“First say to yourself what would you be;
and then do what you have to do.”
~ Epictetus (C. 55 – C. 135) Greek Stoic Philosopher

“Take charge of your thoughts.
You can do what you will with them.”
~ Plato (428-327 BC) – Greek Philosopher and Prose Writer

“They can do all because they think they can.”
~ Virgil (70-9 BC) – Roman Poet

“The key to success is to focus our conscious mind
on things we desire not things we fear.”
~ Brian Tracy

“You can’t depend on your eyes
when your imagination is out of focus.”
~ Mark Twain

At the time of this writing, Mercury is still retrograde and will go direct on August 26.  Themes during retrogrades are not only more reflective, but also more focused.  Too many folks go through life not really awake, or are too reliant upon last minute “by the skin of your teeth” living.  Retrogrades give increased focus on their areas of governance, which requires a greater sense of awareness as well.  Flying by the seat of your pants (we’re pretty bad about this in the US, not to mention the stress levels we try to pass off as normal life) doesn’t tend to work as well under the demand for focus during these times.  So-so output just doesn’t really cut it.  With Mercury governing money, communication and travel, these areas require more clarity, attention and focus during a retrograde.  Communication is very important at this time.  Even when you are aware though, you have all the sleepy-heads to watch for.  Your key to success is remaining balanced, eating right, sleeping right, staying focused and giving Mercury its due.  And moving into the next numerological window, this need for communication and facts becomes even greater.

Last month I mentioned that we’d have an opportunity to put things into order soon.  We enter that window between now and about mid-October. The energetic window that awaits brings into focus issues with boundaries, law, and order.  We had a swing at responsibility in August, and in September, it makes us look hard at what those responsibilities are.  Now is a time for clarity, revealing the realities as they are.  The is and is not.  When do you say no?  When do you say yes?  What deserves attention?  What does not?  What is your purpose in life?  What may feel nice, but isn’t your purpose in life?  Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you are supposed to.  On the other hand, there are things people can and should do that they fail to.  Like stand up for themselves, for someone else, or something that is right.  Sometimes during these types of energetic windows people focus on simplifying.  That is OK, but I do prefer the term clarify.  Clarify your purpose and direction right now and at least put together a thumbnail sketch of a road map to follow.  For most of us, our purpose is not for a simple life, but for one with a clear purpose.  Clarity is the key.

As the US gets comfortable with it’s new cycle...