This is quite a week, esp. Monday. It's a full moon in Pisces, opposing the Sun in Virgo. And this is involved in a YOD aspect. A Yod is interesting and fairly rare...its call the Finger of God (Yahweh) aspect. Three planets connect in a triangle - Jupiter, Pluto and the Neptune (where the moon currently resides as well). This generates a dilemma. It is time to find your special purpose in life, and astrology accomplishes this by creating a Yod with two inconjuncts or adjustments need to make you change. This aspect is releasing energy started about 2 weeks ago, but it's also digging into our past, our depths and our secrets we have to face now, and release. Saturn is still in Scorpio and it is ending its sojourn here shortly, so the last of the unfinished chores is upon you.

We have been feeling disconnected from the real world lately. We've been going inward, indulging in guilty pleasures to avoid reality,  and stepping into the mystical on a largely unconscious level. We have been asked to deal with practical earthly issues with our hearts, not our minds. Saturn has created blocks, creating tons of frustration - some of which is "feeling" close to our spiritual world, the real world, but unable to be there. YOU HAVE TO MEDITATE NOW. It's the only way to connect to that realm. It comes first, before eating and sleeping,  and it will help you be more connected to the spiritual, and surprisingly disconnected to the mundane world we are now in. This is all about the heart awakening. The connection to "Her", and the development of the divine feminine from within.

There is also a lot of emotions welling up, thanks to Chiron, our Wounded Healer, looking into deep, dark places and making us go there. It's time t make the connection between old pain and blocks in your life. It's time for DEEP self evaluation and CLEANSING. Knowing yourself, feeling the spiritual being your are, and connecting to the Divine is happening NOW. It's a hard time, but its also a time when you learn to be with the spiritual everyday. See how that connection gives you peace amidst chaos. See how that connection gives you inspiration and hope. See how that connection is the answer to all your problems. Release your blocks and let Her come into your heart, your life. It's "Let go and let God" time. Trust that the Universe has your back, because it does. And the more you see that, the deeper spiritual understanding you will walk with everyday, and that new energy pours into the planetary energy pool and HEALS us all, including our beloved Planet Earth.

Your life is on a path of change. It has been focused on the outside a lot this current year, but its now time to change within, to really see your spirit self, and OWN IT. You are learning to walk and talk your as your Higher Self, living with your spiritual goals and spiritual destiny, and the more you focus on the this world, the harder it will be to move forward on either level. Be INSPIRED by the new, amazing future.

How great to feel the Universe always has your back. How great to know you are not a body living on earth, you are a billion year old mist-like being, who has come here many times to learn, to grow and to understand the weaknesses of the body, of the physical, and fully integrate your spiritual self into this being you occupy, so you can do amazing things together on a level unknown to most of us. You are a piece of God. You are God's creation. You are God's hope for the future. Will you allow the world and yourself to become a new kind of human being, to bring light to the Earth, or will you choose to think only of yourself like you always have? It's time to become a spiritual HUMANITARIAN where your efforts are for US, not me.

If you are a mother upset with the school your child goes to, you don't move the child to another school, or home school, you work within the community to changes things for ALL the children. Activism is key to social change, and your spiritual heart can guide you to your needed actions.

If you own a company, remind yourself that all those people working for you deserve to be treated with loving kindness, because without them, there would be no business. They are your team, and need to be rewarded with thanks, kindness and financial gain. If you can afford a fancy car or a luxury vacation, then they need something as a reward also. How about a raise; a bonus; a weekend getaway; a public recognition of their good work and your appreciation. They will work harder for you when they know they are appreciated, and their will radiate happiness in their work and send that good energy around the world.

I/We are billion year old wise women/men. We are on an Indian Jones type of adventure here, but its exploring within. Explore yourself, look at your ugly parts, look at your failures, look at your weaknesses......and love them, so you can release them. And see it as an adventure, not a pain in the butt. With Saturn's help and your hard work, you will succeed.

Embrace with PRIDE who you REALLY are. LOVE YOURSELF and be amazed by who you are, , how you are so much more than you ever hoped to be, and that you are ALREADY that person/being......you just have to embrace the spiritual and it will flow to you like a waterfall over a cliff. Bathe in the light, in your spiritual self, and feel deeply happy within and without.

No one said it would be easy, there are problems to face and falls to be had - but I know you can do it. One issue at a time, breathe, relax and keep going. Now stop reading and go MEDITATE!

