Need versus responsibility

The main thrust of growth at the moment is responsibility in all relationships, particularly family. On 30 June, the Moon was full in Capricorn, opposite the Cancer Sun. Full Moons are always a time when the tide of emotion is high, and Cancer emphasises our sense of need for nurture. Mercury, representing our conscious thinking, appears to be travelling backwards through Cancer from 15 June to 10 July and, as it was very close the Sun at the Full Moon, we have been very conscious of our needs versus our responsibilities. Those who pay no attention to their own needs tend to take care of others, but this leads to taking responsibility for the wrong things. There is a vulnerability in feeling needy and yet at the same time having to be an adult fending for oneself.

Adult relating

In relationship, the problem comes when we identify our partner as part of ourselves. Then, when they don’t do what we think would be right, we feel hurt, betrayed, disappointed, resentful. When we take responsibility for ourselves in relationship, we stop expecting our partner to be any other than who they are; we accept that they need to do what they do as part of their authentic growth. We can only accept all this without resentment, when we choose to identify ourselves as fine, upstanding individuals. When you’re feeling that whole, there is no way you would want to drain the energy, or manipulate the behaviour, of another person, especially the one you are closest to.

‘Slow and steady wins the race’

During the last week or so, as Mars moved into Taurus, you may have found the physical world a bit more demanding. Mars will be travelling through Taurus until 7 August, and during that time you will accomplish more through gentle, dogged persistence, than by rushing to get things done. This is a good time to do the practical jobs around your home and garden.
If you find yourself feeling sluggish and ineffective, it could be that you are holding a fixed idea of how things should be done, rather than trying a new way. Lethargy could mean you need a rest, but it could also mean that you need to put in an extra effort to get going. The knack is to begin; like pushing a heavy stone to make it roll, once you get started, less effort is required to continue. The push needs to be strong and sensitive; pushing hard too suddenly just hurts the muscles. Recognise when any greater effort would be damaging, and pull back for a while. Either try again later, or try something different.

Getting up-to-date

The plan at present is to keep experimenting with ways to go forward, trying out different approaches, and being prepared to change plans when something isn’t working. Times have changed, and you have grown in knowledge and experience. Even our desires change with time, and we need to check every now and then to see where we might be holding on to a desire whose time is past.

Wounds revealed can be healed

Around 9 July, Mars starts to tangle with the opposition of Saturn and Neptune for the following four weeks. The tussle between authority and public need has been well aired but perhaps, we feel, not enough has been done! We help the whole human race with the work we do on our own, so let’s go for working things out in our own lives. With Mars in Taurus, it is likely to be physical circumstances that force the issue, first pointing out where most damage has been done and needs healing. The New Moon in Cancer on 14 July could expose deep family wounds. Then, any attempt we make to cover up, or to build on a false premise or a lie, is likely to collapse by the end of July, and we will be dealing with the practical resolutions for at least a week into August. Any hurt exposed during July is capable of being healed. True healing of old wounds, as with a rift in relationship or a painful loss, involves acceptance of the difficulty, without judgement, and with respect for our differences and the growth potential in hard times. With that attitude, it can be safe to look into the past and share our different experiences in a healing way.

Onward and upward . . .

The mood changes in August as Sun and then Mercury move into Leo. From 7 August, active Martian energy will be in communication mode in Gemini. Also on that day, Jupiter will complete its four months of retrograde movement, and start to encourage outward growth once more. So don’t despair of those projects that slowed down in April. The four months of going over the past will have brought us up to date. All the practical effort put in before 7 August will ensure that our projects are appropriate for the times, so that we can successfully move forward again.
In the meantime, act in a situation only when you’re sure you’ve got all the information you need; and take care of your body.