August 28 - Mercury Station Direct 21 Leo 24

 

Mercury’s Journey 

July 16:  Mercury enters shadow 8:52pm PDT 

July 21: Mercury square Uranus 26 Taurus 53 

Aug 4: Mercury station retrograde 9:56pm PDT 4 Virgo 06

Aug 14: Mercury returns to Leo

Aug 18: Mercury square Uranus 27 Taurus 10 

Aug 18: Mercury conjunct Sun (cazimi) 6:58pm PDT 26 Leo 35

August 28: Mercury station direct 2:14pm PDT 21 Leo 24

Sept 6: Mercury square Uranus 27 Taurus 15

Sept 8: Mercury returns to Virgo 

Sept 11: Mercury leaves shadow 4:52pm PDT 

 

Mercury stations direct on August 28, 2:14pm PDT at 21 Leo….and together we all say, “Phew, glad that’s over”.  

 

Depending on your natal chart, some Mercury retrogrades are rougher than others.   In this case if you have planets between the degrees of 21-29 Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius and Taurus and/or  1 – 4 degrees of Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces and Gemini then this retrograde may have been more frustrating and tougher for you.   

Mercury retrogrades demand often that we do a quick pivot which can be difficult for the fixed signs and at the same time it can be fuzzy and confusing which can be challenging for the mutable signs.     But for those people with planets at those degrees in those signs, reflect on what you have learned about how you pivoted and why and how you were able to bear down when faced with confusion since August 4.       

 

Of course, what we all learn during a Mercury retrograde is to slow down, watch our communication, refine our research and take a beat.    

 

Since August 4 when Mercury stationed retrograde the emphasis has been on details, our bodies and health, our daily work, and how we find and communicate facts.   For some people this retrograde may have forced us to make choices between fuzzy and practicality.   We certainly had days and schedules that forces us to be fluid.    During Mercury’s retrograde it left Virgo and re-entered Leo (August 14) and during that period the emphasis shifted to love, strength, courage, being brave in the face of confusion.   It was also a time where we may have had to ditch plans that did not distill what was important to our hearts.   

 

Now with Mercury direct we will revisit our heart and then our fact-finding abilities along with pursuits that are baked in practicality.  The shadow period started on July 16 so whatever came up from then could be revisited.  We may be smarter and wiser now and that could bring a clearer resolution on any topics we revisit between now and September 11. 

 

We do not have our next Mercury retrograde until December 15 just in time for holiday travel.  😊   Until then let’s enjoy the direct motion. 

Astrology for August 26 - September 1

 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

August 26, 2024 

2:25am PDT    

   

 

Last Quarter moon:  Now we do the final adjustments to the seeds we planted on new. The final call, the final letters to send, we follow all the trails that came up that still make sense.  And we let the other parts lay fallow. It is a time of action but wise action.  It is a time for living “The serenity prayer” 

 

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change Courage to change the
things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

 

 

 

Focus on:

What actions are you taking that spice up your communication?  What actions are you taking that stoke your curiosity?  What actions are you taking that pivot your thinking?  

 

 

Special focus 

8/27: Venus trine Uranus.  Love of breakthroughs, novelty goes far.  Freshness is inspiring.  Technology is fun.  

8/28: Venus oppose Neptune.  Love feels far away.  Sobriety with values.   Timing feels off. 

8/28 : Mercury station direct (21 Leo 25) (see separate post) 

8/29: Venus enters Libra.   Sharing love with partners.  Valuing balance.   Negotiations are important.  

8/29 : Venus trine Pluto.   Love and values get a needed overhaul.  Friends play a part.   

 

 

 

Balsamic Moon Phase

 

August 29, 2024 

7:17pm PDT 

 

Balsamic:   We let go.  By releasing we can prepare for the new.  

 

 

Focus on:  How are you releasing emotions?  How are you releasing feelings?  How are you releasing childish behaviors?   How are you releasing sentimentality?  

 

 

Special focus:

9/1: Uranus station retrograde 27 Taurus 15 (see above) 

9/1:  Pluto re-enters Capricorn (see above) 

Pluto re-enters Capricorn for its final journey

 

On September 1^st Pluto re-enters Capricorn.   This is it.  Between now and November 19^th Pluto will do its final work in Capricorn.   This journey began in 2008 with the stock market crash and The Great Recession and the election of Barack Obama.  And the backlash to his election with the Tea party.     Pluto is the transformative planet.  In Capricorn we care about the systems that manage the public.  It is our government, it is our big business, it is our big banks, our big Wall Street and our big infrastructure.   Pluto continues to point out the weaknesses and flaws in these matters.     This last round of Pluto in Capricorn is also the final round of the USA Pluto return. In that window we have the election of November 2024 which is by all measures the most crucial election in modernity.  Pluto Capricorn  is a final opportunity for healing in a nation's Pluto return.    Then two weeks after the election Pluto leaves Capricorn for 240+ years and is in Aquarius until 2042.     

