This month contains a combination of Jupiter and Uranus aspects. Think buoyant, bouncy, balloons. Jupiter is expansive, and Uranus is creative. Even though there are a few Saturn aspects this month, Saturn can’t compete with the combination of Jupiter and Uranus. The second half of the month is a little more difficult but only as compared to the great first half of the month.
Both Venus and Mercury are turning retrograde this month. It’s time to rethink our plans and also rethink our relationships. When the inner planets seem to move backward, we tend to internalize the meaning of that planet. For instance, Venus retrograde will reveal how we think about and experience relationships. Do we bend over backward to please other people and win their approval? Or do we disregard others' feelings because we are too focused on our own agenda? Retrogrades allow us to step back and observe our behavior. Venus also rules our values. During this period we may question our principles and explore whether or not our social group reflects these values. Some relationships could end during this retrograde.
With Mercury retrograde we will examine our communications, how we speak, and, more importantly, listen to others. This is a great period for writers, for it beckons us to go back over what we have written, see the work clearly, and make adjustments if necessary. It’s best to move slowly physically and mentally during this period to avoid mistakes.
Dates to Watch
Note to my Astrology Clients. Use your Planetary Placement and Ascendant Sheet to find if you have a personal planet (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus or Mars) or the ascendant within 2 degrees of the degree of the transits listed below. If so, the transit will have a major impact on you.
Aug 1 – Full Moon at 9 Aquarius. During this full moon, Mercury will be opposing Saturn. So even though it’s a very friendly new moon, as Aquarius likes to circulate among people spouting his unique ideas, we can stay cool and rational at this time. On a full moon, it is important to complete vital work.
Mars Trine Jupiter at 13 Virgo/Taurus. This leads to robust optimism when you want to go on an adventure or a trip. Also, play sports, take a hike, and spread your good feelings around to others.
Mercury Opposite Saturn at 5 Virgo/Pisces. You could hear some depressing news today. Others may make demands on you. Your routines may seem tedious. Try not to be too rigid in your thinking.
Aug 6 – Sun Square Jupiter at 14 Leo/Taurus. This is an aspect of success. You feel so confident, you could make an ill-advised purchase and realize it was overpriced or you could overeat or overdrink. It may be hard to stay on your diet or follow your budget today.
Aug 9 – Venus Square Uranus at 22 Leo/Taurus. If you are in a standoff with someone close to you, this aspect could lead to a breakthrough. This is also about creating unique artwork.
Mercury Trine Jupiter at 14 Virgo/Taurus. You feel happy and optimistic today. This is a good day to travel for business.
Aug 13 – Sun Conjunct Venus at 20 Leo. Make yourself and your surroundings attractive. Have fun with your close friends.
Aug 15 – Sun Square Uranus at 23 Leo/Taurus. You could feel tense today because there could be sudden changes occurring in your life. You will have the flexibility to handle all of these changes. You could see or hear from someone from the past that could cause you some excitement or disturbance.
Aug 16 – New Moon at 23 Leo. This New Moon is square Uranus. This promises an exciting month, Leo is expressive and extroverted, and Uranus wants to go on unusual adventures or dive into esoteric subjects. Some really bizarre events could come in today and during the following month.
Mars trine Uranus at 23 Virgo/Taurus. Make some inventive decisions. This is a good time to get some creative work done. Think outside the box and work on projects that are unusual or ahead of their time. Go on a trip to somewhere that you have never been before. Change your environment. Others will be attracted to you because of your magnetic and independent nature.
Aug 22 – Venus Square Jupiter at 15 Leo/Taurus. This aspect can lead to self-indulgence. You know Jupiter--he wants to overdo everything. Venus rules love and money. You know where this is going.
Mars Opposite Neptune at 27 Virgo/Pisces. Neptune is dreamy, abstract, and totally impractical. Keep your feet on the ground today. You could run into a situation or a person who is very strange. Something you have counted on may fall through. Maybe it was a pipe dream. Drugs and alcohol could have an exaggerated effect.
Aug 23 – Sun enters Virgo until Sep 23. It’s time to go back to school in more ways than one. The Leo period was fun, but now the bills have arrived from the vacation and parties. But this is a grounded, practical month, which is not a bad thing. Virgo especially can get a lot of work done, and boy do they love to work!
