ALACAZEM 2013.06.27

28 Jun ALACAZEM 2013.06.27

June 27 to July 4, 2013       Visible planets: Morning: Mars      Evening: Mercury, Venus, Saturn

April, May and June have been full of physical trials and emotional turmoil, tantalizing possibilities, love and loss, pain and gain. I often wonder what the world is coming to. And then I think, how trite, how silly, how cliché. Haven’t “people” been asking that question for eons? What is so different – if anything – about now? Is it just my imagination? Am I being dramatically self-centered? Or, are others feeling this rather raucous, confused cuckoo craziness, too?

And yet, I do feel as if we have somehow fallen off the proverbial cliff – as a culture, species and collective social, intellectual and political mass. Gun violence, depression, suicide, rising costs and shrinking economies. Over-amped informational menus, with so much on our plates, what’s a girl or boy to do? And what about morality? Have we lost sight of those behaviors and behavioral codes that keep us healthy and happy – mentally, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually? Certainly, morality does change over time and with the tides, but aren’t the core values of honesty, integrity, compassion and respect still the foundational stones upon which to build a life?

These last few months presented us with three consecutive eclipses – two lunar and one solar. And, of course, the ongoing, slow-moving Pluto-Uranus square continues to shock, awaken and disrupt both our sense of self and the social-political structure of our nation and world. I have long noticed the intensity of “eclipse windows” and write about them often. This year, our Hansen family patriarch passed away in mid-April, as the eclipse window opened. By the time the window closed, I had lost two others – a beautiful, sweet, innocent young girl of 23, and a richly-experienced, wisened and leathered old cowboy of 97.

I am not lamenting the natural flow of life and death, or the inevitable twists and turns that make up our mystical, mysterious journey here on Earth. I am expressing the poignant pull of the strings that wrap around our hearts. The strings of love and laughter, pain and loss, agony and ecstasy, fortune and fate.

On June 26^th @ 7:08 am MDT, multi-faceted Mercury went stationary retrograde @ 23 degrees Cancer. In England, at Wimbledon, an entire brigade of champions tripped, slipped and fell – literally – dropping out and losing their matches. Physical injuries ran rampant. The planets? Who knows? But just for good measure, today – and for the next three weeks – I’m going to do my best to take it easy. I’m going to tap into the “re” of Mercury retrograde and relax, retreat, regenerate and recover. Mercury retrograde in Cancer translates as the most preeminent time to baby-up and self-nurture.

I’m not going to write another word.

Aries (Mar. 20-Apr. 19) Plenty of planetary shifts and retrogrades may have you looking both backwards and forward. Work on projects and take care of business from the past. Finish what needs to be finished before starting anew. Focus on progress. Clean up messes at home, weed gardens, organize your space and tend to personal improvement, hygiene and self-care. You feel so much better, it is totally worth the time and effort.

Taurus (Apr. 19-May 20) As ruler Venus enters sensitive, nurturing Cancer, take your foot off the pedal and slow down. There is so much beauty surrounding you – touch, taste and feel it. Mother Nature provides blossoming flowers, succulent fruits and magnificent skies to calm our spirits, feed our bodies and nurture our souls. Tend to your gardens and cultivate inner peace via self-care. Children are joyous and fun. Spend time in love.

Gemini (May 20-June 20) Mercury, the Twins’ planetary ruler, goes stationary retrograde in Cancer June 27^th and initiates a three week period favoring words using the prefix “re” – review, revise, revisit, re-create, research, return, recharge, reinvent…the list goes on and on. Expect and focus upon themes of personal importance and value, many of which are emotionally charged and ripe for the picking. This is a time of great potential, go deep.

Cancer (June 20-July 22) Mental Mercury goes retrograde in Cancer this week and encourages a less aggressive, more sensitive approach to life. If you have been feeling rushed, hurried or harried, now is the time to slow the pace and rethink the race. What have you been upset about? How can you change your own behavior and/or thinking to amend situations that are unacceptable, unhealthy or destructive? Take your time.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 22) Voluptuous, romantic Venus moves into Leo on June 28^th and remains there until late July. Congratulations and good news! Your love life – dramatically important to heart-ruled Lions – seduces, beguiles and entices you and others into having some of the most luscious, light-hearted laughs and litanies of the year. Smile and be happy, surrender to the Great Mystery in all its disguises. Cultivate faith, follow your angels.

Virgo (Aug. 22-Sep. 22) As June morphs into July and the Sun moves from shape-shifting Gemini into home-and-family Cancer, you may feel the strong energies of transformation and change. And rather than experiencing fear, anxiety or depression, you may find yourself welcoming what is. Friends and fellowships soothe and sustain your soul, get out and be with people of mutual mind and heart. Virtue is your reward, embrace it.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 22) A Gemini/Cancer mix of thoughts and feelings may have you thinking clearly, flying high one day and then lost in an ocean of emotion the next. As ruler Venus swims through the warm, summery waters of the zodiac’s 4^th sign, make sure you put on sunscreen or you will certainly get burnt. Be kind and gentle to yourself when it comes to personal and professional achievement. Simply do your best, one day at a time.

Scorpio (Oct. 22-Nov. 21) The summer solstice and full Moon grand water trine involving retrograde Saturn, retrograde Neptune, generous Jupiter and the sizzling Sun stands as an omen of great possibility and potential. As you continue your rather slow, serious and realistic life review, be certain to see the beauty and bounty of body, heart and soul. You are standing on the precipice of magnificence. Embrace it with gusto and grace.

Sagittarius (Nov. 21-Dec. 20) As the Moon wanes and summer waxes, you may find yourself filled with some rather confusing thoughts and emotions. Water and fire don’t usually mix, they burn and sizzle, create steam or simply extinguish the flame. Management is your key to health and well-being now. For fast relief, slow down. While you do have a talent for juggling many plates and projects, now it’s time to focus on one thing at a time.

Capricorn (Dec. 20-Jan. 19) With the Sun, Jupiter and Mercury – now retrograde – in your solar 7^th house of partners and commitment – you may find yourself re-working projects and re-visiting people of importance from the past. Communication is a must here. Be clear and concise with your goals and objectives, be certain that motives are pure and intentions are good. Otherwise, your efforts will be in vain. What goes around, comes around.

Aquarius (Jan. 19-Feb. 18) Moving with the groove and going with the flow is easy or difficult, depending on the subject, the people, the project, the dynamics and the desires. Who’s in charge and what’s going on? Mars in Gemini fuels a romantic heart, Venus in Leo excites passion and stimulates action when it comes to love. A steamy mix of mind and emotion may have you a bit confused. Turn it over and accept what comes.

Pisces (Feb. 18-Mar. 20) You may find yourself thinking about people and passions from the past, reviewing family history or taking strolls down memory lane. While this discipline is often emotionally painful and spiritually poignant, it is a tool for invoking the deeply buried sentiments and desires that awaken you to soulful living and being. Record your thoughts, resurrect your dreams and revive your vitality. Family is gold.

Cynthia is a third-generation astrologer living on a high desert mesa 40 miles west of Telluride. Visit her website @ www.alacazem.com