The current turmoil around the globe has long been expected by those of us who pay attention to the movement of the stars. While astrology cannot predict actual events, it can tell us what archetypal energies are in effect to give us a greater understanding of how to navigate through the terrain. The dynamic, tension-filled, transformational square between Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn, occurring between 2012 and 2015 but in effect even longer, has brought to the fore an intense drive for freedom and power that has seen sudden and shocking socio-economic and geo-political upsets. But whether the revolutionary forces for freedom (Uranus) are quashed by the powerful structures (Pluto) they rail against, or whether they manage to permanently purge the ruling elite during this particular moment in the larger Uranus/Pluto cycle (conjunction to conjunction) remains to be seen. Perhaps the pendulum will swing so far out to one end, and the imbalance will become so extreme, that only then will we collectively create the intent to make positive changes that will reduce pain and suffering, chaos and disorder. We as human beings must ultimately decide that each individualized unit of consciousness on this earth is special, unique and has a purpose in the evolution of existence in the larger consciousness system. The stresses brought about by the outer planets also have a purpose, and that is to awaken us out of our fear-based mindsets and into the knowing that we are points of light with a significant job to do, which is simply to develop higher levels of consciousness.
This particular Uranus/Pluto cycle began in the 1960s when they were conjunct in Virgo and, among other dramatic shifts in society’s perception of how life should be lived, heralded the birth of the modern environmental movement that sought to reverse the destructive forces of capitalism degrading our planet. It therefore is with Virgoan perfection that the “crisis of action” first quarter square of this planetary cycle could possibly come to a head when the Sun is in Virgo during what may become the largest global mass environmental protest in history. Persistent political disregard for the consequences of climate change has led to the organization of the worldwide People’s Climate March & Mobilization during the United Nations Climate Summit 2014 in September in New York City.
As the Sun moves into Virgo on August 22nd, may we don the mantle of service that is so deeply embedded in this down-to-earth sign and dedicate this solar month to honoring and healing Mother Earth so that she may continue to nurture her inhabitants and see them thrive. May we strengthen another hallmark of Virgo, the mind-body-spirit connection so essential for our own personal growth, and put the power of analysis to work on practical solutions that can win over even the most politically intransigent elements. On the day of the Climate March, the Sun will be at the critical 29th degree of the sign of the goddess of the earth, and therefore at its most potent, emanating an urgency to express that which has been garnered during the Sun’s passage through this deeply health conscious sign.
When the Moon joins the Sun in Virgo for the New Moon on August 25th she infuses this lunar cycle with quintessential Virgo qualities that are akin to high definition film wherein every detail, every nuance, every thought, every ripple of a mood may be analyzed. Then the meticulous editor comes forth to synthesize every grain of information down to the core of its meaning so that only that which is necessary is put forward. Clutter and disorder are anathema to Virgo who thrives on simplicity and purity of spirit. The Sun and Moon here are aligned in their quest for practicality and discrimination. They also offer a shift from Leo’s more self-centered traits by putting themselves in the service of other in all arenas of life, from personal relationships to work and the myriad organizations of society. Like any other sign, Virgo has its shadow side where a dysfunctional sense of perfection can be turned on self to a ruthless degree. It is also quite easy to project the desire for purity into the material world resulting in an anxious fussiness that finds fault with anything outside established comfort zones. As we head into this lunar cycle’s golden harvest, may we honor Virgo’s quest for pureness and clarity by sweeping out the thoughts that clutter our mind with worry. Then we may experience the virtue of our own spirit.
A Venus/Uranus trine, also on August 25th, underscores the need for the Virgo Full Moon to be tolerant of many avenues of expression. In Leo, Venus’ way of relating may be big hearted and dramatic, which could easily off put the refined and reserved nature of the Virgo New Moon, but when the Love Goddess makes her fiery connection to Uranus in Aires, she probably won’t be able to suppress the eccentric side of her creative expression that is bound to awaken. Inspired to seek out the sparkle in others, Venus will put a high price on freedom in all matters of the heart wide and be wide open for the grand experiment of life.