This week Mars and Saturn start to talk nicely on MOnday,  but come to blows by the 25th. Mars is movement, Saturn is sit down and listen to me. And Saturn has the last word. It's time to take stock. Look over the first three weeks of this month and ask yourself what you have learned from the trials life has brought you. Are you facing reality? Did you learn, or are you about to jump into the frying pan...again? Change has never been more important - but hold off on new starts till later in the week or next Monday morning when its a New Moon in Virgo. You have to change your ways. You have to reassess. You have to learn. You have to grow. And while Mars is like a panting dog ready to jump, Saturn won't let you until you have done some very deep thinking and make a plan for change...real change, permanent change.

Part of that change is to think of yourself as not whats good for you, but whats good for the greater good. How can you affect society and mankind? What is your contribution? What can you do to focus on others and less on you. Can you learn to be more selfless without abandoning yourself? Create the balance between you and others, you and society.

You might, because of so many planetary aspects going on right now. want to retreat into the Neptunian world of movies and TV. Escape for a while from the heavy load you seem to be carrying. Go to see good uplifting movies (avoid the violence if you can). The Hundred foot Journey is a lovely movie, as is Magic in the Moonlight. Guardians of the Galaxy was surprisingly funny and heartwarming, despite all the violence. And speaking of violence, Lucy is another movie I recommend because of the underlying spiritual message surrounded by murder and mayhem, probably because its the only way the movie could get funding. It was quite a message about who we are, what evolution is, and where we came from and will go back to. It really moved me. Its the perfect Neptune time to take breaks....just don't make them drugs and alcohol. It's not a good time to indulge, you could fall into the abyss in a rush to relieve the inner stress and turmoil going on. Pressure is starting to really build, make sure you take time out to refresh.

Yep, we are living in hard times, but exciting times. Time to put our guts on the table and examine them. See who we are, what we're made of and find our inner hero and release him or her. If you awaken around 4 AM, take the time to pray/chat with the Universe. It's when the veil between worlds is thinnest, and its easy to speak to Angels, Guides, Guardians, etc. Make it a practice to speak to our Creator and the Goddess. Bless the Earth and her inhabitants, and ask the Goddess to fill your heart with "her ways" so you can be an amazing spiritual catalyst. This is ancient Karma we're trying to release. We chose to be here now. If you don't step up to the plate now, when? Another life with the same lessons, maybe to finally be learned then, or grow and evolve now. Like a snake shedding its skin, its rather painful, but look how shiny and new you are when its over! (And don't you hate makeovers anyhow!)

Monday - Venus conjunct Jupiter. Express your deep feelings. Be dramatic when it comes to love. Later Mercury opposite Neptune - don't make decisions. Your brain is fuzzy, or full of pie in the sky, or just flaky. Wait until Thursday to make decisions. You are not thinking clearly even though you may be certain that you are.

Thursday - Venus adjusting to Pluto.  Love will encounter issues or power struggles. Just chill it won't last too long. Mercury Trine Pluto. Make sound decisions after much thought. Accept offers from important people who can help you. Think about power and influence, and how you can contribute.

Friday - Interesting day with NO ASPECTS. It's kind of like a Void of Course Moon. You're in the eye of the storm, getting a short reprieve where everything slows down and you get to breathe. Leave work early, or call in a sick day. Rest. Refresh. Take stock. It could even be a boring day....yeah for boring after all we seem to be coping with daily. Sun and Moon are about to leave Leo. Prepare for the energy shift.

Saturday the Sun leaves it glorious home of Leo, and won't be back for a year. Its moving into Virgo - the detail person of the zodiac. Hard work is coming, and a lot less play. Get ready cause summer vacation is over.

Sunday Mercury is inconjunct Uranus. New ideas may bombard you, but instead of reacting with amazement at the idea, you might go "hey wait to do that I'd have to change this" and there you are being cranky about having to change when this change will open new doors to amazing new possibilities. Slap you hand over your mouth if you start to say NO to something. Take a deep breath and give it time to percolate before you toss it aside.

Monday the 25th is a New Moon in Virgo joining the Sun. Take notes all day about epiphanies you might have. Its a day of analyzing the many ideas that are flowing to you, but with some emotional attachment (or as emotional as a Virgo can be.)  Mercury is Sextile Mars - movement of ideas. Put that toe in the water NOW. Venus trine Uranus...good ideas come from love, beauty, out of the blue. Mercury sextile Saturn, those ideas can manifest nicely. But mid afternoon Mars and Saturn start to argue. You'll feel frustrated about something. Don't push or force, it will not work and might ruin something. So get things rolling in the AM then be ready to meet some walls in mid afternoon, and just chill. They won't fight forever, it's only a temporary set back.