 

Uranus Station Retrograde: September 1

 

Uranus 

September 1, 8:17am PDT

27 Taurus 15 

 

May 15: Uranus enters shadow 23 Taurus 16

Sep 1: Uranus station retrograde 27 Taurus 15

Jan 30: Uranus station direct 23 Taurus 16

May 17: Uranus leaves shadow 27 Taurus 15

 

Because we know God has a sense of humor.  At the end of this tilt-o-world month where we expect insanity that hurts us in the marrow of our bones, we end the lunar month with the cuckoo planet, Uranus, stationing retrograde.  

 

Uranus in many ways has sucked up a lot of oxygen in 2024.  There was the Jupiter Uranus conjunction in May. Then there was Mars conjunction Uranus last month.  There is the Aquarius full moon squaring Uranus along with two squares by Mercury.   Uranus will be hanging out near the intense and difficult Agol for the rest of the year.  And now Uranus says, “Hey if it is okay with you I’m going to go backwards and do it again” Blech. 

 

This is the final year where Uranus is only in Taurus.  Uranus still has work to do in terms of new technology that impacts the territory of Taurus.  Taurus is agriculture.  Food.   Construction.   Buildings.   Uranus wants to make it all ‘new’.    Taurus is banking, money and investment.  There could be disruption on those issues.   The reversal of Uranus and any aspects during the retrograde will be on some level the second to last gasps of Uranus.   Look to see the breakthroughs that appear between now and January 30 when it turns direct.   

Disseminating Moon August 22 -24

 

Disseminating

August 22, 2024 

4:54pm PDT        

     

 

Disseminating: Share information; find a teacher or someone who has more knowledge. Perhaps there was a big ol’ blow out on the full and one feels in need of support and help, this is the phase to reach out to one who knows more. This is when we find a rabbi or a minister or therapist who gives us more insight.   And of course, you too may be ready to teach and share your own information.  

 

 

Focus on:   How are you sharing your independence?  How are you sharing your enthusiasm?  How are you sharing the power of confidence?   How are you sharing the importance of going head first? 

 

Special focus:

8/22: Venus square Mars  lovers fight.   Values feel tweaked by thoughts and actions that are rushed.  ADHD brings out anxiety and joy feels lost.   

8/23: Mercury trine chiron.   Thoughts that can build independence throught creativity and love. 

8/23 Mars sextile Mercury Actions match talking.   Energy to do what we say.  

8/24 : Mars sextile Chiron Actions that spark more independence.  

Aquarius Full Moon. August 19.

 

 

 

August 19, 2024

Full Moon

  

11:25am PDT

27 Aquarius 15 

 

 

Every month we get a new moon and a full moon.  This happens every single month of the year.   Every year.  Every month.   Very simple.   First the new moon then two weeks later the full moon.   Great.   

 

Of course, these new and full moons do not happen in a vacuum.  When you pull out from the moon & sun and fold in the other planets this is when the astro landscape can get more complex.   In the case of this Aquarius full moon the landscape is a layering of tough aspects.   Some of these aspects happen every month, others every couple month, and one is tied to a five-year cycle.    

 

August 14: Mars conjunction Jupiter 

August 15: Mars square Saturn 

August 17: Moon conjunct Pluto 

August 18: Mercury Square Uranus 

August 18: Sun conjunct Mercury  

August 18: Venus square Jupiter 

August 19: Sun square Uranus 

August 19: Moon square Uranus 

August 19: Moon opposes Sun (Full moon)

August 19: Jupiter square Saturn

August 20: Moon conjunct Saturn

August 20: Moon square Jupiter 

August 20: Moon oppose Venus 

August 21: Moon square Mars 

August 21: Moon conjunct Neptune 

August 22: Venus square Mars

 

 

 

So, we have the Aquarius Full Moon landing in that landscape.    The tension is great for sure.     The Sun opposing the Moon reminds us of the importance of tapping personal strength and courage while also working with others.   There is power in working with a group but at the same time we need to also check in with our heart.  This is the full moon where we make sure our group, our friends, our ‘tribe’ is in sync with our desires.    Given this full moon is square with Uranus suggests that there may be something that comes in from out of the blue that is shocking or galvanizing.    How are our values being electrified?  What is disjointed?   Is there a group that is out of sync with the world?  Who is being called upon to be a hero?   How are we finding our god given talents and skills and using them?    

 

We should anticipate something in the news that calls upon us to reflect on our values and doing something.    For those people who have planets around 28 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius you are no doubt feeling the tension.   Watch to see where lightning strikes.   