Mercury turns retrograde at 21 Virgo until Sep 15. Please don’t freak over this. It seems the only astrological ideas that have seeped into the internet are the difficult ones. We have honed our fear response by watching cable news. We are primed to be afraid. But don’t project all that fear onto poor Mercury retrograde. Mercury is a neutral planet so he can take on the energy of the planets near him and also the energy of what is projected onto him.
Aug 24 – Mars Trine Pluto at 28 Virgo/Capricorn. This is a powerful aspect that helps you to make constructive changes in your environment. You can make decisions to eliminate people or situations that stand in your way of progress.
Aug 27 – Sun Opposite Saturn at 3 Virgo/Pisces. Some problems can come in today and you need to cope with them by pulling on your experience and discipline. You may not feel up to handling these problems as your energy may be depleted.
Mars enters Libra until Oct 12. Mars is his detriment in Libra. This means he can’t operate the way he would like. He rules Aries the warrior, and he is now in the opposite sign of peace and harmony. Libra wants justice and with Mars in her sign, she may decide to go out and fight for it. Also, this aspect can lead to a peace agreement in a war. I certainly hope so.
Aug 28 – Uranus turns retrograde at 23 Taurus and will stay retrograde until Jan 22, 2024. This is no big deal since Uranus goes retrograde every year for about 5 months. The important thing to notice is the degree and sign where it is stopping when it changes direction. If you have planets, especially inner planets within two degrees of 23 Taurus, you could experience an awakening of some sort. Or you could break free of something that is holding you back.
Aug 30 – Full Moon at 7 Pisces. This Full Moon is conjunct Saturn. Full Moons are always an emotional time. With Saturn, you may need to ask for support from someone older.
OUTER PLANET TRANSITS FOR THIS MONTH:
JUPITER this month moves from 13 to 15 degrees of Taurus and will stay in Taurus until May 26, 2024. Jupiter is the big fat happy guy who is expansive in all things. In Taurus, he wants to buy property, build up his bank account and invest in growth stocks. Look to the house in your birth chart that contains Taurus. This coming year can bring good luck and opportunities in the areas ruled by your natal Taurus house.
SATURN is in Pisces until May 26, 2025. This month he is moving retrograde from 5 to 3 degrees of Pisces and will stay retrograde until Nov 4, when he will turn direct at 0 degrees of Pisces. Saturn rules your material world and especially your career. If you have the ascendant or any personal planets anywhere from 5 to 7 degrees of Pisces, you may be in store for some hard lessons about the issues in the house containing Pisces. Pisces is a creative dreamer. With Saturn here, he will try to solidify your dreams and fantasies.
URANUS is in Taurus until April 2026. This month he will move from 22 to 23 degrees of Taurus and turn retrograde on the 28th at 23 degrees of Taurus. This is the time to break loose and make some radical changes in your life. I believe in ‘cooperating with the inevitable’. If you have Uranus in a challenging aspect to your ascendant or personal planets, (20 to 25 degrees of Taurus or Scorpio) go on a long vacation, preferably to somewhere you have never been before. Or make some major changes in your life. Taurus represents the Earth. Expect news about farming, food, earthquakes, volcanos, tornadoes, or other major weather changes while Uranus is in Taurus.
NEPTUNE is in Pisces until 2026. This month he is moving retrograde from 27 to 26 degrees of Pisces. If you have the ascendant or personal planets anywhere from 24 to 29 degrees of Pisces, you may lack focus during this time and just want to daydream. Beware of a betrayal, or a disappointment and a sense of drifting. For the rest of us, Neptune can also bring artistic, musical, and creative expression, increased dreams, and spiritual insights. Watch for really inspired films to come out when Neptune is in Pisces.
PLUTO is in Capricorn until Nov 2024. This month Pluto is retrograde and stays at 28 degrees of Capricorn all month. He moves back into Aquarius in Nov 2024. Pluto grinds away at our psyche bringing up all sorts of difficult psychological issues. You should run to your nearest therapist, especially if you have the ascendant or personal planets anywhere from 26 degrees of Capricorn to 0 degrees of Aquarius. Pluto asks what needs to die in order to be reborn.
Enjoy this month.
Janet Kane