Day: July 10, 2012

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’ for July 10th

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Good ideas are the flower of the mind, waiting to bloom for the benefit of the thinker.

We are constantly in the process of manufacturing ideas. Every waking moment we are thinking continually, making mental images of that which we desire or need. Everything we see was first an idea in someone’s mind.

Ideas are fleeting messages that pass rapidly through the mind. Some of them are strong enough to impress the thinker. Many are not worth saving, but a few are very precious. They have to be sifted, sorted and analyzed for value. Then they must be acted on immediately, for they are very perishable. Once we lose an idea, it is seldom if ever recaptured.

Everyone has access to a better and happier life through ideas, if we can trust the Lord to give us the will and courage to follow through on them.

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Available online! ‘Cherokee Feast of Days’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler.

Visit her web site to purchase the wonderful books by Joyce as gifts for yourself or for loved ones……and also for those who don’t have access to the Internet:

 

http://www.hifler.com
Click Here to Buy her books at Amazon.com

Elder’s Meditation of the Day
By White Bison, Inc., an American Indian-owned nonprofit organization. Order their many products from their web site: http://www.whitebison.org

Elder’s Meditation of the Day July 10

Elder’s Meditation of the Day July 10

“Each soul must meet the morning sun, the new, sweet earth, and the great silence alone.”

–Charles Alexander Eastman, OHIYESA SANTEE SIOUX

Each morning a new sun for a new day arises. Each morning the sweet perfume from the Mother Earth spreads across the land. This combination of sun, earth, smell and quiet is a magic door for me to enter to kneel before the Grandfathers. The sacred time to commune with the Great Spirit.

Oh Great Spirit, I humbly stand before You along with the new sun, the Mother Earth and the smells of the morning. I ask You to direct my thinking today. Let me live in the silence. Teach me Your wisdom, Teach me to love my brothers and sisters. Let me respect the things You have made.

 

July 10 – Daily Feast

July 10 – Daily Feast

New trends and new ideas interest us, but how we love the familiar. We like to keep those things that are dear to us, old songs, familiar places, the good faces. Most of us don’t want to recapture the old times. They have served their purpose and we have put too much into what counts for us now. But when something familiar comes to our ears, or a certain fragrance touches our memory, we are suddenly back there and reliving old times. It is tiresome to be forever striving toward the future. The road is unfamiliar – and every inch of it will have to be tested and tried. And then something we know by heart rises to the top and it buoys us up and we are ready to go again. Sometimes it takes the familiar to help us appreciate what we have today.

~ Grandfather, Great Spirit, the good road and the road of difficulties you have made me cross; and where they cross, the place is holy. ~

BLACK ELK

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days’, by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Daily Motivator for July 10 – Peaceful awareness

Peaceful awareness

Open your awareness to the abundance. Open your awareness to the goodness and  the possibilities.

Life is renewed in every moment. There is no need to keep re-fighting the  battles of the past.

Relax, and let the fears dissolve. Be at peace, and allow the abundance to  flow through you.

Send all your energy into all you love. Now is when opportunity is  transformed into beautiful value.

Focus on what is good, what is right, what is true and meaningful. Give the  whole of your presence to the best you can envision.

Let the richness into your awareness and into your life. Enjoy and love and  live and create with no hesitation, free of worry and doubt.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator 

Daily OM for July 10 – The Unseen World

The Unseen World

What We Can’t See

by Madisyn Taylor

 

Exploring the unseen world can be well worth your while as there are many gifts awaiting you there.

 

Just because we can’t see something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, although this is a common way in which people deny the existence of spirit guides, angels, and other unseen helpers in our lives. However, anyone who has encountered such beings can attest to the fact that they do, indeed, exist, just as our breath exists, keeping us alive, even though we can’t see it. The wind exists, too, but we only know this because we feel it on our skin and hear it moving the leaves on the trees. All around us and within us are things we can’t see, and yet we know they are just as real as the grass beneath our feet.

