By Bjornsphoto – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25217401

Strangely, kind of a quiet day, in spite of any disturbances generated by Venus quincunx Ceres. After the revelations of the eclipse, which may only now begin to dawn, we are likely to experience a ‘making waves’ vibe that ruffles relationships and/ or fiances, and brings values into question, and this is so regardless of the way that, when we consult our sense of inner knowing, we get a straight, dependable answer that’s highly expressive of our true priorities and standards (Vesta parallel Pallas). Don’t be mislead or distracted by the waves; know that as long as choices echo highest values, you’ll remain on the right track–or at least make decisions that suit and express you, even if you end up putting yourself into an untenable position.

By Carsten Frenzl from Obernburg, Deutschland – faceless, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35078047

Today’s word image is a truck full of mannequins. Here’s an online description of the origins of the word ‘mannequin’: ” 1902, “model to display clothes,” from French mannequin (15c.), from Dutch manneken. A French form of the same word that yielded manikin, and sometimes mannequin was used in English in a sense “artificial man” (especially in translations of Hugo). Originally of persons, in a sense where we might use “model.” Later (by 1939) of artificial model figures to display clothing.” The part that caught my attention was ‘artificial man’–and a truckload of them suggests a crowd of ‘fake people’. Is there a group like this in your life? Would you like to get away from them? Do you find yourself inadvertently a part of this group? Consider them an example of what and who not to be.

By David Fairrington – https://www.flickr.com/photos/fairrington/6340472897/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17365229

First, the smooth: an original take on things, especially one that draws on the past, is the light we should follow today. The most unique things about ourselves, our talents and the ability to jump to them spontaneously, along with the courage to express ourselves, will be key to personal fulfillment at this time, as will a willingness to accept the modern, the advanced, the new, and to approach all with the idea that understanding will breed sympathy, and so help us see the other side of things (Sun conj Juno, both sxt Uranus, Mercury parallel the South Node). Win-win will always be better than single-minded Self-interest–in a way, today you can actually achieve both.

Now the rough: the mind is prone to reactionary thinking, exaggerating issues and resisting the facts and/ or what the social order asserts (Mercury sq Jupiter). When confronted with authority, the tendency may be to choose the impractical or unwise, in a show of misplaced defiance (Pallas sq Ceres). Add to this that we are potentially either misunderstanding our own values and priorities, or that we are deluded about what truly matters to us, and we have a recipe for bad judgment and ‘wrong’ decisions (Neptune sq Vesta).

The only way to avoid the possibility of bad judgment is to fully invest in our unique take on things; trusting our most personal and original viewpoint will take us in the right direction, as long as we don’t get all philosophical and try to filter things by some theoretical or absolute standards, as we are likely to have a distorted or irrational view of these at this time. Keep it all keyed to who you are, and you can’t go far wrong.

By LincolnGroup11 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27439778

Today’s word image is: having to do the ‘wrong’ thing before you can do the ‘right’ one. When this happens, it may feel like a waste of time, a dead end, but the reality is we learn from this, and perhaps put off that ‘right’ move until the time is appropriate and everything aligns. Never fear that you’ve made a mess of things; you did it so you could find out something, even if that’s only to teach yourself never to do that again.

Workshop of George Frederic Watts ‘Chaos’ 1875 {{PD}}

Will our rebelliousness cause our own destruction, or is it that the ego just can’t share power (or can’t do anything to support those that do have it)? Mars sesquiquadrate Uranus and parallel Pluto suggests we are not on board with the power politics of the current picture, and perhaps think that blowing it all up is our only option. The reality of it is a bit different: we are pushed toward creating chaos because of our own denial of instincts and avoidance of what we should attend to (Black Moon Lilith sesquiquadrate Sedna). Steer a course by relationships, financial needs, and values, as all will be attuned to what’s healthy in the larger sense (Venus parallel Hygeia); our other big plus is our mentality at this time: somehow, in being able to put aside what we’d rather not see at the moment, we are able serve ambitions and desires in a way that honors what we find important, sacred, or meaningful, and this has a relatively powerful ability to manifest our aims (Mercury nov BML, semi-sq Saturn, trine Zeus and parallel Vesta). The trick is not allowing our complaints over current power distribution to distract us from the way we can get exactly what we want, regardless of who holds what in the realm of power.

