Free will astrology for the week of August 16, 2017.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “To disobey in order to take action is the byword of all creative spirits,” said philosopher Gaston Bachelard. This mischievous advice is perfect for your use right now, Aries. I believe you’ll thrive through the practice of ingenious rebellion—never in service to your pride, but always to feed your soul’s lust for deeper, wilder life. Here’s more from Bachelard: “Autonomy comes through many small disobediences, at once clever, well thought-out, and patiently pursued, so subtle at times as to avoid punishment entirely.”

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Congratulations! I expect that during the next three weeks, you will be immune to what psychoanalyst Joan Chodorow calls “the void of sadness, the abyss of fear, the chaos of anger, and the alienation of contempt and shame.” I realize that what I just said might sound like an exaggeration. Aren’t all of us subject to regular encounters with those states? How could you possibly go so long without brushing up against them? I stand by my prediction, and push even further. For at least the next three weeks, I suspect you will also be available for an inordinate amount of what Chodorow calls “the light of focused insight” and “the playful, blissful, all-embracing experience of joy.”

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The coming days would an excellent time to celebrate (even brag about) the amusing idiosyncrasies and endearing quirks that make you lovable. To get you inspired, read this testimony from my triple Gemini friend Alyssa: “I have beauty marks that form the constellation Pegasus on my belly. I own my own ant farm. I’m a champion laugher. I teach sign language to squirrels. Late at night when I’m horny and overtired I may channel the spirit of a lion goddess named Sekhmet. I can whistle the national anthems of eight different countries. I collect spoons from the future. I can play the piano with my nose and my toes. I have forever banished the green-eyed monster to my closet.”

