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Astrology Fun Stuff

Free Will Astrology: Week of 07/17/25

Dario Bronnimann | Unsplash

ARIES (March 21-April 19): For the Dagara people of Burkina Faso, the element of fire has profound cultural meanings. It’s a symbol of innovation and inspiration. It’s a mediator between the physical and spiritual worlds and a conduit for communication with the ancestors. Through rituals, fire is a purifying and renewing force that helps people reconnect with their purpose, heal relationships, and catalyze positive change in the community. In the coming weeks, Aries, I hope you will be deeply aligned with all these symbolic meanings. What are you ready to ignite for the sake of nurturing and care? What truths need light and heat? What future visions would benefit from surges of luminosity?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the Nahuatl language spoken by Indigenous Mexicans, the word nepantla describes an in-between space. It’s a liminal threshold where a transition is in process. The old ways have fallen away, but the new ways are not yet fully formed. It’s unsettling and perhaps confusing, yet seeded with the potential for creative change. I suspect you are now in a state resembling nepantla, Taurus. Please understand that this isn’t a crisis. It’s a chrysalis. Any discomfort you feel is not a sign of failure, but a harbinger of the wisdom and power that will come by molting the identity you have outgrown. I hope you will honor the rawness and speak tenderly to yourself. You are not lost; you are mid-ritual.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The sea slug Elysia chlorotica is a small, unassuming creature that performs a remarkable feat: It eats algae and steals its chloroplasts, then incorporates them into its own body. For weeks afterward, the slug photosynthesizes sunlight like a plant. I believe, Gemini, that you are doing a metaphorical version of this biological borrowing. Some useful influence or presence you have absorbed from another is integrating into your deeper systems. You’re making it your own now. This isn’t theft but creative borrowing. You’re not copying; you’re synthesizing and synergizing.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Ancient beekeepers in Anatolia carved hives directly into rock faces, coaxing honey from the cliffs. This practice was designed to protect bees from harsh weather and predators while maximizing honey production. The bees adapted well to their unusual homes. I suspect, Cancerian, that in the coming weeks, your sweetness and bounty may also thrive in unlikely structures. It could take a minute or two for you to adjust, but that won’t be a problem. Your nectar-making instincts will guide you. So I advise you not to wait for the perfect container before beginning your work. Make honey in the best available setting.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I laughed until I sobbed as you earnestly played the game of love even after the rules had changed. I sighed till I panted as you dredged up a new problem to avoid fixing an overripe hassle. I rolled my eyes until I got dizzy as you tried to figure out the differences between stifling self-control and emancipating self-control. But all that’s in the past, right, Leo? Now I’m preparing to cheer until my voice is raspy as you trade in a dried-up old obsession in favor of a sweet, fresh, productive passion — and outgrow all the fruitless nuisances.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The ancient scribes of Mesopotamia etched records onto clay tablets with styluses, pressing wedge-shaped marks into wet earth. Once baked, these tablets endured for thousands of years. Some are still readable today. In my astrological assessment, Virgo, you are undergoing a metaphorically comparable process. Messages and expressions that are forming within you are meant to last. They may not win you immediate attention and applause. But you already suspect how crucial they will be to both your own future and the destinies of those you care for. Be bold, decisive, and precise as you choose your words.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Is there any aspect of your life or character that is still unripe even though it is critical to your lifelong journey? Have you held on to your amateur status or remained a bit dilettantish beyond the time when you might have progressed to the next highest level? Are you still a casual dabbler in a field where you could ultimately become masterful? If you answered yes to these queries, now is a perfect moment to kick yourself in the butt and leap to the next level. Waiting around for fate to kick your butt would be a mistake.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Many astrologers rightfully say that Virgo is the most detail-oriented, meticulous sign. I think you Scorpios may be the most methodical and thorough of all the signs, which means that you, too, can be meticulous and detail-oriented. A prime example is the Scorpio sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840–1917). Eventually, his work became world-renowned, but his career developed gradually because of his painstaking patience and scrupulous devotion to excellence. I propose we make him your role model for now. Inspired by him, resist pressure for immediate results. Trust in the slow, steady refinement process.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Here are half of your words of power for the coming days: windfall, godsend, and boon. The other half are potion, remedy, and healing agent. If you’re lucky, and I think you will be, those terms will blend and overlap. The blessings that come your way will be in the form of cures and fixes. I’m being understated here so as to not sound too wildly excited about your immediate future. But I suspect you will wrangle at least one amazing victory over hardship. Your chances of a semi-miraculous visitation by a benevolent intervention are as high as they have ever been.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The ancient Chinese character for “listening” contains symbols for ears, eyes, and heart. I interpret this to signify that it’s not enough to seek the truth with just one of your faculties. They must all be engaged and working together to get the full story. You are wise to survey the world with your whole being. Keep these meditations in mind during the coming weeks, Capricorn. Your natural inclination is to be practical, take action, and get things done. But for now, your main superpower will be listening to everything. So my advice is to listen with your skin. Listen with your breath. Listen with your gut. Let your attention be so complete that the world softens and speaks to you about what you really need to know.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you would like to glide into rapt alignment with astrological rhythms, give gifts to your two closest allies. These offerings should inspire their ambitions, not indulge their cravings to be comfortable. They shouldn’t be practical necessities or consumer fetishes, but rather provocative tools or adult toys. Ideally, they will be imaginative boons that your beloved companions have been shy about asking for or intriguing prods that will help beautify their self-image. Show them you love both the person they are now and the person they are becoming.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean photographer Ansel Adams is so renowned that he’s in the International Photography Hall of Fame. We know the moment that his lifelong passion erupted. At age 14, his family gave him a simple camera and took him to Yosemite National Park in California. “The splendor of Yosemite burst upon us, and it was glorious,” he wrote later. “One wonder after another descended upon us. A new era began for me.” In the coming months, I foresee you encountering a comparable turning point, Pisces — a magical interlude awakening you to a marvel that will become an enduring presence in your life. Be alert for it. Better yet, declare your intention to shape events to ensure it happens and you’re ready for it. 

