Retrograde season continues along with the Mars and Ketu conjunction in Capricorn, which may be causing disturbances in some aspects of life. Retrograde (also referred to as ‘vakri’) planets show results that are twisted – as the term ‘vakri’ means – from the material nature of the planets. Their transit is felt more prominently as the planets are closer to the Earth. But at the same time, they feel more fated too.
Mercury is the most recently retrograde from July 26 – August 19. Now that Mercury is rewinding through Cancer, we have a plethora of retrograde energy with Saturn, Mars and Mercury all holding retrograde status at once and in addition, we have Mars and Mercury both amplified in the nodal axis, both exceptionally strong due to being retrograde and since they have an inimical relationship, this could result in flared, hostile communication. As August comes to a close, planetary energies calm down. Mercury’s return to direct motion on August 18 and Mars’ return to direct motion on August 27 along with a promising full moon on August 26 bring more clarity.
Mercury Retrograde in Cancer July 26 – August 19
On July 26 at approx. 6 am UTC, several hours after the full moon, Mercury turned retrograde at the ‘gandanta’ point of the nakshatra Ashlesha, and started moving back toward Rahu and the Sun. Mercury retraces his steps back to 18º Cancer, where he resumes direct motion once again in the early hours of August 19. Gandanta (spiritual knot, “gand” meaning knot and “anta” meaning end) forming at the end of Cancer/early Leo, points to unravelling of old karma and implies endings of sorts. All of us have karmic knots of some type, indeed our birth chart itself is a map of our inherited karma. However, those being affected by Gandanta degrees, usually experience them as much more dramatic collisions with destiny, causing instability and loss of will where it occurs. Ashlesha being at the junction of the water and fire element shows the ending of one cycle of life and moving toward another.
Ashlesha is a constellation that is connected to the kundalini energy, the latent power that lies within each one of us. Ashlesha translates as embracing, clinging, entwining, and thus is associated with serpent energy. It is the archetype of the Sarpas (the serpents). A serpent sheds their skin, so there is the quality of renewal and regeneration to this nakshatra, finishing up old projects and creating new ones, and letting go of the old at every step of the way. The process of shedding old skin is always a painful one as it relates to a change at both the emotional and intellectual level, the ever evolving human consciousness. This nakshatra, a symbol of re-birth and transformation, also has great capacity for healing, and tapping into realms of secret wisdom and knowledge. As such, this is not the time to start anything new, being that Mercury, is transiting back and forth in this constellation. It is a great time for completing old cycles, thoughts, activities, etc. and preparing for what is to come after August 19. It is also a good time to practice any healing modalities, or learning about occult subjects.
Gemini and Virgo can feel particularly insecure about what direction they should take as Mercury rules their first house. At times of planetary volatility, it the best to keep the mind occupied with positive endeavors. And as usual, always better to postpone major decision making with Mercury moving in retrograde.
Venus Transits Virgo August 1 – September 1
Venus starts its transit through Virgo on August 1 in the early hours of the morning, and stays for the entire month. Venus moving into the sign of its debilitation will pose some challenges for relationship matters, particularly in expressing love and affection as Virgo tends to be a nit-picky sign. This is even more so since it is now getting the aspect of Saturn from Sagittarius. Relationships may feel burdensome and this aspect will enhance the fault-finding tendency of Venus transiting Virgo, creating fear of rejection and loneliness for some. We may experience difficulty in communication during this time, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Difficulty can mean frustration, but it can also mean communication about difficult subjects that we would rather avoid. It will be easy to misunderstand others at this time.
Taurus and Libra are directly impacted as their ascendant (first house) ruler is debilitated. Generally, when the ruler of the first house is compromised, one should be watchful of their health. Here for Taurus, the focus will be on fifth house matters, so best to avoid finding fault with children. For Libra, Venus, also their ascendant ruler, is transiting their 12th house of loss. Efforts may not get rewarded, for instance you may be giving a lot but perhaps not receiving the same proportion. This would be a good time to donate as this would the positive way to use 12th house energy.
The positive side is that Venus will be away from the influence of retrograde Mars and Rahu, which eliminates some of the tension, passion and drama that come when Mars and Venus are together. Despite this, it may still feel like there is too much going on at once, with the lord of Virgo, Mercury, in conjunction with Rahu and also retrograde until August 18.
New Moon/ Partial Solar Eclipse in Ashlesha, Mercury’s nakshatra, on August 11
On August 11, at approx. 10 am UTC, we have a solar eclipse at 24 degrees Cancer, in the nakshatra of Ashlesha. The Sun and Moon will join retrograde Mercury and Rahu in Cancer opposed by a retrograde Mars and Ketu in Capricorn. With six planets in the Cancer-Capricorn axis and all planets hemmed by a kala amrita yoga (occurring when all planets are contained between the nodes and moving toward the South Node) events will feel fated, unpredictable, and sudden as the Nodal influence is very strong.
