As we near the end of the first week of the new lunar month, we approach the first quarter square between the Sun in Leo in its anaretic degree, 29/23 and the Moon at 29/23 degrees of Scorpio. Being that this square at this particular degree signals a crisis of some type, you might be noticing a building up of energy that is calling up some basic issues and needs from within you. As first quarter squares often reveal areas where blocks, challenges, or delays occur, this might be a time when you are beginning to see how you may need to make some adjustments. Notice where 27-30 degrees of the fixed planets (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) fall in your chart. These areas will give you an indication of where your life is facing the challenges of the lunar cycle. On Saturday, August 22, the First Quarter square occurs. Also notice where 0-1 degrees of the the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) fall, for this is where changes are manifesting for the future. Seeking perspective is the name of the game at this time. Avoid getting overly upset or emotionally distraught about the little details and temporary set backs. Look instead at the bigger picture, and appreciate how whatever is falling apart is making room for a new shape, path, or form to begin.
Mercury in Virgo from Aug. 7-27 provides some clarity and groundedness to all forms of communication. Ways open, doors appear where there seemed to be no opening, and information flows more freely now. In one of its ruling signs, Mercury is comfortable in Virgo, and as such we feel more centered, in tune, and clear about many areas of our lives. Projects, communication, and details that seemed overwhelming prior to this time, now flow more easily. You are able to wrap up the pieces that have been hanging on, weighing down, or getting in the way of clear communication. Move on with projects that need tending to. Be wary of becoming too critical or aloof. Clarity of thought needs to be tempered in conversation so as not to come across in too harsh a manner.
Early Thursday morning (August 20) Mercury Virgo opposed Chiron, the Wounded Healer in Pisces. My male tomcat woke me up, bringing a curtain and several items on a shelf above my bed, down onto me. The items that fell included an angel and a sea shell. Symbols of Venus and a message from Mercury. Last night in meditation, I suggested we each listen for a question to rise up—a question that is of importance to us at this time in our lives. And then to watch for, listen for, and notice what kinds of symbols, signs, messages, and guidance showed up in the next few days. My sweet tom cat woke me to play, and has been wanting to lead me on a chase all morning. The angels, symbolizes God’s messages, Divine guidance, and the seashell, the life force, the ocean, and the depths of consciousness. Mercury opposing Chiron allows for us to get stronger than ever messages and signs as well as the guidance or knowledge we need for discerning what is calling us to do, be, or understand. I also had a dream that I was serving the Queen of England a cup of hot tea, and that there was a spice scattered all over the table beneath her cup. I was concerned about the spice but thought it would be rude to blow the spice away, so I served her tea and ignored the spice. Now that’s going to take some time to figure out, but obviously something about protocol, serving a higher power, and the spices of life. I think that gives me a lot to think about…all that and it’s not even noon. A bit later, Mercury also made a stress aspect to Uranus in Taurus. This aspect brings about some sudden news, information, or a bit of enlightenment, an ‘aha’ moment that puts things into perspective. Notice what occurs to you or happens around this time.
The Moon shifts from Libra to Scorpio on Thursday, and then makes some heavy aspects with some of the major players throughout the day. This should trigger deep emotional stirrings. A stress aspect to Chiron, signals some deep grieving, mourning, or other type of repressed emotional need. We may feel weepy for no apparent reason, become melancholy or giddy for much the same reason. Just notice what kinds of feelings rise up during the day. These feelings may help indicate where healing is needed or is taking place. Tonight, the Moon in Scorpio square Mars in Leo. That can signal a pretty signigicant upset or encounter with male energy. Honor your personal sense of space and guard yourself, protecting yourself from any harsh or negative energy attacks. Avoid going overboard emotionally at this time. Seek a sense of safety and serenity, and avoid using anything that will lower your protective barriers. Practice meditation, read uplifting material, listen to uplifting music, and seek to make your evening as peaceful and relaxing as possible. A bit later the Moon will make a stress aspect with Uranus, so allow yourself to notice how your own emotions, perspctive, and practices can change and direct your own energy and healing. Focus on healing, health, and wholeness.
