We can finally put the heaviest planetary energies of 2019 behind us. August brings a sigh of relief with Jupiter’s direct movement; along with the Sun and Mars in dignified positions. After months of dissolution and destruction, we can finally move toward positive growth.
New Moon in Cancer, in the nakshatra of Pushya on August 1
We start August with a new moon, which occurs in the early morning hours of August 1st in the Moon’s own sign of Cancer at approximately 15 degrees. This makes four planets present at this juncture in Cancer: Moon, Sun, Mars and Venus. Retrograde Mercury will have slipped into the last degree of Gemini by July 30.
While the Moon moves forward quickly, the other planets joining the new Moon remain in Cancer, receiving the help of retrograde Jupiter. As the Moon exits Cancer for Leo, newly direct Mercury will join the grouping in Cancer, aiming to reorganize after whatever disruptions, remodels and transitions have recently transpired.
As we move into August, we push the re-set button. Sit back, let the Moon dissolve into the Sun, still the mind and heart while you prepare for new directions even though the details haven’t become clear yet nor has the recent dissolution actually concluded. We are still in the flow of change and transition that requires full attention, patience and faith.
Jupiter moves direct on August 11
Jupiter will regain direct motion at 21º Scorpio on August 11, as the Moon is waxing. Jupiter moves through the last third of Scorpio until November 4, when he enters his own sign of Sagittarius, joining Saturn and Ketu. Until November 4, Jupiter’s beneficial aspect flows into all of the water signs, including Cancer, the site of the August 1st New Moon.
Retrograde Jupiter in Scorpio has been creating a strong tide that may be revealing long-buried emotions, calling for deep transformational work and transitioning into new growth cycles. Retrograde motion can also cause a planet to behave differently, even opposite to what is normally predicted and this four-month retrograde period may have caused Jupiter-related significations to shrink or reverse. Growth may have become stagnant, and now after four months, many of us are ready to turn that ship around.
Scorpio is the most complex of water signs, co-ruled by the fiery planets Mars and Ketu. Any time this fire-water energy comes together, we get the tangled challenge of the gandanta, and the karmic knot. But Scorpio is a deep and intricate sign that drives us toward understanding the subconscious mind and the unseen undercurrents that drive our lives, so it is also here that we have the power to unravel this knot.
Jupiter functions well in this complex environment of Scorpio, having a good relationship with both Mars and Ketu. Direct motion of Jupiter in Scorpio from August 11 – November 4 could be a very positive influence with regard to learning from mistakes and making deep transformations that open the way toward new growth opportunities.
Mars Transits Leo from August 8 – September 24
The overall planetary energies of July were to allow the dissolution and destruction of the obsolete and patiently wait for the turbulence in the collective waters to settle. There have been several months of activity building up toward this period, with the Saturn and Ketu conjunction fully locked in by: Saturn’s retrograde motion; the eclipses in July; and Jupiter retrograde.
Mars will be completing a transit of Cancer, his sign of debilitation, on August 8 and will move forward into Leo, a much more powerful position for Mars. Mars in Cancer can get extremely frustrated by the inability to forge ahead with plans and we may have had to endure one delay after another. During Mars’ transit in Leo, both Jupiter and Saturn will also be in direct motion and the Sun itself will transit through Leo. This could mark a turning point as we may receive some clarity about moving forward. The Sun and Mars share the qualities of focus and firepower, so in Leo, Mars doesn’t have to contend with fighting the ever changing tides as he does in Cancer.
In addition, Mars will be giving an aspect to his own sign of Scorpio, currently the location of Jupiter. This bolsters Scorpio and Jupiter, throwing some courage into the mix for the upcoming transformations through which Jupiter will guide us.
