“Where hope is coldest; and despair most sits”

(Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well, 2.1.144)

Horoscopes starting 7.7.2016

Cancer:

Some time ago, a buddy of mine forwarded a cartoon that included a handgun joke. Funny, to me, as I know a number of friends who are licensed to carry a concealed handgun. Even funnier, to me, most of them don’t bother to carry, even though they are legal. It’s fact of modern life in Texas, where I live.

This isn’t an argument about the amendments, or rights of gun owners, or anything like that.

This is an example. Me? I don’t even own any firearms. Bunch of fishing gear, but that’s not the same, not really. It is to me, but that’s not what this is about. One of my online buddies got all “butt hurt” over a gun joke. This isn’t about rights, or respect, or anything like that. It’s about where I live.

Fact of life. Firearms are part of my culture. Or part of the culture that surrounds me, on a daily basis. So the gun joke was not out of line. One online buddy quickly unfriended me, because of the joke. I was, at first, disappointed, but then I realized, if my humor does not convey, then that person probably shouldn’t read any of my material. Me? I got friends on both sides, from rabid vegan peace freaks to equally red-blooded souls with extensive collections of arms. As a Cancer? As sensitive Moon Child, someone unfriends you? Is it really that big of deal? Or is it just another qualifier, showing who your audience is. Or isn’t.

The Leo:

While I don’t tend to stockpile food stuffs, I had, over the last few months accumulated some “Chili fixins” for a future meal. A rainy day. I was saving this for a rainy day, so to speak. I took one look at the frost in the freezer accumulating on a package of stew meat. It’s a rainy day, now.

With the current arrangement of planets, against the airy firmament of the night’s sky? It is a rainy day, now. That project, recipe, plan for the future, that idea, which, as a good Leo, you were saving for a rainy day? It’s raining, now.

The astrological hint? Instead of putting this off for a better time? The better time is now. I still liked the idea that I was saving this food, my chili can be a laborious project, with hours in the kitchen, slicing, sampling, seasoning, and then? Let it sit. But this is a rainy day, now. Instead of putting this project off? Instead of waiting? Think: it looks like rain, right now. Better get out that “Rainy Day” project.

Make the chili.

Virgo:

Carful of Mercury’s legerdemain?

Just because of the current “Indisposition,” that doesn’t mean a certain kind of cunning and guile isn’t at work. There’s a subtle shift, or maybe, it’s not subtle, and there’s a new direction that might — or might not — appear.

I’ve found that Mercury needs time to get his message across, the retrograde pattern’s intended mayhem, and as such? We’re not done with this one, not yet. As a good Virgo, you’re reading this, you’re a good Virgo, so we’re not done, not yet.

Libra:

“You love us,” she told me, “you love us, because you have to.” The second half was more forceful and ironically devoid of humor. Deadpan. Serious, and not in a humorous way.

It’s a slightly forced situation. It’s a time and place where the energy needs to be coerced into action. It’s that feeling of — not impending doom — but the action is forced.

Me? I love me some Libra. Love the looks, the poise, the balance, the hint of intellectual inquiry that is always present. Yessir, love me some Libra. Not because I have to but because I do. However, I’m not Libra and this next week brings some situation that requires that tight smile, “You love us. Because you have to.”

Scorpio:

Ever see traffic stop for a wandering bull or calf? Happens, in my world. I was on the highway between San Antonio and Austin, a fairly common route for me. I could see taillights flare red, up ahead. I slowed down. On the other side of the freeway, traffic was slowed to a crawl, and there were two or three cop cars with lights, and at least one DPS, out on foot, gray uniform, red and blue piping, straw hat cowboy hat, chasing a cow.

Cattle. Hamburger on the hoof. Stray. Pretty sure there was a cut or break in a fence line and the cow wandered out on the access road. Might’ve been more. There are, to this day, working farms and ranches that border the Interstate. Apparently, there’s a dairy place, as the cow, did get out. If that cow were to wander on the freeway, it would be “instant ground,” and there would be bigger problems than carrion eaters. Pretty sure that cow outweighed my Sister’s hybrid car.

This is about untimely, seemingly random, possible weird interruptions. Mars. Blame Mars. Not really the culprit, as that poor cow wasn’t really the problem she was a symptom of the break in the fence. Or the gate someone left open, no telling, I didn’t stop to ascertain the facts. As a Scorpio? Recognize the source, but you don’t have to pull over and help herd the cattle yourself.

Sagittarius:

Mercury’s obloquy — carries weight, some days. What happens, as a Sagittarius myself, we hear harsh critiques about our personal appearance, our work, our gait, the way I order coffee, any one of a number of — Mercury — remember? Any number of mercurial communications? Comes across with our Sagittarius selves feeling like we’re the backside of a horse, with target painted on our butt. That’s the whims of the planets. That’s the way the winds of fate seem to blow.

The sharpest criticisms are a reminder that our own, Sagittarius “Arrows of Truth?” Those have hit home on other people, non-Sagittarius, and we’ve done this to others. Those little arrows of truth, justice, and enlightenment circle back around, the old Wheel of Life, and that stings.

Trick: next week, Mercury moves into Leo. It gets better. Those little stings, the minor pricks and pains? They go away before too long, and reveal true meaning. As a Sagittarius? Next few days? Pretend we have a tough hide.

