Why You Need to Cut Back on Salt
According to new research, cutting your salt intake may be more important than you may think. A new study reports that if the United States cut its salt intake by just a half teaspoon a day, we could prevent 92,000 deaths and 99,000 heart attacks a year.
“The [ heart] benefits of reduced salt intake are on par with the benefits of population-wide reductions in tobacco use, obesity, and cholesterol levels,” says Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD.
The culprit, says researchers, isn’t the saltshaker, but rather the amount of salt in processed foods. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 77% of the salt in our diets comes from processed food.
While food manufacturers aren’t likely to reduce the amount of salt in their products, experts recommend cutting down on these foods and paying special attention to food labels.
A study in the U.K. found that the body adjusted to reduced salt consumption in a matter of weeks. Meaning, once you cut your salt intake, you’ll start to prefer your food with less salt. Win!
Enter to Win our Kleen Kanteen Sweepstakes!
We’re giving away a pair of Kleen Kanteen water bottles! They are portable, lightweight, and best of all, way better than those disposable plastic bottles.
To be entered, simply create a post below telling us your favorite way to work up a sweat. One winner will be chosen at random.
Good Luck!
For complete sweepstakes rules, click here.
3 Ways to Build your Cash Reserves
If getting in good financial standing is on your to-do list in 2010, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans are looking to save more in the wake of the financial crisis. See how you can get started.
1) Get Real
Often the hardest thing about delving into your finances is actually getting started. It’s daunting to take a long hard look at what you have and what you don’t. But, if you’re going to start saving, you need to get real. And that entails pulling your head out of the sand.
Consider using an online tool such as Mint.com, as it’s a great resource for putting your financial status in perspective with easy-to-read pie charts and graphs. Once you’re a member (it’s free!) you’ll be able to track your bills, spending and saving patterns.
2) Assess your Needs and Wants
Once your finances are organized, you can really assess where your money is going. Eliminate frivolous spending where you can. For example, if you discover that you spend $75.00 a week on lunch, resolve to cut that number in half by bringing your lunch a couple of times a week.
Another place to look is at your bills. Many people don’t realize they can lower their bills with a quick phone call. Contact your cable company, car insurer or Internet provider and see if they’re offering any specials. Saving $20 a month on just one bill nets you $240 a year!
3) Make Saving Automatic
The best way to save is to do it automatically, since it takes the pressure off of you to watch every cent that comes into and out of your hands. First, find out if your employer offers a retirement plan such as a 401K. If they match your savings up to a certain percentage, (usually 7%-9%), sign up to save the maximum. Not doing so is like throwing free money away!
Next, look into opening a high yield savings account. Create a savings plan where you allocate money from your checking account into this savings account every month. A good strategy is to have the account deduct money on payday, when your checking account has some padding.
With a high-yield savings account, you’re on your way to creating a healthy emergency fund. Once you’ve saved enough to cover four months of living expenses, think about investing your money elsewhere, such as in money market accounts, bonds, or a Roth IRA.
The Bliss List: Week of January 24
One of our favorite bloggers, Nadine Fawell, lists macaroons and cupcakes on her Bliss List. What’s on yours?
Lazy Saturdays.
Unexpected visitors. Of the welcome sort, not the creepy stalker sort
Drinking good coffee in the sun with friends.
Sunshine (sorry, Northern Hemisphere. Your turn is coming!)
Walking. There is nothing like it to clear the head
Change. I find change scary, but also exhilarating. There’s a lot of it in my life right now
The wisdom of my parents.
How excited my brother is about my upcoming visit home, the first in
two years
Reading. I am particularly excited about Elizabeth Gilbert’s new book,
Committed. I think I shall skip out and buy it post haste
Watching the Australian Open. Actually there, not on TV. Woot!
Macaroons from the Lindt store. Mmmmm
Cupcakes. Double mmmmmm
Hearing my friend talk about her vision board for 2010 and getting all
inspired to do one for myself
Baby anticipation: another friend is about to give birth, and I can’t
wait to meet the new baba!
Mums and Bubs yoga class. It’s so cute to watch the babies develop
every week. Their mothers work hard in that class though
My iPhone. I know, it’s a sick obsession. It’s also one that I enjoy
Music. Played off said iPhone
People smiling on the street. So nice
What’s Makes you Blissful?
Nadine Fawell has been teaching yoga for five years. She has logged about 3000 hours of experience, both in group and private settings. Her main influence, both as a teacher and as a practitioner of yoga, comes from the Krishnamacharya lineage. She has travelled to India twice to study with TKV Desikachar and his teachers at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram and now considers Mark Whitwell to be one of her most influential teachers. Check out her blog at: http://nadinefawell.net/
Weekly Horoscope August 23
with mercury retrograde for the next 3 weeks (until 9/12) and a plethora of mercury aspects throughout this week our internal, introspective journey of the conscious mind and intellect is highlighted. wherever mercury is retrograding in your chart you are being asked to rethink, review and revise things on a deep level. paying attention to the details is key with virgo but watch for the tendency to overanalyze and stay in the head. we need to drop down into the unconscious when mercury goes retrograde and the mind can inhibit that at times. pay attention to all conversation and communication had this week, as well as to your dreams which are essentially messages from the unconscious.
aries- with mercury retrograde in your 6th house of work, service and health you can expect to do a lot of rethinking/revising/reviewing of your day to day matters, how you perform your service in the world and how you take care of your body in the process. with aries’ tendency to go-go-go you need to make sure your vehicle is up to speed and that you relax when necessary. if you overdo it the coming weeks can find your body reminding you to SLOW DOWN in the form of illness, accidents and/or extreme mental fatigue. don’t wait until you are forced to slow down- do it now!
taurus- with mercury retrograding in your 5th house of creativity, romance and children making the coming weeks a time to deeply review, rethink and revision how you express yourself creatively and how you share your Love. past ex’s can come back into your life for a last go-around or final closure- as can old creative dreams. looking at how your level of self-worth reflects your ability to connect intimately and romantically with others can prove insightful. this is a time to clear out your romantic closets- so use the time wisely.
gemini- your ruling planet is retrograding in your 4th house of home and family making the coming weeks an appropriate time to rethink, review and revise your connections to your past, your family dynamics and your home life. this is a time to focus on your deepest inner workings- your inner psychology. gemini is very mind-based but thinking and analyzing won’t cut it. you have to get to the roots of things- and that requires going into some very deep and possibly dark feelings. both Light and shadow are the dance of Love (rumi)- get ready to shadow dance!
cancer- with mercury retrograding in your 3rd house of communication, the house mercury rules- the coming weeks a perfect time to rethink, review, and revise what you say, how you say it and why. with the conscious mind turned inward towards the unconscious you can have some very profitable conversations with your own unconscious via intuitions, synchronicities, and active imagination. mercury also rules your 12th house of the unconscious- so pay attention to your dreams over the coming 3 weeks, they can prove to be very insighful. seeing how your unconscious informs how you perceive the world around you can be illuminating. find a way to bring the dark to consciousness without flooding it with too much Light.
leo- mercury is retrograde in your 2nd house of self-worth, finances and abundance consciousness asking you to rethink, review and revise how you deal with money and how your own level of self-esteem informs how you deal with money. we can only accept as much as we feel we are worthy of- the connection between money and self-worth is profound and often overlooked. details are key this week- looking at the nooks and crannies of your finances may not be fun but come end of september you will be glad you did.
