Astrology: Uranus trine Pluto, July 17, 2026

 

Events in society could be moving very fast and may be disorienting and challenging, depending on where you live. This moment may come to be seen as a watershed time when we look back and can get a clearer perspective on events. We’re in the middle of an enormous reconfiguration of power structures around the world that has many years left to run.

https://jessicadavidson.co.uk/2026/06/29/july-astrology-2026/

 

Uranus, at 3º Gemini 32′, forms a trine aspect with Pluto at 3° Aquarius 32’. Uranus trine Pluto occurs five times from July 2026 to May 2028. However, the influence will be felt from July 2025 to May 2029. When Uranus and Pluto connect, our need for reform is activated. It’s a potentially powerful time for reform, growth, and change, particularly related to sharing power and resources, individuality, and humanitarian, philosophical, or religious beliefs and practices.

We more readily tap into our deeper ambitions and motivations, and this knowledge of and connection with our inner selves can lead to terrific new directions. It’s a powerful period for psychoanalysis, as we’re just detached enough to delve into our personal psychology more objectively.

We recognize the need for change and reform, but also realize that having a solid plan of action is to our great benefit. As such, it can be a time of measured, deliberate change-making. It’s a fine time for forging new alliances and friendships. We might awaken to hidden or dormant talents, including inventiveness, or recognize a stronger desire for independence and freedom. The desire for new experiences is strong.

On another level, it can be a time to use our power and spread our resources more fruitfully and fairly. It can be a time of important and meaningful social shifts as we recognize inequities and course correct. We’re not only unafraid to address touchy, complex, or taboo issues we once glossed over or ignored, but we also find creative solutions. We no longer unquestioningly accept the status quo, and we no longer tolerate keeping our heads in the sand to keep the peace. Still, we should watch for overconfidence as we unearth dark or hidden matter more quickly than we can process it.

https://cafeastrology.com/events/uranus-trine-pluto-2nd/

The last series of trines in 1921-22 saw the rise of Hitler and Stalin and the founding of extreme politics like communism and fascism. It did not bring war, but an escalation of geopolitical tensions that led to war. We may again be headed for more radical social, economic, and political change. However, there are significant differences in associated aspects between then and now. There is good reason to be optimistic about more enlightened and ethical changes, exciting new medical breakthroughs, and technological discoveries.

The Uranus trine Pluto transit represents profound evolutionary change, offering you a deeper understanding of yourself and a broader perspective on life. You will undergo a gradual yet profound transformation that will enable you to engage more deeply with people and enjoy life more than before. Changes will be occurring around you that allow for greater personal freedom. However, you will also undergo an internal transformation, facilitated by a more adventurous, optimistic, and progressive outlook. Tradition, religion, moral standards, and societal expectations may have previously held you back. However, you can now feel free to explore more possibilities during this exciting time of self-discovery. You should be more willing to take risks and express the more eccentric side of your personality. This is an excellent time to quit bad habits and address outdated or prejudiced beliefs.

It is also possible that you will become an agent of change in your family, career, or community. You can achieve original solutions and more efficient outcomes by adopting a more futuristic, experimental approach. A more powerful intuition and the ability to sense the collective consciousness can make you a trendsetter. Increased charisma and personal power enable you to take the lead and have a positive impact on many people.This is also an excellent time to join groups or learn more about spirituality, the occult, or politics. You may also want to actively promote constructive change in areas where you feel strongly, such as climate change and human rights.

https://astrologyking.com/uranus-trine-pluto/

The 2026-2028 trine is the same two planets, the same generational pair, but reorganized into air. Uranus in Gemini is no longer breaking — it's communicating, networking, distributing. Pluto in Aquarius is no longer dismantling institutions one by one — it's restructuring the underlying systems that connect them. The trine doesn't undo what the squares broke. It builds something out of the debris. Astrology coverage has framed the Uranus-Neptune-Pluto triangle of this decade as the first multi-outer-planet configuration since the 1990s; the 2026 trine is the first geometric anchor of that triangle. The shadow of this comparison is that trines don't force the integration the way squares forced the rupture. The cooperative channel only carries what gets actively built through it — what doesn't get built simply doesn't happen.

