What is Independence? (Astro-Inspired Reflections for the 1st Week of July)
(I included these reflections in my monthly Elixir newsletter, which I sent out today. As I was re-reading them, I felt I wanted to include them in my online journal, and therefore share them with you. I hope they help to give you context and inspiration for this week.)
As I awoke today, I was thinking again about the notion of freedom and independence.
What does it mean to be free? Is freedom the same thing as independence? What liberties come with freedom and independence, and what responsibilities? What is its value and how does that translate into what I will do to preserve it? What's the physical feeling I have when I connect to a sense of freedom and alternatively when I feel manacled?
These are some of the questions I am asking myself this morning. It seems apt timing for these reflections, not only because it is July 4th--Independence Day in the U.S.--but also because today we have think-about-it Mercury squaring freedom-inspiring Uranus.
Today, no matter where you live, I encourage you consider what freedom and liberty mean to you, inventory where in your life their presence would be even more welcome, and intention how to weave them into your life in a greater way, if you so desire.
It's been an intense week so far.
With the Mars/Pluto opposition on Sunday, things may have seemed 'heavy' as we can't avoid facing our hidden motivations and the need to uncover buried riches. In addition to today's Mercury/Uranus square, Wednesday yields a trine between the Sun and Neptune, and a square between the Sun and Jupiter. This could inspire us to want to expand our ability to live with compassion and feel more open to grace, although for some it could manifest in a sense of wanting something so much that we perceive it's closer than it really is, leading to us pushing ourselves beyond our bounds and/or experiencing the disappointment that comes with not atttaining what we envisioned. Connect to your visions, see what a re-imagined life would look like, yet be realistic as you pace yourself for progress.
To cap the week off, Saturday is the Capricorn Full Moon. As it ties in with Pluto, it may continue connecting us to the themes of power and encourage us to take back the power to transform our lives in ways that are important to us.
Aaaahhh....what a week!
Be present, surround yourself with the people and things you love, and commit to living in your heart---I feel like these ways of orienting will be beautiful guides for this week (although, of course, they can be gracious sidekicks at any time).