Care for Yourself with Flair & Ingenuity

Cultivate the Art of Self-Nurturing

Dear Friends —

Amidst the chaos and uncertainty that's turmoiling our shared environment, we must care for ourselves vigorously. Many of us are sensitive lovers of life who take the collective suffering and peril personally.

We may even be inclined to turn the suffering and peril into personal feelings that negatively impact our psychological and physical health.

We must be vigilant to ensure that we protect ourselves and nourish our well-being. That's why I suggest you find rituals of self-protection. Be ardent in safeguarding your psychic integrity. Say NO to any influences that could possibly poison your inner world.

That doesn't mean we are any less passionate about working in behalf of what's good and true. But we take the extra step to ensure our justified concern does not get translated into ill health or mental unease.

Here’s a ritual of protection I have used. There are many more.

Love and blessings,

Rob

REALITY DOESN’T WORK THE WAY THE PUNDITS SAY IT DOES

The future is not set in stone. What happens next is not a foregone conclusion. What happens in November is not already decided. That's not how reality works.

Anything can happen. Big miracles can arise. Many incremental minor miracles can gradually accumulate into a big miracle.

It's up to us to shape the future. We have the power to accomplish the best possible outcome. To do that, we can't afford to believe in cartoonish, sci-fi notions about the nature of the future such as those the media barrages us with.

The cocksure pundits cannot predict the future. They can speculate and guess based on their very limited understandings of how the world works, but they are arrogant if they pretend to know for sure how this historical turning point will unfold.

It's up to us to shape the future.

What do we want? What do we intend to create? How will we live our daily lives with integrity to bring about the best possible outcome for all of us? What do we need to do to avoid acting out of fear and instead draw on loving directions from our spiritual core?

BUDDHIST COUNSEL

Buddhist teacher Joan Halifax says: “Friends, don’t be confused by the information noise bombarding us via the media and social platforms. Be awake to strategies of transmissional delusion. Keep a clear mind. Stay aligned with values of integrity and care. Let your wisdom & courage be your guide, not the manipulations of ill-meaning players. Be a light to others. Don’t be ruled by fear or futility. The future rests on what we do now.”

Tank Girl is a comic book character by Alan Martin & Jamie Hewlett

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PILLAR OF SEVERITY

I have long studied the Qabalistic Tree of Life. It plays a central role in my life. Among other features, it has a "pillar of mercy" and a "pillar of severity." Both are necessary to the cosmic creation.

The pillar of mercy is where we carry out the imperatives of love, compassion, generosity, connection, and peace.

The pillar of severity is where we care for the necessities of discipline, discernment, drawing limits, creating structure, and shedding what's outworn and harmful.

Ideally, we work with equal intelligence on each pillar. Sometimes more mercy is required; sometimes severity.

Right now, I am putting in extra time on the pillar of severity. That's because our collective health is in the midst of a life-and-death emergency. The action required of us is to say a clear, strong NO to the forces of fascism, theocracy, misogyny, racism, bigotry, oligarchy, propaganda, and oppression.

And yes, my political activism is deeply rooted in my spiritual work.

MANUFACTURING CONSENT

We are in the thrall of an unprecedented media psy-op that trumps even the "Hillary's emails" debacle, the "John Kerry Swift Boat" debacle, and the "weapons of mass destruction in Iraq" debacle.

As Noam Chomsky proved in his book Manufacturing Consent, the media is not a scrappy engine of inquiry getting to the root of the real truth, but rather is a propaganda machine in service to wealthy and powerful white men.

Review of Manufacturing Consent: “Contrary to the usual image of the news media as cantankerous, obstinate, and ubiquitous in their search for truth and defense of justice, in their actual practice they defend the economic, social, and political agendas of the privileged groups that dominate domestic society, the state, and the global order.”

MAINSTREAM MEDIA BIAS FAVORS TRUMP

The New Republic says: Mainstream Media Bias Favors Donald Trump.

Read the whole article: https://tinyurl.com/2n2t44tn

It’s not liberal vs. conservative. It’s “inversion of expectation,” and it poisons coverage every single day.

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SHAME ON PUNDITS WHO RIDICULE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Ridiculing Joe Biden for the speech problems caused by his stuttering is no different from ridiculing anyone else who has a disability.

Most people have no idea of how challenging a problem it is to have a stutter, so they feel free to sneer at stutterers in ways they may not do toward those with well-known disabilities.

During Disability Pride Month, happening now, we should criticize those who mock and deride people with disabilities—including pundits who ignorantly disparage the cognitive abilities of people who have a stutter.

