In the Stars August 30 - September 6, 2020...shining light on the astrology of the week: Full Moon

The Bay area wildfires are moving towards containment, but are still active. The Democratic and Republican conventions are behind us, but now the campaigns begin. Hurricane Laura has made landfall and devastated parts of the south, though hurricane season is just beginning. Covid-19 deaths continue; I don’t think much has changed in that landscape. Planetary energy remains intense, volatile, and challenging throughout September, due to Mars making a tense square to Pluto and Saturn, turning retrograde on September 9.

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 many challenges we will be presented.

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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.

We have a plan for Tuesday, thanks to an early morning Mercury-Pluto trine. The Moon reaches its fullness at 10:22 p.m. fostering compassion and service. Uranus makes benefic aspects to both the Sun and Moon, so expect the evening to be exciting and interesting.

Wednesday is a potent day full of strong mixed energies. A Venus-Saturn opposition calls on us to be sensitive and intentional. The Sun-Uranus trine calls out new directions and change. We are visionary, intentional, and purposeful. The steady, reasoned influence of a Saturn-Mercury trine supports us for the next couple of days to plan, write, or solve problems. Wednesday is a day full of sound possibilities.

It may be difficult to get up and get going on Thursday with the Moon void of course from 7:34 a.m. through 1:22 p.m., and then the Moon bounces into Aries and gets us fired up at the end of the work day. A Moon-Saturn aspect in the morning grounds us and draws us toward our responsibilities, and a Moon-Venus trine in the evening draws us toward our passions.

Friday is a passionate day, fired up by a Venus-Mars square in cardinal, action-oriented signs. Venus in Libra wants to express love graciously and feed on art and beauty. Mars in Aries is fiery, dynamic and independent. These two planets in square aspect want different things, but have to figure out how to get along. The tension can be creative. Write a poem about something you are on fire about, take a vigorous walk in a beautiful place, or work in your garden and unfold its beauty.

Saturday explodes with strong energy from the Moon’s challenging alignments with Pluto, then Saturn, and then Mars. Think about how to use this potent, volatile energy in a productive way. Put your energy into a demanding project and be sure and get some vigorous exercise, and cool your temper if triggered.

A welcome cooling off period arrives Sunday as the Moon enters nature-loving Taurus. Venus moves into Leo, calling for some playfulness. Sunday evening may deliver surprises as Uranus makes its monthly conjunction with the Moon.

The work week is off to a golden start Monday morning with the Taurus Moon trine the Virgo Sun, an earthy grounded aspect to support just about anything we want to do. The Moon moves forward making benefic aspects with Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto. We are empowered and supported by the planetary energy. Make the most of this excellent day.

The Week in Short: 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.

Tuesday: Full Moon in Pisces-Virgo. Plan to get a lot accomplished, and expect a few interesting diversions to appear.

Wednesday: Strong mixed energies, full of opportunities. Open to some of them.

Thursday: Moon VoC 7:34 a.m. – 1:22 p.m. Slow morning changes to a fiery, passionate, zestful late afternoon-evening.

Friday: Take action on something you are fired up about.

Saturday: Volatile, challenging, explosive energies abound. Get vigorous exercise and lean into a demanding project.

Sunday: Walk in nature, and be open to surprise in the evening.

Monday: Excellent day for accomplishing great things with support and empowerment.

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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 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)

September 21: 11:13 a.m. – 12:32 p.m. (Moon into Sagittarius)

September 23: 10:32 a.m. – 4:16 p.m. (Moon into Capricorn)

September 25: 8:36 p.m. – 11:08 p.m. (Moon into Aquaius) GMT (Greenwich Mean Time): 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)

September 21: 19:13 – 21:32 (Moon into Sagittarius)

September 23 at 18:32 through September 24 at 0:16 (Moon into Capricorn)

September 26: 4:36 – 7:08 (Moon into Aquaius)