Nakshatras, or star constellations, are passive forces, which need the planets to activate them. To reflect on the deeper meaning of life, it is vital to note the nakshatra placements as this will reveal the inner motivation of the planet that resides there. The ruler of Ashlesha is Mercury and the ruler of Cancer is the Moon, where the eclipse is taking place. Moon is the mind, our emotions, that which controls us, whereas in contrast, Mercury governs our intellect, that which guides our rational thinking.
The partial solar eclipse taking place in this powerful Nakshatra takes on an added spiritual dimension because Ashlesha is ruled by the intense serpent energies, here serpent signifies our desires that bind us to the earthly plane, and in order to transcend the lower desires, this nakshatra also gives us the power to access the kundalini energy. On a personal level, the eclipses will directly affect those whose Sun, Moon, or Ascendant within four degrees in either direction of the eclipse degree (24 degree 34″ Cancer). It will also affect those who have pivotal planets in this nakshatra, including the AtmaKaraka or Dasha Planet. Those who have planets within a wider orb will be affected but the impact may not be as intense.
The main aspect of the eclipse is the re-direction, and re-calibration of your thoughts, your emotions, that will lead to major transformation, brought on by an event or circumstance, that alters your thinking. It can be painful if you are not ready to make the change; however, if you are moving toward change, you will find the process liberating. It will herald a completely new direction where you experience life on a different level. Eclipses have always been used for meditation since the Vedic times, and this one is no exception. In fact, since the eclipse falls in Ashlesha, occult energy will be further magnified, allowing you to go deeper within for the answers and unite the emotions (moon) with the intellect (mercury). Remember that the days leading up to a new moon, Amavasya, are when the Moon’s energy is the weakest and most vulnerable, which can mean physical and mental fatigue. With all the difficult planetary influences at this time, the recommendation around mid-August is to create more time and space for rest, retreat and relaxation.
Sun Transits Leo August 17 – September 17
The Sun moves from Cancer to Leo on August 17, where it is most comfortable, and can breathe a sigh of relief as it leaves the Nodal axis, where the Sun is least comfortable. It will however be receiving the aspect of an exalted Mars from Capricorn. By August 27, Mars will be direct, bringing more clarity, focus, and direction.
The aspect from Sun can bring an energetic splurge to accomplish tasks. The Sun is already boosted in its own sign, and now, with an aspect from its friend, Mars, it can feel revived and inspired to lead the way. This will positively affect anyone born with a Sun, Moon or Ascendant in Leo. You can move ahead with your plans and whatever the Sun represents in your chart will flow more easily.
Full Moon in Aquarius, in the nakshatra of Shatabhisha, on August 26
After leaving the Nodal axis, the Moon moves into Saturn’s sign of Aquarius as she becomes full on August 26 at approx. 1 pm UTC. The Sun is in Magha and the Moon is in the nakshatra of Shatabhisha, the hundred healers. This full moon is being aspected by its ruler, Saturn, as well as it receives a benefic aspect from Jupiter.
Aquarius has two rulers, Rahu and Saturn, and is thus, similar to Scorpio, considered a karmic sign due to partial ownership by a Node. The nakshatra, Shatabhisha translates as “Hundreds of Healers,” strongly associated with miraculous healers. Those with prominent planets in Shatabhisha have the ability to be determined and dedicated humanitarians, work for noble causes to “heal the world.” Called the Veiling Star, this nakshatra is about healing the human condition spiritually and physically.
The symbol of Shatabhisha is an empty circle, which indicates the ability to explore mysteries and philosophies of the unknown. Shatabhisha is a secretive star with a focus on the hidden powers of life. The Moon in Shatabhisha may help us to focus on how to bring healing /repair to situations or conditions that may have arisen during the unstable past few months, marked by an intense and fiery Mars and Ketu conjunction, an eclipse trio, along with several retrograde planets. Shatabhisha, with its heavy Rahu influence, may be able help us innovate and stretch our minds toward solutions for stability and growth.
With Jupiter already in direct motion and Saturn still retrograde until September 6, we may be inspired to see our situations in a new light which helps us to remove the corrupt or outdated in order to make space for new growth and creativity. After a rather challenging summer of astrological influences, this full Moon could feel like a turning point, where we spin around one more time in order to get ourselves facing in the right direction for progress once again.
Mars Direct in Capricorn August 27
When exalted and retrograde Mars resumes direct motion at 4° Capricorn on Monday, August 27, we may all feel a sense of relief at the promise of a more calm environment after feeling the strong agitation of Mars during this retrograde cycle which has marked July/August 2018.
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