Happy week everyone.

If you have something you'd like me to talk about, email me and I'll see if I can accommodate you!

SIDE NOTE: I knew Robin Williams in the 1970's and 80's. He was a very kind man, shy offstage if you can image that, a terrible magician!, and a genius. No one on planet earth can compete with him. It is so sad that he felt he had no one to talk to about his predicaments. It is such a terrible loss for the world to lose such a wonderful man who made us laugh so hard, so often. God Bless you Robin. You ARE missed.

Astrology is a tool to help us understand what the Universe has set in motion. The times we are living in now are truly extraordinary. We are being pushed and pulled like bread dough, our minds are being transformed, our spirits are being called upon to join in the revolution, and our bodies are literally being changed via our DNA so we can withstand the higher vibrations we are being called upon to advance towards. The Universe has put the planets in place to create energy that moves things around on the giant chess board. We are blessed to be a part of it - we asked before we were born to be a part of it.

Right now many planets are talking to each other at once. It amplifies the energy we're being bombarded with, and it creates intensity we feel on a subtle level. Maybe you feel spacy, out of it, odd, confused, etc. It's OK, its how you should be feeling.

There is a planet/asterioid called Chiron, the Wounded Healer. His job is to heal your deep karmic wounds by making you endure experiences or events from old hurts, so you can face them and release them finally. This is HARD stuff, and Chiron is now at the center of these planetary aspects. We are facing deep things within = pain, fear, loss, tears, anxiety, etc. Chiron, in Pisces, is also sharing space with Neptune in Pisces too. Chiron is now aspecting Uranus, Saturn, Sun, Mercury(on the 15th moves to Virgo) and Jupiter while it approaches Neptune. Saturn, representing restraint, and Uranus, the unexpected events/ideas/plans planet, are at odds now.  (Uranus now could bring you amazing epiphanies or insights - listen for them!) Saturn and Uranus is like a battle between stability and instability. And these two planets aspect all the planets in Leo, causing more push pull.

But Chiron can be the key. He is asking us to release our lives of narrow paths and restriction, and to break free of the past, the baggage we carry around, so we can spread our wings emotionally and be happy, truly happy and free. Whatever has been done to you, forgive and let it go. Whatever hurt you carry around and refuse to look at, open the box and stare it in the face, and cry all you need to cry. Crying is how you release deep emotional pain. Sob, weep, shed a tear...do something to release this old pain so you can be happy and open to the good that the Universe is bringing to us. The Goddess brings forgiveness, caring, fairness, and humanity back to us. Make room for her by releasing old pain. And Chiron in Pisces, the spiritual sign, is the way to release, though spiritual practices.

On 8/12 Venus, the Goddess of Love, moves from Cancer to Leo, joining the Sun, Mercury(15th moves to Virgo) and Jupiter. This can really open your heart, and help you embrace forgiveness for yourself and others. Venus in Leo is dramatic love, loudly shouted love, publicly displayed love, rejoicing in the total "feeling of love". Be a Drama King or Queen, and let the love inside and pour it out to others. Love is what will heal all of us, spread it around, there is no shortage, the Universe makes more if you give it all away. There is more where that came from, always. This powerful Venus is here until Sept 5th. Take advantage of this avalanche of feeling and embrace it.

Friday the 15th Mercury moves out of Leo into analytical Virgo. Your sharp Virgo mind will aid you in decisions and help you feel less fuzzy than you may have felt recently.

These times are like a balancing act. Just keep asking for guidance from the Source...masculine and feminine and you will get what you need, and you will learn that the Universe is there for you - ALWAYS.
Every morning and/or evening you might say, "God please help me to change myself so that I can grow and be more helpful to the changes you are making in the world".  And also acknowledge HER:  "Goddess I welcome you in my heart and integrate your energies and values and ask for you help in living a life that serves you", helping you to be a tool for her rebirth by embracing the Divine Feminine and becoming an example of compassion. Imagine ourselves as domino's, embracing these energies and helping the world shift into something beautiful as we all come together to create a wave of change.

The Goddess needs to be INVITED into our hearts and life, just like Angels need an invitation. ASK and it is given. I know its hard some days, but you are not alone. And I know you will find there is love and magic in this world after all, because you will get answers, meet the right people, renew relationships, and "KNOW" that you are being heard. And that's pretty darn cool!