Full Moon in Capricorn in the nakshatra of Dhanishta on August 15
As the Sun rises in Cancer on the morning of August 15, the Moon comes to its point of fullness at 29° Capricorn. Unlike in July, when the full Moon was eclipsed by the Ketu/Saturn conjunction in Sagittarius, this full Moon escapes all the negative planetary aspects, offering moments of calm reflection and insight after months of turbulence, obstacles, and unexpected delays.
We may begin to feel the tides turn at this time. The direct motion of Jupiter will also be settling in as we begin to see hope for creating new forms and establishing new roots. The dispositor of the Moon at this time, Saturn, however, remains in a tight embrace with Ketu in retrograde motion, reminding us that our new foundations require patience to build.
Venus is also in a tight conjunction with the Sun at this time as they both are about to enter Leo from the late gandanta degrees of Cancer. This could be the make or break point for some in their current relationship status. Relationship or partnership dynamics may have been turbulent during this year and this meeting of Venus and Sun may help to reveal the keys to moving past the turbulence.
Venus Transits Leo from August 16 – September 9
Venus, ruler of the water element and currently combust, immersed in the Sun’s rays, moves from the Moon’s sign of Cancer to the Sun’s sign of Leo on August 16, remaining close to the Sun throughout the entire transit.
Venus in Leo and Venus with the Sun give similar results, the theme of which may have something to do with sacrificing the vitality of a union in order to serve the needs of an individual.
Mercury will join Venus by late August, but these two energetic planets will be sharing Leo with the Sun and Mars, whose agendas are more likely to prevail at this time. Aggression and executive power may overpower the diplomatic efforts of Venus and Mercury during this period.
Sun Transits Leo from August 17 – September 16
While this may not be the optimal time for group ventures, diplomacy or equality, it will be a great time for self-promotion as the Sun moves into his throne room, Leo. With both Mars and the Sun in Leo, this is quite empowering to those who have significant natal placements there or in the sign of Aquarius, which is opposite to Leo. Avenues that may have seemed blocked or absent may seem to open up and become clear during this time.
While the brakes may still be pressed by the Saturn/Ketu conjunction, other factors are giving us the signal to begin to enact plans and move forward. Without hurry or pressure, we can begin to take deliberate steps to lay our new paving stones and put ourselves out there.
Mercury Transits Leo from August 26 – September 10
Mercury takes a dip back into its sign, Gemini, on July 31 for a few days but then returns back to the watery sign of Cancer till late on August 25. On August 26, Mercury joins the Sun and Mars in Leo. Following Venus’ lead, Mercury races forward into complete combustion with the Sun that is exact on September 3, when Sun, Mercury and Mars will all be at the same degree of Leo.
The indication here, with all Mercury, Venus and Mars lost in the bright orb of the Sun is that we may be focusing all of our energy and power on the agenda of the Sun alone during this time. If our heart is with the cause, this will feel invigorating. If we are being swept toward a goal that does not align with our purpose, this may feel disheartening.
New Moon in Leo in the nakshatra of Magha on August 30
Around noon UTC on August 30, the Moon joins the Sun at 12 degrees of Leo, in Magha nakshatra. This New Moon is joined by the two rajasic, active planets, Venus and Mercury, as well as a powerful Mars, all in Leo, signalling another month of activity in the regal sign. This new moon is the best moon phase in a long time for starting something new or reenergizing something. It is especially good for romance so you could find your true soul mate or reinvigorate a marriage. It also receives a positive aspect from the outer planet, Uranus, which can add excitement and positive change to the mix.
Magha nakshatra is a portion of the zodiac that we associate with our ancestors and the karma of family lineages. While the Sun rules Leo, Magha is ruled by Ketu, showing the roots of the individual’s potential coming from the ancestral or family karma. This could be a time to face and destroy the deeply sown seeds that may be blocking our progress. Facing family karma, forgiving of debts, releasing of grudges and sacrificing selfish desires may be required in order for us to open the locks that are keeping us from fully blooming. Any ancestral ritual you perform in this regard will bring good results now. We end the month of August on a positive note.
