Belief Is Not Required

Major Planetary Note (MPN): Aquarius Full Moon, Wednesday, August 1, 1028p CDT. Venus begins to cover new ground.

Basic Meaning of MPN

Our collective spirits move through individualistic Leo. Our individual instincts hunker down in collectively soul-driven Aquarius. See and feel the paradox. Brain cells were found in our hearts … a thinking heart and a feeling brain. The mirroring of the microcosm and macrocosm is in store within each of us. There’s no lack of bandwidth. Information overloads us. It is our hearts balanced with our thinking minds that lands us on the Shore of Wisdom Island.

Venus (our personal sense of value) has been retracing her steps since she went retrograde (May 15-June 27). I will give each sign a date (give or take a couple of days) for contemplation of where you acted from right relationship and good character instead of reaching for something (or someone) out of impulse and instant gratification.

Thought Food (contemplate): Love does not understand oppression; love overcomes oppression (all signs need to read Pisces, pun intended).

Questions How do you want to make the world a better place? Where is your audience?

Fire Element
Venus has been attempting to broaden your subjective (and sometimes too narrow) vision since April 3.

Leo, July 23-August 22, concentrating spirit, aka individuality (fire)

El diablo (the devil) is in the details. Resurrect your artisan self. Live on multiple dimensions of reality. This Full Moon and liberating Venus were made for your potentially weary spirit. Or do I mean “wary”? You are no ways tired, are you? Actually, I’d say you’re not weary or wary, just a bit cagey. You learn this behavior around the age of reason (5-7 years old, psychologists suggest). I have seen you hide a large family wound (usually from Daddy, but Mommy was complicit in her silence, no?) under an exceptionally sunny disposition. Master the narrative; take back your personal power. As the most concentrated fire sign, it is extremely important for you to demonstrate your consistent purpose to act from your center of integrity. A pandering Leo is so unattractive. Your dates of past Venus reflection (similar to post-traumatic stress disorder) are April 29 and May 26. Where did your impulses emanate from an insecure and wounded heart in lieu of a joyous and generous spirit? The first demonic detail may be an apology to a close friend who has become distant. Your ruler (the Sun) can burn. Being assertive is not the same as being aggressive; it’s not called scorched earth for nothing.

Sagittarius, November 22-December 21, adapting and learning spirit, aka individuality (fire)

May 7 is your date of Venusian reflection (read Leo, too). Since the goddess of love has been spending her time in her domain of relationship, art and beauty, the force has been muy fuerte (very strong) with you. When you are too persuasive, you test limits. Like a roulette wheel, you bet on our hearts having an inexhaustible supply of overlooking capacity. It’ll be the way you say what you say that will make the difference between paying the toll to cross our boarder or being detained indefinitely. This Full Moon illuminates a teetering seesaw of instinctive reason and glorious revelation. Get your facts straight; collaborate the stories of those new to your life. Like a good book says, “Faith without works is dead,” so is an underutilized mind. Behave like your opposing sign of Gemini; a little direct examination won’t hurt anybody.

Aries, March 20-April 19, initiating spirituality and action (fire)

You are known for many things, but reflection isn’t one of them. One of the themes of this column is the past Venus reflection dates. These dates symbolize the way in which you get beyond what your family wants for you, for you to determine what you want for you. Your family recognizes your impatience, so they expect you to get things going (aka stirring up drama). Does nothing get done if you don’t start it? Mostly, almost always yes, but know this: We wait for you because you want to be first more than we do. May 15 is your Venusian turnabout date. Like this Full Moon, the goddess of love just wanted to take a break from too much drama. Sometimes your headstrong self needs to take a break and simply hang out with those who think and act like you, for a spell. Venus goes into watery and challenging (because they’re so sensitive) Cancer on August 7. Get your space to retreat from those who do not understand (or want to) after this date. Everyone has his or her own individual song to sing. Why not coax out someone else’s individual voice? You’ll be glad you did.

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Earth Element
Love, according to Yogananda, “is not a commercial bargain.”

