Solar Eclipse Column August 1, 2008

Dear Friends,
How are you doing after the Full Moon in Capricorn on the 18th? What has come to the surface for you? This Full Moon has shown you, if you were paying attention, where you need new or better structure in your life. If the message was difficult to receive, you may ask yourself why you are so resistant to making the change. What about the new information that came to light is difficult for you to accept? Whenever we allow unprocessed fear or anger to motivate our decisions, we often do ourselves an injustice because we fall into our old, not-necessarily-healthy patterns. Our reactions are more like our reaction to a reflex test that the doctor performs: If the delicate, tender spot of our psyche is hit in just the right place with a hammer, our egos kick instinctively, whether or not we want to react. Fear and anger trigger our basest responses.  Unfortunately, our basest responses are not always the best-est informed responses. Now is the time for you to resist fear and anger, or to at least temper these emotions with honest reflection: what am I really afraid of or angry about, and how do these emotions keep me from missing the larger picture? We often cant see the forest because we focus on the trees.
This week begins with a beautiful grand air trine on Monday. You may remember that just this past Saturday we had a grand earth trine and I told you that this day would be a great day to contemplate making a very practical decision. This Monday July 28 will be a great day to contemplate adapting a new perspective. Air signs are concerned with circulation and movement, the way in which we move our minds from one concept to another. Adapting a new perspective can broaden our horizons - or improve our relationships and experiences- immensely.  Take some time Monday to ponder where in your life a new perspective would really open you up to more happiness or fulfillment.
The real story for the week is the solar eclipse on Fri, Aug 1st at 9 degrees Leo. If you have been reading my newsletters for a while, you will remember that from July 15th, 2005 through Sept 2, 2007, Saturn was moving through Leo while it opposed Neptune. This Saturn/Neptune opposition created very complicated scenarios for most of us in the Leo areas of our charts. The challenge was to face the demons of our past which held us back from experiencing the richness that life has to offer.  This richness is always there: like a radio signal that is always broadcasting. If your tuner is broken, you wont hear the music. Learning how to work with your tuner is a very important means through which to connect with the richness of life. These newsletters are my attempt to help you fine tune your dial.
The challenges to the Leo area of your life certainly arent over, but the energy has shifted, and you are now receiving the fruits of the labors you directed in that direction from mid-2005 to late 2007. Look back at the issues were facing in the fall 2006. How have they resolved themselves, or how did you resolve them? If you were consciously working with the energies of the Saturn/Neptune opposition, then you should be fairly happy with the results. If, however, you were resistant, dug your hells in and refused the change you received anyway, then perhaps you arent so happy with the outcome. This Friday, the solar eclipse at 9 degrees Leo will bring the message home.
Luckily, the solar eclipse is also a New Moon, which is always a great time plant seeds, set intentions, and generally get a plan tog ether for how you would like the next month to unfold. At the time of a solar eclipse, this energy is stronger and we connect with the energy in such a way that its power can last for several years.  Regardless of how well your personal dance with Saturn and Neptune went, the cosmos if offering us yet another chance, through this eclipse, to find and to follow our hearts desire. Spending time this week in quiet contemplation would be a great way to harness this energy. As I mentioned, we have an air trine Monday with the Moon in Gemini, which will definitely be a great time to find a new perspective. From there, Chiron and Neptune exalted in airy Aquarius will trine Libra on the Ascendant, earthy and practical Jupiter in Capricorn will trine Mars and Saturn (to a lesser degree), and Uranus, the Great Awakener, continues to trine the cosmic Midheaven.

In plain English, this means that new perspectives will come easily and be very beneficial in bringing us a better understanding of our own selves while Jupiter encourages us to take definite and practical action which will bring us closer to a continued experience of fulfillment. Finally, Uranus, the planet of change and freedom, will continue to present us with unexpected opportunities to free ourselves from old patterns. These opportunities sometimes present themselves as difficulties in relationships or situations where we do not usually make the best choices. If you are having these20experiences, the clue is to react DIFFERENTLY than you normally do. Adapt a new perspective when dealing with these situations. Doing the same old thing brings the same old results, and you deserve more. Only you can deliver this “more” to yourself. What are you waiting for?

I get so excited thinking about how much power we all have right now to make huge strides in our personal growth! Like all opportunities this good, we must step up to the plate and be present to make the best of these possibilities.
If you arent sure where Leo is on your chart or you havent had been satisfied with the way in which the Saturn/Neptune opposition resolved itself in your life, I would love to help. I will spend some time with you discussing your natal Leo placement and its importance to your overall happiness. Please email me with the phrase WHERES MY LEO in the subject line with accurate (verified from your birth certificate) birthtime and birthplace. Readings will take 20 minutes, must be pre-payed at a rate of $40, and will be given over the phone. At your request, a recording of our conversation will be mailed to you.  I cant wait to talk!
Much love and contentment to you all!
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