Early August 2004 finds Venus in socializing Gemini and the Sun and Mars in exuberant and playful Leo, suggesting a great time for parties, celebrations, gatherings, or simply going to the beach and having fun.  On August 6th, many of us will feel very resourceful, ready to "move mountains,"  with the expansion planet Jupiter teaming up with powerful Pluto. 

The first week of August is a great time to complete any tasks requiring concentration and/or fixing, as MERCURY TURNS RETROGRADE ON AUGUST 9th UNTIL SEPTEMBER 3rd  (retrograding through Virgo back into late degrees of Leo).  Mercury is symbolic of the rational and conscious mind, all modes of communication, transportation and movement.  These infamous three week retrograde periods often bring setbacks or glitches in the above areas because we are collectively called upon to shift gears and embrace a more reflective, review oriented mindset.  The beginning of August is the time to complete and cross those detailed tasks or appointments off your list...dentist appointments, car maintenance, computer repairs and so on.  In addition, with Mercury retrograde in health conscious Virgo, use this 21 day review period to assess your physical health, exercise routines and diet.  Are you burning the candle at both ends?  Make time for rest and relaxation.  Give yourself permission to choose well-being over burnout.

With PLUTO TURNING DIRECT on August, 30th (retrograde since March 24th),powerful, subconscious changes in our lives, both personally and collectively, of which we have been in the dark about, are now actively regenerating.  We are now better equipped to offer our strength and power developed during a deeply unconscious period of self examination.

AUGUST 1  MERCURY OPPOSE URANUS 

Intuitive, mental perceptions are accelerated!  A wonderful time to express visions and ideas ahead of their time.  Encourage others to release narrow thought patterns.  Our thoughts are electrically charged with intuition and brilliance.  Communication matters may also be rebellious, resistant or easily stressed.  A great day to lead or teach others about global consciousness.

AUGUST 5-6  SUN OPPOSE NEPTUNE, JUPITER SEXTILE SATURN

Any planet linked to mystical or blurry Neptune can elicit a range of behaviors ... from poetic, artistic inspiration and spirituality to divine discontent and addiction.  Tap into faith and intuition instead of escapism.  Jupiter's faith teams up with Saturn's form once again...offering the potential to ground our ideas and turn a dream into a reality.

AUGUST 6  JUPITER SQUARE PLUTO

Excellent day to channel powerful resourcefulness and achieve results.  We are better equipped to handle any crises which come our way.  Intensity merges with the expansion principle today, facilitating powerful psychological insights and breakthroughs.  Push through obstacles with regenerated faith and avoid self righteous revenge and manipulation...the shadow side of Jupiter-Pluto.

AUGUST 12  SUN TRINE PLUTO

The mood of the day is one of self mastery and a powerful engagement with creative pursuits.  Powerful urges find creative outlets.  A great day to break ground with psychological depth.

AUGUST 15   NEW MOON AT 23 LEO AT 9:25 PM (EDT)

A new Moon is symbolic of a new beginning full of hope and promise.  It is a wonderful time to affirm intentions or create a wish list corresponding to the zodiac sign the new moon falls under.  In Leo, wishes correspond to children, love, joy, playfulness, creativity, heart, strength and leadership.  With several planets in Virgo during this lunation, we are able to strategize, organize and prioritize our goals.  Also, our intuition is extremely heightened at this time with Mercury-Mars in challenge aspect to restless Uranus.  Chiron in Capricorn oppose Saturn and trine Jupiter, suggests that many of us are becoming painfully aware of rigid barriers or repressive limitations we have erected in our lives, in our own personal lives as well as in the realm of business and government. Any breaches in the management of our resources must be acknowledged by taking full responsibility.

AUGUST 18-19 MERCURY CONJOIN MARS AND OPPOSE URANUS

These two days are ripe for wild and unpredictable energies, suggesting unexpected news, quick action and critical outbursts.  Avoid ego centered conflicts, fast driving and be careful with fire or heavy machinery.  Expect impulsive thoughts and/or defensive thinking.  On positive note, assertive communications are linked to equality and freedom of thought.

AUGUST 22  SUN ENTERS VIRGO

We are now under the Virgoan vibration of purification and order for the next month.  Great time to get those back to school lists reviewed and completed.

AUGUST 23   SUN CONJOIN MERCURY

The fire of the Sun fuses with creative mental power...bright, intellectual thoughts communicated with Virgo like precision.

AUGUST 27  SUN OPPOSE URANUS

Restlessness and a hectic pace are the order of the day today.  Possibly, we will encounter some eccentric, unpredictable or unconventional behavior.  This aspect often brings resistance to authority figures.  Positively, group participation offers enlightening stimulation with an abundance of intuitive perceptions.

AUGUST 29  FULL MOON AT 7 DEGREES OF PISCES AT 10:23 PM (EDT)

Just a few hours before this full moon, changeable and sometimes volatile Uranus, conjoins the Moon, arousing intensified emotions or mystical visions.  However, three other planets in practical Virgo help us ground and center despite fluctuating needs and radical moods.

In mythology, the triple faced Moon goddess rules the three phases of a woman's life;  the virgin maiden, the pregnant mother and the wise crone.  Full Moons are symbolic of the pregnant mother archetype....emanating a ripe fertility and full abundance.  Many women around the globe create sacred rituals around the cycles of the Moon, to align with the fluidity of mother nature.  They may hike a mountain trail, meditate in women's circles, gather with girlfriends or simply light a candle in honor of the silver goddess who embodies all that is secret and magical.

A Pisces Full Moon in particular, is a wonderful time to tap into all that is sacred in our lives.

AUGUST 30   PLUTO TURNS DIRECT MOTION

Plutonian energies which have been withdrawn, reclusive or private are now ready to face the light of day.  Individuals with planets in late degrees (20 degrees) of Sagittarius, Gemini, Pisces and Virgo will feel this shift.

AUGUST 31  VENUS CONJOINS SATURN

Serious matters concerning relationships are a key theme today.  In fact, some relationships will undergo a serious reality check.  An overly reserved or responsible demeanor is accentuated.  Defining values, responsibilities and boundaries in relationships and business is in high focus.

Namaste,

Carol A. Bellis

"There is a place where you can experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be.  This is the place of creative incubation.  At first you may find nothing happens there.  But if you have a sacred place and use it, something will eventually happen."                                         Joseph Campbell from The Power of Myth
 

Email Carol at starurania@aol.com or call her at 508-728-4680.