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Fun Stuff News of the Weird

News of the Weird: Week of 07/17/25

Questionable Judgments

• Well, it’s that time of year again, when people with less sense than animals head into the wild and carelessly approach large, dangerous wildlife. So it was in Yellowstone National Park last month, when 1) a 30-year-old New Jersey man was gored by a bison on June 10 after getting too close, and 2) bystanders caught a video of a woman walking a toddler right up to a grazing bison at the same park on June 2, according to KDVR-TV. The New Jersey man was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The bison, thankfully, ignored the adult and toddler. “Bison will defend their space when threatened and have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal,” wildlife officials said. [KDVR, 6/12/2025]

• Fox2-TV in Detroit reported on June 9 about a Zoom court hearing that went viral. The hearing was overseen by 36th District Court Judge Sean Perkins, who was talking with Asja Outerbridge about her misdemeanor open container violation. On the Zoom video, Outerbridge could be seen wearing a robe and making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while she spoke to the court. “Put whatever you’re trying to prepare down,” Perkins instructed her. “Put your proper dress on. I don’t do robes.” Outerbridge explained that her 3-year-old daughter was home sick from school and the sandwich was for her, then showed the judge that she was dressed in a T-shirt and pants. But he wasn’t having it: “Bye, Ms. Outerbridge!” he said before booting her off the call. Outerbridge said she “could have came dressed better and more prepared. I do genuinely, with a serious face, apologize to the judge.” [Fox2, 6/9/2025]

Kindness Counts

A woman stopped an Osceola County (Florida) Sheriff’s deputy on June 9 to report that her brother had been stabbed with a machete, WESH-TV reported. Oh, also, that the assailant was driving the victim to the hospital. Sure enough, officers found Angel Ramos-Arce, 35, at the hospital, where his truck yielded the victim’s blood and the machete. The two men had gotten into an altercation over Ramos-Arce repeatedly harassing the victim’s sister at the Circle K where she worked. He was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon; it’s unclear whether he’ll get any brownie points for transporting the victim to the hospital. [WESH, 6/10/2025]

Bright Idea

Tiron Alexander, 35, of Florida is facing up to 30 years in federal prison after being found guilty on June 5 of wire fraud and unlawfully entering a secure airport area under false pretenses. CBS News reported that between 2018 and 2024, Alexander falsely claimed to be a flight attendant with seven different airlines to take advantage of free flights. He created about 30 different badges and boarded 34 flights without paying. He will be sentenced on Aug. 25. [CBS News, 6/12/2025]

Heh, Heh, They Said ‘Naked’

At a public bathhouse in Incheon, South Korea, stickers in the elevator direct guests to the men’s or women’s baths, which are on different floors. The Korea JoongAng Daily reported that on May 27, a woman in her 20s entered the elevator around 2 a.m. and pressed the button corresponding to the women’s bath, but when she exited the elevator, naked, she entered the men’s bath. CCTV footage showed two men, believed to be in their 20s, switching the stickers in the elevator around 11 p.m. Police said they are tracking the suspects. [Korea JoongAng Daily, 6/12/2025]

Saw That Coming

The Madison (Wisconsin) Fire Department responded to a boozy blaze on June 15, WMTV reported. Someone reported an oven fire around 6 p.m.; the caller told firefighters they had been cooking a turkey for about eight minutes when the oven door blew open. First responders removed the oven from the apartment, and the fire went out. They later learned the turkey had been marinated in tequila, and they believe the accumulated vapors from the alcohol were not properly vented from the oven, which caused the fire. No one was hurt (except the turkey). [WMTV, 6/16/2025]

NEWS OF THE WEIRD
© 2025 Andrews McMeel Syndication.
Reprinted with permission.
All rights reserved.

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Food & Drink Fun Stuff News News Feature

Folk’s Folly: A Cut Above

Folk’s Folly has been a Memphis favorite since its opening. (Photo: Courtesy Folk’s Folly)

Folk’s Folly has served the community since it opened its doors in 1977. Having been voted Best Steak by readers in the Memphis Flyer’s Best of Memphis poll since 1994, it’s a Memphis institution. 

That is all thanks to Humphrey Folk for not letting other people’s opinions dictate his dream — to start up a restaurant despite his profession. After all, he loved a good meal, so it was only right he created his own restaurant. “The name Folk’s Folly originates from Mr. Folk’s friends, telling him that he was taking on a foolish undertaking opening a restaurant because he was a construction man,” says Diane Kauker, a longtime employee at Folk’s Folly. In 2003, Thomas Boggs, the famous Memphis restaurateur behind Huey’s, joined the company and became a managing partner alongside Folk. The rest is history.

