School of Adriaen van der Werff c1690 {{PD}}

We can find our way through using the tactile, the sensory, and those things felt, especially those known deep within that guide instinct and intuition. It’s actually our only viable option, considering how distracted the mind is, how at odds we are with our own values and how likely we are to choose nursing hurt over exercising wisdom. Why so Self-destructive? Maybe it’s our perception of the way our ambitions have been thwarted and warped, or the way desire isn’t in line with our highest aims. In any case, immerse yourself in sensation and give reason a rest–there’s only so much the mind can do, and this is one of those times when it’s best to recognize that (Chiron sq Pallas, Venus nov Sedna, Merc sesq Vesta, Sun sesq Zeus and qnx Vesta)

‘A Turn in the Road’ By Paul Cezanne {{PD}}

Today’s word image is that of being a witness. We may be so in our own heads right now that what’s shifting and changing around us goes largely unnoticed–or if we see it, we dismiss it as unimportant to us. Major turns are being taken at this point, whether we see things that way or not; don’t miss something by pre-judging it as insignificant. The danger stated another way: for ‘Westworld’ fans, think, ‘That doesn’t look like anything to me.’

The Perseus Cluster NASA {{PD}}

We act, and we know what we’re doing, agile and competent–yay!–it’s the thinking, reasoning, the mind that’s off kilter–and this is tough to fathom, since that facility of choice and action (Sun trine Mars) occurs in the most mental of the Air signs, Gemini and Aquarius. The mind, however, is dealing with difficult realities, a loss of optimism or faith, a need to adjust ambitions or with frustrated desires, and it all urges us to push forward anyway, which brings impractical or unwise results (Merc qnx Zeus, sq Ceres, contra-parallel Jupiter, Jupiter sesq Pallas). What’s a seeker to do? Quit fighting with or contradicting Nature–She really does know best, and is an irresistible force, in the end, so accept it, embrace it, call forces greater than you your friend–and realize that the thinking is off because the worldview is. To see ourselves as arbiters of our world is to be full of hubris; do we manifest our world by our thoughts and attention, our investment of energy? Of course–are we then solely responsible for the make up of each little facet of our world? No, and it’s vanity to think so! We are part of a Whole, of something as large as the Cosmos and as small as a quark, but that doesn’t discount the presence of other energies, everywhere, interacting all the time. Step back, take a breathe–the only thing you’re truly responsible for is yourself.

‘Boxer Dog in Window – Vilnius – Lithuania’ By Adam Jones, from Kelowna, BC, Canada Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

Today’s word image is a dog at the front window, watching his human walk to the car and drive off. Is there someone/ something you’re missing, as you look and feel left behind? Or is it that you’re walking away from someone/ something, not aware of the sadness this is causing?

Mark Gertler – ‘Merry-Go-Round’ 1915 {{PD}}

We seek to express ourselves, to make others aware of (and so honor) our status or position, at least in part out of hurt; and in expressing ourselves, we cause hurt, which comes back to us, and we’re off to the races. Round and round the need that springs from hurt causes hurt for ourselves and others, and we do it again and again, caught in a loop that can only be broken when we stop insisting that others respect us, and show it by doing what we want them to. It’s not the Self-expression that’s the problem, it’s the way we believe others should react to it. Keep this in mind today. Messages are firmly rooted in reality, and we may (unreasonably) expect them to mesh smoothly with what we think we and others are creating by our way of thinking and reasoning. Not only will they not mesh, we will be given a clear indication of where our thinking has gotten off track. Use it for the informative input it can be, rather than reacting from that old loop of insisting the world see us in a particular way–that will only hold us back (Chiron parallel Juno, Mercury trine Saturn and square the Nodal axis)

Today’s word image is a wound that changes form but won’t heal. Whether physical, emotional, or psychic, a wound that persists raises a few questions: have you tried to help it heal, or have you ignored it, waiting for it to go away? Did the initial injury arise from something you did, or was it something outside your control? Do you relate differently to the injury in its original form as compared to its current form? And what does the wound allow you to do (or perhaps, to avoid facing) that you might otherwise have to acknowledge or go forward with? Now, what in your own life needs the scrutiny supplied by these questions?

Today’s outlook may seem a little harsh, but if it strikes you that way, it may be because it’s truly necessary at this time to take an unflinching look at the facts of things as they are right now. Take heart–it not only won’t last long (it breaks tomorrow, in fact!) but is the only way we can make headway right–so if you find yourself flailing, feeling like you can’t get things going, the reality picture and its unvarnished state are where you’ll find the answers–as long as you don’t take a personal stance that is powered by hurt, and goes round and round. Have a lovely day!