Astrological Forecast for August 2008

Few lazy summer afternoons take place in the heavens this August. The astrological brew this summer is more a caffeinated iced double espresso than a cool lemonade. The intensity of planetary energy is turned up a few notches this month, and we won’t have more than a few days between some very tense and intense aspects.

We start the month with a solar eclipse on the 1st. This is a so-called "midnight sun" eclipse, visible in the extreme northern regions of Canada and parts of Asia. All solar eclipses hide the sun, but in this case the eclipse itself is somewhat hidden, out of view of most of the planet. As charged New Moons, eclipses plant seeds for the future, and perhaps this time we will be less consciously aware of what is being created. We feel the energy of an eclipse building a week or so before, a kind of quiet edginess, often accompanied by a strong desire to know what’s going on and the sense that some kind of action is needed. This feeling ebbs a bit after the eclipse, but will build up again as we approach the Lunar Eclipse on the 16th.

On the 5th, Venus makes an easy aspect to Pluto, letting the primal energy of the instincts flow into our relationships. In the late degrees of Leo/Sagittarius, this aspect could have a sexy, fun side to it. It’s also easier to let go of partnerships that aren’t working. Contrast the energy of this day to the 29th, when Venus is in a difficult square to Pluto and power struggles are far more likely.

The 6th is a day of contrasts. Mars and Uranus form an edgy opposition, each demanding their own way so that we’re unlikely to be feeling very cooperative. Mercury opposes Neptune on the same day, with the result that we’re likely to go off half-cocked (as the saying goes), exploding over issues only to discover we’ve been acting on the wrong information. We might find ourselves echoing Emily Latella as we say, "never mind."

Venus meets up with Saturn on the 13th, giving a serious tone to relationships.

The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse is on the 16th. The day before we have aspects between the Sun and Neptune and also Mercury and Saturn. The former can create unrealistic expectations, while the latter pushes us to speak the truth. Clearly we’re getting mixed messages, as we try to keep our eyes on the road just as the fog rolls in. The challenge is to sort out valuable inspiration from unrealistic fantasy. Enough of a challenge on any day, but likely to be all the more intense thanks to the Lunar Eclipse the day before. The charged energy of the eclipse doesn’t let us step back and take it all in slowly, instead pressuring us to do something.

To keep the energy running high, the eclipse is followed by a tense square of Mars to Pluto on the 17th. Both energies can be felt a few days before and for a little afterwards. Full Moons bring things to light, and ramp up the overall level of excitement, all the more so when there’s an eclipse. The Mars/Pluto aspect will highlight tensions between what we want and how we go about getting it. To the extent that you’ve felt hemmed in by rules and beliefs, you’re very likely to decide to go your own way. Watch for displays of anger and irritability.

More excitement comes our way on the 23rd, when the energy of the Last Quarter Moon is sparked by oppositions of both Mercury and Venus to Uranus. Once again, we’ll be out to get what we want when we want it, and diplomacy takes a back seat. These aspects do favor open and frank communication, and should help the artist and the revolutionary in all of us.

The month winds down with a New Moon on the 30th. After a month of powerful aspects, this is a time to allow ourselves a little time to reflect and maybe even relax.

The astrological weather in August challenges us to deal with several different kinds of tension; two eclipses, and aspects of the Sun, Mercury, and Venus to the powerful outer planets. This might lead us to ask, how can we best deal with these types of energy?

A central principle in modern astrology is that the planets do not fatalistically dictate what will happen, but rather create conditions within which we have to live. That’s why I like to use the phrase "astrological weather." It’s really very much the same thing. If you know that rain is very likely tomorrow, for example, you might do better planning a day indoors than a picnic. Similarly, the aspects around the middle of August suggest that we’ll be very excitable, but not necessarily too clear about the facts of the matter. Perhaps this isn’t the best time to plan an important business meeting or go on a job interview. The tough aspects to Venus, planet of love and relationship, on the 23rd and 29th suggests that these aren’t the best times to bring up an "issue" with a significant other, as things might get blown out of proportion. On the other hand, if you want your freedom from someone, these days might have exactly the energy you need to make the break.

Of course, astrological weather isn’t as obvious as meteorological weather, and it can be hard to keep the transitory nature of the aspects in mind. In general, we do best in areas where we have developed ourselves to a degree. Someone with good relationship skills, for example, knows not to speak from a place of anger, and should be able to handle tense Venus transits.

With awareness and consciousness, we can make the most of the conditions we are given. But there are also limitations. "Going with the flow" means steering with current and not resisting the direction in which we are meant to move.