Astrology for August

The Sun in Leo

We approach midsummer, as the Sun in Leo moves toward the middle degrees. The Celtic peoples celebrated this as one of their cross quarter fire festivals, called Lammas (or Lugnasadh). These celebrations marked the fullness of the season, and the beginning of its waning phase toward the next season. The Sun is in its own sign in Leo, and both the Sun and Leo represent the heart of being. The days carry the power of the Sun and during these warmer days we can more easily enjoy the night skies.

Lion’s Gate

What is Lion’s Gate?

Lion’s Gate is the name for the time between July 26 and August 13th. What marks this time as special are two as celestial events. One is the rising of the star, Sirius, right before dawn. The other event is the return of the Sun to its own sign Leo. Like the celebration of the Cross Quarter days, this time period holds the collective archetype of ritual and initiation, a time celebrated by humanity from historical Egyptian days.

Sirius, also know as the dog star, is a brilliant star below Orion’s belt. It is one of the brightest stars in the night sky that we can view from midsummer in the early predawn hours, and through the fall as it moves higher in the night sky. (See the arrow pointing to Sirius).

Sirius is known as our spiritual Sun. As our actual Sun illumines our physical reality, Sirius, with its brilliance and powerful mystical radiance, lights up our spiritual self, the light of our soul. The star is connected to fertility and abundance since the times of ancient Egypt as its rising occurred with the flooding of the Nile that brought nutrients to the soil and supported all life. Therefore it was revered as a time of rebirth in alignment to the radiance and rising and return of Sirius.

We can experience this time in the alignment with and in mystery of our illumined night sky with this brilliant star amplifying the energy and possibilities available to us. When we tune into this Star, we can broaden our perspectives and link into the potent creative and healing energies that are our true legacy. This marks a time for aligning with our inner selves and holding the vision of what we are called to manifest in support of our higher calling.

This rising of Sirius coincides with the Sun passing through its own sign which heightens its generative energies of creativity, expression, and individuation. This fiery sign can support our courage to move beyond our conditioning into our unique gifts. The power of our awareness and receptivity of this time to this alignment of the spiritual and physical centers can support the organization of events in response to our intentions and desire.

The August 8th (8/8/2024) is the most powerful day during this time to celebrate the opening of this portal into broader awareness as 8 is the number of power, carrying the energy and vibration of marriage of spirit and matter.

Venus returns to the night skies

Venus begins its return to the night skies as the evening star. Look to the Western Horizon after sunset to catch a glimpse of its return. It was last visible in the morning skies in February.

The outer planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are beginning to align in the harmonious minor grand trine. Change and transformation is a foot. What ideals do we hold dear and what vision will we carry forward to create our future? The alignment of outer transpersonal planets create a potent shift from the challenges of that last decade. How do we participate? What vision will carry us forward into this new time?

As we turn this corner into August, and into the harmonious alignment of the outer planets, Jupiter and Saturn reach their first square aspect. This is a time of testing in order to create a new foundation for what will evolve over the next 7 to 14 years.

Jupiter to square Saturn

Jupiter comes into exact square aspect with Saturn on August 19th. We have come to a turning point from what has been unfolding since their conjunction in 2020. Saturn brings focus and discipline t0 Jupiter in Gemini’s expanding and broadening force, its idealism and optimism. Saturn slows Jupiter’s expansion, and like a firm mentor, requires a karmic adjustment to what has been taking place. Saturn asks us what’s working, what’s not working, and how can we, matter of factly, deal with the situation in practical grounded ways? Where do we need more organization, slowing down and structure? What are our responsibilities now at this turning point within the cultural interactions? Are we attending to the deeper aspects and needs of our psyches, of our planet earth? Now Saturn takes on the challenging job of clarifying and defining the inner waters of our shared collective selves (in Pisces). Jupiter in Gemini, expands through words and connections, often overdoing through too many balls in the air. Saturn challenges Gemini’s superficiality through obstacles and boundaries that seek to deepen our perceptions of what is taking place, and the decisions we will make in implementing new realities, and structures.