 

In addition, those people with 17/18 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sag and Pisces are probably aware that the accent is on hard work, discipline and patience.   Tackling hurdles bit by bit can be overwhelming, however if you can change your perspective, it may ease the tediousness of the work.    For example, if something continues to be stalled, needs more input, another phone call or email again and again, you should just put it under the column “Yeah, I am in a tedious period”.  Do what you can and realize the rest is up to the universe.  Then go to bed, wake up the next day and do what you can, etc. 

 

We are still in Leo lunar month so finding joy and pleasure in the middle of a big ol’ full moon is possible.   Remember to hold a light up.  Even the smallest light in the darkest room is welcomed by those who need to remember ‘we got this one’.  

Jupiter Square Saturn: August 19

 

Jupiter square Saturn

August 19, 2024 (2:46pm PDT)

17 Gemini & Pisces 57 

Every twenty years Jupiter starts a new relationship with Saturn.  Four/five years later they then form a square.  Ten years later is the opposition and around 15/16 years later the final square.  Then they start fresh again around year 20.   

August 19^th is the date of the first square between Jupiter and Saturn since they formed a conjunction on December 21, 2020, at zero Aquarius.   On the buildup to that conjunction, the electoral college officially affirmed Joe Biden’s Presidential win.  Trump claimed he was cheated, and his followers showed up on January 6 to stop the official process at the Capitol. An ugly event in US History.    Now we are at the first square at 28 degrees of Gemini and Pisces.   Jupiter squaring Saturn currently suggest an echo off the December 2020 period.   Jupiter in Gemini as discussed is high on rhetoric.  Communication can be too big.  Jupiter can appreciate peace, but it is also judgy.  Saturn in Pisces longs for deep compassion.  It understands hard work and struggle especially for the greater good. Jupiter wants to expand but Saturn restricts.  These two energies are at odds with one another.  This struggle will be evident.  There may be some big event that is deep in conflict or duplicate.   Because of Gemini watch for social media posts that are NOT accurate or strident opinions that feel off.    Beware of gossip.  Discipline could be difficult to find.  Or it may be found because there is no other choice.  Standing still could be important.   Retreat and contemplation may be needed.    

The next two dates for this aspect are December 24 at 14 Gemini and Pisces and June 15 at 18 degrees.  

Astrology for August 12- 18th

 

Astrology for August 12 – 18^th

 

In my Leo report I described how the astro energy begins to intensify starting August 12 and continues until August 22.    This is a strong super-hot ten-day window.    

 

First Quarter Moon 

August 12, 2024 

8:18am PDT  

 

During the First quarter moon we are acting.  We are following up on things we started on new moon 8 days earlier.   This quarter moon is about release.  Some type of ‘death’ that brings ‘rebirth’.  

 

Focus on:   What actions are you taking that tap your transformative nature?  What brave actions do you need to take that tap your power?   What creative actions can you take that will give you strength to let go of anything that is not of or from love.   

 

 

On August 14^th, Mars, THE energy, planet forms a conjunction with Jupiter at 16 degrees of Gemini.     Jupiter is about philosophy and beliefs.  It is also about judges and is concerned about fairness.  It is about rulings on laws.  Mars is the war planet.   Mars is aggression.  Mars is a bully.   In Gemini this conjunction suggests actions or talk of battles and war.   Given Mars and Jupiter are also in a wide inconjunct (out of sign) with Pluto in Aquarius, there is a hidden power at play.   Social media (Aquarius) could also be a factor.   Obviously, this aspect may bring an action that amplifies the wars in Israel and Ukraine.  But there could be a new war event in another part of the world.      While this aspect perfects on August 14^th, the energy is building, and we may see a rough event before the exact date.  

 

Also, on August 14^th Mercury returns to Leo reminding us to tap thoughts of love, creativity, joy and enthusiasm.    As Mercury treks back through Leo we could see heroic acts in the news.   On the 15^th the Sun trines Chiron reminding us that there is power in seeking independence.  We can be creative and use our strength and love while also breaking through mental fears about doing something that stokes a fresh new path.   

 

On the 15^th Mars squares Saturn.   All of that go go going energy on the 14^th will hit the wall on the 15^th.  If you have ever been in a car that had to slam the brakes super-fast, then you know it is a disorientating experience.   Hot meet cold.   Saturn is NO to Mars GO.  There could be a news event about news given Gemini is journalism.   Saturn is authority.   Will a news group get something wrong?   Will there be short circuit somewhere that has worldwide impact?  Saturn in Pisces prefers to live small and find compassion.  How does that work with knee jerk reactions by Mars in Gemini?  Will someone do a provocative action that is not thought out and creates big issues?  If the rhetoric is turned up high on the way to the 14^th it may be followed for a call to bring down the heated conversation.    Also there could be issues with the ocean (Pisces) or floods.   

