on a sudden, unique opportunity, but be careful of the impulsiveness inherent in this transit. When these two planets act in conjunction we may be tempted to take bigger risks than we would normally be willing to take.
Be mindful on this day. Stay grounded. This is a day when the electrical field is running a little errant and wild.
And at the same time, sometimes things just need to change.
July 21
Full Moon in Uttara Ashadha
Collaborations of Light
The Full Moon finds us in circles of support, people who share our values and want to help each other live those values. With the Pluto conjunction to this Full Moon there's a bit of a "by any means necessary" sentiment around the coming together. Be watchful of any hidden motivation to control or dominate through displays of force. Intensity of emotion will be present. Many will be feeling a sense of righteousness about their rage. Acting unethically will bind us to the very thing we are fighting. Acting ethically, we will find ourselves in alignment with the forces of Light in the world, receiving support across networks of Light.
I will offer a more detailed summary of this Full Moon on Instagram.
July 23
Sun opposite Pluto
An Increase of Inner Light
This transit happens once a year, advancing slowly through each sign, year after year. This year the Sun is in the lunar sign called Pushya at its opposition to Pluto. This may bring out of hiding some of our less than noble qualities that we normally attempt to keep hidden. Or someone close to us may act out some of their less than noble qualities in relationship with us.
Facing the fear or rage or both that underlie our bad habits ultimately strengthens our faith and trust in our ability to act in alignment with who we want to be. It ultimately strengthens our confidence in ourselves. It doesn't always feel good while it's happening – in fact it can sometimes be downright humiliating to face our dark side – but we always know ourselves better in the end. Accepting our own darkness has the counterintuitive effect of helping us recognize our true Light.
