Brussels, July 3, 2006
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Mercury Retrograde - free audio at http://planetwaves.fm/

Planet Waves Weekly #617, shorter
Friday, June 30 / Monday, July 3, 2006
 
Happy Birthday Cancer!  (Second Week)

You can breathe a little easier, but at the same time, you know you need to stay on your toes this year. This is the first solar return for you (and this applies to all those born under the sign Cancer) where you are freed from the constraints and challenges particular to Saturn in your own sign. That was a spell that lasted long two years, and some of it was not entirely pleasant -- but in the end, Saturn always gives more than he takes away.
 
The experiences are always worthwhile, and the lessons of Saturn contain wisdom that can only be gained with experience and many times only with age. I have no doubt that through these tests, trials and enforced changes, you are a stronger person, more aware of yourself and more stable in the world. In many ways, it seems you've learned to touch the ground and feel stable walking there.
 
Saturn has now changed signs to Leo, your 2nd house in the solar house system. This is still a strong Saturn presence in your life, and what it's really saying is put your money where your love is. Be real, in what you value; values, unless backed by actions and choices, are worth little. Like any other potential, they atrophy unless used. Doing what is right and what is important to you takes practice. And awareness. And dedication. And making sure you budget for what you want, as well as what you need.
 
In these very days, Mercury is stationing in the early degrees of Leo, which is the gift of illumination. This aspect is telling us to hold awareness on the assets contained in Leo, which for you are precisely these 'values' I'm referring to, as well as the source of all nearly your energy. More than any other sign, Cancer is designed to be self-sufficient, inasmuch as that's possible in this world. The most vital form of self sufficiency is being aware of what is important to you, a message which is no doubt coming through clearly at the moment, even if you're not able to act on it right away.
 
For everyone, including those born under other Sun signs, this unusual station of Mercury in very early Leo comes with some news, a reward or a gift; for you, it's a message about your priorities and how they have been shaped during the past couple of years, and particularly since last summer; and there is a message that you have the resources you need to create the life experience you want. This is a significant change related to the challenging years leading to July 2005.

Since that time, many opportunities have opened up. The presence of Jupiter in your empathic sign Scorpio is suggesting you can take deeper risks, both the internal kind (feeling, experimenting with who you are, going deeper into your sexuality, and letting go of rigid definitions of yourself) and the external kind, with people, places and creative projects. Jupiter's placement is offering you the sense that you have something to share. Jupiter will be trine your Sun in your solar return chart for the next year, and by transit for the rest of the year. A trine, particularly to Jupiter, is a potential, a reward to be claimed, an idea to be developed. The results of trines of Jupiter don't typically just happen by themselves; they need conscious devotion, action, and reaffirmation. Saturn, currently aspecting Jupiter by square, is likely to be providing the structure that you can successfully work within. If you don't have such a structure, routine or framework for your creative exploration, I suggest you create one for yourself.
 
Under the influence of Saturn, you have learned how to hold your space, how to push back into the world, and how to assert your will. This has been good practice for a time when so much more is available.
 
Saturn is the planet of manifestation. It is strongly placed in your chart, though Neptune is placed in an equally strong position (your 8th solar house). The two are moving into the first of three face-to-face meetings, which seem to suggest a kind of collaboration. This is a rather mysterious aspect, but the first message I see is a reminder to ensure that you're holding your own vision; that you not rely on others for the main idea, dream or concept you're pursuing. More than you need to be independent in the material aspects of life, you need to be the initiator of the dream, and listening carefully to the voice of your own longing.
 
This is not to suggest you're in it alone; to the contrary, there are others who are profoundly influential, and this is why you need to remain in the role of initiator. Yet in order to maintain balance, it will be essential to remember your friends and count on your allies. There is no room for instability in your life, just progress -- therefore, allegiance is not negotiable, and you need to keep an eye on who or what wavers in their commitment, and address any such situation early. Count on those who show you they can be counted upon, as a matter of devotion, pride and faith.
 
ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 20)
Though it may seem a paradox, you will need to give something up in order to gain the freedom to create something or take a risk. Very little in this world is without its costs, but this is one you can pay willingly. When you're called upon to make a sacrifice, try giving up something you don't need, don't want or that does not help you.
 
TAURUS (Apr 21 - May 21)
The stars are calling for you to be impeccably honest with yourself about how you feel. Acknowledge your fears, your needs and most of all, your desires. Then, consider how others would reach if you made them known. We may well ask why we ever have to live anything less than our personal truth. Take the answer you get in earnest.
 
GEMINI (May 22 - Jun 22)
If it seems a miracle that you were able to get your message across or accomplished something so unlikely, remember that miracles can't happen unless we cooperate. Mercury about begin its retrograde phase next week, which suggests a phase of soul-searching and reviewing the recent past. These days you're feeling good about yourself. Make a personal vow to let nothing shake that.
 
CANCER (Jun 23 - Jul 23)
You're not someone who likes to put so much emphasis on money and resources, but when these matters come up it's a good idea to address them directly. Take the opportunity to guide everything toward your long-term success and security, rather than just thinking for the immediate moment. The stars are aligned perfectly for you to work with the big picture, and I do mean big.
 
LEO (Jul 24 - Aug 23)
So much has seemed so obvious, but Mercury's arrival in your sign this week will help you see things from an entirely different perspective. You may need to rethink certain recent decisions, and you can if you want to. You can, however, safely let most things run their course, which would be prudent. Adjust only what really matters the most; ask yourself, and it will be obvious what that is.
 
VIRGO (Aug 24 - Sep 23)
You're suddenly finding yourself in possession of information you seem to have no business knowing about. Nothing is by accident, but you may want to consider why it is that you know what you know. Remember, this is not about power over anyone. Rather, it's about you knowing enough to make clear decisions for yourself. Make sure you use your knowledge in this spirit.
 
LIBRA (Sep 24 - Oct 23)
You need to carefully balance social demands against professional ones. You may need to remind people several times that your business activities come before entertainment, and if they're not listening, you're within your rights to do a disappearing act. This is a rare moment in your life, and what you need more than anything is support. But the second best option is to be left alone.
 
SCORPIO (Oct 24 - Nov 22)
A partner or loved one is finally ready to keep the discussion moving at a pace that's productive. Whatever was holding up progress in the past is no longer a factor. Now, you merely need to make sure that people remember their decisions, and stick to them. You may need to be the one who keeps track of that, until they get the hang of it for themselves.
 
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 - Dec 21)
It's always fun when you discover you really did have a good reason to trust, or that you made the right decision when you had no intellectual rationale for doing so. But don't be too proud of yourself because the next decision will stretch your faith just a little more than the last one. The result is an uncommon process commonly known as spiritual growth.
 
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 - Jan 20)
A surprise development in a still-unfolding financial or business matter portends good news for the future, but at this point it may not point to anything other than an excellent potential development. If you want this to come to fruition, both people involved in the discussion will need to cultivate one another's trust. That won't take as long as you think, but consistency counts for a lot right now.
 
AQUARIUS (Jan 21 - Feb 19)
After the excitement of past week, you probably feel like you can handle anything. The truth is, you not only can, but you're learning to thrive on those challenges that most people feel like they want no part of. This is one of the gifts of being an Aquarian. You really are happiest when the only constant is change, and if the planets promise anything right now, that would be it.
 
PISCES (Feb 20 - Mar 20)
The impact of this particular turning point in your life is being illustrated your relationship to the physical place you are on the planet, and to the emphasis on those emotional qualities that mean the very most to you. For many people, comfort really does add up to more than success, but as a Pisces I'm here to tell you that you can have both.
 
Published by Planet Waves, Inc. of Vashon Island, WA. copyright ©2006. All Rights Reserved. Planet Waves is a trademark of Planet Waves, Inc. To subscribe or for all editorial inquiries, please call (206) 567-4455. The horoscope originally appeared in a slightly different form as Destiny #6 in Woman magazine in the United Kingdom.

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