August 2023 astrology

 

We begin the month of August with a powerful and unpredictable full moon in Aquarius on August 1^st. There will be two full moons this month, and some refer to the 2^nd one on August 31st as a ‘Blue moon,’ since this seldom happens. Venus remains retrograde all month shaking up and challenging relationships and Mercury turns retrograde on August 23^rd delaying plans and providing us with new or additional information. The Sun transits through fun loving Leo and then moves into Virgo, joining Mercury and Mars in the same sign. Uranus retrogrades on August 29th, giving us a total of 6 out of 10 planets in retrograde creating many delays. Now, the details.

Full Moon in Aquarius August 1st

Aquarius is the sign ruled by unpredictable Uranus (and Saturn). Uranus is connected with unexpected events, sometimes explosive; freedom and separations, aircraft, and lightening. Events connected to Uranus are often shocking and seem to come out of the blue, and this may well be the case this time since the Aquarius Moon will square Uranus. If you are seeking freedom from something, now could be the time, depending on your circumstances, or an unexpected idea could strike just like lightening. Make sure you think things through and don’t act on impulse which is unlikely with Mercury’s opposition to Saturn. This will affect anyone with mutable planets (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces) at 3-7 degrees in the birth chart. This transit can represent negative thinking and emotions, less than satisfactory news, and is indicative of slow if not heavy or serious thought.

Mars however, trines Jupiter at this time at 13 degrees of Taurus/Virgo. This is an extremely upbeat and positive transit and will help to dispel some of the negative Mercury-Saturn energy. This is not a Moon for couch potatoes as movement and change is likely.

New Moon in Leo August 16^th

This month’s New Moon falls in the sign of Leo or the ruler of the 5^th house of children, friends, love and entertainment. Now is the time to be a little more indulgent in terms of fun and romance as this is next to the last New Moon of Summer!

This Moon squares Uranus making it quite unpredictable. Plans may change or you could decide to do something on the spur of the moment. Be flexible as this is not the time to set plans or ideas in stone but rather go with the flow and see how things turn out.

Sometimes Uranus transits are about freedom or breaking away from something or even someone. If this is the case Uranus is directing you toward new ideas, goals and plans so if this is the case it is better to look toward the future than the past.

You could feel elated, or nervous and all over the board. In any case this energy is temporary and things will level out over the next several days or when the Moon enters Virgo within the next 12 hours.

The Sun enters Virgo and Mercury retrogrades

The Sun enters Virgo August 23^rd, the same day as Mercury turns retrograde at 21 degrees of Virgo. The Sun is in the mutable sign of summer when the weather begins to shift and will remain here until September 23^rd.

Virgo is a mutable or changeable sign ruled by Mercury the planet of communication. This sign is the natural ruler of the sixth house of work and health and it signals to us that now is the time to get organized, focused and pay attention to our health and day to day activities.

Virgo energy is associated with healing and it is detailed and focused, intellectual, grounded, health conscious, stable, analytical, critical, conscientious, discriminating, fastidious, and modest so we should expect to see these characteristics and qualities play out in our world and with those around us during this time.

As the Sun enters Virgo our thoughts tend to be more about work, production, and overall accomplishment.  It is no surprise that school typically starts back up during the Virgo season. Stores are stocked full of notebooks, and all types of things to organize, and prepare for success. Everything has its season and this is the time for planning, implementing plans and moving forward in a more organized and fruitful way. Virgo teaches us to work smart, instead of just working hard.

While Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo, conversation and thought tend to be more detailed and focused while in Virgo. Gemini is more expansive, but can be scattered and not as detail oriented as Virgo, so each sign plays its role with Mercury in a different way.

Virgo has a natural and instinctive understanding of the connection between body, mind and soul so this is an auspicious time to kick start your own well being and treat your body with respect. Now is the time to make positive changes in diet, fitness, and explore natural remedies if this seems appropriate or visit a Dr. If you have any health concerns.

