From the 12th House Newsletter

[LaurenG]

Let Go and Wear Loose Clothes
In the US, this Saturday, the 4th of July has great significance as our Independence Day. How fitting that Uranus, the planet of freedom and independence will go retrograde this week at 26 Pisces and will travel backwards (not literally, but from our perspective on Earth) until the first week of December. Retrograde motion in the planets symbolizes energy turning inward. Freedom, independence, change, and rebellion start as a personal, internal phenomenon.

This retrograde period is a great time to ask where we want to be free, what obstacles do we want to remove, what beliefs or relationships are holding us back, what parts of ourselves do we want to express but have been afraid or unwilling to give a voice? If you are an Aquarian, or have planets in the last 7 degrees of Pisces (22 - 29) this retrograde may have an added punch signaling an important release or letting go period.

And speaking of letting go, was it just me or were the 'winds of change' particularly ferocious last week? Of course the Sun in Cancer was accompanied by a New Moon in Cancer and both were confronted by hard-core Pluto in conservative Capricorn. It seems Pluto was cleaning house and gave many of us more than a taste of the shifting sands the Cancer Crab calls home. Through the course of the week, themes of misunderstanding, betrayal, competition, and separation, emerged that I heard playing out over and over. There was no escape - conversations in coffee lines, talks over lunchtime salads, co-workers and colleagues sparring with each other, family members feeling out of sync. Even my two dogs got into the act - fighting for attention. Of course there was good stuff too, but overall, this was a challenging week for many.

As a student of A Course In Miracles it would benefit me to accept these are all projections of my own sense of separation and aloneness. But I also understand I am not alone on the path, so what helps me, might also help you. Therefore I offer you the 'Cancer Survival Guide'.

Remember You are More Powerful than You Think - Living between the land and sea, sensitive and intuitive Cancer has learned to adjust to the ebb and flow of the tides and how to find safety and shelter among the caves and rocks of the shoreline. Part of your strength is learning from your experiences - those we enjoy and those that seem painful. Like the shifting sands the Crab calls home, change, evolution and cycles are inevitable. Experiences don't have to be labeled as good or bad - they can all be looked on as 'useful' - especially after the fact. It's never too late to re-interpret an experience to find the hidden treasure. Focus on the gifts life has brought you.

Know When to Let Go and Begin Again - Ruled by the Moon and living in harmony with the ocean, she has an intuitive knowing of when to let go, complete a cycle and begin again. Be willing to allow ideas, projects and relationships to go through their natural life cycle and say goodbye when they are over. Like a good mother, allow your children and creations to have a life of their own. Complete what you have started, but don't hang on when it is time to release it and let it go.

Adapt - Cancer is tenacious and a fighter and will protect what is hers. As a way of dealing with her changing environment, the crab has adapted by learning to walk sideways. They don't approach their goals directly but rather move from side to side. Likewise, what looks like the straightest and most direct route may not be the best path. Detours and side trips may reveal new information or you may meet someone who becomes a valuable ally.

Don't be a worry wart (one of the negative traits of Cancer). Develop and practice habits or rituals that get you in touch with the fact you are not in this all alone. Meditation and connecting with guides or guardian angels is helpful or confiding in a trusted friend. Develop the habit of calling on your higher power for guidance. Even simple rituals like writing your troubles or worries on a piece of paper and burning it or placing it in a designated place or container (some call this a 'God Box') reminds you to ask for help and let your troubles go. Try giving your worries to the 'Violet Flame' at 12Listen.com or to the Prayer Board at 12Angel.com. It's easy, it's free and it's a way of connecting with others which instantaneously works on a psychic level as a reminder we are not separate, but joined in spirit.

And when all else fails, take the advice of the Indian guru. A distraught woman approached the teacher reciting the many spiritual practices she followed, meditation, chanting, yoga and etc. The woman was upset because her pleas to her husband to also follow a spiritual path were to no avail. The young spiritual guru simply smiled at her and said, 'Let go and wear loose clothes.'

JUNE 29
MOON in LIBRA
Despite a Moon in agreeable and balanced Libra, this is the first quarter phase, where the Moon (emotion) is in conflict with the Sun (ego, identity). Differences between who we think we are and what our emotions and hearts are telling us may surface. This is an opportunity to focus on integrating the various aspects of our lives - honoring each piece and finding ways to weave them together rather than finding ways to make ourselves or others wrong. Listening to both sides - whether it's parts of ourselves or hearing people with other points of view from our own - can be an opportunity to gain a new perspective and see the world in a new way.

