August 2025 astrology; rocky times!

 

This month the Sun leaves Leo for Virgo which is the mutable and last sign of summer. Mercury turns direct and continues its transit through Leo and Venus leaves Cancer for Leo bringing us one last blast of warm summer fun. Mars completes its cycle through Virgo and enters Libra and Jupiter hits its half way mark through Cancer. The full moon falls in Aquarius and the new moon in Virgo. This month the planets will form a rare ‘Star of David’ formation on August 3^rd, and we will experience some very rocky patches in our lives and the world. Now, the details.

August 1^st Venus squares Saturn, setting off the Saturn-Neptune square at 1 degree if Cancer-Aries. Venus rules money and women. The square to Saturn is not financially favorable and the square to Neptune creates confusion and lack of clarity. Making this a poor day for financial transactions and love, or meeting new people as you could be deceived or get the wrong impression. Confusion may abound especially with retrograde Mercury. Wait for another day concerning important matters is the best advice and don’t make mountains out of molehills.

The Star of David configuration

The Star of David, otherwise known as a grand sextile is a rare astrological formation that rarely occurs and is connected by 6 points that include the Sun, Moon and other planets.

This is a formation that is used in Judaism, Buddhism. Christianity and other religions but this configuration that appears in the sky is not connected with religion. Some astrologers believe that it portends significant events on earth and collective destiny.

A star formation occurred on October 28, 2024 and the next one will fall on August 3^rd.

The last star contained a T-square between the Sun, Pluto and Mars which can denote violence and cruelty and the world has seen plenty of this over the past year. The August 3^rd star includes a square between Venus, Neptune and Saturn which signals a continued erosion of women’s rights and is negative for economic circumstances globally as well as scandals, lies and disinformation.

This star does boast a sextile between Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, a trine between Saturn, Neptune, the moon and the outer planets; Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto are well aligned which can only be beneficial, especially in terms of technology, new inventions and ideas and communication.

The star is not totally visible from Earth as part of it is above the horizon and part below. In looking at this star I consider its meaning mixed; there are some great possibilities for the advancement of humankind and there are aspects that portend more of the same.

 

A rollercoaster ride

This summer we are getting a brief feel of what all of the planetary changes we will experience over the next decade will be like. Saturn has entered Aries and will remain in this sign until August 31^st, returning to Pisces on September 1st until February 2026.

 Neptune is in Aries until October 26^th when it retrogrades back into Pisces until January 2026 and Uranus is in Gemini until November 8^th when it retrogrades back into Taurus until April 2027. Get a feel of these placements and how they work in your chart because they will return and be with us for a long time to come.

Saturn is currently conjunct Neptune and this transit will continue on as long as Saturn is in Aries this summer, then it will conjunct Pisces during from September until early 2026 and then Aries again throughout 2026.

Saturn-Neptune is a significant transit in the world and in our own personal lives. Saturn represents our reality and structures and Neptune dissolves them. This should be evident over the past several months around the world with the wars, tariffs, political discord, and changes and there is a great deal more to come. This month the Saturn-Neptune conjunction will be ‘set off’ by Mars which means the transit will play out in the world and in our lives if it aspects your personal natal chart.

Saturn/Neptune is a difficult transit that always coincides with major changes. It is fortunate Saturn and Neptune will sextile Pluto in Aquarius and Uranus will trine Pluto. It’s hard to know what this will bring, but it is positive and likely connected with some type or types of advancements for all of humanity even though Saturn is conjunct Neptune.  We may see the beginning of this aspect this summer but will be far more prominent in 2026.

Mars sets off the Saturn-Neptune conjunction

August 6^th-13^th, 2025 Mars in Libra opposes the Saturn-Neptune conjunction. This will affect events around the globe and all of those with Cardinal planets (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) at 1-3 degrees.

Mars/Saturn transits coincide with events that can seem cruel. This is a frustrating aspect that indicates delays and anger. It can be associated with military, police, violence, accidents and rage. Mars-Neptune transits can be connected with scandals, gasses, chemicals, water events and misinformation. Anger and frustration are part of this aspect on a personal and global level.

August full moon

We are also dealing with a full moon on August 9^th at 18 degrees of Aquarius that may amp up the energies of the Mars/Saturn/Neptune transit. Retrograde Mercury will only heighten the confusion at this time. Since Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, it makes this an unpredictable full moon and transit.

In the US chart transiting Neptune is square Venus and Jupiter in the 7^th house of open enemies as Mars begins its opposition.  This house also rules legal matters, treaties and agreements and the public’s perception of these matters. Mars will ‘set off’ a powerful square between these planets in the US chart so this will have a significant affect. Venus and Jupiter are the financial planets and the potential exists for conflicts with those considered enemies, financial downturns, legal matters that take precedence and issues involving women. In particular Venus and Jupiter relate to finances.

