August Astrology Report 2004

August hosts 19 dynamic celestial phenomena: 3 conjunctions, 1 square, 5 oppositions, 2 stations (1 Rx & 1 direct), 4 ingresses, 2 ending shadow points (ESP), 1 new and 1 full Moon. Dynamic energy of August flows primarily towards the Sun (as is always the case during the summer Leo season) and Mercury, whose intensity is distributed throughout the month. The best way to use the pure solar energy is to refine your sense of self-esteem, develop leadership abilities, and build inner vitality. Mercury/Virgo energy lends itself well to the integration of special skills with sharpened mental faculties, and the creation of good health habits. Their mutually receptive energies that we share through our experiences later in the month are best used in cooperative processes, with the ability to assimilate new understandings through the strength of the will. Be open to a merging of spiritual reasoning and intellectual creativity. Fulfillment potential will be offered through reciprocal activities.

8/1 Mercury opposes Uranus Rx 3:50 AM, 5:49 Pisces. Timing is everything! The backdrop process shows a striving for agreement between materialist philosophies and spiritual principles, which will continue to develop throughout the month. Meanwhile, growing awareness of a dynamic struggle for encouragement or support occurs between deliberate, short-term desires and visionary, long-term conjecture. Allegiances are stretched and tested. Power struggles will continue un-resolved, and be revisited on 8/18, but not entirely resolvable until mid September.

8/2 Venus ESP 26:08 Gemini. Out of the shadow into the light &Mac246; there have been opportunities to see many perspectives of others&Mac226; desires and passions. Now is the time to put your knowledge to work to prepare the way for the next Venus/Mars cycle, which most likely will deal with the many levels of nurturing in relationships.

Jupiter ESP 18:54 Virgo. Recall where you were in your process of self-discovery last October. If this process has been filled with awakenings based on solid principles, you will now have a chance to move forward and put your new awarenesses into practice in your life. Soon, it will be possible to incorporate them into your life path.

8/5 Sun opposes Neptune Rx 8:08 PM, 14:00 Leo/Aquarius. Objective sensitivity is attainable through applying what has been learned through past challenges. However, it is most important to recognize where you are in the ever-present moment, rather than to project yourself into the past or the future, where you may lose your sense of reality.

8/6 Jupiter squares Pluto Rx 2:22 PM, 19:41 Virgo/Sagittarius. This is the final part of July&Mac226;s Dancing T-Cross (with Venus beginning on 7/20). A consciousness crisis peaks now in the integration of inner and outer processes. Many will come to a realization that what we build in ourselves projects into our environment, attracting others with like situations in their lives. It is useful to know that nothing in the universe is wasted, that every act or thought fills more than one need.

8/7 Venus enters Cancer 4:02 AM. Developing an appreciation of family and nurturing relationships helps you to appreciate and nurture yourself according to your most personal inner needs. Opportunities arise that allow you to act on new awarenesses and realizations, and build on past lessons. Make last minute adjustments on your inner or creative goals.

8/9 Mercury turns Rx 5:33 PM, 8:46 Virgo. It is said that Fortune favors the prepared mind. Those who are ready with alternative plans will succeed and display an example of adjusting to those who suddenly become unsure of their path. Heavy responsibilities, an overwhelming burden of mental or analytic challenges, or health problems may oblige people to put their activities on hold, which has a trickle-down effect for you and many others. Use this time to take stock of your strengths and weaknesses, analyze and classify the answers that you already own, and seek supporting data for that. Reassure others that it&Mac226;s natural to take the time to occasionally re-evaluate their lives, especially as we live in such a rapidly changing world.

8/10 Mars enters Virgo 3:14 AM, Jupiter parallels Mercury, 4:40 N. Be ready for criticism for not only your actions, but also your inaction. You may be asked to take action before you are ready. Reasons or excuses given will be ineffective. You may feel abandoned or be released from a commitment because of your freely given opinions. Better to be truthful than to hide your true outlook, although it may be time to make an inner commitment for the spirit of the law even if it differs from the letter of the law.

8/15 New Moon 23:41 Leo, west coast 6:24 PM, east coast 9:24 PM. Subjectivity is valuable in support of new projects, as it is currently tough to gain much perspective. The need for harmony is great, and creative efforts can be powerful building blocks for new projects. Currently, competition is the way of least resistance when faced with a dilemma. Inner competition uses up less energy, and offers a more hopeful outcome in this time of many small but significant changes. West coast issues include evaluating personal relationships or partnerships, and their responsibilities. Your current process is likely to be self-contained, which may contribute to self-discipline and self-sufficiency. East coast work/skill issues are likely to be intense and varied, and possibly short-term. You may find satisfaction through beginning a new health program, or volunteering your services, or starting a new interim job.

