August 2008
I am offering a 20% discount on all astrological consultations until the end of this month.
If you have never had an astrology reading before, this is a good opportunity to understand more about how astrology can guide us in life and with our personal development. The same discount applies for all astrology readings whether you are a new client or looking for an annual review and update. Just call or email to make an appointment.
For anyone who might be interested, watch Collectors on ABC this Friday, 1st August at 8pm. The show will feature a collection of Australian caricatures and political cartoons, which will probably include work by my grandfather, George Finey who worked for Smith's Weekly, the Labor Daily, The Bulletin and the Telegraph between 1919 and 1942. Many other cartoonists, past and present will also be featured. Because cartoons make a social and political comment, they give us some insight into the collective psyche of each era.
My grandfather was born exactly one week before astrologer/musician/artist Dane Rudhyar, and less than 24 hours before another famous Australian artist, Lloyd Rees. Click on these links to see their charts.
My feature article on Pluto in Capricorn is now also available for you to read online. This article was originally published a year ago in the 2008 edition of Astrolog and details the history of this epic cycle and how it may unfold over the next 16 years. It has already made its presence felt.
You can now also read my Health and Wellbeing tips for 2008. This feature originally appeared in Nature and Health Annual earlier this year.
I am continuing to revamp my website and add material so you’ll see some other recent changes. Comments and feedback are most welcome.
August is eclipse month, and there are a number of other important celestial events in store.
Total Solar Eclipse
1 August 2008
The Sabian symbol for this Solar Eclipse/New Moon is: Early morning dew.
The new energy typically associated with a New Moon seems extra fresh because of this Sabian symbol. This is a total solar eclipse.
Leo is a creative sign, primarily interested in self expression so this is a good time to express yourself in new ways. We are all creative in one way or another. Why not try your hand at something you have never done before?
This eclipse will be first visible in Canada, then traverse the North Pole and cross Siberia, Mongolia and China. It will not be visible in Australia.
Uranus opposite Mars
7 August 2008
When my dog gets in the car, he becomes overly excited and starts barking and jumping about and nothing I do makes him calm down. The last time he did this, he somehow managed to hurt his leg.
Uranus opposing Mars is similar. Excitement can quickly escalate and become extreme, and under these conditions accidents can occur.
This aspect can be seen in the chart for the Opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
This energy can be explosive, which could be expressed in either a positive way, as in fireworks and celebrations, or potentially in a negative way, with the possibility of an actual explosion. Recent news reports have emerged that a planned terror plot was foiled.
Saturn on the descendant in this chart will assist in keeping security tight and help prevent any such incident from occurring, but they will need to be vigilant.
Chiron conjunct North Node
11 August 2008
Chiron’s long transit of Aquarius is highlighting the alternative healing sector. As it combines with the North Node the potential for spiritual healing is strengthened. Neptune is also involved in this aspect, suggesting we have an opportunity to tap into the power of the universal mind, or collective unconscious, to facilitate this healing.
This is the second of three hits of this aspect, the first was in June; the next will be in October.
Although Chiron can bring painful experiences this aspect can also helps us let go of the past and move forward.
In April 2009, Neptune will return to the position it occupied when it was discovered 165 years ago, heralding the birth of a new spiritual understanding. There is a growing awareness that we are all united in spirit, and must learn to share this small planet with one another and Earth’s other creatures.
Partial Lunar Eclipse
17 Aug 2008
At the time of this Full Moon/Partial Lunar Eclipse Mars closely squares Pluto suggesting some powerful emotions are surfacing.
Squares tend to be challenging at the best of times, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are bad. We need challenges in order to grow. The combination of the lunar eclipse/ Full Moon with this aspect is likely to intensify powerful drives, compulsions, passions and sexual energy.
The Moon now joins with Neptune, the North Node and Chiron, so we can now experience healing through emotional release.
Virgo New Moon
31 August 2008
The seasons are changing. The Sun has recently entered mutable earth sign Virgo, and is joined by the Moon and Saturn, while Mercury Venus and Mars have now entered Libra, sign of the Spring Equinox.
Although spring does not commence cosmically until the Spring Equinox, when the Sun is in Virgo, there is a feeling of spring in the air.
In Australia, we often get a burst of spring-like weather at the end of August when pink and yellow blossoms fill the air, carried on a strong westerly wind that seems to herald the change of the seasons.
The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is: A girl takes her first dancing instruction.
This symbol seems to suggest a coming out, a transition from one state to another, in this case from a virginal state into mature womanhood and independence where new relationships can be established.
