August 2020 Forecast

​SIdereal Transits

Venus enters Gemini July 31/Aug 1
Mercury opposite Pluto Aug 1
Mercury enters Cancer Aug 1
​Full Moon in Capricorn (Śravaṇa) Aug 3
Mercury opposite Saturn Aug 3
Venus conjunct Rahu Aug 3
​Uranus stations Retrograde Aug 15
​Mars enters Aries Aug 16
​Sun enters Leo Aug 16
Mercury enters Leo Aug 17
Mercury conjunct Sun Aug 17
​​New Moon in Leo (Maghā) Aug 19
Venus opposite Jupiter Aug 25
Venus opposite Pluto Aug 30
Venus enters Cancer Aug 31

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Venus enters Gemini July 31/Aug 1
As Venus enters the excitable and interactive Gemini, it is immediately confronted with Rahu, the north node of the Moon and the eclipse. This is bound to create some interesting dynamics, exaggerating everything Gemini and Venus are all about, i.e. interactions, communications, and sexuality. 

Mars aspects Venus from Pisces, so there is a lot of passion which needs a healthy outlet. Venus in Gemini would ordinarily be a time of year to enjoy being out and about, mingling with others; however, this year, Venus is with Rahu, which is blocking this ability, and creating some innovative approaches, I imagine (sneaking about, more like), while Mars eggs it on from its 4th house aspect, fueling passionate meetings.

Add Rahu into the mix and this will likely express itself as a lot of sexual intrigue, as well as some interesting discussions, as Gemini is all about the debate, the opinion. This can lead to problems due to restrictions, of course, as the need for interaction and passions seek an outlet. 

The Venus-Rahu conjunction is exact on Aug 3, on the full Moon, creating a period of scandal and controversy during the first few days of the month. The most obvious expression I can think of is possible insights into child trafficking. Rahu exposes, but it also obscures, so although we are due some revelations in this area, we are also likely to be deceived. 

Be mindful of this possibility in relation to the house position of Gemini in your own birth chart, showing what excites you, even if it seems inappropriate, as well as how you communicate this, or indeed, if you should communicate this! 

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Mercury enters Cancer Aug 1
Things are about to get a lot more emotional and less business-like, as Mercury in Cancer brings with it an emotional undertone, not necessarily suited to a rational discussion. 

Mercury is factual and analytical. When it transits Cancer, emotions get caught up in the mix and we find it harder to keep our instinctive reactions out of our communications. Add Rahu's aspect, along with Mars by the latter part of the month, and it may become very hard to keep things business-like indeed. 

Saturn's opposition to Mercury, exact on Aug 3, is helpful in that it allows us some detachment, but it may just as easily create a more somber emotional tone which we react even stronger to, e.g. being in lockdown. 

Be mindful of channelling the more helpful indications of detachment and objectivity, to make sense of how you are feeling and to communicate this in a cool and calm manner. 

Mercury in Cancer is all about marrying our heads and hearts, to be able to communicate how we are feeling effectively. While Cancer may not be as efficient as other signs in keeping it matter-of-factly, we can speak our truth, from the heart. 
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Full Moon in Capricorn (Śravaṇa) Aug 3
This full Moon is an apex experience, in many ways, while this full Moon has some particular apex experiences: Venus is exactly conjunct Rahu, while Mercury is exactly opposite Saturn.

​The full Moon is a time of the month when the energy has reached a climax and is ready to be spilled out into things we love do to. The full Moon itself is with Saturn in Saturn's sign Capricorn, which is a little more reserved, preferring instead to step back and consider the consequences.

The Sun is with Mercury in Cancer, highlighting the stark contrast between these two signs and these areas of life. Cancer and Capricorn represent our private and public self, home and work, for example, while these two signs are placed in different houses for each individual, of course. 

Whatever the full Moon indicates in your own chart, looking to the sign Capricorn by house position, you can bet this will prominent for the first few days of August, granting us the ability to get the balance between these two extremes right. 