virgo- your ruling planet is retrograding in your sign making the coming weeks a very potent time for you to rethink, review and revise your entire life’s journey! what are you doing, who are you, why are you here? mercury’s retrograde in your 1st house can make all these questions quite profound for you, and taking the time to honor the question without expecting an immediate answer is key. the gift is in the journey not finding the destination. shifts in your self-understanding can precipitate shifts in your career focus and life path. everything is up for review right now- relationships, life path, home life, psychological life. take them all in stride. you do not need the answers yet- just find the right questions. the retrograde lasts for 3 weeks. give yourself time.
libra- mercury is retrograde in your 12th house of the unconscious, making the coming weeks a powerful time to work with your dreams! when the conscious mind turns inward towards the unconscious IN the house of the unconscious you have a double whammy of introspective energy coming your way. looking deep within at your relationship to the virgo archetype- to perfection, criticalness, attention to detail and the need to serve- can be prove very insightful over the coming weeks. your spiritual and philosophical beliefs are also up for review. how does your Cosmic understanding of the Universe help or hinder your path? these are the things to ponder over the coming weeks. enjoy the inward journey.
scorpio- with mercury retrograding in your 11th house of friendships and community connections the coming weeks are a perfect time to rethink, review and revise who you connect with and why. old friends from the past can come back into the picture- for closure or perhaps reconnection- as can old hopes and dreams you may have forgotten about. reconnecting with those who are really important and releasing those whose time has come is part of your mercury retrograde process. confronting deep fears around death, sex and power can also arise. these are your areas of life (scorpio rules all of them) but exploring your own deep fears is very different than probing other’s. shamanistic journeys abound in the coming weeks- with friends or alone they can be quite fruitful if you allow yourself to go deeper than you’ve ever gone before.
sagittarius- mercury is retrograde in your 10th house of career and standing in the world making the coming weeks the perfect time to rethink, review and revise what your purpose is and what your Soul is asking of you in this lifetime. any stalls in plans you have career-wise are best seen as opportunities to ask more questions and get better answers, rather than seeing them as a wrench thrown in your plans. sometimes the Universe has a clearer picture of what is going on that you do, and learning to go with the flow and see the gift in what is unfolding can be quite an asset on the path. relationships may also be up for review or revision- allow the questions to be asked without necessarily needing the answers right now. they will come in time. enjoy the journey.
capricorn- with mercury retrograding in your 9th house of beliefs and connection to Higher Self, the coming weeks are a great time to rethink, review and revise your spiritual and philosophical beliefs and the bigger picture of the world around you. as a typically traditional, convention sign you can often hold on to old beliefs that no longer serve you- and may in fact have stopped serving you years ago! the coming weeks can provide you with many opportunities to challenge old beliefs and put things to rest. in order to expand spiritually we often have to break down the walls the enclose us. the mind can create the most insidious walls- so take this retrograde to hack some of them down and liberate your mind!
aquarius- mercury is retrograde in your 8th house of intimacy, sexuality, and relationship to power- making the coming weeks a great time to rethink, review and revise your deepest fears, your greatest desires, and your Soul transformation in deep, intense ways. old material can come up in the form of old intimate connections with others or old fears you thought you put to rest. letting the psychopomp (i.e. mercury) take you into the underworld and back again is the gift of this mercury retrograde for you. explore your ideas about Love and intimacy in the coming weeks. do any inhibit your ability to actually experience more Love? if so re-do them, or throw them away. relationships can shift in the coming weeks, but more importantly so can your heart.
pisces- with mercury’s retrograde falling in your opposite sign of virgo the coming weeks are a time to rethink, review and revise committed relationships in your life. old loves can come back to haunt you- in dreams or in reality. closure may be what is necessary or it could be something more- only you will know. looking at your beliefs and understandings in how relationships work is key. and looking into your past- childhood and beyond- can help you see patterns that play out in your relationships today in an ever greater light. a lot needs to be said over the coming weeks that has been hiding on the level of the unconscious. allow the process to unfold naturally and you can find your relationships are in new territory come the end of september.
flow with the process.
Divine Harmony - “My one wish for humanity is to open the heart chakras of everyone on the planet. I hope to assist as many people as I can in healing their bodies, minds and souls as I journey on this same path of healing for myself. I believe that astrology can be a powerful tool for self-knowledge and healing and I hope to share that with the world.” To schedule private readings and consultations you can reach Divine Harmony at divineharmony.org
Weekly Horoscope August 9
this week’s activity starts out with a bang with the new moon in leo and venus’ activation of the jupiter/pluto square occurring on the same day- monday. the new moon is symbolic of new beginnings- yet this one is interacting with nearly every planet in a dynamic (and perhaps intense) way, making this new moon doubly potent. the new moon’s activation of the grand cross points us in the direction of where to put our energy in order to deal with the karmic quickening (aka grand cross energies) that is being activated in our lives. what we are being asked to start anew is not going to be easy or breezy, but it will be karmically good for us. it will push us out of our comfort zones and ask that we truly take responsibility for who we are and how we deal with our own energy. meanwhile with venus, mars and saturn in libra there is a deep lesson happening about our feminine and masculine energies- and how they meet. saturn’s lessons tend to be a bit of a drudge. he forces us to deal with things we’ve been dragging our feet on for weeks (or years, or lifetimes!). learning the lessons ain’t fun- but it’s necessary to move into the next phase of life. both of these astrological occurrences unfold throughout the week, although they are most intensely felt on monday. if you can stay with the intensity and burn through the karmic crap you can move through the alchemical fire and rise above it all like a phoenix out of the ashes.
aries- the new moon on monday falls in your 5th house romance, creativity and children pushing you to start a new chapter in how you love, express yourself and connect to the child within (and without). the grand cross energies are activating the angles of your chart making this a dynamic time of transformative growth- but growth doesn’t happen if you stay in old patterns. learning how to express love in new, expansive ways is part of what you are being asked to do right now. with venus, mars and saturn in your 7th house of relationships learning to master your feminine and masculine energies in balanced ways is key. if you feel a sense of constriction or constraint in relationships right now check to see if something is truly holding you back or if you are being pruned and asked to learn how to think of someone else as much as you think of yourself. you can start a whole new chapter in Love this week if you let yourself soften.
taurus- monday’s new moon falls in your 4th house of home and family making significant new beginnings in your inner life and home life the key to dealing with the intensity of the grand cross energies occurring in your life right now. this new moon is highly activated making it dynamic and intense. the birthing process this new moon requires is something akin to death and rebirth. something old has to pass away so that something new can be born. in your psychological life what needs to be let go of? any intense dynamics in your home or family life are mirroring something back for you- what is it? meanwhile your ruler venus aligns with mars and saturn in your 6th house of work and service asking you to buckle down when it comes to your health and/or the service you provide in the world. saturn demands impeccability of action and intent- self-adjustments can be made this week that alter you inner and outer dynamics profoundly. these adjustments won’t be easy- there are growing pains involved- but they will be fruitful.
gemini- your 3rd house of communication- the house your sign rules- is the home of the new moon on monday, making communication pivotal for you this week (even more so that usual). with the grand cross dynamically involved in this lunation the intensity you’ve been dealing with related to money, shared resources, intimate relationships and/or situations with children require that you speak your Truth in order to deal with what has arisen. you’d think as a gemini speaking anything would be easy- but gemini is a sign that likes to keep things light and fun- so the more difficult conversations that ask you to get real may be things you actually avoid. in order to evolve during this time you must master your communication- there is no way around it. with venus, mars and saturn in your 5th house of romance, creativity and children you are also being asked to master your own feminine and masculine energies in profound ways. look at your romantic relationship, your creative expressions and/or your children and see them all as mirrors. where the yin or yang are out of whack in them- take it as an indicator of what YOU need to look at. if you come at it from this way- you can learn a lot and work through a lot of karma this week.