Venus in Leo (July 31-Oct.8) is a key influence in our lives right now. Retrograde until September 6th, Venus is making some beneficial and benevolent aspects in our lives/charts right now. Today, August 20, for instance, Venus in Leo trines Uranus in Aries, a powerful and potent aspect bringing with it unexpected and shocking news, encounters, and opportunities. Whatever is happening at this time is full of fiery, rich, abundant expressions—expressions highlighted in our romantic lives, in the development of relationships, and in our understanding and growth in all things related to Venus—love, beauty, pride, and passion. At this time, we seek and need validation for who we are and how we are able to both give and receive love. Any gaps in our love life, missing pieces of our search for beauty and creative outlets, will now become more and more important. The spotlight is shining on the areas in our lives where we have identified lack, need, and desire. Whatever we have been needing or craving, can appear in some form that may upset our traditional views. We find love coming to us in strange and new disguises, and from places we might have forgotten even existed in our lives. Release any negative thoughts, stereotypes, or patterns that keep you from receiving the highest and healthiest forms of love and artistic inspiration. Let things go a bit, and see what is standing in front of you at this time.
Venus focuses our attention more on the romance and idealism of love and relationships, and in some ways, this is where we get stuck in our idea of what a loving relationship entails. We get drawn into giving up part of ourselves to please another, or get drawn into accepting what someone else wants rather than honoring our own needs. Now is a good time to observe just what drives and compulsions are operating in your life. How are relationships affected by unhealed, undeveloped, or misguided perceptions? During the Venus-Uranus trine (Aug. 18-20), we began to see how we might step out of our familiar patterns and be more open to approaching love in a different way. We may begin to see how our own needs have changed, and how our ideal relationship may have changed as well. What we once sought, is no longer intereting. In some ways we may have outgrown or grown through a certain phase of life. What we needed to learn, develop, or discover has changed. Be aware of what feeds and nourishes your desires at this point. What inspires and drives your dreams and visions?
Once Venus moves out of the trine aspect with Uranus, the two planets become parallel to one another. A parallel aspect allows for more openness, as well as a more accepting and tolerant attitude about love, relationships, and creative expression. We may also notice that along with more openness comes a bit of insecurity. We may feel more vulnerable and hesitant now as well. Focus on developing friendships now, and let love grow. Focus on taking small steps toward trying new styles of art, expression, and creativity, allowing for growth, learning, and discernment. It’s time to dabble. Put your toes in the water, and take your sweet time moving into anything very deeply. Wait until you feel less hesitant, less fragile, and more healed before jumping full force into any new intense relationships. Avid overcommiting until you have determine where you truly want to go and how you want to travel in any new venture.
On Friday, August 21, the Sun in Leo forms a seisquiquadrant to Pluto the Great Transformer in Capricorn. We may feel like we need to protect, control, and otherwise manipulate things and people, and even our own ideas, in order to maintain balance in our lives. This is exactly the wrong approach now—this aspect may rock our boats in such a way as to force us to rely on heretofore undiscovered resources within ourselves. Notice how your first inclination to act or react is hampered or challenged, and seek direction for accessing deeper, more powerful elements within. We may be forced to fight back in some way or to take a new path in the direction of that which we are seeking. The path before us changes abruptly, and we have to be able to adjust to the changes and move on.
And as if that weren’t enough, the Sun in Leo squares Saturn in retrograde Scorpio. We are challenged in a deep and profound way right now. We meet something within that is the root of what is blocking up. Until September 17, Saturn, the Great Teacher, continues its retrospective retrograde transit through the depths of Scorpio—the unconscious, inner depths of our being. The energy of the Sun in the anaretic degree of Leo (last, critical degree of a sign), is now focusing our attention on that which stands to challenge or block our way. At the same time, we are discovering the resources we have for combating and overcoming obstacles in our way. At this time we become more and more aware of how we have fought the good fight, risen to the occasion, and discovered the aplomb and tenacity to surmount challenges to our progress towards our goals. We may come to a sobering awareness, that we are truly responsible for what unfolds on our path, and that no one and no thing can walk the path we are on for us. We may awaken to a deeper, more profound sense of identity awareness, or we may slip into old patterns and feel thwarted on every level . The choice is yours. Sooner or later, we face the person in the mirror and identify who that really is.
Mars in Leo also forms a quincunx wtih Neptune in Pisces on Saturday. This aspect may lead to some lazy thinking or inappropriate actions. Avoid slipping into negative patterns. Avoid mishaps and protect yourself from accidents and missteps in movement, decision making, or timing.
At 1:42 PDT the Sun enters Virgo, ushering in a period of serious interest and focus on work, health, and service. A time when we bring ideals and visions into focus and seek to manifest them in their very real, every day, practical application in our lives. This is the time when we take our big dreams and our expansive visions and plot out a course, step by step of bringing them into reality. Pragmatic, organized, hardworking, and a stickler for details, the Virgo Sun helps us get down to earth and to work on making dreams come true. Take small steps and begin doing now.
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