What we see and don’t see may just be a matter of perspective, like the ladybug who sees the leaf on which she sits, but not the tree the leaf grows on, or the person sitting beneath it. And the person beneath the tree may or may not see the ladybug, depending on where he focuses his attention. Still, all of these things, whether seen or not seen by the person or the ladybug, exist in reality. Some people are more gifted at accessing that which we cannot see, but given an open and willing heart, anyone can tune into the invisible realm and begin to find their way.

Human beings have always done this, and it is only recently that we have fallen into distrusting the existence of what we can’t see. If you have lost touch with the unseen world, all you have to do is resolve to open your heart to its existence, and it will make itself known. Closing your eyes in meditation and visualization, or engaging the unseen through the written word, are just two ways to welcome the invisible back into your life. Whatever you choose to do, cultivating a relationship with that which you can’t see is a time-honored human practice that can greatly enhance your life.

9 Essential Oils with Huge Health Benefits

9 Essential Oils with Huge Health Benefits

Samantha, selected from TreeHugger

 

Essential  oils have their place secured in a natural beauty routine: They’re   natural, chemical-free alternatives to everything from traditional  cosmetics to  potentially toxic fragrances.   But many can do a lot more than just smell good:  While we can’t say  with authority the 10 oils highlighted here are miracle  cures,  throughout history they’ve been credited with treating problems   including digestion issues and acne; increasing concentration; killing  germs  and much more.

Peppermint

The bright scent of peppermint does more than freshen your breath: It is also  used to soothe nausea and other stomach issues, help stop itching, and cool  overworked  muscles (thanks to the menthol).Add drops of peppermint oil to a  bowl of hot water and breathe in the  steam to fight congestion, or rub diluted  oil into sore muscles. And  that’s not all: Peppermint is a key ingredient in oil mixtures that fight  PMS, act as an  all-natural alternative to VapoRub, cool sore throats, and quiet  headaches — and it’s often credited with increasing concentration, so  ideal  for a mid-afternoon alternative to coffee pick-me-up.

Lavender

For Anita Boen, who runs an organic farm that provides  herbs and oils to  upscale spas, lavender is a go-to oil for almost any situation: Not only  is it one of the few  oils that is gentle enough to use undiluted, it’s a  “virtual first aid  kit in a bottle.”The antibacterial  properties allow it to fight germs (which is  why it’s also such an  important ingredient in many all-natural  cleaning products for home and body), and, like  peppermint, it’s  often credited with aiding digestion and helping fight  headaches.

Lavender oil’s soft scent is said to help calm the nervous system,  improve  sleep quality, combat joint pain, and fight everything from  urinary disorders  and respiratory problems to high blood pressure and acne.

Sesame

Sesame  oil may be best known for its moisturizing  qualities, which make it  a favorite ingredient for hair  and skin treatments.But the health benefits go beyond  beauty: Sesame oil has a slight SPF  factor, contains fatty acids believed to  lower stress and blood  pressure, and has been shown to help  slow the growth of cancer in cells.

Rose

This rose by any name will smell as sweet: Look for it  labeled as Rose Otto,  rose oil, or rose  essential oil, and choose oils produced in Bulgaria  and Turkey for  the highest quality. These slightly-distilled oils won’t have  the strong  scents of oils used for perfumes, but they are more popular with   aromatherapists.  Nature’s  Gift calls rose oil “the ultimate woman’s oil,”  because it has a  reputation for improving hormone balance, treating PMS and  menopause,  counteracting problems in the bedroom, and improving the look and  health  of your skin.

Geranium

Planet Green suggests including geranium  oil as an ingredient in a PMS-fighting  solution,  but it’s also  well-known for its astringent properties —  which allow it to  refresh  skin — and its styptic aspects, which calm  inflammations and stop   hemorrhaging.You can also use geranium  oil to treat acne, and oily skin, boost   circulation, and decrease  bloating. The oil can reduce the appearance  of scars  and blemishes, get  rid of body odor, and contract  blood  vessels to diminish the appearance of lines  and wrinkles.

Pine

The sharp tang of pine   oil may call up Christmas trees and rugged aftershaves, but this   tree’s  needles also offer antiseptic, antibacterial, and analgesic   properties that  make it a favorite of holistic health experts.Pine oil  is said to help treat  skin issues — including psoriasis,  eczema, and  pimples; speed up metabolism;  act as an antidote to food  poisoning;  ease joint pain and arthritis; kill  germs; and battle  respiratory  problems that go along with cough and cold  season.