Folk’s Folly’s longevity is not just because of their famous steak or the fine dining experience that keeps customers coming back. Kauker says it’s because they have remained consistent over the years with not only their food and service but the staff as well. “We have been fortunate enough to provide the same high quality of food over the years, but we have an incredible number of employees who’ve also had many years of service with us,” says Kauker. “And it’s not only the front of the house staff [but also] our back of the house staff, like our butcher. He’s been with us 30 years. Those familiar faces are part of what keeps regulars coming back.” 

Kauker herself recently celebrated her 41st anniversary at Folk’s Folly. “At our core, we are still the same restaurant as when Humphrey Folk first opened the doors. And that is something that [I], along with my team, [am] proud of,” she says. 

Kauker started as a host and then transitioned to a cocktail server and bartender. “I realized I could make a little bit more money serving drinks and feeding the guests,” she says. Just before she graduated from the University of Memphis, known as Memphis State University at the time, she was offered a manager position, and she quickly accepted. Kauker has stuck around, not just because of the welcoming environment but because so much of her life is tied to it. 

“I met my husband here. He was a valet parker,” she says. “My oldest son, Kevin, works here. He’s been here 15 years, and he met his wife here also. She’s been here 12 years. We just feel like we work for a great company with the best owners who listen and take care of their staff.”

She also appreciates the company’s efforts to assist people and families, specifically in the community. “We are fortunate that we have owners and employees that care about having a positive effect on Memphis. The late Thomas Boggs always said [to] take care of your community and they will take care of you. He emphasized this greatly,” Kauker notes. “So, we have participated in many charitable events, such as Italian Winterfest, Soup Sunday, Courage Thru Cancer, Gift of Life Gala, and more just to support and give back.” 

And every Christmas is the employees’ favorite time of year. “One thing that stands out to me is every year our employees adopt a local family in need for Christmas. We raise the money internally [and] shop for gifts and food. We deliver it to that family to make sure that they have a wonderful Christmas,” Kauker says. “It’s just about serving others and seeing that joy. And for me [to be] a part of a team and a family like that, it just doesn’t get any better.” 

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Fun Stuff News News Feature

A Lasting Legacy at Paula & Raiford’s Disco

Paula Raiford serves 40s (and more) at the club’s bar. (Photo: Shara Clark)

A dazzling array of flashing lights cuts through the fog, shining on an illuminated dancefloor packed with moving bodies and vibrant outfits. Countless handprints line the walls from people all over the world. Shimmering disco balls and silver dance poles fill the room, echoing the untouchable era of ’80s disco. This is your average weekend night-out at Paula & Raiford’s Disco, which has taken home several years’ worth of Best Nightclub awards in the Flyer’s Best of Memphis. To the owner, Paula Raiford, “The wins mean a lot. The way dad grew the old Raiford’s and now the new Raiford’s … it means we’re doing a great job.”

The original location at 115 Vance Avenue, Raiford’s Hollywood Disco, won several Best After-Hours Club awards in the 2000s. Since Paula & Raiford’s Disco opened in 2009 at 14 South 2nd Street, it’s taken home multiple consecutive wins for Best After-Hours Club, Best Dance Club, and Best Nightclub.

The original Raiford’s Hollywood Disco was open from 1976 until Paula’s dad, Robert “Hollywood” Raiford, retired in 2007. But retirement didn’t suit the Raifords. Just two weeks later, Paula decided to give it another shot: “I was getting my hair done and started booboo cryin’. I missed it!” But before Paula & Raiford’s Disco opened in 2009, they made sure the new location kept the original Raiford’s Hollywood Disco charm, with big speakers on the floor “like an old house party,” a lit-up dance floor, silver dance poles, a fog machine, and her dad running the DJ booth. These are just some of the nonnegotiables in the legendary disco club. She was ecstatic when her dad continued running music for the club, too. “He came back for the music,” says Paula. The same sound system that bumps in Raiford’s today was built by her dad.

As Raiford’s approaches its 50th year in Memphis, it’s seen the Memphis nightlife scene shift and grow into something new. “We had a whole lot of blues clubs back in the day. … We don’t have them anymore.” Even as the outside world changes, Raiford’s stays the same. Paula attributes the club’s authenticity to her father’s legacy: “My dad left a spirit in here. If you met him, he’s one of a kind … the music, the decor, the spirit of people, the lights, the action, the fog. Other places make it really pretty — not like Raiford’s isn’t pretty, but it’s not a 2025 bar; it’s got old rhythm and old recipes.” Other parts of that recipe are the iconic 40s that Paula herself serves every Friday and Saturday night. Each guest strolls between the velvet ropes on the red carpet before heading inside. “If they can’t walk the red carpet in Hollywood, they can walk it at Raiford’s,” Paula says. The final product of the recipe: the power to evoke viral nostalgia from all their guests. Anyone and everyone can grab a true taste of the ’80s after their first step inside, no matter what generation. And that’s something other clubs just can’t fake.

Past the bar is another Raiford’s special: the drum set. Paula says she isn’t exactly sure where it came from, but it’s been in both disco club locations for decades. “Anyone can play, anyone who can’t play, it’s open season.” That same relentlessly accepting attitude is the final secret ingredient to Raiford’s. “I treat everyone the same, no discrimination. We just let everyone be themselves.” 