I am a multi-faceted being and I honor and respect everything about me.

JUNE 30
MOON in LIBRA / SCORPIO
Moon Void of Course 2:59 pm (PDT) - 9:19 pm
For most of the day and evening we can enjoy a social Libra Moon making harmonious connections to Mercury in Gemini and to Neptune and Jupiter in Aquarius. These three signs are all mental air making it easy for us to share ideas, express ourselves and be open to new ideas. Insight, along with healing and gentle words may be making a comeback today.

This is the day Uranus halts its forward motion and sets its sights to move retrograde - declare your independence!

I experience freedom in knowing that I have choice in how I respond. I know I have the freedom to act in a way that elevates my energy.

JULY 1
MOON in SCORPIO
Lots of cosmic activity today as Venus (love, attraction, values) in the grounded sign of Taurus at 26 degrees squares off with Neptune and Jupiter in futuristic and rebellious Aquarius while joining forces with Uranus in Pisces. Meanwhile the ever social Mercury (thinking and communication) at 26 Gemini allies with Neptune and Jupiter while squaring off with Uranus. Imagine a pinball machine as these planets volley energy back and forth in crazy and unpredictable patterns! (Take note if you have natal planets at 26 degrees of any sign!)

So what can we expect? It's almost anyone's guess, but here's mine. First of all, expect the unusual when it comes to ideas, communications and relationships. Uranus, the planet of individuality has a major role today, not only because it's a player, but also because it rules the sign of Aquarius where Jupiter and Neptune are sitting. Freedom, individuality, and a strong desire to be seen as brilliant, a rebel and unique will be in evidence today.

Likewise, Neptune the planet of dreams and illusions is important in this mix as a player and because it rules Pisces (where Uranus is sitting). Getting confused? Well that's sort of the energy you can expect today! The energy is so intermixed, it's all blending and echoing each other. This could be a real free-for-all as ideas and conversations turn every-which way. Similar to the energy of a few weeks ago, there could be brilliance mixed with insanity. There is a fine line between the two and it's hard sometimes to know the difference. My advice is to enjoy the 'show', take notes if you think or hear something truly inspirational, but don't make any major decisions or take actions especially about relationships or finances. Your brainstorm could turn out to be the next gotta-have-it gadget or your financial Titanic. It will be easy to over or underestimate yourself or someone else. In a day or two it will be easier to sort things out.


The world I see is an illusion created by my choices of what I choose to see - anything is possible.
JULY 2
MOON in SCORPIO
An intense Scorpio Moon looks for meaning amidst all the hoopla. As the 'detective' of the zodiac, Scorpio likes to get to the bottom of things and understand motivations. We tend to be more passionate and sometimes critical under its influence as we are more in touch with deep seated emotions and desires. This energy can help us sort out some of the craziness of yesterday and figure out what ideas we want to keep and what should be thrown out.

The power and control I have is over my own choices and perceptions.
JULY 3
MOON in SCOPRIO / SAGITTARIUS

Moon Void of Course 3:03 am (PDT) - 7:11 am
A Sagittarius Moon can brighten and lighten moods today. However, the light-hearted and versatile thinking of Gemini will give way to more careful and protective ways as the thinking and communication planet Mercury moves into sensitive Cancer at 12:20 pm (PDT). Minds turn toward thoughts of family, home, security and familiar places.

I surround myself with people, ideas and things that reflect my values.
U. S. INDEPENDENCE DAY
JULY 4
MOON in SAGITTARIUS
Mercury, newly arrived in sensitive Cancer is opposed by transformational Pluto. We had a good dose (for some an overdose) of Pluto's influence last week when Pluto opposed both the Sun and Moon. This might serve as sort of a 'clean up' energy grounding our thoughts and forcing us to abandon our more unrealistic and unfounded thought patterns. Emotions or actions associated with the previous Pluto influence last week might be evaluated in a new light under this influence. Although this is an American holiday, conversations might be laced with more sober reflections rather than superficial chatter.

Freedom is an inner feeling. It is the ability I have to choose what I think and what I see.
JULY 5
MOON in SAGITTARIUS / CAPRICORN
Moon Void of Course 12:17 pm (PDT) - 7:07pm
The love goddess Venus, who is also associated with money and what we value, leaves stable Taurus and leaps into airy Gemini at 1:24 am (PDT). Youthful and curious, in Gemini she is flirty, light-hearted and willing to explore new ways and new relationships. Under her influence relationships may take on a lighter feel, with conversation and expression of ideas and emotions more free-flowing.

I am a unique and precious god dressed in the garment of the human.

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