https://www.serenastro.com/blog/uranus-trine-pluto-july-2026#c7664ca6-9a39-46dd-97f1-cf6093bd8a85

 

Astrology: Jupiter in Leo, June 30, 2026

Abridged from Your guide to Jupiter in Leo | CHANI

Jupiter in Leo June 29th, 2026 – July 25th, 2027

On June 29th, 2026, Jupiter enters showstopping Leo, and it will be here to stay until July 25th, 2027. After spending the past 12 months in sensitive Cancer and supersizing all our deepest feelings, the planet of growth and abundance is shifting to a bolder, louder sign. Over the coming year, we’ll all be getting a boost of confidence, creativity, and charisma. And if you haven’t been in the mood to celebrate or show off lately, Jupiter in Leo is inviting you to bust out the confetti and strut into the spotlight.

The South Node in Leo will be stripping away our unhealthy cravings for attention, our performative virtue-signaling tendencies, and our urges to put our favorite celebrities and role models on pedestals. These upcoming Leo eclipses will ask you: Who are you when you’re behind the curtain, without an audience to witness you? What do you want to create just for yourself, not for anyone else’s sake? Practicing self-acceptance instead of seeking everyone else’s approval will be a key part of this transit’s year-long crash course.

In other words, while Jupiter in Leo amps up our desire to shine, the South Node in Leo forces us to reckon with the potential consequences of that desire. Influencer scandals, PR disasters, and dramatic downfalls of world leaders may dominate the headlines. Some people may become wildly famous during this transit; others may reject the pressures of public scrutiny and go off the grid. And we may be more wary of boastful personalities and sensationalist gimmicks that seem hollow — or desperate.

The last time Jupiter moved through Leo — from July 16th, 2014, to August 11th, 2015 — pop culture got way more maximalist. Strategically curated photos of celebrity friend cliques took over social media. Hyper-polished, full-face makeup tutorials exploded on YouTube. Flashy colors, patterns, and accessories were in fashion — the bolder, the better. It seemed like everyone suddenly had a personal brand and a ring light — or at least a hot take on the latest viral trends.

And honestly, the astrology tracked: Jupiter in Leo loves theatricality and glamour. This was the era when Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Adele ascended to superstardom. Big-budget film franchises (Transformers, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Hunger Games) and TV series (Empire, Game of Thrones) dazzled viewers with larger-than-life characters, epic stories, and high drama. And the 2015 Super Bowl was peak Jupiter in Leo: Katy Perry kicked off the halftime show belting out her hit “Roar,” wearing her famous “flame dress” and riding a giant, mechanical, golden lion across the field — just a little on the nose. Jupiter in Leo was a flamboyant factor in the 'Flower Power', 'Summer of Love, festive counter-culture experimentations of the mid- late 1960s.

Of course, there’s a shadow side to all this glittery, sparkly fanfare. At times, Jupiter in Leo can be too obsessed with appearances. The bigger the spectacle, the easier it is to forget what’s beneath all the layers of artifice — especially this time around, with eclipse season in the mix.

‍Your Jupiter return happens about every 12 years, when Jupiter re-enters the same sign it was in when you were born. If Jupiter is in Leo in your birth chart, this is your time to shine.

Adridged from Jupiter's Transit through Leo June 2026 to July 2027 | Cafe Astrology .com 

Problematic Jupiter-in-Leo behavior may be more prevalent around Jupiter’s square to Chiron near the very beginning of its transit (on July 1st, 2026), around its opposition to Pluto on July 20th, 2026, and from September 22nd to October 31st, 2026 and then late January and mid-March 2027, and then June 7th, when it forms minor squares to Neptune and Saturn.

More specifically with Jupiter in Leo, we attract the most good fortune when we express magnanimity, are generous with others, inspire confidence in others, conduct ourselves with dignity and sincerity, and avoid the pitfall of excessive egotism. With Jupiter in Leo, we prefer learning programs that focus on excitement, drama, show, dignity, and pride. Belief systems that emphasize love, honor, and loyalty are more appealing. We see opportunities to grow and succeed through self-expression, self-respect, generosity, and honor. We are more inclined to believe that generosity of spirit is the major key to solving problems.