Paula is optimistic about the disco wave coming back around. “You see the bellbottoms coming back, so never say never,” she says. When I tell her I missed out on original ’70s disco, she says, “You did, a little bit, but different generations are still appreciating Raiford’s, and it’s great to be loved.” Paula still believes young people can bring in a new era of incredible disco. She tells me a story of a woman throwing a Raiford’s-themed birthday party in her garage. “It looked just like Raiford’s. She used paper for the handprints, the ‘Love Love’ sign, all the special things we have over here.” 

“Love Love” is one of Paula’s life slogans, and it’s written on the alley walls right next to the club. It’s part of the history she’s been writing for decades, and it’s what she hopes to leave behind. “I’m going to leave a legacy of love. Loving yourself, loving each other.” 

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Astrology Fun Stuff

Free Will Astrology: Week of 07/10/25

Dario Bronnimann | Unsplash

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the days before lighthouses, some coastal communities used “fire beacons” — elevated structures where people tended open flames to guide sailors. In the coming weeks, Aries, I invite you to be like both the keeper and the flame. People will be drawn to your brightness, warmth, and persistence as they navigate through their haze and fog. And surprise! You may find your own way more clearly as you tend to others’ way-finding. Don’t underestimate the value of your steady, luminous signal. For some travelers, your presence could be the difference between drifting and docking. So burn with purpose, please. Keep your gleam strong and visible.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The ancestors of my American friend Arisa lived in Ukraine, Indonesia, the Choctaw nation, and the Great Lakes region. Her new husband Anselme is of Japanese, Italian, and French descent. Their wedding was a celebration of multi-cultural influences. Guests delivered toasts in five languages. Their marriage vows borrowed texts from three religious traditions. The music included a gamelan ensemble, a band that played Ukrainian folk music, and a DJ spinning Choctaw and Navajo prayers set to Indian ragas. I bring this to your attention in the hope you will seek comparable cross-fertilization in the coming weeks. It’s an excellent time to weave richly diverse textures into your life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I predict a future when women will hold half of the leadership roles, when their income and time devoted to childcare will match men’s, when women’s orgasms are as common as men’s, and when most guys know that misogyny is perilous to their health. Until the bloom of that wonderful era, I invite Geminis of all genders to invoke your tender ingenuity as you strengthen female opportunities and power. In my view, this work is always crucial to your maximum spiritual and psychological health — but even more so than usual in the coming weeks. Boost the feminine in every way you can imagine.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In Yoruba cosmology, ase is the sacred life force that animates the universe. It’s divine energy that can be harnessed by humans to make things happen, to speak and act with ardent intention so that words and deeds shape reality. I am pleased to report that you Cancerians are extra aligned with ase these days. Your words are not casual. Your actions are not mild or minor. You have the power to speak what you mean so robustly that it has an enhanced possibility to come into being. What you command with love and clarity will carry enduring potency.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In medieval bestiaries, unicorns were said to be fierce, wild creatures. They were very real but also hidden. Only people with pure hearts could see or commune with them. I suspect you now have the chance to glide into a potent “pure heart” phase, Leo. My fervent hope is that you will take this opportunity to cleanse yourself of irrelevancies and rededicate yourself to your deepest yearnings and most authentic self-expressions. If you do, you just may encounter the equivalent of a unicorn.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Some Buddhist monks create mandalas on floors from colored sand. They work meticulously for days or weeks to build intricate, symmetrical masterpieces. Once their beautiful work is done, however, it typically doesn’t last long. The creators sweep it away either immediately or soon. The sand may be disposed of, perhaps poured into a river or stream. What’s the purpose of this strange practice? Most importantly, it displays a reverence for the impermanence of all things — an appreciation for beauty but not an attachment to it. I recommend you consider taking a cue from the sand mandalas in the coming weeks. Is there anything you love that you should let go of? A creation you can allow to transform into a new shape? An act of sacred relinquishing?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Glassblowers shape molten sand with breath and fire, knowing the material can only be formed while it’s hot and glowing. If they wait too long, the stuff stiffens, turns brittle, and resists change. But if they push too soon, it collapses into a misshapen blob. In this spirit, Libra, I urge you to recognize which parts of your life are now just the right temperature to be reshaped. Your timing must be impeccable. Where and when will you direct the flame of your willpower? Don’t wait until the opportunity cools. Art and magic will happen with just the right amount of heat applied at just the right moment.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “I have often been racked by obsessive urges that plague me until I act them out.” So says my Scorpio friend Fatima, a conceptual artist. “Fortunately,” she continues, “I have finally retrained myself to focus on creative obsessions that fuel my art rather than on anxious, trivial obsessions that disorder my life. I’d be an offensive maniac if I couldn’t use my work as an outlet for my vehement fantasy life.” I recommend Fatima’s strategy to Scorpios most of the time, but especially so in the coming days. Your imagination is even more cornucopian than usual. To harness its beautiful but unruly power, you must channel it into noble goals.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The Igbo people of Nigeria have a term: ogwugwu na-adị n’ulo. It means “the medicine is in the house.” It’s the belief that healing doesn’t necessarily come from afar. It may already be here, hidden among the familiar, waiting to be acknowledged or discovered. Dear Sagittarius, your natural instinct is to look outward and afar for answers and help. But in the coming weeks, you should look close to home. What unnoticed or underestimated thing might be a cure or inspiration you’ve been overlooking? How can you find new uses for what you already have?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I invite you to celebrate the holiday known as Be Your Own Best Helper. How should you observe this potentially pivotal transformation in your relationship with yourself? Divest yourself of yearnings to have someone clean up after you and service your baseline necessities. Renounce any wishes you harbor for some special person to telepathically guess and attend to your every need. Vow that from now on, you will be an expert at taking excellent care of yourself. Do you dare to imagine what it might feel like to be your own best helper?