  (Susan’s September astrology talk will be addressing these topics, sign up here.)

Celestial Events for August

Aug 2 – Venus at 26 Leo squares Uranus in Taurus – be flexible in our relationships, as the unexpected may open times for something new to enter, something old to fall away.

Aug 4 – New Moon at 12 Leo – The new Moon in Leo gives us the opportunity to create ritual around attuning to our hearts, our inner child, to feel into our dignity and privilege of being here as creative being. We might take time to tune into our deepest desires and our ability to take up our voice and/or leadership. This new Moon is a great time to affirm our creative intentions, as well as our intentions to live according to the heart of our being, listening and attuning to our deepest values, feeling into the heart for our decisions and actions. Leo is the sign that wants to find and express its specialness, as each of us is born with the mark of a star of uniqueness. As we tune into our calling, our calling tunes into us. Our ability to listen, believe and take action allows the soul to direct our journey to fulfillment.

New Moon in Leo

Aug 4 – New Moon 12 Leo, at 3:13 am PDT

 Affirmation for New Moon in Leo

“I attune to my heart, and from that place the courage to be, to trust the guiding forces, and to love. I take up my courage to act upon my values. I celebrate the child within and the creativity of play to broaden my perspectives of what’s possible.”

Aug 4 – Venus into Virgo – Venus leaves dramatic and expressive Leo, and refines her expression through Virgo. More attention in relationship to nuances and details, more desire to serve what one most values.

Aug 4 – Mercury goes retrograde at 4 Virgo, 9:56 pm PDT – Mercury retrogrades to 21 Leo, going direct Aug 28. When Mercury is retrograde in Virgo, it slows us down to be accurate in our details, to attend to the nuances of things. On the 14th, it moves back into Leo. Now we review our expressive speech, how we use our words. It brings to the forefront a review around leadership. This trickster retrograde Mercury, brings surprises and twists and turns that we must be flexible and adept at navigating. 

Aug 7 – The Sun at 15 Leo sextiles Jupiter in Gemini – The two kings of the sky unit in harmonious relationship. Enjoy your day. A good day for expressing yourself, for creativity and sharing with others.

Aug 7 – Mercury retrograde at 3 Virgo conjuncts Venus – Our words and communications can be thoughtful, harmonious, and kind. We may deepen our understanding of relationship dynamics. A day for poets and poetry.

Aug 14 – Mars conjuncts Jupiter at 16 Gemini – This can be a powerful day for speaking. Jupiter can enlarge the heat of and warrior aspects Mars to defend or assert itself. We watch for the intensity and actions that can get triggered during this aspect.

Aug 14 – Mercury retrogrades back into Leo – Mercury in Leo can be expressive in dramatic ways. Here the words of leadership are reviewed, exaggerated, or more carefully crafted. Excellent for editing creative works. 

Aug 15 – The Sun at 23 Leo trines Chiron in Aries – The Sun Chiron connection reminds us of the inner wound, and the possibility for healing, along with new levels of integration. Watch for who expresses healing in leadership positions.

Aug 15 – Mars at 17 Gemini squares Saturn in Pisces – The activity of Mars is in a tense relationship with the planet of limitation, authority, and responsibility. Conflict ensues. Unable to move forward, stalemate. What is called for is careful evaluation of our actions and responses to events. Saturn seeks to slow and focus Mars energies.

Aug 18 – Mercury retrograde squares Uranus in Taurus – Pressure to break out of old ways of thinking. Unexpected messages, surprise communications that create change. Think creatively, and take time to review what you want to communicate.

Aug 18 – Sun conjunct Mercury retrograde at 26 Leo – When Mercury retrograde conjuncts the Sun, it is considered to be a time of seeding a new cycle of thinking and perceiving. This conjunction is a Cazimi time when powerful insights may inspire our thinking, speaking, and writing.

Aug 18 – Venus at 17 Virgo squares Jupiter in Gemini – Jupiter squares can bring about excess, but also enjoyment. Enjoyment in relationship and the arts is highlighted. Overdoing sweet things.

