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8/1 Mars quincunx. Pluto
8/3 Mercury sextile Mars
8/4 Mercury enters Leo
8/6 Saturn trine Pluto
8/6 Jupiter direct
8/6-7 Mars enters Gemini
8/7 Venus square Mars
8/8 Venus Rx back into Leo
8/9 Mercury trine Jupiter
8/10 Mercury opposition Chiron
8/12 New Moon
8/13 Venus conj Saturn
8/17 Mercury conj Venus
8/19 Mars squares Nodes
8/23 Sun enters Virgo
8/23 Mars opposition Jupiter
8/25 Venus opposition Neptune
Mars square Mercury
8/26 Mars trine Chiron
8/28 Total Lunar Eclipse

As August begins, five major planets plus Chiron are in retrograde motion, including Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and most recently, Venus. This is a strong retrograde period in which we find ourselves going back and re-doing anything in our lives that is not complete. The Venus retrograde period will be particularly interesting because having already passed a conjunction to Saturn it will retrograde back to conjunct Saturn twice more while Saturn is in a trine formation to Pluto. This dynamic provides a hint that between July and mid-October when the cycle completes is a time of rebuilding and transforming our relationships. The associations that we build now will serve us in our personal and evolutionary growth, and relationships that do not meet that criteria are likely to fall by the wayside. The trine between Saturn and Pluto suggests that this process will take place in a manner that is smooth and without crisis, but any time Pluto is involved there is a letting go and a regeneration of something new and improved.

The end of July witnessed a square of Mars to Saturn, and this influence will be in effect for the first few days of August. Mars is the planet of aggression and war; Saturn is the planet of restriction and blockage. When these two face off it can get a little wild, and news from the last week of July was full of car crashes and mysterious explosions. On August 1 Mars is quincunx Pluto. The quincunx is a relatively minor aspect that creates dissonance and stress without evoking a conflict that will release the energy of the two planets. It is not always noticeable, but in light of the current stress from Mars to Saturn this quincunx to Pluto will add intensity to the propensity for conflict and frustration that will linger for the first couple of days of the month. On August 3 when Mercury makes a sextile (harmonious aspect) to Mars it will be easier to understand and express (Mercury) that frustration which will help to facilitate productive changes.

Mercury leaves emotional Cancer to enter Leo on August 4, and for the next month or so communication becomes more energetic, and with a better sense of humor!

The week of August 6 (a few days before and a few days afterwards) is a lively one! Saturn makes an exact trine to Pluto on August 6, although we have been experiencing its growing influence over the past month or so. Although this is not a cycle because the two planets only meet once, because Pluto is still tightly conjunct the Galactic Center now and moving very slowly this is a significant event. In addition, Jupiter is at a standstill as it prepares to turn direct on August 6. In the chart of an individual, a trine from Saturn to Pluto suggests someone who is easily able to manifest their will and intention. Saturn gives the discipline and focus and clarity of purpose, and Pluto bestows power and will and alignment with one's higher self.

I believe that under this Saturn/Pluto trine we can have a tremendous effect on the world we live in by utilizing this energy to make a difference in the world in which we live by being clear with our intention and focused on the goal. The "Fire the Grid" meditation that took place on July 17 is a good example, but the timing was a little off. There is an opening during these first two weeks in August for focused transformation that can be very powerful.

Jupiter, which has been traveling retrograde since April, is at a standstill as it prepares to turn direct on August 6 which enhances its power. Jupiter is in Sagittarius, its own sign, and its ability to expand and offer opportunities and good fortune are very strong now. Jupiter can also foster a reckless sense of overconfidence, so a certain amount of caution is needed. This expansive tendency adds to the power of the Saturn/Pluto/GC trine and offers an opportunity for group expression of the goals that are set at this time.

Mars enters Gemini in the late hours of August 6/early 7. There is more of a drive (Mars) while Mars travels through Gemini for communication and expression, and perhaps a difficulty focusing on any particular objective. Venus, retrograding back through the new degrees of Virgo where it is VERY particular, makes a square to Mars on August 7 which can put stress on relationships for a day or two.

