August may feel like a stark contrast from beginning to end. During the first half of August, we will still be feeling the residue of the eclipses which took place in the last several Summer weeks. From mid-August onward, Mars begins its powerful transit in Aries, where it will remain on and off for six months. And the Sun finally moves away from Cancer into its own regal sign of Leo, ushering in a time of proactive action.
Venus Transits Gemini from August 1 till 31
Venus moves into Gemini joining Rahu and opposing Ketu and Jupiter. Venus is in friendly territory whilst in Mercury’s air sign and also in friendly company with Rahu. This is the desire to connect and communicate being amplified. This is creative energy and could be channelled into marketing, networking, writing, music, studying, teaching, gardening, photography, recreation, and socialising.
Planets in opposite signs have an interactive relationship. Across from the exciting creative storm going on in Gemini, we see Ketu, the headless one, getting deeper with its churning, in the early degrees of Sagittarius. In retrograde motion at the other end of the sign is Jupiter, regressing through recently traversed terrain, perhaps a bit more deflated than we would expect.
Venus and Jupiter are not on friendly terms, but they both carry with them the designation of Guru. In mythology, Jupiter is the teacher of the Devas (representing sattvic energies) while Venus is the teacher of the Daityas (representing tamasic energies). Jupiter teaches us about the immutable laws of nature while Venus teaches us how to get along with each other.
The Venus-Jupiter opposition becomes exact on August 25. This is retrograde Jupiter with elusive Ketu, which may bring feelings of despair, indifference or lack of hope. Dig into hard truths to see what lies beneath; it is normal to suffer disappointment when the world delivers negative experiences. To face these truths, to learn lessons and to integrate them, is what this time period is asking us to do.
Mercury Transits Cancer from August 2 till 17
As Venus enters Gemini, its lord, Mercury, departs and moves into the Moon’s sign of Cancer for a very quick dip. Here, Mercury receives the direct aspect of retrograde Saturn. The first two weeks of August, as Saturn interacts with Mercury, could bring about opportunities that require quick thinking, pushing our foundational comfort zones. The retrograde Saturn could also be bringing up ‘old issues’ that resurface into relevance with communications, purchases, and transactions.
Saturn is in his own sign makes him capable to forward his agenda, but remember that he is also retrograde, so he may act in uncharacteristic ways. Saturn in Capricorn is the theme of 2020-2022, so this is a good time to lay foundations, deliberately and carefully.
Full Moon in Capricorn in the nakshatra of Shravana on August 3
The Moon is waxing as August begins, becoming full at 17º Capricorn around 5 pm UTC on Monday, August 3. The Moon is considered in great strength when full, but this month may feel a bit compromised by the presence of Saturn in his own sign of Capricorn. However, the Moon has moved passed Saturn during this moment but being it is still in Capricorn, this can lead to some pessimism.
The Moon moves through Shravana nakshatra, which is ruled by the Moon, so emotions may be heightened. Shravana urges us to learn from others. It is a nakshatra of learning, leading to a quest for knowledge and information. This full Moon may shed some positive light on the polarisation of individual benefit vs. collective responsibility. It is also a good time to bring discipline and order in your life, in your home surroundings especially.
Mars Transits Aries from August 16 till October 4
Through the next months, Mars will be a key player in the skies. Mars is the planet of power, drive, physical strength, logic, problem solving, research, protection, engineering and the martial arts, among other similar connotations. Mars is assertive, masculine and fiery. The power of Mars when channelled in a positive way helps us to create lasting monuments and amazing structures. The planning and preparation of Mars can make us feel safe, confident and courageous as we move through situations that may feel threatening. A well-placed Mars through his own fire sign, the initiatory realm of Aries, gives us the opportunity to wield this power.
Mars will have two sessions through Aries within the next six months due to a retrograde cycle from September 12 till November 14. This date range coincides with the open and positive window that will be created by three other major shifts that begin in mid-September: Jupiter direct in Sagittarius, nodal axis shift, and Saturn direct in Capricorn. Mars will be resuming direct motion in November just as Jupiter moves out of Sagittarius and back into Capricorn.
