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FRIDAY AUGUST 1. Yesterday Moon was in Virgo, a sign of health, work, and order. We experienced Mercury, also in Virgo, opposing Uranus, freshly into Pisces. Oppositions represent awareness, and Mercury is consciousness, so we had an opportunity to be aware of the current meaning of Uranus in Pisces. There may have been a surprise.

Today we can be run by our own inner urges. Moon is still in Virgo, but it is VOC for the entire day, and thus not giving us our operating instructions. This is an excellent day to do inner work which leads to health—physical, mental, or spiritual.

SATURDAY AUGUST 2 and SUNDAY AUGUST 3. Plan for something social this weekend. Moon is in Libra, and we have an urge to connect with people and to be involved with beauty. Gathering with friends, or going to an art museum would be satisfying. Saturday night is fine for film, video, or music. Both days are pleasant, and call for play rather than work. Get to bed early Sunday night. You may not get much sleep tomorrow night.

MONDAY AUGUST 4. A major planetary influence of the month moves into place today, under an intense Scorpio moon. The overall influence is Jupiter opposite Neptune, which was exact on June 2. This is an aspect of visionary idealism, perhaps excessive, and perhaps unrealistic. It is also an aspect of deceit, particularly in the political realm. It can certainly include a peak of religious fanaticism.

The Neptune-Jupiter combination encourages larger-than-life drama. People can be carried away by their dreams, visions, and ideals. Neptune, as usual, indicates a focus on oil for the U.S.

This opposition plays out this month because Sun in Leo opposes Neptune—today—and then moves to conjunct Jupiter on August 21. Jupiter and Neptune are thus connected by the vital, conscious, Sun during these 17 days. When Sun, the ruler, conjuncts planets, it gives them operating instructions for the next annual cycle.

The sign of the Sun-Moon cycle this month is Leo—who’s in charge here? It’s quite likely that those in charge (Jupiter) will be undermined (Neptune). All Neptune aspects are difficult to see and understand. It can feel like things are coming at us from left field. Bush’s chart is highly stimulated now, and his deceptions are likely to become more public and undermine his authority. Neptune is also the cosmic channel. Prayer and positive visualization can be very effective now.

This is an important day, and a plethora of aspects help us to move along. With Scorpio moon, there is no hesitation about confronting issues, perhaps bringing on crises which can lead to transformation.
TUESDAY AUGUST 5. First Quarter Moon at 13 Scorpio occurs at 3:28 a.m. EDT. This Scorpio First Quarter pushes for action, perhaps action which topples the ruler from his throne, certainly action which transforms the status quo. (That ruler could be we, the people.) This is the case in each of our lives as well as in public life. Visionary Neptune is in charge now, and we may all be in a bit of a fog. Washington is hooked on power, and may do something surprising. Scorpio moon tends to go all the way—no half measures.

With Neptune, we can make big moves now towards expressing our ideals. Neptune is also the energy which puts us into states of hypnotic trance, and denial. We believe what we want to believe—or what we’re told.

This is an expansive day. We may be awake until late tonight, probably feeling exuberant.

This Moon is connected with the New Moon in Scorpio on November 4, 2002. That was when Republicans won big in elections, and the stock market fell. The new electronic voting machines were operating in many states, and every one of those results turned out to have irregularities.

The Sabian Symbol for 13 Scorpio is

"AN INVENTOR PERFORMS A LABORATORY EXPERIMENT. The driving urge toward achievement, which is at the root of civilization. WHAT IS NEEDED IS THE ABILITY TO RELATE SEEMINGLY UNRELATED FACTS."

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 6. Moon enters high-flying Sagittarius today, and we are ready for adventures of mind, spirit, or body. We can tune into the meaning for us of Mars retrograde at this time. What are our thoughts about how we, and the nation, go after what we want? During the last few days, we emphasized the expression of ideals. Today we can ponder how we put those ideals into action. The U.S. has to make adjustments.

Today and tomorrow are very high-powered days. Sleep may be hard to come by.

THURSDAY AUGUST 7. Moon continues in optimistic Sagittarius, with many aspects to keep us busy, especially from midnight through mid-afternoon. This day is made for success. We can accomplish difficult endeavors with ease. Making "foreign" or far-away connections is especially favored.

