AstroWatch

Jim Schultz

*Any times indicated are for the Pacific Time Zone.

*Refer to “AstroCast” by Kimberly Maxwell for more detailed information as these events unfold.

*Remember, these are just transits and they too, like a kidney stone, shall pass.

July ends with Mercury stationing direct leaving August to start with four planets retrograde.  August also finds Jupiter at 14 Sagittarius, the degree at which He will station direct on August 11.  In addition to several days with five exact aspects there will be one day with six and one day with seven.  Check your “seat belt,” it could be a bumpy ride. The biggest day in August may be the 11th when both Jupiter and Uranus change direction.  When appearing to change direction a planet will seem to remain motionless in the night sky. This implies the expenditure of a great deal of energy so pace yourself.  Other astronomical events of interest will be the Venus superior conjunction Sun and Venus conjunct Mars to look forward to. Remember, these are only transits so they too shall pass; breathe.

08/01/19 – 1:48 pm – fast Moon goes Void-of-Course

Following a conjunction with Mars the Moon goes void-of-course for over 16 1/2 hours.  You can’t sleep through this one so if you have something new you need to get started; you needed to do it this morning.  For the rest of today you should focus on any work in progress. If you can, set aside any new tasks, projects or ideas for tomorrow after the Moon enters logical, adaptable earth Virgo.

08/02/19 – 2:59 am – Venus square Uranus

This is the waxing first quarter crisis of action square in their current cycle.  With Uranus in fixed earth Taurus and Venus in fixed fire Leo this may be the day to trust your intuition and stand your ground.  If you go for a make-over today, don’t go for anything permanent. Stick with something that can be changed or that a little time will fix.

08/02/19 – 6:20 am – fast Moon enters Virgo

With Her return to mutable earth logical Virgo the Moon’s void-of-course is over.  Go forth and tackle any new issues that you may have set aside during the void-of-course.  It’s Friday, what do you have left to finish this week? Prioritize, and then get busy.

08/03/19 – 5:39 am – fast Moon square retrograde Jupiter

This waning third quarter crisis of consciousness square is the first of five exact aspects by the Moon today.  This could be a rather emotional Saturday so keep the tissue handy; you know, for the non-Virgos.

Following this the Moon will quickly make a waning trine to retrograde Saturn, oppose retrograde Neptune and then make another waning trine, this time to retrograde Pluto for the second, third and fourth exact aspects of the day.  Aspects to three retrograde planets symbolizes a good time for reviewing, refocusing and re-examining what you have been working on or reconsidering. 

08/03/19 – 9:27 pm – fast Moon sextile Mercury

Following this waxing sextile to Mercury; the fifth and final exact aspect of the day, the Moon goes void-of-course for nine hours.  It’s Saturday night so best that you stick with whatever plans you’ve made. Avoid changing them, making new plans or doing anything spur of the moment.

08/04/19 – 6:30 am – fast Moon enters Libra

How fast is the Moon moving; She just zipped through Virgo in 2 days and 10 minutes, that’s about as fast as the Moon can go.  What might it mean when the Moon moves through a sign so quickly? Emotions and moods can change quickly and may seem to ebb and flow to extremes. 

08/05/19 – 3:25 am – fast Moon sextile Sun

This waxing sextile is the first exact aspect of the day and the second day of August with five exact aspects by the Moon.  Check your tissue supply. Waxing aspects symbolize a time of growing or expanding. If you’ve been feeling stuck on something, use the energies of today to help you break free and get moving forward again.

Following this the Moon; as She begins to decelerate, will make a waning sextile to retrograde Jupiter, a waning third quarter crisis of consciousness square to retrograde Saturn and then a waning third quarter crisis of consciousness square to retrograde Pluto.  Again the Moon makes three exact aspects in relatively quick succession to retrograde planets. Waning aspects symbolize a time for contraction, for paring things down to their essential parts and preparing them for assimilation or production.

08/05/19 – 7:26 pm – slowing Moon sextile Mars

This waxing sextile is the fifth and final exact aspect of the day.  Like the first aspect of today, this waxing sextile symbolizes a time for action as you prepare for the coming cycles foretold by the earlier waning aspects.

08/06/19 – 12:36 am – average Moon goes Void-of-Course

Following a waxing first quarter crisis of action square to Mercury the Moon goes void-of-course for eight hours.  It’s the middle of the night and should be relatively easy to avoid starting any new projects, tasks or ideas until after the Moon enters Scorpio.  Start your day by following your routine or sticking to whatever plans you had made yesterday. If you don’t sleep in, at least wait until after the Moon enters Scorpio before tackling any new projects or tasks.

08/06/19 – 8:31 am – average Moon enters Scorpio

The void-of-course is over and it’s still early so go ahead and jump start any new projects, tasks or ideas you may have set aside.  Scorpio is the fixed water sign known for being intense and deep. Use that energy to inspire you as you tackle any new projects, tasks or ideas.