Here’s a link to an article about how profoundly Biden’s stutter has affected his entire life — and how his speech disorder was on dramatic display five years ago, during the debate of Democratic candidates in July 2019: https://tinyurl.com/4d38abe9

That 2019 debate wasn't as widely seen as the recent debate, but the media made the same misinformed, scornful remarks about Biden in 2019 as it did recently.

Quote from the article:

“After the 2019 debate, Fox News edited Biden' stuttering moments into a montage. Stifling laughter, host Steve Hilton said: ‘As the right words struggled to make the perilous journey from Biden’s brain to Biden’s mouth, half the time he just seemed to give up with a somewhat tragic and limp admission of defeat.’”

Presumably, Steve Hilton would also belittle US Senator Tammy Duckworth, a double amputee, for her inability to move without a wheelchair.

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ALL THAT MATTERS IS WHICH CANDIDATE CAN DEFEAT TRUMP

I'm a fan of Joe Biden. He’s one of the most progressive presidents ever. My hero Bernie Sander agrees with my assessment.

I don't like everything Biden has done, but most of his accomplishments align with my progressive values.

For a list of the Biden Administration's many progressive successes, go here: https://tinyurl.com/BidenProgressiveTriumphs

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Is it best for our collective future for Biden to continue his run? The media has waged an hysterical crusade of poisonous propaganda portraying him as cognitively disabled—when in fact, he simply has the speech disorder known as stuttering.

The New York Times, Washington Post, HuffPost, and many other publications—though memorably not the Philadelphia Inquirer—have toxified the national conversation, making it difficult to understand objective reality.

My investigation of actual facts, as opposed to media-induced mass hallucinations, is that Biden has a speech disorder and physical disabilities like acid reflux and atrial fibrilliation, but is otherwise quite fine.

The following brilliant people, all heroes of mine, say unequivocably that Biden should stay in the race, and their opinions are very important to me:

Senator Bernie Sanders, who converses with Biden regularly, supports his continued run for president.

Senator Elizabeth Warren: “President Biden is our nominee. He is an excellent president. He works hard on behalf of working families every day.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez supports Biden.

Representative Jim Clyburn, Representative Hakeem Jeffries, and the Black Congressional Caucus support Biden.

Heather Cox Richardson, quoting a colleague: “The proof of Biden’s ability to run the country is the fact that he is running it.” More: https://tinyurl.com/4s4v96cc

Everything Rebecca Solnit writes is golden. She supports Biden.

Rebecca Solnit asks, Why is the pundit class desperate to push Biden out of the race?” https://tinyurl.com/23autyfy

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I also know this: If Biden wins the election and has actual health problems at some time in the future, Kamala Harris will take over the presidency with élan. Her team, with the help of Biden's team, will continue to perform at high levels of progressive goodness.

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of July 18

CANCER : In 1986, Cancerian singer-songwriter George Michael released his song “A Different Corner.” It was a big hit. Never before in British pop music had an artist done what Michael accomplished: wrote, sang, arranged, and produced the tune, and played all the instruments. I foresee the possibility of a similar proficiency in your near future, Cancerian—if you want it. Maybe you would prefer to collaborate with others in your big projects, but if you choose, you could perform minor miracles all by yourself.

LEO : In the Biblical allegory of Noah and the Ark, God warns Noah about an impending flood and commands him to build a giant lifeboat to save living things from extinction. Noah obeys. When the heavy rains come, he, his family, and many creatures board the boat to weather the storm. After 40 days and nights of inundation, they are all safe but stranded in a newly created sea. Hoping for a sign of where they might seek sanctuary, Noah sends out a dove to reconnoiter for dry land. But it returns with no clues. A week later, Noah dispatches a second dove. It returns with an olive leaf, showing that the earth is drying out and land is nearby. Dear Leo, your adventure isn’t as dire and dramatic as Noah’s, but I’m happy to tell you it’s time for you to do the equivalent of sending two doves out to explore.

VIRGO: According to an ancient Chinese proverb, “An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.” I will add a corollary: An ant may be able to accomplish feats an ox can’t. For instance, I have observed an ant carrying a potato chip back to its nest, and I doubt that an ox could tote a potato chip without mangling it. Anyway, Virgo, this is my way of telling you that if you must choose between your ispiration being an ant or an ox in the coming days, choose the ant. Be meticulous, persistent, and industrious rather than big, strong, and rugged.

LIBRA: “If it sounds too good to be true, it always is,” said stage magician Ricky Jay. I only partially agree with him. While I think it’s usually wise to use his formula as a fundamental principle, I suspect it won’t entirely apply to you in the coming weeks. At least one thing and possibly as many as three may sound too good to be true—but will in fact be true. So if you’re tempted to be hyper-skeptical, tamp down that attitude a bit. Open yourself to the possibilities of amazing grace and minor miracles.

