When we ignore reality we row against the current. ‘A boat race between two boys at the island of Dalarö, in the Stockholm archipelago’ Anders Zorn 1885 {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: We act and choose against our own instincts–why? We are resisting reality; following ideals and going for dreams doesn’t seem to have paid off, and now we are feeling let down, betrayed, unsupported by our personal Universe. Let’s shake off that myopia and align our thinking with the facts: it’s not that reality has failed to serve us, it’s we who have failed to respond to the true state of what is. We must re-examine dreams to see their real worth, what they’ll actually cost us, and willingly modify them to fit our real-life circumstances; do that, and genuine progress won’t be far behind (Mars opp Sedna, Venus qnx Neptune, Sun contra-parallel Saturn)

Photo provided by Turismo Emilia Romagna Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

Today’s Word image is soft-serve vanilla ice cream in one of those cones that taste like paper. Love this or loathe it, it’s supposed to be a treat. What in your life that’s supposed to be a reward doesn’t feel that way? Are you going along with something as a reward, when it’s no reward for you? Or what do you like that could be loads better by just upgrading the ingredients? If it’s supposed to be a positive, don’t just accept what’s handed to you–you should do everything you can to make it enjoyable.

By Steve Collis from Melbourne, Australia – Asamkirche, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24305905

Those born with the Sun at 29 Cancer are on the verge of discovering a new strength, a new purpose, or a new pleasure, and the coming Solar year, through to your next birthday, will bring this to light through some kind of material conflict or struggle. That isn’t necessarily bad; it only means you may have to work for it, or assert your right to it over the objections of others. The empowerment you receive by going for it will turn over a lot of old ground, uncover a secret or two, and definitely will re-make life as you know it. Good luck, and Happy Birthday, Cancer!

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The path we follow today certainly determines where we end up tomorrow. ‘The Sunken Road in the Cliff at Varangeville’ (1882)-Claude Monet {{PD}}

The AstroEssence: Our role in relationships, or our responsibility for finances, looms large; we get real-world feedback that either shows us our limits or delivers a solid manifestation of what we’ve put in to one or both of these Venusian venues. Past choices deliver current outcomes–and may wound, show us our weaknesses, or heal some hurt we held in our imaginations, rather than in reality (Chiron in Pisces). The good thing is that we gain, maybe socially, but definitely in tangible terms. Examine efforts and thinking in light of what past methods have produced; be willing to give up what doesn’t work–that only helps make room for more, and better (Venus trine Saturn, sesq Chiron, and nov Jupiter, Merc qnx SN and semi-sq Vesta, Sun sesq SN)

Edgar Degas, ‘Woman ironing’ 1873 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is an ironing board. This symbol of the housewife’s drudgery is something of an antique; new fabrics, steaming, more casual dress, and the proud display of wrinkles has taken this item out of daily use. You may have some personal associations with this–I see it as an example of something we all know now, that may soon pass so far out of use that coming generations won’t even know what it is–and that prompts examination of how the passage of time modifies our idea of what’s necessary, what’s useful.

For those born with the Sun at 28 Cancer the coming year promises an emotional ‘showdown’, a defining of the true emotional perceptions and state (and we know that may secure, alter, or otherwise bring change in any number of ways)–and there are also indications that everything that happens relates to you determining to whom and what you want to dedicate your life energy. You may find the perfect partner this year–or may re-dedicate yourself to the one you have. In any case, serious matters are sorted, and life determining directions chosen, whether this is done consciously or not (with the ‘not’ looking as if externals are pushing you in this direction or that, closing off and opening options, willy-nilly). Good luck, Cancer, and Happy Birthday!

Paul Klee – ‘Oh! These Rumors!’ 1939 {{PD}}

If you’ve been reading that we have a series of three eclipses coming up, the first mid-August, that’s incorrect; what we have at that point is a near miss, alignment-wise, that appeared to be an eclipse initially, but has since been re-calculated as just a hair off. With even a near event, though, we may feel it, like when a big truck blows by you as you stand on the sidewalk; you don’t actually get sucked off the pavement, but for just a second, you feel a kind of lift and it seems you might! Especially if you have placements at or the eclipse makes hard contacts from its spot at 25 Aquarius 51, this Full Moon may have the impact of an eclipse, ‘wiping out’ something currently in force; look too for a significant shift in the House that holds Aquarius or with the Waterbearer on the cusp.

The AstroEssence: rumors abound, information is strangely hurtful, and yet what you hear is not telling you anything you don’t already know in the relationship or financial department. There’s a bias toward what the social circle believes and wants you to believe; advantages come to those who propagate the party line, no matter how unfair that seems to the free-thinker. Everybody’s too concerned with their own idea of who they are, and Self-promotion runs through anything that’s not strictly about the facts. Accept as evidentiary only what is provided with concrete details or real-world circumstances to back it up. Opinions don’t matter; what’s real does. Let go of your preconceived notions and prejudices, or you’ll end up becoming the victim of them (Mercury sesq Chiron, trine Saturn, nov Jupiter, and parallel Venus, Sun parallel Vesta and sesq Neptune)

Today’s word image is a scrub brush and some cleanser. Ouch! Such harsh cleaning methods aren’t often called for, but there may be something that needs a thorough scouring, and this may be physical, mental, spiritual, emotional. We need to be real; whatever it is has become so completely sullied that we have to clear away the detritus and bare the core issue, unadorned, for re-evaluation, re-assessment, or to make it usable once again.

Beham, (Hans) Sebald (1500-1550): Sol, from The Seven Planets with the Signs of the Zodiac, 1539 {{PD}}

For those born with the Sun at 26 Cancer: as you enter a new Solar year you’re going strong, sailing on the impetus of some effective moves and choices, some clear instincts, and a faithfulness to values that has kept you on course. What you must deal with now are matters of delusion vs. reality, and the capacity to birth your dreams into the world. A practical orientation serves you, as does a realistic attitude that makes you willing to eliminate what no longer serves. Good luck, and Happy Birthday, Cancer!