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The elemental balance, however, is not providing a great deal of fire energy to facilitate that process, with most of the planets now in earth and water signs. The elements of earth and water deal with the more passive (yin), or receptive energies; they are more concerned with the practical details (earth) and emotional connections (water) of life on Planet Earth. Mars, the planet of physical drive, is in Virgo now where it prefers to make plans and strategies than take direct action. Venus, governing relationships and interpersonal interaction, and Mercury, the planet of communication and short journeys, are both in Cancer where the focus turns to home life and feeding the family.

Jupiter, the planet that drives us to search for the meaning of life, is still in Scorpio where it has been since late last year. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, the god of death, and therefore relishes the journey through the underworld of darkness and emotional baggage. Scorpio seeks power and emotional intensity and Jupiter is the planet of buoyant abundance, so this is an odd combination that expands (Jupiter) the focus on death, secrecy and sexuality, the domains of Scorpio. Scorpio is rather ruthless in its aims, and Jupiter, being the King of the Gods, can be somewhat arrogant and self-righteous and an unfortunate aspect of this combination can be the ruthless slaughter of innocents. Jupiter was last in Scorpio in 1994, witnessing the beginning of the Rwandan massacre and the murders of Nicole Simpson (wife of OJ Simpson in case anyone needs a reminder) and Ron Goldman. That year also witnessed the destruction of part of the planet Jupiter by the Shoemaker-Levy comet that coincided with the conjunction of Jupiter in Scorpio to Pluto.

Jupiter in Scorpio is not all death and destruction; it also opens our minds (Jupiter) to issues of sexuality (Scorpio), and opens up (Jupiter) trade and economic systems (Scorpio). For better or for worse, the processes that take place during Jupiter's travels through Scorpio create permanent transformation. For example, the 1994 NAFTA (free trade) agreement created a permanent flow of jobs from the US and transformed the American economic system. Although this process has created problems for US workers, it has expanded the economies of other countries and transformed the global balance of power (Jupiter/Pluto).

The passage of Jupiter through Scorpio this year has been marked by the square of Jupiter to Saturn. Where Jupiter expands, Saturn creates limitations and restrictions. Saturn's purpose is to keep Jupiter from expanding too fast and in an ungrounded way. The final phase of the Jupiter/Saturn cycle ends in October (watch for a new article on this cycle which will be posted shortly on my website).

Jupiter has also been in trine (harmonious aspect) to Uranus since the fall, and the conclusion of that cycle occurs on August 29. The trine of Jupiter to Uranus has ve tofacilitated invention and creativity on a higher level, as Jupiter expands the mind and Uranus brings in new ideas and ways of looking at old problems.

The other major planetary event that is coming into view is the opposition of Saturn to Neptune which begins in August and will continue into the summer of 2007. The challenging aspects of Saturn and Neptune can make it difficult to integrate the building of form and focus on the material world that Saturn urges with the Neptunian tendency to dissolve form and seek a more transcendent experience. In the opposition (180 degree aspect) there is a tension between these two planets that result in an experience that is disorienting and destabilizing. I will write more on this upcoming cycle for the blog over the next week, so visit Astrological Musings for more details. The effects of the Saturn/Neptune opposition are already making themselves known as our fantasies and illusions (Neptune) collide with the cold facts of reality (Saturn).

The first week in August sees Mars beginning a harmonious dance with Jupiter which reaches the exact degree on August 8. During this first week there will be an expansion (Jupiter) of energy (Mars) available that will help to shake out the cobwebs of the inward push we have been experiencing with five retrograde planets during July. This provides an excellent lead-up to the Full Moon in Aquarius on August 9 (at 6:54 am EST). This is a powerful Full Moon, nearly exactly conjunct the Saturn/Neptune opposition. The Full Moon occurs when the instinctive and unconscious principle of the Moon is illuminated by the conscious principle of the Sun. We have greater access to our creativity during this period, as well as our own inner sense of power which is released by the solarization of the unconscious. During this Full Moon the Sun conjuncts Saturn in Leo, bringing a stabilizing force desiring a practical application. The Moon is conjunct Neptune in Aquarius, expanding our creativity and inner awareness, as well as our ability to transcend the details of our reality and experience the divine. There is potential here for a great transformation of consciousness if these two opposing polarities can be balanced and integrated during the three or four days before and after August 9. However, unless there is a conscious awareness and application of intention this could also be a confusing time where we feel we are standing on sands that shift and provide no stability. As with all planetary cycles, understanding the nature of the dynamics will help us to harness the energies that are available to us and use them for the purpose of our own personal growth.

