Planet Waves :: Your Monday Morning Horoscope

New York, July 9, 2017 | View as Webpage | Pre-order Your Midyear Reading
What We Do When Provoked

Dear Friend and Reader:

The dust has barely begun to settle on last night's Capricorn Full Moon. Whether it was a stressful event for you or clearly opened an exciting new door through which to walk (or was surprisingly subtle or ambiguous), there's a good chance you'll continue to work with whatever came up as this week progresses.

Mainly this is because the Sun is still making aspects to important planets that were directly involved in the Full Moon chart, and will do so through the rest of this week. Of particular note: the Cancer Sun opposes Pluto in Capricorn, exact today (Monday) at 12:35 am EDT (4:35 UTC); and the Sun squares Eris in Aries, exact July 16 at 1:06 am EDT (5:06 UTC).

Photo by Amanda Painter, taken July 8, 2017.

Also in the mix: Mars in Cancer squares Eris in Aries today at 8:44 pm EDT (00:44 UTC Tuesday).

The squares from Mars and the Sun in Cancer are a direct reminder of how chaotic, provocative and often self-centered our current environment is.

Can you let it spur you to creative, caring action without letting its provocations feel like a threat to your ego? The ego tends to experience every threat as life-or-death, whether it is or not. But generally speaking, emotional reactivity is not constructive. Taking action to care for others (and taking care of yourself) is.

The Sun-Eris square in particular looks like the universe waving a flag and saying, "Hey! Look at what is happening around you -- in your digital environments, and as a result of them. Notice how this has been influencing and provoking you on an emotional level."

You might ask yourself what you do when you become aware of chaos and subversiveness, especially that which seemingly provokes solely for the sake of provoking. Do you withdraw? Put up boundaries to keep yourself emotionally and psychically safe? Lash out in return? Simply continue to swallow it all and try to digest it, without any creative outlet or way to release any potentially toxic byproducts?

Notice whether today's Sun-Pluto opposition shows you an avenue for changing how you deal with it all. Bear in mind, that awareness could come through something breaking down (a relationship, a machine, some part of your home, your emotions). In which case, a quick patch job won't do. You'll have to confront the situation directly, get what's not working completely in the open, and figure out how to fix things at a foundational level.

It's worth remembering that Sun-Pluto oppositions come with a warning to avoid potentially violent or dangerous situations. Also, power struggles with others (especially authority figures) are possible. There's something here about learning to stand up for yourself without having to dominate someone.

That might be one of the key questions of this moment in history, in the flesh but especially in the digital environment. It's entirely possible to harness the awareness you gain this week to make creative changes and to serve the higher good. If you can feel safe enough within yourself to let your ego take a back seat, it might be that much more feasible to take a stand in healthy ways.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

Just in time for the Great American Eclipse of Aug. 21, 2017, you'll have access to a helpful, excellent video astrology reading. These will be done by sign and rising sign; each reading is about half an hour. You can pre-order now for the best price: $66 for all 12 signs. The price for all 12 will gradually increase in $11 increments over the next few weeks, capping out at $111 once we publish.

I've been a devoted student of eclipses since beginning astrology. Here's some of my earlier writing, published before the grand cross and total solar eclipse of Aug. 11, 1999. These few paragraphs below will give you a feeling for just how significant eclipses are. This one is one of the most important in American history, which I've covered here.

Eclipses are astrology we can't deny. If there is a conjunction between Saturn and Uranus, it's invisible, and while many people may experience changes, only astrologers and their merry bands of readers and students know what's happening. Yet when the Sun vanishes, you can be sure that normal activity will come to a stop.

Our busy world will pause, and everyone, from shepherds in the hills of Bavaria to businessmen in London, will stand in the silent shadow of the cosmic order with the astonishment of small children coursing in their hearts.

This doesn't happen often, and you can imagine the awesome power of so many people embraced in a kind of simultaneous, captive meditation as everything around them momentarily ceases to be normal. Call it a reality lapse, only it's one into which the real reality can flow very easily.

In terms of their astrological meaning, eclipses of the Sun follow this image of collective awareness and radical break of continuity. Whether you can see the eclipse does not matter; part of the miracle of astrology is it works anyway. As many of us are discovering personally, eclipses are expanded moments of often uncontrollable, unpredictable change. They also bring the civilization and its communities together, usually through important collective events and the media.

Eclipses are evolutionary gateways, which is another way of saying that when they show up, we do a lot of growing in a short time. Delays are compensated. Old accounts can be wiped clean. While each is unique, eclipses often feel like being shot through a funnel of space-time, and we emerge somewhere different than where we entered. The key to making the best use of them is to move with the energy, not cling to anything or anyone too tightly, and to stay open.

Literally, breathe, communicate, feel, love, observe and receive. Remember your intentions. The sense of panic that sometimes accompanies them yields nicely to awareness and revelation, mental conditions that are more natural than we often realize.