In favor now are pursuits and fields that require leadership, warmth, inspiration, generosity, big moves and gestures, and sound organization in order to succeed and prosper. These areas can be most attractive and/or profitable. This can be a better time for investments in or putting more energy into Leo-related industries, such as entertainment, media, performing arts, coaching, guiding, event planning, promotion, and more.

Astrology: Summer Solstice, June 21, 2026- Part 2 - Chart

We have a very powerful chart, with three perfectly interlocking minor grand trines, with an opposition and two squares symmetrically positioned within that large configuration. This is the first chart here with the new minor grand trine configuration fully ensconced in the new sign cycles, marked by a powerful upcoming Summer Season.

1- Oppositions

Venus in Leo / Jupiter /Mercury in Cancer opposition Pluto in Aquarius.

Relationships intensify, with a tendency to act in a compulsive, demanding way, with manipulative behavior, fear of betrayal, and power struggles. We feed on attention, acknowledgement, validation, and adoration. We can be ambitious now, exaggerating our importance or power, taking on too much and pushing too hard, ignoring important details, making it easy to stir up opposition. Obsessive, anxious thinking, attempts to persuade others to think like we do, insisting on knowing the “truth” or on exposing falsehoods, compulsive need to talk or a desire to withhold information. Our belief system could be challenged now, or we might have to face narrow-mindedness, especially with family and home matters versus humanitarian scientific reforms or changes.

2- Squares

Moon in Virgo square Sun in Cancer, Sun square Neptune in Aries, Mercury in Cancer square Saturn in Aries.

Brings a conflict between wants and needs, which gravitate towards practical, solving problems, re- organizing  versus tensions or feelings of being unsupported by others or by circumstances in your life; discrepancies between the demands of your personal life, family, home, comfort and what is expected of you at work. Fluctuating willpower; knowing where you stand with others; concentrating on pioneering spirituality, bold exploration of creative, mystical realms is better than focusing on things that require straightforward, factual thinking. Obstacles can hinder activity. Communications may be blocked or delayed. Projects we thought were complete may need revision, to which you can be resourceful, and capable of applying new methods in a practical manner. Others could appear overly critical, and you are sensitive to emotional background or atmosphere/setting around you, picking up on moods and tones in addition to facts. Humor and warmth can be sarcastic, insensitive.

3- Interconnected Minor Grand Trines

A-Neptune/Saturn-Pluto-Uranus Minor Grand Trine

One can feel the constraints of time and are motivated by the desire to manifest tangible results, with an openness to new methods. We are sensitive to the moods and undercurrents around us. We may have a hard time defining our actions and our goals, perhaps losing sight of reality and reason. Increased spiritual awareness, imagination, and inspiration, with a sense of exploration and risk-taking.

We are willing to adapt to new circumstances, ideas, and unfamiliar situations. We can find creative solutions to problems now and effect positive changes, with a focus on transportation and communication systems. Opportunities to find or renew something we had lost, and to gain some power are available now, with a focus on social reform and technological innovation.

Humanitarian ideals, spiritual seeking, altruistic and compassionate feelings, as well as meeting different people are favoured. Openness to new ideas, innovations, originality, alternative lifestyles focused. A sense of practical, constructive accomplishment is also facilitated.

B- Neptune/Saturn-Uranus-Venus Minor Grand Trine

We are more attuned to the world of beauty, the arts, and the imagination. exploring the mystical realms imbued with compassion, harmony, kindness, and openness This can be a “magical” time on a romantic and social level, with a need for attention, and adoration. We can lose our fear of taking risks at this time, as we may happily embrace all that is new, unusual, extravagant and out-of-the-ordinary, with special regards to transportation and communication systems. Support from older people or authority figures may come by way of solid advice or more tangible help that is resourceful, and capable of applying new methods in a practical manner. Renewed ties to old friends are possible, or a new sense of responsibility can be felt in existing friendships based on acknowledgement and validation.