8/18 Mars opposes Uranus Rx 7:14 AM, 5:11 Virgo/Pisces; Mercury Rx conjoins Mars 12:47 PM, 5:19 Virgo; Mercury Rx opposes Uranus Rx 6:01 PM, 5:10 Virgo/Pisces. Rumors will be flying, and clever, exceptional people solicit your support. Trying to discern the truth may be difficult. Taking pause to discern the true message of those who attempt to influence you may keep you from acting prematurely. Even though you may have a desire to take independent action, vigilance is needed in all matters. Take into consideration current domestic or nurturing responsibilities, and use that information to build or keep an awareness of integrity. Some will need to reverse the directions of their projects &Mac246; mutable energy combined with retrograde action. Try to keep a positive attitude and know that all your experiences will be valuable in the future.

8/22 Sun enters Virgo 11:53. The August homage to Mercury continues, as mental vitality and wit is available, especially to those with planets in early Virgo. A great time to clean out closets (both intellectual and physical), and reorganize for the fall season, when, vacations over, we need to knuckle down to business and school. Enhance and polish those mental skills.

8/23 Sun conjoins Mercury Rx 1:51 PM, 1:03 Virgo. Truth, and the mental sharpness to root it out becomes a tool for many. Patience is called for, as we may have a blind spot to the issues at hand. Partnering up with others is helpful as we may be able to help each other with problems too close to grasp. Pay special attention to family needs and convictions, as they may support (or question) your quest for self-awareness. You may be asked to champion their quests.

8/24 Mercury retrogrades into Leo 6:34 PM. Unfinished business becomes an unavoidable challenge, with the tools for achievement at hand. Competition between siblings (or similar relationships) may give way to cooperation as this mutual reception commences, lasting until September 10, when competition again becomes a dominant focus.

8/27 Sun opposes Uranus Rx 11:41 AM, 4:49 Virgo/Pisces. The need to investigate your place in the world, possibly precipitated by a real or imagined threat to your self-determination, or freedom to exercise free choice. Unexpected situations may make you aware of your vulnerability. Research your options. Tests like this recur about once a year.

8/29 Full Moon 7:03 Pisces. West coast 7:22 PM; east coast 10:22 PM. That which you have been building receives valued amplification, and has additional support in a structural way. If you are completing a process or project, be open to mutual support from unusual sources. This is likely to be a busy time for all concerned. Try to keep a taut organizational thread, and avoid getting sidelined by irrelevant details. West coast emphasis is on personal issues. Maintain a hopeful attitude and keep your convictions strong by actively pursuing your objectives. East coast issues deal with responsibilities to associations or establishments that you support through creativity, substance, or communication. Reevaluate your value to these groups, and their value to your objectives.

8/30 Pluto turns Direct 12:37 PM, 19:33 Sagittarius. Be ready to make adjustments in your attitude towards growth and development in the areas of travel, higher education, and expanded consciousness. You may see changes of opinions based on emotion. Be sure to question the sources of these sentiments, if not based on truth.

8/31 Venus conjoins Saturn 9:07 AM, 23:23 Cancer. The value of acknowledgement of loyalty, expertise, or responsible action can instill respect in others. Formally recognizing others for their value and service increases their self-esteem, and makes them more likely to continue to grow in that capacity. In personal matters, if you love someone, share your feelings with them.



AUGUST 2004 SYMBOLISM

August was named for Caesar Augustus, the first Roman emperor. Demeter (aka Ceres), the goddess of fertility, and her daughter Persephone (aka Kore), are associated with this month of harvest. August 1st is the cross-quarter festival of Lammas (aka Lughnasa), the eighth station of the year, and the time of the first harvest (grain). In ancient times, a Loaf Mass was celebrated, using consecrated bread made from the first-ripened corn.

Among the gemstones associated with August are Amber and Topaz. Amber is known as "the Gold of the Sea", because this fossilized resin from the once prolific, now extinct species of Conifer, Pinites Succinifer used to wash up in great numbers on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Amber produces a charge of negative electrons when rubbed, and generates heat; actually, amber takes on the temperature of the wearer. Associated with the Sun, amber, an organic substance also produces sparks of light. It is said to effect relief in sore throats and to stop nosebleeds. Topaz (aka Peridot) was known to the ancient Egyptians as the "Stone of Strength", the stone of Ra, the Sun god. The color of Topaz can be changed by heat; and with heat, pressure and friction, it exhibits strong electric phenomena. In medieval times Topaz was used to heal women&Mac226;s illnesses, and to promote peaceful sleep. First discovered at the Isle of Topazos in the Red Sea, Topaz was acclaimed for its gift of good health, wisdom, and the protection against a violent or sudden death.