cancer- with the new moon falling in your 2nd house of money and self-worth you can commence a whole new cycle relating to your own self-esteem and how your abundance consciousness, but this new cycle comes with a price tag. this new moon is dynamically interrelated with the grand cross, which is actually a t-square that is pointing at your sign. any new beginnings you initiate right now will require massive growth and shifting out of old patterns- and the process will not be easy. the most significant growth comes when we learn how prune ourselves first- getting rid of the past is key to moving into the future. with venus, mars and saturn in your 4th house of home and family there are deep structural changes occurring in your relationship to the feminine and masculine within. any dynamics playing out in your external home or family are mirroring your internal processes. mastery of yourself begins in the deepest recesses of your being. this week you have opportunities to go into ever deeper places within to excavate and clear out the debris. don’t put it off- it has to be done at sometime in order to move forward in life.
leo- this new moon falls in your sign making this a pivotal week in your yearly cycle, essentially starting out your new solar year (the other pivotal cycle commences at your solar return). it’s time to do things in a new way- to start a new chapter. this lunation is highly activated by the grand cross making it an important piece in dealing with the intense energies you’ve been experiencing in your life over the past several weeks (and beyond- but it started to get really intense as the sun moved into your sign around july 21st). the key to dealing with any issues involving communication, health, work, or your deepest unconscious fears can be found in this week’s new moon- but it requires that you step out of your comfort zone and do things differently. if ego gets involved it will be a no go. rise above and connect to the Higher Self and you will see your way through. venus, mars and saturn are aligned in your 3rd house of communication asking you to master your communication skills in important ways. with libra in this house you often prefer to communicate from a harmonious, peace loving stance, but there are times when getting your message across requires a heavier energy. saturn is teaching you this lesson- but first you must learn it with yourself. where are you not seeing the Truth within? where are you keeping things light so as to avoid shadow. if you go into the places that scare you this new moon can catapult you onto a whole new level of your evolutionary path.
virgo- monday’s new moon falls in your 12th house of the unconscious, signifying that any new beginnings you intend in the external world must commence on the internal psychic levels of your unconscious. pay attention to your dreams this week! the unconscious communicates through dreams- and important messages can only be delivered if you listen for them. the grand cross is highly activated by this new moon- any intensity you’ve been dealing with in your life related to money, self-worth, romance, or intimacy can be dealt with by going within. remember- everything without is a mirror or a polar opposite reflection of something within. with venus, mars and saturn aligned in your 2nd house of money and self-worth you are being asked to master your own feminine and masculine energies in a way that bolsters your self-esteem. as a very humble, grounded sign learning to realize your own worth is a life-lesson of yours. the new moon in leo- a sign whose confidence and creativity shines- can help you get into contact with parts of yourself that have always been there waiting to be acknowledged. you just have to push past your own karmic crap to access it.
libra- the leo new moon on monday falls in your 11th house of friendship and community- and it is the outlet, but also the activator, of the grand cross energies that are tearing down, restructuring, rebirthing and transforming your life. the new moon is dynamically involved with the grand cross, making any new beginnings you commence regarding your friendships and your place in community key in dealing with old karma and processing of the past. in order to grow we must prune- and this new moon is no exception! your ruler venus aligns with mars and saturn in your sign making the lessons of self-mastery and feminine/masculine balance very, very important for you. learning to express both yin and yang is the key to wholeness, yet teetering between the two and never taking a stand on either end is more like libran indecisiveness. balancing softness with assertion, kindness with will, is your lesson this week.
scorpio- monday’s new moon falls in your 10th house of career and standing in the world pointing to the way out of all the grand cross intensity that has been dynamically activating your chart (and the world) over the past several weeks. any situations involving work, health, communication or deep unconscious fears can be dealt with by starting a new chapter in your life path- but the new chapter that asks to be written will not be easy or quick. it requires work and pruning away of the old- this new moon demands we deal with anything we are not acknowledging! meanwhile venus, mars and saturn are aligned in your 12th house of the unconscious bringing important lessons about self-mastery of the yin and yang within into play. confronting deeply held beliefs and patterns about what the feminine and masculine are and what you are allowed to portray can open up a whole new way of being- but the confrontation of the unconscious required ain’t no walk in the park. with your 12th house so highly activated paying attention to your dreams is key. answers come in the middle of the night that the ego would never allow to come in the light of the day. pay attention to the signs- and let your Soul, rather than your ego, interpret them.
sagittarius- the leo new moon on monday falls in the house your sign rules- the 9th house of beliefs and connection to your Higher Self- making this new moon quite auspicious for you. the intensity of the past weeks (and months) can find an outlet in this new moon, but it requires that you acknowledge shadow and move through limiting patterns and beliefs so that you can make space for the new that wants to be birthed in your life. any situations involving money, self worth, intimacy, friendships or community connections that have been intense can be dealt with and dramatically altered if you change your perception of the bigger picture. connecting to your Higher Self and letting that guide you can make sense of a lot that your ego does not understand. venus, mars and saturn are aligned in your 11th house of friendships and community connections where lessons abound about who you spend time with and how they can support the new you coming through. old connections that are devolutionary (meaning they devolve you rather than evolve you) need to be put in the past. a good gage of this is to see who shares your view of what life is about. you can be friends with anyone for sure- but if your goal is consciousness it is key to not have certain kinds of energy in your inner circle. you know what is right for you- so get to it!
capricorn- the leo moon falls in your 8th house of intimacy, sexuality and Soul transformation making these scorpionic realms the key to dealing with the grand cross energies that are permeating (and perhaps pummeling) your life right now. the new moon is highly activated by the grand cross, so any new beginnings undertaken now are not going to be easy or breezy, but they will be very cathartic! confronting the shadow realms and your own stuff around ego is key. with venus and mars aligned with your ruler saturn in your 10th house, the house your sign rules, significant lessons about what your purpose is and why you are here can be supported by this new moon. what is in the shadow is not just our devilish side but also our unknown creative gifts. looking into your own Soul can help you see what lessons of self-mastery are being asked of you- and can help point you in the right direction life-path wise. the week is ripe for growth- inner and outer- but start within. the rest will follow.
aquarius- with the new moon falling in your 7th house of relationships a whole new chapter in your connections with others can commence this week, but it requires some tough Love and hard work. this new moon activates the grand cross- so the intense energies you’ve been feeling the last weeks (and months) can be dealt with by anything new endeavors undertaken in the relationship department but they must be karmically clear! letting go of old patterns and beliefs in relationship is the only way you can bring in the new. when you find the pattern you’ve been playing out or the belief you’ve been holding onto you can then assess all connections with others from this standpoint: does it repeat my past? if so- say goodbye. venus, mars and saturn are aligned in your 9th house of Higher Self asking you to master your own feminine and masculine energies from a much Higher perspective. as you are able integrate your own yin and yang and then observe things from the Soul’s perspective (rather than the ego) your relationships will take on new life and move into new dimensions. any old dimensional connections need to be released. you can’t build a new house on an old foundation. it’s time to let go and move on.
pisces- monday’s new moon falls in your 6th house of health, work and service- pointing the way towards transformation. this new moon is dynamically activating the grand cross, so any new beginnings undertaken this week will come with a price. dealing with old karma is not fun- but it’s necessary if you want to start with a clean slate. any situations involving money, self worth, shared resources, intimacy, friendship or community connections can be remedied by making significant self-adjustments. if you think that in order for a situation to be better someone or something else has to change then you must think again. change starts from within. this is not to say that others aren’t responsible for their behavior- but that you are responsible for yours- and for whatever energies you allow into your life. with venus, mars and saturn aligned in your 8th house of intimacy, shared resources and Soul transformation there are lessons about mastering your own energies and knowing where your boundaries are. learning when to give and when not to, when to assert yourself and when to hold back, are important lessons to learn. this week you have opportunities to learn a little more.
