Picture by Paloma Todd.

Inner Space by
August 2006

   Letter from Eric Francis

 
AUGUST is a momentous month in the cosmic history of the Earth. Two of the most influential planets, Saturn and Neptune, meet in an exact opposition, which happens once every 35 years. We've been seeing the effects of this developing astrology for well over a year, since Saturn entered Leo in July 2005. But the precise meeting of two planets in a long process always brings something new. This can come in the form of events or psychological thresholds that seem to focus the events of the past few years; which reveal their nature; or which serve as a personal threshold in the creation of a new life. The opposition is the "full" phase of a cycle that began with the conjunction, or "new" phase, in 1989. Consider what a big year that was for you, for the people in your life, and for the world. What did not change that year? How have the events from that time influenced your world today? Now, the story continues. It does so well into 2007, as there are three exact meetings of Saturn and Neptune. The exact dates are August 31, 2006, February 28, 2007, and June 25, 2007.


Aries (March 20-April 19)
You seem split between passion and duty; you have so many ideas, and so much to do. The only answer is to plunge in all the way. Live your work like it's all that matters, even if that means moving into your office or studio, staying till the Sun comes up, or whatever it takes to give yourself the space and permission to get into your creative process completely. Rather than divide work from pleasure, or responsibility from creativity, bring your passion into everything, and apply your devotion to everything you touch and consider. Do you really have something more important you need to do?

Taurus (April 19-May 20)
August may feel like a month of inevitable changes that add up to much more than the sum of their parts. You may wonder how you didn't see it coming, but the truth is that your current wave of revelation is just part of what has already been developing for well over a year. You need a measure of freedom in your living space, and you would be wise to honor that need, however you manage to do it. Start by noticing both your desires and your limitations, and by keeping clear about what you need to change. Your environment must support your life -- that's its whole job.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)
There's nowhere more interesting on Earth than your own space, your neighborhood and your backyard. If you happen to be traveling, take that spirit with you, and make sure you sink in and really feel at home wherever you happen to be. This is a time to sink your roots deep into the Earth, the community and your mission in life. There is something about dedicating yourself whole-heartedly to service, right where you live, which means a devotion to the people you call your family. The closest bonding will grow from a sense of purpose, and if you nurture it, it'll grow for a very long time.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Financial questions now surround what to do with your resources rather than how to acquire them. You know there's no point to money or property sitting around with no special purpose, and you do have your ideas for what needs to be done. What usually prevents this world from improving in leaps and bounds is not a lack of wealth; rather, it's a lack of imagination and commitment to service. Now that you have all three in one place, don't worry about what has succeeded or failed in the past; do what you need to do today, based on the circumstances you perceive today.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)
You may not feel quite as free as you are, but that's just an illusion. One thing you have figured out is that your sense of freedom increases in proportion to how safe you feel in any given moment. You see your choices better when you're feeling safe. So you might as well start there. Safety is an emotional sense, but you can enhance it by taking care of one long overdue project that involves creating more space in your environment. In general, you can push out into your home and into the world. Expand your boundaries and make room for yourself and your feelings.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)
As the Sun works its way toward your birth sign this month, you'll feel your plans come into reality one at a time. Each dream you begin to realize will push against the limits on your time, space and flexibility. You're not the person you once were, whose ideas cramped you into the corner of your own reality and whose fears were taken more seriously than your dreams. You have more room for many possibilities to be true, for many different ideas to coexist. Most of all, you've recognized it's pointless not to have faith in yourself. As a result, the world has never felt more like your home.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)
If a domestic relationship or love affair is getting serious, I suggest you go with the flow -- and, at the same time, not be attached to a particular outcome. A question remains whether you really are seeking commitment on this level -- or just what level that really is. We need a place in the world for passionate friendship. We need an idea of sharing love and pleasure where sex does not automatically translate into something that weighs us down. There is commitment, and commitment to something higher -- the dignity that can only come with allowing one another to be free people.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)
Once again professional aspirations stand out as the most likely area of emphasis for you, and you continue to be extremely well poised for success. But if you have kids, I suggest you check in with them and make sure they feel you're being the best parent you can be. Everyone is going to have to make compromises, and it's best to keep them on the table, not underneath. You're obviously moving up in the world, and you would do that a lot more effectively with the full support of your loved ones, with a clear heart. Offer them your best and they will offer you theirs.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)
Now that Jupiter is moving forward again, it's clear that some source of hesitancy or indecision has been removed. In many ways you are still flying in the dark, but not without your radar system. You may not be totally free, but you always have at least two choices, and more the longer ahead in time you consider. And something that was once a disruption in your home is now becoming a most welcome part of your life -- something you would not have foreseen, but your own choice to open up has unquestionably been helpful. Keep using this formula.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
You're finally allowing yourself to think outside the goat. You may be dreaming of foreign countries or distant friends; of freedom you've never felt before, including the freedom to have your own ideas; and all in all, you know in your heart that the world is your real home. The truth is, you have bigger hills to climb than you've ever dreamed of climbing. I ask you: what is holding you back? Please consider carefully. Something just may be holding you back, but it's nothing you cannot address with your will and intelligence.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
You've grown more intense and focused during the past couple of years, and this has had an effect on the people around you. It hasn't been unpleasant -- they've just needed to get used to your more direct approach to your feelings, and to theirs. Now is the time to demonstrate that you can take just as direct communication back. Here is a clue: what people have to say isn't nearly as harsh as you may fear. It's always been difficult for you to be open to approval, and now is a good time to learn.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
You're in another one of those situations where your work is your home. But you would be wise to make sure your home is also your home; to create some time and space to fully indulge your soft Pisces nature. You have too much at stake to make the error of cutting off your energy by cutting off your pleasure, nourishment or human contact. And if you must spend a lot of time at a work location somewhere else, take every step you can to make it a comfortable, clean and supportive environment. These things will make a considerable difference in the long run, starting now.


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