August 2018: 6 planets retrograde, a dramatic eclipse, two positive trines

August begins with a volatile Mars transit, and both Mars and Mercury are retrograde slowing things down, uncovering situations and creating frustration. Much of the month between 5 and 6 planets will remain retrograde. 2018's final eclipse will occur August 11 in Leo, and Saturn will trine Uranus giving us a much needed break in terms of some more positive and less volatile energy. Jupiter will also trine Neptune, and this is positive, creative, compassionate and spiritual energy which seems much needed with all of the harsher aspects that have occurred this summer.

Mars square Uranus becomes exact on August 1, at 2 degrees of Aquarius/Taurus. This transit will weaken over the next two weeks but be in effect until Mars re-enters Capricorn August 12.

We experienced this transit mid-May when Uranus entered Taurus, and Mars entered Aquarius. This time however, Mars is retrograde, making it very powerful, frustrating and angry.

This is a potentially violent and volatile transit, leading to unexpected incidents in the world and or personal lives if we are not careful. In May when this occurred we saw clashes and deaths in Gaza due to the opening of the American Embassy in Jerusalem. We also saw the eruption of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, among many other things.

We could hear shocking news, ecological disasters and unexpected events.

Mars rule police, guns, and young men, and Uranus can also rule aircraft (crashes).

In our own personal lives we need to proceed with caution as issues can become blown out of proportion and bigger than we expected with this energy. Uranus rules separation and change and  some will make sudden, or not so sudden departures from their norm and routines. Relationships can suffer as Uranus rules freedom, and this is an impetus for change if the relationship is not meeting the needs of both parties.

This energy will remain very powerful through August 3rd. It will retrograde several more degrees backward (making it slightly less intense) but basically the energy will be with us until Mars re-enters Capricorn on August 12.

You will be personally affected f you have fixed planets-Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius at 1-3 degrees in your chart.

Mars will remain at 29-28 degrees of Capricorn August 12-September 11, when it re-enters Aquarius in direct motion and we will repeat the same Mars cycle all over again that began on May 17. Most of 2018 Mars will remain in two signs, Capricorn and Aquarius.

Mars remains retrograde until August 27, when it turns direct at 28 degrees of Capricorn. (Happy days are here again!) While retrograde Mars lends itself toward slowdowns in work and activities, relationships can seem to go backward at times (Mars rules men), we experience low energy and more frustration. Health matters can be exaggerated if Mars hits a critical juncture in your chart and you have a health issue.

During August Saturn will trine Uranus at 2 degrees of Capricorn-Taurus August 13-September 20.  This represents a positive change in energy as change itself will not be so erratic or upsetting.

The energy will be reflected in the world and our personal lives, as always. Saturn and Uranus are opposing forces with Saturn as authority and structure and Uranus as rebellious and progressive. At this time these two energies can be combined effectively and without stress.

Saturn involves the old, and Uranus the new, and at this time the two can be combined harmoniously and this is a positive time for group activity and stability.

This can be a time of increased responsibility and greater freedom, especially for Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, or those who have planets in the early degrees of these signs in their natal charts.

While Uranus tends to create sudden and upsetting change, during this time change can occur in an easier and more methodical manner, and changes undertaken now can have a lasting base for the future, especially after 

Mercury and Mars turn direct. Best to save important changes until then.

The eclipse season is not yet over, and the third and final eclipse of 2018 occurs on August 11.

This is another solar eclipse (New Moon) that falls at 18.42 degrees of Leo, the sign ruing the fifth house of love, friends, entertainment and children.

Eclipses are like wildcards, and one of the ways we learn how and what we need to change and evolve. An eclipse can seem good or bad, depending on what it aspects in your personal chart, and often an eclipse is dramatic, or reveals important information if it aspects a significant point in your own chart/life.  An eclipse often brings news pertaining to life's biggest events. The energy of an eclipse can go for months and in some cases years.

Almost always unexpected information comes to light and at this time something may be eclipsed completely out of your life, or into your life. Eclipses can bring positive or negative events depending on what it aspects in your personal chart.