Divine Harmony - “My one wish for humanity is to open the heart chakras of everyone on the planet. I hope to assist as many people as I can in healing their bodies, minds and souls as I journey on this same path of healing for myself. I believe that astrology can be a powerful tool for self-knowledge and healing and I hope to share that with the world.” To schedule private readings and consultations you can reach Divine Harmony at divineharmony.org
Weekly Horoscope August 2
this week mars finishes of his activation of the grand cross early in the week and then venus moves into libra on friday and commences her activation of the grand cross as well. both the masculine and the feminine are getting a shake up and a wake up call right now. with libra involved this is playing out in relationships- particularly romantic ones- as well as in situations involving money and self-worth. on monday jupiter squares pluto, expanding our need for transformation or our need for power. if the latter happens egotism and power/control dynamics can play out with others- so be aware! friday is an intense day with the cancer moon activating the grand cross and chiron aspecting the mind and heart. deep stuff can come up and wounds can either be activated or healed- depending on how you work with the energy. it’s another activated week- and the energy does not stop until the end of august. so stay with it and ride it through. anything unresolved in your life, unacknowledged, ignored or put into shadow is up right now. it’s time to step up.
aries- week of 8/2-8/8
with your ruling planet in your house of relationships and venus joining in towards the end of the week you’d think your relationships were full of vitality, passion and amour, but with the grand cross getting potently activated you may find your relationships resemble more of a minefield than a playing field. if this is the case you are being asked to look at old patterns you play out in relationship that are no longer serving you and LET THEM GO! aries is the warrior and your gifts of courage, direction and action are unparalleled. but your shadow qualities of selfishness, impulsivity and inconsideration of others can really bite you in the butt in relationships. this week pay attention to the feminine energy in your life and your reactions to it. how you relate to the feminine is very important right now- especially how you relate to your own feminine aspect of self.
taurus- week of 8/2-8/8
your ruling planet moves into libra and follows mars lead in activating the grand cross this week and next week, bringing the next chapter in the story of major upheaval and evolution that is playing out in your work life and your health. as a taurus you are an earth sign and are intimately tied into the body and nature. with venus, mars and saturn in your 6th house of fellow earth sign virgo how you connect to and take care of your body and how you serve others is undergoing major change. any health stuff that comes up for you right now is trying to get your attention to show you the deeper body/mind connection that needs to be dealt with. likewise in the work sector- if what you are doing is not fulfilling and actually limiting your growth change is certainly on the horizon. take the first step and see where it leads you…
gemini- week of 8/2-8/8
there is a restructuring of your love life, creative and possibly children situation going on right now big time. with mars in your 5th house and venus to follow at the end of the week a lot of energy is being focused on your romantic, creative and procreative energies, and with saturn there as well there are major lessons being learned about commitments, boundaries, responsibilities and fairness in your life. last week mars unearthed some anger and a need for assertiveness in your life and this week the goddess draws your attention to the feminine side of things- where you compromise, keep the peace and find balance. a new love is set to alter your life tremendously- a romance, a child, and/or a creative endeavor. this love is based on reality though- so grounding and sticking through the hard times is part of your saturnine lessons. more to come this week!
cancer- week of 8/2-8/8
the deep, structural changes happening in your home life and inner life are setting the stage for the life you are building that is just starting to manifest itself. with venus, mars and saturn all in your 4th house (the house that cancer rules) a lot of energy is being focused and disciplined within and to your roots (literal and symbolic). dealing with old karmic patterns from the past- childhood, ancestral, even past lives- is part of the clearing out process in order to create a solid foundation for what is to come. any rocking of the boat in your home or family life that occurred last week was initiating this process. this week there is more- particularly at the start and end of the week- but if you do the deep work the Universe is asking of you you can find a deep clearing within and without that lets you move onto the next level in powerful ways. the work it is worth it.
leo- week of 8/2-8/8
communication is key! with libra in your 3rd house of communication you have a tendency to speak from a place of peace, harmony and balance. ever the diplomat when it comes to connecting with others- you can be counted on to find the balance in any tenuous situation. yet saturn is now in your 3rd house- where he will be for the next 2 1/2 years- asking you to learn valuable lessons about communicating your experience authentically and honestly- even if it means expressing a little discord and anger. with mars and now venus in this house activation of communication is playing out big time and important conversations are being had. early in the week and later in the week are more intense- but intensity is an opportunity for transformation. move through the thick of it and let the light of Truth lead the way.
virgo- week of 8/2-8/8
it’s not really about the money. it’s about what lies beneath it. value of yourself, your own self-worth, is where all manner of abundance first springs from. if somewhere deep within you feel you are lacking- then the outer will express the inner. with saturn in your 2nd house of finances and self-worth for the next 2 1/2 years deep lessons about these subjects are set to unfold. with mars and at the end of the week venus activating saturn you have a lot of activity and energy focused on money and self-worth- and any old limiting beliefs that allow you to believe in lack or not being good enough need to be faced and tossed. early in the week and later in the week things are most intense- but the point is to get you to look at some deep issues that hold you back from all that you can be. don’t view it as yet another area you haven’t got it together. view it as an area where a goldmine is waiting to be found. that goldmine is within you.
libra- week of 8/2-8/8
you are the star this week in the heavens! with your ruling planet venus moving into your sign, along with mars and saturn already there, a lot of activity is being focused on your sense of self, your persona and your Soul’s path. saturn is the planet of discipline and structure and he rules your 4th house of family and home. as he cojoins mars (last week) and venus (this week) a deep restructuring of your masculine and feminine energies are occurring. libra is the sign of the scales- always trying to find the perfect balance. sometimes to find that balance you have to go off balance. life is not about living in the middle, neutral path where there is no fierceness or no softness- no yang or no yin. life is about experiencing all the essences of life completely. this week as things come up if you find your libran tendency to neturalize arise check to see if it would serve you to embrace more or embrace less. find your own middle path- and express that through your journey.
scorpio- week of 8/2-8/8
12th house activation is intense- but if anyone can deal with it’s a deep, intense scorpio! with mars and saturn and by the end of the week venus all clustered in your 12th house of the unconscious a lot of activation is occurring on the deep psychic levels of your being. pay attention to your dreams! messages from the unconscious may not be easy to decipher for the conscious mind, but they certainly come in undiluted as your ego has no means of controlling what dreams come in. the 12th house is also the house of self-undoing and of secrecy. confronting how you self-sabotage and/or looking at secrets you keep to the deeper truth that you are actually trying to keep them from yourself may not be fun- but it sure is beneficial for your Soul’s growth. this week go boldly where you have not gone before- deeper within. do it as though your life depends on it.
