August Highlights
Our involvement with the world in August requires extra sensitivity to our own assertions and desires. Mars (god of desire) moves into Libra (sign of the other) on the 6th ushering in a six week period where the urge to partner is the root behind everything else. Projects get done through established connections; new associations emerge. Mars in Libra (sign of his fall) must accommodate others to get traction.
Neptune is in Aries now and will remain here for 14 years.
This happens every 165 years, and favors individuality and rebellion against the status quo. Faith in our own intuitions and self-worth are strengthened. For society as a whole, we experience crises in leadership. Saturn in Aries is happening now as well. For the next two years, Saturn brings form to this pioneering spirit. Each of us has a responsibility to examine how we take and give allegiance.
Saturn (lord of karma) and Neptune (ruler of civilization) aren’t comfortable with each other; neither is happy in Aries. On the 9th, Mars (Aries’ruler) Opposes them. We’ve reached a turning point in our personal lives; the world shifts; this is the day of the Full Moon. For a couple of days we test the limits of newly discovered strengths. Bumping into restraints unveils hidden truths about the world situation. We reach a crescendo; consciously or unconsciously we attune to the natural world.
On the 11th Mercury turns Direct, presenting new possibilities.
Because Mercury is in Leo, we will have a stronger than normal attachment to our own ideas. Later in the day, Saturn (structure) completes a Sextile to Uranus (freedom). Our picture of life comes into focus. The rollercoaster between the obvious and the reality behind the appearance comes into view. Alternatives are possible.
On the 23rd Jupiter is Semi-square Uranus. A vision of freedom can lure us away from responsibilities that actually free us. Shortcuts are not the enemy; it’s their implementation that causes trouble.
Venus enters Leo on the 25th. Venus in Leo is so openhearted; people collectively reach for the fountain of renewal. However, the goddess faces a gauntlet of aspects indicating the need to adjust our emotional expressions to meet the new paradigm. Only love can free us from our cocoon that has run its course.
The Full Moon
The Full Moon is on the 9th at 3:55 AM EDT, on the 17th degree of Leo/Aquarius. With Mars in Libra Opposite Saturn/Neptune in Aries there is a struggle between our urge to accommodate and our intuition; we must carry on by ourselves. From an objective perspective, because Mars also forms a Grand Trine in air with Uranus and Pluto, our behavior and everyone else’s veers away from the normal and predictable. Retrograde Mercury in Leo is quite active: Opposite Pluto, Sextile Mars and Uranus, while in Trine to Saturn/Neptune. All decisions ultimately come down to doing our own thing with complete confidence. Both Sun and Moon form hard aspects to Saturn/Neptune and Mars. Consequently, any steps we take will have difficulties. With no earth signs in the mix, planning will not have teeth, but allows us to see what must be done over the next two weeks.
The Sun enters Virgo
The Sun enters Virgo on the 22nd at 4:35 PM EDT. With the Sun heavily aspected when he enters the sign of critical analysis, the period between August 22nd and September 22nd will be a wild 30 day ride. With the Sun Square Uranus, every gain will be short lived; the urge for freedom will dominate decision making; the spontaneous and un-thought-out responses to challenges create new problems with each one solved. The Sun is the only planet in an earth sign in this chart. He is at the apex of a finger of god (yod) aspect: the Sun is Quincunx Saturn/Neptune on one side and Quincunx Pluto on the other. This places extra ownership on each of us. Virgo’s ruler, Mercury, is in Leo, the Sun’s sign; the Sun and Mercury are in mutual reception, so our thoughts and actions have extra potency. Mercury is Sextile Mars in Libra. Everyone else’s actions will complicate or simplify our own. It’s best to take others into our confidence, even when we must go our own way.
The New Moon
The New Moon is on the 23rd at 2:07 AM on Zero Degrees and 23 minutes of Virgo. New Moons are about beginnings, but this one is on the heels of an avalanche of forced change. The South Node of the Moon is in Virgo; we are setting the stage for next month’s Eclipses; these eclipses are the anchors for the rest of the summer and fall. But right now, we have tasks to perform over the next two weeks that rely heavily on skill and tools already in our possession. The Ruler, Mercury, is in Leo and is Sextile Mars; focused energy brings a pattern of new thoughts, stimulated by our collaboration with partners. Jupiter is in his exaltation in Cancer and Trines the North Node of the Moon from the first house in Washington D.C. There will be much enthusiasm for some proposals coming from government. The New Moon is Square Uranus and also in aspect to Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto. A strong anti-establishment sentiment permeates the air; if we are to reach a more equitable society, we have to do the important work on ourselves.
Bob Mulligan is available for personal appointments, astrology classes, and astrological material. Call him at 239-261-2840 or e-mail email him here. Visit his website here.