The New Moon also carries the imprint of a substantial Saturn/Mars/Venus/Mercury configuration that unfolds August 25th to 27th. Saturn, in Scorpio since October 2012, only has four months left in in this penetrating sign to teach us how to master the power of intimacy, deal with our fear of the unknown, and establishing rational and functional rule sets in the otherwise messy domain of sex, death and shared resources. Mars, whose innate need for action intensifies in Scorpio, has been moving into Saturn’s degree space for the last week and comes into an exact conjunction on August 25th. Acting as a roadblock to forward movement, Saturn’s force creates obstacles that thwart Mars strong primal drive here, setting up the need for him to face the consequences of his impetuous actions, or face his fear of self-assertion. Saturn puts Mars’ strength and courage to the test, demanding that Mars takes responsibility for his actions and disciplines his desires. If Mars can overcome the frustration of having to move at a slower pace, he will gain incredible stamina to withstand stressful situations and learn how to put his drive for self-determination under his own inner authority. As the serious Mars/Saturn conjunction unfolds, Mercury in Virgo sextiles the duo on August 25th to give a verbal outlet to the deep processes at work, hopefully averting the potential of this energy to release with anger or violence. Mercury in Virgo’s analytical ability and penchant for precise communication may induce the application of intelligence to matters at hand rather than brute force. Additionally, Venus squares Saturn on August 26th and Mars on August 27th, challenging them to take a step back from the urge to dominate and allow other to be other. Rather than succumb to the lack of confidence in our interpersonal relationships, which only serves to shorten their longevity, we could choose to grow up and show up, putting our heart into a sustained conscious effort to remain present in them no matter how difficult it seems, or how impatient we are for results. Venus in Leo brings the indispensible spirit of creativity to the game, softens the harsh edges, adds a royal sense of fun, and most importantly, a reminder to choose love.
As the concentrated energy of the Mars/Saturn configuration releases, the Sun in Virgo moves into an opposition to Neptune in Pisces on August 29th that creates an undertow of ethereal vibrations that may pull us into a dream. The desire to be one with the universe is usually strong with Sun/Neptune contacts, but if we don’t have a clear sense of our own individual identity, we could get lost in the diffusion. “We are all one” is probably one of the most misunderstood axioms of spiritual teaching that can result in a life with no boundaries at all where we energetically merge with the strong ego identities of others and assume them as our own. Neptune in the sign it rules is like a double dose of the mystical sensitivity that conjures fantastic visions of other worldly states of being. If the earth-bound Sun in Virgo resists the call to spirit, he may avert the fog of confusion but will also be denied access to the magical, artistic gifts of the imagination that are part of Neptune’s package deal.
Mercury dials down the details in order to focus on diplomacy when he segues from Virgo to Libra on September 1st. With a focus on interpersonal relationships, his way with words will be as smooth as silk to soften the delivery even of the most unpleasant news. Keeping the peace is his motto, to a fault. In order to maintain his authority as the fairest player of them all, he will need to maintain a strong sense of his own position and not fold his hand in deference to the perceived negative reactions of others.
On September 3rd, the Sun in Virgo moves into a flowing trine with Pluto in Capricorn. Echoing the endurance theme of the Mars/Saturn conjunction but with less of a militaristic edge, this duo reaches deeper into our core energy source and emerges with an elegant power of persuasion. Feeling at ease in any circle, the Sun/Pluto planetary pair is equipped with a fearless attitude that acts as a forceful conduit for collective will.
Here’s the data:
Times where noted are for the Pacific Time Zone.
Degrees where noted are rounded to the nearest whole degree.
August 22th Sun at 0° Virgo at 9:46 p.m.
August 25th Mercury sextile Mars at 17° at 1:46 a.m.
August 25th Venus trine Uranus at 16° at 2:38 a.m.
August 25th Mercury sextile Saturn at 18° at 5:30 a.m.
August 25th Moon conjunct Sun (New Moon) at 2° Virgo at 7:13 a.m.
August 25th Mars conjunct Saturn at 18° at 12:30 p.m.
August 26th Venus square Saturn at 18° at 11:22 a.m.
August 27th Venus square Mars 19° at 8:46 a.m.
August 29th Sun opposite Neptune at 6° at 7:33 a.m.
September 1st Mercury at 0° Libra at 10:38 p.m.
September 3rd Sun trine Pluto at 11° at 9:08 a.m.
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