INsight
August 2011
News...
On Saturday 13 August I will be speaking at the
Astrology Association of NSW about the Secret Dance of
Venus and Mars. Hope to see you there.
Please note that the workshop I had planned to run on the
following day has been cancelled. Sorry.
Aquarius Full Moon
14 August
August is the hottest month in the northern hemisphere. This is why the sign of Leo is ruled by the Sun for when is in Leo the Sun is at its most powerful. Nevertheless, the astrological meaning of Leo still holds true for us in the south, where we shiver through our coldest month. Interestingly though we often get a burst of warm sunny days in August as we head towards spring.
The fixed sign Leo and opposing sign Aquarius, where this Full Moon is located, are signs which are prone to extremes.
At this Aquarius Full Moon the pressure of the cardinal grand cross is once again activated…now passionate Mars and powerful Juno, square off with radical Uranus and potent Pluto as these outer planets edge closer towards their respective corners of space-time. Between 2012 to 2015 Uranus and Pluto will form seven exact squares, the first of these will take place on 24th June next year, but at present there is only a degree or so separating them from an exact 90 degree angle.
I was reading the other day about the ongoing global financial mess and the USA debt crisis in particular. It made me recall the article I wrote in 2006 about Pluto in Capricorn. Pluto is pressing us to start living within our means. Pluto, lord of the underworld can be relentless and painful…but once we let go, something new can be born. It will be interesting to see how this latest crisis unfolds and what long term changes are put in place.
We are also seeing this fear of the new with the planned introduction of a tax on carbon in Australia. A new industrial revolution is getting underway, exactly as outlined in my 2006 article, this exact phrase which I coined in my 2006 article has even found its way into the marketing strategy of the new carbon tax! New industries and jobs will be created. Old ones will go. This is a natural process. When we understand the cosmic message, we do not need to fear the future. The death of old institutions and systems and the rebirth of new ones is an integral part of Pluto’s journey through Capricorn with the GFC mark II.
On August 16 Venus reaches superior conjunction, marrying the regal Leo Sun. Venus the planet of beauty is very aware of appearances now especially when surrounded by Leo solar radiance. Though the planet Venus cannot actually be seen now from Earth, this is like Venus’ Full Moon. In Leo, Venus is very focused on her own standards and values, and unwilling to compromise. Yet Venus must now undergo a transformation from youthful morning star to mature evening star. She is entering a new phase of her solar journey where her priorities will shift away from herself to the value of others and relationships.
Mercury is in retrograde motion throughout most of August, so it’s important to read between the lines and get our facts straight. As we have seen recently there has been a great deal of media attention and scrutiny on the media itself.
Activity reaches a peak each month with the Full Moon. Because these are fixed signs, this Full Moon in Aquarius is likely to polarise those who are in conflict and bring matters to a head like the extremes of heat and cold which are associated with this time of year. Since late July when the Sun moved into Leo we have seen this crisi building in the US where the Republicans and Democrats are at loggerheads about how to resolve their current financial crisis. This is being fuelled by the cardinal grand cross and the global challenges it represents. Working out compromises is exceedingly difficult now. We may have to wait until the Sun and Venus move into Virgo later this month before agreement can be reached.
On a personal level, we may feel inwardly torn between two options. Personal needs may be in conflict with our professional obligations. We may have to juggle several planets in the air at this Full Moon. After this Full Moon take time out and put your feet up.
Virgo New Moon
29 August
The Sun moves from Leo into Virgo on the 24th. Soon after Virgo’s ruling planet Mercury turns direct on the 26th. It is now that we may realise we have overlooked something important. Leo has been seeing the big picture, but now Virgo focuses on the details. Virgo helps us see the fine print and work out practical workable compromises. This New Moon is the perfect time for tweaking, editing and refining – making alterations of all kinds.
At this time of year the Sun shifts into mutable sign Virgo the seasons begin to change. Virgo is a yin, earth sign – aware of the need to make adjustments. Virgo attunes us to the cyclic rhythms of nature.
This is a perfect time to pay attention to your diet and nutrition. Virgo combines her adaptable energy with the stability of the earth element urging us to review our habits and be more conscious of healthy, organic living. This is the ideal time to assess your overall health and wellbeing and make modifications where necessary.
Because of its traditional association with health, Virgo in the southern hemisphere at the end of winter signals a time to shed excess winter weight and increase activity levels.
Jupiter is slowing and will stations retrograde shortly at the end of August.
Virgo is a self-sufficient sign, hard working and practical. Now is the perfect time to knuckle down and finalise those projects that you have been putting off.