sagittarius- week of 8/2-8/8
is your community changing? are you friendships shifting? now that mars and soon venus are joining saturn in your 11th house of community and friendship major structural changes in your support systems are occurring in tangible ways this week (and last week as well). with libra in your 11th house you have the tendency to be neutral and balanced in friendship situations, which is an asset at times and at other times its your achilles heel. learning hard-earned lessons about being real and solidifying friendships with others on a deeper level than just social niceties is part of saturn’s plan. as your hopes and wishes for your life change, the people you surround yourself with need to change in kind. honestly assess what truly supports your Soul and give that more energy- what does not let it go. leave the past behind.
capricorn- week of 8/2-8/8
your ruler is in your 10th house- the house your sign rules- and this week with venus and mars packed in the same house you have a lot of activity and focus going on in your career and life path arenas. your sign (and planet and house) is all about taking responsibility, stepping up, and finding the discipline and drive within to succeed. as saturn transits your 10th house over the coming 2 1/2 years you can expect to step up big career-wise, but you will also have to make a lot of sacrifices and work really darned hard to get there. this week there is a disciplining of your masculine and feminine energies- of your will and drive and your creativity and romantic nature. with saturn cojoining the Divine Lovers you have the capacity to channel some profound creativity but you must work for it. balance commitment with freedom- and find your means to fly.
aquarius- week of 8/2-8/8
deep spiritual and philosophical changes are going on in your psyche. with saturn in your 9th house of Higher Self a deeper connection to Who You Really Are is underway, and this week as both venus and mars (the Divine Lovers) dance in this same house a lot of creative and energetic focus on the bigger picture is set to occur. who are you? why are you here? what is your Truth and how can you live it and embody it in ever more committed ways? looking at how old beliefs have limited your self-expression and ability to grow- and then promptly tossing them- is recommended. saturn rewards pragmatism, integrity and reality checks. where can you align yourself with a more authentic expression of your own Spirit? this week you have opportunities to do just that- but the unfolding of it all will happen over the years to come. take one step at a time.
pisces- week of 8/2-8/8
the Divine Lovers (venus and mars) will both be in your 8th house of intimacy, sexuality, and shared resources by the end of the week. there they will join saturn who is setting up shop to teach you valuable lessons about deep relationships, the sharing of power, and transformation that comes via intimacy and vulnerability- all of which will unfold over the coming 2 1/2 years. mars can activate some feistiness in the bedroom- so watch out for power/control dynamics. saturn is asking that you discipline your will, as well as your more receptive side. with libra it’s all about a balance. intimate relationships are the source of your greatest transformation this week- and any intensity that arises is an opportunity to move through and clear deep stuff that holds you back from more of what you really want in your relationships. the deeper the process the more joy (and pleasure) you can contain. go deep.
Get a Spa Bathroom in 3 Easy Steps
Why wait for your next spa visit to relax and unwind? Instead, create a spa in your bathroom with these easy tips. And no, you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a spa-like experience every single day!
1) Change your Showerhead
It’s something we use every day, but rarely pay much attention to: the showerhead. If you’re using the plain old showerhead that came with your home, you just don’t know what you’re missing!
Invest in a spa-like showerhead that is tailored to you. Maybe you like a lot of different water pressures, or perhaps just a soft rainfall effect works for you. Either way, showerheads are inexpensive and take 10 minutes to install. Once you’re standing under a showerhead you really love, your bathing experience will become an enjoyable ritual rather than just one more thing to cross off your list.
2) Install a Heated Towel Rack
A heated towel rack may seem like pure indulgence, and that’s exactly why we urge you to get one. Once you wrap your body in a warm towel from your very own bathroom, you’ll never go back to cold towels again!
Like the showerhead, heated towel racks are easy to install. They come in all different sizes and prices, so do a little research based on your needs. The most basic models begin in the $80 price range and go up from there.
3) Accessorize
Once you’ve gotten the DIY work out of the way, it’s time to outfit your bathroom with feelgood accessories. A Box of Bliss will certainly enhance your home spa experience and comes with a candle, bath salts, relaxation CD, a box of tea and a special surprise. We also recommend big, fluffy towels and a plush robe. You may want to play music. These speakers are perfect for a bathroom. Tiny but with big sound.
How do you bring the spa experience home?
Weekly Horoscope July 26
this week is potent and intense! it seems like those words accurately sum up most of 2010 so far and definitely the next month of outer planet transits, and this week is no exception. on monday saturn opposes uranus for the 5th and final time, but for the first time in the signs of libra and aries. the pitting of the old versus the new, status quo versus change, commitment and stability versus change and rebellion is in full effect this week! shifts in how we relate to the Sacred Feminine and the Sacred Masculine abound. with uranus in aries there is an awakening of the warrior, will, drive, passion, assertiveness and anger, while saturn in libra is restructuring relationships, helping us define boundaries and teaching us the fine art of give and take in connections with others. then on thursday mars moves into libra, on friday mars opposes uranus and on saturday mars cojoins saturn. when any of the inner/personal planets transit the outer planets they tend to energetically activate the outer planet configurations- in this case it’s the grand cardinal cross planets of jupiter, saturn, uranus and pluto that are getting a major dose of the warrior energy. where ever aries and libra are in your chart there is a redressing of balances going on.
if you own your aries energy and are courageous, willful, assertive and perhaps even angry and aggressive but you project/disconnect from your aries energy then the lesson for you is to own your libra energy and learn to compromise, think of others first and relate in peaceful, harmonious ways. if you own your libra energy and are kind, thoughtful, balanced, and interested in harmony in relationships but you project/disconnect from your aries energy then the lesson for you is to assert yourself, define your boundaries, say no and take charge in situations you have allowed to go on for too long. we each have different lessons to learn- but whatever they are they will come up this week. pay attention and do the work, and liberating shifts will soon come your way.
aries- week of 7/26-8/1
the last 2 years of satun/uranus oppositions have shaken up and restructure your unconscious (12th house) and work/service sector (6th) bringing many changes that hopefully woke up your spiritual and service orientation in significant ways. now that uranus has moved into your sign and saturn has moved into your opposite sign of libra you are being asked to learn lessons about balancing your masculine and feminine within, and as reflected in your relationships. now that saturn is permanently in libra for the next 2 1/2 years you can expect your relationships to take on very significant roles. being realistic, grounded and committed in connections with others is key. if you are in something that is flighty, not real or not based on a true balance of give and take- it will likely end with saturn making you take responsibility for all your connections with others. the trick is to figure out to liberate more of your fire and passion without burning others out. learn when to tone it down and when to back down (not the warrior’s favorite thing to do) and the next 2 1/2 years can bring in some of the most significant relationships of your life.
taurus- week of 7/26-8/1
with saturn in your fellow venus-ruled sign of libra lessons around balancing your propensity to the more yin aspects of life- peace, harmony, connection, beauty and balance- with the more yang aspects- will, drive, passion, assertiveness and anger- are on your horizon. with aries in the 12th house of the unconscious part of your Soul work involves making conscious and embracing the Divine Warrior within. whatever sign and planets are found in the 12th house tend to point to areas of life we are not conscious of and perhaps even fear. expressing anger, standing up for yourself, saying no, yelling if you need to, and defining your boundaries do not make you a bad person (if they are done in balanced, healthy ways)! pay attention to your dreams this week as messages from your unconscious will likely come- helping you to illuminate themes around the masculine and warrior energies in your life that need your attention. you will always be peace-loving and kind, you are a taurus after all! but learning to stand up for yourself is important. if you don’t your body will express your Soul’s dissatisfaction by illness and dis-ease (literally your Soul not being at ease). take charge!
