As the first golden leaf falls from the dark green canopy this week we feel the shimmers of impending season change and can feel torn between conflicting pulls on our time and heart. Feel the pull between what we want and our responsibilities, or between savoring a lingering sybaritic summer moment, and urgent actions needed for our future. Stop feeling torn and time share or mediate between the people and the needs. Make the work joyful obligations. Mix what is needed in the moment with a healthy investment in the future. Because it could be a busy year, and can be productive if we fill our reserves, position ourselves well, and respond to urgent calls now.
Jupiter recently entered Virgo (8/12/15-9/9/16) where it will be for the next year. Jupiter symbolizes what frees us, expands our horizons, and also what we overdo or overindulge; it’s larger than all the other planets in the solar system put together. Jupiter in Virgo tells us that our work can set us free, and reminds us that there is no greater gift than good health. Mercury is already in Virgo, and the Sun enters Virgo on Sunday, calling us to an industrious self-improvement program, loaning us that ability to sort, learn, digest and absorb, harvest and heal which we need every autumn.
It is one of life’s humors quirks that students are drawn back to school every year under this industrious Sun in Virgo quality, when they are most ready to learn but most miserably self-conscious and self-critical, one of Virgo’s shadows. Venus and Mars, the two planets that symbolize our social-emotional milieu, are still in Leo and aren’t really into this whole autumnal back to work approach. They infuse our personalities with panache and can help us create new communities at work and school, but can leave us lingering over brunch and dragging our feet when it’s time to buckle down to work.
But this combination has gifts—as we enter the fall fray it’s important to make those new human connections. The busier and harder working we become, the more important it is to share appreciation with our beloveds, help new acquaintances feel appreciated, and keep our soul involved and our optimism engaged; Venus and Mars in Leo can help.
As Friday dawns we may be uncomfortably aware of problems, obstacles, limitations, notice what we’re lacking or what we haven’t done yet as the Sun forms challenging aspects to both Saturn and Pluto under a Scorpio Moon. Difficult decisions need to be made, and people who are trying to prove themselves, political candidates for instance, may unpleasantly try to wield power. The key to using these aspects positively will be to stay self-responsible, ask ourselves what can we do to make our lives better instead of what do other people need to do to change our life. Let’s not take it out on others if we delayed or waited too long and are just now buckling down to take advantage of an opportunity.
The mood shifts Saturday and Sunday, becomes more sociable and celebratory as the under a lighthearted and curious Sagittarius Moon. It stays upbeat if a little nervy on Sunday as the Sun enters Virgo and buckles back down to work on Tuesday as the Moon enters competent Capricorn and Mercury sextiles industrious Saturn next week. It’s time to get our ducks in a row, pencil boxes pencils sharpened, and organize, organize, organize.
And if we organize now, then as the Sun conjuncts expansive Jupiter and Mercury enters egalitarian, friendly Libra next Thursday, will be ready to connect with our community and network future possibilities in a good way.
Friday, August 21: The mood can be a little pompous but hard-working this morning as the Sun squares Saturn under a Scorpio Moon. We may want to get lost deep within this morning, and have strong ambiguities about dealing with people. We can get snappish or willful because we’re suddenly aware of and anxious about efforts we need to make in the future. But we can turn this frustration into action if we stay self-responsible rather than blame others for our discomfort. A stubborn streak and strong approach-avoidance conflicts continue around being sociable tonight. It may be better to do to watch a movie together or do something in tandem, rather than try to interact.
Moon sextile Pluto 5:57 AM, Sun sesqui-quadrate Pluto 9:17 AM, Moon square Venus 5:13 PM, Sun squares Saturn 5:40 PM, Moon trine Chiron 7:34 PM, Moon quincunx Uranus 7:41 PM
Saturday, August 22: In an otherwise fixed, inflexible day, uncertainty can creep in, but instead of second-guessing what we’ve already done; let’s investigate new possibilities that might bring an improvement. We may want to puddle around in our interior world this morning and resent outside demands. Midday, seriousness brings focus as the Moon conjuncts Saturn, then optimism aerates the afternoon as the Moon enters Sagittarius, suddenly we’ll want to speak up and get out on the town, though we’ll tend to argue over attitude and philosophy tonight as Mercury semi-square Mars.
