The previous solar week was about retreat into privacy. It was a week of reflecting and remembering, and it brought the potential for deep revelations. This kind of energy might have helped us to understand coherences, that previously we did not see. It could also have made it easier to express things that we held close to our chest and to share our reflections on our own past with others.
Quarter of Duality
This solar week is about collective leadership and establishing patterns that can lead humanity into a better future. It also is about moving toward better balance in relationships through listening with empathy and creating a good relationship framework with healthy and balanced power dynamics. It starts the yearly quarter of duality that is about convergence of two, which allows the future to be more stable: It is about integrating the two different souls within us (the design side and personality side) and seeking internal balance, and it is about balancing our shadows with our gifts, all of which translates to external balance in relationships. By the way, the opening of the quarter of duality is what some people call the lions gate symbolized by two 8s (twice the number eight). Those 8s each in itself are a duality of two mirrored circles that form the infinity symbol only by being together – it's just duality, which brings the hunt for proper balance on the inside and on the outside.
This year's quarter of duality is comparably calm in its energy. It has an undertone of stillness, inaction, concentration on details, and focused work. Ideally, such stillness and focus keeps us from acting too early and from skipping details and important steps. When we think only we know what's best and we can't be wrong, we might skip those steps that otherwise might have been of real importance or even a game changer. The stillness and focus assists us with proper evaluation and, if necessary, preparation.
This quarter is about attracting loyalty through being there in times of crisis when others need it – or about losing loyalty and support when one insists on isolation, and being moody and careless (Trump hiding in his bunker while the streets burned in 2020 is a good example of that). Not everyone's loyalty is worth having though. Sometimes the tradeoff is too big, and sometimes it's worth every sacrifice. This is also about not falling for other people's expectation that we should be there for them and make a sacrifice that's unhealthy for us, but it is about applying our own best discernment. In intimacy, this either is about seduction and sexuality as power that is being misused, or it is about breaking down barriers, blockages, and fears through love, and attracting others through sexuality. And yet, there might be a need for inaction as long as everything is not ready yet. The knowing that the right moment is worth waiting for can save the day. This year's quarter of duality comes with an absolute fixation on inaction, sitting still, concentration, focus, and doing one's work, while we wait for the right opportunity and while we work toward that opportunity step by step. Through proper evaluation we might recognize others and their solutions, and we ourself might be recognized by doing inner or outer work with self-discipline. It is the self-discipline to resist impulsive temptations, and to sit still and do the work where things are not completed yet, and where the details are still missing. When there is nothing finished to present, it's tough to get the recognition for it - be it an inner transformation that takes place two steps forward and one step backward, or a product and solution for the market. At the same time, when we don't do detailed investigation on something, we might easily be mislead and bought by things that then do not work.
While we work at it, there can be a deep gratefulness for the small steps and victories on the way, and for even the smallest support and recognition that we give and receive.
Alois Schram
Specifically the upcoming 10 days are a time of recognizing how we give our control to others, and how easily people can control us, our mood, and our reaction, just by pushing our buttons and having us over-react over nothing, maybe even over things they didn't even say or mean. These are two weeks of taking back that control, learning to have greater control over our emotional reactions, and getting more level-headed in the sense of being above things. It's also a week of learning to be less dependent on others and to stop expecting them to constantly re-ignite a flame in us that we ourself can't ignite. It can be a time where we learn to seek the kind of stimulation for ourself that sparks enthusiasm within us, independent of other people, and thus to loosen up the ties to other people's apron strings.
5 August 2021 11:04 UTC: Beginning of the new solar week in gate 7▽ ䷆ (Leo) – active channels of the moment: the channel of concentration (52.4.2.6 Moon-9.4.2.5▲ South Node)
A superiority complex, and using knowledge solely for power at the expense of those who don't understand – Or having far-reaching influence and impact on society with a genius and innovative vision that serves the will of the majority, when recognized and chosen by others.
- 6 August 2021 23:57 UTC: Sun in 7.2.4.3 (Leo) square Uranus in 2.2.4.3 (Taurus)
Naturally knowing what others need, what is necessary, and where things need to go and lead toward. Forgiving oneself, forgiving others, and waiting for the soul mate rather than taking anything less when it comes to intimacy.
Jean-Leon Gerome - The Colossi of Thebes Memnon and Sesostris Gerome
Resentment, seduction, questions of responsibility. Succeeding through others and gaining unearned reward and recognition. Not taking responsibility for one's sexual activities or other actions.