C- Uranus-Mars/Jupiter-Mercury/Moon Minor Grand Trine 

 

We are prone to exaggerating the facts due to enthusiasm. Expressing ourselves verbally comes easily, and public relations and negotiations run especially smoothly. We take great interest in (and notice of) personal issues and interactions, picking up on moods and tones in addition to facts. This is a time for making long-range plans, seeing the big picture, often a sign of growth in all things connected with family,  property, self care, security, setting down roots, establishing your ties with the past. We are naturally bold, assertive, determined, stubborn, persistent, willing to experiment, and conscious of a need to act independently. Our ideas may be ground-breaking, or progressive. A strong desire to make things happen, we tend to pursue our goals by plodding along patiently, sometimes with erratic energy.

Increases your resourcefulness and independence in practical activities,  re-organizing and rethinking plans, solving problems, and helping others. You can feel “in sync” with your environment. You can more confidently rely on your instincts now, and you react well to competition, stirs your passions, mostly in a positive way, such as digging in its heels, outlasting, or defending something. Unexpected visitors, unexpected visiting, or chance meetings are possible now. You can more inclined to take emotional risks than usual, helping others. Intuition is at a high, and you are open to progress and improvement.

Analysis

This chart can be considered a pivotal configuration that marks a significant new celestial formation, marked by some strong aspects this Summer, with 9 outer planet aspects, 6 occurring between July 15-24 (!): June 30 Jupiter conjunct Leo, July 15 Uranus sextile Neptune, July 17 Uranus trine Pluto, July 20 Jupiter trine Neptune,  July 20 Jupiter opposition Pluto, July 21 Jupiter sextile Uranus, July 24 Neptune sextile Pluto, Aug 12,Total SOLAR Eclipse, Aug 28 Partial LUNAR Eclipse, Aug 31 Jupiter trine Saturn, Sept 16 Neptune sextile Pluto. To add to the intensity, there will also be two eclipses (Aug 12, 28) and a Mercury retrograde (June 30-July 23).

 

A series of interlocking minor grand trines that brings a complex, positive synergy

Neptune/Saturn-Pluto-Uranus Minor Grand Trine brings creative, innovation, original, innovative, bold mystical  transformative mystical insight. Neptune/Saturn-Uranus-Venus Minor Grand Trine brings a sense of beauty, art, spirituality, harmony, kindness, compassion, adoration that embraces new, different, unusual, with a focus on transportation and communication. Old relations, authority figures can bring practical solutions. Uranus-Mars/Jupiter-Mercury/Moon Minor Grand Trine brings expansive, eloquent, communication and negotiation focused on long-term, ambitious, realistic, comprehensive planning, with a focus on family, home values, traditions. There is an energy that is based in bold, assertive, tenacious, steady hard work,with an innovative, resourceful, practical, altruistic perspectives. Chance encounters can be significant.

 

The obstacles, which are strongly connected to the large minor grand trine patterns, therefore benefit by being attenuated and aided by these aspects, mainly in a creative, altruistic, transcendent perspective, with Neptune and Uranus forming a triangle of opportunity with the Pluto oppositions, and the Moon, with Neptune giving favorable aspects to the Sun oppositions. Venus in Leo / Jupiter /Mercury in Cancer opposition Pluto in Aquarius intense relationships, compulsive, demanding, extravagant, expressive, overly ambitious tendencies, with obsessive thinking focused on discovering, exposing truths and convincing others. With Moon in Virgo square Sun in Cancer, Sun square Neptune in Aries, Mercury in Cancer square Saturn in Aries brings insecurity, feeling unsupported , unfocused, undisciplined, disorganized. Good spiritual intuition, bold creativity.  Communications feeling blocked, projects needing revision, overly sensitive and critical.

