Alacazem 2013.07.18

26 Jul Alacazem 2013.07.18

July 25 to August 1, 2013            Visible Planets: Morning: Mercury    Evening: Jupiter, Saturn 

I love the fertile blend of the Cancer/Leo zodiac months. Mother Nature arrives in all her glory and abundance. Flowers blossom, fruits ripen and garden vegetables pop up in farmer’s markets and on kitchen tables. Summer is in full bloom. The long, hot days of summer are here. It’s time for fun and family, swimming pools, picnics, mountain hikes and waterfalls. Quite mornings and luscious evenings, monsoon rains, western sunsets and starry skies.

Seasons and cycles, revolutions around the Sun, we experience each year uniquely, sort of like the same, only different. Some things we can count on, and some things we cannot. The hours of day and night remain the same season to season and year to year, but so many other factors are subject to change. Temperatures and weather, rainfall or drought, we take what we get.

Astronomy and astrology give us a framework to work with. Moon cycles chart appropriate times for planting and harvest, coincide with our physical biorhythms and control the ocean’s shifting tides. Planetary cycles indicate individual and social trends and transitions. As planets change signs and direction, we feel deep shifts of focus and perception.

This year, during Cancer/Leo, Mercury resumed forward motion, Saturn went direct, Uranus went retrograde and good luck, good fortune planet Jupiter moved into Cancer, followed a few weeks later by Mars, the ancient god of men and war.

All this translates as a mumbo-jumbo mix of motivation, direction and priority. Themes of home, family, emotion and sentimentality run rampant. We want to be loved and taken care of, nurtured and comforted, held and consoled. Of course, the solution lies within. As above, so below.

Reach out to the wild abundance surrounding you. Find solace and comfort in the Mother Earth. Touch nature, watch the Sun rise and set. Follow the clouds, dance in the rain and look for rainbows. Find the Mother and embrace the Lion with compassion and courage. Follow your heart.

Aries (Mar. 20-Apr.19) The recent Full Moon came to fruition on the Capricorn/Aquarius cusp. This translates as a major awakening regarding personal emotions and themes of enlightened, realistic, practical thinking and detachment. How do you self-sabotage or ride a high horse when you would be better off with self-nurturing, right action and keeping your feet on solid ground?

Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20) Planets changing directions and signs, a lunar fruition, supportive and challenging aspects have taken their toll. Reality has a tendency to shape-shift and morph from one apparent form to another at random. We are simply not in control of others or the outside world. Things happen, situations change. Identify your part and do your best to be your best.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) With Saturn and Mercury now moving forward, and Uranus recently retrograde, you are delivered a mixed bag of stop and go, new possibilities and old patterns. But the brilliant rays of a golden Leo sun outshine it all. Focus on the positive aspects of your life and times. Count your blessings, make gratitude lists and experience grace. Good luck!

Cancer (June 21-July 22) As the Sun moves from home-based, nurturing Cancer into fiery, proud and courageous Leo, take a good look around your life and see the power of positive thinking and pro-active living. If fear comes knocking at your proverbial door, answer it with faith. Tap into the divine will of a higher power and embrace it as your ally. Happiness is an inside job. Be strong.

Leo (July 23-Aug.22) Happy Birthday to the courageous Lion! The Earth has made another revolution around the Sun and you have been blessed with another year of life upon this magnificently beautiful planet. Smell the roses, feel the magic, embrace the miracle. Love and peace are themes of grace. Follow your happy heart to a place of joy and kindness. And then, enjoy the joy!

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep.22) As July winds its way to August, you may begin to feel yearnings for deeper meaning and more spirit in your life and relationships. Pay attention to dreams and intuition. You are tapping into divine the cosmic consciousness, where all is possible and potential is omnipresent. Seek out quiet places and peaceful spaces to center yourself in love and prayer.

Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 22) Good, healthy emotional detachment is your ally throughout the Leo zodiac month. Not only will it aid you in your quest for inner peace and outer calm, but also help others with whom you have contact. Drama, insanity and chaos can be contagious, energy is catchy. So why not practice the art of serenity? Maintain your hopes and dreams, follow your heart.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) You may feel the cosmic tide shift as wave and particle Uranus retraces its steps through Aries and infuses your solar 6^th house of self-improvement with electromagnetic force. Where can you amend, clean up, weed and organize your life? How to practice better self-care? Meanwhile, the Leo sun says shine on and one. Go for greatness, manifest greatness.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 20) As the Sun enters fellow fire-sign Leo, you are uplifted, supported and encouraged by cosmic consciousness and divine will. Do you feel it? If not, why? What are you doing to harmonize with natural law? Do you honor Mother Nature? Are you courting disaster by riding the high horse of ego-fueled righteousness? Come down to earth via spirit. Cultivate humility.

Capricorn (Dec. 21-Jan. 19) The passion to go deep, be intimate with others – physically, emotionally, or spiritually – is strong. Tap into your heart of hearts, banish darkness and doubt, follow the light. Pure intention and good motive are imperative for your success. The many-year transit of Pluto through Capricorn is thoroughly cleaning and purging your soul. Let go; let the lava flow.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) As the Leo zodiac month marches through the last week of July, examine the quality and quantity of your relationships. How do you show up for your family and friends? Do you receive solace, support and encouragement from them? Aquarians are nurtured by contact and interaction with others. What you give is what you get. Just be good.

Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20) Ongoing spiritual review continues as friendships, hopes and wishes slowly morph and transform. People and projects that at one time inspired and uplifted you may no longer do so. Recognize the ongoing process of soul evolution and embrace it. A natural born dreamer, you are here to dream a new dream. Keep dreaming and sharing the dream.

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