Horoscope for the week of Aug 8, 2008

Tip of the Week:

The waxing Moon began its current cycle with a Solar Eclipse in Leo. The Full Moon that occurs on August 16th will be a Lunar Eclipse. Such eclipse pairs are somewhat regular. However, it is interesting to take note of the Solar Eclipse path. It is said that the path it takes is where the effects will be felt most strongly. So the eclipse path began in North Eastern Canada then crossed the Atlantic then over Northern Europe and then swept down across Asia in a South Easterly direction and culminated in the region that borders between India and China. As the summer Olympics in China get underway right at the turn of the First Quarter Moon (half moon waxing) this region is certainly gaining the world’s attention. China remains something of a mystery to most of the rest of the world yet counts over 16% of the world’s population, which is a lot for one country. China is opening up more and more and it is now common, international knowledge that China has rapidly progressed from being a 2nd world country to being a first world country and has done so in a remarkably short period of time. China has embraced the western world and the western world has been embracing China especially by way of Chinese medicine and astrology Feng Shui, Ch’i Gong, Tai Ch’i, Shiatsu and other such cultural gems. Now the world is being invited to enter the golden gates and gain a much fuller experience of this exotic, mysterious and controversial part of our world. Fortunately for China and we can probably say for the whole world as well, the themes of this Solar Eclipse are generally considered positive and beneficial. The rest of the planetary alignments indicate that some very major and important healing between nations is happening in the world. If we consider the Orient and the Occident to represent the two hemispheres of the brain, we are wise to see the value of both and bring them into a greater synthesis and balance. I would say that beyond all arbitrary and circumstantial points of view, there is a deeper purpose at play at these Olympics. With Saturn, Venus, Mars and soon Mercury in Virgo, excellence and refined sportsmanship will take place. Virgo is also about humility and all being well this will bring the world closer together towards greater international peace, mutual understanding and respect winning a global gold medal!

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Bringing a sober perspective to the drama of life is increasingly important to you now. There is still time to enjoy the game, yet you also want to concentrate more fully on your work. Advancing to the next level requires a concentrated focus and a practical attitude. Emphasis here is upon Saturn in Virgo where it will remain for about another 2 years. Use this time frame to decipher where you are now and what you might study or train to know. This week gather a new tool or skill or two and you will feel confident with your productivity. All the while, include a creative focus.

Taurus (Apr 20 – May 21)

Creative projects and expressions close to home should be keeping you busy. Changes in your life are apparent for others to see. Long-term training of some kind is calling you. What new tools do you need to acquire to get the job done right? Combine efficiency with beauty. Your first responsibility now is to yourself and gaining a clear sense of your purpose and direction. Consider that beyond the care of infants and children, everyone is responsible for their own emotions and choices. In other words, be true to you and avoid appeasing people and situations. Honour your choices.

Gemini (May 21 – Jun 21)

Creating a more stable home base continues. This includes organization and clearing the clutter. People and unfinished business from the past may be a source of unexpected challenges. You are challenged to keep an open mind to see things clearly. Your focus will be more practically creative starting this week.

However, it remains a good time to simply entertain new angles and prospects as well. Get used to the idea of certain directions so that you can get comfortable emotionally before taking more direct action.

Cancer (Jun 22 – Jul 22)

Outlining your priorities continues to keep you busy. Knowing where, what and how to invest is part of the plot. Desires to improve your life are growing steadily. Gaining education and/or training is a good sign. Opportunity is knocking but will require discipline, effort and commitment. There remains some time to reconsider long-term commitments. If you have not already done so and feel stress and anxiety at the prospect of binding contracts etcetera, now is the time to think and feel more deeply about it. Aim to make your time contributions and commitments into satisfying investments.

Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 23)

Taking initiatives to refine and consolidate a more reliable foundation are a main focus now. You are wise to open your mind to other people’s opinions and council now. Trust and patience with important matters is important these days. Many opportunities are coming. Prepare by being healthy and organized. Timing is of the essence and the best thing to do generally is to prepare, re-group, tie up loose ends, and create promising momentums. This does imply taking new initiatives and exercising leadership. Yet, the greater time of expansion may take a few months or so. Enjoy the build-up process.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sep 22)

Sometimes dreaming can be the most practical of activities. It was a dream vision that made the Taj Mahal and all other great works. The secret is to take your dreams seriously and to dream with serious intention. Concentrate reflectively and outline your dreams, visions and plans. Each can be seen under a separate category yet will hopefully blend together according to the flow of your life. Dreams can be more personal, plans more practical and visions more global. You do get to decide what each means to you, but the point is that by being more organized you stand to be more effective.

Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

A wise person once said we do not ‘have’ relationships we ‘create’ them. This simple shift of words can lead to a major shift of attitude. Balancing love and respect is the timeless formula. Honouring both can activate a spiritual awakening. Create a more beautiful life with love and respect for all your relationships. Of course, the primary relationship is the one we have with ourselves. Even this one is complex in as much as we have a body, heart, mind and soul. Attending to this primary relationship is important for the sake of creating more authentic and satisfying relationships with others.

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Balancing desires to be seen and heard by others and by your own self is now in focus. Self worth and acknowledgement is the basis of gaining respect and recognition from others. Taking an independent lead to shake and awaken yourself and others to your value will earn you attention. Sometimes we need and want more attention that at others. The reasons are linked to our cycles of destiny. What is interesting about this time period is that the best attention you will get is the kind that helps you to know yourself better than you already do. Advancement is good, greater self-awareness now is better and both are best.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Taking an active lead to promote cultural and artistic interests continues. However, your focus will become more serious and practical this week. Gathering tools, learning and perhaps teaching new skills is a top priority. Bring your creative initiatives down to earth for collective enjoyment and benefit. True leadership ever seeks better ways to render meaningful service. This is a core life duty for you. The art and wisdom that sits behind creating a life wherein genuine service is active is not always apparent. Yet, a singing heart is a great reward and it helps to know that often when we do what we love the money follows and even if it does not we do what we love.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Learning how to best direct your energies is extra important now. This should include creative investments on one hand and clearing the old to make way for the new. Sometimes, we stand in our own way with pride and other limiting perspectives and evaluations. Be open to new angles. Again this means clearing the old to make way from the new. So, is it stuff or mental or emotional blocks or all of the above? Congratulate yourself for knowing the answer and ever for asking for answers. Aim to merge your talents with those of others for even greater achievements.

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 19)

Investing time, energy and money into exciting new creative projects is a main focus for you now. This includes merging your energies, interests and passions with those of others. The past does not necessarily equal the future especially when we exercise new perspectives and directives. We are all being challenged to incorporate new values into our lives are you are destined to play a leading role at this time. This cycle will continue for another few years! Aquarius is about networking, clubs, associations and revolutionary movements. If you are not already moving in this direction it may be a good idea to be open to new ideas and directions.

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Nurturing and refining a healthier lifestyle continues. This includes being open to challenges presented to you from others. What conversations are you having and who is experimenting with new lifestyle choices? Listen well and be willing to experiment to create overall better health. While your own well being is an important consideration, the health of your relationships, lifestyle choices, skills and abilities are all extensions of your overall health. In all respects, aim to refine and improve, heal and repair or clean and cleanse for the sake of a more efficient, effective and refined daily flow.