Moon sextile Mercury 12:57 AM, Mars quincunx Neptune 4:21 AM, Moon semi-square Pluto 6:49 AM, Moon conjunct Saturn 12:01 PM, Moon square Sun 1:30 PM, Moon enters Sagittarius 2:40 PM, Moon square Jupiter 7:30 PM, Mercury semi-square Mars 10:29 PM
Sunday, August 23: We begin harvest season as the Sun enters Virgo this morning. Although we may feel just as lazy as the Moon squares Neptune, maybe we feel a little bit guiltier about resting. A fresh layer of honesty without an edge can create an opening in family matters. Prioritize health, sorting, organizing, rather than busyness. Leave room for sweetness of the soul this afternoon, and take an opportunity to laugh at oneself.
Sun enters Virgo 4:37 AM, Moon square Neptune 7:08 AM, Moon trine Mars 8:37 AM, Moon semi-sextile Pluto 3:44 PM,
Monday, August 24: Check in and socialize rather than push the work forward. Stir the pots, observe, and make connections. Begin to let go of the summer community and reconnect with the fall tribe. Animal health and animal rights need attention today, even if it’s just taking a dog to the dog park. Tonight the Moon enters Capricorn and we ache a bit, but begin to get serious and plan farther ahead. If this mood oozes into depression, find one small task, accomplish it, and celebrate the progress.
Moon trine Venus 12:09 AM, Moon trine Uranus 4:34 AM, Moon square Mercury 4:03 PM, Moon enters Capricorn 10:21 PM,
Tuesday, August 25: This is an important business day to get down to work and get organized. It’s also a strategic day; watch what offers come in what challenges arise in the headlines and at home and get a peek at the agenda to come. Initiate steps for long-term goals. Morning’s enthusiasm as the Moon trines Jupiter may become daunted by an awareness of the depth of the work needed this evening as the Moon conjuncts Pluto and squares Saturn. Investigate motive, then rest rather than worry.
Moon trine Sun 1:34 AM, Moon trine Jupiter 3:44 AM, Moon quintile Chiron 12:31 PM, Moon sextile Neptune 1:31 PM, Moon conjunct Pluto 9:33 PM, Moon square Saturn 10:30 PM,
Wednesday, August 26: Opportunities are popping today, if one doesn’t stumble into your life, created as the Sun conjuncts Jupiter in industrious Virgo while Mercury sextiles competent Saturn. Sign contracts. But let’s only say what we really mean, as our words count now. Show people they are loved by working with them or respecting their work. Have a solution for the problem at hand, and get the job. Problem solve together. Don’t worry about the theory, take a very pragmatic approach for the moment, and explore the theory in the next few days.
Moon sextile Chiron 9:10 AM, Moon square Uranus 9:25 AM, Mercury sextile Saturn 10:07 AM, Moon semi-square Neptune 3:14 PM, Sun conjunct Jupiter 4:02 PM.
Thursday, August 27: The mood and are thinking relaxes a bit, becomes more sociable and interconnected as Mercury enters egalitarian, interested, and more relaxed Libra as the Moon enters sociable Aquarius. Engage teamwork or find out how to work with the teams around. Contemplate the theory behind pragmatic actions. We may be less focused on the details, less touchy on the heart, but can speak with straightforward diplomacy through the day. Late night can bring a stubborn ego clash unless we give one another room as the Moon opposes Mars.
Moon sextile Saturn 12:01 AM, Moon trine Mercury 1:19 AM, Moon enters Aquarius 2:03 AM, Mercury enters Libra 9:44 AM, Moon opposes Mars 10:24 PM
Starcodes 