combining a few here..en~joy JIM SHAWVAN'S ASTROLOGICAL PREDICTIONS, AUGUST 2011
Uranus squares Pluto * Venus conjoins Sun * Mercury in Storm, then retrograde * Mars opposes Pluto * Mars squares Uranus * Mercury opposes Neptune * Venus squares Jupiter * Sun squares Jupiter * Venus quincunxes Pluto * Saturn squares Pluto * Mercury semisquares Saturn * Sun sesquiquads Uranus * Sun sesquiquads Pluto * Venus sesquiquads Uranus * Venus sesquiquads Pluto * Mars squares Saturn * Mercury conjoins Sun and Venus * Sun semisquares Mars * Venus semisquares Mars * Mercury semisquares Mars * Venus opposes Neptune * Sun opposes Neptune * Saturn sesquiquads Neptune * Venus semisquares Saturn * Mercury sesquiquads Pluto * Sun semisquares Saturn * Mercury sesquiquads Uranus * Mars sesquiquads Neptune * Venus quincunxes Uranus * Sun quincunxes Uranus * Mercury sesquiquads Pluto again
All the way to 2016 and beyond, Uranus (mental change) squares Pluto (deep emotional change) within a 7-degree orb. Some astrologers, perhaps including Richard Tarnas, might say that this aspect was already in effect before March - in effect, allowing an orb of more than 7 degrees. Certainly the Arab rebellions suggest this possibility, although they might also be blamed on Mars and the Sun conjoining Neptune a while back. The last time Uranus and Pluto made a hard aspect was in the 1960's, when they were conjunct (within 7 degrees) from 1963 to 1968. We're in for something like a rerun of the '60's over the next 7 years and more. Hang on to your hats.
From late July all the way to September 11, Venus (love, charm, beauty, art) conjoins the Sun (vitality, self-confidence). Pleasant social relations and artistic creativity take the stage, especially while Venus is still in Leo. After August 21, when Venus enters Virgo, things become more problematic, but the basic impulse is still there.
Since late July, Mercury has already been in its Storm, as it slows down before going retrograde on August 2. The Storm is the period right around Mercury's station (the moment it changes its apparent direction of motion) during which Mercury is moving very slowly, less than 40' (minutes of arc) per day. I hope that you have been noting down any new "bright ideas" with the time and date that they occurred to you, and I suggest continuing this practice at least through the entire month of August. For more on this and related matters, see the article at
http://jshawvan.homestead.com/mercrx2011.html .
Through August 21, Mars (impulsiveness, assertiveness, aggression) opposes Pluto (irresistible transformation, overwhelming force). Mars thinks he's a tough guy, but he's totally out of his league with Pluto. "Don't bring a knife to a gunfight." This is yet another aspect that will show up in the headlines, if you know what to look for.
Through August 19, Mars (impulsiveness, assertiveness, aggression) squares Uranus (surprises, upsets). Both of these bodies are prone to act without thinking, so this combination can be accident-prone. However, it is most likely to produce accidents when interacting with a natal Saturn (since transiting Saturn is not involved). Aside from that, if you like excitement, this aspect is your baby.
Through August 18, Mercury (business, busyness) opposes Neptune (illusion, delusion, self-deception). Because of Mercury's retrograde period, this aspect lasts longer than usual. Beginning with each planet in the sign that it rules, this is a hyper-intense conflict between Mercury's naive craving for order and Neptune's tendency to confuse everything it touches. This aspect will also repeat briefly in early September. Be prepared to leave things hanging for a while, since you may really not have a clue what's going on.
Through August 10, Venus (love, beauty, art) squares Jupiter (optimism, success, wealth). These two benefics cooperate well even when in technically difficult aspect. With a square like this, who needs trines? Hey, honey, peel me a grape.
Through August 9, the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) squares Jupiter (optimism, success, wealth). These two bodies have much in common and generally get along well, even in "hard" aspect. If you are prone to fits of enthusiasm which you come to regret later, consult a Saturnian friend or two before making important decisions - or (given what's going on with Mercury) put them off entirely until September or later! Aside from that, this period should be a lot of fun.
Through August 2, Venus (love, beauty, art) quincunxes Pluto (irresistible transformation, overwhelming force). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 4-6 Leo and Capricorn. In this case, Pluto is the problem and Venus is the solution - thank heaven! It's about time we got something easy here. For these few days, ignore any impulses toward depth psychology, and just focus on having a good time.