Clove

Spicy clove  oil is one of the main ingredients in Tiger  Balm, an all-natural remedy said to temper hangover  headaches —  but holistic health practitioners find other uses for it, too.It’s  a popular choice for dental issues, including tooth and gum  pain, and some  sites recommend using it for bad breath (although whether  you’d rather have  your breath smell like cloves is up to you).

Clove  oil is also antiseptic, so diluted versions can treat  bug bites,  cuts, and scrapes; other suggested treatments help clear up  earaches,  digestion problems, nasal congestion, stomachaches, and headaches. As  an  added bonus, it’s an aphrodisiac — and therefore a popular form of  stress  relief.

Black Pepper

It might not be as  sweet-smelling as the more floral entries on this list,  but black  pepper oil still has its place in your natural health  arsenal.Pepper had its day as one of the world’s most valuable spices, in  part  because of its healing properties, which include aiding digestion,  undoing  cramps and convulsions, warming muscles to ease joint pain and  arthritis, and  curing bacterial infections.

Lemon Balm

Lemon  balm essential oil, also known as Melissa essential  oil after the  plant’s Latin name, Melissa officinalis, doesn’t look  like much,  but it has plenty of benefits. It’s an antidepressant, it keeps your  nervous  system working smoothly, it calms anxiety and inflammation, it   counteracts insomnia, it heals ulcers, it fights bacterial infections,  and has  been credited with treating herpes, headaches, and high blood  pressure.

 

7 Ways to Make Your Living Space Smell Nice

7 Ways to Make Your Living Space Smell Nice

by Megan, selected from Intent.com

Rather than spraying chemical-laden air fresheners, choose one of these seven  natural ways to make your living space smell a little nicer.

1. Invest in houseplants. Have your favorite plants and  herbs growing in your kitchen, living room and bathroom in small pots. The  presence of green plants will help reduce indoor air pollution and keep clean  air circulating in your space.

2. Save your citrus fruit skins. Save the peels of oranges,  lemons, limes and other citrus- fruits. You can place them in boiling water to  have a fresh scent in the kitchen, or run them in your garbage disposal with  boiling water. Lastly, put some citrus skins in your vacuum bag the next time  you vacuum your carpet.

3. Dilute essential oil with water in a spray bottle. You  can spray your furniture and carpet to make the whole room smell a specific  scent. To diversify, you can have different scents for different areas of your  home. For example: lavender for the living room, sandalwood for your bedroom and  peppermint for the bathroom.

4. Place bowls of white vinegar in corners of the room. The  vinegar will neutralize and absorb any offending odors.

5. Place fabric softener in your shoes and closet. It will  take away any stale clothing smells. For another closet air freshener, place a  cedar block at the bottom of your closet. Use sandpaper for a new layer once a  year.

6. Light soy candles instead of regular candles. Soy candles  are longer-lasting, better for the environment and have a more robust smell.  (They are also safer than carcinogen-emitting candles.)

7. Bake bread or cook your own meals. Few things are as  welcoming as the smell of freshly baked bread or the herbs of a home-cooked  dinner.

Clean Air Alternatives to Aerosol Spray

Clean Air Alternatives to Aerosol Spray

by Cherise Udell

This is probably not a surprise to you if you have ever used an aerosol spray  can, but these little stinkers are often dangerously toxic to you and the  environment. All you have to do is read the warning label to realize you just  may have a time-bomb in your hand. We all know that if allowed to heat-up, that  pressurized aerosol can actually become a real bomb and explode. But did you  also know that the fine vapor mist, along with the inevitable chemical cocktail  of some aerosol products, has been linked to cancer, brain damage and even death  for the user? Furthermore, aerosols are at the root of some big environmental problems  such as air pollution and global warming.

