Gevork Bashindzhagian. ‘Landscape with Pines’ 1907 {{PD}}

Wisdom and the ‘right’ course are found in the highest values, commitments, and those things you regard as sacred. Let me clarify: wisdom is not found in those things you tell yourself you revere, but in those things you actually honor with your time, energy, money, attention. Using this aspect energy successfully may necessitate some injury to your Self-image; you may find you’re not quite who you tell yourself you are, but no matter how uncomfortable, changes are all for the good. Among other things, this will align your values, your relationships, and your talents in the best perspective possible, allowing for a more genuine expression of your own true nature, your own true power, without quite so many of the filters we apply to win social acceptance, and that inevitably mislead ourselves and others. (Vesta trine Pallas, Venus contra-parallel Ceres, Sun qnx Chiron)

By Mildred Burridge – From the Maine Memory Network of the Maine Historical Society.Item number: 16128URL: http://www.mainememory.net/bin/Detail?ln=16128, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6261502

Today’s word image is: Two Countries in a Dispute Over Territory. Boundaries and borders are artificial constructs, and they are about two things: the power to control the resources therein, and the responsibility to attend to whomever and whatever occurs there. Is there some part of the life where you are claiming the power, but not taking the responsibility? Or are you taking responsibility somewhere but allowing the power to be taken by someone else?

By Price, Albert M., 1873-1957, photographer – Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2017656439 Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68071521

As the Sun enters Virgo we’re likely to turn a critical eye on ourselves, others, and/ or our environment; the funny thing is, though we’ll have a helluva time finding common ground in relationships, with a little reflection we’ll know instinctively what actually needs to be corrected (in ourselves and our environment), what needs to ‘line up’, and what’s just a distraction produced by a restless imagination. We’ll also have the chance to see how well-meshed our empowerment urges and our real-life power situation truly are–and if we see a big gap, we are likely to experience which ever one we are most alienated from manifest as another person–so, we may have to deal with someone in authority, someone with whom we must negotiate, someone who takes a parental stance with us, or someone who feels slighted and so insists on exerting her power over us–whether it makes sense or not. Keep reactivity to a minimum, observe what’s outside you (because that’s either something you’re disowning or a warning of a direction you may be headed) and consider how that can be incorporated in a positive way. Use what you care about as an overall guide. (Venus contra-parallel Sedna and qnx Neptune, Juno parallel Ceres)

This tattoo is more common than I would’ve guessed. By Tattoodelmono – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26508552

Today’s word image is a young man with a large tattoo of a lion that covers his right arm and shoulder. The Sun may have vacated Leo, but Mercury, the North Node, and Pallas are still there. That suggests our thinking, our idea of which way we want to be headed in life, and what’s wise, smart, or practical are somehow lagging behind the times, and the tattoo of the image is associated with the right side, the active, doing energy–so this may be about looking at what we can do to bring our own efforts and the way we see them ‘up to date’–that is, taking them beyond the highly personal viewpoint of Leo to a more objective Virgoan assessment.

‘Coin d’atelier’ By Édouard Joseph Dantan 1879 {{PD}}

We’ll have to adjust, modify, pull back, consider, as we’ll be far too quick on the switch, spontaneous to a fault, erratic and unpredictable in our choices and impulses. Agitated energy, for good or ill, goes toward whatever we put our attention on. But, we’ll also be clever, quick-witted, and able to allow our most original thoughts, ideas, and personal assets to shine in some life area informed by higher mind. It becomes a kind of trade-off: restrain yourself, show the precision of Self-discipline and a thorough understanding of the subject, and expression of your uniqueness really will know no bounds (Sun qnx Mars and parallel Uranus)

Young oak leaves (Quercus robur) and male flowers in the setting sun, Brastad, Lysekil Municipality, Sweden. Photo By W.carter CC0

Today’s word image is actually two images, one for some people, one for the rest, and it’s up to you to know which applies to you. 1) going from a walk to a run. This implies you are ‘picking up speed’ in some area–and this may require both more careful attention, and an awareness that things will be moving by a lot quicker than previously. There’s also an idea of energy expenditure, and how long this pace can be sustained. 2) many shades of green. Does this represent something brand new in the life, is it emblematic of health and growth, is it pointing toward some area where you are ‘green’ and in need of instruction or seasoning, or does it suggest envy or jealousy, yours of someone else or someone else’s of you? In any case, something ‘green’ needs tending, whether that is nurturing or pulling it up by the roots. Do your best in telling the two options apart.

By Saqibbali – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69544296

It’s a day that feels like we’ll be called to compromise, adjust, modify, or where circumstances presented will be just a tad uncomfortable–and yet, what we need to remember, is that these scenarios 1) are direct reflections of our own thinking, and 2) allow us to clarify and make ‘statements’ (by our actions and choices) about what our highest values and priorities really are. Changes made now may not be very smart, or very practical, but they do say something about our desires, what we’re building, where we’re headed. We make it crystal clear to what and to whom we’re truly dedicated, and others do the same–so we see their priorities, their genuine feelings, as well. Be prepared–there may be a shock or two delivered, as we realize our own actual commitments, and/ or get a big reveal on what those around us really honor–in any case, we ‘get the message’, and it alters things, somehow (Sun trine Vesta and parallel Mercury, Pluto qnx Pallas, Juno qnx Zeus)

By Christopher Michel – A weddell seal. Sweetly made by @melaquino to celebrate my upcoming trip to Antarctica!, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24808848

Today’s word image is a sea lion with human eyes. There is some Leo-themed subject (or Leo person you know) that needs to be re-considered in a humanistic light–that is, re-assessed using both a more objective and more understanding emotion-friendly) lens.

I’ve gotten a large number of service requests lately (thank you!) where I’ve notified the individuals of acceptance but have not been paid, or where I’ve received a request, answered, and am holding a spot but have not been notified as to whether the individual wants the report or not. If you’ve been given a ‘pay by’ date, this does not apply to you. Please, if either of the other scenarios is the case for you, get in touch–I can’t hold spaces indefinitely!