August Horoscopes

Astrology of August
Current Configurations
Past Months

Aries	Libra
Taurus	Scorpio
Gemini	Sagittarius
Cancer	Capricorn
Leo	Aquarius
Virgo	Pisces

August 2008

Current Astrology

	The Sun is in Gemini
	The Moon is in SagittariusThe Full Moon is in Sagittarius: All day
	Moon Void of Course 8:24 pm to 6/5 12:31 am
	Next Mercury Retrograde Aug 23 - Sep 15

Current Configurations

by Henry Seltzer

August 1st Solar Eclipse New Moon
This powerful New Moon in Leo has the additional feature of making a sesquiquadrate aspect with Uranus. The unexpected enlightenment of the promethean planet will therefore be a factor all through the month, and surprises abound. In the case of close aspects with natal charts, this influence may be a factor for many months to come. You might want to look to see if any natal degree in your chart falls within a few degrees of 10 Leo, or with any of the Fixed signs of Taurus, Scorpio, or Aquarius. Also at this extra-special New Moon we find that Venus is opposite numinous Neptune, a harbinger of outer planet influence in general that is again emphasized at the time of the Full Moon two weeks further on. The aspect between Venus and Neptune provides an idealistic and potentially confusing highlight to al our relationships at this time.

August 8th First Quarter Moon
This phase traditionally represents the "crisis of action" implicit in coming to terms with what portion of our dreams can and cannot survive in the cruel world of manifestation. The tender shoot pokes its head out and will either thrive or else must wither. Coming on the heels of an intense eclipse lunation as it does, this will be an especially important juncture. The Sun and Moon in square with each other also make a T-square to Chiron in Aquarius, which is closely conjunct the North Node for this entire first week of the month. This emphasis on Chiron indicates that old dysfunctional patterns of behavior could come up for greater acceptance and eventual healing, especially those of our goals, our group orientation and where we sub-serve our interests to the commonality of collective ideals.

August 16th Full Moon Lunar Eclipse
Another eclipse lets us know that this is an unusually powerful Full Moon, and also the close conjunction of the Moon with Neptune brings the numinous very much to bear at this time. Idealism is rampant and also the possibility of confusion, even outright deception, as this complex symbol may manifest at any of several different levels. The divine intersects the physical plane in complex and multifaceted ways. It is interesting that throughout this monthly cycle the numinous energies beyond the physical stand opposed to and triggered by the personal planets in the more personal signs. We have always before us as this cycle unfolds the contrast to dwell on and the chance to enhance our understanding of our true nature as spirits in the material world.

August 23rd Last Quarter Moon
This phase represents what dean of Western Astrology Dane Rudhyar termed the "crisis in awareness" represented by seeing what has succeeded and what has not over the preceding cycle. We are brought to a new lever of understanding as a result of the struggle to manifest our deepest desires and this wisdom serves as the seed of the next cycle starting with the coming New Moon. In this case too, the Sun has moved into Virgo in preparation. This Sun and Moon also aspect Pluto, reminding us of the necessary transformation of our goals and ideals as we go through life.

August 30th New Moon
This New Moon in discriminating Virgo conjuncts Saturn there, pulling us down to the real, and setting the stage for a new cycle in September. This makes a marked contrast to the high flying lunations of early August. We benefit by remembering the physical world, since we must make our place and our stand there, in spite of our connection to the beyond which is also very much with us at this time. At first we see only the physical world, but then, with partial enlightenment, comes an understanding that we are in essence much beyond that state. But then, in a more mature understanding, we acknowledge and embrace the physical as a necessary part of the whole, and our bodies as a necessary vehicle for Spirit. In the words of sixties icon Donovan "First there is a mountain then there is no mountain, then there is."