EYE ON THE SKY: LATE JULY AND EARLY AUGUST OUTLOOK
Mars opposition Jupiter: Peaks into July 29th
I used to think this was a good aspect if you were ruled by Scorpio or Aries and it may feel good but it does have problems. Still if you are in the right dasha it may increase luck and grace. It is not considered good for finances as Jupiter is a very financial planet and Mars has away of draining reserves or creating expenditures if you get too impulsive. So be mindful about spending money that you do not have or overextending your business. This can also bring out the negative qualities of Mars in that it may increase domineering or overbearing energies or imbalanced ego issues. Be conscious of how you show up and know your limitations and do not push too much bravado.
Sun conjunct Mercury Direct: Sunday, August 1st:
Sun is conjunct Mercury on Sunday, August 1st at 10:08 am EDT. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and usually can handle the sun’ rays best but within 3 degrees it gets a bit nervous and things can seem detailed and complicated and the mind seems busy and buzzy and there are too many thoughts running through the mind. The impact of this conjunction can be felt a few days before and after.
Virgo and Gemini rising may experience the intensity most but when Mercury is within 40 minutes of the Sun, and this is the case on Sunday during the day so intellectual brilliance can shine forth if Mercury is strong in your chart and prominent.
In the financial sector, it is said not to sell commodities when Mercury is approaching the Sun. We find that is true as prices go up but often the day of the conjunction, things fall.
The cobra pose and the head stand can calm Mercury. So calm that mind as Mercury is close to the Sun until August 4th and finally gets 3 degrees apart later in the week.
Sun opposition Saturn: peaks into August 2nd but impacting July 30-August 5th
This is the archetypal power struggle with fathers, bosses and government and authority figures and you have to find a way not to be overwhelmed by them This transit can bring up loneliness if you are isolated so make sure to reach out on the phone and connected. There can be a strong battle going on between your responsibilities at work and at home and you will have to find a way to compromise. We worry about another flare-up in the streets around Covid lockdowns in Europe and given the hot summer and brewing anger and this intense energy between Saturn, the people and the Sun, the President and leadership. France and Italy have been particularly tense in this area lately.
This aspect can bring out depression and can raise blood pressure so make sure if you are vulnerable in these areas to take extra care of yourself. The Sun is the karaka or symbol for health and Saturn for illness so this opposition may lead to a strong increase in cases over the weekend and a feeling that it is s out of control and personally you have to boost your immune system the next few weeks and take substances that battle and prevent viruses like Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, garlic and turmeric and echinacea as well as fresh air and sunshine.
MERCURY IN LEO: AUGUST 8-AUGUST 25TH:
Mercury transits into Leo August 8th and rushes through there for 2 weeks. It is a complicated transit due to the conjunction with Mars into August 18th creating accidents, fights and disputes the week of August 16-21st. It does get a Jupiter aspect which peaks into August 10th and that supports learning and wisdom and study and writing.
If you were born with Mercury in Leo, you are bright-minded, have good memory, are inspiring speaker or writer, are confident and are a good planner and organizer, may be well-know in business, are ambitious, travel frequently and have a keep intellect.
The first part of the transit is through Magha (Leo 0-13.20) until August 8-15 which is know as Regulus by Western astrology and is owned by Ketu. Mercury in Ketu’s constellation can create a strong vision but the ambitious nature of Leo/Magha may force them to cut corners or rush through projects and be a bit impulsive. Slow down and do not be too hasty with big projects. Ketu is mystical and intuitive so be sure to seek divine guidance within to get the answers to difficult decisions.
The second part of the transit is in the constellation of Purva phalguni (Leo 13.20-26.40) August15-24th. This will connect Mercury to Venus who will be transiting through its sign of debilitation so complicated sexual intrigues are possible if you do not calm your impulsive and primal energy. This constellation is a highly sexually charged constellation and Mercury, the prince, likes to play in the bed in this constellation symbolized by the front legs of a bed. This constellation is considered fierce and is not considered a good time for major new events unless your are scheming. It does support construction but stay on top of accidents and health.