Until August 1, Saturn (frustration, limitation, delay) squares Pluto (irresistible transformation, overwhelming force). This is the closest thing in reality to an irresistible force meeting an immovable object. The results are often unpleasant to observe, let alone to be caught up in. Yet the whole population of the world has no choice now but to be caught up in this massive conflict.
From August 9 to 12, Mercury (business, busyness) semisquares Saturn (delay, frustration). This aspect will affect people who have important natal aspects at 12-14 Cardinal and 27-29 Fixed. Don't chafe against the restrictions; they'll be over soon enough.
From August 10 to 12, the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) sesquiquadrates Uranus (surprises, upsets, innovations). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 3-5 Cardinal and 18-20 Fixed. Uranus brings changes that seem to take you off balance at first, but in the long run you will be better off.
From August 11 to 13, the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) sesquiquadrates Pluto (irresistible transformation, overwhelming force). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 4-6 Cardinal and 19-21 Fixed. Pluto's changes can run a lot deeper than those brought by Uranus, but this aspect is so short that it may not have time to do much.
On August 12 and 13, Venus (love, beauty, art) sesquiquadrates Uranus (surprises, upsets, innovations). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 3-5 Cardinal and 18-20 Fixed. New creative ideas in the arts are appropriate outlets for this energy. Unfortunately, new relationships are really not, at least not if you want relationships that will last.
From August 12 to 14, Venus (love, beauty, art) sesquiquadrates Pluto (irresistible transformation, overwhelming force). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 4-6 Cardinal and 19-21 Fixed. Magnetic attractions can arise now, but they are best allowed to wither on the vine, given the brevity of this aspect and the fact that Mercury is retrograde.
From August 12 to September 7, Mars (impulsiveness, energy, aggression) squares Saturn (frustration, limitation, delay). The only constructive way to handle this combination of energies is hard work. Trying to do it any other way will wind up getting you into trouble, probably in the form of conflict with authority figures.
From August 13 to 20, retrograde Mercury (communication) conjoins both the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) and Venus (charm, beauty, love, art). This is the "inferior conjunction" of Mercury to the Sun, meaning that Mercury is between the Earth and the Sun at this time, and moving "backwards" the fastest that it ever moves during the retrograde. Especially with Venus involved, one can get the impression that the problems associated with Mercury retrograde are going away. In fact, they're only taking a breather - they'll be back with a vengeance when Mercury slows down again as it prepares to go direct.
From August 14 to 20, the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) semisquares Mars (energy, assertiveness, aggression). As both are fast-moving bodies, on different days, this aspect will affect people who have important natal points ranging from 7-11 Cardinal and from 22-26 Fixed. We can become irritable at this time unless we have a wholesome outlet for our energy, such as work, sports, or dance.
From August 15 to 18, Venus (love, beauty, art) semisquares Mars (energy, action) This aspect iwll affect people who have important natal points at 8-10 Cardinal and 23-25 Fixed. Aspects of Venus and Mars are the archetypal indicator of sexual attraction. Just make sure to act on it only if it's appropriate to do so, given your plans for the long run - and remember, Mercury is retrograde!
From August 15 to 17, Mercury (words) semisquares Mars (harshness, aggression). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 7-9 Cardinal and 22-24 Fixed. If this is you, it may take extra willpower now to avoid saying things that are tactless and offensive. For the sake of your karma in the long run, it's more than worth the effort.
From August 15 to 26, Venus (love, beauty, art) opposes Neptune (illusion, delusion, self-deception). This is a great time for creating beautiful illusions in the arts. It is not a good time to fall in love or start a relationship, since you won't be seeing the other person clearly at all.
From August 15 to 29, the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) opposes Neptune (illusion, delusion, self-deception). If you feel unclear about your goals, confused about what you're doing, that's par for the course right now. Stick to your previous plans at least into September, since your more recent ideas are too heavily influenced by Mercury retrograde, among other things.
From August 16 to September 1, Saturn (the reality principle) sesquiquadrates Neptune (fantasy). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 13-14 Cardinal and 28-29 Fixed. These two planetary principles are as different as night and day, and in fact each is the antidote to the other's worst qualities. Saturn at its worst can be cold and cruel; Neptune at its best is compassionate. Neptune at its worst is a hopeless space cadet; Saturn at its best is realistic. You can't really combine them, but you can try to do each one in the most appropriate way.
On August 20 and 21, Venus (love, beauty, art) semisquares Saturn (frustration, limitation, delay). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 13-14 Cardinal and 28-29 Fixed -- the same as the preceding aspect. Charm and beauty may be lacking at this time, but don't let it get you down, since the aspect will be over quickly.
