Tag Archives: self-awareness

The Day Of the Human Portrait: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is July 31
The Day of the Human Portrait | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for pre-order | All Other Signs

Today’s powerful New Moon on your birthday signifies you coming more fully into your own — meaning your energy, your resilience, and your ability to make decisions. The year ahead is very likely to show how strong you can be. You can accomplish just about anything you wish to. All that’s required of you is to understand all this, and to keep going even if you have times when you’re not so confident. If someone tries to push against you, remember that only you can direct your life.
— by Amy Elliott

Do you have a Leo Sun, rising sign or Moon? Your last couple years may have left you reeling trying to figure out which path forward is best. Hear Eric’s thoughts on expediting your post-eclipse process in your 2019-2020 Leo Astrology Studio reading.

Written in the Planets

“Fasten your seatbelts,” warns Bette Davis’s character in All About Eve, “It’s going to be a bumpy ride.” That could describe today for you, though your mileage may vary. Quite possibly you’ll just keep flowing with the tides, doing what you do. But today’s astrology suggests that not only might you encounter some potholes or unexpected detours, but you might be the one creating them. Not as a matter of deviousness or malice — it’s more that acknowledging and speaking the truth about a problem, a need, a desire or an issue that has gone too long unsaid sometimes creates ripples, or meets with a lot of resistance and emotional reaction.

Here’s what’s up: the Moon enters Leo today at 9:18 am EDT (13:18:04 UTC), ahead of its rendezvous with the Sun for the New Moon tonight at 11:12 pm EDT (3:11:48 UTC Thursday). Then, just 46 minutes after the New Moon, Mercury stations direct in late Cancer (at 11:58 pm EDT tonight / 3:57:41 UTC Thursday).

So that mixes together the low-energy vibe of a New Moon with a high-energy, attention-loving sign (Leo), and adds the churning power and potential confusion of a Mercury station on top of it all. Can you tell whether you’re coming or going? Plus, Mercury is stationing direct square Eris in Aries, which amplifies the potential trickster effect. It also emphasizes the importance of doing what you can to express all of who you are — or to ‘get real’ — with a dose of humor if things get a little funky, or if unexpected info emerges. (You can read a little more about these themes here.)

Mercury stations have a way of revealing facts or insights that you didn’t know were missing, so listen closely today and tomorrow. This should go without saying, but definitely drive the speed limit — literally when on the road, and figuratively in your communication with others.
— by Amanda Painter

COMING SOON FROM PLANET WAVES…

The Day Of the Tangible Presence: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is July 30
The Day of the Tangible Presence | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for pre-order | All Other Signs

You are making discoveries about yourself — feelings, desires, inclinations that you might previously have set aside or not been fully aware of. Recent events or sudden changes may have precipitated these revelations, though they are no less genuine for that. Often we learn about ourselves through our reactions to external movements. It would be advisable to avoid any kind of self-judgment during this process; hold space for yourself and allow your understanding to develop without restriction.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Just one more day after today, and then Mercury stations direct in late Cancer (overnight Wednesday into Thursday). How much patience, humor and resilience can you bring to your day, no matter what goes wrong or gets delayed or misunderstood? What do you need to say to someone — and if you’re holding back, why is that? What do you need to admit to yourself? And how are you feeling about it all?

Note that Mars is in a conjunction to the asteroid Juno in Leo, and together they are squaring the asteroid Vesta in Taurus. This could describe some kind of frustration or jealousy in a relationship (particularly sexual) — as well as the potential to work too aggressively to get intimate needs met, or to push past or downplay them to soothe a bruised ego. Any feelings of powerlessness in such a situation could likely exacerbate things, which emphasizes the importance of ’emotional intelligence’ as described by Mercury in Cancer.

That is, the more you are able to see and articulate your feelings and thoughts honestly to yourself, the easier it may be to share them with those close to you without undue force. Neptune in Pisces is also aspecting Mars, Juno and Vesta. It appears to offer the creativity needed to hold space for expressing these feelings with steadiness, empathy and maybe even some higher-vibe vision. Just be aware that this could take continual small adjustments as hopes and expectations are revealed for what they are: an ideal, but not reality. We human beings disappoint each other all the time; but in dealing squarely with ‘what is’, sometimes we open the way wider for what could be.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day Of Cultural Assessment: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is July 29
The Day of Cultural Assessment | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for pre-order | All Other Signs

If you’re feeling restless, look for the root of the matter in emotions or needs you may have ignored or denied. You’ll almost certainly benefit from bringing them into the light and addressing them. One person’s security can be another’s dull stagnation, and if it becomes such, that’s the moment to shake things up. You may find there are certain aspects of yourself that you can no longer conceal. This is a sign of progress and an opportunity for you to live freely and openly.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Retrograde Mercury is in its ‘storm’ phase prior to stationing direct Wednesday night into Thursday, and today it’s exactly square Eris in Aries. You’ll want to stay extra-alert to when you might be operating without all the info you need, as well as when your mind wanders. Communication, thought processes and travel could be a little squirrelly for the next few days, which means a gentle pace can help you avoid more serious kinds of trouble, and a sense of humor should help you ride the waves of the littler things that go off track.

