As Venus moves into Cancer we become concerned with the comforts of home and family.  As Venus embarks upon this passage she opposes Pluto in Capricorn making this a tough accomplishment.  This opposition brings into the light many of the difficulties we will encounter this month.

If you wonder about your shadow side and how it influences you, pay attention to the first week of August.  With Uranus in the mix the unexpected may bring deep feelings to mind.  As these feelings surface, work with them.  Repressed feelings slow down all of the processes of living.  Working with them now will be much easier than you may have believed possible.  Another factor assisting us this month is Mercury’s sextile to Venus for the entire month.  Communicating our emotional needs can be straight forward.

On August 2^nd  Mercury enters Virgo, where he rules.  In this mode he loves to discuss, judge, use logic and reason, all of which comes easily in this location.  Then again too much of this state of mind can cause nervous stress which may manifest as impulsive or ill considered behavior.  A very effective use of this time would be to get caught up on your paperwork.

• Full Moon Eclipse, August 5^th, 13° 43” Aquarius, Time: 7:55 p.m.  CDT—Penumbral - Changes in financial situations are highlighted in this busy Full Moon, effected by Uranus and Pluto midpoint.  The eclipse will affect us on a deep personal level through the holiday season.  Our friendships and nurturing humanity will be foremost on our minds as we consider how to make a difference in the world around us.  The period surrounding an eclipse is in flux, wrong decisions are easy now.  Make no major purchases. 

• Mars-in-Gemini trine the Moon is a strategist.  Use this energy to solve your toughest problems.

• Saturn square Mars at 15° fixed is a place of interest.  Now is the time to pray for peace, take creative actions to reinforce your foundations and actualize your inner stable core. 

• Sabian Symbols:  The Sun at 14 degrees Leo—A human soul looking for opportunities for outward manifestation; the yearning for self actualization.

• The Moon at 14° Aquarius — A train entering a tunnel;  the ability to shortcut the process of natural evolution by the exercise of will, mental skill, and physical self discipline.

Look for the next step now and go for it! 

• August 20, New Moon at 27° 32” Leo, Time: 5:02 a.m.  CDT— This New Moon is in opposition to the wonderful Stellium in Aquarius which is conjunct the United States’ moon.

How will you use this magic moment?

♦  Find the cure for your heart within.

♦  Every block you release at this time is free to become whatever you direct it to be. 

♦  Use this energy to connect to your innate creativity.

Keep an eye out for that feeling of play in your work.  Don’t fall for that fake euphoric feeling.  Go deep, get involved in your work.  With some effort and intent you can return to the sensation once you find and recognize it.  Quite often time will seem suspended when this state is achieved. 

Sun enters Virgo in the afternoon on August 22^nd. 

This can be a bit of detail-oriented time.  This entrance made while Venus quincunxes Neptune reminds us to soften the details and allow kindness to work wonders and solve the stickiest of situations.   

Venus trine Uranus is a very liberal relationship, relax into this energy.  These influences will soften the Sun’s journey through Virgo helping us to move over and allow one another some individuality and more room to grow.

August 25^th, Mars enters Cancer. 

This is the most militant of positions. 

Later on the same day Mercury enters Libra, that most diplomatic of disguises. 

Grand Cross: (Mercury squares Mars at 0^◦ Libra, 0^◦ Cancer) (Mars will oppose Pluto 0^◦ degrees Capricorn) (Mercury will square Pluto).  The Aries point becomes the fourth arm of this grand cross stimulating energy for new beginnings.

Throughout most of the month the Mars-Mercury square will be in effect. 

First the square will be in mutable signs where it is mostly playful banter. 

On the 25^th the square becomes Cardinal and unexpectedly forceful, magnified by the transformative powers of Pluto.  This is big.  Be careful when traveling especially running errands close to home. 

Mercury is the God of thieves so watch your purse as this combination can be difficult for everyone. 

August 26^th Venus enters Leo where she is playful and fun loving and also loving luxuries.  Her biggest pitfalls in this environment are pride and over confidence.  If you start seeing your energy drift in a dangerous direction, check in with your sense of humor.  Get out and do something fun.  Interact with your world and really allow yourself to soak in the playful energy.

Check your chart for numbers and signs that are activated.

Dianna: Our Moon

Direct: Forward motion

Dynamic Duo: Pluto and Charon

GC: Galactic Core

Occult: When the moon eclipses a planet

Orb:  When two or more heavenly bodies are close enough to be considered an aspect

Perfect:  Become exact

Retrograde:  When an object in space arrives at a point in its orbit that gives the impression of reverse motion.

Station:  Appears to stop and stand still before changing direction.

Storm:  When a planet moves at its slowest speed

Via Combust:   The Burning path, 15 Libra-15 Scorpio, events often speed up here.

Modes:             Cardinal: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn

                          Fixed: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius

                          Mutable: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces

Elements:        Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

                          Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

                          Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

                         Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces