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July/August 2008 Starscope
Conscious Purpose

by Guest Astrologer: Amy Herring

Summer vacation? Dream on, right? We all feel like we have to work harder than ever before as our environmental and personal resources seem to dwindle. With this summer's planetary pile up in Virgo, the universe is asking us to get to work this summer, but with a conscious purpose. In August, the solar and lunar eclipses bring a theme of nurturing inner potential and dedicating oneself to climbing your own personal mountaintop. Here's how to climb that right mountain.

Aries (March 21 - April 19)

Kick it into high gear these two months, Aries, because you've got a lot on your plate. Early July brings a real surge of activity that doesn't seem to slow down until fall. If you buckle down on a worthy project early, chances are you'll see the fruits of your labor with a favorable professional development very quickly. You may be in need of a second wind come August, but keep sprinting - September will find you on more level ground.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

You are asked to climb the mountain of creative self-expression. There is fun to be had this summer, but it's the kind of fun that comes from manifesting something creative, not going to an amusement park. There is an emphasis on your voice these two months. What do you have to say? Put pen to paper or put voice to microphone this month, and offer your thoughts for a truly cathartic and joyful experience.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21)

You are thinking big thoughts these days as your ruler, Mercury, contacts Jupiter and Neptune and gets a burst of energy in late July. August brings insights from the depths and you will have to listen harder and longer than normal to hear what life is telling you. Quiet time is good, but you hate being bored, so engage your heart with a creative home project that keeps you busy.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22)

Since we live with our own inner mess every day, it's easy to think of reasons why we are not as great as those around us. In July, you are challenged to plant and nourish the seeds of your own potential so that you will have fertile new growth for the lessons of the masters to build upon. Your confidence gets a boost with August's solar eclipse bringing an aura of excitement, but mid-August seems to illuminate a personal limitation. If that's all you're looking at, it's all you will see, so widen your view to see how to overcome this challenge.

Leo(July 23 - August 22)

July may feel as if you are wandering through the fog while greener pastures await, but have a little faith that something is brewing. You'll shake it off and explode into life after the Sun enters Leo on July 22. August highlights passion and creativity, so reach for it by giving yourself permission to be you. Inspiration and support from a significant other is available mid-August - accept it gratefully. If you do so, you'll be ready to dive in, test yourself and set new goals when fall begins.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22)

You are under your own microscope even more than usual as August brings a planetary pile up in your sign, including Mars, which means your whip is cracking. It's not about depriving or working yourself into oblivion as much as it's about mastering your own will and harnessing the already large amount of energy you usually have to accomplish a major feat: selfishly working toward personal goals instead of what everyone else needs from you.

Libra (September 23 - October 23)

Late July and early August bring opportunity for some great social interaction, but August finds you drawn inward. You may feel like you've been out in the sun too long, overtaxed and tired of the games. There's a time for being out there and a time to rejuvenate, and now is the time to truly rest. That doesn't mean going to sleep, but emotional fulfillment is found on the inner plane this month, so be really stingy with your calendar until September.

Scorpio (October 24 - November 22)

The hunger for things you want and don't have yet seems to be heavily on your mind in August. Don't let recent successes be overshadowed by your desire, but do use this pressure as a time to set new goals. Also, make sure these goals are according to your inner voice, rather than the voices and opinions of those around you. Don't be un-teachable, but do be clear about and guided by your inner desires.

Sagittarius (November 23 - December 21)

Inner fears and power struggles may seem to undermine your confidence in your own abilities in July, but it's exactly this process that helps you to succeed in August. Your fears are more afraid of you than you are of them. So face them squarely, wrestle them to the ground, and you'll come out knowing more about what you're made of than you did going in. That makes all the difference in August.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 20)

Life's not always about what's practical. Sometimes doing something that seems rather frivolous and impractical is exactly what is needed to get you back on track. You need a vacation this summer because while we may all be tired, you are soul-tired, and your efforts are suffering on all fronts. You need exposure to newness - new places, new ideas and new people. Whether it's taking a class or traveling to a new city, you will find that upon your return, the work you do is more efficient, and more importantly, more worth it to you than it's been in a long time.

Aquarius (January 21 - February 19)

July starts out great, with a lot of confidence in your own skill and support in getting things done. Your inner resources are strong. August may bring up some fears that were previously hidden or tucked away, but are now in full view. These issues are not something that you can process through your mind, but must be absorbed into the heart so that you can truly feel them and then let them go. Trust that you have the inner resources to do so, and lean into it.

Pisces (February 20 - March 20)

You are someone who's always willing to be of service, but you've been learning for some time that being of service to someone is not the same thing as being a slave or a doormat. Humbly accept the tasks in front of you now while remembering your unique gifts that qualify you to do so. Your inner knowledge must be brought into the world now to really be of service.

Amy Herring is an evolutionary astrologer in the Seattle area, and a graduate of Steven Forrest's astrological apprenticeship program. She is available for speaking engagements as well as personal readings and tutoring. See her this August in Washington at the Create Your Life Weekend event. Visit www.heavenlytruth.com.