One thing Eris in Aries describes is the fragmentation of self. But you are one person. Yes, we all have facets and ‘sides’ to ourselves; yet they all need to integrate into one whole. Remembering this could prove useful if you find yourself in a situation where you realize you’ve been holding back the truth about something — particularly if you’ve been hiding it from yourself. That’s called ‘being in denial’, and it can really trip us up. See if you can try on this perspective: it’s kind of ridiculous to think you can truly hide from yourself what you already know, so can you tap into your sense of humor about it? As in, “Wow — it’s so funny that I was trying to ignore [X]; now that I’m acknowledging it, I can actually do something about it, and that feels so much better!”

If holding back some part of yourself has become routine, then shaking up that habit would fit quite well with today’s square between the Leo Sun and Uranus in Taurus. Change your tack, let any restlessness you feel inspire you to be more real, and see what you discover about yourself. If doing so stirs up some deep feelings, perhaps consider them just one more area of fascinating exploration that you can share. Everyone has them, after all.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of the Winner: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is July 28
The Day of the Winner | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for pre-order | All Other Signs

If certain friendships or associations are giving you pause, one method of obtaining clarity is to consider the net effect on you as a person. This doesn’t simply mean whether or not you’re happier — though that is an important factor. It’s also: are the people in question helping or hindering your progress toward self-actualization? Do you bring out the best in one another? Do you challenge one another, or stay firmly in your comfort zone? Considering these points will probably offer useful clues.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

You know that old Cheap Trick song that goes, “I want you to want me / I need you to need me”? There’s a particular aspect pattern currently that appears to describe desires like these (Mars conjunct Juno in Leo, square Vesta in Taurus). Yet it also speaks of the ability to recognize and claim fully all that you truly possess already. In other words, you don’t need someone else’s life force to warm you when you’ve tended your own flame persistently.

That said, it can sure feel nice to bask in another’s warmth; the difference here seems to come down to that idea of ‘need’. Is it a genuine need, or is it about trying to sooth a wounded ego? Can you offer to someone else what you desire and need, with no expectation of reciprocation, as an exercise in showing yourself that you have it in you after all?

For immediate attention: Mercury is entering its ‘storm’ phase prior to stationing direct Wednesday night into Thursday. This is your reminder to be on high alert — which really means extra patience with disruptions and the apparent miscommunications or flakiness of others. Come to think of it, you may be wise to extend that same patience to yourself. It takes two to tango, as they say; but it only takes one of those dancers spacing out for a moment to trip up the whole dance for all involved.

Learning to recover gracefully is all part of the process — as is being as honest as possible with yourself (and those close to you) if you need to stop the dance, change the steps, try a different song, and so on. The more proactive you can be with such changes in your routines, the easier it should be to make discoveries that open up into new, exciting options. The most important thing you can do, if you’re feeling restless, is to be conscious about figuring out what you need to do to free and channel that energy. Trying to stuff and ignore such urges could lead to accidents — but it doesn’t have to.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of the Decision Makers: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is July 27
The Day of the Decision Makers | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for pre-order | All Other Signs

Venus entering your sign on your birthday is likely to invest you with unusual charm. You could well have opportunities to enter into unfamiliar circles and meet different people. This has the potential to enliven and broaden your mind significantly, as well as introducing you to some new experiences, which is often a boon in itself, especially if it involves offline interactions. There are irreplaceable advantages in getting to know people as people, without the binary code filter.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

How do you tend to react when you’re feeling left out, overlooked or like everyone else is having more fun than you are? You do have choices in situations like that, though be aware that the more stress you are under, the harder it can be to see all the options. Those are the times when we human beings are more likely to let old triggered emotions from the past put blinders on our thought process — to our own detriment, and to that of our relationships.

It can be challenging, therefore, to turn toward possibilities that create new ways of expressing ourselves constructively; but they do exist. Speaking about where you’re at before the pressure gets overwhelming might give those closest to you a better chance to help you help yourself.

With the Moon moving into Gemini today, it could be easier to see the multiple sides of whatever story you’re encountering, whether it’s an inner script or external circumstances. Note that since the Moon is waning (the New Moon is Wednesday night into Thursday) your sense of interior space may be a place of useful focus, if you can find a few peaceful moments to tune in to yourself.

Venus enters Leo tonight, heading for a square with Uranus in Taurus, which Venus rules; the Sun is making the same aspect currently. If you need to be unexpectedly frank about how you feel this weekend, try your best to do so in person, and with the understanding that the other person might not get your full point at first, and may need time to adjust even if they do. Mercury is almost at a standstill; this potentially describes a lot of mental-emotional churning for everybody right now. From now through Thursday (at least), keep watch for when your focus wanders, and guide yourself back to the task at hand gently but firmly.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of the Symbolic Herald: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is July 26
The Day of the Symbolic Herald | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for pre-order | All Other Signs

You can accomplish big strides toward a particular goal this year if you connect with your passion and use it as fuel. As a fixed-sign native, you know how to keep the hearth burning for a long time. Working actively with your imagination and thinking laterally will very likely help you focus your attention where it’s needed. As you make progress, you may well find also that some deep emotional healing is taking place. Be sure to give this quest a priority space in your schedule.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Have you checked your jealousy meter lately? This might be a good time to take a reading; not only are the asteroid Juno (often a symbol of jealousy) and Mars moving in a conjunction in Leo, but they’re also opposite the asteroid Psyche in Aquarius. One way to read this relates to whether you feel like you’re getting adequate attention, recognition or inclusion by a particular group — especially if it seems like a recurring issue. Yet is the problem truly a lack of inclusion? Or is a sense of never being able to heal the feelings brought up by situations like this the thing that the universe is trying to point out? (Hint: if you are noticing that sensation, chances are it can be healed.)

