D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
July
2008
The Sun, traveling through Cancer this month, moves us all more deeply into the world of feelings — until it enters Leo on the 22nd, compelling us to come forth and share our gifts with the world. Emotional embodiment is key to a collective world of balance and health. Now is not the time to flee from our feelings. It is time to embrace and further grow our capacity to experience the totality of our emotional selves. The new moon on the 2nd in Cancer finds us nurturing ourselves with kindness. The full moon in Capricorn on the 18th emboldens us to own our balanced wisdom with the larger world.
Mercury, traveling direct, enters Cancer on the 10th, as we speak the language of feelings with greater ease, and then moves into Leo on the 26th as we dare to be who we are. Mars enters Virgo on the 1st and we are strengthened by a sense of self-containment. Venus enters Leo on the 12th as we see the value in all people fully expressing their beauty in this world. Jupiter in Capricorn opposes the sun on the 9th; we bring balance to the world as we shine and expand more fully into our personal and collective self-expression.
Famous Cancers: George W. Bush, Harrison Ford, Nelson Mandela
CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Happy Birthday, Cancer! You are in your element of beauty as you bring your strength and support to those who need you now. There is a depth to your nature and it is born from your willingness to honor your own feelings and those of others. You offer the gift of nurturing and it is received with great appreciation.
LEO (July 23-August 22) — You are able to make progress that is visible and tangible, Leo. It is always a bit of a relief to see the results of hard work and efforts made. You have stayed true to your course and now you see new sproutings of the fruits of your labors. Celebrate and enjoy!
VIRGO (August 23-Sept. 22) — Come out and play, Virgo! Your creativity and spontaneity are contagious. You find new freedoms that you step into with abandon. There is much that has taken up your energy and focus that now falls to the wayside and you approach life feeling more carefree. There is great joy for you in this liberation!
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Holding your center and remaining true to your values are the things that matter most to you now, Libra. Your vision is clear and the challenge is to stay aligned with yourself. Life has a funny way of pulling us away from our focus, but you remain vigilant in your strength. This leads you to where you want to be.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — The ebb and flow of love is what gives rise to those deep emotions Scorpios love to swim around in. There is the bliss we feel when we are received and mirrored by others, and there is the solitude we face in our times of realization that we are all truly vulnerable in our aloneness. This is life and no matter what society tells us about pursuing shallowness, you show us the richness of a path of depth.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — We are all interconnected and moving through this great co-creation together. You are aware now of your own capacity to affect things, Sag. You can see the choice you have to work more consciously with your own free will. What are your options? What can be your effect on things? You find yourself able to pull away from life movements that you felt you had no choice about before.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You have allowed a lot of other energy into your mental space lately, Capricorn. Now is the time to clear the air and clear your mind. You throw out what ensnares you inside the realms of your thoughts. You feel more choice and strengthen boundaries when it comes to what you contemplate and whose ideas and opinions you give space to.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Shifting sands find you moving with grace through change. As we collectively face the truth of the impermanent nature of this world more and more each day, you lead the way, Aquarius. There are ways to feel centered in the midst of living within the vulnerability of the unknown, and this is something you understand. Your understanding helps us all to embrace a healthier way of life.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — The emotional needs of others pull at you, Pisces, yet you are able to maintain your boundaries and your balance. This is a great lesson for everyone to understand. We are all connected, yet we must be able to express our individuality fully in order to coexist in health. Being compassionate while keeping your own sense of self is key.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Touching the pleasures of life is where you find fulfillment now, Aries. Pressures fall away as you appreciate the beauty in what surrounds you. You take the time to pursue and immerse yourself in the here and now as you realize that there is much to enjoy. This cools the fires and regenerates you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — You throw caution to the wind, Taurus. There is a lot to be said for letting go and allowing the flow of energy to open up. You are taken to new places of opportunity as you loosen your grip on things and let the force of life take over. You are strong, but life itself is stronger. There is peace for you in this surrendering.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — The balance between nurturing self and nurturing others is the challenge you contemplate now, Gemini. You are masterful when it comes to seeing the world through the eyes of others. Now, you work to hear and maintain your own point of view. This is vital to your capacity to affect things. Yes, everyone's point of view matters, but now you listen more closely to your own.
Motavenda Melchizedek is a glass artist, writer and astrologer living in Silver City. She is available for private astrological consultations. She specializes in the areas of personal empowerment, family-of-origin issues, personal dreams and destiny, and the human potential. She can be reached at 534-1024 or moti@innerworlddesigns.com She has written a book, The Edge of the World. . . the metaphysics of survival and the evolution of humanity; see www.innerworlddesigns.com for more information.