  

Prognostic   

With a triple trinity of potentially very progressive and productive aspects:

1-mystical, humanitarian impetus of social and technological innovation, reform and transformation

2- inspired creative, artistic, mystical, compassionate, practical sense of cooperation with elders and friends

3- bold, idealistic, ambitious, comprehensive productive sense of original discussion, negotiation and collaboration based on productive, stable work ethic, involving family, home values, and traditions.

these inspiring opportunities of productive change growth and progress inevitably entail challenges of overcoming obstacles and resistance. Collective projects could be hampered by personal relationship issues of an intense obsessive, passionate nature bringing along drama, power struggles, deception and deep revelations (general tensions between progressive, collective projects and personal, family issues). Chance or new encounters could prove be to be significant. Emotional turmoil can make things insecure, blocked, unfocused, undisciplined, and disorganized. However the impetus of spiritual intuition and creative solutions can bring good support to overcome and resolve difficulties.

Planets in Signs  

Sun in Cancer This has to do with feelings, making the things you feel and care about a reality. Nurturing is in focus. Our attention turns to our nest–our families, homes, and anything that makes us feel “at home,” safe, and secure.

Moon in Virgo We instinctually gravitate towards practical activities s re-organizing and rethinking plans. Emotional satisfaction comes from solving problems, making order out of confusion, and helping others.

Mercury in Cancer (June 1-August 9). We think, speak, and take in information on a deeper, more instinctive level. We absorb information about the emotional background or atmosphere/setting around us. We have a well-developed sense of humor and radiate warmth in our communications. We take great interest in (and notice of) personal issues and interactions

Venus in Leo (June 13-July 9) Focus on the romance stage of a relationship. We feed on attention, acknowledgement, validation, and adoration. The negative expression of this placement is overstating our feelings simply for the effect, as well as extravagance.

Mars in Taurus (May 18-June 28) We are determined, stubborn, and persistent; can be passive until provoked and is at its strongest when digging in its heels, outlasting, or defending something! We tend to pursue our goals by plodding along patiently. We seek longevity and long-term satisfaction.

Jupiter in Cancer Self care, security, setting down roots, establishing your ties with the past; often a sign of growth in all things connected with family and property.

Saturn in Aries You are resourceful, and capable of applying new methods in a practical manner. Your lessons are in patience and self-reliance.

Uranus in Gemini stirring up our ideas, learning, and communications. It revolutionizes our transportation and communication systems and sense of connectedness. There can be great progress and unpredictability.

Neptune in Aries the potential to be spiritual pioneers. They take risks in exploring the mystical realms. This generation may also boast many pioneers in the arts.

Pluto in Aquarius Reform, revolution, a rejection of the past and a focus on the future. People in this generation have the ability to make scientific breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity, and may be forced to change the way science is viewed.

 

Upcoming

 

June 30 Jupiter conjunct Leo

July 15 Uranus sextile Neptune

July 17  Uranus trine Pluto

July 20 Jupiter trine Neptune

July 20 Jupiter opposition Pluto

July 21 Jupiter sextile Uranus

July 24 Neptune sextile Pluto

June 29-July 23 Mercury retrograde 

Aug 12,Total SOLAR Eclipse 

Aug 28 Partial LUNAR Eclipse

31 Aug Jupiter trine Saturn 

Sep 1 Mars  square  Saturn  

Sept 16 Neptune sextile Pluto 

 

References 

https://cafeastrology.com/

https://astrologyking.com/ 

Robert Hand, Planets in Transit  

The Uranus Neptune Pluto Triangle of 2024–2028

https://jessicadavidson.co.uk/2023/11/13/the-uranus-neptune-pluto-triangle-2024-2027/

Astrology: The Year Ahead 2026

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2025/09/astrology-year-ahead-2026.html 

 

 

Astrology: Summer Solstice, June 21, 2026- Part 1 - Review

For the Spring prognostic, I wrote:

 

The tight Mercury/Mars trine Jupiter brings idealistic, articulate, insightful energy with intuition and empathy, which can be dynamic, assertive and productive. Intense ideological debates could be a tendency. The magic triangle, aligned with the Sun and Saturn, brings a strong and realistic impetus for creative innovation, social change, and spiritual progress. A Jupiter in Cancer trine and square imparts a focus on family values and housing issues. The main obstacle this semester comes with Moon/Venus square Jupiter, which can distract with escapist emotional and sensual desires for personal self-indulgence, social dispersion, moodiness, indolence and procrastination.