Aug 3 is the Hindu festival, Raksha Bandhan, commemorating a battle between gods and demons. Sachi, wife of Indra (king of the gods) tied a blessed thread of protection to Indra&Mac226;s hand, which helped him to conquer his enemies. In honor of ancient tradition, modern-day threads are charged with sacred verses (Mantras), and tied between the hands of loved ones. The protection thread on one hand is for saving from sins, and on the other hand heals from disease, and they all generally remove fears, and help people to bond.

August 6 marks the current Heliacal rising of Sirius, at 14:08 Cancer, declination south 16:43:05. Since Sirius is the brightest star in the heavens, its rising just before the Sun allows it to be seen in a "daylight sky". In ancient times, this marked the beginning of the ancient Egyptian year, and occurred at the inundation, or flooding of the Nile, and the annual coming of Hapi, the fertility god/goddess (depicted as a green being with a pharos beard and the swollen breasts of a mother.

Don&Mac226;t forget the annual Perseids meteor shower, this year on August 11-12 to be viewed in the constellations of Taurus and Gemini. Before dawn, Thursday, when it should show the best, the Moon will be rising (so pick a spot where the waning crescent Moon is shaded from your view). The lesser Kappa-Cygnids meteor shower (bring your telescopes) will occur early on Aug 16 in near perfect conditions, right after the new Moon appearing close to the ecliptic north pole in Draco. Both of these showers will be visible from the northern hemisphere. Meteor Showers are traditionally considered a gift of Light from the gods. Focus your consciousness on them, even if you can't see them &Mac246; and accept the gift of Light.

On August 12, 1831, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, principal founder of the Theosophical Society, was born in Ekaterinoslav (now Dnepropetrovsk), Ukraine. She was largely responsible for introducing Eastern religious philosophy to the Western world. Through her voluminous writings, which include The Secret Doctrine and Isis Unveiled. Her merging of science, religion and philosophy and the mantic arts have been a source of inspiration to philosophers, scientists, writers, artists, and truth-seekers the world over.

"The Science which defines the action of celestial bodies upon mundane affairs, and claims to foretell future events from the position of the stars. Its antiquity is such as to place it among the very earliest records of human learning. It remained for long ages a secret science in the East, and its final expression remains so to this day, its exoteric application having been brought to any degree of perfection in the West only during the period of time since Varaha Muhira wrote his book on Astrology some 1400 years ago."

Theosophical Glossary, page 38, H.P. Blavatsky

August 15 is the Christian celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Orthodox Church it is called the Dormition of the Theotokos. Church tradition accounts say that since she was the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, she was taken up into heavenly glory, body and soul (known as translation) when her earthly life was over.

An old Germanic folk belief said: "men who hate cats will never get a wife." This comes from the myth of the most revered Teutonic goddess, Freya, sister and wife of Odin, who protected love and marriage and made them fruitful. She was associated with the sign Leo, but rode a chariot drawn by two cats, her favored animal. The domestic cat is one of the ancient symbols for the fourth sign, Cancer, which precedes the Sun&Mac226;s entry into Leo. Freya commanded the Valkyries, and often fought alongside Odin. Odin&Mac226;s nine-day ordeal on the world tree, Yggdrasil runs from August 17 through the 25th, and describes his process of gaining the knowledge of the runes.

August 23 is the day sacred to Nemesis, Greek goddess of Justice. The goddess of righteous anger, who first emerged from Chaos. Her festival was called Nemesia. She defended the belongings and memory of the dead from all insults, and avenged all those who despoiled their reputations or their property.

August 29 is sacred to Urda, the eldest of the three Norns, who represents the past. August 29 is also the date that commemorates the birth of the Lord Krishna, and is a day of spiritual joy. Worship is done in the late evening hours, as Lord Krishna was born at midnight, symbolizing the Light dispelling darkness.

Symbology is just as much a part of life as are the physical cycles.

"Astrology is to exact astronomy what psychology is to exact physiology. In astrology and psychology one has to step beyond the visible world of matter, and enter into the domain of transcendent spirit."
H. P. Blavatsky, Isis Unveiled (I.259):

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