Auguste Renoir – ‘Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette’ 1875 {{PD}}

A compulsion to talk about or ponder relationships, Love, or financial matters is part healing action, part need to transform contacts and resources into something more compatible with our highest values or commitments, and part clever, witty thought process applied to the Universal need for change. We are inspired in our thinking about Venusian subjects, and if we can let instincts drive, we can reform our attitudes and interactions in most positive ways, into a veritable Love Fest. Be aware, though, that communications are loving, even if they wound; the speaker may not see the implications behind their own words (thanks, Merc retro!) One other caution: blind spots in those same Venusian areas may be magnified, with instincts providing unreasoned excuses that could sink what we only seek to reform, so proceed with care.

Today’s word image is a candle dedicated to your favorite saint. You say you don’t have a favorite saint, aren’t religious, don’t imbue objects with meaning or a sense of the sacred? Yes, you do, you just haven’t recognized you do it. What’s the most common sacred object in the world today? The cell phone. We tell ourselves it’s a practical matter, but we are emotionally attached, and expect it to ‘save’ us repeatedly. Look at what thing or things you may treat as a kind of totem, or that carry a sense of being sacred, and consider what your decision to designate that thing as spiritually meaningful, done consciously or not, says about you.

Have a wonderful week!

Even though this shows a Full Harvest Moon, I think it captures the spirit of the day, especially as we’ll have just had an event of ‘darkness in daytime’ ‘The Harvest Moon’ – George Hemming Mason 1920 {{PD}}

The Sun enters Virgo, pulling our attention to the details, to following the trail of information or assets for what it can tell us, to health matters, to service and where we land on the spectrum from Self-centered to Selfless (hint: nobody is at either extreme), and to ‘the Harvest’–that is, what we will soon reap. It’s the time of year when we account for what we have, prepare for the potential of not having, and assess what we need to do, chiefly through what we think/ know, which of course has its own drawbacks. Do your best to notice nuance, which is not easy during a Mercury retrograde in Virgo, and focus on real-world action that takes matters previously ignored or denied, or that enrage or address injustice, into account. The natural world will not support your ambitions, and neither will authorities; it’s up to the individual alone (Mars in Leo) to be Self-responsible for all chosen or acted upon. A little scary for those used to waiting for permission or the cooperation of others (Libra, I’m lookin’ at you), but taking steps now, in spite of the potential for incomplete info (Merc retro) is the thing to do, at least in part because real-world effects will be so freakin’ obvious.

Today’s word image is: an individual standing in the event shadow, but not looking directly at the eclipse. This is what I plan to do in just a couple of hours. I’m much more interested in how birds and other wildlife react, in the way the appearance of the world changes, so briefly, in the unusual light–for me it’s all about what’s happening here on Earth, rather than the apparent blocking of one body with another, millions of miles away. Of course, what we prioritize, that is, look at, dictates what we interact with, what fills our world, and how we see things; I’m choosing to focus on the light. What about you?

‘Lilac Bush’ Vincent van Gogh 1889 {{PD}}

Originality, uniqueness, spontaneity, innovation, even revolution, all draw on highest values to propel expression today, and so become emblematic of who we are at core. To truly benefit from this particularly individual rocket fuel, we must be willing to adjust to the real world, and especially to those matters that may have been ignored or denied by ourselves or others. That is, we can express ourselves without restraint all day, but if we want to create something rooted in that expression, we must get a handle on things as they actually are. The biggest tip of all for today may be this: find your connection to, or place within, Nature; that’s the alternative way to express the core, but without the friction of barriers, boundaries, rules, or the requirement of Self-discipline. Somehow, Nature gives us license to be ourselves in a way the ‘civilized’ world just can’t.

Today’s word image is a billionaire in voluntary seclusion. What incredibly valuable thing, quality, characteristic, or talent do you have that you have, consciously or unconsciously, hidden away? It may be time to consider wheeling it out.

All answers to the natal body apex at 20 Taurus are found under the August 14 post in the comments section. Have a great weekend-eve!

DISCLAIMER: This is not me writing the books! Carl Larsson ‘Model writing postcards’ 1906 {{PD}}

Eclipse season book special: get any two of my books for only $15! PayPal me directly at juliedemboski@hotmail.com and specify in the order or in a separate email which two you’d like and to what address they should be sent. Allow up to 12 hours after payment for delivery of your PDFs. This offer is not good if the books are ordered through Dog & Sunflower Press; offer expires midnight Pacific time of the 21st. Thanks!

“La Femme en blanc” René Schützenberger 1894 {{PD}}

The focus is on egos, tempers, actions taken and choices made–and all of it happening under the umbrella of a Mercury retrograde in Virgo. We won’t have to wait for Merc’s direction, though, to find out the impact of what we do; we will see immediate results in terms of our empowerment and status. Do as you will, but remember that Mars is currently in Leo, which may bring a touch too much Self-regard to our choices, and believe what you see as empowerment waxes or wanes–that’s the true measure of your actions, of their effectiveness and reach.

By Bengt Nyman from Vaxholm, Sweden – IMG_3781, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49547955

Today’s word image is: two old friends meet by chance on the street, converse in mutual admiration, and part knowing they will never meet again. I think this image is about being able to live in the moment, to fully enjoy sharing time with someone else without the requirement that the connection continue, in order to be judged important or worthy. Value the time we have with one another, and make no demands for more–we’re on this journey alone, after all.

I know it’s a tense, tough week for many of us; keep with it, it will break with the Solar eclipse, if not in some minor way sooner.

Chinese sculpture dating from 960 A.D. Photo by James Tourtellotte {{PD}}

We get results today–not necessarily the ones we’re waiting for, but those directly related to our personal efforts and assertiveness, to our identity and purpose, to our relationships or earning situation and what we’ve done therein. We may find that in the process of collecting what’s due we have to break a few eggs, so to speak, destroy to create; we may risk the health of ourselves or some system (such as the one that allows us to earn a living or support ourselves), or we may have to mount the equivalent of a military campaign in order to get what’s coming to us–and of course, that carries the dual-sided connotation of bringing to us what we actually deserve, no matter what we may believe that is. Misplaced aggression is an issue, but if you keep that in mind, encounters where you may be tempted to meet like with like will suddenly be seen for what they are: the individual in struggle with the Universe, not with you. We’re all trying to nail down ideas of who we are; accept that the concept of identity is more fluid than solid, and you’ll make progress without having to wage war.

‘Head of a Warrior’ Leonardo da Vinci c1504 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is: attending a theatrical play that mirrors societal-scale real life events. There’s no question that Art reflects life; what does the Art you surround yourself with (if nothing else, think of it as the atmosphere, your surroundings) or that you make say about yours?

As of AM Pacific time of the 15th, I have responded to everyone from whom I received a natal scenario involving approx. 20 Taurus (see the post for the 14th), though not to every comment, as some people submitted multiples or additional info. If you submitted a natal scenario specific to the info offered and didn’t get a reply (I answered everything in some form), it’s because I didn’t get your comment! You can try again, in the comments section for the 14th–but please, list the natal point that sits 19-21 Taurus, the House it rules, and avoid shoehorning in additional questions about other elements of your chart or the transiting scenario.