From August 20 to 24, retrograde Mercury (business, busyness) sesquiquadrates Pluto (irresistible transformation, overwhelming force). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 4-6 Cardinal and 19-21 Fixed. Someone may be demanding that you commit yourself to a new course of action right now, but the timing is not appropriate, since Mercury is about to change direction again. Stall for time. After the 31st, everyone involved will probably be able to see the situation more clearly.
From August 21 to 23, the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) semisquares Saturn (frustration, limitation, delay). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 13-15 Cardinal and 28 Fixed-0 Mutable. If this is you, ignore the oppressive feelings to the best of your ability, and just keep on keepin' on. There is light at the end of a very short tunnel, and it's not an oncoming train.
From August 22 to 30, Mercury (the ordinary mind) sesquiquadrates Uranus (the innovative mind). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 3-4 Cardinal and 18-19 Fixed. Mercury happens to be turning direct right in the middle of making this aspect, which makes it last much longer than most Mercury aspects. You may be getting new ideas like crazy, but don't assume that they're sound until you check them out thoroughly. It's best to wait until at least the 31st before acting.
From August 23 to 26, Mars (energy, action, impulsiveness) sesquiquadrates Neptune (illusion, delusion, self-deception). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 13-15 Cardinal and 28 Fixed-0 Mutable. The most positive use of this combination is in the arts, putting your energy to work creating beautiful illusions. The negative potentials are actually scary, ranging from violence to explosions. There will be some nasty headlines at this time - don't be part of them.
From August 23 to 25, Venus (love, beauty, art) quincunxes Uranus (surprises, upsets, innovations). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 3-4 Aries and Virgo. In this case, the problem is Venus and the solution is Uranus, believe it or not. Stay free, stay loose, and don't get dragged into any commitments against your better judgment.
On August 26, Mercury goes direct, but it remains in its Storm until the 31st. After that you should review any "bright ideas" which you noted down during the retrograde and the Storms, and see whether they still make sense.
From August 26 to 28, the Sun (vitality, self-confidence) quincunxes Uranus (surprises, upsets). This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 3-4 Aries and Virgo. The problem is the Sun in Virgo and the solution is Uranus in Aries, as unlikely as that seems. Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
From August 28 to September 1, Mercury (business, busyness) sesquiquadrates Pluto (irresistible transformation, overwhelming force). Mercury is now direct, and this is its last pass over this aspect. This aspect will affect people who have important natal points at 4-5 Cardinal and 19-20 Fixed. Someone may be demanding that you commit yourself to a new course of action right now, but it may still be best to stall for time, since Mercury has just changed direction again. Wait until at least the 31st before committing yourself.
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6. MEDITATION ON LOVINGKINDNESS, COMPASSION, SYMPATHETIC JOY, AND EQUANIMITY
The following meditation is known as "The Divine Abodes" or "The Four Immeasurables". Reciting these words to ourselves is always appropriate, no matter what the circumstances. Start by saying "May I have happiness", etc., through all four lines; then repeat, inserting the name of someone you like; then again with the name of someone who's neutral to you; and finally with the name of someone whom you don't like. (It may take a while before you are comfortable doing this for the ones you don't like - but it's very important in the long run.) This practice is beneficial for us and for everyone with whom we come in contact.
"May all living beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.
May we all be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.
May we always rejoice in the happiness of others.
May we abide in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion."
Related matters:
"When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable." - Thich Nhat Hanh
"May I always be in the right place at the right time to do as much good as possible." - Raymon Grace
http://www.jshawvan.homestead.com.* * * * *
NorthPoint Astrology Journal
Your Guide to Astrological Energies
August 1 to 7, 2011
Written by Pam Younghans
Photo: Crop circle reported July 29, at West Woodhay Down, near Inkpen, Wiltshire, England
WE ARE SHEDDING the skin that once defined us, that has served its purpose and is ready to be discarded. Even the latest crop circle in the UK echoes the theme of transformation, with the image of a snake weaving its way through a maze of planetary alignments. (See photos at
http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2011/rivar/rivar2011.html)It's significant that the snake's tongue is actually the symbol for Neptune, perhaps symbolizing that Neptune's high-vibrational spiritual and creative energy will be our primary guidance as we go forward with our personal and planetary transformation.