FRIDAY AUGUST 8. Life slows down today, just in time for a long weekend. Moon is VOC until it enters Capricorn at 12:02 p.m. Constructive creativity is the order of the day. That serious, focused mood may extend into the night.

SATURDAY AUGUST 9. Yesterday’s need to be creative and constructive extends through today. Moon is VOC in Capricorn for the entire day. Capricorn likes tradition, and this is a good day to connect with old friends, or with family.

SUNDAY AUGUST 10. Moon is VOC in Capricorn most of this day as well. At 3:23 p.m. EDT, Moon enters friendly Aquarius. The next three days are about power and transformation. We see another step in the U.S. taking charge of the world’s resources. Under VOC moon, the outcome is uncertain.

MONDAY AUGUST 11. Full Moon in Aquarius occurs around midnight EDT. Today we lead up to it, with a great blossoming of exuberant energy. Directing the show is the theme, and melodrama is the modus operandi. There’s simply no holding back. Enjoy. This is party time.

TUESDAY AUGUST 12. Full Moon at 20 Aquarius occurs at 12:48 a.m. EDT. Leo is about dramatizing self before an audience, and getting recognition. Leo is center stage. Aquarius is the audience, the group that is necessary to fulfill Leo. They need one another, and tend to get along well. They’re both interested in people, politics, and the human condition. They both like parties. Leo likes the drama of giving a party, and Aquarius enjoys mixing with the guests. We have the day side of Leo, where the bright sun blots out all other visibility, and the night side of Aquarius, where the myriad of stars and planets are visible.

The Full Moon itself shines directly overhead in Boston, New York, Haiti, Bogota, Colombia, and Santiago, Chile…amongst the stars.

This Leo-Aquarius combination often refers to politics, and signifies political movements and changes. For instance Aquarius, the people, often rebels against Leo, the ruler. This Full Moon is the mirror image of the big Leo Full Moon of last February 15-16, when the people of the world rebelled against the invasion of Iraq. There may well be rebellion again, but it looks like now, with the great gathering in Leo, that the rulers are firmly in charge.

We may be riding high now. Although it takes another ten days to wind down, this is the climax of the historic Leo stellium, bringer of deep, successful change.

Israel is the spotlighted nation during this Leo cycle. Israel, too, has four planets in Leo—Moon (the people), Saturn (the government), Pluto (its power), and Mars (its assertive energy). Mars is especially featured now, and Mars is a fighter. In the fixed sign of Leo, Mars doesn’t give up and, rather, succeeds in its quest.

The challenge with this Full Moon is being in charge of oneself, being authentic, coming from center, and combining an open heart with a compassionate mind. This combination encourages generosity and nobility of spirit.

The Sabian Symbol for 20 Aquarius is

"A LARGE WHITE DOVE BEARING A MESSAGE. The answer of spiritual agencies to thorough, sustained, and individual efforts. "Mission accomplished. Peace be with you." Every real step a person takes in their spiritual development is the result of a victory over forces of inertia or destruction. The Divine is totally present in the heart of all true victories. The heart of this victory is the CERTIFICATION of individual worth and victory."

Israel is very attuned to the Virgo-Pisces axis, and it sits now between Mars (retrograde) in Pisces, and Mercury in Virgo. Mars pushes buttons, and Mercury spreads the news.

Mars and Mercury also run through Seattle, Brazil, eastern Europe, western Africa, and the Koreas. Moon goes VOC at 2:35 p.m. Get a nap if you can. At 8:19 p.m., Moon enters Pisces, and we begin a couple of days of stepped-up vibrations.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13. We probably have some new ideas and new awarenesses in our consciousness. Today we can use them constructively. Pisces moon encourages spiritual and creative endeavors. Tell yourself to remember your dreams tonight.

THURSDAY AUGUST 14. Notice your dreams when you awaken. This is a good day for going into the psychic, subconscious realms, and flowing with your stream of intuition. At the same time, with Mercury in Virgo, we can analyze well. This is a perfect day for dream analysis. You’re apt to find special revelations or prophecies. Moon is VOC in Pisces for the entire day. Along with Mars retrograde, don’t sweat it.