gemini- week of 7/26-8/1
with saturn in your 5th house restructuring your sense of self, creativity and romantic relationships opposing uranus in your 11th house awakening you to your more active, courageous role in your community there is a push pull between grounding/committing and exploring/adventuring going on in your life. but if anyone can deal with seemingly opposite energies it’s a gemini (the sign of the twins)! grounding and committing is not really gemini’s forte- but being free and in constant movement is. the uranian energy may feel easier to assimilate as uranus’ sole purpose is to liberate us from the past and help us to expand beyond ourselves in visionary ways. the saturn energy, on the other hand, asks you to anchor, commit, take responsibility and stick with something. a new relationship, creative endeavor and/or child that is entering your life is set to change your life dramatically. saturn is ultimately about self-mastery. we can gain a lot of wisdom during his transits if we stay focused on honesty, integrity and the freedom found in commitment- to another, to an idea/project or to ourselves (which is the most important!). this week see where you are being asked to step up and where you are being asked to let go and let freedom in. they can seem opposite areas of existence, but there is a bridge between them that will in fact mutually support each other. you just have to find the bridge.
cancer- week of 7/26-8/1
as a cardinal sign the cardinal cross happening right now is powerfully impacting you (particularly if your sun or rising sign is in the early degrees of cancer). saturn is now permanently in your 4th house of home and family- the house cancer rules. major lessons about grounding, restructuring and anchoring in your inner life and home life abound. dealing with past life karma and stuff around your childhood or father is part of the house-cleaning process that saturn will put you through in the 2 1/2 years. prepare to grow up in profound ways over the coming years. meanwhile uranus in your 10th house is opposing saturn this week- bringing a sense of expansion, liberation, restlessness and rebelliousness to your career and life path focus. with all the energy creating shifts in your outer world it is very important that you ground and find some sense of stability within and in your home life. that is the balance of saturn and uranus in your 4th and 10th houses. the interesting thing is that as you find that inner balance you will be supported in your direction in the world. it’s all about balance of yin and yang. relationships are a key source of growth right now- find the balance in that significant connection and you will know you found it within.
leo- week of 7/26-8/1
the saturn/uranus opposition has now moved on from your 2nd and 8th houses where they shook up, liberated, and/or restructured your finances, shared resources, self-worth and intimate connections. this week the 5th and final opposition occurs in your 3rd and 9th houses where the planet of structure and discipline (saturn) and liberation and change (uranus) are now set to revamp how you communicate, think and see the world around you. with saturn in your 3rd house you can expect to be asked to take even more responsibility for the words you say. honesty, integrity and reality are the key words to keep in mind in all communication exchanges with those around you. with libra in the 3rd you have a tendency to keep the peace and look for ways to promote harmony in all communication, but if that is not balanced with the warrior who knows when to say no, get angry and define boundaries then you cannot be whole. with uranus in your 9th your spiritual and philosophical beliefs are getting awakened and radically altered in profound ways. waking up to your Higher Self in unprecedented ways is set to unfold in the coming year. as you ground your lower mind you give permission to your Higher Mind to fly higher. this may sound like an oxymoron but it’s not. the only way to find out is to try.
virgo- week of 7/26-8/1
the saturn/uranus oppositions that began back in late 2008 occurred in your sign and your polar opposite sign of pisces, which shook up relationships big time, as well as your sense of self and your direction in life. now that saturn and uranus have moved into libra and aries respectively the energy is shifting from the self/other axis to your 2nd and 8th houses of finances, shared resources, self-worth and intimate connections. saturn in your 2nd is asking you to be realistic and disciplined when it comes to money- and more importantly when it comes to realizing your own self-worth. saturn is all about reality- he doesn’t pump your ego up but he also doesn’t allow you to be overly self-deprecating. a balanced saturn knows his own worth and it comes from a grounded place of integrity and honest self-reflection. meanwhile uranus in the sign of the warrior is waking up your house of sexuality, intimacy, and Soul transformation. major shifts in your deepest intimate relationships are occurring- but you already know that don’t you? a balance of yin and yang needs to be found within before you can find it without. if you find yourself overly compromising in relationships OR overly asserting your will they both are missing something. material life is but a dream- we need to look deeper, with the heart, to see the Truth. this week you are asked to find your own Truth and to live it. nothing less will do.
libra- week of 7/26-8/1
for the last 2 years the saturn/uranus oppositions have been happening in your most hidden houses of the unconscious (saturn in the 12th) and of health and service (uranus in the 6th). this week the opposition has shifted into your sign and your polar opposite sign of aries showing that major shake ups, restructuring and liberation are set to occur in your relationships, your sense of self and your direction in life. saturn comes to teach us lessons about stepping up and being more of who we can be- and with saturn in your sign your sense of identity is being restructured over the coming 2 1/2 years. meanwhile uranus in your 7th house is bringing some radical change and enlivening new energy into your relationship sector. you may find that significant relationships ends if they no longer serve your growth, or alternatively you may find new, electric and eccentric people enter your life to help bring you back to life so-to-speak. whichever it is it is a ride of a lifetime and the best thing to do is not hold onto anything that holds you back from experiencing life (most importantly preconceptions of who you are or who others are). the seeming opposite energies of grounding/structure (saturn) and liberation/change (uranus) actually support each other. as you anchor more of who you are in the world you will find that the new energies coming into your life don’t shake you up in anxiety producing ways but actually wake you up in Soul-liberating ways. that is your path right now. embrace it and enjoy the ride!
scorpio- week of 7/26-8/1
the saturn/uranus oppositions that began in late 2008 have moved on from your 11th and 5th houses of community and self-expression, where you learned about being more of who you are and expressing that in your world and community connections, and into your 12th and 6th houses of the unconscious and health/service, where you will be confronting some of your deepest fears and realizing some of your greatest gifts while finding new ways to share your insights in service to those around you. with saturn now moved into libra and your 12th house there is a restructuring of your deepest sense of self going on- sometimes on such subtle levels you may not even realize it. paying attention to your dreams when 12th house transits occur is important- as a lot of psychic work is done in dreamtime. meanwhile uranus is in your 6th house shaking up your daily routines and work environment and asking you to be more free and courageous when it comes to the work you do. if it’s not service oriented in some way it’s not going to be fulfilling. your dreams can lead you down the right path- but you have to stay open to things you’ve never even imagined could be possible. this week important shifts occur- perhaps in your outer life, but definitely in your inner life. pay attention- nothing is insignificant right now.
sagittarius- week of 7/26-8/1
your home life and work life have been sufficiently shaken up the last couple of years due to the saturn/uranus oppositions activating your 10th and 4th houses. now the energy of discipline/structure and change/liberation has shifted into your 11th and 5th houses where the focus is on your community and friendship associations and your sense of self, romantic and creative self-expression and perhaps even children. with saturn in your 11th being realistic about the people you connect with- honestly seeing them and letting go of any connections that don’t support your forward movement- is key. grounding is not sadge’s forte- as you prefer to be free and spontaneous, but when it comes to saturn the lessons involve being anchored, pragmatic and realistic. meanwhile uranus in your 5th is shaking up your creativity and your romantic life. new energies come in, old energies go out. with uranus you never know what to expect! this is all about being more of who you are in expressive, authentic ways. whatever is not really you has to go- be it attitudes, relationships, or images of yourself that are outdated. as these two seemingly opposite energies activate each other you can find a push pull between being you and being in the world. the lesson is to find the bridge. you will know when you have found it when you are being authentically you, not to please anyone but to be who you are, and those around you accept you for it and support the best they know you can be.