Virgo, August 23-September 22, adapting and learning earth (physical)

Venus sent shock waves through your sibling sign of Gemini. You can gather your strength beginning next week. You’ve been tortured by a mind that won’t forget (shades of Scorpio). Get beyond whatever did not occur on these dates, May 1 and May 28. Maybe an everlasting love ended before its time. So much repression over such a long period of time can keep you in a masochistic circle of hell. Venus is going to give you her soothing and healing waters in Cancer from August 7 through September 6. If you cannot have friendship with benefits during this time, then maybe you need to do an inventory about what you continue to communicate about what you don’t like about yourself to those you want to like. My lawyer butt can make a strong and cogent argument about how all healthy relationships are “friendship with benefits” because my black butt does not get active between the sheets with anyone with whom I cannot be friends (period). This four-week stint of Venus in Cancer, your birthday and general influences stack the coupling deck in your favor. The past is done; please bury it.

Capricorn, December 22-January 20, initiating earth and its structure (physical)

You’re so grumpy. You can be like a sore-ass bear that doesn’t want your drawers to touch your ass. Thanks, I just channeled my great-grandmother. Gives that statement a new meaning to the marketing of Cottonelle and those bears, huh? When will our society grow up enough to talk about bowel movements without the cartoon caricatures? You become a grumpy old man (or woman), no matter what your chronological age when you act to impress or act only from your ambitions. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and by mid- to late summer, for you goats, even more so. Imagine that you’re in the movie Field of Dreams: You’re building it, and they’re coming to play. Not so? Then, act as if you are the belle of the effing ball. It’s your turn; get to bat. You missed your turn at bat on May 9. Reflect upon why you let a pinch hitter take over for you …

Taurus, April 20-May 20, concentrating earth and her pleasures (physical)

As you become more aware of what you want and how to go about getting it, you heat up with the fire of 1,000 suns. That’s a lot of heat. Your challenge will be what to do with all the attention coming your way. Play it cool. Pretend like you are usually stacked up (your schedule is overbooked). Helping your passions is none other than plucky Mars in the other Venus-ruled sign of Libra (until August 23). Self-actualization is a good thing. The more you grow, the more you have to offer. The entire Venus turnaround (May 15-June 27) was an exercise in turning regret into acceptance. The dates that ask for redemption in your relationships are May 18 and June 15. Check to see if you were more self-absorbed than usual, overlooking a strong clue about how you could have more (fill in the blank) in your life.

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Air Element
Searching for and examining the reason for why you think you need more inspiration in your life.

Libra, September 23-October 22, initiating intellectual (air) and forming new relationships

Yours is a strong sign that has immense charisma to affect the way we treat each other. Sure, you know you can naively believe the best in everyone. Truly I say to you, ignore the darkness in us at your own peril. Your social-network goddess (Venus) is ready to give you a better relationship, love life and even more money. But you must act from your sense of equilibrium, which includes the dance of light and dark. If you’re too sweet and light, you’ll attract those who want to prove that you must have some sour and dark. Hell, whole religions are based on the rescue of the sour and dark. Venus’ four-month trek in oh-so-compatible Gemini (finishes August 7) happened to teach you how to blend yourself into finding and possessing the right relationship for you. Days to reflect where you thought this not possible are May 3 and May 30. Call upon your warrior spirit from a base of being authentically you with little to no compromise, now! So what if others are put off; they’ve been taking advantage of your cooperative nature.

Aquarius, January 20-February 18, concentrating and solid mind (air)

As the water pourer, you work with feelings and you monitor yours and everyone’s feelings. Good for you. Sometimes, you don’t pour so well. Being known for being right can be a kissing cousin to being alone. You were born to have the great group of self-defined successful friends and the incredible mate to whom to come home. Sometimes to pour that perfect drink, you have to overlook just how much you put into the shot glass. You hold ambrosia, the elixir of the gods, pretty heady stuff. What happens when the earth draws you down to her in a resounding thud?! Coming down to earth occurred on these reflective dates of May 12 and June 9. Brush up on your ascent above the pettiness of what others think you ought to do. Keep some of that water (feelings) to drink and refresh yourself. You need it. Read the earth element’s introductory line; it’s for you as well.