Aug 19 – Venus at 17 Virgo opposes Saturn in Pisces – Now the opposite takes place. Saturn disciplines Venus’s cravings. We are asked to reflect upon our relationships. If we feel constrained, or there is difficulty in relating, we are asked to slow and reflect. What is our deeper desire? What reality do we need to acknowledge?

   

Aug 19 – Sun at 27 Leo squares Uranus in Taurus – Sudden changes in situations, breaking out of what limits our freedoms of expression, opportunity to become more of ourselves through being flexible to what is arising in present time.

Aug 19 – Full Moon at 27 Aquarius/Sun in Leo, 10:25 am PDT – This is a very powerful full Moon. With its exact square to Uranus, it is a potent change time, both liberating from the old as well as elements of disruption. It carries excitement and inspiration, with powerful unexpected events. It’s interesting how it marks the beginning of the Democratic convention (19th-22nd) when Kamala Harris will be nominated, representing a powerful change of course. 

The Aquarius Leo pairing calls forth how we individuality interface with community and group endeavors, how we move into service of something larger than our individual selves. Aquarius is the sign of information. It is inventive and future looking. The myth of Aquarius illuminates how we are connected to both the divine, (it’s inspiration and creative possibilities) and our earthy responsibilities and practicalities. What will we envision to lead us forward into the future?

Under the light of the full Moon we also encounter the T-square of Venus opposed Saturn, squaring Jupiter and Mars. There is tremendous tension now in relationship, forces held in, or forces erupting. (See the chart below)

Full Moon in Aquarius 

August 19 – Full Moon at 27 Aquarius, 10:25 am PDT

 

Affirmation for full Moon in Aquarius

“I meet the challenge of change, being flexible and engaging with new possibilities. At the same time I slow my reactions, tuning in, to establish greater skillfulness in my responses, (with the Venus Saturn Jupiter Mars alignment).”

Aug 19 – Jupiter at 17 Gemini squares Saturn in Pisces – (see above)

Aug 22 – The Sun enters Virgo – from outward dramatic expression (Leo) to inward self reflection (Virgo), from leader to server. With the Sun moving into analytical Virgo, we fine-tune our ability to discern and carefully craft our responses. We move into practicality and getting things done. We focus on how we serve and work, how we can put things in order.

Aug 22 – Venus at 22 Virgo squares Mars in Gemini – the planets of relatedness and individuality square each other. Our relatedness needs conflict with our personal drives to act. This aspect gives us the opportunity to find balance between those drives, where we compromise, or how we conflict and what takes place when we do. 

Aug 23 – Mercury retrograde at 22 Leo sextiles Mars in Gemini – Our thinking is heated up. We want to express ourselves, our ideas. Writing and editing are highlighted.

Aug 26 – Venus at 27 Virgo trines Uranus in Taurus – We can be open to surprises in our relationships, that may lead to new insights and breakthroughs. An exciting and inspiring encounter with another. 

Aug 28 – Venus at 29 Virgo opposes Neptune in Pisces – The artist’s aspect. Go to the imaginative realms and create. We project and feel unconditional love, generosity in giving, and feel into our spiritual self. Ideals of the beloved, not the practicalities of relationship.

Aug 28 – Mercury turns direct at 28 Leo, at 215 pm PDT – Well, that might have been a challenging retrograde passage! We now can integrate the last 3 weeks over this next period of time. We can feel renewed in our thinking and expression.

Aug 29 – Venus enters Libra, trines Pluto in Aquarius – Venus enters its own sign of Libra, and seeks harmony, artistic expression, and diplomatic relationship. After a refining time through Virgo, we are now primed for more harmony in relationship. Venus trines Pluto, as it enters Libra, which initiates us into Libra with depth and transformative opportunities.

The Twelve signs: Sun and Rising Signs

will return in September

Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 42 years, bringing together traditional & esoteric astrology, Tarot and Qabalah. For info on her Friday monthly astrology groups, her Qabalah, astrology and/or painting classes, and for personal readings, email Susan, susan@susanheinz.com or go to www.susanheinz.com