Next to injections, breathing fine vapor mist is the fastest way to absorb a  chemical into your body. For someone having a massive asthma attack, medicinal  delivery through a fine mist is a godsend. For children getting their annual flu  shot, the new flu mist, in lieu of a needle, is also something to be celebrated.  But for the rest of us just trying to get ready for the day, clean our homes or  finish a project, the user-friendly aerosol can often requires a deal with the  devil. Just as asthma medication is quickly inhaled via aerosol spraying, so are  the hundreds of questionable chemicals that come in other types of aerosol  cans.

Fortunately, there are numerous alternatives to that highly flammable, often  highly polluting, potentially cancer-causing aerosol can.

Sunscreen

The spray-on sunscreen is mighty tempting; who likes the  greasy feeling of hand-applying suntan lotion? I know I don’t and neither do my  kids. But it is very likely your lungs or your children’s lungs like the fine  particle spray laced with numerous dubious chemicals even less. Furthermore, why  trade the possibility of skin cancer from the sun for the possibility of another  type of cancer somewhere inside your body? Do your body and the air a favor and  return to the hand-applied sunscreens — or find a “stick” alternative such as  California Baby.

Odor Removal

We all enjoy a fresh-smelling home, car and office. Yet diaper pails, pet  odors, and food odors are notoriously difficult to dispel….unless you know about  vinegar.  Vinegar has an extraordinary capacity to wipe-out even the  strongest, most persistent odors. All you need to do is mix water with white vinegar (I like 2/3 vinegar and 1/3 water) in a spray  bottle and mist as you would with an air freshener. You will smell the strong  scent of vinegar for about five minutes, but then it dissipates, taking along  the offensive order with it! I spray trash bins, shoes, pet areas, the kitchen,  my car and laundry room with vinegar on a regular basis and without the guilt  and risk of using toxic aerosols. Another plus to vinegar — it is very  inexpensive, especially if you buy the big jugs at Costco.

If just removing the stinky smells is not enough and you want some lovely  scents to escort you through your day, try pure essential oils. You can apply the scent of your choice in a  number of ways: a) just sprinkle a few drops on your carpet, bed linens or wood  floors; b) mix a few drops of the essential oil in a spray bottle filled with  water and spray; c) use a water-based diffuser or d) use a candle diffuser. Try  lemon, lavender, rose and/or cinnamon for some fresh clean scents. Personally, I  love Do Terra essential oils for their purity and high medicinal grade – and  thus recommend these highly.

Clothing Starch

Some people love their clothes starched to keep them extra  crisp and fresh. If you are one of these well-dressed individuals, try ditching  the aerosol spray and use a mixture of cornstarch and water in a spray bottle  instead. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch for each pint of water. Test the blend  on a dish towel and add more cornstarch if needed (a 1/2 teaspoon or less at a  time), to get the crispness you desire.

Furniture and Stainless Steel Polish

Try olive oil or any cooking oil as a wood furniture polish. Olive oil also  works well with stainless steel. If you prefer a scented polish, again, just add  a few drops of a pure essential oil such as lavender or lemon. Be sure to use a  little elbow grease to polish the oil to create a nice sheen and remove any oily  residue left behind.

Hair Spray

Farrah Fawcett probably could not have managed her signature hairdo if it  weren’t for aerosol hair spray, but fortunately having two shellacked wings of  hair framing your face is no longer in style. That is not to say that some of us  still don’t rely on a little help with our locks. If you need hairspray, ditch  the aerosol can and choose a pump hair spray instead. Early forms of aerosol  hairspray contained vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen, as well as, CFCs which  were very effective at eating the ozone in our atmosphere, and therefore a big  culprit in global warming. Fortunately, both CFCs and vinyl chloride were banned  in hairspray products in the 1970s. However, according to a PBS website, even  without the vinyl chloride, it is not known whether the ingredients currently  used in hairspray are safe for human use.

Food Can Nourish the Spirit

Food Can Nourish the Spirit

by Sarah Cooke

Today, a friend and I had a conversation about the role that relationships  can play in our enjoyment of food. For example, when I prepare dishes using my  mother’s recipes, the flavor is the same but the experience is often less  fulfilling than enjoying a meal she has prepared for me. Similarly, when I  prepare a meal for my fiancé and myself, I often enjoy the dish more than I do  when I am the only one eating.