Well if you've been blocked, stuck, cranky, and fussy - welcome to Mars in Scorpio. Mars is settling into its new home, getting used to movement again, hitting walls, slowing down, getting up, hitting aspects to other planets....in other words getting its feet wet with our new energy dynamic and stumbling a bit. It's more progress than being in Libra has been all these months, but still its frustrating because the flow is not all there yet. Two steps forward, one step back is still progress. Be grateful some walls are coming down, the true flow will come by mid-September when it moves into Sagittarius, when we can expect smooth energy sailing and much progress.

Mercury in harmony with Jupiter gives us lots of ideas for the next two weeks. Take notes, some of them will be awesome. Start a business, a relationship, write a book, start a family. It's abundance and clear thinking time. Just don't expect full speed ahead with Mars issues, but you will still make progress.

August 8th Mercury is squaring Saturn - don't let negative thinking or low self esteem keep you down. It will pass so don't get caught up in it. Watch some comedies and catch up on your sleep and you'll emerged refreshed.

August 10th is a full moon in Aquarius, the humanitarian sign. Expect some good news when this Moon aspects Uranus in a good way. Expect surprising news, information and experiences.

Uranus is also making an adjustment to Saturn now. Quirky, original Uranus meets down to earth Saturn - manifest amazing ideas, ideals....create your own religion or philosophy, invent a new technology tool and get the prototype done, invent a cure for a disease....the sky is the limit.

So this is a week for ideas, for delving deeply into your spiritual beliefs and adjusting them accordingly, for starting something new, and getting your ideas into concrete form.

Lately I have been feeling very out of sync, like one foot in this world, one in the next and its a bit disorienting. I have fallen down the rabbit hole and have come face to face with total madness from our world "leaders" as well. It feels like politicians are more insane than ever and no one is calling them on their outrageousness.

And on some level I feel this is a good thing....they are so used to being insane that they have stepped so far over the line they don't even seem to get it. The jig is up, the people have had it, groups are merging and organizing and pushing back says Jim Hightower.

I think this semi out of body experience I am having in periodic moments is just the shift of energy from how it is to how it will be. I just feel like my brain can't absorb one more day of the crazies. I am detached one minute, immersed the next. Everyone I know is struggling with big stuff now, but its forcing soul searching and asking ourselves what really matters. So again, I feel we are on the precipice of "something" and this is the death knell of the madness.  Up is down and down is up for sure now.

It is time to turn our hearts to overflowing compassion for everyone else. We are a village, albeit a 7.5 Billion one. Most of us are pretty good at heart I still believe, but lots of us are lost. It is our duty as people of conscience to pray/meditate/envision a new world where good is the majority and crooks are once again the minority. The shift is coming, and we need to take an active part in that change. So everytime the world/news/life gets you down, take just a moment to envision the world as a good place where fairness, honesty and kindness thrive, where everyone has food and shelter, and where crazy politicians are laughed off the podium.

Hang in there. Hey Paul McCartney August 14th at Candlestick....love IS the answer

The Sun, (new)Moon, Jupiter and this Thursday, Mercury is in Leo. The sun is shining on ourselves, our emotions, our luck and our minds. Have a picnic and a party, but don't forget to hustle your buns at work. You can accomplish a LOT at this time, so don't let the lure of party all the time mood distract you. You can capture attention, get a plan approved, make new contacts, solidify ideas and get plans going. It's a summer party in ALL areas of your life if you make it so. Free will is key here, so be sure to take advantage of opportunities from all areas.

It's also a perfect time to give thanks. Abundance is all around you. Practice mindfulness (looking around at your life and finding the gifts you have. Or as Ram Dass calls it "be here now"). Stop daydreaming, spacing out, living in your head, watching too much TV, hiding from the world. Be in the moment. Look around and see all that you have to be thankful for... no matter what problems you may have in your life, there is always good too.

I recently had a health scare, and I am a baby when it comes to doctors, they scare the crap out of me. Must be a past life thing because my anxiety level is over the top. Thank God, the worst did not come to pass, but I have to make changes in my life to avoid further complications, and that's OK. I am grateful for the wake up call, grateful I have alternative options to western medicine, and grateful my worst fears did not come to pass. For example I know a large part of this is due the stress in my life. I am slowing down, sitting on my deck and enjoying the view, dining near the water with friends, walking in parks, sleeping 7+ hours and most 8, doing my work in spurts, not 10 hour long hauls that exhaust me,  and being grateful for my life and my many options.

