August is a turning point in the year. We enter the month with Summer in full swing, but by the time we slide towards September we can feel the days getting shorter and cooler. Energetically, the fiery Leo vibe cools to the earthy sensibilities of Virgo. Summer vacations wind down into ‘back to school’ and regular work routines.
This August we’ll see the changes in sharp relief, from the heat of the Aquarius Full Moon on the 9th to the surprisingly tense Virgo New Moon on the 23rd. Action-oriented Mars is quite busy through the month, and Venus bookends August with hot aspects in the first few days and the last week.
We start August with Venus – newly in homey Cancer – squaring Saturn and Neptune in Aries on the 1st. The beginning of the month could hold some tension between staying closer to home and familiar environs and getting out to explore something new and exciting. It’s the first quarter moon, so action may win out.
On the 6th, Mars steps into Libra. The Cosmic Warrior isn’t too happy in Venus’ home sign, where he has to properly fill out paperwork before marauding and pillaging. However, he gets a break by connecting with Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto from the 8th to the 10th. The first two are in his home sign of Aries, while Pluto offers and easy trine from Aquarius. Mars may have to play by the rules when he’s in Libra, but he gets quite a bit of support this time around. In practical terms, it means that while we have to be patient and negotiate to get what we want, there’s reasonable hope for a good outcome.
Mind you, Mercury is retrograde until the 11th, so the period from the 8th through the 13th is likely to present with some delays and confusion.
The Aquarius Full Moon on the 9th should be fun – especially if you’re connecting with friends or groups of like-minded people. On top of everything, it falls on Saturday night. However, it may not be especially helpful for those who need patience to deal with Mercury/Mars issues.
Venus has her annual meeting with Jupiter on the 12th – making the 10th through the 13th a good time for socializing and romance. The two cosmic BFFs keep the full moon vibe going into the following week, although in Cancer there may be a stronger inclination to spend time at home with family and loved ones.
Incidentally, the two are meeting at 14 degrees of Cancer, on Sirius, the Dog Star and brightest star in the sky. Although known in some cultures for associations with fever and plagues, Sirius is generally considered positive and is said to bring wealth and renown (thanks to Liz Hazel’s Little Book of Fixed Stars). Having the two beneficial planets meet on Sirius suggests this would be a good time to launch new endeavors.
The Sun enters Virgo on the 22nd, and just a day later meets the Moon for the New Moon at 0 Virgo. This is the first of two new moons in the sign of the virgin, with the second on September 21st at 29 Virgo – the latter is a solar eclipse. In general, the Virgo New Moon is a good time to assess what needs to be done in the remainder of the year: what do you want or need to have accomplished by New Year’s Day?
While we may feel that the September eclipse is the more powerful new moon, on the 24th the Sun meets with revolutionary and unpredictable Uranus. The quiet of the new moon may not last very long. It’s a time to do what you feel – assert your independence and revel in your freedom. Be aware, though, that others will be doing the same, so cooperation may come at a premium, and tempers could be short. Our Virgoan to-do lists may need to be updated or changed several times in the coming months.
Venus enters Leo on the 25th and in short order begins making aspects to Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. We could feel the need to break out of the box in romance, socializing, and creative projects – Venus in Leo favors a dramatic flair and loves excitement. However, an opposition to Pluto on the 27th could mean a confrontation if we’ve pushed things a little too far. Still, it should make for some fun as August – and summer – comes to a close.
Image by niki_emmert, via Pixabay