Jupiter squares Saturn in the US chart adding to the turmoil

August 12-16 transiting Jupiter squares Saturn in the US chart. No doubt this relates to the US President and is not favorable, nor is it favorable for finances and money. This transit occurred September 2013 and US President Barak Obama was seeking Congressional approval to strike Syria which was in civil war although later it was decided not to. When the transit reoccurred again in January 2014 notable events included the US Supreme Court blocking same-sex marriages in Utah, and a significant winter storm impacting the Gulf and Atlantic.

 Internationally, the month saw the rise of ISIS in Iraq and a focus on ongoing negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. 

This final pass of this aspect in 2024 brought a tornado outbreak in the US:  in the central and eastern United States, particularly affecting areas in the Midwest, Great Plains, and Southeast, including deadly tornadoes in Arkansas and Mississippi.

Also the Flint water crisis begins: Officials in Flint, Michigan switched the city's water supply to the Flint River, which would later lead to lead contamination and a public health crisis. 

12 years earlier this aspect occurred in October 2001 and the US was undergoing significant trauma due to the September 11^th attacks, the US invaded Afghanistan and anthrax attacks were ongoing. When it reoccurred later in the year Enron filed bankruptcy, and AA flight 587 crashed and Guantanamo Bay Prison was opened.

August 6^th Mars enters Libra

Mars will enter Libra August 6^th- September 22^nd and is off to a rough start with its opposition to Saturn and Neptune as already discussed and we will see significant news play out.

Otherwise, 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.

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.

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.

Mercury turns direct!

Mercury turns direct at last August 11^th at 3:30AM, EDT at 4 degrees of Leo. This doesn’t mean we are out of the woods however. During Mercury’s direct station from August 11^th-14^th things often reverse direction once again or new information is revealed. Next to its retrograde direct period in the beginning this time is most often the period when issues occur or something changes. Wait these few days if you have something important because I have seen screw ups occur over and over leading to regrets during these important days when it is very powerful. Mercury will remain in its shadow period returning to normal until August 24^th.

The Sun enters Virgo

The Sun enters Virgo, the final sign of summer August 22-September 22^nd.

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. 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.

The August new moon in Virgo August 23

Happy birthday Virgo; this is your birthday new moon! This moon falls at 0 degrees of Virgo which means it squares Uranus in Gemini making it very unpredictable and powerful. Some new moons are more powerful than others such as the July new moon that opposed Pluto. This one will be more powerful as well with its square to the planet of unpredictability.

Virgo is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication and it is the ruler of the 6^th house of work, health and pets.

Uranus always brings change, sometimes expected, sometimes unexpected. Uranus is about freedom; sometimes at any cost, separations, rebellions, coups and it can keep us on our toes. Change is not always bad, sometimes it is needed. This moon is prone toward looking at things differently or potentially taking a different path than expected.

The Sun also squares Uranus in the early morning hours making this moon even more changeable and unpredictable. This will affect you personally if you have mutable planets (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces) at 0-3 degrees. We can expect to see many unexpected events around the globe today and during the days surrounding this new moon.

Venus enters Leo

Venus enters Leo August 25-September 19^th bringing us one last blast of summer fun!

Get ready for a big energy shift in your love life, social life and even financial life as Leo is the most dramatic of all signs for Venus to transit through. Venus rules love, values, our social lives and Venus is a financial planet as well.

When Venus transits through Leo we radiate with extra fire and desire for love. Leo loves to indulge, buy beautiful things and have fun! The best and highest manifestation of Venus in Leo is childlike joy, fun and happiness along with a deep seated loyalty toward those we really trust.

When Shakespeare wrote, ““All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players,” he must have been thinking of Venus in Leo.

Leo is bold and dramatic and will play out their dramas in real time if they feel slighted. There will be a great deal of acting out and people will speak their minds and their needs in a bigger way.  Some may appear or come across as flashy and grand or make big gestures toward those they are romantically attracted to. Love, affection and attraction becomes more outgoing, affectionate romantic and driven. Venus in Leo lives to be adored, pampered and made to feel special.

The downside to Leo comes when things go sideways and then personal drama can be extreme, egotistical, and actions or conversations can occur simply for the dramatic effect it will have. Being a fixed sign, Leo can be stubborn and arrogant at times. Venus in Leo means we will take our relationships and friendships more seriously and can be easily hurt if things don’t go as Leo thinks they should.

Leo is known for having a certain steadfastness and loyalty that is unique to the sign. Venus-Leo does not like to lose friends and will only do so if they feel they have not been treated in the correct way or have been mistreated. Trust is all important with Venus-Leo.

August 26^th, Venus opposes Pluto. This is not a great transit for Venus and prone to obsessions, arguments, breakups in some cases and often unexpected information is revealed. The key is to stay calm today and let this energy pass. It can certainly relate to deep thinking and decision making concerning relationships. This is a transit often seen in cases of domestic violence.

A great rest of the summer!