Astrology by Lauren

With the Sun creating a t-square with Uranus and Pluto last week, and the Martian t-square approaching week after next, we are seeing an upsurge of protest activity throughout the world.  And with the destructive, extreme weather in the US and abroad, we’ve been (finally) hearing more and more about climate change.  So in the fury of the Uranus/Pluto revolutionary turmoil in the world, it was exciting to hear about another sort of revolutionary moment that brought both joy and celebratory tears to our more intellectually inclined brethren in the world of physics: Proof of the existence of the “Higgs Boson.”  Also known as the discovery (Uranus) of the God (Jupiter) particle.  And so we welcome the ingenious and inspiring Jupiter sextile Uranus transit, which will travel with us through the rest of July.

Joined by both Venus and Mercury this week, there is no end to discovery, realization, and creative enlightenment to be had!  

Higgs has said that much of his theory came to him while walking in the countryside of Scotland.  Uranian realizations can be like that.  And Mr. Higgs with his Moon in Aquarius, and Sun sextile Uranus, is no stranger to Uranian concepts.  Of course there were other theoretical scientists thinking about and coming up with their own ideas, and much is built upon each others’ theories.  But his theory about mass and space and these subatomic particles were the groundwork that inspired the massive Hadron Collider that everyone was both excited and worried about these past few years.  This labyrinthine 17 mile tunnel winds its way beneath France and Switzerland, smashing particles together at the speed of light, trying to discover the intricate workings of subatomic life.  It has now been revealed that they believe they have proved the existence of the Higgs Boson, or particle, adding ‘weight’ to his theory, as well as vindicating Einstein.  All very heady stuff for most of us (at least for me), but this is considered to be one of the most incredible scientific discoveries in our time.  

Born May 29th, 1929, Peter Higgs was privy to the Venus station on June 27th, which was exactly conjunct his Sun (what makes him happy), while Uranus was sextile (revelation).  Mercury was also sextile his Sun this week (in the news) as Mercury slows to its retrograde station on the 14th, and Jupiter is moving in to conjunct this same Gemini degree (great joy).  Mr. Higgs is said to be a somewhat reticent and private unassuming sort, so all of this attention must be a bit overwhelming.  In a glorious, unexpected, and happy way. He was seen to remove his glasses in order to wipe away a tear when the announcement was made.  He has been described as the “reluctant rock star of particle physics.”  

To standing ovations from at least six packed auditoriums, they confirmed Wednesday what everyone expected and some even understood: that CERN and its $10-billion underground particle accelerator outside Geneva has found the Higgs boson, or particle, and in the process helped to explain how every object in the universe has mass.

Time and again, the octogenarian professor from Edinburgh was asked how he felt. Each time he deferred, as a theoretician, to CERN's experimentalists and their "incredible achievement"; a proof of his jottings that he did not expect to live to see. (from, Ottawa Citizen)

The above photo by Salvatore Vuono, is entitled “Universe” and can be seen here.

The photograph of Peter Higgs is by Denis Balibouse, Pool, AP, The Times

For the week of July 6th thru the 13th, let us see what glorious and revolutionary discoveries are coming to greet us:

Aries

You sometimes simply cannot help but stir up the pot.  But it will be interesting to watch the ways in which you do just this over the next several weeks, with your ruler Mars in diplomatic Libra!  Kind of like the proverbial iron fist in the velvet glove.  Just be aware that the more you learn this week, the more the hairs on the back of your neck are going to be rising.  The first aspect Mars aims towards the end of next week is a trine to Jupiter (who has been doing a bit of research on his own).  The key words for this combination are righteous indignation, and justifiable protest.  Just remember that just around the corner are a lot of potential fireworks, so don’t jump in to the fray unless you are well prepared.  Back up all statements with facts, and remember that truth will always win in the end.  

Taurus

When you are able to make a living doing what you love, it simply does not feel like work.  Even if work has been something of a grind, and spotty at best over the past few years, somewhere this realization is beginning to make itself felt.  And it sort of makes everything that has transpired over the past few years okay.  As a result any old resentments, issues or problems just don’t seem all that important any more.  You should begin to see a departure from the past in some way.  In a good way.  It’s like you’re breaking out of some sort of shell or rut, and realizing that there is this whole world of possibility out there.  It’s wonderfully liberating.  

Gemini

Your ruler Mercury is beginning to slow down for its station retrograde on the 14th.  And as it does so it nods approval to Venus (happiness) and Uranus (revelation).  This is not likely to be a contentious retrograde period at all.  Some retrogrades can be down right illuminating. Your fellow Gemini, Mr. Higgs, who came up with his theory while walking in the countryside, was born with Mercury retrograde.  This is the Mercury of reflection, of introspection and deep thought.  You never know what gems you will find when you begin to explore the vast reaches of your inner world.  