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Your education may take unusual forms during the coming weeks. For example, you could receive crunchy lessons from velvety sources, or tender instructions from exacting challenges. Your curiosity might expand to enormous proportions in the face of a noble and elegant tease. And chances are good that you’ll find a new teacher in an unlikely setting, or be prodded and tricked into asking crucial questions you’ve been neglecting to ask. Even if you haven’t been particularly streetsmart up until now, Cancerian, I bet your ability to learn from uncategorizable experiences will blossom.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “If you love someone, set them free,” said New Age author Richard Bach. “If they come back, they’re yours; if they don’t, they never were.” By using my well-educated intellect to transmute this hippy-dippy thought into practical advice, I came up with a wise strategy for you to consider as you re-evaluate your relationships with allies. Try this: Temporarily suspend any compulsion you might have to change or fix these people; do your best to like them and even love them exactly as they are. Ironically, granting them this freedom to be themselves may motivate them to modify, or at least tone down, the very behavior in themselves that you’re semi-allergic to.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In 1892, workers began building the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. But as of August 2017, it is still under construction. Renovation has been and continues to be extensive. At one point in its history, designers even changed its architectural style from Neo-Byzantine and Neo-Romanesque to Gothic Revival. I hope this serves as a pep talk in the coming weeks, which will be an excellent time to evaluate your own progress, Virgo. As you keep toiling away in behalf of your dreams, there’s no rush. In fact, my sense is that you’re proceeding at precisely the right rate.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In accordance with the astrological omens, I hereby declare the next two weeks to be your own personal Amnesty Holiday. To celebrate, ask for and dole out forgiveness. Purge and flush away any non-essential guilt and remorse that is festering inside you. If there truly are hurtful sins that you still haven’t atoned for, make a grand effort to atone for them—with gifts and heartfelt messages if necessary. At the same time, I urge you to identify accusations that others have wrongly projected onto you and that you have carried around as a burden even though they are not accurate or fair. Expunge them.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): How many countries has the United States bombed since the end of World War II? Twenty-five, to be exact. But if America’s intention has been to prod these nations into forming more free and egalitarian governments, the efforts have been mostly fruitless. Few of the attacked nations have become substantially more democratic. I suggest you regard this as a valuable lesson to apply to your own life in the coming weeks, Scorpio. Metaphorical bombing campaigns wouldn’t accomplish even 10 percent of your goals, and would also be expensive in more ways than one. So I recommend using the “killing with kindness” approach. Be wily and generous. Cloak your coaxing in compassion.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You know about the Ten Commandments, a code of ethics and behavior that’s central to Christianity and Judaism. You may not be familiar with my Ten Suggestions, which begin with “Thou Shall Not Bore God” and “Thou Shall Not Bore Thyself.” Then there are the Ten Indian Commandments proposed by the Bird Clan of East Central Alabama. They include “Give assistance and kindness whenever needed” and “Look after the well-being of your mind and body.” I bring these to your attention, Sagittarius, because now is an excellent time to formally formulate and declare your own covenant with life. What are the essential principles that guide you to the highest good?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Here’s a definition of “fantasizing” as articulated by writer Jon Carroll. It’s “a sort of ‘in-brain’ television, where individuals create their own ‘shows’—imaginary narratives that may or may not include real people.” As you Capricorns enter the High Fantasy Season, you might enjoy this amusing way of describing the activity that you should cultivate and intensify. Would you consider cutting back on your consumption of movies and TV shows? That might inspire you to devote more time and energy to watching the stories you can generate in your mind’s eye.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In 43 cartoon stories, the coyote named Wile E. Coyote has tried to kill and devour the swift-running flightless bird known as the Road Runner. Every single time, Wile E. has failed to achieve his goal. It’s apparent to astute observers that his lack of success is partly due to the fact that he doesn’t rely on his natural predatory instincts. Instead, he concocts elaborate, overly-complicated schemes. In one episode, he camouflages himself as a cactus, buys artificial lightning bolts, and tries to shoot himself from a bow as if he were an arrow. All these plans end badly. The moral of the story, as far as you’re concerned: To reach your next goal, trust your instincts.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You temporarily have cosmic permission to loiter and goof off and shirk your duties. To be a lazy bum and meander aimlessly and avoid tough decisions. To sing off-key and draw stick figures and write bad poems. To run slowly and flirt awkwardly and dress like a slob. Take advantage of this opportunity, because it’s only available for a limited time. It’s equivalent to pushing the reset button. It’s meant to re-establish your default settings. But don’t worry about that now. Simply enjoy the break in the action.

Homework: What thing do you yearn for that would also benefit other people? Testify at tr**********@***il.com.

There is much talk about the upcoming eclipse Monday, Aug. 21. This is a rare second Leo new moon reflecting an eclipse 19 years ago. What happened then? Solar eclipses inform humanity that something essential has come to an end, making room for something newer and more vital to manifest. In a total solar eclipse, the moon (matter) is blocking the essential light of the Sun. Therefore, “as above in the heavens, so below on Earth”, something essential within our lives becomes hidden and then it simply falls away.

It is good to ask ourselves (in our personal lives, towns, cities, communities with friends and family) what is changing, disappearing and falling away? As we assess this phenomenon, and adapt to it, we also acknowledge our gratitude.

Monday’s new moon/solar eclipse occurs at (28.53) 29 degrees Leo— a crucial ending degree. Truly something has completed itself. To apply this practically, for those with astrology charts, we locate 29 degrees Leo in our charts.  This is the area of life where something ends. And matters, quietly existing in shadows, appear! Eclipses show us where we will expand and grow.

Along with this new moon eclipse, Sun is trine (harmony) Uranus (change). Sun illuminates, Uranus (in Aries) “brings forth all things new.” Quickly!

The trine says, “Everything is in harmony.” Sun/Uranus supports the eclipse changes.

The shadow of the eclipse streams across the U.S. It is the first eclipse in 99 years across the continental U.S. Leo is the Light of the Soul. This eclipse, with Regulus (the Law Giver), calls forth the Soul of the United States, summoning our country to stand with courage, leadership assuming its spiritual task—to “stand in the Light and lead humanity within and toward the Light.” Lighting the Way for all of humanity.