 

Gibbous Moon

August 16, 2024  

2:50 am PDT    

 

During Gibbous we refine. 

 

Special focus How are you refining your position in world?  What creativity are you bringing to your career?  How are you bringing your joy and creativity to your career?  What are you doing that allows you to shine like a star in your world?  

 

 

On August 18 we go back to the scene of the crime with Mercury square Uranus.    There are three exact squares between Mercury and Uranus.   The first one hit on July 21 which is tied to the Crowdstrike Patch colossal screw up.    On August 18^th is the second hit and the final round will be on September 6.  All three of these aspects are around 27 degrees of Leo and Taurus.    Mercury in Leo is big so we should expect big again (Like Crowdstrike mess) and probably financial issue given Uranus in Taurus.  Also on the 18^th, Mercury will conjunct the Sun tapping the power of Leo strength.   Thoughts of love will be pronounced.   Perhaps gratitude if marked safe from Big Tech mess ups.   

 

Also, on the 18^th The Sun conjuncts Mercury.  Creativity, joy, enthusiasm and strength is found.   Because Mercury is retro this suggests we may have forgotten joy, strength and creativity in some manner.  We could be aware that something in our thinking and our communication is ‘off’ or they feel tired.   We want to be fresher.  

 

The gravity of the astrology is strong and about to get more intense with the Aquarius full moon which perfects on August 19^th.    That will be in the next update.  

 

 

The Eclipse Map & Two Big July Events

 

If you have not heard Chris Brennan’s August astrology forecast with Austin Coppock, I recommend it.   I always am impressed with their takes on the aspects, ingresses and historical references.   Sometimes when I am researching the planetary lineup, I will wonder how Team Chris will see it and am always pleased when we distill it in a similar manner.  Having said that they always bring something special to the forecast that is not on my radar.  

 

Case in point Austin brought up that he had heard from another astrologer that the two big events from July were in the path of the April Great American Eclipse.   He also said, “I haven’t double checked it but that is what I heard.”   This intrigued me and I looked it up.   He is correct, the CrowdStrike (cyber cluster f )is headquarters in Austin.   And in Pennsylvania the eclipse path was one small corner.  Butler County where the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not in the exact path but it is close at 98.2% totality.   

 

The eclipse is in effect for six months so we should see if other events are in or near the path of totality. 

Mercury Retrograde August 4, 2024 - August 28

 

Mercury’s Journey 

July 16:  Mercury enters shadow 8:52pm PDT 

July 21: Mercury square Uranus 26 Taurus 53 

Aug 4: Mercury station retrograde 9:56pm PDT 4 Virgo 06

Aug 14: Mercury returns to Leo

Aug 18: Mercury square Uranus 27 Taurus 10 

Aug 18: Mercury conjunct Sun (cazimi) 6:58pm PDT 26 Leo 35

August 28: Mercury station direct 2:14pm PDT 21 Leo 24

Sept 6: Mercury square Uranus 27 Taurus 15

Sept 8: Mercury returns to Virgo 

Sept 11: Mercury leaves shadow 4:52pm PDT 

 

Obviously, there is the usual cuckoo with Mercury retrograde.   Things get lost, things are not in order, we think something is taken care of and it is not.   Mercury retrograde reminds us to slow down.   In the sign Virgo, which is ruled by Mercury, there is a real need to backtrack and take care of details even more than the usual retrograde.    It is as if, we have a radar that something is ‘off’ and we poke and dig and do that Virgo thing and bam we find it.    

 

We may learn something that is important to how we build out our daily schedule is off.  A workout routine is not good for our body or is causing issues.   A colleague we are working with is not as smart about the task at hand.  A plan and schedule that we thought was set in stone, on second thought will not offer the results we had hoped.   In Virgo, Mercury reminds us – “Oh, yeah, it is only about the details”.    When Mercury returns to Leo in the middle of the month, our thoughts go back to what we love and what inspires us.   We may ditch a whole bunch of plans because they do not distill to what is important in our hearts.    The shadow period started on July 16 so whatever comes up from then could be revisited and again until we clear the shadow on September 11.   If you mentally feel the chaos just keep August 28 (Mercury stations direct) and September 11 (clears the shadow) as your finish lines.  

Leo New Moon: August 4, 2024 at 4:13 am PDT

 

Leo the lion tapestry.  JP Getty Museum

August 4, 2024

12 Leo 34  

4:13 am PDT 

This lunar month is not for the faint of heart.  We are heading into a vortex of astrological energy that will mix up the world and geopolitics in a big way.    The how, why and where is not clear.  But the when is clear.  It is the month of August.  And it will be hot August 12-22.     Keep your head down, do your life, double check everything (Mercury retrograde) and we should all be okay but remember when you need it, tap Leo strength and courage.   That will help.   Roar.  

See my write up for this Leo Lunar Month-- at this LINK.