I am cleaning house on a personal level, taking care of me and making sure my future is going to be healthy, fun and less stress-filled. And while this kind of thankfulness is always good, when everything is in Leo, Ruled by the Sun, it's an optimum time for being grateful. Be a sun worshiper for the next few weeks, and give thanks to the planet who gives us the light of day, the energy to function, the life force for our food to grow from mother earth. And know that every time you give thanks, you are filling the world with LOVE. Thankfulness says "I really appreciate how you take care of me God/Creator/Universe. I thank you for my life and loving me back no matter how stupid and wayward I am." You are giving our creator the love back it wants AND DESERVES. And that kind of love fills the pool of energy we all draw from with more and more love we all get to share.  And that love heals us all, including the planet, and it creates a circle of love from you to the pool to me and back again.

We are all in this together. We need to be as kind and good to each other as we can, everyday in every way. We need to think positive, think world peace, think fairness, and take stock. The world needs as much healing as we can muster, and we need it too. Much love to you all.

Lots going on this week. Uranus goes retrograde. Sun enters Leo. New Moon in Leo. Mars FINALLY goes direct.

Uranus goes retrograde Monday. This means it will generate tight squares to Pluto yet again. Retrograde squares are more harsh as the need to finish things overlooked is important - and pressing. Past ideas may be reviewed. Uranus gave you some gems the past few months, and you may have missed them (intelligence, insights, inspiration, genius). Now its time to review ideas that crossed your mind and see if they might be worth a new look/effort. Energy is somewhat slowed, so you can check out the details. Focus and find the gems of inspiration you may have overlooked.

Wednesday the Sun leaves Cancer and moves to Leo. Your spirits will be brighter the next 30 days, and you will have a lift in your energy, your spirits and your moods. Get out and be seen. Dress Up. Laugh. Smile. Seek the limelight. It's just darn great energy you get once a year. Enjoy.

Saturday the new moon is in Leo. NEW NEW NEW stuff coming in, and it makes you happy and celebratory. New ideas. Change (theme of the year) can be really good now. Do what you've been meaning to do with gusto. And meet new people, new connections, new opportunities.

Holy cow and both the Sun (your inner core) and Moon (your emotions) are conjunct Jupiter (abundance, expansion) who just moved into Leo for a year. Va Va Voom! If you don't make some good changes in your life this month you never will. Now get out there in your Sunday best and show people how fun, interesting, charismatic and charming you can be, and doors will fly open.

If you've been smart, you've been doing your inner work this first half of the year, now its time to take it on the road and test out the new you. If you haven't done the work, enjoy a month of fun, and when the planets move into Virgo expect a harsh look at reality to hit you in the face. You can't run from your spiritual work now, and if you try, its going to be so much harder to face up to yourself later on. You're only running from yourself, which of course you can't do.

And last, but certainly not least, Mars, imprisoned in Libra since last fall is finally out of jail. So unhappy and trapped in Libra (the diplomat, the lover of harmony) has been driving" lets go, lets do it" Mars insane with all this hurry up and wait crap. It will take a week or so for Mars to realize its free, and stumbling into Scorpio is pretty much a dive off a cliff energy wise from how its been living. You'll get your bearings and get ready for action, but this week, starting Friday, just take it slow and steady. But with each succeeding day you'll feel more energized than the day before, like you've been let out of jail. But this release is a double edged sword. Mars in Scorpio is beyond driven. Its a my way or the highway energy and the ability to be quite ruthless and cunning. You must be very careful about the desire to manipulate. Plans and schemes will entice, but they will backfire. Mars here will also be inconjunct (an adjustment) to Uranus in Aries, and squaring (stress) Jupiter in Leo. It will also eventually conjunct transiting Saturn here in Scorpio, where again will be curtailed by Saturn and really, really pissed off about it.

I especially worry about the middle East and Ukraine. This is volatile stuff, and hot heads may well prevail here. And if personally you have ideas about controlling situations or people, plotting something unseemly, using covert methods to get your way...watch out, because when Mars hits that Saturn conjunction you will be stopped and it might not be very pretty. Saturn demands the last word and Saturn does not take undisciplined behavior lightly. So behave yourself, don't take short cuts, but do use this energy to further positive goals and advancements, just remember "The dark side isn't stronger, its just easier - more seductive" might apply here (Yoda from Star Wars). Don't succumb to that devil on your shoulder, temped though you may be. You're playing with fire (Mars IS fire) on steroids.

So you can see this next month (while so much is in Leo) is going to make us outgoing and optimistic (sunny), and mars make us want to charge ahead unbridled because our ego's are having a good time.
Develop self control and patience in your desires, and you'll be fine.

It's a busy astrological week, so lets start with the little aspects.