Gemini, May 21-June 20, adapting intellectual, the changing mind

Oh, you and your penultimate multitasking selves. Must you always be on the lookout for the next best and brightest thing? A mind may be a terrible thing to waste, but a busy mind can have its own set of mo’ problems. Like P. Diddy who sampled “I’m Coming Out” (this song has a great drum line). In “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems, you know about overthinking a relationship, similar to that overworked drum line in both songs. Do you know that you may be overplaying your hand? Be cautious at present. Those birds in the bushes will be there later in August. Concentrate on those you owe now. Yes, I’m using the concept of money, but it’s whatever or whoever you value that’s in front of you that truly matters. You risked and you lost around April 24 and May 21. Say the correct words, the right way, and you could end up with those bright bushy birds yet.

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Water Element
Your soul knows what (and who) belongs to you.

Scorpio, October 23-November 21, concentrating feeling (soul)

I have a mantra (bridge between my conscious and subconscious) that I say to myself: “All that’s mine comes to me”… unless there is oppression. Oppression can emanate from excessive and unchecked privilege. Take tax cuts, btw. Middle class, upper class or working class, is there any class? Or, better said, does our Congress have any old-school class? When did these discussions of oppression, alleged or otherwise, cease at the mere mention of said oppression? Reflect upon the dates of Cinco de Mayo and June 2. Did you go overboard and miss the subtle clues? Venus (value) in Gemini (communication) spends four months in this astrological area for our collective mind to challenge (and speak about) the relationship between what is valued and how it is shared. Karma trumps class; karma triumphs over splintered linear thought. Huh? Continued in Pisces …

Pisces, February 19-March 19, adapting and learning feeling (soul)

Begun in Scorpio, when I was younger and spoke as a child, I used to love you lots and for a long time. But, children don’t know no better (or when to quit). Childish thought actors (aka borderline personalities) do not connect the dots of actions and consequences. But I’ve aged. I’ve learned that “Love endures all things,” 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13 (often read aloud at weddings). Love is the willingness to accept your consequences, intended or not. If I hear another person of privilege say, “I did not know that would … ” Hello, that’s one meaning of privilege: You don’t have to know, and not knowing has no effect on the smooth running of your life. This is where you can begin to cease speaking like a child and advocate an unpopular position when others are of one narrowlike mob mentality. Grown-ups realize that love overcomes, and beyond faith, hope and long suffering, love triumphs. Love does not understand oppression; love overcomes oppression. That’s the adult speaking. I realize that several months ago, I gave you no leeway, no slack, I judged you harshly. Well, in your misguided manner, you have deluded yourself into wanting us to understand you but not offering the same in return. Let’s endure and overcome any emotional extremes. Your reflective dates this Venus walkabout are May 13 and June 10. Mend at least the hem of your relational garments. You’ll receive as much compassion as you’ve freely given; it’s the basic difference in projecting a mature awareness or coming off as a spoiled child. Continue to read Cancer’s message.

Cancer, June 21-July 22, is initiating feeling (soul)

Slow down and read from the Water Element introduction, please. I will wait. Nurturing individual to us all, that’s you. I suspect that when you don’t recognize our needs, you are a much-wounded soul. If you do not give freely, I wonder who gave to you freely. This Full Moon gives you the impetus to solidly ground your connections to those who matter, freely and lovingly. Do not make the mistake of staying at the cosmic party longer than the development of the guests. You’ve evolved. Get your body to move. Leave your worries behind; leave the grown children behind (poorly behaving ones, not those who’ve accepted your boundaries). That’s one reason that I’ve been harder on Pisces; their mutable river water has been flooding the psychic banks of other humans. Your dates to play intuitive mediator (or why it didn’t work) are April 26 and May 23.

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The Rising Sign, aka Ascendant, represents your approach to life and the mask you wear. Read that sign as well to get additional information on what is in store this week.

Have you been reading Belief Is Not Required and do you have more questions about astrology than answers?
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