As Venus squares Saturn August 10, this becomes part of the eclipse energy and relationships that are tottering on the edge may take  turn for the worse or end all together. Other situations may end as well. Healthy and positive relationships will remain. Venus square Saturn can make is feel unattractive, unloved, lonely, tired, underappreciated, and at times bad behavior could come into play. You may expect too much of your friends, and when your expectations are not met great misunderstandings may occur.

We could see endings play out in a public way and/or we could see changes in the financial markets among other things.

Other transits of significance include:

August 6-Venus enters Libra. Venus in this sign is more romantic, peaceful and partner oriented than Virgo. Venus is comfortable and considered at home in this sign.

The Sun squares Jupiter which is typically considered positive, but things can be blown out of proportion or overdone.

August 7, Uranus turns stationary retrograde.

While retrograde, Uranian energies are more bottled up, and the individual becomes aware of the need for change or revolution.  When Uranus turns direct those energies can be acted upon, seemingly in an unexpected manner. Events involving Uranus often seem shocking, but they are often the inevitable result of a situation, and transits involving Uranus often wake us up to what is really occurring in our lives. Uranus retrogrades every year, and turns direct again January 6, 2019.

As Uranus retrogrades it will move from Taurus back into Aries for one more swing in this sign November 6-May 7. This will be the final pass Uranus will make in Aries for anyone reading this blog.

As of August 7, 6 out of 10 planets are retrograde.

Venus trines Mars, and this is a good day for social, business and romantic activities.

August 8, the Sun conjuncts Mercury. This is considered a 'willful' transit and agitation and anger can be easily set off.

August 9, Venus squares Saturn. As we are in the energy of the solar eclipse this can be a powerful transit. Some may feel discouraged, unloved, and depressed. Some relationships or other situations may end and this is not positive for financial transactions.

August 11, Solar eclipse in Leo

August 12, Mars re-enters Capricorn

August 18, Mercury sextiles Venus. This is a light, positive and upbeat transit.

August 19, Mercury turns stationary direct at 11 degrees of Leo. Over the next few days, direction may change once again, and more glitches may occur as the planet of communication begins to move forward once again.

August 19, Jupiter trines Neptune and this transit is exact. This is the final pass of this transit which is creative, compassionate and spiritual in nature. If you are or have a water sign at 14-18 degrees in your chart this will form a grand trine in your chart, which is positive can bring unique opportunities during this time. The world needs creativity and compassion and now is the time for these characterizes to be displayed. Dreams may be vivid over the next few weeks, and there may be a greater interest in metaphysical subjects. We could near news of religion, the Vatican, or other spiritual or religious institutions, and this transit may be reflected in movies and TV shows during this time.

August 23, The Sun enters Virgo. Virgo represents the mutable sign of summer, where weather begins to change. Virgo is far different from fun loving Leo and rules the sixth house of health, service and work.

August 25, the Sun trines Uranus. This is positive and a day to take new approached and looks at new ways of visualizing and doing things.

August 26, the last full Moon of the summer falls at 3 degrees of Pisces. Pisces rules the 12th house of the subconscious mind, endings and things secret and hidden. As Venus squares Pluto issues may become intense, obsessive, argumentative and many may search to get to the bottom of the of some type of question they deem important.

August 27,  Mars turns stationary direct at 27 degrees of Capricorn.

August 28, Mercury squares Jupiter. Generally positive but many things may be blown out of proportion.

Summary: It's been a difficult summer for many with three volatile and difficult eclipses, Uranus's shift into Taurus from Aries, and Mars retrograde in Aquarius along with Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto. August starts out with a bang with the Mars-Uranus square and a dramatic eclipse on August 11. As Mars re-enters Capricorn August 12, things should begin to calm down as Mars is in the sign ruled by Saturn. Mercury turns direct August 19, and Mars turns direct August 27 and things and situations that were stuck will start to move forward. With the fast moving planets direct, along with the Saturn-Uranus trine and Jupiter-Neptune trine we should end the month in a far calmer and better place than we started.