ARIES: You need enjoyment and playfulness as this eclipse Mercury retrograde time affects your life of pleasure, creativity, spontaneity, the arts, children and, above all, having parties. The last you must do! It’s important to feel joyful. You also need an adventure that’s not too risky. Questions. What/who is your muse? What is your creativity? What do you enjoy? And remember to share, always, from the heart.

TAURUS: It’s time to create the type of home you hope for, envision and actually need. The old ways and means at home are no longer working. Perhaps there’s need for greater security, comfort or beauty. Perhaps a new couch or uncovering buried treasure. Perhaps family relationships need emotional support, more loving kindness. Notice a gathering of past life gifts. To be used in this lifetime to serve humanity.

GEMINI: Have you considered what your communication needs are, your intellectual needs, even the needs you have about your neighborhood? What are you learning these days, how do you see our country? New ways of thinking may be needed. You are responsible for instructing humanity about the world at large. What do you know about the world? Are you offering information that displays tolerance and loving kindness?

CANCER: It’s important during this eclipse and mercury retrograde time to review what your values are and what you are confident about. It is a time to assess finances, spirituality, religion, children, communication, security and things psychological. It’s important, too, to be generous in all ways. Giving allows us to have a sense of pride that we have helped others. Tithing and giving. All that is given is returned ten-fold.

LEO: Leo is always about the self, the “I am,” and see what I have created! Now a deeper level of the self is germinating, about to be revealed. A richer sense of self-recognition, self-esteem and a realization that one truly has strength and courage. Self-knowledge, self-confidence, creative self-expression, too. All of these are coming forth. You are to know yourself as essentially perfect.  A new being emerging in the world. Independent and free.

VIRGO: Changes within will be recognized and seen later in the year. A deep psychological development is taking place.  A spiritual impact can be felt when in nature, deep in forests, on walks, in warm waters, during early mornings and at sunset. Something secret reveals itself and one’s deepest desires come forth. Expect revelations, dreams and voices in the wind. Offering direction.

LIBRA: You consider what future goals are yet to be achieved. Hopes, wishes and dreams come into focus and they include friends, intimates, and social groups who recognize your inner beauty and authenticity. You feel a great love given by others washing away any perceived wounds from early childhood. Life heals you and becomes your playground.

SCORPIO: Career, public image, vocation, ambition—all are highlighted at the eclipse retrograde time. You attempt to bring the Soul into your professional life. Because you need work that is meaningful, having a special place in the world. The eclipse touches and illuminates your essence. You begin to express yourself differently. Unmasked, this is the person you truly are. Don’t fret. You’re still protected.

SAGITTARIUS: There’s a leap forward in learning, an expansion beyond what you’ve known before. Beliefs are changing as new information, like revelations, appear in your mind. Everything becomes a surprise when you step outside of the known. Your mind is shaken up, your perceptions shift. A new world appears. It will take three months to be integrated. You will travel.

CAPRICORN: Things, people, you—all seem to be in a state of transformation. Intimacy becomes important in daily life in order to reconnect. Looking at people, you’re able to understand their deep hidden psychological levels. You speak words that create in them safety, security and calmness in their world. Little deaths occur. Not physical, but little endings of things. You understand and are grateful.

AQUARIUS: You think about marriage, partnerships, friendships. You attempt to express yourself in a new way in the world in order to reconcile differences and allow for understanding to occur. You empower others to feel good about themselves. They in turn love you more. Refrain from projecting any shadows upon others. Allow everyone to be free.

PISCES: Tending to health is most important. Perhaps a warm pool of water somewhere. Call it forth, mention it daily. Visualize it. Soon it will gradually appear. One must keep body, emotions, mind and Soul in complete alignment, poised, quiet and calm. This physical, spiritual and psychological order will allow Pisces to meet the many continuing demands on their time. The world needs saving. Pisces is the savior.