Free Will astrology for the week of July 11, 2018.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Your key theme right now is growth. Let’s dig in and analyze its nuances. 1. Not all growth is good for you. It may stretch you too far too fast — beyond your capacity to integrate and use it. 2. Some growth that is good for you doesn’t feel good to you. It might force you to transcend comforts that are making you stagnant, and that can be painful. 3. Some growth that’s good for you may meet resistance from people close to you; they might prefer you to remain just as you are, and may even experience your growth as a problem. 4. Some growth that isn’t particularly good for you may feel pretty good. For instance, you could enjoy working to improve a capacity or skill that is irrelevant to your long-term goals. 5. Some growth is good for you in some ways, and not so good in other ways. You have to decide if the trade-off is worth it. 6. Some growth is utterly healthy for you, feels pleasurable, and inspires other people.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You can’t sing with someone else’s mouth, Taurus. You can’t sit down and settle into a commanding new power spot with someone else’s butt. Capiche? I also want to tell you that it’s best if you don’t try to dream with someone else’s heart, nor should you imagine you can fine-tune your relationship with yourself by pushing someone else to change. But here’s an odd fact: You can enhance your possibility for success by harnessing or borrowing or basking in other people’s luck. Especially in the coming weeks.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You wouldn’t attempt to cure a case of hiccups by repeatedly smacking your head against a wall, right? You wouldn’t use an anti-tank rocket launcher to eliminate the mosquito buzzing around your room, and you wouldn’t set your friend’s hair on fire as a punishment for arriving late to your rendezvous at the café. So don’t overreact to minor tweaks of fate, my dear Gemini. Don’t over-medicate tiny disturbances. Instead, regard the glitches as learning opportunities. Use them to cultivate more patience, expand your tolerance, and strengthen your character.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I pay tribute to your dizzying courage, you wise fool. I stage-whisper “Congratulations!” as you slip away from your hypnotic routine and wander out to the edge of mysterious joy. With a crazy grin of encouragement and my fist pressed against my chest, I salute your efforts to transcend your past. I praise and exalt you for demonstrating that freedom is never permanent but must be reclaimed and reinvented on a regular basis. I cheer you on as you avoid every temptation to repeat yourself, demean yourself, and chain yourself.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I’m feeling a bit helpless as I watch you messing with that bad but good stuff that is so wrong but right for you. I am rendered equally inert as I observe you playing with the strong but weak stuff that’s interesting but probably irrelevant. I fidget and sigh as I monitor the classy but trashy influence that’s angling for your attention; and the supposedly fast-moving process that’s creeping along so slowly; and the seemingly obvious truth that would offer you a much better lesson if only you would see it for the chewy riddle that it is. What should I do about my predicament? Is there any way I can give you a boost? Maybe the best assistance I can offer is to describe to you what I see.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Psychologist Paul Ekman has compiled an extensive atlas of how emotions are revealed in our faces. “Smiles are probably the most underrated facial expressions,” he has written, “much more complicated than most people realize. There are dozens of smiles, each differing in appearance and in the message expressed.” I bring this to your attention, Virgo, because your assignment in the coming weeks — should you choose to accept it — is to explore and experiment with your entire repertoire of smiles. I’m confident that life will conspire to help you carry out this task. More than at any time since your birthday in 2015, this is the season for unleashing your smiles.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Lucky vibes are coalescing in your vicinity. Scouts and recruiters are hovering. Helpers, fairy godmothers, and future playmates are growing restless waiting for you to ask them for favors. Therefore, I hereby authorize you to be imperious, regal, and overflowing with self-respect. I encourage you to seize exactly what you want, not what you’re “supposed” to want. Or else be considerate, appropriate, modest, and full of harmonious caution. CUT! CUT! Delete that “be considerate” sentence. The Libra part of me tricked me into saying it. And this is one time when people of the Libra persuasion are allowed to be free from the compulsion to balance and moderate. You have a mandate to be the show, not watch the show.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Emily Dickinson wrote 1,775 poems — an average of one every week for 34 years. I’d love to see you launch an enduring, deep-rooted project that will require similar amounts of stamina, persistence, and dedication. Are you ready to expand your vision of what’s possible for you to accomplish? The current astrological omens suggest that the next two months will be an excellent time to commit yourself to a Great Work that you will give your best to for the rest of your long life!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): What’s the biggest lie in my life? There are several candidates. Here’s one: I pretend I’m nonchalant about one of my greatest failures; I act as if I’m not distressed by the fact that the music I’ve created has never received the listenership it should it have. How about you, Sagittarius? What’s the biggest lie in your life? What’s most false or dishonest or evasive about you? Whatever it is, the immediate future will be a favorable time to transform your relationship with it. You now have extraordinary power to tell yourself liberating truths. Three weeks from now, you could be a more authentic version of yourself than you’ve ever been.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Now and then you go through phases when you don’t know what you need until you stumble upon it. At times like those, you’re wise not to harbor fixed ideas about what you need or where to hunt for what you need. Metaphorically speaking, a holy grail might show up in a thrift store. An eccentric stranger may provide you with an accidental epiphany at a bus stop or a convenience store. Who knows? A crucial clue may even jump out at you from a spam email or a reality TV show. I suspect that the next two weeks might be one of those odd grace periods for you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Reverse psychology” is when you convince people to do what you wish they would do by shrewdly suggesting that they do the opposite of what you wish they would do. “Reverse censorship” is when you write or speak the very words or ideas that you have been forbidden to express. “Reverse cynicism” is acting like it’s chic to express glee, positivity, and enthusiasm. “Reverse egotism” is bragging about what you don’t have and can’t do. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to carry out all these reversals, as well as any other constructive or amusing reversals you can dream up.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Poet Emily Dickinson once revealed to a friend that there was only one Commandment she ever obeyed: “Consider the Lilies.” Japanese novelist Natsume Sōseki told his English-speaking students that the proper Japanese translation for “I love you” is Tsuki ga tottemo aoi naa, which literally means “The moon is so blue tonight.” In accordance with current astrological omens, Pisces, I’m advising you to be inspired by Dickinson and Sōseki. More than any other time in 2018, your duty in the coming weeks is to be lyrical, sensual, aesthetic, imaginative, and festively non-literal.