FRIDAY AUGUST 15 and SATURDAY AUGUST 16. Suddenly we pick up our feet, and march smartly along. Moon is in feisty Aries, and we’re ready to meet all challengers. From now until Sunday morning, fire sign Aries Moon lends great support to all of our fire sign Leo planets. There is no holding us back. Plan to do something energetic, and perhaps a bit difficult. For many, this is the last weekend of summer season. Caution: watch out for literal fires.

SUNDAY AUGUST 17. We may have stayed awake late last night, bursting with enthusiasm. Optimism still carries us along. At 10:36 a.m. EDT Moon goes VOC, and at 2:52 p.m. it enters earthy Taurus. Enjoy Mother Nature. This evening can be emotional, but relaxing.

MONDAY AUGUST 18. Taurus moon is a good worker, and we are industrious and productive. This moon receives extra vitality because Venus, Taurus’ planet, conjoins creative sun today, as well as Transpluto and Jupiter. This month continues to be bigger than life, but it is not all blow and bluster, as Jupiter often is. The changes taking place now are deep and permanent.

Today we begin a new 20-month Venus cycle. Sun gives Venus its directions for the next 20 months. Venus is about our values and our desires. It shows what we attract. In Leo, we attract royalty and luxury—top of the line. Nothing but the best for Leo. Our tastes and desires may be extravagant for this cycle. Leo is about pride, and we should aim to connect with those ideas, things, actions, and people who enhance our feelings of self-worth.

Leo’s visualization powers are excellent, whatever planet is involved. For the next 20 months write your personal script, and magnetize those things you need to make it come to life.

TUESDAY AUGUST 19. Last Quarter Moon at 27 Taurus occurs at 8:48 p.m. EDT. Moon now conjoins North Node of the Moon in Taurus, a sign oriented towards resources, money, and goods. Like Venus, North Node attracts what it wants and needs. Moon here can help Leo attract the royal trappings which it now wants. Greed can be a Taurus-Leo problem.

This is Bill Clinton’s birthday, and the Leo Sun-Taurus Moon combination
repeats his birth combination. It appears that with the great and benefic Leo stellium as a birthday gift, he will be reborn during this coming year in a very favorable light. His Sun will shine.

The Nodes also tend to bring in relationships—endings and beginnings. Health issues could also be out front now, including health insurance.

The New Moon which set this cycle in motion occurred on May 22, 2001. That was at the beginning of investigations of Enron and of 9-11. Somehow we don’t hear much about those investigations. But Saturn is rapidly approaching the U.S. Sun, and cover-ups will be exposed. With Saturn, anything not built on a firm foundation crumbles.

All money issues can be looked at now, and corporate greed is apt to be at the top of the list.

The Sabian Symbol for 27 Leo is

"THE LUMINESCENCE OF DAWN IN THE EASTERN SKY. The exalting challenge of new opportunities at the threshold of a new cycle. ILLUMINATION."

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20. Moon in Gemini makes some challenging squares today, and we may be indecisive, and a bit on pins and needles. Making a definite decision may be hard, and yet we may stew about pros and cons ad infinitum. Gemini is spontaneous and playful. Let your inner child out.

THURSDAY AUGUST 21. Moon continues in spur-of-the moment Gemini. And we’re still on our Leo roll. Today Venus conjoins Jupiter, conjunct the royal star, Regulus. Not hard to take. Expect to have fun. Except that everybody won’t have fun. Juno, the wife archetype, has been under siege all month with Saturn, who indicates repression in relationships, and Neptune, who indicates confusion and perhaps undermining. Iraqi women, beset by attacks, rape, and subsequent shame by families, are an example of a besieged Juno. The challenge there, here, and everywhere is to work for relationship equality.

FRIDAY AUGUST 22. Moon is still in lively Gemini, encouraging communication of all kinds. It is part of today’s Sun-Jupiter conjunction, at 29 Leo, so this means bigtime communication.

This is the last big hurrah of our Leo gathering, and it’s quite a sendoff to Jupiter for its next 13-month cycle. Excess pride, and arrogance, are Leo pitfalls, and these are being exaggerated now, along with Leo’s vitality and creativity. Tomorrow Jupiter moves into Virgo, where it will travel for the next year. However, it will carry the take-charge Leo energy with it into its Virgo activities, just as Venus is doing after its conjunction with Sun.