Michal Osmenda from Brussels, Belgium – Chasing an orange car in Roussillon, Provence, France. CC BY-SA 2.0

Today’s word image is a bright orange car–or rather, a triumvirate of them! Cars are a means of getting somewhere, and the color orange implies overflowing energy, and the number three? That’s a number of balance, of equilibrium, perhaps suggesting that a roaring go-get-‘um attitude must have two others ‘legs’ that, well considered, keep things in a productive state. Adequate rest and fuel, of course, may be one of those, while the other is likely the mental, emotional, and spiritual considerations that give that energy both a shape and a desirable aim. Measure which of your ‘legs’ may be in need of attention, and don’t let any one of them do all the driving.

‘Down to the Sea’ By Rockwell Kent c1910 {{PD}}

Health matters, especially those we might’ve faced at some point in the past, are on our minds today–and these can be previous times of disturbed thoughts or emotional or spiritual trials, as well as those of the physical realm. These issues may come to the fore, exaggerated in our own minds, contradicting our stated beliefs, or stirred up by our awareness of social standards that we don’t seem to meet. Calming troubled waters comes through practical attention to our physical well-being and to the condition of the material world itself; we must focus in the moment, on the state of things as they are right now, in order to see things with some wisdom, and to gain a sufficiently accurate perspective (Jupiter sq Hygeia, Mercury parallel Pallas, nov Saturn, and conj the South Node, Sun semi-sq Saturn).

Louis Léopold Boilly ‘Conversation dans un Parc’ 1812 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is: you run into an acquaintance on the street, who introduces you to their companion–someone you’ve never seen, heard of, or met before. This person says something that in thinking about it later you start to see as a kind of ‘pronouncement’ from the Universe, with the confirmation that this stranger gave you an extraordinary message being the way, as you all part, they say good-bye and call you by a (pleasant) name no one has used for you since childhood.

By Vian – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63785498

All our energy and attention goes to the fulfillment of ambitions and desires; it’s as if we suddenly become hyper-aware of the fragile and fleeting nature of life, and so compelled to achieve meaning, to have an impact that comes straight from the Soul, before it’s all over. The interesting thing is that, in this case, what offers a brilliant bit of inspiration or just the information we need is something we’ve been ignoring, avoiding, or that has previously seemed unjust or enraging; now, by engaging with one or more of these matters, we see the way clear to get what we truly want. An astounding day, if we can meet what’s before us totally without fear (Sun trine Zeus and nov Black Moon Lilith).

Today’s word image is hearing and/ or seeing the same name mentioned simultaneously. It may not have to be a name, but may only be something coming at you from dual sources at the same time, a simultaneity of expression that tells us by its very synchronicity that it holds meaning. For me that name was ‘Harry’. I don’t know anyone by that name, so it made me think of Prince Harry–so I guess I’m looking for the prince in my own life 😉

“Puerto Rican street artist Alexis Diaz teamed up with Chilean artist INTI to create a new mural for O.Bra Festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Their mural, which took over 1 week to complete, blends the two artist’s distinct imagery: Diaz’s detailed and crosshatched line work with colorful under layers, and INTI’s subjects inspired by life, death and religion, particularly Christianity” Commentary and Photo By The Photographer – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55545297

Our original expression and our values are backed up by both mind and heart, with a wonderful coordination among our relationships, our commitments, and our personal sense of authority and effectiveness. So what’s that nagging doubt that won’t let us perform at maximum? For lack of a better term, let’s call it our conscience. We know there are things we haven’t attended to, that we’ve been ignoring or denying and that need to be faced, including anger over issues we’ve been reticent to confront, and that is prickling our conscience in such a way that, sooner or later, we become aware that we can’t free our minds and our creative energy completely until we deal with the gritty details. Face what needs facing, and today can be a day of extraordinary personal accomplishment; our most unique qualities can find form and expression, and so allow us to offer our own thoroughly characteristic contribution (Mercury sxt Vesta and opposed Ceres, with the latter qnx Black Moon Lilith and trine Vesta, Venus semi-sq BML and sxt Uranus).

Kuniyoshi Yasuo ‘Dream’ 1921 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a dream with people in it you ‘know’ only at a distance, from media, politics, or through their public role. When that happens to me, I inspect them as symbolic, exploring their function (real or fictional), name/ character name, or consider what I think of them or have heard of them of late, and what any or all of those might mean as they apply to my life.

Still wondering about the “little beard” of yesterday’s image? Check out a potential added meaning on the post for the 5th.