ASTROLOGICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF AUGUST 2021

 

Ill Sole from the codex entitled De Sphaera d’Este c. 1470 – Milan, Italy

by Christoforo de Predis

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Big Picture in August

August features all of the inner planets in direct motion while the social planets and outer planets will all be in retrograde motion by August 19, when Uranus begins moving backwards. When planets are in retrograde motion, their return to the zodiac territory they’ve recently transited suggests that there is “unfinished business” that needs to be addressed. Uranus, the most recent planet to move retrograde, is associated with the creation of channels for mass communication and with technology in general. The Covid-19 pandemic, which we had hoped would be long gone by now, has undergone mutations, with the Delta variant causing havoc within the U.S. and internationally. This public health situation certainly qualifies as “unfinished business.” We certainly need to expand our scientific knowledge about this virus and upgrade our technologies accordingly to address this problem.

The signs of Leo and Aquarius strongly influence the quality of the month of August. On August 1, the Sun in Leo, the sign it rules, forms a conjunction with the communication planet Mercury, at 9 Leo 32.  On this first day of the month, Saturn (10 Aquarius 11), the planet of structures and containment opposes the Sun and Mercury. Heart-centered Leo adores loving others, but he also needs attention and love directed toward the self. On the other hand, Aquarius is more group and community-oriented, advocating for the interests of the many. The Sun and Mercury might display some drama pertinent to our personal needs, but Saturn might contain this display with some doses of reality. The opposition aspect between these planets suggests there could be a tug-of-war, but this aspect also signals a situation where compromises can be reached.

As mentioned above, the Sun will conjoin with Mercury. This conjunction suggests a time when our intellect is particularly sharp and we could have a multitude of ideas.  What we need to watch for is holding too tightly to one perspective, particularly when the Sun and Mercury are conjoined in a fixed sign opposition to Saturn in Aquarius. On the other hand, our ideas might be consistent with being on a path true to our nature, and Saturn could symbolize how we bring our vision into a concrete form.

The key lunations for August reflect the energy of the Leo and Aquarius polarity. The New Moon in Leo (16 Leo 13) occurs at 6:50 AM PDT on August 8. Astrologer Lynda Hill says this degree ( Leo 17°) is associated with the imagery of “A Volunteer Church Choir Makes A Social Event of Rehearsal.” This suggests a time opportune for people of like minds to have their voices heard, whether for the joy of sheer entertainment, for shared faith, or for a cause. Two weeks later, we have the Full Moon  in Aquarius (29 Aquarius 37) at 5:02 AM PDT on August 22. Lynda Hill states that this degree (Aquarius 30) represents “Moonlit Fields, Once Babylon, Are Blooming White.” This symbolism proposes that even though concrete structures might no longer exist or have been transformed, the essence of the past continues to exist. Hence, the flow of the Universe helps us build upon the efforts of past generations.

The square between the planet Uranus and the planet Saturn is a predominant theme for 2021 into 2022. However, in August, the square dissipates by the second week. The next exact square will occur in December. The symbolism centers on the structural conditions in life (Saturn) that require genius solutions or revolutionary change (Uranus).

Fast-moving Mercury covers a lot of territory in August when it transits Leo and Virgo for most of the month, and then begins its tour of Libra on August 29.  Consequently, the period August 11 through August 28 might be an opportune time for writing or editing, as well as activities involving putting things in order. Additionally, Mercury is very active when it forms 13 aspects with other planets. Among these interactions is a square with Uranus on August 3. What upheavals or unexpected communications might come our way around August 3?

Traveling ahead of Mercury in the zodiac, Venus in Virgo might focus on more practical endeavors in the first half of the month. She might temporarily drift away from practicality when she opposes Neptune on August 9, perhaps preferring to paint a mural rather than do a “Marie Kondo” of her chest of drawers. However, by August 16, Venus is poised for socializing and developing relationships when she begins her transit of Libra. Her more difficult planet contacts this month seem to be with Chiron. She might need to deal with situations that bring up old wounds.

August could be a month where people and situations are difficult to understand. We experience 13 quincunxes this month, which reflect situations where there is little or no commonality between two planets. This dynamic certainly seems to be one of our greatest challenges as human beings when we interact with people from different cultures, contrasting financial resources, and generally speaking, dissimilar life experiences. At the social level, this dynamic is illustrated by the crisis in rent past due because of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the national level, the deadline for the rent moratorium has passed. Rather than reaching a solution before its summer recess, members of Congress left Washington D.C. to begin their vacations. When they return (around September 20), the same planets will remain retrograde throughout next month, with Mercury joining the backward moving planets on September 25. How will they choose to act on this “unfinished business?”

Significant Days in August

Below you will find a table of astrological events for this month, including the major aspects, the key lunations, and sign changes for the planets. You can assess the quality of significant days by noting when planets form exact aspects and where all this activity takes place in your natal chart.

Here is a basic key for understanding the meaning of the aspects:

The Conjunction (0°-10°): This aspect represents the merging and fusion of energies by two (or more planets) that have joined at a particular degree (or within a specified orb). This combined energy is very potent. When this occurs, we might feel subjective about a matter in our lives.

The Sextile (60°): Planets in this formation are harmonious and lend themselves to cooperation. Astrologer Sue Tompkins says there is a quality of “coaxing” in sextiles. In other words, if we put in a little effort at these times, we can take advantage of opportunities in a situation.

The Quintile (72°): Planets in this aspect represent the type of harmony inherent in creative endeavors. It might often describe the impulse to fuse an idea into a tangible substance. Quintiles often describe the talents possessed by individuals.