The initial comments about this new crop circle (see
http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2011/rivar/comments.html) relate it to the Mayan calendar, and reveal that the crop circle pinpoints two events and dates as being important: the Sun/Venus/Mercury alignment on August 16, and the Sun/Neptune opposition on August 22.
AUGUST DOES APPEAR to be a (nother) pivotal month. Mars enters Cancer on Wednesday this week, indicating that over the next seven weeks or so, our actions will be primarily motivated by our emotional needs and we may be more sensitive than usual to real or perceived slights. It will be especially important during this time to remember "it is never personal" -- which just means we need to keep in mind that the other person in any altercation is mostly driven by their own needs and emotional patterns, rather than by a specific desire to ruin our day.
In the positive, Mars in Cancer is very loyal, dedicated to home and family. August should be a good month for putting physical effort into those chores around the house and in the yard -- and these activities will also be a great way to release any stored angers that need to be moved through.
Mars' journey through Cancer begins on a very positive note, through helpful interactions with both Mercury and Neptune on Wednesday and Thursday. These planets, when they play well together, align our personal desires with spiritual inspiration, and our conscious thinking with intuition.
MARS WILL BE A KEY PLAYER throughout the month of August. As the Red Planet interacts with Uranus, Pluto and Saturn in turn, we will again be working with the energies of the Cardinal Grand Cross that was in effect during the Solar Eclipse on July 1.
Mars will first square Uranus on August 9 and then oppose Pluto on August 10. This may be a time when we are tested in our ability to detach from ours and others' emotional reactions (and over-reactions), and to focus on that spiritual guidance represented by Neptune in our crop circle. Then, Mars crosses the degree of July's Solar Eclipse on August 16, making sure that we are staying true to the new beginnings we initiated then. And Mars finishes up the month with a square aspect to Saturn on August 25, revealing where relationships may still be out of balance and where we need to do a better job of balancing the needs of self and other.
MERCURY GOES RETROGRADE this Tuesday (at 8:45pm PDT), and will be in backward motion for most of August (until going direct on August 26).
The usual cautions for Mercury retrograde include being extra careful and patient when dealing with any legal or practical matters. Mercury represents our rational, logical mind, and when retrograde is better at dealing with the inner realms, and not so adept at navigating external reality. So, if you need to move forward with paperwork and agreements in the month of August (and life does have to continue), read everything over very carefully before you sign your name. And, be sure to double check to make sure all your facts are correct.
On spiritual/personal levels, Mercury's retrograde supports us in doing the inner work needed before we can move forward. Mercury will be moving back over territory the planet already covered, so over the next four weeks we'll have the opportunity to review our steps and rethink or renegotiate decisions made since July 15.
STARTING ON FRIDAY, we'll be working specifically with the energies of Saturn, the Sun, Venus and Vesta. If we were to seat these participants at a long dinner table, we would see the Sun and Venus sitting at one end (in Leo), Vesta sitting at the other end (in Aquarius), and Saturn seated along one of the sides (in Libra), at just the right angle and position to moderate the conversation between the planets at the two table ends. (Sun conjunct Venus, both opposite Vesta; Saturn trine Vesta and sextile Sun/Venus)
Saturn in Libra knows how to keep things harmonious and fair, and will help us do the same next weekend, as we navigate the natural discrepancies between our need for relationship and our need for autonomy and freedom. We may also find that we need to deal with a conflict between work needs and play needs, if this has been a theme in our lives.
However this energy manifests for us individually, we should be able to utilize Saturn's discipline, fairmindedness, and integrity to help us find solutions. Resolving these issues now will help us stay in much better balance as we move through the rest of August.
Blessings,
Pam
NorthPoint Astrology Blog: Please check out my blog for updates at
http://northpointastrology.blogspot.com/ -- I look forward to your comments!
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Highlighted Aspects
Monday: Jupiter square Sun, Pluto quincunx Venus; Tuesday: Mercury goes retrograde 8:45pm PDT; Wednesday: Mars enters Cancer, Neptune trine Mars; Thursday: Mars sextile Mercury, Neptune re-enters Aquarius, Jupiter square Venus; Friday: Saturn trine Vesta, Sun opposite Vesta, Saturn sextile Sun; Sunday: Venus opposite Vesta, Saturn sextile Venus
About the Journal
Astrologer Pam Younghans writes this weekly NorthPoint Astrology Journal based on planetary influences and guidance received. Her hope is to offer perspectives and insights that will assist you in utilizing current energies for your greatest benefit.
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pam@northpointastrology.com.
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Wed Aug 03, 2011 8:24 am