The downside of Virgo can be a desire for perfection which sometimes leads people to believe Virgo energy is about fault finding and being overly critical. This can be true at times but at the core, Virgo energy is concerned with facts and seeing all matters clearly. Virgo is in tune with doing things the correct way and getting down to the problem solving. In other words, Virgo simply wants to get things right and sometimes this can manifest in overly critical or perfectionist tendencies. While these intentions may be well meaning, not everyone takes criticism well, or considers it constructive, so this is an area that needs to be watched as we travel through the Virgo season each year.

Mercury turns stationary retrograde August 23-28th. This will be a powerful retrograde as Mercury is in one of its own signs of rulership. These few days the change in energy will become apparent although Mercury will remain in its retrograde until September 15^th.

Mercury turns retrograde 3 or 4 times a year, and generally has a bad name and elicits groans when mentioned.  To an extent this is perfectly understandable, as retrograde Mercury is the planet that causes delays, glitches, breakdowns in computers and equipment, relationships, slowdowns and brings hidden factors to the surface. It is however part of a natural cycle, and this period is meant to recess, redo and reconsider plans and situations in our lives, rather than starting new projects.

Plans can be put on hold, miscommunication can occur, relationships can end or change, and cars, computers and other machinery can break down at the most inopportune moment.

When planets retrograde, their effects on humans are different than when in direct motion. Thinking is deeper, situations often appear to go underground for a time, or change altogether, and sometimes our focus shifts. Mercury retrograde is the most talked about retrograde, because it is a fast moving planet that controls our thinking, speech, travel, and cognitive skills.

When Mercury retrogrades, I always tell people, ‘Mercury retrograde is a wild card.” Sometimes, relationships can be fixed and problems brought out into the open if it is worth saving. The karma of a relationship will often play out as retrograde cycles are karmic in nature. Expect delays, changes of plans and try and not have situations set in stone.  In other words, prepare to be flexible.  Mercury retrograde is often a frustrating time to be looking for a job.  Don’t give up though, just keep plugging on and stay on top of all communication. And make sure you are direct and to the point in your communication with others.  If you don’t understand what someone is telling you, by all means ask for clarification.

With this retrograde in Virgo we need to watch our speech and communication as we may become overly critical or even overly analytical of people and situations, or other people may seem this way to us.

Virgo rules the 6th house of health and work and it is here we will be focused during this retrograde. Many people may start diets, and re-adjust their lifestyles and exercise as it relates to health and this is a positive use of this energy. Issues at work that weren't dealt with may crop up as well.

The second most stressful period is when Mercury turns 'stationary direct.' as it prepares to move forward September 15-19th. At this point plans may change once again, but after this period things will slowly begin to return to normal. While Mercury is officially direct on September 15^th, results may continue to play out at least through the 19^th.

Mars enters Libra August 27th

September 27^th, Mars leaves Virgo for Libra where it will remain until October 12^th. We can expect a major energy shift as Mars-Libra is considerably different from Mars in Virgo.

Mars is our action planet and rules men, sex, the way we act and come across to others, conflict and wars to name a few.

Mars in Libra is considered at its detriment which means its action is weakened and this may represent a passive aggressive type of energy at times. Mars is ruled by Aries, and Libra is the opposite sign so this placement is not as active or action oriented as it would be in other signs. That does not mean however it is bad or negative, just different. Mars in Libra can be quite pleasant and peaceful, and most will make a greater attempt to avoid unpleasant scenarios.

Whereas Mars in Virgo is action and accomplishment oriented, Mars in Libra is more about companionship, relationships, and creating balance and harmony with others, so our actions and direction will change as well. During this period Mars is in Venus’s sign, so we will be driven by Venus, which is all about love, beauty, peace, harmony, fairness and our values. Mars/Libra is concerned with creating harmony, justice and avoiding conflict, and some may be more focused than ever on finding or maintaining a relationship. Libra is represented by the scales of justice, and fairness or justice to all becomes more important with Mars in this sign. Libra likes to balance things, weigh both sides of a question and then make an informed and intelligent decision, as do all Air signs.