Around 11AM PST on the 14th two aspects appear back to back that bring on low self esteem issues. Mercury semi-square Saturn and Sun semi-square Neptune. You might get bad news. Take some time out to make decisions, or to get over your doubts. If you have meetings around that time, don't be surprised if they feel like personal attacks. By late evening Tuesday, when the Sun parallels Mercury, you''ll find solutions to problems or bad news.

On Friday around 6PM PST Venus is inconjunct Jupiter. Enjoy your family and friends, have a mini celebration or indulgence. It will go well.

Wednesday July 16th Jupiter, the planet of abundance and good times, leaves Cancer and moves into Leo for 13 months. Words cannot express how happy this makes me. Leo is a fire sign, and Jupiter is ruled by Sagittarius, a fire sign, so its really happy here in familiar energy. Leo is ruled by the Sun. Leo's tend to be optimists, fun loving, loyal, generous, and very creative. They are natural born leaders. So Jupiter here enhances those qualities, including the negative ones of ego inflation and bullying to get their way. Enjoy and embrace your new found optimism, but when things start going really well, don't let it go to your head! Ego is Leo's downfall.

Wherever Jupiter is or whatever it aspects during this transit, makes it bigger. While in Cancer it T-squared the Pluto Uranus Square, giving us a bigger sense of stress and anxiety. Now that slower Cancer energy is subsiding and Jupiter is shifting into something more energized (goodbye feeling tired) and more ideas and more movement are imminent. Get ready, this is going to be an active year. All fire and air signs (Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius) will be especially happy now. All this energy is in harmony to their sun signs. Taurus and Scorpios are going to be squaring this energy so there might be a lot of changes which is not easy for them, but remember its about good change. If you can't learn to be flexible in these times, you're just making it harder on yourself. Take a deep breath and make the shift.

Leo is a natural leader too, and one of the things that has been missing from the so-called Left is leadership. During this transit some will find the courage to be the face of the change, and take people to new heights, while enduring the constant barrage of negative criticism directed at them. We will see new people speaking out for the 99%, with growing harmony to Uranus in Aries, encouraging change and giving people focus to make the changes which must come into our world. Without leaders the change is doomed. And Leo loves the spotlight so the time is ready made for people stepping up and taking center stage. Some will be phony's and even tyrants (Mussolini) but many will be sincere, and have the courage to create a solidified protest strategy though-out the world. Unlike the 60's, the times are not about our Vietnam war, its the entire world speaking out about injustice, inequity and unfairness. This year is going to be filled with fireworks so get ready to step up and join the protests, volunteer, write or better yet, take that fantasy of being a leader and make it happen. If you think you have greatness within, this is the time to step out of the shadows and into the Light.

On Sunday the 20th at noon, Saturn turns direct, which will allow movement again. Only four days after Jupiter moves into Leo, Saturn direct in Scorpio continues our need for inner work, but gives us the feeling of progress. We won't feel stuck anymore. So we now have two planets helping us grow, move forward and the energy to tackle it all. Get ready, the adventures are about to begin.

This holiday weekend 37 people were shot in Chicago (and its less than last year!!). This is beyond a tragedy, but being my home town it's truly upsetting.  The USA averages 87 gun deaths each and everyday (32K a year), and 183 gun injuries (67K a year). How is this kind of craziness going on in 2014? And it's just one of the many things going on right now that need correcting. And all of these issues (affordable housing, living wage jobs, health care for all, safety in our streets, equity in the law, etc.) not only takes an act of Congress to fix, but it takes the country's people standing up and really meaning "we're not going to take this anymore".

And deep, permanent societal change only comes from our changing. And right now the Universe is changing us from within. It's a solitary process. You can feel angry and frustrated like these shooters, or you can go within, look at your "stuff" and pull the weeds so your garden is beautiful and pleasing. When our internal selves are aligned with higher minds, our world automatically changes. Societal pressure is a strong thing. When the people in our communities no longer allow this kind of craziness to continue, then our society changes. And when we do our internal work, link to our higher selves, we begin to radiate love in everything we do, and that love spreads like a virus and "infects" everyone's thinking and behavior. it is our job now to become channels for higher purpose and right now that means going within and feeling sad, tired, unhealthy, confused, etc. because we have to change, and we do that by looking at the stuff we don't like to look at and change it. We have to look at what motivates us and we need to take a turn in the road.