Don't forget to take advantage of this special gift: Eric's Daily Horoscope can arrive in your mailbox by 7 am ET, containing great astrological guidance for all 12 signs. You can sign up with our compliments, though we welcome donations.

Your Monthly Horoscopes -- and our Publishing Schedule Notes

We published your extended monthly horoscopes for July on Thursday, June 22. Your extended monthly horoscopes for June were published on Thursday, May 25. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope on the first Friday after the Sun has entered a new sign.

Monday Morning Horoscope for July 10, 2017 | By Eric Francis Coppolino

Aries (March 20-April 19) -- This week, the element of surprise will be running strong in all facets of your life. You can only prepare by being flexible and maintaining situational awareness. That means paying attention to your surroundings, and tracking the relationships between the people around you. This counts even when you're in your own home, or the home of someone you're close to. One risk you run is being emotionally reactive, which can be part of your nature, though it's particularly strong now. So, slow down and do what you can to stay calm. Drive cautiously, a little slower than usual if you have a heavy foot; and, this week at least, turn off your phone before getting into your car. What is the upside to this astrology? You want to be independent, emotionally and otherwise. It's time to cut the apron strings or unhook the leash, as long as you know freedom entails responsibility.

You can now pre-order all 12 signs of the new Midyear Reading by Eric Francis, In the Shadow of the Moon, for the introductory price of just $66. Just in time for the Great American Eclipse of Aug. 21, 2017, Eric will record a helpful, top-quality video reading. Get your copy today.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) -- Do you have any actual reason to resent people who hold positions of authority around you? Or is that a hangover from your childhood relationships to your parents? We live in a society where people need to grow up and be adults more than they need just about anything else. Your desire to have a calm, dependable existence will be your motivation. Your need to achieve real goals will also motivate you. To do these things requires a mature approach to life, and the desire to collaborate. What's most important is feeling good about yourself and what you're learning. This is a matter of practice. Every day brings its modest advances and its small setbacks. You may be experiencing both in equal measure, though any setbacks can count as important lessons learned and accepted, if you are mindful and respect your own learning process. This is merely a matter of perspective.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) -- You don't need to take everything personally. If you do, you'll go nuts, which would be pointless given that little of what you see and hear is actually about you. You will need some emotional filters and strong boundaries this week. Of the people around you, you're one of the best situated to take a helpful rather than contentious approach. You can see all the dynamics that are at play; you can handle the different viewpoints people have; and because of that, you could serve as the adult in the room. You can afford to have a light-hearted attitude and a creative approach to problem solving; you can remind everyone that a problem is an opportunity to advance an idea. For most people, this is merely a concept they may have heard of, though you've actually experienced its power and potential. Keep the people around you focused on the positive.

The astrology section of the Gemini birthday reading has been recorded, and the Tarot reading will follow soon. Order here to get instant access, whether for yourself or the Gemini you love.

I've now completed your Cancer reading, which is infused with the energy of the Full Moon conjunct Pluto. I describe this in detail, taking it back to the beginning of Pluto in Capricorn.

As the reading developed organically, it built up an intensity I was not expecting, ultimately describing the relationship between you and the very wide world that surrounds you. The reading consists of two, 35-minute downloadable sessions. They can also be played on any device, or added to iTunes.

The reading is still available at the pre-order price of $44. You will get instant access. This reading will be followed by a tarot card segment sometime in the next week to month.

Here is an audio sample.

Thank you for trusting me as your astrologer.

lovingly,

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- The recent Full Moon in your opposite sign Capricorn is still ringing like a bell. There's been some shift in your relationships, and in your relationship to the world. Chances are this is a positive development, though there's a possibility that you're feeling shaken up. One of the long-range lessons of your life right now is how you handle dependency on others. You know that you must learn to stand on your own emotional strength, meet others as equals, and in some way compel them to do the same. Otherwise, the relationships are not going to work. The Full Moon helped you get to the bottom of a particular issue, and you now know the truth. That central idea is unlikely to change much, though you can adapt your methods, your desires and your approach to life, which will grant you the freedom that comes from having a more realistic perspective.

