August is the month of Leo, playful, fun-loving, generous, enthusiastic, creative, dignified, warm-hearted, loyal, proud, egotistical, attention seeking, and dramatic. Ruled by the center of our universe, the Sun, Leos have a need to feel they are the center of attention. As are all the fixed signs, fiery Leo can be stubborn, dogmatic, and have a reactive temper. Remember, we all have some Leo and how we fit these qualities depends on how much. Sometimes the Sun sign is not the strongest influence in the chart. But Leo time is the time for fun in the Sun.
Half of the ten primary planets are retrograde or moving in an apparent backward motion. This overwhelming emphasis on retrograde planets means that we are in a very subjective phase. Even with Leo’s tendency for drama and demonstration, this is a time to look at where we’ve been and see how our past actions have created our present circumstances. We might also look at the power of our thoughts. If our thoughts and focus are on something we don’t want, we could be bringing more of what we don’t want back to us. No longer telling the stories of what is or has gone wrong in our lives can change everything.
We are fully immersed into eclipse season with a third and last coming up at the New Moon on August 11th. The atmosphere is already highly electrified by the total lunar eclipse on July 27th in Aquarius. And we start this month with the Moon in fiery Aries and the second, possibly most potent, of the three fixed squares between Mars in Aquarius and Uranus in Taurus, because Uranus is literally at a stand-still before going retrograde on the 7th and retrograde Mars in revolutionary Aquarius is the closest it has been to earth since 2003, increasing its influence on our lives. On a personal level most of us may not have major events happening, always depending on what is occurring in our individual charts, but we can see and feel the changes in the planet and the governments across the globe. You remember the song, “This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.†There is no exact date for the entry, but we are feeling changes on the planet and a slow shift from the patriarchal dominance and abuse of women, the poor and minorities. For tonight tempers may become more volatile and actions less predictable.
Thursday, the 2nd, the Mars / Uranus square is still reverberating and will for a while. In the evening the Aries Moon squares Pluto in Capricorn then trines Mercury in Leo. There may be control issues, but communication can smooth things out. Friday the Moon moves into Taurus, and after a fixed square to Mars in Aquarius and a possible ‘rough’ afternoon we’ll be ready for a surprise in the evening as the easy-going Taurus Moon crosses spontaneous Uranus and trines grounded Saturn in Capricorn. If you go shopping on Saturday, be careful of overspending as the materialistic Taurus opposes ‘expansive’ Jupiter in Scorpio.
Sunday, the 5th, should be easy with all trines and the Moon moves into chatty Gemini in the evening. Monday, the 6th, Venus moves into artistic Libra till September 9th, enhancing charm and social activities. The Sun squares Jupiter in Scorpio, so we can expect exaggeration and things overly dramatized. Try not to make a mountain out of a mole hill, as they say. Humor may help. On Tuesday, the 7th Uranus begins its 5-month retrograde period till next January, increasing impatience about restrictions and limitations. Venus in Libra trines Mars in Aquarius, a nice blending of the yin and yang. And the Moon’s entry into nurturing Cancer wraps a nice soft blanket around our shoulders. Wednesday, the 8th is a day for communication, ideas, and creativity as the Sun crosses Mercury, in Leo and the Cancer Moon makes a grand trine with the other two water signs, Jupiter in Scorpio and Neptune in Pisces. Intuition is in overdrive. So, pay attention. On Thursday, the 9th, Venus in Libra squares Saturn in Capricorn, putting a damper on social interactions. Patience may be required, especially as the Moon moves into fiery Leo and opposes impatient Mars in “don’t fence me in†Aquarius. Arguments could go late into the night as the Moon squares unpredictable Uranus in stubborn Taurus. And Friday night, the Moon and Mercury in fiery and fixed Leo both square “over-doing†Jupiter. This evening calls for moderation and being grounded, as we prepare for the New Moon and Solar eclipse in the early hours of Saturday.
The New Moon and solar eclipse occurs at just about 3 am Saturday, the 11th. As mentioned above Leo, the natural performer of the zodiac, is ruled by the Sun and intrinsically linked to light and warmth. The Sun’s light eclipsed by the Moon is a bit like a power-outage forcing us out of our routine and prompting us to become more innovative. This New Moon and solar eclipse is joined by Mercury and all square Jupiter, the zodiac speaker of our highest and deepest truth, in Scorpio. This is the last eclipse of the year and calls us to tune into our heart. What does the heart really want for us? Can we take the risk to open once more and let life in more fully?