​The full Moon occurs in the sign Śravaṇa, which is translated to mean 'listening', a sign that represents the ability to connect to knowledge, traditionally handed down orally. Its symbols are an ear and three footsteps, representing the three steps in restoring harmony to the universe, as told in the mythological story of its ruling deity; the god of preservation, who upholds and preserves knowledge. By following a traditional path, we have access to the wisdom of the ages. ​

And there is much to listen to at this time, with the Saturn-Mercury opposition, and the Venus-Rahu conjunction, showing plenty of things that can distract from hearing the truth. 
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Uranus stations Retrograde Aug 15
Uranus stations retrograde, leaving only one planet left to do so next month, that is, Mars. You won't have to wait long for a taste of what Mars' retrograde represents, however, as the Uranus retrograde itself is in Mars' sign Aries. Its station in August, as well as Mars' entry into Aries by mid-month, is a time to really focus on what this sign is all about; that is, action. 

Aries is the most initiating and impulsive signs of the zodiac, granting speed, creativity and sharpness, all utilized in achieving a personal feat or goal.

Aries likes to be active. It's a movable sign. Mars can sometimes create problems because it represents the part of us that doesn't know when to quit, of course. We may push too far too soon. 

Uranus stationing retrograde suggests we have to go within to make some adjustments to the changes that are happening in the world around us - while we are doing whatever we are doing. Time to act and think on our feet!
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Although there is a need to readjust as we take any action, it could just as easily happen that we push ahead regardless, and ignore the warnings up ahead, warnings which are there for our own good, telling us to start, yes, but to consider the consequences, too.  
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Mars enters Aries Aug 16
The heat is truly on as Mars moves into Aries and is followed shortly after by the Sun moving into Leo, another fire sign. Add Jupiter, Pluto and the south node (Ketu) in the other fire sign Sagittarius, and you get a strong trinal fire which needs an outlet for inspired action. 

Mars can be destructive because it's about finding strength, which is a destructive act - it's all about destroying our weaknesses. Every time we engage with Mars, we are overcoming something, finding strength to do something, to be something else, something better than we were. Yes, we may cause problems with others', especially as everyone has access to its strength, but at least it feels as if we are doing something productive. 

Being productive means being somewhat destructive. You have to destroy what stands in your way, be it your procrastinations, other people, your doubts, or whatever. And Mars sees everything as a battle. Mars in Aries has no time for procrastination, so this transit suggests many people are about to get all fired up and very active indeed. 

This has its obvious downsides. Least of all the fact that Mars will retrograde here from mid-September. When we add the Saturn in Capricorn into the mix, we can see a stark contrast to our need for personal freedom with that of Saturn asking us to be responsible, to think of others. Mars in Aries wants complete freedom of expression and movement, and doesn't listen to its elders or those who have an eye on the bigger picture. 

This stark contrast will be very apparent by the middle of August and for the next few months, as Mars will retrograde in Aries, back up into Pisces and return to Aries by the end of the year. Nobody is going anywhere that freely anytime soon, no matter how hard we push. Yes, there is an initial push from mid-August through mid-September, but the subsequent Mars retrograde suggests a big push back which requires patience not always afforded to Mars in Aries. 

I should know. I have Mars in Aries in my birth chart, and in first degrees of the sign, in the lunar mansion Aśvinī, where it will station retrograde. Oh, and I have Mars retrograde, too, so I know a thing or two about this combination. This has proven strong but problematic in my life, as a planet that is retrograde is powerful and yet hard to fully express. It's all or nothing. Energy can spike or drop dramatically, where we find it difficult to keep things balanced. 

Mars in Aries deals with problems head on - quite literally, but only after retreating to figure out how best to move forward. This will be the lesson of the next few months. 

Incidentally, I've had a lot of accidents to my head, especially when young and more 'Mars-like'. Mars in Aries is literally like jumping head-first into something without thinking it through. I have the scars to show for it! 

If you are more reserved and thoughtful, you are unlikely to experience the kind of impulsive, and sometimes recklessness, that this Mars transit suggests. It may, in fact, lead to you being better able to get up and get going, without causing too many problems. However, if your impulsivity has created problems in your life previously, this Mars transit is not one to overdo it. Yes, use it to gain strength and courage to overcome something, but quit while you're ahead, especially as Mars stations retrograde in September. 

During Mars' retrograde, between Sep 10 and Nov 14, and especially as Mars returns to Pisces from Oct 4 until Dec 24, we are likely to feel the push back if we are trying to make something happen prematurely. 
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Don't worry, you will have another go at it as Mars returns to Aries by Dec 24.
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Sun enters Leo Aug 16
The heat continues to increase, although not necessarily literally if you live in colder climates, of course. The heat I'm referring to in case you didn't catch it is that of passion, of drive and will power, of using heat to change something into something else, to purify and intensify our desires so we can create something purposefully.