Homework: Send your secrets for how to increase your capacity for love to: Tr**********@***il.com.

Thursday, a complex day, includes an evening new moon solar eclipse (21 degrees Cancer). Solar (sun) eclipses tell us something essential in our lives has come to an end, its work complete. Our Earth this month is bathed in the Light of Cancer. It is the “light within form” awaiting the Light of the Soul. The “dark light of matter awaiting the Light from the Soul.” Humanity and all Earth’s kingdoms live within the “dark light of matter.” Our physical bodies are made of this … “intelligent substance, awaiting the Light of the Soul.”

The Cherubim are the angels of Cancer. They surround mothers at birth and small children everywhere. At new and full moon times, light from Rays 3 and 5 (two stars from the Big Dipper), the Cherubim and Cancer all stream into the New Group of World Servers who radiate this light to humanity, the Earth and her kingdoms. Two keynotes are sounded. “Let isolation rule, yet the crowd exists.” This is the personality building keynote. Eventually without the light of the Soul we can feel imprisoned, unable to connect with anyone or anything. It is at this time when the personality reaches out in despair, asking for help. And this awakens the Soul and the Soul appears, with specific directional, loving light that unifies, illumines and guides the personality. The Soul tells the personality “I will build a lighted house (within you), and dwell therein.” Then the isolation turns to unity.

We become the Light of the world (like the Christ). We are then able to provide unlimited nourishment to all forms and creatures of life. Our tasks in Cancer.

ARIES: Uranus is your awakener. A great shift in perception begins as you seek more freedom of expression. However, first you’ll feel you cannot speak your mind. Because a new awakening is occurring internally, in your consciousness. You’ll wonder if you must leave all that you love behind. It’s a risk to help create a new world. You, however, have the tools and courage. Rest a while so you can hear the call when it comes.

