This past week in my internal martial arts class, Sifu (Chinese title for master-teacher) went into great depth on the topic of spirit, and how one must learn to move through the will of spirit. Not just in training and practicing our forms, but in life. His final instructions to the class were ones that felt quite relevant for the astrology of July: “Know who you are and what your destiny is – and fulfill it.”
July’s astrology encourages us to really take the leap – to go against the grain -- and find, discover, and be who and what we are at a deeper and more complete level. The moons this month are a new moon in Cancer on July 4, and a Full Moon in Capricorn on July 18. This is the axis of creation and represents our innermost foundations and outer identity. These are the vibrations traditionally associated with mother and father.
One interesting aspect of the July astrology is that we are passing through the space of the now separating Uranus-Pluto square that has been the central force of revolutionary change for the past five years. At the same time we are also still working with the energy of Mars in Scorpio (now direct) throughout the whole month of July, putting a strong emphasis on completion around the Saturn-Scorpio story that has been ongoing for us since 2012 (but most particularly March 2014 through September 2015). These elements seem to be operating in tandem this month – with Mars passing through a trine to Chiron (the point of deep wounding) -- and the implication that I sense is a sort of face off / show down between the sacred path and those things that interfere with or pull us from it.
Cancer and Capricorn can be understood as carriers of tradition. Cancer is the archetype of the nurturing mother and the comfort and safety of home. Capricorn is the archetype of accomplishment and success through the intelligent maneuvering of society. But these realms have been shifting in recent years – for all of us. Everything about what makes home, what makes a career, who we are and how we partner (all of the cardinal archetypes), have been turned on their head under the intense power of the Uranus-Pluto square – and for most, it has not been an easy process. Social unrest, financial instability, homes and jobs lost, broken systems of government, human rights violations (and wins) – have touched ALL of our lives in some way these past several years, forcing the collective to seriously reevaluate what is real in this world, and what changes need to be applied towards future structures in our lives and society at large.
Yet, to spite the obvious disarray and apparent need for change, our internal programs and feelings of expectation still hold strong. Even if we’re confident that we are on the right path for us, the territory can still feel unfamiliar, treacherous, and leave us filled with doubt. At times, we may be inclined to turn back, but when we turn around, we find that there is no “back” at all! We are essentially stuck in between – the web of the past and the knowledge of the future. How do we figure it all out? How do we fix it all? How do we forgive (ourselves, each other)? Is it possible to work together?
Mars Retrograde brought us back into the territory of our deep psychological obstacles and wounds through the past two months. On a higher level, we know we must face these aspects of ourselves, these shadows of our being, in order to do what it is that we are called to do. But while it sounds good on the surface, there’s a level at which this is actually quite a terrifying proposition – one that we might find ourselves resistant to embrace. The small self feels protected by the layers of identity that once formed us. If we let go of “home” – even if “home” is a place rife with dramas and struggles – who the heck are we? And if we do make this shift into the being of our self that is our future self – our higher self – how can we know if it is authentic if it appears to be so different from where we came?
It is natural for us to now be considering these questions – but important to rise above these concerns and recognize what we are really being asked to focus upon at this time – and that is finding the home within the self. The New Home. Home is not where we’re from anymore. It is not even the long lines of our ancestry. Home is something entirely different – something beyond location, association, and culture.
What I am sensing is that the evolutionary promises of July’s astrology are a threshold into embracing a higher frequency of the Cancer archetype of unconditional love and the Capricorn archetype of divine authority. We must all create sacred space and take sacred time in our lives as individuals so that we may transmute the anxieties and fears that befall us, and face the obstacles before us with courage. The courage arises when we have established our inner anchor and we begin to see ourselves as sovereign. Everything about who we are culturally is not our true identity – for we have all of us lived in many cultures, many times. So it is up to us as individuals to make the effort to establish our own roots, and see beyond the veils of expectation and assumption.
We need to heal our wounds and fears around the unseen world. This has been the hidden undercurrent of the past several years, represented by Chiron’s travels through Pisces – for when we can look at the truth in its many layers with clear eyes, we will see much, much more than we currently are able to, and only then can we actually have the change of heart and mind necessary to realize the deeper possibilities inherent within ourselves and humanity as a group.
“It is so much to sort through – an impenetrable knot of endless conditioning – how can it all be done?” I hear myself protest.
The answer lies within each individual’s efforts to transcend their own conditionings (e.g. the ideas of how life “should be” that have been told to us by Mom, Dad, society, and even our own karmic self) and take an active part in the creation of those new things and new spaces that are left behind by the wounds of failed or failing structures.
There is a new world beyond this. A more cooperative reality. What it needs are different things – different ideas, different approaches, people who are willing to take those gifts that have felt like curses and utilize them in service of the collective force. Why do you want to let your life be limited when you could be so much more and give so much more? The fear and resistance we feel, the trepidation – it’s not there to encourage our hiding under the same ol’ same ol’ – it is there to propel us towards our destiny. It is the discomfort necessary to inspire change.
Surrender to the process in this year of fateful turnings. It may seem slow, other times it may seem like we’re moving at light speed – but the important part is that we keep going, keep integrating, and continue to be willing to shine our light out to the world – and to always, always hold close to the uncovering and exploration of what is the truth, and who is our true self.
When we practice these things – and come to know our sacred self – we will always find the way. Without trying so hard! It is there for you as it is for me, and for all of us. Remembering this, we can see our fear for what it is and dissolve its influence.
Whatever it is, wherever you are – if it’s in your heart – keep going. See it through. Have faith and appreciate. Your destiny will never desert you. Only you can desert it. We are all a part of the bigger picture – and it is incumbent upon us to fulfill our roles – knowing that these roles are not like the ones we’ve known. Celebrating the awesome ability to be a part of collective creation and evolution.
Honor and embrace the past for what it’s been. Embrace and honor the future – for what it will be. Embrace and honor now, with openness and faith that there is something beautiful beyond the veil. Be confident that the sphere of your abilities and your interests is enough. It can all be done – if we all stop looking outside, and come back in. Back home. To who we really are. And trust in it. Because the true self knows the cosmic design, the web of connection, and the plan for your life. We do not need to strive for what already is.
Sink in. Just be.