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the ancient practice of astronomy, the stars were considered “incorruptible.” Unlike the planets, their movements were unchanging, their lights stationary, their destinies steady and stable. We human beings are the opposite of all those descriptors, of course. There’s no use in hoping otherwise because constancy just isn’t an option for us. The good news, Aquarius, is that you are now poised to thrive on these truths. The inevitability of change can and should be a treasured gift for you. You’re being offered chances to revise plans that do indeed need to be revised. You are being invited to let go of roles that don’t serve you. But what initially feels like a loss or sacrifice may actually be permission. Evolution is a tremendous privilege!

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The axolotl is an amphibian that never outgrows its larval form. Unlike most creatures, it retains its youthful traits into adulthood. Amazingly, it can regenerate it limbs, its spinal cord, and parts of its brain. Let’s make the axolotl your inspirational animal, Pisces. What part of your “youth” is worth keeping — not as immaturity, but as righteous design? Where are you being asked not to evolve past a stage but to deepen within it? And what might be regenerated in you that seemed to have been lost? Your magic will come from being like an axolotl. Be strange. Be playful. Be ageless and original and irrepressible. 

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Fun Stuff Metaphysical Connection

Metaphysical Connection: A Summer Retrograde

Mercury is in retrograde. (Photo: NASA | Creative Commons | Wikimedia)

Summer is here, it’s hot, and Mercury is queuing up to bring us some retroshade this summer. Sadly, it’s not the kind of shade we want. Mercury will officially be in retrograde from July 18th until August 11th. The retroshade period (the two weeks before and after the official retrograde) is creeping up on us. It will stick around under the end of August, just long enough to insert itself into all of the back-to-school chaos. 

A retrograde happens when it appears that a planet is orbiting backwards. The planets don’t actually change orbital direction; it’s more of an optical illusion. However, many people believe that during these periods the energy or properties of that planet may be behaving differently. All planets do this, but the spiritual community puts a lot of focus on Mercury. 

Mercury is thought to rule over our communication, travel, and commerce. When it is in retrograde, we can often expect miscommunication, disagreements because of miscommunication, hiccups with travel plans, and inconveniences with technology. Retrogrades, especially Mercury retrogrades, often throw speed bumps in our way to make us slow down, reflect, and readjust for the next phase. 

During this three-week stretch (plus the shadow period), Mercury’s energy tends to scramble signals, leaving us feeling hazy, scattered, and a little anxious. As the ruler of communication, technology, and travel, Mercury often stirs up disruptions in these areas — and yes, that can include unexpected messages from exes and revisiting old lessons we thought we’d already learned.

This summer’s Mercury retrograde will fall in the astrological sign of Leo. Leo rules over romance, flirtation, creativity, and play. When Mercury goes retrograde in this sign, pleasure isn’t entirely off the table, but the things that once sparked joy may suddenly feel flat. This cosmic slowdown nudges you to reassess your priorities. It might inspire a lifestyle reset, healthier relationships, or even thoughts of starting a family, as Leo also governs children. Mercury’s reflective energy could encourage you to embrace maturity, step into your responsibilities with confidence, and be seen in a more serious light. But don’t worry — you don’t have to give up your fun, just redefine what it looks like.

Although this summer’s Mercury retrograde is solely in the sign of Leo, that does not mean Leos are the only people who will be affected by it. The movements of the planets affect, or reflect, the lives of everyone. The fixed signs (Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, and Scorpio) are likely to feel this retrograde the most intensely though. Fixed signs often take the brunt of retrogrades because change or disruption does not sit well with fixed signs. 

If you’re a Taurus, Leo, Aquarius, or Scorpio, this retrograde might feel especially personal. You could find yourself revisiting themes around creativity, authenticity, self-expression, identity, and deeper desires — particularly if you have prominent Leo placements. The cosmos is nudging you to reconnect with what truly lights you up and to realign with the most vibrant, honest version of yourself.

Miscommunications and clumsy wording are common during Mercury retrograde, but you cannot let this shatter your self-image. We must also be careful with our actions. Leo is a bold and proud sign. This influence can embolden us to do things we wouldn’t ordinarily do in our communications. Don’t let your frustrations with things and the passion of Leo merge into risky behavior. You may feel like now is the time to get things off your chest or take a leap and tell someone you are interested in them. Before you do though, take some time to think it through; don’t be rash. Remember communication is already going to be tricky. Is now the time to bring up touchy and vulnerable topics? 