SCORPIO: What is the largest thing ever sold in human history? It was a 530-million-acre chunk of land in North America. In 1803, the French government sold it to the American government for $15 million. It stretched from what’s now Louisiana to Montana. Here's the twist to the story: The land peddled by France and acquired by the US actually belonged to the Indigenous people who had lived there for many generations. The two nations pretended they had the right to make the transaction. I bring this to your attention, Scorpio, because the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to make a big, important purchase or sale—as long as you have the authentic rights to do so. Make sure there are no hidden agendas or strings attached. Be thorough in your vetting.

SAGITTARIUS: An antiques dealer named Laura Young bought a marble bust of a distinguished man at a thrift store in Austin, Texas. Later she discovered that it was over 2,000 years old and worth far more than the $35 she had paid for it. It depicted a Roman military leader named Drusus the Elder. I foresee similar themes unfolding in your life, Sagittarius. Possible variations: 1. You come into possession of something that’s more valuable than it initially appears. 2. You connect with an influence that’s weightier than it initially appears. 3. A lucky accident unfolds, bringing unexpected goodies. 4. A seemingly ordinary thing turns out to be an interesting thing in disguise.

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BRAINSTORM ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE OF YOUR LIFE

with my Expanded Audio Horoscopes for the Second Half of 2024.

In the coming months, what areas of your life are likely to receive unexpected assistance and divine inspiration?

Where are you likely to find most success?

To hear my LONG-TERM AUDIO FORECAST, register and/or sign in here:

https://RealAstrology.com

After you log in through the main page, click on the link "Long-Term Forecast for 2nd Half of 2024."

You can also listen to your short-term forecast for the coming week by clicking on "This week (July 16, 2024)."

The horoscopes cost $7 apiece. Discounts are available for multiple purchases.

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CAPRICORN: My childhood friend Jeanine used to say, “The best proof of friendship is when someone gives you half their candy bar. The best proof of fantastic friendship is when they give you even more than half.” And then she would hand me more than half of her Snickers bar, Milky Way, or Butterfinger. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to give away at least half your candy to those you care for in the coming days. It’s a phase of your astrological cycle when you will benefit from offering extra special affection and rewards to the allies who provide you with so much love and support.

AQUARIUS: If you're a teacher, it's a favorable time to enjoy a stint as a student—and vice versa. If you're a healthcare worker trained in Western medicine, it's an excellent phase to explore alternative healing practices. If you're a scientist, I suggest you read some holy and outrageous poetry, and if you're a sensitive, introverted mystic, get better informed about messy political issues. In other words, dear Aquarius, open a channel to parts of reality you normally ignore or neglect. Fill in the gaps in your education. Seek out surprise and awakening.

PISCES: Jane Brunette, a writer I admire, uses the made-up work “plurk” to refer to her favorite activity: a blend of play and work. I have always aspired to make that my core approach, too. I play at my work and work at my play. As much as possible, I have fun while I’m doing the labor-intensive tasks that earn me a living and fulfill my creative urges. And I invoke a disciplined, diligent attitude as I pursue the tasks and projects that bring me pleasure and amusement. I highly recommend you expand and refine your own ability as a plurker in the coming weeks, Pisces. (Jane Brunette is here: https://flamingseed.com)

ARIES: Have you ever been given a Starbucks gift card but then neglected to use it? Many people fail to cash in such freebies. Believe it or not, there are also folks who buy lottery tickets that turn out to have the winning number—but they never actually claim their rewards. Don’t be like them in the coming weeks, Aries. Be aggressive about cashing in on the offers you receive, even subtle and shy offers. Don’t let invitations and opportunities go to waste. Be alert for good luck, and seize it.

TAURUS: The coming weeks will be a favorable time to enhance your relationship with food. In every way you can imagine, be smart and discerning as you plan and eat your meals. Here are ideas to ponder: 1. Do you know exactly which foods are best for your unique body? 2. Are you sufficiently relaxed and emotionally present when you eat? 3. Could you upgrade your willpower to ensure you joyfully gravitate toward what’s healthiest? 4. Do you have any bad habits you could outgrow? 5. Is your approach to eating affected by problematic emotions that you could heal? 6. Are you willing to try improving things incrementally without insisting on being perfect?

GEMINI: Hybridization could be a fun theme for you in the coming weeks. You’re likely to align yourself with cosmic rhythms if you explore the joys and challenges of creating amalgamations, medleys, and mash-ups. Your spirit creatures will be the liger, which is a cross between a lion and a tiger, and a mule, a cross between a horse and a donkey. But please note that your spirit creatures will *not* be impossible hybrids like a giroose (a cross between a giraffe and a moose) or a coyadger (a cross between a coyote and a badger). It’s good to be experimental and audacious in your mixing and matching, but not lunatic delusional.

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