The Square (90°): Planets that line up in this aspect reflect incompatible energies with contrasting needs. Consequently, we can describe this planetary relationship as tense and strained. Because these energies can be working at cross-purposes, the situation at hand may require us to make choices. The “silver lining” is that squares compel us to take action and this often results in dispelling tension. If we are conscious of the dilemma, we can use the excess energy in a matter so that we can achieve something useful.

The Trine (120°): There is an ease in the relationship between planets involved with this aspect because they are of the same element. At this time, we can perform activities with a flowing energy. We enjoy these activities, and they often reflect our innate talents. Because this energy is so comfortable, it often does not promote growth. Yet, these aspects reflect how we can be healed.

The Quincunx (150°): Planets forming this relationship appear to have nothing in common. These planets display energies that are out of step with one another. There can be an element of irritation and stress because of this, but it is not a confrontative type of energy. If we are conscious of this reality, we can make adjustments to the relationship such that we do not feel so out of sync.

The Opposition (180°): This relationship between planets brings to our awareness how something is different from our preferred position. We could be in conflict with others about a matter. Also, we might shift our preference from one point of view to its opposite. Yet, we can also find common ground in this relationship. This aspect has the potential for us to integrate our perspectives.

AUGUST 2021 ASTROLOGICAL EVENTS

Date of Exact Aspect	Pacific Time	Aspects and Other Astrological Phenomenon
August 1	7:07 AM PDT	SUN (9 Leo 32) conjunction MERCURY (9 Leo 32)
August 1	10:16 AM PDT	VENUS (12 Virgo 48) quincunx CHIRON (12 Aries 48)
August 1	2:50 PM PDT	MERCURY (10 Leo 13) opposition SATURN (10 Aquarius 13)
August 1	11:14 PM PDT	SUN (10 Leo 11) opposition SATURN (10 Aquarius 11)
August 2	4:43 PM PDT	JUNO turns direct (8 Sagittarius 20)
August 2	8:41 PM PDT	MERCURY (12 Leo 47) trine CHIRON (12 Aries 47)
August 2	11:53 PM PDT	VENUS (14 Virgo 41) trine URANUS (14 Taurus 41)
August 3	6:57 PM PDT	MERCURY (14 Leo 42) square URANUS (14 Taurus 42)
August 4	3:41 PM PDT	SUN (12 Leo 45) trine CHIRON (12 Aries 45)
August 6	4:57 PM PDT	SUN (14 Leo 44) square URANUS (14 Taurus 44)
August 7	7:24 PM PDT	MERCURY (22 Leo 44) quincunx PLUTO (22 Capricorn 44)
August 8	6:50 AM PDT	NEW MOON IN LEO (16 Leo 13)
August 9	12:02 AM PDT	MERCURY (25 Leo 03) quincunx PLUTO (25 Capricorn 03)
August 9	5:19 PM PDT	VENUS (22 Virgo 41) opposition NEPTUNE (22 Pisces 41)
August 10	6:20 PM PDT	MERCURY (28 Leo 24) opposition JUPITER (28 Aquarius 24)
August 11	2:50 PM PDT	MERCURY enters Virgo
August 11	3:45 PM PDT	VENUS (24 Virgo 59) trine PLUTO (24 Capricorn 59)
August 13	9:27 AM PDT	MARS (09 Virgo 20) quincunx SATURN (09 Aquarius 20)
August 14	3:58 AM PDT	VENUS  (27 Virgo 57) quincunx JUPITER (27 Aquarius 57)
August 14	9:13 PM PDT	SUN (22 Leo 34) quincunx NEPTUNE (22 Pisces 34)
August 15	9:26 PM PDT	VENUS enters Libra
August 16	4:35 PM PDT	MERCURY (09 Virgo 07) quincunx SATURN  (09 Aquarius 07)
August 17	6:31 AM PDT	SUN (24 Leo 52) quincunx PLUTO (24 Capricorn 52)
August 18	7:09 AM PDT	MARS (12 Virgo 27) quincunx CHIRON (12 Aries 27)
August 18	3:19 PM PDT	MERCURY (12 Virgo 26) quincunx CHIRON (12 Aries 26)
August 18	8:28 PM PDT	MERCURY (12 Virgo 48) conjunction MARS (12 Virgo 48)
August 19	5:28 PM PDT	SUN (27 Leo 14) opposition JUPITER (27 Aquarius 14)
August 19	6:40 PM PDT	URANUS TURNS RETROGRADE ( 14 Taurus 48)
August 20	1:06 AM PDT	MERCURY (14 Virgo 47) trine URANUS (14 Taurus 47)
August 21	11:37 PM PDT	MARS (14 Virgo 47) trine URANUS (14 Taurus 47)
August 22	5:02 AM PDT	FULL MOON IN AQUARIUS (29 Aquarius 37)
August 22	2:34 PM PDT	SUN enters Virgo
August 23	5:48 AM PDT	VENUS (8 Libra 40) trine SATURN (8 Aquarius 40)
August 24	6:13 PM PDT	MERCURY (22 Virgo 20) opposition NEPTUNE (22 Pisces 20)
August 26	6:24 AM PDT	VENUS (12 Libra 13) opposition CHIRON (12 Aries 13)
August 26	7:23 AM PDT	MERCURY (24 Virgo 42) trine PLUTO (24 Capricorn 42)
August 27	8:05 AM PDT	MERCURY (26 Virgo 15) quincunx JUPITER (26 Aquarius 15)
August 28	10:43 AM PDT	VENUS (14 Libra 45) quincunx URANUS (14 Taurus 45)
August 29	10:09 PM PDT	MERCURY enters Libra
August 31	1:46 AM PDT	SUN  (08 Virgo 11) quincunx  SATURN (08 Aquarius 11)