Navigating Mercury retrograde doesn’t have to be chaotic. Staying adaptable can help you ride it out with ease. Practice patience, keep a compassionate mindset, and don’t let pride cloud your perspective. This is a powerful moment for reflection. Step back, tune in, and let the experience teach you. These cosmic pauses aren’t punishments; they’re invitations to grow, if we’re willing to listen. 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

Categories
Fun Stuff News of the Weird

News of the Weird: Week of 07/10/25

News That Sounds Like a Joke

Police in Jacksonville, Florida, are looking for a suspect who “fondled” a $650 ferret for some time at a Petland store, then shoved the animal down his shorts, and walked out. The Smoking Gun reported that on May 27, the man “browsed the ferret section of the store” before he left, holding “the crotch area of his shorts to support the ferret.” A Petland manager tried to chase him but couldn’t get the license plate number of the van he was driving. [The Smoking Gun, 5/29/2025]

Unclear on the Concept

At Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on May 17, a lost DoorDash driver made it past a security gate and onto the tarmac, driving a significant distance before being stopped by airport personnel, WKRC-TV reported. The 36-year-old driver stopped near a grounded aircraft and showed the food receipt and meal he was trying to deliver; he was released without any citations. However, the security employee at the gate was relieved of her duties after letting the car pass through her post. [WKRC, 6/7/2025]

That’s Punny

In London’s Brockwell Park, the annual Lambeth Country Show kicked off on June 7 with livestock competitions, sheep shearing and, most notably, a vegetable sculpture contest, the Associated Press reported. “Every year, this is what we get so excited about, is the vegetable sculptures,” said fair-goer Maddy Luxon. “We love the political ones.” And her friend Marek Szandrowski added, “The puns.” For example, one sculpture featured Catholic cardinals made of corn: “Cornclave.” Another called “Cauli Parton” was shown in a scene from “9 to Chive.” President Donald Trump was depicted in butternut squash form. [AP, 6/8/2025]

To Your Point

Lake of the Isles, a neighborhood in Minneapolis, marks the start of summer by sharpening a pencil — a 20-foot-tall wooden pencil sculpted from a tree damaged in a storm several years ago. The Associated Press reported on June 7 that residents John and Amy Higgins wanted to give the tree new life, so they enlisted wood sculptor Curtis Ingvoldstad to fashion a No. 2 pencil. “Why a pencil? Everybody uses a pencil,” said Amy. Every year, they sharpen it with a custom-made sharpener carried up to the point on scaffolding, taking off 3 to 10 inches. The Higginses know that one day, their pencil will be a stub, but they’re okay with that. They just want the ritual to pull the community together. The party includes entertainment and music, and people dress as pencils or erasers. [AP, 6/7/2025]

The Golden Age of Air Travel

At Milan’s Malpensa Airport on June 8, a Chinese woman went full-on toddler tantrum after being told her carry-on bag was too heavy to fly, news.com.au reported. The woman was boarding a flight when staff tried to check her carry-on suitcase, but when they told her it was over the weight limit, she hit the floor, rolling around, stamping her feet, and yelling. Authorities eventually removed her from the flight, and she later rebooked after calming down. Videos of her antics have since gone viral, provoking comments such as “This is shameless and disgraceful behavior” and “This is so embarrassing.” [news.com.au, 6/11/2025]

But Why?

A woman shopping “in aisle 18 at Sam’s Club” in Orlando, Florida, got an eyeful on May 30 when she caught Patrick Mitchell, 70, urinating on two pallets of canned Spam and Vienna sausages, The Smoking Gun reported. Police said the witness snapped a photo and reported the incident to store employees, who confirmed that the pallets, worth $10,584.54, had been “contaminated with bodily fluids.” After relieving himself, Mitchell strolled around the store and tested some patio furniture before checking out and leaving. Mitchell was arrested at his home in The Villages, a retirement community, and charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. [The Smoking Gun, 6/11/2025]

Send your weird news items with subject line WEIRD NEWS to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com.

NEWS OF THE WEIRD
© 2025 Andrews McMeel Syndication.
Reprinted with permission.
All rights reserved.

Categories
Fun Stuff Music News News Feature

Play On, Amro

Amro’s distinctive wall of windows, graced by a white grand piano (Photo: Andy Mannis)

For nearly 20 years, Amro Music has won the Flyer’s Best Music Equipment Store in Memphis. Regarding the long-standing honor, vice president and co-owner Nick Averwater says it’s as simple as customer and employee satisfaction: “This is our people telling us that we’re doing a good job.”

You’ve certainly driven by Amro. Located on Poplar Avenue next to the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, its iconic piano sign displays the weather or phrases like “Music Makes You Smarter.” “Most people know us as that music store with windows,” says Averwater. Inside is an abstract arrangement of stringed instruments and pianos. The historical Piano Gallery is housed in the lot next door. This dates back to Averwater’s great-grandfather, Sil Averwater, who founded Amro in 1921. “He was on his way to L.A., seeking fame and fortune, and made a stop in Memphis. Nobody was teaching piano, so he opened his windows and played for passersby. That was marketing back then.” 

The century-old shop eventually grew to serve school orchestras in rural farm communities outside of Memphis. It continues that practice today, repairing and providing instruments for students in Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. 

Walking into Amro, an array of shining saxophones, trumpets, and trombones rests above a fire-engine red keyboard. Dozens of stringed instruments hang on the north wall, with hundreds of music education books (for all skill levels) in accompaniment. 

Music has been part of Averwater’s life since childhood, he says. “I’m a product of music education … and Memphis should have a music culture. It makes our schools and communities a better place.” As they reach their 104th year, their mission of nourishing students has remained unchanged. “School orchestras might not be the blues or clichéd Memphis music, but it’s a vibrant cornerstone.” 

Averwater asks if I want a tour. I expect a walk around the floor and a couple of employee greetings. Instead, we walk through the repair shop upstairs. He shows me specific tools, cleaning methods, lighting fixtures, and mechanical approaches to repair. The brass section is flush with bright overhead lights. One mechanic, Jason, solders a brace back onto a trumpet. “Without the light, I wouldn’t be able to see this,” he says, pointing to a minute dent near the mouthpiece. He learned how to repair instruments at Amro, where he’s been working for the past three years. He got his first trumpet at Amro in fifth grade and went on to march in the University of Memphis band. 