It is not only the flavor of a dish or the quality of the ingredients that  contributes to our enjoyment. It is the energy surrounding the food – and the  consumption of it. When a meal is prepared and eaten with love,  it is generally more enjoyable.

Yes, this phenomenon can lead to emotional  eating when we try to recreate the positive memories and feelings associated  with particular foods. But it also has the potential to be quite beneficial.  When we enjoy food on the level of the spirit, we are often more likely to feel  more fulfilled, meaning we consume fewer empty calories than we do when we eat  processed foods, which are less fulfilling. When we eat processed food, we often  must eat more to feel fulfilled. In addition, when we learn to appreciate the  deep, emotional nourishment that food can offer us in a balanced way, we are  likely to choose high quality foods that can offer that kind of sustenance.

 

Help for Making New Habits Deepak Chopra

Help for Making New Habits

by Deepak Chopra

Every habit is a cooperative venture between body and mind. Generally  speaking, the mind leads the venture and body follows as a silent partner. It is  attention, or awareness, that touches the sleeping powers of the mind and makes  them vital again. The smallest shift of attention can change the world you  perceive and the body you live with.

Guidelines for new habits:

1. The habit should be  acquired effortlessly over a period of time.

2. It should be guided by  positive thoughts.

3. It should be consciously repeated, but always in a  good frame of mind, never forced in as the enemy of a bad habit.

Cultivated in this way, new habits condition the whole mind-body system to  create health and happiness automatically.

I am again reminded of those two sentences from Abraham Maslow about very  healthy, creative people: “What such a person wants and enjoys is apt to be just  what is good for him. His spontaneous reactions are as capable, efficient and  right as if they had been thought out in advance.” It sounds too good to be  true, but is just habit at work.

All that is needed is the awareness that the unconscious mind can be changed  in its routine, and then one simply changes it. People who have been unhappy all  their lives can become happy simply by realizing that the source of change is  inside themselves.

The unconscious can be refined and rechanneled through suggestions,  repetition, and above all, attention. Do not fret too much over “how it all  happens”—that is just an old mindset saying, “It won’t happen, it can’t.”

 

Astronomy Picture of the Day – Volcano and Aurora in Iceland

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

Volcano and Aurora in Iceland  

Image Credit & Copyright: Sigurdur H. Stefnisson

 

 Explanation: Sometimes both heaven and Earth erupt.   In  Iceland in 1991, the  volcano Hekla erupted at the same time that  auroras were visible overhead.   Hekla, one of the most  famous volcanoes in the world, has  erupted at least 20 times over the   past millennium,  sometimes causing  great destruction.   The last eruption occurred only twelve years ago but caused only minor  damage.   The green auroral band occurred fortuitously about 100 kilometers above the erupting  lava.   Is Earth the Solar System’s only planet with both auroras and volcanos?

Lighten Up – You Know You’re a Chaote When…

You Know You’re a Chaote When…

by Everfool

You Know You’re a Chaote When…

  1. You don’t think it’s a proper symbol unless you only just made it up a few seconds ago while doodling.
  2. Someone asks you if you believe life has a purpose, or whether it is meaningless, and you say “yes.”
  3. You always carry around lots of post-it notes and a pen in case you need to cast a sigil.
  4. People ask you how magic works, and you either A) don’t know and don’t care B) explain in torturous detail, later causing them to seek therapy.
  5. Someone asks you if you believe in the Christian God, and you say: A) “Only if there’s something in it for me” B) “What day of the week is it?” C) “Sorry, I rolled a 6 on the dice earlier, I’m a Wiccan today” D) “Okay, haven’t got any other plans for today”
  6. Missionaries find it easy to convert you to their religion, the only trouble is making sure you don’t convert to another religion as soon as you’re bored.
  7. Other magick workers compare rituals with you.  You think they’re too serious and stuffy, and they refuse to live in the same neighbourhood as you. You don’t see anything wrong with making up your own god, until it starts telling you what to do.
  8. While in trance, a being glowing with pure white light tells you the secrets to true happiness.  You smile and ignore it/laugh at it.
  9. People point out your beliefs are contradictory.  You blush.
  10. Your bookcase contains various holy texts that claim all the other texts are wrong.
  11. You don’t learn Latin in order to understand tomes of magic, you learn Quantum Physics.
  12. You still don’t understand the tomes after learning Quantum Physics, but at least you know lots of big words now.
  13. Your rituals involve the first objects you can spot lying around.
  14. You aspire to schizophrenia.  Your friends think you’ve already reached that state.
  15. Your banishment rituals are usually more fun than the rituals themselves.  You keep a copy of a “certain revisionist” book for whenever you need to banish with laughter.
  16. Even eclectic witches think you need to be more discerning.
  17. You buy one of those glittery spell books to see if you can make the spells work.  You read it and decide you would much rather write insulting letters to the author that will also give her the nasty cold you’ve been trying to get rid of for weeks.
  18. When Wiccans tell you the rede, you ask them to define “harm.”
  19. If someone you agree with turns out to be obnoxious, you immediately change your beliefs to the opposite of what they were.
    And finally…
  20. Shopping for presents becomes so much easier, as you decide to buy random things, mix them up randomly, and leave them lying around for the first person who finds them.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for July 10 is 57: Gentle Penetration