Capricorn:

Do it nice so you don’t have to do it twice.

Simple mnemonic to remind you how to approach this week’s wrap of the last few days. Last few weeks. Last whatever.

“Do it nice so you don’t have to do it twice.”

Thank me later, when you can do so nicely.

Aquarius:

We got three things going on in Aquarius land and we should concentrate on just one. No, I wanted to get this project finished before I started on anything else, right? Not happening like that. Juggling three — or more? Project, lovers, jobs, goals, destinations, vacations, careers? Too much for an average person to handle, sure, but as an Aquarius, you are far from average.

Couple of options here. You can learn to juggle better. Manual dexterity would be a plus for that, and some natural rhythm. You can drop one or more of the perceived deadlines, and shrug your Aquarius shoulders, and go, “Oh well.” Might try sleeping for just two hours at a time, as that would give you enough hours in a day to get all of this done. Or, just as a thought, prioritize. That last one is a personal favorite, as it works well for me. I have a combination of electronic and analog (paper & pencil) systems, methods, that work for keeping everything ordered in my life. Try delineating priorities and then, that lessens the load you’re trying to shoulder this week. Instead of an outline, though, just use little triangles or circles, or big dots. There’s a method to this madness, if you give it a try.

Pisces:

After sunset, overhead, there’s Jupiter, the lucky star. Jupiter’s in Virgo — opposite from gentle, sweet, delicate, and kind Pisces. Jupiter is causing some consternation. Depends on how you play this, but Jupiter, and Mars in Scorpio, but let’s pretend it’s just Jupiter, let’s just say that Jupiter is pushing the Pisces buttons. “More, better, faster, cheaper, higher, father!” There’s no sense of order to that list, other than there tends to pressure for excess. Sometimes, the pressure is for extreme, too. Wait, I’ve got it!

Extreme Pisces!

Never mind, that one didn’t work. However, there is potent information contained in that simple expression. Understanding that the push for “More, better, faster, cheaper, higher, father?” Grasping that this is planetary influence, and one that might not be best answered by “More, better, faster, cheaper, higher, father?” Getting a grip on the content that there might be outside influences that are pushing Pisces to extremes? Maybe stepping back from the edge, perhaps that’s a good idea. Think about playing a prudent Pisces, instead.

Extreme Pisces is, like, so extreme, you know?

Aries:

I’ve been solo for so long, I don’t know if I can be a good partner to anyone. However, on individual projects, I’ve been a willing and able accomplice. When I’m working with a team, I am an astrologer so I do this astrologically, I understand the dynamics and the way different players act out their various roles. Which is also why I prefer to work alone. This isn’t about me; this is about Aries. I went solo because I found working with others was too problematic. However, I will align myself with certain group or organizations for political, business, or social reasons — for a short period of time. For the duration of the project. For the time being. Not for “forever.”

There’s tension building in the Aries chart, a result mostly of the transit of planets in Cancer, the Moon Child’s sign. To properly harness this “tension?” Consider this a short-term alignment of, or with, people, groups, organizations, or even just a social cause that resonates with your Aries self. Not permanent. Not for, like, “Forever.” But for now? It’s a good to have friends to help you. Or friends who need your capable Aries help.

Taurus:

There is a quick, diversionary tactic that works well. As a Taurus, with that Mars marching opposite your sign? There’s an insistent energy, carelessly pushing you forward. The problem is haste. The enemy is haste. Too quick? Too fast? Too much? Overdo it? See the problem? Haste makes you hurry up and make mistakes faster, which is the problem. Mars. One word, “Mars.” Now, I’m offering up a solution, an idea, a Taurus concept on how to use this energy well. The hasty, hurriedness? Give it a diversion. Quick, shunt it off on another problem. Sublimate, obviate, invigorate, but look at a totally different issue.

Like Taurus, Mars was driving me crazy. I spilled the morning coffee in clumsy, over-reaching way, and I got upset. After I wiped up the spilled coffee, I reached for a book of poetry, modern poet. Flipping through the pages, I finally found a soothing refrain, then, that prompted a quick line of inquiry. All the while, I was thinking about being angry about the coffee, and how to explain that to Taurus. Quick, diversionary tactic. It leads us right back to where we want to be, hopefully, more centered. Blame Mars?

Gemini:

Because I’ve been around so many new age fruitcakes, I have a built in detector. One of the “New Age Spiritualists” was starting with me, as I was using a line that I trot out from time to time, as “I’m white, male, straight. Clearly Northern European heritage. I’ve got no rhythm and poor fashion sense. Way it is.” The proper new age person would politely argue that I did have fashion sense, albeit unsure of certain color combinations, and I could dance. I just stopped. It’s not worth arguing, and I was, at the time, making a point about limits, not whether or not I can dance. Which I can’t, but that does’t worry me.

“Oh but you can dance!” New age prattle. Sure, I can dance, but I’ve discovered that it’s not one of my particular strengths. Got to know what I can, and can’t, do well. Dancing is one them.

Stop with the overly optimistic “You can be anything you set your mind to” crap. Not happening.

Play to your Gemini strengths right now, not “You can be anything you set your mind to” crap.