When I was young, I wanted to be a journalist....and didn't follow my dream. I started a few successful but small businesses, but never "made it big". Around my birthday last month, I was looking at my age, and beating myself up for not being more successful in my life, and feeling sorry for myself and disappointed in myself. Then a light bulb went off. My inner voice said to me "you are equating success in your life by material measures. Why not change that to how you have lived your life and the kind of example you have been for others. Have you been kind and forgiving? Have you been loyal to friends and family? Have you helped others and touched lives? Have you learned to say NO and protect and honor yourself? Have you volunteered or given money to charities? Have your made your spiritual growth a priority and kept at it over the years? These are the ways we need to judge ourselves. Money and success can be fun to achieve, but they do not define you. Your character is what defines you. And now is the time to look at yourself and look at what is really important. And once you see the ways you have done the right thing, or good things, then you can love yourself more and that then sends that love everywhere because you radiate it. And all that love is like Penicillin curing the many viruses in this world, and helping us care about one another and ourselves in a loving and caring way. And then the world just become a place of joy, because we are good to each other; we value what is important not transient or material stuff. We follow the path we came to follow, and we become spiritual warriors, healing the world.

So right now you may feel a little "out of it" but that's the right way to feel right now. Serious stuff is going on inside. This month Saturn (our task master) is in harmony with Chiron, the planet of old karma and DEEP emotional pain. Saturn makes us work for our successes. It's helping us go within and look at deep wounds and patterns and end them once and for all. Saturn work is permanent change. And Mars opposite Uranus, while Saturn inconjuncts Uranus, helps us have epiphanies. But as Saturn is about to go direct (20th) and Uranus slows down to go retrograde, we are in a push pull scenario...change, don't change, change, don't change. It can be exhausting.

But Mercury finally being direct gives our minds a chance to think more clearly again. Saturday the 12th Mercury moves into Cancer. Our minds turn to family, real estate, and its a good time to make decisions about same - put the house up for sale, remodel, move even. But Cancer also represents our inner core, our foundation, aiding us in this inner journey. Transformational Evolution is one way to look at it, or simply "the shift" as another. We are blessed to be alive now, even though sometimes it doesn't feel like it. We came to evolve, and we are evolving, like water on a rock, lapping away the old slowly but surely. Hang in there. Take breaks from the world and rest when you can. Be good to yourself and to your body. We are also changing on a cellular level, ergo another layer to the tiredness we are all feeling now.

When Jupiter enters Leo on the 16th, the energy is really going to shift. The outer world comes into play in a big way. So rest up and be ready.

The Sun moves into Cancer on the 21st at almost 6AM. Gone are the social days of Gemini and now its time for "nesting". Be with good friends and family. Share. Be emotional and expressive. Be Thankful. Wrap yourself in the love of your friends and family. Bond with BBQ's, picnics and parties.

On Monday the 23rd (till July 17), Venus the planet of Love, leaves its home in Taurus and moves into Gemini. Meet the love of your life at a lecture, in line for a movie, in a bookstore, at a concert. Spice up an existing relationship by taking a weekend trip to some place you'd never been before. It's a time for lighter love, fun, laughter, shared experiences. It will offset the deep emotionalism of Cancer Sun right now, but not completely. One foot in two worlds for a few weeks.

Retrograde Mercury is now back in Gemini, Venus in Gemini and Gemini moon the 24th and 25th.  Someone from the past may show up. Wait until July 2 when Mercury has gone direct to make judgements when your mind is more clear. This final week of Mercury Retrograde is always a mess, esp in its own sign, so buckle up and be ready for lots of frustration. Breathe and try to relax. You can't fight the elements right now, so better to surrender for a while.

June 25-26 Mars opposes Uranus. This is danger time for social unrest and violence. Could be severe lightening storms too thanks to Uranus. Just lay low if you can. Don't pick a fight. People are on edge big time. Protest with caution as the push back could be quite fierce.

Friday the 27th has a morning and mid-day Mars Inconjunct (an adjustment is needed) to Saturn. Steady and determined, not fast or angry, will get you where you want to go. New Moon in Cancer that same day is good for Cancers to start their new year now and make changes to make your life happier. Reconcile with friends and family on this day and give each other a fresh start.

Sunday June 29th, Venus in Gemini is Square(stressful) to Neptune in Pisces. Don't be a victim, or fool yourself. You just aren't seeing things as they are. And Mercury is still retrograde. Make no decisions if you can help it. Mercury goes direct on the 1st, but give yourself a couple of days to be thinking clearly again.

I was going to talk about money manifesting after so many people sent comments. But I had an interesting week I thought I'd share. We'll talk money next week.

