Thar she blows!

This could be an especially hot New Moon–with Mars squaring Pluto and opposing Uranus.  It doesn’t help that Mercury is retrograde.  I remember the last time these planets tangoed. I’d been wound tight for days; then, over nothing, I erupted like Mount Vesuvius. I rattled the walls, I frightened the children, I poured red-hot lava over my mate. And you know what?  It felt soooooo good.  Mars, Uranus, and Pluto are an explosive combination. And sometimes the fuse they ignite just needs to burn. Emotions aren’t always pretty, but when released from the body, they can break up tension, clear the air, and give the psyche a fresh start. If at this Cancer New Moon you find yourself in the vicinity of a human Mount Vesuvius, the kindest response just might be to stand back and let the lava flow.

“Acceptance” is a Divine Feminine art. This is not to be confused with allowing people to abuse you. Nor is it something you can do well if you’ve been neglecting your own feelings. Pay attention this cycle to any sentence—uttered by you or a loved one—that begins with the words “I feel…”  All feelings—anger, shame, fear, joy, love—have an energetic truth that needs to be honored.  Anger suggests your boundaries have been breached.  Shame is a signal to restore your integrity. Anxiety is a sign of intuition gone haywire. It’s about the past not the future and is calling your attention to a memory that needs healing. Emotions are signals. They are an important communication. Listening to your own and others’ feelings–without resistance–may bring new breakthroughs during this challenging cycle of planetary tensions!  

Mars meets Uranus and Pluto July 17/18. Mercury is retrograde from July 14 through August 7.

I already know what I’ll be feeling during these weeks: I’ll be alternating between joy and sheer panic as I prepare for my talks for the FAS Summer School in Oxford August 19-25.  Wish me luck!  It looks like a great group of teachers and I hope to see many of you there.