TAURUS: You’ll find that events in your surroundings and environments are rushing you forward into the future. You’ll also realize certain elements of your life are no longer available. All things from the past either fall away or become useful in creating the future. Calling upon great spiritual resources, you single handedly construct the new curriculum needed for humanity’s survival and education. You’ve been pondering this for years. It’s now time.

GEMINI: There may be need at some time for a change in environments, work, friends, groups and your entire social circle. You may require a new life, new ideas and studies that apply the astrological and esoteric to your daily life. Change will be needed for life to make sense. This will be a new path to be taken, new rules and guidelines. Anything and anyone limiting your steps forward cannot accompany you. Pack lightly.

CANCER: Following orders seems difficult and you will resist anyone with authority. This is good sometimes and not so good other times. You’ll learn to discern and discriminate whom to trust. Attempt to observe yourself more directly. Notice how creative you are. People look to you for information continually emerging from your experiments. In the world, you are seen as a bit unusual to radical. Interesting!

LEO: Will you be traveling soon? If so, know that interesting and unusual events may occur. You’ll encounter new ways of thinking, creating expansive, open-minded, utopian thoughts on community. Traditions fall away and gradually, over time, you become unconventional, adapting ways of being that comfort you. Education, travel, study, religion, mountaineering, philosophy, politics, justice. Which attract you?

VIRGO: Shared resources, taxes, loans, insurance, and/or values (also shared with another close to you) may tilt sideways and be shaken up in your life. This creates the need to rebalance, choosing your own values and finding your own money to pursue what’s most important. You’ll ponder deeply before venturing forth into uncharted territory and unusual relationships. Have fun, though.

LIBRA: Everyone and everything may feel unpredictable. You may change your view of relationships and feel you cannot rely on others for things you hope and expect. There could be a sense of limitation, creating a challenge to break free. You or your partner may become rebellious, act in surprising ways. Sometimes you’re on your own. In some ways, yes you are. It redefines you. Reach out. Love more.

SCORPIO: Everything in daily life and work may feel like they’re being taken apart and shaken up. You feel the need to loosen yourself from previous ways of thinking, beliefs, and relating. You also need to tend to health. The years ahead will be influenced by what you think and do now. Disruptions can be looked upon as reasons to create a new rhythm. Bring forth your deep inventive nature. It will save you.

SAGITTARIUS: Don’t be surprised should you experience sudden changes in ideas leading to creativity. Don’t be surprised if you’re attracted to a totally different type of person, place or way of life. Don’t be surprised if you work really hard at loosening any obstructions and inhibitions and they fly away like a flock of blackbirds. You want to become different, become eccentric, playful, more childlike, more romantic. Over time, you do.

CAPRICORN: Observe your home life. Are changes and subtle fluctuations taking place? Perhaps within you? Realize that routines may shift, decision-making will become deeper and more internal, and you won’t want anything unusual or hasty to be rearranged because that would create distractions. You will try new things, create new traditions. But you must also take the time for long restful sleep. It nourishes you so you can nourish others (more).

AQUARIUS: You may find yourself easily wearied and things traditional and/or habitual not useful. You seek new realities, new studies, unusual fields of endeavors and concepts. You’re highly creative when speaking and writing. Usual routines begin to break away so a new self-expression can take hold. Visualize all needed changes. This creates outer changes. A new environment, neighborhood expands you. Maintain your freedoms.

PISCES: Convert extra money to silver and/or gold. Invest in land, food and essential things needed that sustain the many. Your values are changing and will continue to change. Income may fluctuate, outlay must be practical. All possessions no longer useful quietly disappear. Do not lament this reality. New, better, greater ones appear. Social life, groups and contacts change, too. It’s for the good, the better and the best. Stay poised, patient and cultivate hope, courage, patience and joy. The Disciple’s virtues.