Libra rules marriage and committed relationships so relationships and partnerships of all types will take up more time and attention over the next 6 weeks. This is not limited to romantic relationships, but can extend to friendships, work, business relationships and any other type of ongoing social relationship or partnership.

At times Libra represents courts, lawyers and court battles as well, but Mars moving into this sign is not going to create a court battle or lawsuit without some other very heavy aspects in your personal chart. If you are engaged in a legal situation, there could be more activity during while Mars is in this sign, and we may see more in the news about courts and legal battles.

Negative qualities of Mars in Libra can include procrastination, lack of decisiveness in action, and avoiding any conflict at all costs for the sake of not rocking the boat. Mars-Libra can almost sense conflict before it occurs and is adept at knowing when dissention is going to happen so this is a great sign for conflict management and resolution. Libra is not the most decisive placement for Mars, but eventually things get done.

If you are born with Mars in Libra you are naturally in focus with the moods, feelings and ideas of those around you, determined to maintain harmony. People born with Mars in Libra typically dislike ugly and confrontational situations sometimes surrendering an argument or issue to keep harmony.

One famous Mars in Libra is Abraham Lincoln, who once said, “Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?’  This is the epitome of Mars-Libra.

Augusts’ Blue Moon

The 2^nd Full Moon of the month falls on August 31^st just before the Labor Day weekend. This Moon is in Pisces, the most sensitive and intuitive of signs.

Pisces rules the 12^th house of the unknown that includes the spiritual realm, jails and prisons, hospitals and places of seclusion. At times, endings can occur with a full moon in the 12^th house.

Pisces is associated with compassion, spirituality, drugs and alcohol and addictions of all types. This sign is like a double edged sword; you can soar to the heights, or sink to the lowest of depths.

This Moon opposes Saturn which can create a negative or despondent affect. Saturn deals with reality and at times a Moon like this can force us to look at a reality we would rather not deal with.

This Moon falls on the 12^th/6^th house axis which deals with work, health and things that are unseen or hidden. If there are any hidden health issues it’s possible they could crop up at this time, but this is not something that should be anticipated.

Uranus turns retrograde

August 28th, Uranus stations to retrograde as it does every year. Uranus is an erratic and unpredictable planet that is associated with sudden and unexpected events as well as cutting edge innovations.  If you are experiencing a Uranus transit personally, Uranus’s stationary retrograde can be a significant period and we will seek innovation and changes within ourselves and our own inner thinking and way of approaching things. We may look to new directions new ways of thinking, or in some cases a totally different path depending on whether or not you feel things in your life are working as they should be. These changes will generally take place on an inner level and focused on the outside world when Uranus reverses course and turns direct again January 27^th, 2024.

On the world stage, Uranus rules aircraft, inventions, coups, explosions and explosive change. We can expect to see many things happening in the world over these few days as Uranus changes course. It is significant this retrograde occurs just after the Sun opposes Saturn August 27^th and just before the full Moon in Pisces August 30^th. Uranus’s change in direction will amp up the energies of these two aspects and we may see a dramatic turn of events in some way globally and in our lives if these aspects hit your chart.

Jupiter in Taurus reaches the halfway mark this month at 15 degrees of Taurus. You will be affected in a positive way if you have Earth or Water planets in the middle degrees of your chart. Enjoy it while you can as Jupiter retrogrades on September 4^th, the same day Venus turns direct.

Other transits of interest;

August 9^th, Venus squares Uranus-This is unpredictable in terms of romance and you may be looking to try something different or there could be a sudden change of plans. Sometimes unexpected events occur at this juncture.

August 13^th, the Sun conjuncts Venus-This is a positive if not lovely transit indicative of warm feelings and a desire for companionship and fun. Enjoy!

August 15^th, the Sun squares Uranus-This can be a rather explosive transit that can be very upsetting and changeable. Change or separations of some type could occur, along with a significant news event.

