We've stepped into August right after a Leo new moon, which coincided with the start of a Mercury retrograde. This month is all about shifting, and I believe none of us will be spared from experiencing changes in surprising ways and areas. While the level of magnitude will vary, the shifts are inevitable.
The upcoming week, from August 12th to the 18th, brings us into some pretty complicated astrological configurations. This week builds up to the Aquarius full moon on Monday, the 19th. During this period, Mars and Venus will tangle with Saturn and Jupiter. The Saturn-Jupiter dance is one of the year's main headlines, featuring a negotiation between expansion and contraction.
This conversation between Saturn and Jupiter is significant as it’s the first since their conjunction in December 2020 at zero degrees of Aquarius. This is just the first of three squares, with the final one taking place after Saturn has moved into Aries, and Jupiter into Cancer. With two squares occurring in mutable signs and the final one in cardinal signs, we are in a state of flux. A resolution will come, but it won’t resemble the current challenges.
We find ourselves grappling with substantial questions over the next few years, one of the most pressing being: "What is real?" This question has been eating at us since Neptune began moving through Pisces and was further amplified when Saturn entered to pressure our understanding of reality. AI forces us to reconsider what constitutes art, information, writing, voice, and ethics. Discernment is becoming a critical skill, particularly in the face of Saturn and Jupiter’s squares.
The timing of these astrological events is significant as they coincide with the Democratic National Convention, adding a unique flavor to the proceedings. We saw intense astrology during the Republican National Convention, and these events are leading us into an election season ripe with questions about our future, past, and possibilities.
In addition to the influence of Saturn and Jupiter, Mars and Venus are making their presence felt. Currently, Venus is in Virgo and Mars is in Gemini, both mutable signs. They are aspecting Jupiter and Saturn, bringing passion, enthusiasm, and intensity to the mix. Mars is set to conjoin Jupiter and square Saturn, resulting in a frenetic and inflated atmosphere as Mars in Gemini wants to choose everything. In contrast, Venus in Virgo is meticulous and choosy.
Venus will oppose Saturn, forcing a commitment. This dynamic is crucial because Saturn governs long-term matters, and the pressure to make the right decision is mounting. This urgency can incite panic and lead to rash choices, especially during Mercury retrograde. Mercury retrograde’s biggest trap is the illusion that urgency requires immediate action, often resulting in mistakes that need correction later.
The period from the Leo New Moon to the Aquarius Full Moon on the 19th is about navigating significant personal and societal pressures. How we handle these pressures will set the stage for the coming fall. Mutable signs like Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces, and Gemini may find it easier to adapt to this flux, as they are more comfortable with change compared to fixed signs or the commitment demanded by cardinal signs.
Given the rapid and incomplete information we have, it’s important to stay centered without identifying too strongly with our thoughts or feelings. By observing rather than controlling, we can better navigate this period of intense flux. Just as one steers rather than brakes on ice, we need to move in harmony with change rather than resisting it, allowing ourselves to be carried into the future while staying present and mindful.
As we approach Virgo season, humility becomes a key virtue. Humility isn’t about self-sacrifice but about recognizing our limits and being willing to offer what we can. It’s about being helpful rather than focusing on what’s wrong, and consistently showing up to contribute.
I’m back from vacation and ready to engage more consistently. If you're feeling called to enter the fall with new perspective and would like to work withme, you can book through my website. Additionally, I’m now offering in-person astrology readings in Washington's Skagit County. Feel free to reach out if you’re nearby and interested.
Thank you all for joining me in this astrological journey. Keep observing, stay humble, and let's navigate this transformative time together.
August Astrology Check-In: Hot, Humid, and Full of Surprises