- 8 August 2021 2:24 UTC: Mercury in 4.5.1.4 (Leo) in waxing quincunx to Neptune in 36.1.1.4 (Pisces)
Three weeks ago, we had a transit like this before. I saw it purely through the material and mental lens of finding new formulas, understanding, and success through others, and that holds still true. But now after this moon cycle of possible promiscuity, I recognize the obvious issue of sexual seduction without taking personal responsibility. This aspect today can be a transit of understanding sexual seduction, explicitly when it comes to right action versus delusion, and sexual experiences that are worthwhile versus experiences that are not worthwhile. This can bring introspection on sexual experiences that we might have been seduced into, that we seduced others into, and that we did not take responsibility for, and maybe neither did the other party.
On the flip side, this can bring a total lack of understanding while one acts as if one understands and agrees, and while one smiles at people with hypocritical kindness in order to avoid crisis and change, and then one is secretly being cynical and resents others, or resents their understanding. This can bring the continuous refusal to take responsibility for one's actions, the failure to uphold and enforce right action, the inability to be alone and to be one's own best entertainment, and the search for a new irresponsible stimulation. It can also bring trauma and drama, which in combination doesn't make things any easier.
This transit can bring a lot of friction and tension that forces us to mentally explore all of this. Sometimes, it might cause people to develop the ability to be alone. They might stop being dependent on other people for stimulus and entertainment, and they might find greater independence and self-sufficiency. It might bring the recognition that we must at all cost avoid the wrong conditioning that makes us lose our identity, and that we must avoid people who are in extremely unhealthy energy that pulls us down and oppresses us as long as they refuse to face it, deal with it, and work at it. Other people's sickness can't become our sickness.
A New Moon of leaving a person or situation alone. Continuing to interfere with others - or self-analysis, self-restraint, and abdication. Learning when to let go.
- 8 August 2021 13:49 UTC: NEW MOON in 7.4.2.1▲ conjunct Mercury in 4.6.1.4▲, opposite Saturn in 19.3.2.3, square Uranus in 2.2.4.4, and trine Chiron in 21.4.3.3
Black Moon Lilith of THIS New Moon in 20.3.3.2 (Gemini)
Black Moon Lilith of the upcoming Full Moon in 20.5.1.1 (Gemini)
Collective challenge: Drama, dependence on others, and excess, all of which can burn others out. Judging a situation subjectively, being unreasonable, not seeing it clearly for what it is, maybe failing to assess other people's expression and making it what we want it to be – and thus having to be removed from power by others.
Mastering the challenge: Impartial, level-headed, and objective judgment leads to the recognition when something can't work out, no matter how much we want it to. Having the self-awareness to accept the judgment and “no” of others without making it personal, and to leave them alone when they ask for it. Finding greater self-awareness, but not getting hung up on past mistakes, and not developing a self-hatred that blocks inner growth and keeps us stuck. Recognizing what can't work and what can't last, applying self-restraint, stepping down for the benefit of the whole, and finding greater independence from other people. Understanding when something is just not for us, and understanding that those things that aren't for us are not worth waiting for, because we will wait for nothing.
Alternatively: Hoping that someone will step down and just get it, or waiting for the moment of someone leaving. Stepping down from one thing in the hopes of meeting something better elsewhere when we remain free and open. Some things can't be balanced and need to be left alone, so that something greater and more suitable can emerge for all parties involved.
Understanding the weight of the human experience and how difficult it can be to find one's way through life, which allows us to maintain harmony with our oppressors without hypocrisy, while helping the oppressed – but also knowing when and how to abandon harmony and enforce our boundaries.
The son of my parent's neighbors is a reflector with a difficult 7.4, and with a 22.2▲-Sun, and he is constantly running around getting attention, “Look! Look!”. When people are busy and too occupied with themselves to pay attention, he starts doing things that he is not allowed to do, just to get their attention. Some of it is just provocation, but some of it is really not healthy and sustainable to do. If people tell him to stop, 5 minutes later he is doing it again. That's that kind of energy of this new moon, it can be very exhausting to those who have to deal with someone who just won't get it. I don't expect that kid to change with this new moon, he is always like that, and he is quite resistant to having things explained to him and then respecting it. In the beginning, I was the one who could easily silence him just by a stare and having him sit with me, because I was the frightening stranger he did not want to sit with. Now that he has gotten to know me better and figured out that I can make him feel uncomfortable sometimes, but that I won't eat him alive, even I can't silence him anymore that easily, because to him, wronging people and negative attention is still better than no attention at all. There are adults like that, even though in them it's much less notable and somewhat covered up through adult behavioral norms and etiquette. With this new moon, these people might realize that they are adult now, and that they are responsible for their own life, entertainment, and stimulation. They might recognize that they need to accept a “no” for a “no”. Some people might realize that they are an interference to others as long as they do not accept a no and continue in their familiar ways. In less extreme cases, some people might simply realize that their place is not where they thought or hoped it to be, or they might need to accept that not everybody agrees with them and their actions.
