August 2007 Astrocast

Key Events:  

New Moon: 8/12/2007

Full Moon: 8/28/2007/Eclipse

Jupiter Direct:  8/06/2007

Other RX Planets:  Venus, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto 

The month begins with Venus in your Natural 2nd House which governs your possessions, finances and physical body, your most important possession.  This is a marvelous placement for the Goddess of Love, who will bless your belongings and also endow you with a touch of extra charm that will be noticeable to others as well as yourself when you look in the mirror.  She's currently retrograde (RX), however, though this particular house placement and the fact that Venus is generally a benefic planet does not necessarily have the negative impact that other planets do in this state.  In fact, she will back into Leo on August 5th, which will continue to enhance your appearance as well as how you conduct yourself and appear to others.  Most of these positive vibes will actually be directed inward, which will give you a chance to further assess who and what you really are and what you most want to project to the world at large.  This is a good time to consider where you are in life and whether or not you're happy there. 

Leos are by nature kind-hearted and caring, but their weaknesses can bite them in the butt, specifically your strong sense of pride and that leonine temper.  Being considerate often can't compensate for those other traits, particularly if they stir up a bit too much trouble for those around you.  Leos thrive on sunshine, literally and figuratively, but if they're not careful they can be labeled "high maintenance" by others, in spite of your best intentions.  As a Fixed Sign, change does not come easily for you, no matter what venue in which it falls.  You're also born to lead, so it's common for Leo's to have "my way or the highway" tattooed on their forehead.  Unless you're the CEO of your own company, however, this often causes trouble in the workplace.  If your life, relationships, or possibly your career (any area in which your personality is key) hasn't exactly gone in the direction you'd like, take advantage of Venus RX for some serious introspection.  Try to see how others see you, which is more than likely a lot different than the image that stares back at you from your favorite mirror.  Even if you're correct, sometimes you have to acquiesce to those in authority, like it or not.  And if you don't, they're likely to remind you that you don't have exclusive rights to the concept "my way or the highway". 

Mercury is cruising through this general neighborhood this month as well, which will further help you think things through or possibly even have a productive dialogue with a trusted friend or relative to help identify some of your self-defeating behaviors.  However, be aware that Mars is in your 11th House of friends, hopes and wishes, which could make you a bit aggressive, defensive, or confrontational.  Whatever you do, don't turn what is supposed to be a positive experience into a melodramatic scene as Mars ignites that famous leonine temper in defense of your actions.

Leo rules the Universal 5th House which comprises your ego, creative expression, children and love affairs.  Your Natural 5th House, however, is Sagittarius, which is currently inhabited by Jupiter and Pluto.  [NOTE:--If you're confused about why Leo is the Universal 5th House but Leos share Sagittarius as the Natural 5th House, compounded by the fact that your 5th House on your Natal Chart is probably yet another Sign, then this Houses link should help explain it.]  Both of these planets are currently also retrograde, which will turn their influence inward.  Jupiter inclines us toward ethical considerations and Pluto, the late great rotorooter, will exhume your past, ad nauseam, revealing what is frequently a painful perusal of past deeds that have placed you where you are today.  If your birthday happens to fall around August 18-22, this Pluto transit will be especially noticeable, though the good news is that Sagittarius is a fellow Fire Sign, placing Pluto in Trine aspect to your Sun and thus giving it as much positive energy as possible, taking at least some of the sting out of it.  This may make the views of your past slightly more agreeable, but don't get too tied up congratulating yourself on what you've accomplished and ignore the faux pas'.   Positive thinking was probably invented by a Leo, but believe me you won't make any progress if you don't take a good, honest look.  Jupiter comes out of retrograde on August 8th, which is great news.  When in direct motion, Jupiter is another benefic planet who should shower you with what is probably some much needed good luck in this area.

Neptune is hanging out in your Natural 7th House of relationships and has been there for quite a while, since January 1998 to be exact, slow mover that he is.  To illustrate further, he'll be in Aquarius until April 2011 when he enters Pisces, but will return to Aquarius through retrograde motion in August 2011 and stay there until February 2012, when he'll finally slip into Pisces once more to stay.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to do that math on that one, i.e. 14 years.  Neptune, like all the planets, has a positive and negative side.  He can give us a huge dose of idealism, which is not always a good thing if it causes us to have expectations that are too high or unrealistic.  He puts us in tune with the collective consciousness and can usher us into transcendence, but he can also create grand illusions and delusions.  In a nutshell, if your relationships have been less than stellar since at least 1998, it may be these influences causing the problem.  Think about it.  Unless you're in a stable and happy relationship, maybe you've been expecting too much, fell too easily for people who weren't honest with you or perhaps you simply refused to see the truth until it bit you in the ass.  Leos have a strong creative and romantic side and it's thus very natural to expect a relationship that can only be found in fairytales.  And that's exactly where they remain.  So give it some serious thought and decide whether or not this has been a factor.

Your Natural 8th House, Pisces, is currently hosting Uranus.  Besides having a funny name that always makes us at least smile, Uranus is the generator of change, rebellion, surprises and unexpected events.  Eighth House matters include, sex, death and regeneration and other people's money.  I'll let you do the math on that one.  If any or all of these areas have been topsy-turvy, then Uranus is your culprit.  The Full Moon on the 28th is in Pisces, which could herald an ending to something in this area.  I truly hope it's a passage you look forward to with better times to come.  Since this Full Moon is also a lunar eclipse, it's likely to have a little more punch than usual.  In this case, it will probably see the culmination of something that began in roughly the March timeframe.  I'm sure if you think about it, you'll be able to figure out exactly what that might be.

This is probably as good of time as any to point out that planetary transits are similar to bacteria and flu viruses in that if we're susceptible they can make us pretty uncomfortable, but if we have that particular part of our life under control, then we can be largely immune to the effects.  During the course of the transit you can also acquire resistance through wisdom gained.  Thus, these aren't inevitable or some kind of sadistic, cosmic punishment beyond your control.  Even the Universe will allow you to move on once you learn your lesson. 

August is full of activity for you and while it appears to be a mixed bag, when all is said and done, the various transits are working together in a great cosmic dance to guide you toward the attitudes and actions you need to succeed.  You know you have what it takes, so use these opportunities as incentive to put the final polish on the solid Leo gold, most of which is centered in you big, generous heart.