Where does Merc retro in Fire stir the flames for you? ‘The House is Burning!’ By Edvard Munch 1925-1927 {{PD}}

Mercury begins its apparent retrograde motion, and we enter a period of review of our own actions and choices, specifically those that make statements about our identity. Those times when we’ve roared, and those matters in the natal chart affected by Leo, are reviewed, reacted to, re-visited, renewed, reflected on. Our statement about who we are and what we can do gets edited; we assess whether our Self-presentation has been adequate to convey the full fire of our Soul. Now that won’t be hard, will it?

The turnaround, which can shock a bit with a sudden withdrawal of mental acuity, of the ability to be certain, especially when it comes to ourselves and our talents, happens just as Mars sesquiquadrates Neptune, which suggests misguided actions or incorrectly acted upon creative energies or ideals. So, we misstep, and can’t quite figure out why. That’s the signal to step back and pause; since the retro period is one of review, and also one where pertinent details or facts might not be known to us until direction, we do best to wait for more information. That doesn’t mean all effort or progress stops, but it does mean we don’t force things, that we respect circumstances enough to have the humbling thought that there’s something we don’t know, that we must wait to learn.

The Sun is also sesquiquadrate Ceres, which doesn’t help as it focuses our attention on all those ways we don’t hold power, aren’t in charge. The key is to be clear as possible on those areas where we do hold dominion, where we are empowered, where we can affect things–and then to tread carefully from there.

Remember, Mercury retrograde in Fire asks us to reconsider what we’ve done. Are we satisfied with our efforts, our methods, our results? We find that out over the coming three weeks, and enter direction (late on the 31st Pacific time) better aware of how to move forward.

Happy Birthday, you. ‘Cakes’ 1963 By Pplachigo Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

For those born with the Sun at 15 Cancer. Check your natal chart for the correct Sun degree (you may want to read both the degree number and the one that follows, if you have minutes on your Sun position–together these offer a more complete picture of your year ahead). This coming solar year, through to your next birthday, dear Cancer, emotional harmony may feel like it’s slipping away–but it’s not, you’re just reconciling what still exists from the past with what is now, and that sees certain inclinations toward nostalgia (the pain of the past) stripped away. What results is a lean and accurate awareness of the state of the material environment and surroundings, and a highly effective ability to deal with those things. As such, you become more creative as the year goes on, as well as more adept at finding and taking advantage of opportunities. You go, crab! Good luck!

By Kádár Tamás – Own work, GFDL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72408086

What you found unacceptable yesterday you must ‘lose’ today; that is, purge what needs to go, especially those things you’ve been pretending weren’t there or that you’ve been telling yourself don’t need attention. In doing so we must face what is really practical or wise, and what we’ve been classifying that way even when it causes conflict on our path. It’s a day for being real with yourself, which is almost guaranteed to align you more closely with the reasons you came here in the first place.

(Pluto semi-sq Black Moon Lilith and contra-parallel Hygeia, T-sq with Sun-Earth axis sq Pallas)

Comments submitted, books ordered, and requests for service made between 5 and 7 July will be answered/ fulfilled on the 8th.

‘Cakes, 1963’ Photo By Pplachigo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28954794

For those born with the Sun at 14 Cancer. Check your natal chart for the correct Sun degree (you may want to read both the degree number and the one that follows, if you have minutes on your Sun position–together these offer a more complete picture of your year ahead). It’s a showdown this solar year for you, dear Cancer, with the need to work out the smart way to proceed in life. You may have been skirting the real issues lately; in the months ahead, through to your next birthday, this won’t fly, especially when it comes to matters of with whom you should partner, and who belongs in your life, and who needs to move along. Unfortunately all this partner-changing may occur very publicly, so be sure that the other areas of your life, the ones you count on for stability and support, emotional and material, are sturdy and in place. Your big advantage this year is in knowing yourself and fully accepting responsibility for your choices–it gets you ahead even when you think standing your ground might put you at a disadvantage. Good luck!

‘The Old Farm Garden’ By Frederick Walker 1871 {{PD}}

Three rules for today: the social order seems to be trying to drag us back into the past–don’t allow it; our own thoughts or the messages we receive will be contrary to our personal authority and power–don’t listen; and what draws our attention is what is worthy of Love–so invest in it.

(Jupiter parallel SN, Mercury contra-parallel Ceres, Sun parallel Venus)

‘Cakes, 1963’ Photo By Pplachigo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28954794

For those born with the Sun at 09 Cancer. Check your natal chart for the correct Sun degree (you may want to read both the degree number and the one that follows, if you have minutes on your Sun position–together these offer a more complete picture of your year ahead). Focus for you this solar year, through to your next birthday, should be on health, dear Cancer. Do all you can to give yourself an optimum diet, and the optimum environment for your Soul growth. Too, make sure that relationships are, in some form, supportive of your best interests. This may require you show a little Self-discipline, and maybe that you reject anything pleasant but debilitating–if you do, though, you’ll be glad of it, as pursuing what’s good for you will bring all kinds of advantages, many of them unanticipated. Good luck!

‘Lesendes Dienstmädchen in einer Bibliothek (Cleaning Woman Reading in a Library)’ By Edouard John Mentha 1915 {{PD}}

That headline says it all. Free your mind from the way thinking has been distorted by the social sphere, listen to instinct and follow highest values, and everything gets a solid and very necessary refurbishing.

(Pallas and Mars parallel Hygeia, Mercury sesq Jupiter, Sun nov Sedna and sxt Vesta)

‘Cakes, 1963’ Photo By Pplachigo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28954794

For those born with the Sun at 08 Cancer. Check your natal chart for the correct Sun degree (you may want to read both the degree number and the one that follows, if you have minutes on your Sun position–together these offer a more complete picture of your year ahead). Dear Cancer, optimism and pessimism may war inside you this solar year, through to your next birthday. It seems that you see the opportunities but also the barriers, and your keen perception of both may paralyze you, making it difficult to go forward, even as you feel a growing push internally and externally to change. Go ahead and take those possible paths that appeal to you–don’t let a keen awareness of dangers stop you, but rather allow it to inform your preparations and choices–and as long as what you do honors your highest values and what really matters to you, you should have a very good year. Just don’t hold your breath for emotional clarity–that might not be coming anytime soon. Good luck!