 

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited the U.S. from March 18-20, 2026, meeting President Donald Trump on March 19.

Mar 28 Saturn sextile Pluto 

More than 8 million people protested against the Trump administration at more than 3,300 No Kings events across the US (March 29) and in more than a dozen countries on Saturday, according to organizers. It’s the greatest number of protests in a single day in US history, 

CNN exposes large online videos of wife raping internet group (March 26).

The Full Moon Easter Weekend of April 3rd, coinciding with the Artemis II Moon Mission was a little bit unusual, I noticed. I counted 5 significant moon-related events, covering three different areas, coinciding with that period. Interestingly, all events could be said to have Theosophical connections or influences. 1-A few days earlier, in Montreal, there was a 'Dark Side of the Rainbow' (March 28) screening of the Wizard of Oz and Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. 2- A plushie of Artemis the cat from Sailor Moon was spotted at Nasa Mission Control (April 3) (a major new Sailor Moon musical also opened in Tokyo that weekend, interestingly introducing a new villain, Queen Valusia, which could be a nod to Robert E. Howard's King Kull (theosophically-infuenced lost civilizations) 3- There was the release of a major newswire article series on UFOs, related to US presidential de-classification order (Corey Williams)(April 4). Coincidentally, prominent UFO researcher, with ancient alien beliefs, Nick Pope passed away (April 8) at that time. 

 

Apr 25  Uranus conjunct Gemini 

The chart had 4 planets in conjunction in Aries (very dynamic), and a tight Sun square Pluto, with Uranus conjunct Venus (sociable, original) and Moon square Uranus, Mars, Mercury square Jupiter. Neptune and Pluto are in more stable positions in their new signs. Uranus should stabilize in the new sign of Gemini in about six months. That weekend was quite intense, some tough aspects with the overall positive Uranus ingress into Gemini:

 

White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting (April 26); residents evacuated as forest fires destroy buildings in Japan (April 25); Columbia bus bombing, (April 26) 

May 26  Mars  square Pluto 

Desires are intense and difficult to satisfy. A tendency to bully and confront may dominate. Efforts to make changes could be thwarted, or power struggles emerge. 

Major wave of Ebola virus in Africa (May 23); White House shooting, (May 23); Chemical Storage leak scare in Orange County, California (May 24); Coal mining accident in China, 80 deaths (May 23); major flood in Yongchuan, Chongqing, where 296mm of rain fell in five hours in the early hours of May 24, 17 people missing, 3 dead; Blue Origin New Glenn rocket explosion, (May 28); major heat wave in India, (May 26);  Israel-Iran conflict flare up (June 7)

Kaibara Ekken on the Love of Nature and of Humanity

'Among Japanese Neo-Confucianisis there is perhaps none who combines more strikingly than Kaibara Ekken (1630-1714) both the moralistic and rationalistic tendencies of this movement. More than anyone else he brought Confucian ethics into the homes of ordinary Japanese in language they could understand. 

Virtually all Chinese and Japanese Confucianists had been content to confine their "investigation of things" to the classics, but Kaibara carried his inquiry further into the field of nature. His Catalogue of Vegetables, Catalogue of Flora, and Medicinal Herbs of Japan, together with his last work, How To Live Well, arc samples of his extensive studies in the biological realm. 

But his interests in this sphere were not pursued to the exclusion of humanistic studies. To Kaibara, man and nature arc allied and inseparable; an understanding of nature is indispensable to the understanding of man. In this respect it may be said that Kaibara still reflects the essential humanistic and ethical concerns of Confucianism, which distinguish him from the more independent "scientific" thinkers and "Dutch" schoolmen of the eighteenth century in Japan.  

His interpretation of the virtue of humanity (jin) as love for all things. In an orthodox follower of Chu Hsi like Kaibara, however, this is not too surprising a development of the Sung philosopher’s own view of jin as representing a cosmic love identified with the creativity of nature. And it was rather in his special emphasis on creativity and the life-force that Kaibara eventually qualified his acceptance of Chu Hsi by taking issue, in a book entitled Grave Doubts ( Taigi-rol(u ), with the latter’s dualism of principle (ri) and material force (qi) in favor of a monism of understood as the life-force.

