The Witness: Astro-Archetype of the Week (July 7 - 13)
One way to grow something is to put it out in the fresh air and sun for others to witness.
Astro-Archetype of the Week (July 7 - 13): The Witness
Key Astrological Transits:
July 8 | Venus in Cancer sextile Uranus in Taurus
Mercury in Leo sextile Jupiter in Gemini
July 10 | Sun trine Saturn in Pisces
July 11 | Venus in Cancer trine Neptune in Pisces
Venus enters Leo
July 12 | Venus in Leo opposite Pluto in Aquarius
Have you fully enjoyed your talents? Have you given your talents the energy they need to be enjoyed and to grow?
To me, this week feels like the beginning of the second half of the year. There’s this refocusing on our own well-being and our own development. With both Mercury and Venus in Leo, our energy is focused toward self-actualization – but maybe not so much in the “build it and they will come” way, and more like we have our personal growth on our minds. Jupiter’s sextile to Mercury in Leo acts as a support, like a personal trainer with many years of wisdom ready to apply to your desire to bulk up, gain flexibility, or increase your lung capacity. Metaphorically or actually.
The energy is that of the talent show; the art walk; the marathon; the summer blockbuster; the open mic; the battle of the bands; the trivia night.
But what is self-actualization? I find this term overcomplicated and dripping with too many associations. And so I think about how self-actualizations is tied to the concept of gifted and talented-ness. I think often about the word “talent.” I want to say talents are earned and developed – because I want all things to be available to me, and others – but some talents are truly present at birth. Some people just have a special talent for things, and it’s not just focus or interest or perseverance. But talents can be developed. They can be enjoyed. Talents can be the source of one’s joy.
This week, we’re being asked to enjoy our talents – to add hot air to them so that they can grow. And one way to grow something is to put it out in the fresh air and sun for others to witness.
The Sun trines Saturn in Pisces (now stationed retrograde) on July 10th. Especially when retrograde, Saturn is so happy with us when we take ourselves seriously. And in the sign of Pisces, there’s even more of an emphasis on cultivating artistic, spiritual, and compassionate gifts. The final and arguably most important step in creating art like music, film, or poetry is when it is witnessed. When the piece of art becomes the witnesses’. When the movie becomes a part of the audience member’s Top Ten List.
Beware worries that other people want to sabotage your progress with Pluto sending back a strong “but what if I shouldn’t be…?” beam as Venus moves into Leo directly opposite Pluto. Remember that other people’s judgements of you are really their own inner critic hoping to keep them safe by keeping them put.
Allow yourself to be a witness, and practice witnessing others’ talents as well.
This is where we begin to heal.
This is where we start to believe joy is our birthright.
What’s coming up:
I’ve opened up for birth chart consultations again. Follow this link to schedule a reading with me <3
On Sunday, July 21 there’s a full moon mini-market at Lynden Sculpture Garden — after the monthly sound bath and labyrinth walk:
After the Mini-Market on July 21st, I’m leading my first Astrology for Writers writing workshop at Lynden Sculpture Garden. There are limited spots, so please register early <3 I’d love to see you there!
In this workshop, we will pay special attention to (or: consider!) the planetary energies specific to the Full Moon in Capricorn (July 21, 2024) and discuss how writers are influenced by the Moon. As well, the writing prompts will be inspired by Mercury’s transit through the sign of Leo (July 2 - 25th and August 14 - September 9, 2024) and discuss how writers are influenced by Mercury.
This workshop is designed for people who are brand new to astrology as well as those who consider themselves advanced astrology practitioners. And the writing portion of this workshop is open to all types of writers -- poetry, prose, the experienced, and the excited. The energy of this workshop is full of curiosity, play, wonder, and open dialogue.
This workshop is taking place inside of our summer’s Mercury Retrograde. I’ll be sharing what I do as a writer during Mercury Retrogrades, and we’ll be writing in response to this concept as well :)
Lastly, though most prominently in my not-yet-announced recesses of my mind, I am about to launch my first virtual writing workshop soon. It’ll be a 6 week intimate cohort of writers (lyric poets and lyric essayists) who are not actively in an MFA for Creative Writing cohort and are looking to be witnessed and responded to with their works in progress. If you’d like to be on the announcement emails, shoot me a message at kpkaszu [at] gmail [dot] com with your interest.