In the Stars August 23-30, 2020...shining light on the astrology of the week

I turned on the news on this past Thursday, August 20th, for an update on the wildfires, and the headlines were: Steve Bannon arrested for fraud regarding money raised for the southern border wall, Chicago plane crash, two tropical storms forming, fierce wild fires in California, and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Wow! This was also the night that Joe Biden accepted the Democratic nomination for President. I do not like to be alarming, and yet as I write this post fires burn all around me like never before in Northern California, and we face threats of more dry lightening the next two days that could spark more fires. The planetary energy this week, which is my birthday week, and the week of the Republican convention, is extremely intense. Powerful, challenging, provocative energy abounds. Fiery Mars has been square to Pluto and Saturn, a hot aspect likely to trigger consequences. Just after Uranus turned retrograde, thunder and lightening struck in the Bay area, an extremely unusual event for California, especially during the summer. The rare lightening started several huge fires that have burned out of control, and are barely beginning to be contained. The Mars-square-Jupiter/Pluto/Saturn continues through September; thus we can expect it to be a tense and intense month. Yet, there is some good news as several planets are in their own or exalted signs much of September. If we incorporate the Vedic, sidereal, perspective with the Western, tropical perspective the strong planetary field increases. Mars is in its own ruling sign, Aries. Saturn is in its own ruling sign, Capricorn. Mercury is in its ruling sign and sign of exaltation, Virgo. Jupiter is in its ruling sign, Sagittarius (Vedic, sidereal), Sun is in its ruling sign, Leo (Vedic, sidereal), and the Moon will be in its ruling and exaltation signs also in mid-September. We will have the strength and resolve to deal with the challenges we are presented. *****

Sunday we dive deep into the mysterious waters of the Scorpio Moon; our emotions are stirred. The Moon makes benefic aspects to the Sun and Mercury. We are attuned to subtle messages that may lurk under the surface. The Moon’s opposition to Uranus later in the day may widen our focus and bring surprises.

Mars and Saturn make an exact square on Monday, creating extra tension. Mars pushes, and Saturn pulls. The pressure fosters precision, focus, and good problem solving, if worked with skillfully. Numerous benefic aspects help us handle the challenges with honesty, diplomacy, and wisdom, and hopefully they will help to abate the fires.

The optimistic Sagittarius Moon creates a brighter day on Tuesday. A brilliant Mercury-Uranus trine helps us generate new ideas and solve problems. A Venus-Jupiter opposition delivers optimism, and perhaps over-extension as well.

Optimism continues on Wednesday, and we are expanded by lunar squares to Mercury and Neptune. Nourish yourself with a walk in nature and move your hips and thighs. Allow yourself a little dreaming, too.

It may be difficult to get going on Thursday morning, as the Moon is void of course from 5:00 a.m. until 10:37 a.m. PDT when the Moon moves into Capricorn. The Sun and Moon align in a grounded earth trine. Work flows. Venus is trine Neptune, encouraging creative expression and active imagination. Thankfully, there is some positive energy in the day. Meanwhile, Venus moves into position to form an intense cardinal grand cross which will be at play for the week ahead.

Friday is an industrious day to get a lot of work done. The Moon conjuncts Jupiter and makes benefic aspects to Uranus, Mercury, and Neptune. You will be on a roll, so you may as well work on into the evening. This particular Friday is framed for hard work rather than pleasure.

Saturday dawns with the Moon’s close conjunction with Pluto, drawing us into another intense work day full of responsibility, as then the Moon advances to conjunct Saturn. Mars squares these planets in Capricorn, adding fuel to the fire. This is my birthday, and these planetary signatures are in my solar return, thus this demanding energy will be influencing me for the whole year ahead.

The Moon in Aquarius on Sunday and Monday gives us perspective. Relationships and finances are under pressure as a Venus-Pluto opposition shines its light on values regarding these matters. An edgy Sun-Pluto aspect adds fuel to the challenges. A Mercury-Neptune opposition can confuse us, and make it unclear how to resolve issues. And finally, a Moon-Uranus square could add upset and trigger a change in course.

The Moon in Aquarius on Monday gives detachment and innovative thinking, welcome qualities in the midst of so much tension. The cardinal Grand Cross of planetary energy is still at play, so we are wound tight. Go slowly and carefully and do your best. Aquarius symbolizes friendship, so reach out and connect with a friend.

The Week in Short:

Sunday: Emotions are stirred; consider subtle messages and open to surprising twists and turns.

Monday: Mars and Saturn square off, creating tension, pressure, and challenge.

Tuesday: Optimistic, expansive day. Problems are solved with innovative ideas.

Wednesday: Walk in nature and allow yourself to dream.

Thursday: Work flows; creativity is encouraged.

Friday: Work flows all day long and into the evening. Go with it.

Saturday: Powerful work day, fueled with energy and challenge. Lean in and make the most of it.

Sunday: Pressure mounts, especially regarding relationships and finances. Plans may veer off course.

Monday: Tense energy pattern continues, but Aquarius Moon gives detachment and intelligent thinking.

Ten Things to Do with Venus in Cancer (August 7 – September 6)

Take a journey through old family photo albums.
Schedule a family Zoom call.
Attend to home maintenance projects.
Make your home more comfortable.
Pull out your family recipes and make some of your favorite family foods.
Read a historical novel.
Save money and be conservative with spending.
Honor your feelings.
Express care through a card, call, or gift of food.
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 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) August 31 at 9:56 p.m. through September 1 at 2:34 a.m. (Moon into Pisces) September 3: 7:34 a.m. – 1:22 p.m. (Moon into Aries) September 5 at 9:44 p.m. through September 6 at 1:43 a.m. (Moon into Taurus) September 8: 5:46 a.m. – 2:28 p.m. (Moon into Gemini) September 10 at 9:48 p.m. through September 11 at 1:23 a.m. (Moon into Cancer) September 13: 5:05 a.m. – 8:32 a.m. (Moon into Leo) September 15: 8:10 a.m. – 2:28 p.m. (Moon into Virgo) September 17: 4:42 a.m. – 11:56 a.m. (Moon into Libra) September 19: 7:28 a.m. – 11:32 a.m. (Moon into Scorpio) GMT (Greenwich Mean Time): 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) September 1: 5:56 - 10:34 (Moon into Pisces) September 3: 15:34 – 21:22 (Moon into Aries) September 6: 5:44 - 8:43 (Moon into Taurus) September 8: 13:46 – 2:28 (Moon into Gemini) September 11: 5:48 - 9:23 (Moon into Cancer) September 13: 13:05 – 16:32 (Moon into Leo) September 15: 16:10 – 22:28 (Moon into Virgo) September 17: 12:42 – 19:56 (Moon into Libra) September 19: 15:28 – 19:32 (Moon into Scorpio)