August 22^nd, Mars opposes Neptune-This is tiring and foggy energy indicative of confusion and misunderstandings. For some this could cause anxiety and a significant lack of clarity. This is not the best day for making important decisions. Sometimes this transit could indicate water related events.

August 23^rd, Mercury retrogrades at 3:59PM, EDT.

August 27^th, the Sun opposes Saturn-This is tiring, draining energy and for some it could represent an encounter with reality. Otherwise, you may have responsibilities and obligations you must take care of. This is what Saturn is all about.

 

 

 

 

The Goddess of Love steps back again

 

First there was the Hollywood writers strike that shut down late night TV. Now, the actors have gone on strike and big parts of the issue are the diminishing returns from residuals due to the streaming services. The last time both writers and actors were on strike at the same time was 1960 and it lasted approximately 165 days.

This is really no surprise since Venus is stationing to retrograde in Leo at the time of this post. Leo is the sign that rules theatre, acting, royalty and entertainment. With the strike shutting down network TV shows and more you can see that a retrograde Venus concerns much more than love and relationships, although most people associate it with love.

Venus is one of the two most beneficial planets along with Jupiter. In addition to love it rules beauty, the arts, money, our social lives and values. This may be a period of time when many reevaluate what their values really are, both collectively an as individuals.

When Venus stations to turn retrograde July 18-22, it becomes very powerful if it is aspecting a planet in your chart the results will be more significant, for better or worse, depending on what it is aspecting.

When it turns retrograde, it is still stationary since it hasn’t started moving back yet and this is called ‘stationary retrograde’ and it is especially powerful at this time. This will last from July 22-28^th. During this period Venus is at 28 degrees of Leo so if this aspects something in your chart it should be significant.

From July 28^th-August 28^th Venus appears to move backward. It is an illusion that it is moving in a backward direction but the energy and ersults is very real.

Venus stations to turn direct August 29^th-September 4^th at 12 degrees of Leo. If this is making a positive aspect in your chart you should experience some significant positive event related to Venus. Venus will then repeat the entire cycle again and will remain in the sign of Leo until October 9^th.

What does Venus do during its retrograde?

As Venus retrogrades we have an opportunity to rethink and re-access our relationships with others and those closest to us. Love energy may be harder to come by during this period, but we may compensate for this by loving ourselves more. Feelings become more defined giving us a clearer picture as to what is important and what is not in terms of any Venusian activity, especially relationships.

If you begin a new relationship on a retrograde Venus it is said the love energy is never fully expressed. If this is the case, things could also change after Venus turns direct again and energy shifts. Venus retrograde is sometimes associated with those we have known in the past. At times we can reconnect, or take many trips down memory lane.

Some relationships that are tottering on the edge may well end during this time. Some will change partners, and for others they may connect with someone from the past they have known previously. To an extent, Venus retrograde is a wild card.

Venus retrogrades repeat by sign every 8 years

Venus retrogrades every 18 months and the retrograde period lasts about 42 days. Venus repeats it’s retrograde in the same sign every 8 years. You could experience something similar to the Venus retrograde summer of 2015 which is the last time it retrograded in Leo.

Venus retrograde and its karmic affect

Venus retrograde affects love, money, personal values and our social lives most importantly. When it is retrograde all of these things can become more difficult in some way, but at the same time we can gain more clarity as to where we are going and who we are going there with. Venus retrograde is a karmic period and at times our love lives can take dramatic shifts one way or another.  The karma of relationships sometimes plays out and relationships can end, or come back together. If a relationship comes back together it was meant to, and if one ends at this time, it is granting you the freedom to find someone more appropriate. There is a heavy fated quality to retrograde Venus.

Love, money and values

A retrograde Venus can affect money and for some it may slow down a bit during this period or money issues or matters may come to light in a more direct way at this time.

Sometimes we are put in positions where we have to determine what our personal values actually are. We could experience a moral or ethical crisis that could bring these issues to light.

A retrograde Venus is not the time to;

-begin a new relationship-it might not last after Venus turns direct and if it does it may never be quite satisfactory in some way.