This certainly can be a great month to purify our lives, to find strength and purpose in what we are doing. If you sit back on these powerful transits, you are likely to create problems, as the heat and intensity demands at least some productivity. 

The Sun is strong in its own sign Leo, a powerful position for those in powerful positions, as well as our own sense of self and power. While everyone has access to this, we must be mindful that not everyone is going to get along during this period, as the Sun transits the determined Leo, Mars transits the forceful Aries, and Jupiter and Pluto transit the righteous Sagittarius. 

If you're fighting the good fight, be aware that everyone is doing the same, and make adjustments so that everyone can get what they want. We must be mindful of universal concerns, above and beyond our personal quest, as Saturn continues to ask us to do the responsible thing, whatever we would like to do ourselves. 
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Mercury enters Leo Aug 17
Yet another planet moves into a fire sign, and if you haven't already become proactive, then now is the time to at least plan for it with Mercury joining the Sun in Leo.

This leaves just Saturn and Venus in signs that are not fiery in nature, and even then Venus' placement in Gemini, Mercury's sign, ties it with this particular transit. 

Fire trines are powerful in a person's natal chart, showing immense will power and determination to see something through. Globally, these transits show we all have access to the strengths which can create problems when we are not all on the same page, or cannot communicate our purpose without getting into heated debates. 

Mercury in Leo is about communicating what is important for us individually, yes, but also what is important from higher on up; to express our soul's purpose and higher mind. 
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New Moon in Leo (Maghā) Aug 19
Yet another fiery indication for August is the new Moon in Leo, in the lunar mansion Maghā. 

Maghā means 'magnificent' or 'mighty', which shows a sense of power and entitlement. Its symbols are a royal throne and crown. It is ruled by the ancestors, which grant us our inherited gifts and resources. This gives a certain status, as well as pride in family and lineage. It is associated with other-worldly spirits, as well as rituals which invoke powers from beyond the grave. ​
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This powerful new Moon is another trigger to all of the heat that has been building in the fire dominant signs, so we will likely see something transpire at this time, even if it's just the need to ignite something personally. 

Make sure to check in with yourself at this time, and to your ancestors, to make sure you are on the right course and have all the backing you need from the universe. 

This new Moon in Leo is a time to reset the power dynamics, in our personal lives, and in the world at large. This will likely be more obvious on the world stage than in personal lives, of course, but we shouldn't get too caught up in the drama unfolding, so as to miss the chance at a fresh and dynamic new start in Leo. 

What have you inherited that you are grateful for?

​It doesn't have to be an obvious thing like money or prestige. It may even be something you once scorned. But ultimately, we all have something we are privileged to have in our lives. 

This new Moon is a good time to tune into those things and the people who remind us of who we are and the gifts we have to share with others.  
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Venus enters Cancer Aug 31
Venus spends just one month in Gemini, from Aug 1 - 31, leaving the nodes behind and the exaggerated, mentally stimulating sign behind for a safer and more subdued affair in Cancer. 

Saturn is opposite Venus in Cancer, just as every other planet passing through here has been. This shows the outer restrictions being placed upon our lives and impacting how we feel at home, at peace - or not.  

Venus in Cancer is more conductive to time spent at home, enjoying our home comforts, family surroundings, a holiday (if possible), or possibly a 'staycation', as many are planning in late summer/early autumn this year. 

I'll write more about Venus' transit in Cancer in September, as September and October will be worth making the most of, either in a holiday or whatever, as Venus will make it to Virgo by the end of October, where the fun times, relationships and the economic outlook are challenged. This means, whatever way you can enjoy the late summer and early autumn, do so knowing it won't last forever - and enjoy it all the more knowing this. 

Use the transit of Venus in Cancer to fuel up in the coming weeks, both literally and figuratively, filling up your heart with joyful experiences and love for others, and your bank account with savings, all while Saturn keeps a tight rein on our purse strings.

I'll write more about Venus in Cancer next month, but until then, I wish you all the very best of what the month of August has to offer. 

OM TAT SAT