Cancer

It may feel at times these days that you are being compelled to spend a lot of alone time... but this just may be for a reason.  Go with the flow for a bit.  And if you need to, seek out sanctuary and retreat.  This is because there is a lot to be learned through self-realization right now, and you don’t want to be distracted by other people trying to tell you where you ought to go, and what you ought to be doing.  As you become more in touch with your inner self, some profound truth will unfold.  But you need to listen and pay attention and be patient.  The inspiration to solve an existing problem is waiting to reveal itself, and from there on in, these could move quite quickly.  So enjoy the peace while you can still get it!

Leo

I think Leo would like nothing more this week than to do absolutely nothing, and just indulge the nuances of their wool gathering dreams.  But you’re not going to want to miss out on all the fun either.  You’ll still have plenty of down time, but with Mercury in your sign playing with Venus all week in Gemini, you’re going to want to get in on some of the conversation.  And so will we.  You just have a way with words these days, and you are going to find that words just come more easily to express exactly how you are feeling and why.  So accept that invitation.  It will be worth your while.

Virgo

Your ruler, Mercury, is beginning to slow down behind the scenes in Leo, the sign behind Virgo.  This is normally a time for inner reflection for Virgo any way.  Mercury’s station will just make it more so.  But this station is somewhat special, and inclined to finding positive and supportive meaning in the past, as well as for your possibilities in the future.  Allow your thoughts to drift in a more pleasant direction over this week.  Reconciliations and possibility for peace are possible  Pleasant conversations, and surprising good news are also possible.  Even with people where normally tensions exist, things can be eased at this time.  And by using just the right words, it can be possible to leave nothing but good feelings behind you.  

Libra

Sudden realizations and discoveries are certainly possible for Libra this week as well, as your ruler Venus is still within range of its sextile to surprising and compelling Uranus.  In some way your outlook is broadening, and with it your curiosity and desire to know.  This can have far-reaching consequences, especially since through the adventure of discovery, old prejudices and obstacles to enlightenment are falling to the wayside.  Allow your mind to step out of the constraints of the familiarity, and into the realm of possibility.  This is a week in which you maybe, you just might, become somewhat wiser, provided you allow yourself to be open to new and possibly even revolutionary ideas.  

Scorpio

Now that your ruler Mars has entered Libra you are less likely than usual to be motivated.  And this is as it should be.  Take some time out for yourself.  However, as the week progresses, you may just be beckoned to emerge out of your chrysalis and peak your head out to see what’s going on.  This may or may not be in your best interest.  Sometimes forewarned is forearmed, and in this way it is good to peak out.  However, when you see what’s actually going on out there, you may decide to make a hasty retreat.  You may feel like you are being coerced out of retirement to become more involved.  Just make sure that you are in a position to take on the challenges that you are being offered, as things have the potential to get a little contentious later on in the month.  

Sagittarius

Many of the events that have been transpiring, although they may seem to be coming through the actions of others, are really the result of some sort of karmic inevitability and necessity.  This is the result of actions you have made in the past, and alliances or partners that you yourself chose for whatever reason.  Open yourself up to the possibilities that are unfolding through these partnerships, and by allowing others to explore their path as you explore yours.  What you are learning and discovering and experiencing is kind of like a bud unfolding its petals.  Doors are opening.  The world is expanding.  And with these come growth and new, even more interesting and exotic, worlds to explore.  A Sagittarian dream.

Capricorn

When they invented the washing machine it must have freed up people’s lives in some sort of remarkable way.  Imagine the hours having to wash everything by hand?  This is the beauty of invention and discovery.  It allows you to find better ways of doing things, that then give you the freedom to do other things.    As Uranus begins to slow down for its station in the sign of Aries, look at ways that you can free up your personal life, your home environment, your daily chores, so that you will have greater freedom and/or simply be able to do what you do an easier way.  Uranus here is about getting yourself out of ruts that are simply no longer tolerable, and the easy aspect to Jupiter brings you the opportunity and the way to do this.

Aquarius

Ah joy.  It’s time for Aquarius to play, to celebrate and have some fun.  In whatever way that has meaning to you!  I see much happiness and snippets of laughter this coming week.  So go with the flow, and accept that invitation or opportunity to join in the conversation.  And don’t discount ideas that come to you suddenly like inspired visitors showing up unexpectedly.  Welcome them and treat them well.  This is a week for revelations and where the solutions to problems reveal themselves unexpectedly.  Don’t let them pass you by.  

Pisces

If you are feeling somewhat distracted from your purpose, or from what’s really going on, it’s entirely possible.  However over the next few weeks, some sense of enlightenment can descend upon you when you least expect it.  It’s like the truth was always there, the solution was always right in front of you, you just didn’t put two and two together.  Now you shall, if you stay alert.  If you want to make positive changes in your home or in your personal life, this is the time to do it.  A sudden inspiration arises, or an unexpected solution presents itself.  But you will need to pay attention so that it doesn’t pass you by too quickly.  These things can be quite swift and fleeting.