Here is Mars’ upcoming itinerary:
- Mars Retrograde at 4º Aries on September 10
- Retrograde Mars return to Pisces October 4
- Mars Direct at 22º Pisces on November 14
- Direct Mars in Aries December 23, 2020 till February 21, 2021
Mars in Aries is a great time for objective viewpoints, problem solving, planning and designing, finding a cure for destructive diseases, initiating new phases, and making bold moves under unstable or frightening circumstances.
Mars in Aries with Saturn in Capricorn completely energises all of the cardinal (moveable) signs of the zodiac: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. These are signs that can move and shake things by being willing to start projects, to make connections, and to keep steadily moving. So expect lots of changes in your life depending on the areas that are ruled by Mars.
Two signs in particular will be feeling the double aspect coming from Mars and Saturn: Cancer and Libra. Individuals with those signs strong in the personal horoscope may particularly feel the pressure and anxiety brought by Saturn coupled with the frustration and courage pushed by Mars. This may create a ‘driving with the brakes on’ feeling, which can be rather uncomfortable.
Sun Transits Leo from August 16 till September 16
With the mighty Sun, the light of our lives, moving into his own sign of Leo from August 16 till September 16, as he predictably does each year, we gain a pure quality of light that is designed to inspire just and righteous behaviour.
This Sun transit through Leo phase will also create a potent combination of many planets in their own or exalted sign:
- Mars in Aries (own sign)
- Rahu in Gemini (exalted)
- Sun in Leo (own sign)
- Jupiter in Sagittarius (own sign)
- Saturn in Capricorn (own sign)
- August 16-18, September 13-15 – Moon in Cancer (own sign)
- September 8-10 – Moon in Taurus (exalted)
This simply shows a very potent time, astrologically speaking. The Sun will be free of negative aspects during this transit, including moving signs the same day as Mars, which relieves the Sun of Mars’ aspect, but also puts two fiery planets in good dignity in their fiery signs, creating a dharma trine in fire, so fantastic time to take action.
The Sun in Leo may grant us a unique perspective that helps us to navigate what has been a trying year, globally. Retrograde Saturn and Jupiter are urging us to walk back on some deep issues; Sun in Leo shows us how to maintain our sense of self through what can seem like a time of catastrophic circumstances.
Mercury Transits Leo from August 16 till September 1
Mercury keeps his pace up, transiting right into Leo with the Sun, in a state of total combustion. He moves rapidly, landing into his own sign of Virgo on September 1.
Getting himself into Leo also gets Mercury out of Saturn’s gaze, which could feel like we are moving into a period where we can turn on the energy, get creative, and make things happen. Just like the Sun, Mercury enjoys a relatively positive environment for this transit through Leo, with no major negative aspects and maybe some positive lift coming from retrograde Jupiter in Sagittarius. This is a good time for creative communication, branding, financial planning, and exploring educational environments.
New Moon in Leo in the nakshatra of Magha on August 19
As the mid-month planetary shifts unfold, the Moon is also waning, joining up with the Sun and Mercury at 3 degrees of Leo in the revered nakshatra of Magha during the early morning of August 19 at approx 4 am.
Magha marks the beginning of the second sector of the zodiac, ruled by the ancestral lineage known as the Pitris, and by the shadow planet Ketu. This region of the zodiac shows the wealth inherent in lineages that upholds spiritual wisdom.
With the Moon weakened due to the proximity with the Sun, in addition to the combustion of Mercury, we are seeing both planets associated with the mental function (Moon and Mercury) in a state of diminished state. As with most new moon cycles, it is best to quiet the mind and still the body as we integrate this positive period of planetary weather.
Shortly after his new moon, we have Ganesha Chathurthi, the annual celebration of Lord Ganesha’s birth. It is a festival that is normally celebrated for 10 days with parades, ganesha idols, and religious ceremonies all over India.
