Astrologically Speaking

Forecast for the Month of August 2003

The heavens are divided this month.

Combatants opposed yet linked as in the two sides of the same coin.

During the day, it's about you me and the local neighbourhood. During the night, it's about the big world ... the trans-personal aspects of interconnectedness. During the day the oppositions are clear, but at night it's not so clear, and needs careful review to understand. I expect that understanding the big picture of just where the whole herd is off too will be nigh on impossible. The divide across the Zodiac will create stand-offs where it feels like you against something or someone. I also hope there will be periodic compromises where both you and life can coexist.

There are a couple of subtle tones sounding all month; Saturn and Neptune begin to form an aspect which requires the humility to recognize that your "family" and thus your ability to thrive must embrace all of humanity, not just your local tribe. This also comes out in the obvious glare of self-centred interest that can't get started with Mars retrograde. Even the staunch individualist will question if his course of action will be in sync with the main stream. Keep in mind the main stream is no longer clearly defined! It is like the dimension at which we are all "not separate" becomes palpable.

The August 11th Full Moon along the Aquarius Leo axis is at 9:48 pm PDT. The light of the Full Moon shines on your personal story today. The planets Venus and Jupiter flank this scene and bestow film-star quality to your role. Are you in a tragedy, a comedy, a drama, a horror show? Are you having fun yet or are you taking yourself too seriously? What is critical to see is whether or not you are able to be nourishing to others. The degree symbolism* "An American Indian performs a majestic ritual to the Sun," key word is "Fidelity."

We also get a change of scene from the greater benefic Jupiter who takes his show out of the big top and into the arena of self mastery, service, and humility; allowing these things to expand, get big, grow in what ever direction they are going in. Jupiter will reside in the sign of Virgo for the next year. You can expect industries attached to health, well being, fitness, public service etc to change in dimension. Lets hope it isn't because of some major pandemic breaking out!

The August 27 Virgo New Moon is at 10:26 am PDT. The scene of this New Moon involves four additional players. Venus Jupiter Mars and Uranus are all directly connected. What you start today must recognize your place in the river of life. It is asking that you bring your joy and love of humanity to your daily activity. If you do not, you will fight an upstream battle. What inspires you to be the best you can be? Find an answer to this question and you will receive a blissful realisation. The highlighted degree symbolism is "A man dreaming fairies'"* The keyword is "Outlook."

Give up the idea that you can be ready for the back to school, back to normal routine that is supposed to kick off in September. Just as we are all getting our ducks in a row Mercury will go retrograde. The shadow phase begins on August 9th with the real break in programming coming on August 28th, just in time to mess up travel plans. While Mercury is retrograde in Virgo you can expect analysis paralysis. Expect delays and changes in plans, with travel or appointments. This is a great time for cultivating self acceptance and compassion through right-brain activities like art and meditation. You'll find yourself re-evaluating and reconsidering major issues. Hold all final decisions and approval until after Mercury goes direct on September 20th.

Forecast for the Month of September 2003

September will demonstrate that it is not always easy to return to routine!

The polarization which was the dominant theme in August will continue, but we add plenty of square dances to the menu. Squares dances ask us to respect one another's differences and not try to jam our agenda through. Remember that Mercury and Mars are both still retrograde, keeping us all questioning our motives and our schedules and our ability to function as a human doing. Faith and trust come to mind as well as not taking our own movie scripts to seriously. Mercury resumes normal programming on September 20th while Mars waits till September 28. Mercury in particular puts the squeeze on how we think things "should be", demanding that we re-analyze our rationale. This theme is likely to sound loudly in the halls of power around the 9/11 anniversary. Mercury then takes up the most challenging opposition that is occurring this month. Saturn catches up to Chiron at the start of the month and the these two remain linked till November the 4th. The degrees that they pass over are linked to the USA and it's President. Many Astrologers see this as a potential fall from grace for the Bush administration. On a local and personal front we all get to look closely at our own family/community structures. Check out the reality. Is it sustainable? What needs to change or be updated? Are you carrying your load for the family/community system? Situations that are not prepared for compromise or are too hung up in black and white, right and wrong, may very well break up.

Mars chases a retreating Uranus keeping the emotional pot boiling like it did in June. Because they are both retrograde the action is all behind the scenes. You can expect emotional shifts and clearings and moments of "no separation" from the collective to continue until Uranus leaves Pisces for Aquarius on September 14th. For those late degree Aquarians your patron comes home till the end of the year. Now is an opportunity to speak or act your truth from the intention which honours your connection to the universe.

The September 10th Full Moon along the Virgo Pisces axis is at 9:36 am PDT. The light of the Full Moon shines on our ability to be of service as a function of our appreciation of humility. I see humility as the natural outcome of self acceptance. Not from guilt or shame or self righteousness. The symbolism alludes to the smoke and mirrors of our rationale. Call into question all that "works" logically and see if it is working on a practical level. The world and it's problems are made personal with this Full Moon. The highlighted degree symbolism is "Two girls playing with a Ouija board'"* The keyword is "Acumen."

The Fall Equinox is at 3:47 am on September the 23rd. This map sets the tone for the next 3 months. The emphasis is on hard labour and physical toil. Even with grace on your side the next three months will demand a lot. I suggest linking innocence with determination and diversion with ecstasy.

The September 25th Libra New Moon is at 8:09 pm PDT. Libra is the sign of balance, of win-win, of justice. An ideal? Maybe. Saturn and Chiron hold perfect tension between self-interest and our response ability to our fellow-man today as their aspect goes exact. This New Moon literally offers us all the chance to make a new beginning by being innovative. Today you can start plant seeds that bring the Libran ideals into being. The degree symbolism* "The dawn of a new day, everything changes," key word is "Innovation."

*taken from "The Sabian Symbols" by Marc Edmund Jones

By Moreen Reed

- 20 - Edition 14, August 2003