Eric has just recorded your 2017 Cancer Birthday Reading. The price will soon increase again, so be sure to order your copy before that happens. Eric's birthday readings are accurate, friendly and long-lasting, and they make the perfect gift.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) -- You possess your own value. Be real about this: it doesn't come from anyone or anything else; you don't have to negotiate; you don't have to be endorsed or have any letters after your name. Remember this if you find yourself in some strange conversation where you're being expected to establish your worth. You don't need that person, and you don't need to convince them of anything -- they're unlikely to be convinced, so there's no point trying. Focus your creativity and do the projects that you want to do. Don't worry about monetizing your ideas at this stage. That would be minimizing their worth, and it will hamper your creative process and diminish your potential. Do what you're doing for its own sake -- that's so rarely done in our era. You can afford to proceed without fear or concern for the future, and let the developments of this week reveal their interesting wonders.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) -- Love more generously. I could end this horoscope right here, but they tell me I still have 140 words to write -- so I will elaborate. Love is the only thing that's in actual abundance, and the best thing is, it's free. This means appreciating the people in your life. Thank them for what they do for you, and show your appreciation in more tangible ways. If you find yourself closing down, as if you somehow cannot afford to be generous with your gratitude and praise, perhaps take a look at that. Ask yourself what you think you're losing by making others feel good. It's a known spiritual truth that you will have in abundance what you offer to others. Therefore, open up your heart and soul, and shine your light on everyone around you. Convey, in feeling, how you appreciate people who support you and your world even in the most modest ways.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) -- You're receiving a kind of promotion. It may not be the usual type, with the invitation to the boss's office and all of that. This is much more significant, much more meaningful. It's about the level on which you exist in society: your status, in the true sense of the word. Status is the actual respect you carry, which reflects how you're treated. It's likely that some recent discovery has led to this, probably an emotional breakthrough where you established your independence from your family. To actually make your way in the world, it's necessary to break free from the crusty kinds of relationships that keep you feeling awkward and uncertain. Keep breaking off that crust, and proceed with the confidence of a person who can stand on the strength of your legs, the power of your vision and the beauty of your own ideas. Then get ready to work your ass off for what you want.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) -- It's only when your faith is challenged that you find out how strong you are. It's only when you're given an assignment that's way over your head that you discover what you're capable of. And this discovery process has only just begun. What you're now involved with is a kind of real-life leadership training program. This is a hands-on course, taught on the ground, not in a classroom. If there is a theory, we could sum that up in one word: ethics. Your ongoing challenge is to do the right thing, even if you have to call out people in positions of authority. There's a way to do this effectively, and you will learn how that works. You will learn how to take charge when others leave their post or abdicate responsibility. Note that this is about claiming actual authority over your affairs and, very likely, an organization you're involved with. Take small, calculated steps.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) -- Many people who think they're sexually liberated don't even have a clue. Anyone who is squeamish about their body or that of their partner has some territory to cover. Anyone worried about being 'found out' is simply trapped. Those who cannot speak honestly about their desires, or vocalize their pleasure, have before them a vast territory to explore. Often this territory will be entered in an awkward way at first. You might stumble in; you might find yourself in seemingly the wrong place with a seemingly inappropriate person, and go with the flow. This is a creative discovery process, meaning that it involves entering the unknown, learning something, and responding in an inventive way. Here is a key: At the core of everything I'm describing is a form of nourishment that can only be accessed through daring self-exploration. These nutrients are not available on the surface. You must go deep, and you're being summoned to do so.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) -- The very recent Full Moon in your sign stirred up some of your insecurities, and might have come with the feeling that you're more alone in the world than you realized. Yet that is the first step toward making real contact, both with yourself and with others who can actually reach you inside. Unless you get to that place of existential solitude, you have not reached the core from which all authentic relationships spring. This week, the high-potency astrology continues on an almost daily basis. Certain events may trigger your deepest insecurities. Yet be mindful that these events are not causing your feelings; they are merely serving to reveal them. These are the same fears and weaknesses that have caused you, again and again, to give up your power, and then wonder how the heck that happened. This goes back a long way. So, let yourself be triggered, and claim your strength.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- You must take care of yourself this week. That has several meanings, the most significant of which is balancing work, rest and other modes of self-care. It also means staying out of unnecessary conflicts, whether emotional or at work (or potentially both). Said simply, you must manage your energy -- no matter how much you may think you have, or how much you've gotten away with abusing your body in the past. Those days are over. The pressure and the stakes are too high; you're expected to perform like a professional athlete, which always involves a hybrid of mental and physical conditioning. The thing to start with is food. Note all the ways you've been slacking or skimping; get yourself to the nearest farmer's market. Then, move on to sleep. Keep your devices out of your bedroom; having them near you is like sleeping with a bright invisible light on. Then comes work. Choose your priorities, and invest your energy well.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- After a long phase of development, certain events have recently come to a head, with some surprising results. The truth always flows through the cracks in so-called reality, and that's about the size and shape of what is happening for you these days. It's important to remember, at all times, that you're working with powerful forces, and factors much larger than yourself. On one level they may seem disruptive, unpredictable and difficult to control. On another level, these are generative forces: the same ones related to the power of the body to heal an injury, or of the Earth to grow back after a forest fire. What happens over the next week will demonstrate how discovering your creative abilities can shock you to a new level of self-respect. Stay in a positive frame of mind, let your strength flow, and you'll wonder how you could have possibly ever doubted yourself.

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