57: Gentle Penetration

Hexagram 57

 

General Meaning: The general situation here points to subtle penetration. Reeds bend softly in the wind, symbolizing flexibility and endurance, symbolizing quiet, relaxed effectiveness in action. A gentle influence is at work, but just as the wind is ceaseless in its efforts, so too small forces can persist to produce lasting results.

Gentle penetration bodes well for new relationships of all kinds. Just as a summer breeze slowly penetrates the woods to cool the forest, the brilliant ideas of gifted leaders or the sincere feelings of warm-hearted lovers slowly penetrate the minds and hearts of others. In personal relationships, a gentle beginning is often linked to a long-lasting union.

When employing a force that is weak but persistent, careful aim is necessary, for only when a small force continually moves in the same direction can it have much effect. In human affairs, this kind of influence comes more through strength of character than by direct confrontation or seduction. It’s important to have, and stick to, clearly defined goals. Maintaining a strong vision and following a steady course of least resistance often brings good fortune.

Today’s Tarot Card for July 10 is Justice

Justice

This Tarot Deck: Crow’s Magick

General Meaning: Traditionally, what has been known as the Justice card has to do with moral sensitivity and that which gives rise to empathy, compassion and a sense of fairness. Since the time of Solomon, this image has represented a standard for the humane and fair-minded treatment of other beings.

Often including the image of a fulcrum which helps to balance competing needs against the greater good, and a two-edged sword to symbolize the precision needed to make clear judgments, this card reminds us to be careful to attend to important details. It’s a mistake to overlook or minimize anything where this card is concerned. The law of Karma is represented here — what goes around comes around.

Your Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, July 10

We are likely to react emotionally, yet still withhold any outward display as the impulsive Aries Moon squares the passive Cancer Sun, emphasizing the difference between how we feel and what we express. We must make choices by trying to balance our enthusiasm with sensitivity. A spiritual Moon-Neptune alignment can be confusing now by tempting us with unrealistic fantasies, yet our dreams still offer rewards if we’re willing to explore them.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Your air of optimism may dissipate as you think about letting others know exactly what’s on your mind. However, if you do tell all you might have a mess on your hands to clean up afterward. Discretion is important or you could needlessly hurt the feelings of someone you really like. An act of kindness is worth far more than a self-indulgent disclosure.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You would like to be by yourself today, but there may be too much going on for you to completely withdraw. It appears that you cannot have it either way. If you are home alone, you can’t keep your mind off the fun things you could be doing. And if you are out with friends or family, you just want some quiet time to yourself. No matter what, don’t fall into the trap of blaming your dissatisfaction on anyone else. Make the most of where you are in the present moment without trying to be somewhere else.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Your friends may be the source of a current dilemma, especially if they have one agenda and you have another. Social activities can play an important role in your weekend, but you might be bored with the agreed-upon schedule. Don’t let yourself get roped into doing anything you cannot easily escape. Establishing your boundaries up front is wiser than suffering the consequences of just going along with the crowd.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