 This opening passage to his Precepts for Children (Shogalu-kun) sets forth with great simplicity Kaibara’s view of the interrelation of man and nature through the supreme Confucian virtue of humanity or benevolence (Ch. Jen. Jap. Jin). To make clear that this virtue is understood by him as not only involving but transcending “humanity," we render the term here as ‘‘benevolence." The reader should not fail to observe, however, that it is precisely that which makes man truly man which unites him with nature.

In the first paragraph the compound standing for "nature" is rendered literally as “heaven and earth" so that the correspondence to "father and mother" may be brought out.'

All men may be said to owe their birth to their parents, but a further inquiry into their origins reveals that men come into being because of nature’s law of life. Thus all men in the world arc children born of heaven and earth, and heaven and earth arc the great parents of us all. The Book of History says, "Heaven and earth arc the father and mother of all things" (T’ai-shih 1). Our own parents are truly our parents; but heaven and earth arc the parents of everyone in the world. Moreover, though we are brought up after birth through the care of our own parents and arc sustained on the gracious bounty of the ruler, still if we go to the root of the matter, we find that we sustain ourselves using the things produced by nature for food, dress, housing, and implements. Thus, not only do all men at the outset come into being because of nature’s law of life, but from birth till the end of life they are kept in existence by the support of heaven and earth. Man surpasses all other created things in his indebtedness to the limitless bounty of nature. It will be seen therefore that man's duty is not only to do his best to serve his parents, which is a matter of course, but also to serve nature throughout his life in order to repay his immense debt. That is one thing all men should keep in mind constantly.

As men mindful of their obligation constantly to serve nature in repayment of this great debt, they should not forget that, just as they manifest filial piety in the service of their own parents, so they should manifest to the full their benevolence toward nature. Benevolence means having a sense of sympathy within, and bringing blessings to man and things. For those who have been brought up on the blessings of nature, it is the way to serve nature. It is the basic aim of human life, which should be observed as long as one lives. There should be no letting up on it, no forgetting of it. Benevolence in the service of nature and filial piety are one in principle: it is a principle which must be known and observed by anyone insofar as he is a man. There is none greater than this, none more important. All men living in their parents’ home should expend themselves in filial service to their father and mother; and serving their lord should manifest single-minded loyalty to him. Just so, living as we do in the wrap of nature, we must serve nature and manifest to the full our benevolence. For a man to be unaware of this important duty, to let the days and years pass idly by and let one’s life go for naught, is to make oneself unworthy of being a man. Indeed, how can anyone who would be a man ignore this fact? It is in this that the way of man lies. Any way apart from this cannot be the true way.

To persist in the service of heaven means that everyone who is a man should be mindful of the fact that morning and evening he is in the presence of heaven, and not far removed from it; that he should fear and reverence the way of heaven and not be unmindful of it. He should not, even in ignorance, oppose the way of heaven or commit any outrage against it. Rather, following the way of heaven, he should be humble and not arrogant toward others, control his desires and not be indulgent of his passions, cherish a profound love for all mankind born of nature’s great love, and not abuse or mistreat them. Nor should he waste, just to gratify his personal desires, the five grains and other bounties which nature has provided for the sake of the people. 

Secondly, no living creatures such as birds, beasts, insects, and fish should be killed wantonly. Not even grass and trees should be cut down out of season. All of these are objects of nature's love, having been brought forth by her and nurtured by her. To cherish them and keep them is therefore the way to serve nature in accordance with the great heart of nature. Among human obligations there is first the duty to love our relatives, then to show sympathy for all other human beings, and then not to mistreat birds and beasts or any other living things. That is the proper order for the practice of benevolence in accordance with the great heart of nature. Loving other people to the neglect of parents, or loving birds and beasts to the neglect of human beings, is not benevolence.

Sources of Japanese Tradition, Vol. 1 1958 William Theodore De Bary, Ryusaku Tsunoda, Donald Keene UNESCO Collection of representative works, Japanese series