capricorn- week of 7/26-8/1
the first 4 saturn/uranus oppositions shook up and restructured your mind, your beliefs and how you perceive the world around you. hopefully you have allowed your capricorn tendency to be fixed and rigid to relax so that the new life that wanted to come in could take hold. if not, it might have been a bumpy ride the last 2 years 
now that saturn and uranus have moved into your fellow cardinal signs of libra and aries the dynamic duo has shifted focus to your 10th and 4th houses of career/standing in the world and home/family life. major changes are underfoot in your life path and your foundations. with your ruling planet moving into the house it rules (10th) a restructuring of your calling in the world is occurring, but it’s a slow moving energy that will unfold over the next 2 1/2 years. whatever your path is asking of you- you can expect it to arrive and it requires hard work, discipline and integrity. of course that’s an easy task for a capricorn! meanwhile uranus is in your 4th house shaking things up from the inside out. uranus is a very different energy to saturn and capricorn- it brings about liberation, change, rebellion and sudden reversals. as an earth sign your desire for stability may not feel met- but your Soul’s desire for freedom and liberation certainly will. changes in where you live, who you live with, and how you relate to your past are set to unfold this year, and likely already have begun. these inner and outer changes have one focus- to help you be more of who you can be in yourSelf and in the world around you. embrace the change!
aquarius- week of 7/26-8/1
the last 2 years saturn and uranus have been restructuring and radically changing your finances, self-worth and most intimate connections. can you look back and see how the sometimes constricting and volatile energies of saturn and uranus have actually been there to serve your highest good? now that you have a newer, more liberated sense of self (and value of yourself) and have weeded out intimate connections that don’t support all of who you are, saturn and uranus have moved onto your 9th and 3rd houses of higher mind/higher beliefs and communication. this dynamic duo is helping you communicate more of who you are authentically and assertively (thanks to your ruler uranus in the warrior sign of aries) while helping you to restructure your perceptions of the world and bring more of your Higher Self into the picture (thanks to saturn in your 9th). opportunities to speak your Truth and set yourself free abound this week and in the coming months. as an aquarius the uranian energy is more familiar- being eccentric, rebellious, and avant garde is your calling card. but saturn needs to be in balance to uranus- so finding a way to be both radical and grounded, free and committed, spontaneous and responsible is key. the changes you experience are meant to be expressed- write, teach, speak, sing- whatever means you choose you are meant to share it. as long as you stay true to yourSelf (not your ego, but your Self) you can know you are on the right path.
pisces- week of 7/26-8/1
since late 2008 the saturn/uranus oppositions have been restructuring your relationships (saturn in the 7th) and shaking up your sense of self and direction in life (uranus in your sign). now that both planets have moved onto the cardinal signs of libra and aries the energy has shifted from the self/other axis to your finances and self worth (uranus in the 2nd) and your shared resources and most intimate connections (saturn in the 8th). major changes in how you value yourself will impact your ability to go deep in intimacy. as you have learned about the reality of relationships with saturn in your 7th the last 2 1/2 years, you now get to take your saturn lessons to deeper waters as you learn about the reality of intimacy, vulnerability, and Soul connections. pisces tend to be very idealistic and romantic, and not so great at seeing things (and people) as they are, not just as they can be. you are learning a lot about the reality of Love, meanwhile uranus has been shaking up, liberating and changing your sense of self in profound ways. these seeming opposite energies actually support each other. as you find freedom in commitment, and grounding in Love- you are supported to be more of who you are and realize your worth in electric ways. change is a familiar tune for pisces with uranus bringing change for the last 7 years (since he entered pisces), but the key is to balance that with commitment and grounding in important relationships. this week shifts occur that set the stage for the future. the future is bright- let it shine!
Divine Harmony - “My one wish for humanity is to open the heart chakras of everyone on the planet. I hope to assist as many people as I can in healing their bodies, minds and souls as I journey on this same path of healing for myself. I believe that astrology can be a powerful tool for self-knowledge and healing and I hope to share that with the world.” To schedule private readings and consultations you can reach Divine Harmony at divineharmony.org
Weekly Horoscope July 19
it’s a busy week and it will stay that way for the next month as the grand cross perfects itself over the coming weeks- so brace yourself! saturn moves into libra where he will stay for the next 2 1/2 years helping us to restructure and redefine our relationships and boundaries. on friday jupiter stations retrograde in aries (the sign opposite libra) toning down the warrior energy and asking us to find balance between jupiter’s assertive, dynamic, unbounded energy and saturn’s structured, responsible, relationship-oriented energy. then on saturday jupiter squares pluto, kicking off the grand cross in earnest and unearthing power dynamics and opportunities for transformation- personally and collectively. it’s a dynamic week! get ready for a summer to remember…
aries- week of 7/19-7/25
with jupiter going retrograde in your sign and saturn entering your 7th house for good (where he will stay for the next 2 1/2 years)- the lesson this week is learn to tone down your fire to the degree that it can sustain and support your intimate relationships. saturn will be teaching you some valuable lessons about love and commitment in the coming years- but the aries tendency to think of the self first has to be balanced out with putting the other first as well. on saturday jupiter squares pluto in your house of career and standing in the world. the power you are gaining comes with responsibility. harness it for achievement and success rather than letting it to get to your head and turn into egotism. major changes are underfoot this summer!
taurus- week of 7/19-7/25
the god of abundance and growth stations retrograde in your 12th house of the unconscious this week, taking your insights and inner growth to deeper levels. turning deep within to make conscious your relationship with the warrior and your drive/will/assertiveness is part of the coming 4 month process of jupiter retrograde. meanwhile saturn permanently moves into your sister sign of libra (you both share the same ruling planet of venus)- putting a focus of growth for the next 2 1/2 years on your health and the service you provide. finding balance in your body and your work is key- as too much of anything can throw you off. on saturday jupiter squares pluto, amplifying your passion around your beliefs, just be sure to not get dogmatic and holier than thou. we all have our beliefs- and believe it or not everyone feels justified in what it is they believe. the only way to change anyone- including yourself- is consciousness. work on your own- and by osmosis you will influence others.
gemini- week of 7/19-7/25
this week saturn finally moves out of your 4th house of home and family- taking with him 2 1/2 years worth of lessons around grounding, managing family responsibilities, and dealing with what at times perhaps seemed like too much to deal with (in your inner life as well as your home life). with saturn’s move into libra the focus of your lessons will shift to romance, self-expression and children (or your other creative children). learning lessons about maturity, commitment and stability will abound in the coming years. jupiter stations retrograde in your 11th house of community and friendship helping you to integrate the opportunities you’ve encountered in connections with others. the next 4 months are a time to focus on what you want to grow in your community and connections. on saturday jupiter squares pluto, bringing opportunities for transformation and deep intimacy OR power/control struggles with intimate others. choose to let significant connections open you up rather than shut you down- it’s more fun that way
cancer- week of 7/19-7/25
saturn moves into your 4th house of home and family (the house cancer rules!) where he will stay for the coming 2 1/2 years helping you to ground, commit and be responsible when it comes to your home and family life. with saturn moving into your sign’s house major lessons about mastering and responsibility living the cancer archetype (Divine Mother, emotion, intuition) are heading your way. jupiter stations retrograde in your 10th house of career and standing in the world, shifting your newfound drive and passion inward and helping you to integrate the growth and opportunities you’ve experienced in the past several months. major shifts are afoot career wise- but learning how to harness your drive and think tortoise not hare is key for the long run. on saturday jupiter squares pluto bringing powerful experiences in career and/or relationships- but reining in any tendency to dogmatism or egotism is key. let pluto transform you and your relationships at the deepest of levels and it can take things to profoundly deep, and more fulfilling, waters.
