"Success is most often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable.'"

— Coco Chanel,

Chiron turns retrograde in Aries at the beginning of this week, joining Saturn and Venus in something like a 'multi-pronged investigation' of our self-esteem and our self-image. Self-doubts and insecurities can quickly produce indecision and uncertainty this week. However, idealism is also growing. A Mars-Jupiter trine is forming all week and will complete at next week's Aquarius Full Moon (August 1st, 11:31 AM PDT 9° Aquarius/Leo) with a surge of enthusiasm and optimism. The bottom line in this week's environment is that many are likely to be looking for some kind of approval or reassurance. Our patience is thin and we may sometimes feel that we are [...]

"Self-esteem isn't everything; it's just that there's nothing without it.'"

— Gloria Steinem

The week begins with quite a bit of intensity that is difficult to manage. Ambition is high. But quickly, both Mars and Mercury shift signs. Mars moves from bold and blustery Leo into circumspect and deliberate Virgo. On the other hand, Mercury moves from deferential Cancer into demonstrative Leo. These shifts generally suggest a desire to step up on a soap box but not any realistic commitment to push forward. Mars in Virgo is cautious, which is not especially comfortable. The ongoing pressure on our [...]

"The past is not simply the past, but a prism through which the subject filters his own changing self-image.'"

— Doris Kearns Goodwin"

This week presents us with a bit of a 'roller-coaster'. Our sense of self-esteem and our self-image is beginning to be shaken up quite a bit. Saturn is already retrograde in Pisces, suggesting lessons about 'faith' — in ourselves, mostly. Venus is slowing down to turn retrograde in Leo, setting markers during the shadow phase as it makes the first of three trines to Chiron and the first of three squares to Uranus — putting our self-esteem and self-reliance up for review. And by the end of the week, Neptune turns retrograde in Pisces, perhaps helping to clear some lingering fog away — but with no guarantees about [...]