July 24th ~ 31st

What is this thing that has happened to us? It’s a virus yes. In and of itself it holds no moral brief. But it’s definitely more than a virus. Some believe it’s God’s way of bringing us to our senses. Others that it’s a Chinese conspiracy to take over the world. Whatever it is, Coronavirus has made the mighty kneel and brought the world to a halt like nothing else could… Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next. We can choose to walk through it dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and hatred, our avarice, our data banks and dead ideas, our dead rivers, and smoky skies behind us. Or we can walk through lightly, with little luggage, ready to imagine another world. And ready to fight for it. ~ Arundhati Roy

July has brought us a rare opportunity to get to see the Neowise Comet trailing its tail of magical icy fragments in our evening skies. From here on it will gradually become dimmer as it moves away from the earth. Comets are erratic and unpredictable, and probably for that very reason have been seen as portents of doom and gloom. It seems to make sense that a disturbance in the heavens would likely be a harbinger of pestilence, plagues and the fall of Kings. But it seems a little unfair, when you consider that it is believed the water, the life giver of our planet, most likely was brought here from a comet. Yet we stop to pause in wonder and awe at these infrequent visitors, as we wonder what exactly the portent might be. There is another less dramatic portent, hovering in the background of our cosmic tableau this year. Something that, not unlike Neowise, could easily just fade away without mention. 

One of the prevailing transits of the year brings a subtle window of opportunity into our lives. It may not be quite so spectacular as the comet. But it is significant. It’s the Jupiter/Neptune sextile which becomes exact for the 2nd time on Monday. It’s significant because it’s about reconnecting with our humanity. In a recently released book, Survival of the Friendliest, scientists Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods demonstrate that those species that survive and evolve successfully, do so not because they are stronger and tougher, which is what we usually think of with Darwin’s theory. Species survive and evolve through friendly cooperation. And so we are being reminded, with this subtle Jupiter sextile Neptune transit that when we work together in common cause for the greater good of humanity, we can achieve so much more, then we do when we work at cross purposes. 

Jupiter in pragmatic Capricorn is here to tell us that kindness and compassion is not just nice, it is practical. And perhaps even necessary for our very survival. The thing is with sextiles is that they present these nice windows of opportunity to learn, to grow, to experience. But no one forces us to acknowledge the potential they may bring. We have to make the effort. But even a little effort with this sextile can bring profound consequences of meaning into our lives. And as Neptune continues to commune within the depths of Pisces, this unique opportunity allows us to look about us and realize some profound truths about society, as well as our own lives.

Lucky for us, this transit continues through much of the Fall. Otherwise we would easily miss the opportunities it brings. Especially in all the chaos, uncertainty, confusion, and mixed messages being tossed hither and yon this coming week and beyond. We are gradually being lured into a maelstrom of conflict, and it will be all we can do to not engage. The gauntlet is being thrown down, and Mars in Aries is all too willing to snatch it up come August. Even this week, Mercury is setting the tone, for what is yet to come. Like the messenger of discord, Mercury is carrying his message on terse and impatient wings. But  if we are compelled to step into the fray, even if we feel like we have to choose sides, Jupiter/Neptune are here to remind us, that we must never, ever lose sight of our humanity. 

We are the friendliest human species that ever evolved, which has allowed us to outcompete other human species that are now extinct. When that mechanism is turned off, we can become unbelievably cruel. When it is turned on, it allows us to win. We win by cooperation and teamwork. Our uniquely human skills for cooperative communication can be used to solve the hardest social problems. ~ Brian Hare & Vanessa Woods (Survival of the Friendliest)

Here are some of the things Jupiter sextile Neptune is drawing us to realize:

• Interdependence: Recognizing how connected we all are on these very fundamental levels: spiritually, emotionally and even physically. Interdependence allows us to see the logic of compassion. We cannot survive without each other. And when we are willing and happy to work together toward a common cause, we are capable of creating something beautiful and awe-inspiring.

• Imagination, Dreams & Enchantment: There are worlds that transcend the conventional material world, including the worlds of the imagination and our dreams. Jupiter/Neptune dare us to discover and explore the far reaches of time and space. Divination and Enchantment and Magic also can be found here. Dare to allow yourself to be enchanted. A door is opening. Dare we step through? 

• Spirituality: When your heart, mind and spirit are in alignment, you are drawn to recognize your own unique spiritual path. That path that resonates with your heart soul. How can your daily life and routines help support that path? What activities and experiences will facilitate your connection with Spirit/Higher Self/God wisdom/Soul? 

• Idealism: What can you do to bring your life more in alignment with your highest ideals? Empathy, kindness and compassion thrive when we come to realize our common humanity: that we are all swimming together in this great cosmic ocean called life. In what way can you walk the walk as well as talk the talk? How can you bring your actions, your decisions, your dreams, more in alignment with your cherished ideals? 

For this week’s horoscopes, click below:

HOROSCOPES

Image - Neowise over Windsor Castle by Deepal Ratnakaya