August Horoscopes

Astrology of August
Current Configurations
Past Months

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

August 2011

Current Astrology

	The Sun is in Aries
	The Quarter Moon is in LeoThe First Quarter Moon is in Leo: All day
	Next Mercury Retrograde Apr 21 - May 14

August Horoscopes

by Henry Seltzer

The Astrology of August features once again the powerfully transformative energies of the outer planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, plus a Mercury retrograde period that accentuates the thoughtful and meditative nature of this important midsummer time frame. The Leo New Moon that began this most recent Sun-Moon cycle in the ending weekend of July makes inconjunct aspects to both Neptune and to Pluto, in what is known as a yod formation. This New Moon also continues to emphasize the powerful and intensely close Uranus-Pluto square by trining Uranus. Venus is conjunct the New Moon and closely trines Uranus. Venus makes strong aspects to Chiron and Pluto as well, so that our relationship energy will tend to be all over the map, with surprising and profound developments on all fronts.

When Mercury turns retrograde on August 2nd, it is in the beginning degrees of Virgo, directly opposite Neptune. This makes for a three-week period of the retrograde that will be more confused and mystical than usual. As Mercury drifts back into Leo, it will also eventually make a sesqui-yod to Uranus and Pluto, formed by two sesqui-quadrate aspects to each, thus emphasizing once more the strong aspect between them. This perfects just as Mercury changes to direct motion on the 26th, so that the few days proceeding and following the Virgo New Moon of the 28th will be a particularly dicey time. Mercury leaves its retrograde shadow by September 9th.

This will be a supremely important and transformative as well as surprisingly insightful month, when many things in our lives could alter or begin to alter. This is because the Uranus-Pluto square � the primary outer planet collision that will become the hallmark of this turbulent decade � is still quite close to exact. It is only a little more than a degree off, and is aspected by both the New Moon of this month and the one at the end of August, which takes place on the 28th, at 5 degrees of Virgo, almost exactly trine to Pluto and inconjunct to Uranus.

Neptune too is a very potent energy in these August skies. Mercury remains opposed to Neptune for the first two weeks of the month, bringing the mystical and nebulous nature of this otherworldly energy directly into the mix surrounding Mercury�s retrograde. At each lunation phase the other personal planets Mars and Venus also make aspects to Neptune, as well as to Uranus and Pluto. All three outer planets are thereby emphasized. We�re in for a very interesting ride as we head into the fall season.

In all this there is opportunity as well as challenge, since we badly need to let go of the dead and dying past, of those unnecessary parts of ourselves that have outlived their usefulness and that are, in effect, holding us back from becoming a truer representation of the people that we need to be. The transformative powers of these outer planets are intended to help us by giving us the chance to transcend our former selves. We need to keep our heads on straight, or as straight as is humanly possible, in order not to miss that chance when it comes around.