This new moon really supports this kind of recognition and realization. It can help us to realize where we might have been disrespectful and intrusive. It can help us to realize where we might have gotten in other people's way, even if we did not intend to do that and simply weren't aware of the extent of our interference. This new moon can truly bring a new level of self-awareness. Let's be real though, there is also the other side to it: Some people might not have such a realization, and they might continue to get in other people's way and have to be removed from power and put into their place due to their intransigence.
Remark in retrospect: during this moon cycle, Ghani abdicated and the Taliban took over Kabul.
Clyde William Tombaugh
Through looking backwards at the stars we can examine the functions of the logical pattern through collective experience, that can then guide us into a safer future
Persevering when necessary despite difficulties, but also having learned and understood when it is necessary to return back to normal conditions, to stop fighting, and to just let things be.
- 9 August 2021 7:02 UTC: Mercury in 29.1.4.3 (Leo) in waning quincunx to Pluto in 61.5.4.3 (Capricorn)
Resolute avoidance of relationships and intimacy that aren't it.
- 10 August 2021 0:19 UTC: Venus in 6.1.1.3 (Virgo) opposite Neptune in 36.1.1.3 (Pisces)
Collective challenge: Feeling so lonely that we don't recognize the detrimental effect of others, and that we let in people who are unhealthy for us and give us a false sense of security.
Mastering the challenge: Not letting ourself be victimized and dominated by others, and standing by our convictions. Saying no to negative relationships with absolute determination and resoluteness. Not letting others lure us into being their savior, but being there in times of crisis only where we feel it is necessary for us, and only for the people who we feel connected to in such way – and thus losing the loyalty from the wrong people and gaining the loyalty of the right ones.
Not wasting our resources on relationships that aren't it. Not going for inferior stimulation, and rather being alone and being one's own entertainment, than to accept anything less than the soul mate. The moon is in 59.6▲ and north node 16.3 if anyone is wondering, which brings in the thematic of the soul connection, or absence thereof, but if you are not looking for your soul mate and are not designed to, of course that's up to you, we are all different in what we are looking for, this is just the current collective energy! What matters is, that the intimacy you experience is authentic to you and meets your individual standards, desires, and needs. You do you.
Understanding where we might have overextended ourself, after struggling with it for the last weeks. Understanding the value of transitory goals and experiences. Self-analyzation and correct action leads to the realization that we are really alright, and to being able to appreciate the irony of life.
- 11 August 2021 3:19 UTC: Mercury in 29.5.1.6 (Leo) opposite Jupiter in 30.5.1.6▲ (Aquarius)
Collective challenge: Attracting negative attention, and/or biting off much more than we can chew and what we can never maintain, maybe because people expect us to even though we don't feel it, and then hating on ourself when things don't work out, and turning the self-hatred into and obsession, which ironically makes us dependent on others in the hopes that they can be our savior and pull us out of the mud into a better life where we feel better about ourself and about everything else.
Mastering the challenge: Recognizing when we committed to something that wasn't for us, and not letting ourself be conditioned into making the wrong commitments because people expect us to, or keeping up with the wrong commitments because people pressure us. Recognizing the value in transitory goals and experiences that we authentically committed to, even though not all of them worked out in the long run, and even though sometimes we might still find ourself facing old memories and past feelings. Becoming more independent through self-analysis, and finding renewed optimism. Where did we say yes because we just couldn't be alone, not because it was the right thing for us? Realizing that even if it was the right thing to say yes to, the experience might simply have taught us something, for example we might have found greater self-sufficiency, more considerateness toward others, healthier boundaries, new knowledge, or it simply might have given us a new direction in life. Often, it might simply have taught us to be less dependent on others, or to project and assume less, or to be more realistic about where our limits are. An experience that ended might have led us to awakening, or it might simply have brought us greater self-awareness and self-knowing, and that might have been the whole purpose of it. That is purpose enough.
The next solar week will be about relationship transformation, and finding answers and formulas. It is about beguiling and succeeding despite ignorance and folly. It also is about succeeding through answers that we only came up with in order to feel certain and less afraid of life's unpredictability. These answers might not necessarily be true. They can range from piousness rooted in simple fear, to creating oneself material opportunities through inventing "new" formulas and selling them to others. Ideally, next week brings a transformation of principles and formulas that we might have clung to out of gullibility, or that we might have gotten sold on, and that we are now able to judge better with greater discernment. We might find new better working formulas. But, to be frank, it might also be a week where people seek for stimulation and answers that they hope will give them greater security, and they are bought by enthusiastic formulas that promise all of that, but that do not deliver any of it - formulas and answers that do not work at all.
Peace,
Juli