I realize that advocating for creative joy seems trivial in the face of the horrifying displays of racism and threats of war that fill the news, and that it’s no substitute for activism. But in celebrating joy and sacred selfhood, we automatically reject the horrors of hatred and warped pride, and affirm the very happiest reasons for living. Love is not a cure for all that ails us, but it’s the right inspiration for the fight.

A dramatic Leo Solar Eclipse; Venus aspects Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus; Mars enters Cancer. Mercury gets a change of perception as it connects with Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, and Jupiter. And a listener question about money in the horoscope.

When Mercury in Leo speaks, people tend to listen. It speaks with utter confidence and real flair. But is it always as right as it thinks it is? The truth is, when Mercury is in Leo, it struggles a bit to do its work. On the face of it, that’s counter-intuitive; surely Mercury’s communication would benefit from Leo’s creativity and sense of fun?