Astral Weather Report

August 4, 2022

Blessings on this Thursday, the day of Jupiter who according to Vedic tradition is called Brihaspati, the Lord of Sacred Speech. He is also known as Guru, planet of learning and wisdom, and the dispeller of darkness. Brihaspati/Guru is the preceptor of the gods, and master of sacred wisdom, hymns, and rituals. His day of the week is called Brihaspativaar or Guruvaar.

Jupiter’s colors are yellow, orange, and gold. Tuning into these colors especially on Thursdays builds creative energy and strengthens concentration, which brings about a stronger sense of purpose. Some opportune activities for Thursdays may include connecting with our spiritual teachers through study, ritual, and other spiritual practices; healing; and charitable acts.

Because the Moon is transiting in the auspicious saptami tithi today (seventh lunar day after New Moon), and in Swati nakshatra, and on a Thursday (the vara of Jupiter), this forms a favorable VTN Yoga called Siddha Yoga, which represents some very positive energy for accomplishment on this day.

The Moon is still in its waxing crescent phase until Friday, August 5, when it will square the Sun at the halfway point between last week’s New Moon (on July 28) and next week’s Full Moon (on August 11). The entire first quarter Moon phase will be in place from August 5 to 11. It represents a cycle of effort and development when we may need to summon extra courage to help us overcome confusion or self-doubt.

As I have written about many times before, first quarter Moons are “crisis times” when the Sun-Moon square can reflect some internal tension between the conscious and unconscious mind, which may manifest as inner and/or outer conflict. As to the former, we may experience difficulties with our ordinary tasks or in following through with our intended goals or plans, wrestling with our fears, and feeling unsure; and, as to the latter, we may have a tendency to project our fears and failings onto others.

Friday, August 5, shortly after the time when the transiting Sun and Moon form their square, the Moon will also conjoin hot-headed South Node Ketu in the potentially aggressive Vishakha nakshatra. This will trigger the opposing Mars-Rahu-Uranus conjunction in Aries. This aspect can represent a “disturbance in the force,” which can indicate a tendency for mental perturbation or violent acts. It’s important to mind the mind, be cautious, and try to desensitize from any agitating energy that’s happening “out there” as well as within.

Mercury is happy transiting in sidereal Leo from July 31 to August 20, which for some can enhance self-confidence, communication skills, and a more hopeful and energetic view. After it leaves Leo, Mercury will transit for a long time in its fortunate exalted sign of Virgo, from August 20 until October 26 (where it will retrograde from September 10 to October 3).

Venus, planet of love, receptivity, money, values, vigor, and vitality, will transit in sidereal Cancer from August 6 to August 31. It will initially be in a very wide conjunction with the Sun in Cancer, chasing the Sun from far behind, in effect, but then the Sun will move into Leo on August 16.

In Cancer, Venus can be sensitive, cultured, kind, caring, and emotionally open. It reflects a full expression of creativity and love, but when manifesting in its lower expression, can also represent hormonal and emotional imbalances and a tendency to feel overly sensitive and full of great sorrow.

At its Cancer ingress, Venus will oppose transiting Pluto in early Capricorn, which could signify economic shocks, or relationship or money pressures. Later, as it progresses through Cancer, Venus will oppose Saturn, when extra-sensitive feelings can arise, and financial stressors, too. Venus will also later square the lunar nodes and Uranus, when some will experience disruptive events related to relationships and finances. Venus will trine Neptune and then Jupiter, suggesting potential for a high spiritual and artistic attunement, and some possible peaceful vibrations and good fortune. However, the way in which these aspects would affect us individually depends on where these planets are transiting in our own natal charts.

Mars will enter Taurus next week on August 10 right before the Full Moon on August 11. The sweltering Dog Days of Summer will come to a close around August 11, too, at the time when Sirius will reappear in the predawn sky (but the exact date depends on your location). I will post more on these topics very soon!

Around August 10, as Mars leaves the conjunction with Rahu and Uranus, some of this aspect’s agitating energy should start to calm down, though definitely not entirely. Related events will continue at least into late October when Saturn will station direct at 24 degrees Capricorn in square to the 24-degree Aries point of the August 1 conjunction.

Uranus is also squaring Saturn (yet again/which it has been doing on and off for some time/since 2020), and this is happening within a 3-degree orb from August until late November. This represents multiple systems and structures breaking down (and breaking through), both literally and metaphorically. It also points to rising tensions in the battle between those who value basic human rights and sovereignty against massive forces of tyranny and oppression.

According to the late astrologer Elsbeth Ebertin, the Saturn-Uranus square aspect can suggest “danger of accidents, use of force, suffering, or violence, nonsubmission, struggle…backlash from past mistakes, disputes, resistance, losses, mental and emotional pain, sorrow, sudden estrangement or separation, mishaps, etc.”

Additionally, Uranus will be retrograde (stronger, more intensely unpredictable and destabilizing) from August 24, 2022 until January 22, 2023. Saturn is also retrograde until October 23. So with both being retrograde and squaring each other, we are still fighting some of the battles we have been fighting since 2020. Uranus retrograde also signifies strange occurrences and upsetting events, especially in the 10 days or so before and after its retrograde and direct stations.

Uranus will also remain conjoined Rahu until later in January, when Uranus stations direct. Until then, the two will continue to transit together in warlike Aries, and in Bharani nakshatra, which carries some sense of struggle and suffering.

All of this also suggests ongoing global revolutionary upheaval and the possibility for shocking geopolitical events including seismic disturbances, storms and disasters, international conflicts, humanitarian crises, and economic and political disruption or chaos.

It’s always a good time to deepen our sadhana (spiritual practices), but when the world turns with so much of this imbalance and disturbance, it is especially important. One of the most important practices for me is to offer gratitude. And with that, I also give sincere thanks to you, my readers, and offer this uplifting prayer by Jamie Sams:

Oh Great Mystery,

We give thanks for the natural world we see,

All the Creatures, Stones and Plants

Who show us how to be.

We learn their lessons, seek their truths,

Return our loving praise,

We honor the peace they show us,

Which guides our human ways.

We ask that we may become like them,

Living in harmony,

And deep within our heart of hearts,

Know the Sacred Mystery.

The eternal flame of love burns bright,

When we look upon your face,

And see the beauty reflected there,

In every creed and race.

The sacred pipe releases these words

To the Sky Nation, there above,

That we may walk in beauty,

As examples of peace and love.