Holding It Together

A few years ago, a bear ripped apart one of our quince trees like he was eating a banana.

The top of the tree was peeled apart into several pieces, all still hanging on by a thread. It was a devastating sight, and I was determined not to let that tree die.

I got out some honey, ripped a couple of old T-shirts into long, thin strips, and grabbed a ladder.

Using my head to hold one of the broken pieces upright, I started spreading honey onto the raw wood and wrapping the trunk with strips of cotton, all while trying to keep the rest of the tree from falling apart. It was quite the ordeal.

It took me about four hours, but eventually I got that tree, which had been split into four pieces, all wrapped up and surprisingly still upright. 

Then I waited. And waited. 

My T-shirt bandages held.

The honey worked its magic.

Slowly, over several months, the tree glued itself back together.

It still has the scars, but today, the bandages are off and it's back in one piece and still bears fruit.

This week, the bear did the same thing to one of our Asian pear trees.

I stood there looking at it for a long time.

I thought about getting the honey.

I thought about tearing up another T-shirt.

But this time, I just didn't have it in me to try.

Maybe I could have saved it.

Maybe it was already too far gone.

I'm not sure.

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Worth Noticing

Last week's Solar Eclipse in Leo opened the door to a new chapter. This week, the sky begins asking a different question.

What deserves your time, your energy, and your continued care?

Mercury joins Jupiter in Leo on August 15, encouraging us to think bigger, communicate with confidence, and trust ideas that may have once felt beyond our reach.

A few days later, Venus forms a beautiful sextile with Jupiter, reminding us to enjoy the people, places, and moments that make all of our hard work worthwhile.

But not every transit is quite so effortless. As Venus opposes Saturn on August 21, we're invited to take an honest look at our commitments. It asks us to consider where our energy is best invested, where stronger boundaries might be needed, and what is truly worth tending over the long term.

On August 22, the Sun leaves Leo and enters Virgo, shifting our attention from inspiration toward stewardship. It's a wonderful time to organize, simplify, and care for the parts of life that quietly sustain us.

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Current Astrological Landscape

Last week's Solar Eclipse encouraged us to begin something new.

This week's sky reminds us that beginnings are only part of the story.

Mercury and Jupiter encourage us to think bigger than we have before and trust the ideas that are asking for more space in our lives.

Venus reminds us to enjoy the people, places, and work that bring us genuine joy.

As the week unfolds, Saturn quietly asks us to be honest about our limits.

We can't do everything.

We can't fix everything.

We can't save everything.

As the Sun enters Virgo, our focus naturally shifts toward what can be nurtured, strengthened, and sustained over time.

Sometimes the wisest decision is knowing where your energy will make the biggest difference.

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Expanded Transit

How do we know when to keep trying... and when it's time to let go?

Life doesn't give us a clear answer.

Experience usually does.

We struggle because we care about too much.

We want to help.

We want to fix.

We want to hold everything together.

Sometimes that's exactly what's needed.

Sometimes it isn't.

This week's astrology reminds us that every season asks something different of us.

Sometimes we're asked to begin.

Sometimes we're asked to persevere.

And sometimes we're asked to look honestly at what's in front of us and decide where our care will make the greatest difference.

Not everything can be saved.

That doesn't mean we've failed.

It simply means we're human.

As the Sun moves into Virgo, our attention naturally turns toward tending what we can, accepting what we can't, and trusting that both require wisdom.

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You Might Notice

• feeling clearer about where your energy is best spent
• letting go of something that no longer needs your attention
• finding joy in simple routines
• organizing an area of your home or workspace
• realizing you don't have to do everything yourself

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Who This Week Feels Strongest For

Virgo — As the Sun enters your sign, your focus shifts toward creating order, rhythm, and sustainable routines.

Leo — Mercury and Jupiter encourage you to think bigger and trust your voice.

Libra — Venus asks you to balance joy with healthy boundaries in your relationships and commitments.

Cancer — Mars continues reminding you to protect what matters without carrying more than you need to.

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A Good Time To

• simplify where you can
• invest your energy wisely
• strengthen a relationship that matters
• organize something you've been putting off
• tend what you want to grow

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Apothecary Support

🌿 Vetiver

For staying grounded when life asks you to make difficult decisions.

Brings: steadiness, patience, emotional resilience.

🌿 Roman Chamomile

For finding peace with what you cannot change.

Brings: calm, reassurance, acceptance.

🌿 Rosemary

For bringing clarity and renewed focus as Virgo season begins.

Brings: clear thinking, purpose, and mental energy.