In the Stars August 2 - 9, 2020...shining light on the astrology of the week: Full Moon

The Sun shines in Leo tropically, the sign it rules and where it is strong, symbolizing boldness, courage, strength, and creativity. It is the time of year for summer vacation and play, though now that energy is constrained. Two asteroids and five planets are still retrograde: Ceres, Pallas Athena, Saturn, Chiron, Pluto, Jupiter, and Neptune. Beach Sunset by Pat Harden

The Full Moon alignment on Monday, August 3rd, squares Uranus, giving volatility and intensity. Mars and Jupiter square off on Tuesday, energy that is pushy, so push for good and to move work forward. ***** On Sunday the Moon exactly conjuncts Saturn, while the Sun exactly squares Uranus. Moon/Saturn symbolizes restraint and limitations; Sun/Uranus symbolizes freedom, surprise, and explosiveness. The Moon is void of course until 11:11 a.m. PDT when it moves into Aquarius. At least with the Moon in Aquarius there is some detachment from the chaos. The Full Moon in Aquarius on Monday is squared by Uranus. The energies in this Full Moon alignment are challenging and volatile. Exercise caution and go easy. There may be unexpected twists and turns in the day, and it may not go as planned. We may feel pushed, or want to push as Mars and Jupiter square off on Tuesday. If you don’t push beyond what is reasonable and create trouble, then this alignment in cardinal, action-oriented signs Aries and Capricorn can thrust work forward. Mercury moves into Leo for a quick, creative two-week passage. The Moon is void of course from 2:45 p.m. to 7:28 p.m. PST, after which it moves into Pisces, easing some of the tension of the day.

The Pisces Moon conjuncts Ceres on Wednesday, fortifying our nurturing muscle. Venus conjuncts the North Node, bringing out the best in relationships. The Moon makes a benefic sextile to Uranus, inviting surprise. Compassion and inspiration abound on Thursday with the Moon in Pisces making benefic aspects with Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto. Creativity and imagination are heightened. Play your instrument or make your expressive mark on the day. At sunrise Friday (Pacific Time) the Moon bounces into Aries. Adventure calls—or at least take a hike in the outdoors in these COVID-19 times. Venus moves into Cancer until September 6th, focusing our attention on money matters, and home and family. A Moon-Mercury benefic trine fosters clear thinking and communication. The Aries Moon on Saturday demands vigorous exercise. Consider a challenging hike on a trail new to you. Sun and Moon form a flowing trine. Sleep may be restless, as Mars squares the Moon, soon to be followed by a square to Pluto early Sunday morning. The Moon squares Saturn mid-day Sunday. This is a day of challenge and restraint. The Moon is void of course from 12:50 to 6:28 p.m. when the Moon moves into Taurus, a time good for gardening, reading, or routine tasks. A benefic Moon-Venus sextile in the evening will loosen the tension, and the Taurus Moon invites us to relax and be nourished by simple pleasures. Monday is blessed by the exalted Taurus Moon, grounding us in work in a slow and steady manner. However, Uranus aspects both the Moon and Mercury, shaking things up, and also helping us solve problems in new ways. * * * * * * * * The Week in Short: Sunday: Restraint and limitation may foster explosive outbursts or creative solutions. Monday: Full Moon. Challenging, volatile day with twists and turns. Tuesday: Press forward, but not too hard. Moon VoC 2:45 p.m. -7:28 p.m. PDT. Relax in the evening. Wednesday: Nurture relationships and be open to surprise. Thursday: Compassion, creativity, and inspiration abound. Friday: Adventure calls, or at least take a hike. Saturday: Demanding day; get some vigorous exercise. Sunday: Powerful energies are challenging. Moon VoC 12:50-6:28 p.m. Monday: In pursuing our work, we may be pulled off track by unusual events. ***** Ten Things to Do with Venus in Cancer (August 7 – September 6)

1. Take a journey through old family photo albums

2. Schedule a family Zoom call.

3. Attend to home maintenance projects.

4. Make your home more comfortable.

5. Pull out your family recipes and make some of your favorite family foods.

6. Read a historical novel.

7. Save money and be conservative with spending.

8. Honor your feelings.

9. Express care through a card, call, or gift of food.

10. Gaze at the Moon in the night sky.

***** Moon Void-of-Course: This is the time when the Moon makes its last major angular aspect with a planet before it moves into the next zodiacal sign tropically. This void time, when the Moon is not aspecting a planet, but rather floating on its own, is a time when things don’t come together and it is difficult to make good decisions. Purchases made during void Moons often turn out to be unsatisfactory and not work out. Appointments often don’t come together, and meetings don’t result in progress or sound, lasting decisions. We more easily get lost or meander in trying to get somewhere. The VoC Moon times for the next month are listed below so that you can plan meetings, decisions, and purchases at times when the Moon is not VoC; and use the void times for gardening, reading, and routine task work. Void-of-Course Moon times for the month ahead (one lunar cycle): Pacific Standard Time: August 2: 6:59 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. (Moon into Aquarius) August 4: 2:45 p.m. 7:28 p.m. (Moon into Pisces) August 7: 5:53 a.m. – 6:05 a.m. (Moon into Aries) August 9: 12:50 p.m. – 6:28 p.m. (Moon into Taurus) August 12: 0:55 a.m. – 6:46 a.m. (Moon into Gemini) August 14: 4:19 a.m. – 4:35 p.m. (Moon into Cancer) August 16: 4:59 p.m. – 10:39 p.m. (Moon into Leo) August 18 at 10:39 p.m. through August 19 at 1:20 a.m. (Moon into Virgo) August 20 at 8:37 p.m. through August 21 at 2:16 a.m. (Moon into Libra) August 22 at 9:19 p.m. through August 23 at 3:16 a.m. (Moon into Scorpio) August 24 at 11:27 p.m. through August 25 at 5:49 a.m. (Moon into Sagittarius) August 27: 5:00 a.m. – 10:37 a.m. (Moon into Capricorn) August 29: 12:30 p.m. – 5:36 p.m. (Moon into Aquarius) GMT (Greenwich Mean Time): August 2: 14:59 - 19:10 (Moon into Aquarius) August 4 at 22:45 through August 5 at 3:28 (Moon into Pisces) August 7: 13:53 – 14:05 (Moon into Aries) August 9 at 20:50 through August 10 at 14:28 (Moon into Taurus) August 12: 8:55 – 14:46 (Moon into Gemini) August 14 at 12:19 through August 15 at 0:35 (Moon into Cancer) August 17: 0:59 – 6:39 (Moon into Leo) August 19: 6:39 – 9:20 (Moon into Virgo) August 21: 4:37 - 10:16 (Moon into Libra) August 23: 5:19 - 11:16 (Moon into Scorpio) August 25: 7:27 - 13:49 (Moon into Sagittarius) August 27: 13:00 – 18:37 (Moon into Capricorn) August 29 at 20:30 through August 30 at 1:36 (Moon into Aquarius)