Jupiter relates to the establishment, e.g. the Old Boys club. Besides Moon, the people, Jupiter now connects with Venus, money, Pallas, defense, Vesta, one’s security, and Mercury, information.

One of the themes of this next year looks to be the establishment defending its investments and its security. The people, Moon, will be curious, Gemini, and information will come to them. During the next few days, we make a big shift into Virgo, and Virgo is the accountant, totting up the balance sheet.

Remember Nixon? He was re-elected by a landslide in 1972, and in 1974 impeachment was brought against him for his lies and his cover-ups. Saturn was also traveling over the U.S. Sun then. We can’t hide from Saturn. It is the great teacher, the realist, and the law-giver.

Moon goes VOC at 2:15 p.m., and enters Cancer at 3:44 p.m. Do you think that with Cancer, you’ll get a quiet night at home? Not likely, for around midnight, Venus opposes Uranus to bring us a surprise.

SATURDAY AUGUST 23. Moon is traveling in Cancer, and we may just want to hang around home—especially since Venus entered Virgo yesterday, and Sun enters Virgo this morning. Virgo tends to like gardening, cooking, and domestic chores. Moon conjoins Saturn this morning, and we are serious about life. Saturn also encourages building and construction, and working with solid materials.

SUNDAY AUGUST 24. We start this morning with a bang, as Sun opposes shocking Uranus at 6:01 a.m. EDT. The chart wheel is identical to the wheel of the Jupiter-Sun conjunction on Friday. This means that today’s action is a continuation of the seeds sown then. It means that the weekend has been a Uranian process of waking us up to new possibilities for Jupiter. Perhaps waking us up to what is really happening in the establishment. It also means that Jupiter’s trip for this next year will carry this weekend’s energies.

The Moon’s Nodes are also involved. This shows that we are moving in a destined direction. With the Nodes in Taurus and Scorpio, money, resources, and power are the big issues. These Nodes are also featured with the year’s eclipses. This means big changes in all Scorpio-Taurus matters.

On Friday we were immersed in the Leo-Gemini extrovert energy of sun and moon. Today we are introverted and thoughtful, with the Virgo-Cancer combination. The character of the steamroller Leo has changed to the analytical Virgo. This change will be reflected throughout society for the next year.

Moon goes VOC at 4:51 p.m. Relax with family this evening.

MONDAY AUGUST 25. Moon is in sunny Leo, and we are enthusiastic about life. We will be attracted to things which stimulate our imaginations. This is a super-creative day. Vesta enters Scorpio to put a new emphasis on money.

TUESDAY AUGUST 26. Moon is VOC in Leo for the entire day. This too is a creative day, but more inner-directed, and perhaps with some struggles or obstacles which make it difficult to do what we want to do.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 27. New Moon at 5 Virgo occurs at 1:26 p.m. EDT. The Virgo month is for correcting course, for coming down off our high pedestal of Leo royalty and figuring out how we can best be of service. It’s time to work on improving our health and our daily routines, time for learning new skills and perfecting old ones. Summer vacation is over.

Jupiter entered Virgo this morning, conjoined Moon in the last throes of Leo, reminding Jupiter of the royal prerogatives which it has developed during this last year, and will carry over into its next year. Jupiter, along with Saturn, shows social consciousness. The two of them together influence government, economics, business—the practical structures of society.

Jupiter, traveling in Virgo for the next year, has a lot of correctional work to do, and it gets a very strong start as it is accompanied by the New Moon in Virgo. Jupiter is expansive and extravagant. Jupiter in Leo has helped us go overboard with arrogance, and now Jupiter in Virgo will bring humility to our approach.

We will have some wake-up calls to help us. Moon opposes Uranus today, Sun opposed it on August 24, and Jupiter will oppose Uranus on August 30. Uranus is the enlightener. It brings new truths. And it is involved in the preparation for this New Moon, the New Moon itself, and the follow-up. We have a week of enlightenment and illumination to send us on our Virgoan way. Virgo loves to fix things up, and it will have its work cut out for it.