-do not have elective cosmetic surgery.

-do not buy big ticket items connected to art, jewelry or beauty.

-do not get married or engaged

-do not release projects connected to art, music or entertainment

We may reconnect with others and this is not limited to romantic relationships. You could meet up with old friends, clients or acquaintances you have known before.

Venus retrograde will affect our personal lives and it will play out in the world as well. Venus retrograde will be followed by Jupiter’s retrograde on September 4^th, the same day Venus turns direct.

The collective will be affected by Venus retrograde. During this time we will be forced to re-evaluate what is working, what is not, and what we value as individuals as well as a collective, and make changes toward those ideas that do not serve the majority well. Issues involving royalty, the entertainment business, artistic ventures or children and pregnancy could be front and center.

Significant aspects involving Venus;

August 9, Venus squares Uranus-Unexpected change in money, relationships or some other matter may change suddenly, some breakups could occur or it could represent a monetary or job loss since Venus is retrograde.

August 22, Venus squares Jupiter-This is typically not a negative aspect but this could change with Venus’ retrograde. Something could be blown out of proportion and matters may be confusing with Mars’ opposition to Neptune. Not the day for important money matters.

Venus turns direct September 3^rd at 9; 20PM, EDT. It will remain in its retrograde ‘shadow’ until October 7^th.

 

 

 

A changing of the guard personally and collectively

 

The North and south Nodes are not planets but points in the chart. The change signs every 18 months and affect our collective as well as personal destiny. These are otherwise known as the lunar nodes or the ‘nodes of fate,’ and they oppose each other.

July 18^th, the lunar nodes change from the axis of Taurus/Scorpio to Aries/Libra for the next 18 months.

Our collective as well as personal destiny is shown in the North and South Nodes. These are not planets but calculated points in the chart. Everyone is born with both a North and South node, which show us where we are headed as a collective. Both nodes tell a story regarding our fate and destiny; the North node is where we are headed and the South node shows us what we need to leave behind or release. While the North Node is the ideal of what we hope to achieve, the South Node is what can hold us back.

When the North Node enters Aires (South node in Libra) we will be called to balance our own personal interests versus the interests of others in society as well as partnership issues. We will be asked to find a new direction between ourselves as individuals versus our relationships and personal/social networks in our own lives and on the world stage as well. The nodes are connected to the eclipses over the next 18 months and will present is with fated opportunities tied to destiny.

As the North Node shifts into Aries we are called to find our true authentic self and our highest calling as opposed to the expression of Libra which rules partnerships and marriage. We must find our own place and learn to balance we versus me. The North node in aries calls for more freedom, independence and self care balanced with what we give and receive from others.

Anyone born over the next 18 months will be born with their North and South Node in Libra/Aries which will point to their personal destiny. The last time the lunar nodes transited through Aries-Libra was December 27, 2004-June 22, 2006.

Mercury opposes Pluto; obsessions and going into the murky depths

 

Mercury opposes Pluto and this aspect is exact on Monday, July 10^th at 4:48PM, EDT. One word that describes this aspect is ‘propaganda.’ Certainly we will see this in the news but everything trickles down to our own lives as well. Astrology works in the collective, and it works with is as individuals as well.

Propaganda on a personal level means there may be others trying to convince you of their viewpoint, or it may be the other way around and you might try to convince someone else of something. Obviously, this aspect can cause arguments and disagreements if you choose to go there. Self control is the key dealing with others, as well as controlling your own thoughts.

Mercury-Pluto aspects lean toward obsessions, and uncovering information not previously known. Pluto wants depth and Mercury tends to dig in deeply for information with this aspect. This can also bring up deep seated memories from the past that are not especially pleasant and it may be hard to let go until the aspect passes.

If you push others, expect pushback. This aspect is also prone toward accidents so watch your driving.

This aspect will have a major impact on anyone with planets at 28-29 degrees of Cancer, Capricorn, Libra or Aries.