Your horoscope for the week starting on July 4, 2022

America has its 246th birthday. Every birthday is a reminder of our mortality, whether you’re a human, a dog or a tree – or even a country.

If you’re a Garry oak, for example, 246 is early middle age… you still have most of your life ahead of you, unless you’re cut down to make way for a warehouse. As far as America is concerned, we should be aware that countries and empires can suddenly frazzle and die.

Lakewood, by the way, was incorporated on February 28 1996, which makes it a Pisces. Sensitive and spiritual? Maybe the City is sensitive to criticism, but it’s as spiritual as a brick wall.

Pisceans can also be eager to please, responding rather than initiating. For example doing whatever developers want, even if that means destroying the City’s environmental heritage. And in the process being devious and secretive.

But enough of that, let’s move to the twelve signs.

Aries (Mar 20 – Apr 19) Last week’s New Moon is starting to weigh you down. It’s not so easy to assert yourself, and with Mars moving out of your star sign your stubborn insistence on getting results could lead to a mishap. Money might be important, but until late August it won’t bring you much joy. At the end of the week you’ve gots lots to say – but family and loved ones might not appreciate it.

Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20) Changing someone’s mind can be difficult, and rational argument won’t make the situation any better. But maybe someone just likes you – and they’ll do things your way even if they think you’re wrong. Elsewhere, it pays to take a long-term view. What you want tomorrow may not be achievable for at least a month.

Gemini (May 21 – Jun 20) You’re involved in something that you thought was going to be easy, and you now realize that it’s going to be a real headache. However, being a Gemini you’re flexible and resourceful, and a new approach could change the situation. A stressful aspect between Mercury and Jupiter has a disruptive impact on one-to-one relationships. Ethical concerns can’t be trivialized.

Cancer (Jun 21 – Jul 21) A lot of people are having a tough time, but your situation is surpringly good. You have a keen sense of self-interest, and business and career plans are starting to take shape. At the same time your communication skills are at the top of the range – you get your audience’s attention, even if you have to shock them. Over the weekend there is no place for cruelty.

Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22) Mars is powering into Taurus, a sign which in the Leo horoscope has a special connection with career and status. The wheels are starting to move, slowly at first, but once you get going nothing can stop you. But don’t be afraid of constructive criticism. There are crucial facts that you don’t fully understand, and the sooner you’re put right the better.

Virgo (Aug 23 – Sep 20) Look around you. Something’s not right and someone’s not playing according to the rules. And if you keep quiet the Universe might not be forgiving. If you’re in a relationship, your social life might be a problem. Perhaps partners and lovers don’t approve of your friends? A compromise is possible, but not guaranteed.

Libra (Sep 21 – Oct 21) Do you have enemies or rivals? With Mars moving from Aries to Taurus they might be weakening – but also becoming nastier. It’s a time to rise above the situation, and not get get dragged into the septic tank of other people’s steaming emotions. Yet there is one person who can be very useful – perhaps they can get you a job or a contract.

Scorpio (Oct 22 – Nov 21) Scorpios like to be in control, and they feel happiest when they have the final word. However you can’t be in control all the time, and as the week progresses you might feel that you’re losing out in the power equation. What’s happening is normal, and you’re getting a chance to observe rather than act. One phone call – or even one realizaton – can turn your routine upside-down.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 20) Don’t overdo it! What you’re able to do at the beginning of the week is not what you can do at the end of it. You have to listen to your body, and stop before the limit rather than after it. And avoid smoke and polluting environments – for example warehouse parking lots. Your throat and lungs are more sensitive than usual and Sagittarian smokers need to quit.

Capricorn (Dec 21 – Jan 18) You’re getting more attention than you want, and you may feel that you’re expected to make things happen. You might prefer to stay at home, or even go back to bed, but this is your moment. Yet you don’t have to do everything yourself – it is a great time for delegating responsibility. And just when you feel most alone you get support from an unexpected quarter.

Aquarius (Jan 19 – Feb 18) Your focus is changing. The activity of the last few weeks is reaching a peak, and you’re moving into a space where there’s less variety, less movement. But if you stay in one place for too long there could be trouble – like holding your finger in a candle flame. Once you start brooding you and your family start to suffer. Talk about health matters, but don’t obsess about them.

Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 19) Traditionally Jupiter rather than Neptune rules your star sign. And with Jupiter moving through Aries you’re looking for financial change – the faster the better. Yet leisure activities could be surprising expensive, and matters aren’t helped by the demands of the people closest to you.

Some Pisceans will see clear evidence that their community is breaking up into a thousand pieces. Or as W.B. Yeats put it, in the first verse of “The Second Coming“,

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.