Mercury is Virgo’s planet. Mercury in Virgo is now conjoining the U.S. Neptune, and if there’s anything that foggy Neptune needs (besides Saturn for grounding), it’s Mercury to help bring it some consciousness.

This is excellent. It means that we, the people, have a chance to awaken from our Neptunian dreamworld and look at the world we actually live in. Waking from the glamour of Neptune's dreams can feel like disillusion and betrayal. It can be difficult. Then why do it? Because once we break through that sheen of false glamour, we can bring real spirit into our lives. And we find that life is much more satisfying and fulfilling.

We begin now a Virgo-Pisces season, with four planets in Virgo opposing two planets in Pisces. The fifth Virgo planet, Mercury, connects with the fateful Moon’s Nodes, and with Transpluto, the Alchemist.

The Virgo-Pisces polarity is about purification, healing, and re-alignment. Service is its modus operandi.

Mars, also in early Pisces, is very intense now. It is now closer to earth than it has been for perhaps 50,000 years. It is intensely Piscean, which is a spiritual-psychic sign. And it is intensely retrograde, which means it is directed inwards instead of outwards—as is its nature. We are truly very close to spirit now, and have the opportunity to take another giant step towards raising our consciousness, as big as the step last February when almost the whole world declared for peace.

In addition, Mercury and Pluto are now changing direction, giving us lots to think about, and the time to do it.

The Sabian Symbol for 5 Virgo is

"A MAN BECOMING AWARE OF NATURE SPIRITS AND NORMALLY UNSEEN SPIRITUAL AGENCIES. The opening of new levels of consciousness. The consciousness is gradually reaching beyond physical characteristics and becoming aware of energy processes, i.e., the dynamism of forces which externalize themselves as life forms. The mind in its objectifying character always tends to give name and form to that which it contacts as energy process. It "images forth" energy or feeling, relating it to more or less familiar sense experience. We call this IMAGINATION."

This Symbol truly describes the character of this Virgo New Moon with its strong Pisces input.

In Washington DC the New Moon occurs in the ninth house of higher mind, publicity, and foreign lands. However, Mercury—the news—is in the tenth house of the Administration.

THURSDAY AUGUST 28. This New Moon is off to an absolutely smashing start. All in one day, we have Mercury turning retrograde in Virgo, Pluto turning direct in Sagittarius, and Sun opposing the historic Mars, illuminating its pathway. Something big and conscious-changing is happening. It relates to events of the Full Moon in Aquarius on August 12, to the next Full Moon in Pisces on September 11, and to the New Moon in Libra on September 28. Those moon phases are all turning points.

Pluto is power, and the focus is on U.S. power. How do we use and misuse it? Moon now squares Pluto, and it is on the same degree as Sun was on 9-ll. Pluto often brings secrets into the open when it turns direct.

When Mars turns direct on September 27, it will be exactly opposing the degree of Jupiter at the Virgo New Moon, bringing up our current Jupiterian issues—which were seeded at that New Moon.

We see Jupiter over and over again. It refers to important people, usually male. Jupiter was King of the Gods. The establishment will be under great scrutiny during this coming year.

We are beginning now a major re-alignment of consciousness, and it’s off to a grand start.

FRIDAY AUGUST 29. Moon enters sociable Libra at 9:41 a.m., and today we will want to connect with people. Libra is truly interested in other individuals, more than is any other sign.

And the action continues. Tonight, again around midnight, Jupiter opposes Uranus to step up our awareness another notch. This represents a release of tension, as those two freedom-loving planets meet.

These oppositions to Uranus occurring at midnight (Venus opposed Uranus on August 22-23.) show that Uranus is directly overhead in Washington DC at those times. The surprises are coming right from the U.S. Administration.

This may be another wakeful night.

SATURDAY AUGUST 30. Moon continues in co-operative Libra, and we might want to do something with a partner today. Friendship feelings will be strong and deep. Moon goes VOC at 2:37 p.m. EDT. Tonight do something special with someone special.

SUNDAY AUGUST 31. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, again with someone special. Moon enters the deep, emotional, secretive, and powerful sign of Scorpio at 12:00 p.m. Scorpio also has the energy to accomplish whatever it wants, and today we can take powerful action. The whole weekend could be good for a tryst with your lover.