leo- week of 7/19-7/25
saturn leaves your 2nd house of money and self-worth, where he has been for the last 2 1/2 years teaching you lessons about valuing yourself and managing your moeny, and enters your 3rd house of communication where he will stay for the coming 2 1/2 years. lessons about communication, speaking up, speaking your Truth, and being in integrity with your words are the focus now. meanwhile jupiter stations retrograde in your 9th house of higher Self (the house that jupiter rules) asking you to go within and connect to something much deeper as your spiritual and philosophical beliefs are radically changing. on saturday jupiter squares pluto, causing your newfound spiritual growth to redefine the work you do in the world. let jupiter/pluto empower you and transform you, rather than engage in you in power/control dynamics with others in the work environment. change is afoot! and the summer has only just begun
virgo- week of 7/19-7/25
saturn has been in your sign for the last 2 1/2 years and this week you can celebrate because he is moving onto libra. the lessons about self-mastery, maturity and stepping up into more of who you are responsibly are coming to an end. with saturn moving into your 2nd house the focus of saturn’s lessons will now be on your self-worth, values and how you manage your money. taking responsibility is rewarded by saturn- so keep that in mind over the coming 2 1/2 years. jupiter stations retrograde in your 8th house of intimacy, sexuality and Soul transformation, taking your Soul growth to deeper, more internal waters. taking time to integrate all you’ve experienced in the last months is key to being ready for the next leg of your path. on saturday jupiter squares pluto, bringing opportunities to go deep in intimate connection (with a lover, with a child, or in your creativity) to a level you may not have experienced before, but it can also activate a lot of shadow and power/control dynamics rather than Soul connecting. choose the power of Love instead of the love of power and all will be well.
libra- week of 7/19-7/25
it’s a big week for you as saturn moves into your sign where he will stay for the next 2 1/2 years. lessons requiring discipline, maturity and commitment to growth will abound and will help you restructure your sense of self and your way of being in the world! you are truly starting a whole new cycle of self-mastery. jupiter stations retrograde in your 7th house of relationships, helping you to reflect on and integrate all the opportunities for connection (and growth that has ensued) that have come your way in the past months. with jupiter in your 7th house you have been attracting people who are good for you like flies- but taking time to see that the Other is simply you is key as well. the light you recognize in another is your own light! on saturday jupiter squares pluto in your 4th house of home and family, bringing powerful opportunities to clear out past life/family life stuff but it can also unearth power/control dynamics in your home or family life. choosing to let pluto transform rather than control is key. the summer is upon us and change is afoot! enjoy the ride 
scorpio- week of 7/19-7/25
this week saturn moves into libra and your 12th house of the unconscious, where he will stay for the next 2 1/2 years helping you to confront and master your unconscious, your fears and your dreams in responsible ways. saturn’s transit through your 12th house is the clearing out that happens just before saturn moves into your own sign- where a whole new life path will be set into motion, so take this time to clean house for good! jupiter stations retrograde in your 6th house of health and service, asking you to reign in any tendencies to overdo it work wise or health wise and take time to turn within. the 6th house is the house of self-adjustment and with the greater benefic connected to the unconscious you have the ability to make some inner adjustments that can positively influence the rest of your year. take time to turn within. on saturday jupiter squares your ruler pluto, bringing in opportunities to communicate powerfully and dynamically in your work or immediate environment- just beware of getting dogmatic or egotistic with others as it can bite you in the butt! speak your Truth with conviction but allow for other’s convictions as well. it’s key to having a peaceful planet.
sagittarius- week of 7/19-7/25
your ruler goes retrograde in your 5th house of romance, creativity and self-expression this week, asking you to learn to temper your firey expression so that it is still dynamic and fun-loving but also capable of including and making space for other’s self-expression as well. sadge is larger than life and at times can have a hard time reigning it in, but with saturn entering libra this week there are lessons to be learned about community and friendships. being mature, stable and grounded is just as important as being spontaneous, free and confident. it’s all about a balance. on saturday jupiter squares pluto bringing up any unresolved power struggles around money that may still be waiting in the wings. don’t let pluto’s tough aspect to your ruler let you get egoic, dogmatic or power-trippy, as it will only foul you up. stay above board, in integrity- and all will be well!
capricorn- week of 7/19-7/25
your ruler saturn exits virgo, and your 9th house of higher Self, permanently this week and moves into libra and your 10th house of career and standing in the world (the house capricorn rules) for the next 2 1/2 years. with your ruler in your ruler’s house you can expect major things happening on the career front, particularly as it relates to your Soul’s path. with libra in the 10th house your life purpose involves promoting beauty, art, harmony and peace in some way, shape or form- and the coming 2 1/2 years involve realizing more of what that is about for you. jupiter stations retrograde in your 4th house, taking the dynamic firey energy you’ve been experiencing in your home life and inner life and turning it within, where it can percolate on deeper levels. on saturday jupiter squares pluto in your sign, bringing opportunities to transform and gain power in your inner life- just watch out for power/control dynamics that can play out at home. stay empowered and out of power/over, power/under dynamics and you’ll be fine.
aquarius- week of 7/19-7/25
this week saturn moves into your 9th house of Higher Self, where he will stay for the next 2 1/2 years, bringing you significant lessons about responsibility, maturity and commitment to your spiritual path and your connection to your Higher Self. restructuring your belief system so that it has room for you to grow is key. jupiter stations retrograde in your 3rd house of communication asking you to take time and reflect on all the growth you’ve experienced lately- particularly when it comes to speaking up assertively and dynamically on your own behalf. learning the balance between aries and libra- masculine and feminine- when it comes to communication is key. on saturday jupiter squares pluto bringing up powerful communication from the unconscious- so pay attention to your dreams. unearthing unconscious material and integrating it is part of the path of consciousness. this week you have opportunities to do just that! life is a waking dream…
pisces- week of 7/19-7/25
this week saturn moves out of your 7th house of relationships, where he has been for the last 2 1/2 years, and into your 8th house of intimacy, sexuality and Soul transformation, taking your relationship lessons to deep waters. learning to master yourself via relationships is the name of the game- and with the 8th house activated a lot of the growth will take place in the shadow, the bedroom, or both! jupiter stations retrograde in your 2nd house of income and self-worth, helping you to reflect on and integrate the recent growth and opportunities you’ve experience in believing in yourself and going after what you believe in. a lot is coming your way this summer- so let jupiter’s internal focus help you prepare. on saturday jupiter squares pluto bringing opportunities to achieve and be empowered in your place or role in your community- just be aware of any dogmatism or egotism that can ensue as jupiter tends to exacerbate things and with pluto there is a need to harness the power in healthy ways. the summer to remember is in effect! enjoy the ride
Divine Harmony - “My one wish for humanity is to open the heart chakras of everyone on the planet. I hope to assist as many people as I can in healing their bodies, minds and souls as I journey on this same path of healing for myself. I believe that astrology can be a powerful tool for self-knowledge and healing and I hope to share that with the world.” To schedule private readings and consultations you can reach Divine Harmony at divineharmony.org
