Even though the moon is waxing this week, which usually signals a time to focus on acquisition and gains, Monday and Tuesday bring the perfect opportunity to let go of and eliminate what’s no longer efficient or valuable in your life. Said another way, expect a few curveballs as the week begins—and stay dedicated to using those curveballs to your advantage.

Here’s why: As the week starts, Mercury in Virgo forms a quincunx or an inconjunct to Pluto, while the sun does the same with Saturn. As a reminder, Mercury rules communication while the sun indicates the overall mood of the day. For example, Pluto asks us to own our power without power-tripping, and Saturn is the planet of discipline. With these two inconjuncts (aspects that call our attention to reconciling differences by reframing our relationship to an obstacle) happening concurrently at the week’s start, take time to assess your relationship to the problem(s) you are facing.

Ask yourself how can you show up differently to the challenges you face. Without negating or denying the issues at hand or your feelings in general, challenge yourself to make adjustments regarding how you confront or work with those obstacles.

As it becomes increasingly more apparent every day, there’s no going back to 2019’s normal. Instead, we are in the birth canal of an emerging reality—a messy birth canal that we get to move through while using our moxie to navigate it to the best of our ability. Thankfully, this week culminates with a waxing gibbous moon, leading into Sunday’s full moon in Aquarius. This is the second full moon in Aquarius in a row, and it asks us to own our individuality as we cooperate and collaborate with others to craft a better future for everyone. However, before we get to the unfettered potential of the forthcoming full moon, the week ahead asks for compromise.

To support us with that, on Wednesday, Mercury and Mars come into a conjunction in Virgo, aiding the ability to streamline and eliminate that which is no longer working. And then—drumroll please—Mercury in Virgo trines Uranus in Taurus, with Mars soon to follow. Mercury trining Uranus, while Mars makes an applying trine to Uranus (Mars perfects his trine to Uranus, come Sunday’s full moon), is highly creative. So to reiterate, we have an incredibly creative ending to the week ahead, leading us towards a greater sense of liberation and growth.

We have an incredibly creative ending to the week ahead, leading us towards a greater sense of liberation and growth.

With this in mind, make time on your calendar, especially at the week’s end, for creativity. Feed your soul and your body in a way that allows you to feel centered and free. Let your intuition run freely, and assess how you want to move forward.

On Sunday, August 22nd, the full moon in Aquarius invites us to shake off whatever proverbial shackles we feel are holding us down. You can prepare for this epic lunar event over the days ahead by clarifying what you want to leave behind and what you wish to conjure, create, and accomplish over the next few months.

Remember, hope means nothing more than embracing life precisely as it is (there’s no need to ignore or deny that hardship) and consistently do what you can to make life better. Similarly, resilience is the ability to meet life as it is and choose to move toward a better tomorrow despite the looming obstacles.

While there are no shortcuts to success or shortages of problems to ruminate about right now, with a focused and diligent approach to the week ahead and remaining months in 2021, you can (and will) accomplish so much.

Don’t forget the power of small acts of self care. Drink plenty of water and eat in a way that feels nourishing for you. Prioritize sleep and a routine that allows you to rest. Trust that creative solutions are emerging (even to the world’s most daunting problems). Finally (and most importantly), know that it’s time to retire the old and fully hold space for what’s to come.

Jennifer Racioppi is the creator of Lunar Logic—a philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and women’s health—which she uses to coach high-achieving female entrepreneurs to reach their next level of success. Order her book, Cosmic Health, here.

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