Sunday, the 12th, retrograde Mars moves back temporarily into Capricorn, giving us four planets again in the sign of organization and responsibility. The primary planetary action happens later in the day, giving us several hours to adjust to the effects of yesterday’s solar eclipse. The Moon moved into Virgo last evening and makes an opportunity sextile to Jupiter in Scorpio this evening, showering us with optimism and understanding. And the day ends with the Moon opposing Neptune in Pisces, softening our perceptions of reality and helping us to drift off to dreamland. However, if you happen to be up late, it is the Perseids meteor showers. As it’s the dark time for the moon the ‘falling stars’ should be spectacular. This is also considered the best ‘shower’ of the year. And best after midnight.
The next few days are relatively quiet after two weeks of intense activity. The big meteor showers usually go on for at least a few days before and after, so if you’re up late be sure to watch. Tuesday evening, the 14th is a good time for communications as the Crescent Moon in Libra makes an opportunity sextile to Mercury in Leo. Thursday, the 16th may bring early morning disruption as the Scorpio Moon opposes Uranus in Taurus. And this evening may not be the best time to try and ‘hash-out’ issues and problems as the Scorpio Moon squares Mercury, planet of communication and how we perceive things through the senses. On Saturday, the 18th Mercury in Leo and Venus in Libra sextile, helping to make social interactions harmonious. And this evening Mercury returns to direct motion, liberating those who have been cautiously avoiding signing contracts or starting new projects for the previous 24 days.
Giant Jupiter has shouldered three long term aspects in 2018, all of which complete in August and September. The first is the creative Jupiter-Neptune water trine (Scorpio-Pisces) making its third and final trine on Sunday the 19th. The previous dates were December 2, 2017 and May 25, 2018. This aspect helps us to find a positive perspective in difficult times, advances spiritual growth, and allows us to release old resentments and anger. There is little activity in the last two days of Leo time. And we begin Virgo time on the night of Wednesday, the 22nd. On the 23rd the Aquarius Moon squares its planetary ruler Uranus, currently in Taurus bringing disruptions in the afternoon. Friday, the 24th suggests patience in communication in the afternoon as the Moon in Aquarius forms a stubborn fixed opposition to Mercury in Leo. Sometimes being right does not produce the best outcome. In the early evening the Moon makes a fixed square to Jupiter in Scorpio, where exaggeration and/or overindulgence could be a tendency. This is the night before the peak of the lunar cycle and energy is intense. But later, a lunar trine to Venus in harmony-seeking Libra can smooth over any issues with charm and diplomacy.
On Sunday, the 26th, the other big monthly aspect of our two lights again peaks in the early am. The Sun in Virgo and Moon in Pisces oppose for the Full Moon in Pisces. This also happens to be Women’s Equality Day. Full Moons often magnify, bringing matters to a head. With a Pisces Full Moon, the focus is on the inner world, the rich realms of fantasy and vision. Sometimes our critical minds can discount our imagination, though we subconsciously rely on our intuition, or inner guidance. The Pisces Moon is a distinctly feminine energy, so connections between females will now tend to be closer and more needed, powerful, or significant. The Virgo Sun’s role in this Full Moon puts the emphasis on health, logic, and practicality. At this time, we can use our subtle psychic, and intuitive levels of perception to find clearer answers and inspirations, especially in Virgo’s realms of work and health. This Full Moon provides an opportunity to change negative patterns and achieve or rediscover equilibrium. Using a blending of the rational mind and our creative intuition there is opportunity to come up with solutions or find help from others. The Sun is also making a Grand earth trine with Uranus in Taurus and Saturn in Capricorn, helping us to tap into our inner genius for ideas and solutions.
The other aspect on this auspicious day is a square between Venus in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn, intensifying personal relationships. The next day, Monday, the 27th, Mars returns to direct motion, freeing up some of the projects left undone, or left only in the idea phase for completion or getting started. This evening Mercury in Leo makes a fixed or stubborn square to Jupiter in Scorpio, so, communication may be challenging. There are no other major planetary aspects this week. Lunar aspects are in affect for 2 or 3 hours, while the planets effect more longevity. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in this last week have practically identical aspects as the first three days of the month. Tuesday’s good for early productivity. There are obstacles in the afternoon. Patience may be required. Wednesday, the 29th (like Thursday, the 2nd) has possible control issues in the evening, but communication and a sense of humor can help. People are impatient, impulsive, and in a hurry Thursday afternoon. Frustration is likely. Plan something fun and different in the evening to change the energy.
Do make it a good month. If any of you would like to learn more about what planets are prominent in your charts and how to use them for your benefit, what energies you’ve been dealing with, and what energies are coming, call me. I’ve been doing this for a very long time. I do comparisons and relationship reports. And I offer telephone consultations for those at a distance.
Kayte Ryann, Astrologer – 707-579-2610, texts – 707-322-0308, e/m – kayteryann@comcast.net
