Astral Weather Report: August 28, 2022

The Weeks Ahead

As we begin a new week, the Moon according to astrology is still technically in its “new” phase, which lasts for several days after the new Moon (which was Saturday). Once the Moon transits 45 degrees past the Sun, it will be in its waxing crescent phase which will begin early on August 31 (Wednesday this week).

In the current Moon’s “new” phase, the Moon is only 1% illuminated, and we are still metaphorically germinating, perhaps still clarifying the intentions we established at the new Moon. In the upcoming waxing crescent phase, the metaphoric seeds will burst furth, and we can start to build new structures, turning our ideas into something tangible.

The Moon will transit in sidereal Virgo beginning later today and into the coming 2½ days. This transit favors taking care of health matters, organizing practical matters and routines, and other detail-oriented activities, intellectual pursuits, work, and service. The Moon will conjoin Mercury in Virgo which can be charitable and playful but also a bit scattered if we aren’t mindful.

Feeling scattered is even more likely since the Air element is weakly represented now. This is because there are no planets in Air signs, except for Ketu in Libra which exerts a separative effect (meaning, it can further diminish or block the Air element). The Moon weaves in and out of Air signs for a few days every week or so, and Neptune will enter Aquarius on September 11, which will help ease this imbalance.

The general effect of this Air element imbalance (which will affect some more than others) can be a loss of personal insight or objectivity; nervous system vulnerability (like anxiety); feeling cut off from others; or a struggle to express oneself. For this, it can be helpful to do deep breathing exercises (pranayama, conscious breathing), and also to support the respiratory, nervous, and immune systems through healthful practices like exercise, proper nutrition, meditation, etc. — whatever it takes to maintain balance of body, mind, and spirit.

Venus will move into sidereal Leo on August 31, where it will remain until September 24. From August 30 into September 1, Venus will transit around the one-degree edge or cusp of Cancer (a water sign) and Leo (a fire sign). This cusp between water and fire signs is known as the gandanta in Jyotish — "gand" means khanda/portion, and "anta" means end.

The other calculation for gandanta includes the last three or so degrees of a water sign and the first three or so degrees of a fire sign. If we use this broader definition, Venus is gandanta from August 28 to September 3. Gandanta placements may be associated with some tragic, transitional, or transformational effects, as water meeting fire lets off a great deal of steam.

The gandanta is also associated with floods and drowning (and it is doubly indicative of flooding as Venus rules the water element). Many areas of the world have recently experienced devastating floods as Venus transited in the water sign of Cancer (opposite Capricorn and squaring the lunar nodes and Uranus). The news is full of reports about more flooding to come in several different parts of the world.

Venus in the gandanta may also strain relationships, so be aware that this could be a “testy” area in general this week. Venus also has to do with our financial, physical, and emotional health, and also, whatever houses Venus rules in a natal chart may be affected. For instance, for Scorpio ascendant, Moon, or Sun charts, Venus rules the seventh and twelfth houses, so relationships with others could be a challenge, or one’s partners or associates could experience some difficulty.

From August 31 to September 5, Venus is transiting from 0-6 degrees of Leo in its bala avastha or infant state of weakness. Here, Venus may exhibit its lower expression, as mentioned above. Venus will conjoin the magnificent fixed star Regulus on September 5, which should be visible in the east before sunrise in areas with clear skies.

After this, Venus may start to manifest its higher expression, which can be fun, warm-hearted, creative, artistic, joyful, and romantic. However, as it approaches a square to Mars on September 16 (and a few days before and after), relationships can be strained again, as with power struggles, misunderstandings, toxic relationship dynamics, etc.

From September 18 to November 20, Venus will combust the Sun, when it transits within a 10-degree orb of the Sun’s longitude. In this state, the Sun absorbs and blocks the light of Venus, which creates a heated and agitated state for all things Venus, including love, money, vitality, happiness, comfort, diplomacy, and peace. This suggests the possibility of a period of intensified collective incivility. During this time, as Venus becomes invisible to us during its journey in the Underworld, ongoing political unrest, scandals (especially sex scandals), and economic instability are indicated.

The last time that Venus was combust in Leo, Virgo, and Libra, and in its transition from morning to evening star (as it will again September 18 to November 20 this year), was from September 21 to October 29, 1998. This was during a global economic meltdown that began in 1997, as described in great detail in this PBS Frontline article titled The Crash: Unraveling the 1998 Global Financial Crisis. During this same period, a formal congressional inquiry was launched on October 8, 1998 against former President Bill Clinton. The House voted to proceed with impeachment proceedings against him on charges of lying under oath and obstruction of justice.

When Venus re-emerges from under the Sun’s glare on November 20, it will have made a transition from its morning star to its evening star apparition. Venus has been in its morning star phase since January 2022. Some sources believe that this phase is more warlike (Venus as the warrior), whereas its evening star phase is more diplomatic (Venus as the lover). That would be nice.

Finally, the very sacred and auspicious Vedic festival of Ganesh Chaturthi will occur this week on Tuesday, August 30 in North and South America, Europe, and Africa; and on Wednesday, August 31 in Asia and Australasia. I will post more about this on Monday.

As always, with all my heart I thank my kind readers. I truly appreciate when you read, like, and comment on my posts and share them. Have a blessed week ahead.

Pain and pleasure are transitory; endure all dualities with calmness, trying at the same time to remove yourself beyond their power. (Swami Sri Yukteswar, the Lion of Bengal)