On August 8 Venus travels backwards into Leo and we may notice an easier expression of affection. In Virgo Venus is very reserved, but Venus will be in Leo throughout the month. A trine of Mercury to Jupiter on August 9 will offer an opportunity (Jupiter) for smooth communication (Mercury) which will benefit us greatly as we navigate an opposition of Mercury to Chiron (wounding and healing) which could bring up old painful issues for us. The Mercury/Jupiter influence will help us to maintain a positive outlook as we work through those old issues so that they can be released (the Chiron process).

The New Moon in Leo takes place on August 12. Remember that New Moons are times of new beginnings, when the Sun and Moon are conjunct and the conscious mind (Sun) and emotions (Moon) are in alignment. There is a great deal of power in the New Moon and this one is particularly strong since it is exactly opposite Neptune in Aquarius. The addition of Neptune adds a yearning for oneness, a longing to experience the divine. We do this in many ways: through meditation, church, music, artistic creativity, connection with a loved ones, or a walk through the woods. When the New Moon is opposed by Neptune, the doorways between worlds grow thin and we are able to move more freely between them. As with any strong Neptune experience though, there is potential for disillusionment and confusion. This is an extremely romantic time as well. This New Moon also marks the second conjunction of Venus to Saturn as Venus retrogrades back to meet the old guy (see the first paragraph above for more information on this cycle).

The power of the New Moon lasts for several days and then there is a lull until Mercury conjuncts Venus on August 17. This is part of a greater lineup that includes a conjunction of the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Saturn all in Leo, and all trine Pluto. The Sun, Mercury and Venus all move quickly so this influence will not last more than a few days, but the trine to Pluto reveals accelerated opportunity for transformation now.

When Mars makes a challenging aspect (square) to the Nodes of the Moon on August 19 we may be forced to make choices that will influence our future. The Moon's Nodes are signposts that point the way for us in our evolutionary journey, and Mars here activates that pathway for the next couple of days.

On August 23 the Sun enters Virgo and Mars opposes Jupiter. When the god of war (Mars) faces off with the god of luck and confidence (Jupiter) there can be some fireworks. Mars is in Virgo now, where it tends to be all about the work. Jupiter is in its own sign of Sagittarius where it is all about the party. There could be conflict here between our longing for adventure and fun (Jupiter) and our need to keep our nose to the grindstone (Mars). Any challenging aspect between Mars and Jupiter can bring overconfidence and recklessness, so try to keep both eyes on the road.

The Mars/Jupiter influence will be in effect for several days and lead into a square of Mars to Mercury on the 25th which will increase the likelihood of arguments and verbal conflict. The opposition of Venus to Neptune that same day will bring us an idealistic viewpoint, but could also bring confusion (Neptune) and cause us to lose perspective, particularly where other people (Venus) are concerned. These few days may bring experiences where disagreements take place and no one really knows what they are about. In that case it is useful to retreat from the arena and let the dust settle before making a second try to resolve things.

The trine of Mars to Chiron will aid in that resolution. Mars provides the drive to get to the root of the problem, the process that is embraced by Chiron. This will set the stage for the total lunar eclipse of the Full Moon on August 28. The Full Moon occurs when the Moon opposes the Sun, and lunar eclipses occur when the Moon and Sun each conjuncts the nodes of the moon. The South Node shows our past and the influences that hold us back, and the North Node guides us into our future. The eclipse on the 28th shows the North Node conjunct the Pisces Moon, calling us to go into the great beyond that lies within us to achieve a greater harmony within ourselves. The Virgo Sun conjuncts the South Node, highlighting our tendency to place the details of our daily life above the needs of our soul.

This is a powerful eclipse that includes a Grand Cross involving Mars in Gemini, Uranus in Pisces, Jupiter in Sagittarius and Mercury in Virgo. Grand Crosses occur when four planets are square to each other, and each is in opposition to one of the other planets. There is potential for conflict here, but also tremendous power.

Great things can happen this month. Conflicts and setbacks may occur, but maintaining the longer view can help us to keep our balance!