URANUS RETROGRADE: AUGUST 19, 2021 to JAN. 18TH, 2022.
Uranus goes stationary/retrograde in Aries starting on Thursday, August 19th and stays there until mid- January . This is more of an outer world event but it can trigger unexpected fired -related disasters like volcanoes, forest fires as it is happening in the sign of Aries.
When Uranus is retrograde in someone’s chart (and it is 5 months of the year) the rebellious urges tend to explode and burst forth seemingly out of nowhere. Uranus retrograde in transit is a regular cycle lasting 155 days every year in which the planet moves four degrees backwards through the zodiac. This is a time of inner change in response to external changes in your life. Given potential for liberal/conservative warring and upheaval like we saw last fall after the Trump election, we have to think that this could easily manifest if he does something controversial and violent since it is occurring 1 day before the Mars/Mercury conjunction on April 18th. The Uranus retrograde may stir up a lot of inner upheaval and anger toward the status quo in Aries and at some point it may explode and this is more likely during the Mars/Uranus opposition into Nov. 17, 2021. During the bubbling phase, the person is not realizing how much rebellion is brewing until it explodes.
On a personal level, Uranus can incite rebellion in any ruts in our personal life that need transformation. If you have planets 18-22 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn, you may more intensely get triggered to make sudden changes to break out of these ruts. In this life you may feel the shock on the inside as stress, restlessness and impulsiveness. Internal instability can lead to anxiety disorders, spasms, neurotic behavior or rapid personality changes.
On the external mundane level, sudden explosions or out bursts in collective rioting are possible. Watch hot-spot like Venezuela and South Africa and Europe for surprises.
Neo-Vedic astrologer like Dennis Harness notes that Uranus is connected to Vedic mythology:
” Prajapati is the lord of progeny and creativity. He “exerts his heat and duplicates himself” and his “divine voice sounds like thunder”. One of the translations of Prajapati is Indra, the lord of thunder and lightening. A similarity to the planet Uranus can easily be seen. Uranus represents the Prometheus myth of bringing fire to earth, the bringer of change and innovation. Uranus is often associated with heat, lightening and thunder. He was also the father of Venus, the goddess of creativity. Narendra Desai felt that Uranus was a higher octave of Mercury, the god of creative intellect. He said that a prominent Uranus was often seen in the chart of a good astrologer.”
Uranus retrograde can be a great time for invention and technological research so use this transit to start that discoveries and explore science. Great creativity is possible around the station on August 17-21.
LOOKING AHEAD: MARS OPPOSITION NEPTUNE SEPT 2ND
Mars /Neptune aspects can bring up strange and irritable feelings and create unconscious anxieties and discouragement. You may find yourself in a self-deprecating space or feeling ill. Avoid stressing out your body. You could develop delusional fantasies or listening and acting from a space that is not grounded. You may encounter deceptive people and you have to avoid doing non-ethical behavior. There could be deep misunderstandings with business and marital partners that can lead to anger and mistrust.
Positives to look forward to include more energy and enthusiasm to chase your dreams and spiritual goals. Negatives to watch out for include a tendency to over idealize partners and leave yourself open to deception and scandal. Keep yourself grounded in the real world as much as possible. Your desire to help others can easily be taken advantage of. Being extra sensitive you should avoid negative environments where violence, crime and drugs are prevalent. Your body is more susceptible to poisons, drugs, alcohol, medication and infection.
Use this transit to do selfless service and charity work or spiritual or religious group to help others. Avoid abusing your body with too much activity as this may lead to exhaustion. This transit will affect you most if you are Scorpio or Aries rising or Aquarius or Leo rising or if you have key planets like the Sun, Moon or the ascendent at 28-29 Leo/Aquarius.
I have learned a lot from Western astrologers and I do not think we can dismiss the outer planets particularly if they are hitting a key spot in your chart or impacting the lord of your chart.
COMING UP IN FUTURE ISSUES:
Mars Combustion: August 17-Nov. 26th
Venus in Virgo: August 11- Sept. 5th
Rahu trine Venus August 21st
Sun in Leo : August 16-Sept 16th