Nearby are the woodwind mechanics, who work in a much darker space. “They utilize the shadows to better analyze their instruments,” says Averwater. One technician feeds an illuminated fluffy tube through a saxophone while fluttering the valves. I’m not sure what he’s doing, but it looks very professional. Yet the extent of their work goes beyond examinations and soldering. “We’ve seen ’em run over by cars, dropped off buses. … There’s not much that would surprise us anymore,” says Averwater. “We’ve seen it all, and then some,” says Nico, another repair technician. 

I also see a mountain of instrument cases. Averwater says it’s the line of instruments waiting to be repaired. There were two rooms full of French horns, tubas, trumpets, trombones, oboes, saxophones, and more. “Those instruments represent a kid who doesn’t have an instrument … and they need their instrument to learn.” The shop churns out nearly 300 instruments a week for students all across the Mid-South. 

The tour ends with a framed, original copy of Sil Averwater’s first piano instructional book, titled Amro System of Popular Music. As fourth-generation co-owners, Averwater and his cousin, CJ Averwater, both consider family to be an incredible foundation behind Amro’s success. 

To Averwater, it was never a question whether to join the family business. To contribute to such an integral part of Memphis’ youth is nothing but a privilege, he says. “We could sell something else, but we get to sell musical instruments.” 

Categories
Fun Stuff News of the Weird

News of the Weird: Week of 07/03/25

Florida

No Longer Weird: alligators in Florida. BUT this story caught our eye: Not one but two motorcyclists were injured on May 31 in Volusia County, Florida, after they hit an alligator crossing I-4, WFOL-TV reported. Cameron Gilmore, 67, said he and Brandi Goss, 25, were riding with a larger group when he saw a “big blob in the road.” Goss elaborated: “I just seen something and … it was too late,” she said. Goss sustained a concussion and cracked wrist bone; Gilmore had a broken foot and toes. The alligator’s fate is unknown. [WFOL, 6/2/2025]

Animal Antics

A 30-year-old elephant named Plai Biang Lek escaped Khao Yai National Park and went shopping on June 2 in Bangkok, Thailand, the Associated Press reported. The enormous male pachyderm ducked through the door of a grocery store and helped himself to snacks while park workers tried to shoo him out. When he was ready to go, he backed out the door, still holding a bag of treats with his trunk. The only damage to the shop was mud tracks on the floor and ceiling. Kamploy Kakaew, the owner, said he ate nine bags of sweet rice crackers, a sandwich, and some dried bananas. This isn’t his first offense: He’s been known to enter homes in search of food. [AP, 6/4/2025]

The Continuing Crisis

The Montclair Elementary School in Oakland, California, is celebrating 100 years, and as such, the school’s PTA historian dug back into the archives to find historical items for the 2025 yearbook. But, as ABC7-TV reported, she might have been a little lax in her editing. One photo in the yearbook distributed to kindergartners through fifth graders shows a picture from the 1940 carnival, held annually at the school. “Boy and Girl Scouts will have charge of booths and many attractions,” read the caption, before providing one example: a game named after a racial slur. What?! Principal David Kloker sent an apology to families and suggested parents remove that page or put a sticker, supplied by the school, over the photo. The historian explained that she “made the critical error of only reading the first paragraph before including it.” The PTA will offer refunds for the yearbook to families. The historian said she will pass the baton to another volunteer for next year. [ABC7, 6/2/2025]

Bright Idea

Here’s one way to disrupt government: At a Mecklenburg County (North Carolina) commission meeting on June 3, a protester released an “unknown” number of crickets, WBTV reported. “She dropped something from the balcony,” one commissioner said. Crickets were “everywhere on the walls, on the stairs,” and “in the balcony,” commissioners said. Board Chair Mark Jerrell stopped the meeting, saying, “It’s shameful. Shameful. You can leave, thank you very much, we appreciate it.” After protesters were removed, the meeting continued, but commissioners were forced to take a 10-minute recess so the environmental services staff could come in and vacuum up the critters. Jerrell said the commission was familiar with the protesters but that they lost all credibility with the stunt. [WBTV, 6/4/2025]

Weird in the Wild

On May 29 at Wekiva Island, Florida, one man was transported to the hospital after suffering a bite from … nope, not an alligator, but rather an “aggressive” otter. WSVN-TV reported that after biting the victim, the otter ran off, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers couldn’t find it. Megan Stolen, a senior scientist at the Blue World Research Institute, advised area residents to keep their distance. She said the otter may have felt the person was too close or it could be suffering from rabies, which makes them more aggressive. [WSVN, 6/4/2025]

Send your weird news items with subject line WEIRD NEWS to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com.

NEWS OF THE WEIRD
© 2025 Andrews McMeel Syndication.
Reprinted with permission.
All rights reserved.

Categories
Astrology Fun Stuff

Free Will Astrology: Week of 07/03/25

Dario Bronnimann | Unsplash

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Greek philosopher Socrates declared, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” That extreme statement is a foundational idea of Western philosophy. It’s hard to do! To be ceaselessly devoted to questioning yourself is a demanding assignment. But here’s the good news: I think you will find it extra liberating in the coming weeks. Blessings and luck will flow your way as you challenge your dogmas and expand your worldview. Your humble curiosity will attract just the influences you need.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Recently, I brought an amazing Taurus to your attention: the German polymath Athanasius Kircher, who lived from 1601 to 1680. Once again, I will draw on his life to provide guidance for you. Though he’s relatively unknown today, he was the Leonardo da Vinci of his age — a person with a vast range of interests. His many admirers called him “Master of a Hundred Arts.” He traveled extensively and wrote 40 books that covered a wide array of subjects. For years, he curated a “cabinet of curiosities” or “wonder-room” filled with interesting and mysterious objects. In the coming weeks, I invite you to be inspired by his way of being, Taurus. Be richly miscellaneous and wildly versatile.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): How does a person become a creative genius in their field? What must they do to become the best? In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell said that one way to accomplish these goals is to devote 10,000 hours to practicing and mastering your skill set. There’s some value in that theory, though the full truth is more nuanced. Determined, focused effort that’s guided by mentors and bolstered by good feedback is more crucial than simply logging hours. Having access to essential resources is another necessity. I bring these thoughts to your attention, Gemini, because I believe the coming months will be a favorable time to summon a high level of disciplined devotion as you expedite your journey toward mastery.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): There’s a story from West African tradition in which a potter listens to the raw material she has gathered from the earth. She waits for it to tell her what it wants to become. In this view, the potter is not a dictator but a midwife. I believe this is an excellent metaphor for you, Cancerian. Let’s imagine that you are both the potter and the clay. A new form is ready to emerge, but it won’t respond to force. You must attune to what wants to be born through you. Are you trying to shape your destiny too insistently, when it’s already confiding in you about its preferred shape? Surrender to the conversation.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Here’s my odd but ultimately rewarding invitation: Tune in to the nagging aches and itches that chafe at the bottom of your heart and in the back of your mind. For now, don’t try to scratch them or rub them. Simply observe them and feel them, with curiosity and reverence. Allow them to air their grievances and tell you their truths. Immerse yourself in the feelings they arouse. It may take 10 minutes, or it might take longer, but if you maintain this vigil, your aches and itches will ultimately provide you with smart guidance. They will teach you what questions you need to ask and how to go in quest for the healing answers.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Wise gardeners may plan their planting by the moon’s phases. Through study of the natural world, they understand that seeds sown at the ripe moment will flourish, while those planted at random times may be less hardy. In this spirit, I offer you the following counsel for the coming weeks: Your attention to timing will be a great asset. Before tinkering with projects or making commitments, assess the cycles at play in everything: the level of your life energy, the moods of others, and the tenor of the wider world. By aligning your moves with subtle rhythms, you will optimize your ability to get exactly what you want.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In parts of Italy, grapevines were once trained not on wires or trellises, but on living trees, usually maples or poplars. The vines spiraled upward, drawing strength and structure from their tall allies. The practice kept grapes off the ground, improved air circulation, and allowed for mixed land use, such as growing cereals between the rows of trees and vines. In the coming weeks, Libra, I advise you to be inspired by this phenomenon. Climb while in relationship. Who or what is your living trellis? Rather than pushing forward on your own, align with influences that offer height, grounding, and steady companionship. When you spiral upward together, your fruits will be sweeter and more robust.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Migratory monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles, guided by instincts and cues invisible to humans. They trust they will find what they need along the way. Like them, you may soon feel called to venture beyond your comfort zone — intellectually, socially, or geographically. I advise you to rely on your curiosity and adaptability. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, the journey will lead you to resources and help you hadn’t anticipated. The path may be crooked. The detours could be enigmatic. But if you are committed to enjoying the expansive exploration, you’ll get what you didn’t even know you needed.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your assignment is to uncover hidden treasures. Use the metaphorical version of your peripheral vision to become aware of valuable stuff you are missing and resources you are neglecting. Here’s another way to imagine your task: There may be situations, relationships, or opportunities that have not yet revealed their full power and glory. Now is a perfect moment to discern their pregnant potential. So dig deeper, Sagittarius — through reflection, research or conversation. Trust that your open-hearted, open-minded probing will guide you to unexpected gems.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong said, “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.” What did he mean by that? That we shouldn’t try to use words to describe and understand this complex music? Countless jazz critics, scholars, and musicians might disagree with that statement. They have written millions of words analyzing the nature of jazz. In that spirit, I am urging you to devote extra energy in the coming weeks to articulating clear ideas about your best mysteries. Relish the prospect of defining what is hard to define. You can still enjoy the raw experience even as you try to get closer to explaining it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the Andean highlands, there’s a concept called ayni, a venerated principle of reciprocity. “Today for you, tomorrow for me,” it says. This isn’t a transactional deal. It’s a relational expansiveness. People help and support others not because they expect an immediate return. Rather, they trust that life will ultimately find ways to repay them. I suggest you explore this approach in the coming weeks, Aquarius. Experiment with giving freely, without expectation. Conversely, have blithe faith that you will receive what you need. Now is prime time to enhance and fine-tune your web of mutual nourishment.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): How often do I, your calm, sensible counselor, provide you with a carte blanche to indulge in exuberant gratification, a free pass for exciting adventures, and a divine authorization to indulge in luxurious abundance and lavish pleasure? Not often, dear Pisces. So I advise you not to spend another minute wondering what to do next. As soon as possible, start claiming full possession of your extra blessings from the gods of joy and celebration and revelry. Here’s your meditation question: What are the best ways to express your lust for life?