I had a birthday, which was mostly a week of being ill. I got an infection and was bed ridden for several days. I am not a good patient. I get bored, restless and feel trapped. I spent a lot of time thanking my body for being so strong most of the time.

But I also know that getting bed-ridden is the Universe forcing you to face yourself, to examine and explore. And so I did. I met parts of me I don't like to see; parts of me that embarrass me; parts of me I completely avoid. I watched a lot of old movies and cried a lot. It felt great. Release that pain. There is nothing like a good cry. Its an emotional cleanse. It also releases stress. Include forgiving yourself in those cries.

For several months I have been pushing myself to the limits, and completely crashed from not taking care of me. This time of illness has renewed me in some ways; it has given me new insights, new goals, the desire to set new patterns, and to let go of the past and really start anew. And its also time to start to love myself more. I am such a harsh critic of myself, and find myself sorely lacking in so many ways. I don't know why we find it so hard to love ourselves, see our greatness, our growth and our connection to Spirit. Each one of us is part of, literally, the Creator. How can we be lacking?  Make a list of everything about you that you really like, and turn that into love. When someone compliments you, take it in and hold it close and let it touch you. Allow yourself to be vulnerable enough to be loved on every level of life. You ARE worthy. Let the good stuff in. It won't come if we fear. Fear is the great blocker of EVERYTHING. Focus on the good, the positive, the best in the world, and we manifest the best around us in our daily lives, and also change the world, one drop at a time.

Now go look in the mirror and say out loud to yourself, "I love you so much. You are amazing!!"

It's summer now, enjoy!

The power of the Blood Moon and the Grand Square continue this week. I have gotten reports of feeling spacey, minor but bed ridden illness (time for soul searching), sadness (but not sure why), crying out of the blue (ditto), restlessness, pets acting really wierd and differently, ups and downs and loss and gain. Yes that's about right.

Because of this "closeness" to the other side right now, it's not uncommon for us to feel "out of it" or overly tired. Sleep is not to be underestimated during these invisible energy hurricanes. Naps are encouraged. Slow down from your hectic pace. Eat Well. Meditate. Laugh. Practice Theta and ground yourself with the Earth Mother. She is calling in this purge too. It is the pain we have caused our hostess that is a major factor in this change. We cannot continue to abuse our resources, and we have to stop denying global weather changes. And everyday we must be thankful for our home, our food, our air, our very lives. It's time to stop being spoiled teenage brats and become responsible adults.

Tuesday the 29th, is a SOLAR ECLIPSE. On the heels of the lunar eclipse, this is the final portion of the omen about the blood moon followed by a black sun. The sun is now in Taurus the Bull, ruled by Venus. Taureans are generally loyal and faithful, like routines and a sense of security, love to eat and drink, love to love and love deeply. It takes them a long time to drop their defenses and fall in love, but once they do its nearly impossible for them to fall out of love, regardless of the pain they may endure until the day comes when they make the changes they've needed to make for a long time. It only looked from the outside like it was sudden. They are also quite stubborn and even in regards to change, they dig in before they go there. Sun AND the moon are in Taurus Tuesday, giving great strength to the above mentioned attributes. It's also a NEW moon, and all year long events have been happening or repeating around new moons. The theme of change is ever present, and the solar eclipse triggers tons of energy towards this, like there isn't enough already!

Venus moves from Pisces to Aries on Friday May 2nd until May 28th. Venus is aggressive about love now. Take a chance, make a pass, get out and meet people. Something could develop quickly. Have some fun!

Use the stability factor in Taurus (which represents seeds planted and starting to grow) to ground yourself. Taurus is the earth. Earth Day was chosen on a Taurus Sun day - planned or a coincidence? It's a grounding time yet a time of change, which means the Universe will stand by you as you change. Its not a leap of faith month so much as a step forward month. Make a plan, think it through, take the first step toward that goal and after May 19th, when Mars turns direct, we all have more energy and go forward at a swifter pace.

It's time to get real. Really real. We are having a spiritual/inner rebirth. And the Sun and Moon (and Mercury is still there too - our minds want stable and steady now too) in Taurus are great times to build sound foundations for something real and good. And as we connect more to our Higher Selves, we are participants in creating a new "vibe" for Planet Earth. We are "raising her vibrations" to a higher octave or energy level. We are stepping up into a new way of doing things, of feeling, of being. It is a New Age upon us (It is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius). The old must be released to allow the new to grow. Shed your snake skin with joy, in knowing you are re-birthing. Give thanks and fill the world with your thanks, it will heal us all.