Winding Roads July 23-30

THEMES                                                                                                                                             This a summer of integration, when the impulse to bathe in peace is often  distorted by frustration and anger.

An over-riding tone is one of “crises in action,” a term coined by Dane Rudhyar, proposing we work creatively with crises to discover new solutions….in other words, “Love the one you’re with.”

This eclipse season is an opportunity to take aggression out of the warrior. Discover tools to embody the far more powerful commitment to divine will. With Neptune highlighted, choices dance from confusion and loss to creative consciousness.

THE STORY                                                                                                                                     Many of you know we are on the road crisscrossing France.  We travel light, depending on the savored richness of friendship.  Yet despite careful planning, support of others, and ease of language, we have run up against cancellations, sudden change, and delays leading to torques and twists that offer opportunity to choose between anger or laughter. There have also been spontaneous moments of joy, such as breaking into dance on the street. (see face book video.) Being strangers in a ‘strange land,’ offers agreater open-eyed opportunity to step back and see situations inside fresh eyes.  How to hold on to that and bring it home is the question.

All if this is very much the expression of the wacky Mars, described last week: ‘out of bounds,’ close to earth, and retrograde. Sans doute, there is a huge expenditure of energy, both planned and un-planned, that mirrors the high temperatures.  This un-contained Martian energy travels the sky all summer, connecting the three Eclipse doors, and making what is already surprising, divisive, and extreme- more so.  You feel it personally, and you see it in the world, especially the ‘American world,’ with admirable demonstrations by our fearless leader. Perhaps Trump is one of the great teachers?  We have learned, and are reminded daily of critical lessons from his behavior:  Think before speaking. Respect creates greater allies than disregard. Those who are arrogant, make dumb mistakes from lack of listening. When cruelty trumps (haha) compassion, mayhem ensues. Indeed, if we are not  learning a great deal from this man shame on us. Let us use this knowledge with wisdom.

If you want to create new life, this is the summer! Kicking and screaming, or dreaming and drifting opportunity is rampant.  Countering the mayhem of Martian heat,’ is Neptune, God of seas, dreams, spirit, loss, and oneness.  He is another big player, working in and out of the Eclipse doors to dissolve differences and create oneness. He is lord of loss as well as visionary capability. Let us join hands to help one another through these doors of transformation, for I cannot do it alone, nor do I wish to.

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 YOUR BIRTHDAY ENERGIES: Pay greater attention to your choices during this intense year. Often they will be choices between opportunity and danger, accomplishment and disillusion.  This uncertainty gives you a platform from which to leverage everyday decisions and habits toward a higher consciousness.  Partnerships will be highlighted, not only for their emotional content, but as mirrors to who you are becoming.  Pay attention to those who come closer, and those that distance themselves.  Step back and look at what this provokes within.  It won’t be easy, but it could be a superfragalastic year!

YOUR PRACTICE THIS WEEK:  Take your mat outdoors and find inner illumination from nature. With Uranus in earthy Taurus, we are supported in new and unusual ways when connecting our bodies to Gaia. It is also   important to work the extremes of emotional intensity out of the body, lest it become trapped, then blow. I suggest dancing your practice, with music you love, preferably with friends. But if alone, partner your spirit, the beautiful flow of your shadow on the grass.

A short kryia: Fund power:  Sun Salutation, Uttkatasana-twisting right- open arms, rising to grab right knee with left hand, extend right leg forward then slowly drop it down and back to open into Ardha Chandrasana. Bend left knee to pull back into Vira II, ‘Dancing Warrior.’

Fund integration: Windmill arms over, bringing right hand to the earth by left foot, turning foot to the left, bend right knee and pull it into Ardha Matseyandransana/Half Lord. Inhale the beauty around you, hold it lightly, then release into a long exhale.

Fund peace: Extend left leg around and back, pulling right knee forward and to right, bringing you into Kapotosana/Half Pidgeon.  With fingertips poised lightly on the earth, take three snaky breaths, moving spine up and down on inhale and exhale.  Pause on last exhale, chest to earth, then bring hands under shoulders, press down to pull body up onto right leg, extending left leg up into standing splits, or Vira III.  Pause, then lower left leg, hanging over in Uttanasana. Release into the earth.  Slowly roll up to salute the sun on left side.

Astrological Consultations:   It’s always a good time to look at one’s life from an objective, non-judgmental ‘soul point of view.’ This is especially helpful when dust flies and the future looks unfamiliar.  If you are asking, “What is my genius, and how do I wish to use it?  How can I move deeply into my healing? When do I make moves for success?”  Then let us swim in your life together, in wonderful discovery.  Email  samcatcam@gmail.com