Retrograde Mercury is also in an interesting position: conjunct the centaur Cyllarus in Cancer, and square Eros and Haumea in Libra. There seems to be something here about reviewing, re-living or re-feeling mental and emotional energy that might seem like it was wasted on something or someone; yet, at the same time, there’s a need to tap into and share one’s life force, creative energy or erotic energy, specifically in the process of generating new ‘life’ in some form.

Do those two sides of the equation balance each other, or do you feel torn inside? Is it feasible for you to lean into one side of the equation fully enough that it brings you to a new understanding of the other side? Squares are about energy needing to be expressed; with Mercury being the planet of communication, where do you feel tension regarding speaking to someone? What is it you need to say? True, more insight may arrive when Mercury stations on the 31st, but that does not mean you cannot use this time to move toward a clearer position. If taking this kind of action feels out of the norm for you, that could work particularly in your favor now.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of Quixotic Exploits: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is July 25
The Day of Quixotic Exploits | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for pre-order | All Other Signs

Recent or current changes on the work front are opening up brand new possibilities for you, in areas you might previously have dismissed or not even considered. Careful appraisal could be useful in figuring out which option you wish to pursue, though be bold, even audacious. This is your chance to break through any walls with which you’ve hemmed yourself in before. You are capable of far more than you realize, and now is your chance to demonstrate that capacity.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

It’s possible you’re starting to feel a little restless in some regard, and that sensation may build over the next few days. You might be able to get ahead of it a little, by looking for places where you can break up your routines. What’s due for some freshening up, or a new approach? Today’s trine between Mars in Leo and Jupiter in Sagittarius describes having the physical energy needed to make some changes, as well as the ability to see where you can best strive for growth right now.

Letting your lust for life guide the process is likely a wise choice. Chances are good that doing so will help to engender new creative ‘offspring’ — and this stands in clear contrast to the kinds of choices and behaviors that generally stem from a place of feeling disempowered or unseen. The more you can keep your words direct, clear, and free of any emotional manipulation — and keep your actions forthright (rather than secretive) — the more solid the ground you’ll be walking on. In turn, that makes it easier to see who’s truly standing with you, even if they seem to be coming from a different perspective. With Mercury still retrograde and a little squishy for another week, continue to strive for thoughtful precision in all communication.
— by Amanda Painter

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The Day of Exciting Instability: Birthdays and Planet News

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If Your Birthday is July 24
The Day of O Exciting Instability | The 2019-20 Leo Astrology Studio is available for pre-order | All Other Signs

Now is the moment to begin turning your ideas into concrete results. You have a solid grasp of your thought processes and your aims, and enough passion to help you get past any challenging scenarios. Along the way, keep honing the skills you possess as a singer exercises their voice. You never know when any item in your toolkit might prove useful. With any long-term plan surprises have a way of occurring, and they often have the function of showing how much you’ve learned.
— by Amy Elliott

Written in the Planets

Tonight into tomorrow, retrograde Mercury conjoins Venus in Cancer. Simultaneously, we reach the last quarter Moon: the first Moon phase following last week’s Full Moon and eclipse. Those two events suggest engaging in a specific form of review today. Any Mercury-Venus conjunction blends the intellectual and emotional realms together, often through an ability to see the patterns in your experience and then connect the dots of your perception. In Cancer, the emotional or intuitive layer to that equation may be the stronger piece.

With Mercury retrograde, you could find your attention pulled toward past experiences more than present factors; thought the last quarter Moon occurring concurrently indicates one possible timeframe of particular focus: the two weeks between this month’s eclipses, and the time since. When you think about anything that emerged or received some closure near last week’s eclipse, how far back do its roots reach?

Simply noticing what your mind is drawn to today and how you feel about it could offer enough insights. Artistic experiences might be very useful in helping you to synthesize your understanding (whether that means listening to certain music or painting your experience, and anything in between).

Mercury-Venus conjunctions also can describe an atmosphere of emotionally open communication — such as telling someone you love them, or discussing certain facets of a relationship with genuine understanding. The one caveat here is that Mercury’s retrograde condition cautions that any such conversations occur at a gentle pace, with few distractions, preferably in person (or phone; not via email or text), and with the expectation that the message could get a little garbled and require some clarification. That’s nothing to be afraid of; it’s more like seeing the signs for a curve in the road and for the speed limit, and then driving accordingly.
— by Amanda Painter