Instead of being in charge of a group activity, you would rather have everyone share in the responsibilities now. You really don’t have much patience since everything seems to take longer than it should. Instead of hurrying others along, try slowing yourself down. You may be surprised at how well this unorthodox strategy works for you today.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You are ready for a vacation and even if you cannot take an extended one, a quick weekend getaway should be enough to alleviate the pressure. Don’t worry if you haven’t made any plans yet. A spontaneous day trip can be just what the doctor ordered. But if you’re already booked for the day, at least pick a weekend on the calendar and start planning your great escape.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

A new approach in your dealings with an intimate partner or a business associate might be enough to change a difficult dynamic. But don’t expect to make gains without some sort of uncomfortable confrontation first. Once you put your feelings out on the table, others will be able to engage you on an emotional level and this can make all the difference in the world.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

A conflict that’s been quietly brewing for several days might explode into a full-blown argument today. Although you believe that you have an airtight case, keep in mind that someone else may be thinking the same thing. Paradoxically, reality can support multiple points of view, so don’t turn this into a fight to the finish. Instead, find a way that allows both of you to be right.

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Discovering new ways to do the same old things brightens your day with fun and excitement. But just because you have a great idea doesn’t mean you can turn it into reality. Rather than trying to take on too much and fix everything today, just make one small improvement to your routine. Proactive change has a greater positive impact than you realize.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Although you would like today to be a play day you have previous commitments to fulfill, making it difficult to just go off and have fun. If you do ignore your current responsibilities, you might end up feeling so guilty that you cannot enjoy yourself, anyhow. Don’t be in such a hurry to run out on your obligations. Instead, bring others into your confidence by letting them know about your desires. They may be more willing to compromise in such a way that you get some time off, anyhow.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Spending some time at home today might not be as relaxing as you wish, for your day is filled with excitement no matter what you do. Instead of trying to withdraw from the action, engage it head on. By involving yourself voluntarily, you’ll end up feeling more in control. And even if you try to go off on your own, you’ll still get pulled into the day’s events. Letting go of control allows you to enjoy yourself more than you could imagine.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your day can feel like one personal crisis after another if you attempt to spend it in solitude, because others will likely be more involved with your business than you wish. Even if you are left alone, you probably won’t be able to completely relax since you have work to do. Although you believe you know what’s best, be flexible and let your friends influence your plans. Expect the unexpected and enjoy the ride.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Retail therapy might make you feel better today, but this is merely masking a symptom of a deeper issue. Your values are changing and you are eager to surround yourself with material objects that reflect your new outlook on life. Go ahead and honor your impulse to spend money, but avoid buyer’s remorse by making sure that your purchase is also practical.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for July 10th

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Much of the cosmic intensity from Monday is still present. This is a good time in the cosmic calendar to remind you that solar and planetary alignments happening on a given day don’t just disappear 24 hours later. They remain percolating, but influential somewhat behind the scenes or under the new astro-psychic radar screen.  Therefore, knowing that yesterday was murky at best, there is some excitement going on early since Chiron forms a contra-parallel with Uranus (12:07AM PDT), the Moon in Aries makes a supportive, 60-degree link with Venus in Gemini (1:19AM PDT) while only three minutes later the Moon unites with Pallas (1:22AM PDT). The Chiron-Uranus tie is similar to a polarity in the zodiac – which, in this case, can represent breakthroughs in higher consciousness. The lunar ties with Venus and Pallas are very welcome – opening up romantic, creative and social doorways, as well as stimulating the problem-solving set of skills all of us humans have in varying degrees.  Adding to the party atmosphere is a highly constructive, 60-degree rapport from Venus to Pallas (3:50AM PDT) and a Moon-Mercury flowing trine (4:01AM PDT). Arts, crafts, hobbies, as well as card, board or word games can give you a boost.  There is a need to cut through obstacles on your mental and even spiritual path later on when the Last Quarter Sun-Moon Phase (activating 20 degrees of Cancer and Aries at 6:49PM PDT) manifests with a strong celestial presence. Quarter Moon cycles are often underestimated in terms of their influence, but they can be as intense as the New and Full Moons that happen every month.