August Astrology Highlights – “Dancing with the Stars”

By Janis Page   c2010

Mambo loco!  This is the time many of us have been warily anticipating for a very long time… the month starts with the extreme tightening of the cardinal cross on the Aries/universal axis we’ve been talking about, which means the impact is far-reaching.   Toward the end of July, Saturn then Mars entered relationship-minded Libra, both opposed volatile Uranus in Aries (“ready, fire, aim!”), then they met for an exact conjunction.   As we said last month, Mars-Saturn is a bit like having one foot on the gas and the other on the brakes, and when feeling blocked can be quite impatient and impulsive, agitated and potentially accident prone.   Mars-Uranus combinations can be exciting and innovative, but also potentially explosive or at least disruptive. Mars-Saturn aspects tend to be frustrating and impatient and can bring up issues with power and authority, but also hold the potential of using the energy and the structure and discipline to get a lot done, effectively.   Stay focused, flexible, maintain neutrality, and take on challenging tasks that require focus, discipline, and perseverance.  And it always helps to remember not to take anything personally!   

That’s more than enough, but is just part of the dance we have in the sky now.   The effects are amplified as Uranus is conjunct Jupiter, both retrograde (Rx), as Jupiter-Uranus in Aries opposing Mars-Saturn in Libra are all square Pluto, lord of transformation but also power and the abuse of it, in patriarchal Capricorn.   What most astrologers will miss is that the uranian transneptunian Hades of decay and core authenticity fills out this tight grand square as it enters Cancer late on August 1^st, moving toward joining Kronos, another uranian transneptunian that relates to leaders, law and authority.   Security issues will be emphasized, and likely, there will more corruption coming to light.  

A few asteroids add more nuance and color… Jupiter and Uranus in Aries are joined by Mnemosyne, memory, and Hebe, relating to codependence and the need for boundaries.   Pluto holds his own, then Mars and Saturn are joined by asteroid Lilith, rejections, rivalries, triangulations, and decisions to be made, and Panacea, which brings solutions and resolutions (thank god).  Hades and Kronos are accompanied by Photographica (pictures, images), Requiem (“let it be” – acceptance) and Daedalus, the artful dodger.   Old relationship issues may come up for resolution or avoidance, which doesn’t work very well these days… 

Well, we’d better get past August 1^st!    Several of these aspects crunch tighter on the 3^rd, as the Jupiter square Pluto, Mars opposing Jupiter, and Mars squaring Pluto (that one is potentially violent, very strong willed) are exact.  There is also a major solar flare with coronal mass ejection or “solar tsunami” expected to hit our lovely Earth that day.  Wow!   Let’s hope the Aurora Borealis is in full glory, and people are not in a more agitated and potentially violent temperament.  Keep your cool, and maintain neutrality…  

Venus will enter Libra on the 6^th, joining Mars and Saturn, just before what is being called  the “Lion’s Gate” on Sunday, August 8^th, coming into the new Moon at 17 degrees of bold Leo on the 9^th, which will have Venus conjunct Saturn (and all the rest of the above piled onto the Aries axis!) directly aspecting the new Moon on the 90 degree dial.   With the compression and intensification of the cardinal square on the Aries axis, Venus and the new Moon may help bring the possibility of grace, breakthroughs in awareness, and great growth for those willing to show up, pay attention, and participate.   It may (or may not) be a little while before some of the profound impacts of this time are apparent, but likely much will be able to be traced to this time as a further culmination of the energies and eclipses of the last several months.    

In all of this, there is the possibility of great awakening and breakthrough – the challenges are enormous, we’ve been clearing so much.   But the potential gifts for those willing to show up and do the work with an open heart and in unity consciousness are just as immense and profound!    There are many blessings here – hold that as your focus, and your right.     

Mercury turns retrograde at 19 Virgo on Friday the 20^th beginning its third three-week backward trek of the year, which is a time to reevaluate and fine-tune ideas and plans and finish up old projects, just before another testy aspect of Saturn squaring Pluto the next day on the 21^st.   By the time of the full Moon on August 24^th, the energies are softening a bit, with the Sun in diligent and mindful Virgo opposing the Moon in sensitive Pisces.  By then, Uranus will have retrograded back into Pisces as well (it does so on the 13^th) reactivating the mutual reception between Uranus and Neptune for one last swan song, so to speak.   With a mutual reception, two planets are in each other’s sign – here, Uranus in Neptune-ruled Pisces, and Neptune in Uranus-ruled Aquarius, bringing greater connection and accordance between them.

Stay cool both physically and emotionally in this summer month of August, which is hot, both literally and metaphorically.   Be aware, relaxed yet ready to make changes quickly if needed or opportunity arises.  Again, pay attention to the energy, not the seeming appearance or movement of things.   As Zen teacher Cheri Huber advises, pay attention to everything; don’t believe anything; don’t take anything personally.   Flow, keep your “clown chakra” actively engaged (sense of humor!) as well as keeping an open mind and open heart in compassion and gratitude, and enjoy the ride!   Peace and blessings to all.