Shortly after the Full Moon, on August 11, Mercury will leave Cancer for the more energetic sign of Leo, followed the next day by Venus. With Mercury and Venus both in Leo, the passive earth/water influence discussed earlier will begin to lift and more of the fiery energy provided by Leo will help to activate us in our goals and desires.

On August 13 the warlike planet Mars will oppose rebellious Uranus, creating a certain amount of havoc and disarray. Mars is in Virgo now, where it tends to be more cautious and reserved. But still, the combination of Mars and Uranus in a stressful combination tends to bring out the worst of both planets: the warlike bravado of Mars combined with the reckless insensitivity of Uranus can lead to arguments, accidents and conflicts.

On August 18, Mercury makes a square (challenging aspect) to Jupiter, continuing the trend towards arguments as the tendency of Jupiter in its negative form towards self-righteous arrogance conflicts with the warlike tendencies of Mars. This lasts only a few days, however, and is followed by the introduction of Mercury to the Saturn/Neptune opposition. Mercury conjuncts Saturn, where it wants to crystallize (Saturn) ideas and concepts despite the pull of Neptune into the realm of imagination and ideas. This can be a powerful time for creative (Neptune) writing (Saturn), or writing on topics of a spiritual or transformative (Neptune) nature. Writing connects the communication urge of Mercury with the discipline and structure of Saturn and is a key to navigating this period.

The square of Venus to Jupiter on August 22 may give us a tendency towards self-indulgence and make it difficult to make commitments, but is a good time for socializing (Venus) with large numbers (Jupiter) of people. The New Moon in practical Virgo on August 23 incorporates the Venus/Jupiter combination and will be a good time for beginning a new health regime (Virgo is concerned with the mind/body connection and matters of the physical body) or perhaps a group (Venus/Jupiter) that cooks and shares food together.

The trine of Jupiter to Uranus is approaching the end of its cycle (the exact trine is August 29), and will add confidence help to facilitate resolutions to any problems that arise as a result of the minor but difficult planetary interactions at the end of the month; however, the approaching opposition between Saturn and Neptune is exact on August 31, so there may be considerable confusion as well as a sense of victimization if you have a tendency to play the victim role. If you find yourself losing your balance, step back and strike a balance in your life between quiet reflection and meditation (Neptune) and fulfilling your role in society (Saturn). The key now is to balance these two processes in order to find the truth that lies between them.

The trine of Mercury to Pluto on August 24 will help to expose the deeper (Pluto) meanings (Mercury) and resolve any disputes that have arisen as the result of the Mars/Uranus conflicts described above. Pluto wants to get to the root of the problem and effect a real solution, making this an excellent time for conflict resolution. The conjunction of Venus to Saturn on August 26 and opposition to Neptune on August 27 introduces Venus to the Saturn/Neptune dance. Venus in conflict with Neptune tends to overromanticize a situation and can make it difficult to see things as they really are, and the conjunction from Saturn may create a challenge that forces us to a clearer vision of our reality.

Mars squares Pluto on August 29, a stressful conflict between the personal will (Mars) and the will of the higher self (Pluto). Power conflicts are highlighted now, and may be evident as early as a week before the actual event on the 29th. If you find yourself involved in conflicts at this time, utilize the outlet of physical activity to help to release some of the energy that builds up during the faceoff of Mars to Pluto. On the positive side though, there is a tremendous amount of power that can be activated now. Try to focus your intention now on internalizing these energies and deepening your own sense of inner power.

The year 2006 has not been an easy one, nor will it be easy for the next few months. However, it's an incredible time of change and transformation if we can remain aware and conscious of the evolution that is taking place. Have a great month and see you in September!