Image: 'Traveling Light on an Empty Plain'
by Gary Rosenberg
From June to August 2014 the yearning for greater authenticity is
powerfully supported by the cosmos, especially throughout July. Many are
conscious these days of a burgeoning restlessness alongside the desire
to live a more satisfying life. The need to emerge from the
mass-unconsciousness of everyday routine and unquestioned assumptions
has grown exponentially in the past few months and we now have the
opportunity to find the answer to some of our key questions. Increasing
dissatisfaction with the status quo propels us on a journey of discovery
and these three months provide a map to find our way into a more
authentic and vibrant existence.
We are not, however, talking about an ‘off-the-peg’ answer to our
dreams. Instead we can receive insight into whether those dreams
faithfully reflect the truth of who we are. If not, they may simply
reflect naive yearnings for a magical solution when, in fact, our life
requires fundamental change not just the odd tweak here and there! There
is work to be done now, not a magic wand to be waved, but if we truly
desire change we now have the chance to embrace it, especially in July
when no less than five planets change signs (Mercury, Jupiter, Venus,
Sun and Mars), one of them twice (Mercury). To see so much change in a
single month tells us there are energies around willing us to shift too.
In doing so we are not swimming against the tide but being swept up
along with it. And with an emphasis on planets in Cancer and Leo this
month we are encouraged to both establish who forms our true family – be
they blood relatives, partners, friends, colleagues or spiritual
companions – and how we fit into that family as individuals with our own
unique contribution to make.
The month begins with Mercury stationing direct on 1
st,
which may come as something of a relief if the previous three weeks have
been rather trying! That said, whatever obstacles we have encountered
during this time merely show us where we now need to focus our
attention, smooth out wrinkles and clarify misunderstandings. If we’ve
used the past three weeks well, exploring the deeper meaning of
frustrations encountered, the outcome will be greater clarity in moving
forward, which is never a bad thing! If we’ve allowed ourselves to get
lost in the frustrations without engaging with their message we may have
something of a mess to untangle, but it’s not the end of the world and
by 6
th July we should be able to see our way forward with greater clarity if we need to.
A Full Moon in Capricorn on 12
th July reminds us that
curiosity is a helpful state to cultivate at time of change: about
ourselves, our lives and those of the people around us. It can be all
too easy to write someone off as ‘not my type’ without pausing to look
beyond first impressions or knee jerk judgements. This Moon speaks of
the need for openness to difference, even as we define more clearly our
own personal truths. We do not have to reject those who do not share our
way anymore than we must embrace those who do. The complexities of a
human family in a process of conscious evolution necessitates the
acceptance of polarities, paradoxes and difference, for without
acceptance we can all too easily fracture into opposing sides slinging
mud at each other to no helpful end. And there is way too much
mud-slinging at the heart of humanity already!
As we emerge from the other side of the Full Moon, the 16
th to 18
th July see Mars crossing the Libran Lunar Eclipse degree of 15
th
April, signalling an opportunity to ‘reboot’ the changes we decided
upon then and see them through to completion. I spoke back then of
shape-shifting before change becomes unavoidable, rather than being
forced to adjust as an act of desperation after clinging onto the old
for way too long. If we managed to do the former, this month will see
some solid results from our commitment to keep up with life’s demands.
If, however, we dragged our feet or dug them in firmly, refusing to
change, whilst the path ahead may have its ups and downs, this time
offers an opportunity to make up some ground and implement some of the
changes we knew back then we really need to make.
The 20
th and 21
st July (GMT) see Saturn station
direct and Uranus station retrograde within a day of each other,
signalling the beginning of a phase during which external limitations
and demands can trigger inner change as we begin to recognise that true
freedom exists apart from circumstances not as a result of them.
Everyone wants the life of their dreams, but everyday reality often
falls far short! Sages throughout history have reminded us that true
freedom is found within, independent of external conditions and in the
coming months we have an opportunity to discover what that truly means.
But how do we reconcile this truth with the fact that many situations
feel toxic and heavy and we know we need to remove ourselves from them
in order to thrive? This central challenge of the spiritual path
presents itself for deep enquiry now, and is one to which the heavens
will return many times in the coming months. The shift in direction of
Saturn and Uranus at this point merely signals the beginning of a
profound inner shift available to us all if we are willing to enquire
deep enough and allow some of the most intransigent aspects of our
feelings, beliefs and behaviours access to the penetrating light of self
and spiritual enquiry.
As the Sun moves from Cancer to Leo on 22
nd July (GMT) the
rest of the month is imbued with the essence of collaboration alongside
healthy expression of individuality. We are reminded these are not
opposing states but complementary aspects of human nature. The better we
can define what and who we are the more effectively we can collaborate
and bring to the collective our very best, fulfilling the roles to which
we are best suited. This requires neither false modesty nor overblown
pride, but instead a quiet knowing of our essential self and what we
have to offer for the greater good.
A Leo New Moon conjunct Jupiter on 26
th / 27
th
July, reminds us that living in all our glory is a must if we are to
fulfil the potential of this human birth. But doing so requires
diligence and wisdom to ensure that we live from a place of passion
balanced with discernment, and self-assurance balanced with humility. We
are never too old to learn, too perfect to make a mistake nor too
special to be part of the crowd. Nor are we ever so wrong we can never
be right, such a failure that there’s no hope, or so far from our true
path that we’ll never find our way home. Life is ever changing, as are
we. Each moment is new no matter how old and stale it may feel, and with
each new moment we can decide how to be, how to move forward and which
bits of the past, if any, to take with us.
As July comes to a close we have the opportunity to reflect on just
how much of our inner experience is at the mercy of the apparently
random nature of life events, and how much is more readily influenced by
the fruits of our own spiritual practice and enquiry. A spiritual path
followed only for its material rewards is no path at all when life
intervenes and the unexpected arises. But one which nourishes wisdom,
insight and peace in the face of adversity, by default creates a more
fulfilling and authentic life, for a peaceful heart sees the potential
in the present moment and a clear mind knows how to fulfil it.
For more information about these and other astrological events as they happen throughout the month, become an Awakenings subscriber to receive regular astrology updates.
Sarah Varcas