08/07/19 – 12:31 am – Sun trine retrograde Jupiter

This is the first of six exact aspects today, five by the Moon.  It’s very early in the day. Be sure to note your last thoughts or feelings as you went to sleep and your first thoughts or feelings and dreams when you wake.

Following this the Moon will make a waxing first quarter crisis of action square to Venus for the second exact aspect of the day.  With the support of the two ladies of the zodiac, it’s a good time to take action on matters of the heart and home. 

08/07/19 – 10:31 am – average Moon square Sun

This is the third exact aspect of the day and the waxing first quarter crisis of action square to the Sun.  What did you start around the time of the new Moon July 31? How is it progressing? It’s time to take action to keep it moving as the full Moon is only eight days away.

 Following this the Moon will make a waning sextile to retrograde Saturn and then a waning trine to retrograde Neptune for the fourth and fifth exact aspects of the day.  The waning energy can be helpful in finishing a project or for completing whatever stage of the project you are working on.

08/07/19 – 9:52 pm – average Moon sextile retrograde Pluto

This waning sextile is the sixth and final exact aspect of the day.  It’s late and this can be a good time to reflect on your day. What did you get done?  What needs to get done tomorrow? Do you have a troubling question or problem you haven’t been able to figure out?  Make some notes and then sleep on it.

08/08/19 – 7:58 am – average Moon trine Mercury

Following this both the Moon and Mercury go void-of-course.  The Moon’s will only last for 5 1/2 hours but Mercury’s will last for almost 77 hours.

With the Moon void-of-course it is best to not start any new projects or tasks during this time.  If you can, wait until after the Moon enters Sagittarius. For Mercury void-of-course, be careful what you say.  Treat it like a short Mercury retrograde. Choose your words carefully. Remember, you have two ears but only one mouth, so listen, re-read and be sure you understand before responding.

08/08/19 – 1:27 pm – Venus trine retrograde Jupiter

What to make of it when the two benefics get together in an easy flowing trine?  Well, Jupiter is retrograde so don’t make too much of it. This is the time to check your finances and budget.  Make sure you don’t spend what you don’t have or buy what you might not be able to afford. Avoid making any risky or “sure thing” investments.  They say “Never look a gift horse in the mouth;” but they also say “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Weigh your options carefully.

08/08/19 – 1:35 pm – average Moon enters Sagittarius

With the Moon now in mutable fire Sagittarius, moods should seem a bit brighter or at least lighter.  It’s Thursday and if you have work that has to get done this week, try making a game of it or some other way to make it more enjoyable.

08/09/19 – 9:39 pm – slow Moon conjunct retrograde Jupiter

In addition to this aspect, the Moon will also make a waxing trine to Venus, a waning trine to the Sun and finish the day with a waning third quarter crisis of consciousness square to retrograde Neptune.  It’s Friday and that is a mixed bag of energies. Prioritize your work. Finish what needs to be finished. Start what needs to get started and check on what can’t be finished but might need attention. Know where you stand on each of them

08/10/19 – 12:50 pm – slow Moon goes Void-of-Course

Following a waxing trine to Mars the Moon goes void-of-course for nine hours.  It’s Saturday afternoon and best that you stick with any plans you have made for the rest of the day.  Avoid starting something new or doing anything spontaneous.

08/10/19 – 9:50 pm – slow Moon enters Capricorn

It’s Saturday night and the void-of-course is over.  If you want to do something spontaneous, be sure to stay grounded and pay attention to your surroundings.  It is better to go out with friends, family or others that you trust. Avoid taking risks for there are four planets retrograde and Jupiter and Uranus are both getting ready to change direction tomorrow so some things may not be as they seem.  With Mercury still void-of-course, be wary of any “silver-tongued” devils.

08/11/19 – 6:38 am – Jupiter stations Direct

For the next 13 hours there will be only three planets retrograde, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto.  Though Jupiter is now preparing to go direct, He has been at 14 Sagittarius since July 24 and won’t leave this degree until August 29 when He finally gets back to 15 Sagittarius.  For anyone with planets or sensitive points at 14 Sagittarius, this may be a most intense time period. This may also impact those with planets or sensitive points at 14 degrees of the other three mutable signs, Pisces, Gemini and Virgo.  If you are feeling it, just note that it may be at least a few weeks before you feel a shift as Jupiter won’t “get up to speed” until late September or early October.

08/11/19 – 12:45 pm – Mercury enters Leo

Mercury’s void-of-course is now over as they return to Leo.  Don’t celebrate yet as Mercury is still in their Shadow and won’t leave it until Wednesday night, August 14.  That should give you three more days to make amends or straighten out any misunderstandings from the past month.

08/11/19 – 7:26 pm – Uranus stations Retrograde

Here we go again.  With Uranus joining Saturn, Neptune and Pluto, we are back to four planets retrograde.  For the next ten weeks the four outermost planets will all be in apparent retrograde motion.  That means they are closer to the Earth and their energies may be stronger. Dreams may be more frequent, more realistic, more imaginative or even darker.  Note them. Be alert for messages from the Universe or unexpected sources. Stick to the truth. It’s easier to remember.