Greetings dear Ones,
I write this column from my friend’s patio. In the distance, across green fields and humid in the afternoon sun, Mount Garfield presents its angular face. Despite near 100°F temps, I’m back in the Grand Valley for a short sojourn. Venus is descending, withdrawing her beauty from our eyes, and inviting us to retreat also, but not necessarily to hide. Rather, her movement encourages an inner restoration. In the heart-centered sign of Leo, Venus is bold, warm, and creative. The inner fire is acknowledged and kindled. We may return to a meaningful activity, as well as remembering our vows.
I’ve returned to the words of Chogyum Trungpa Rinpoche. Even though I’ve read the same material over and over, I find pearls. These can be held to the light and kept in the heart. The most recent pearl — meditation is a must.
What better month than this one to practice skillful means. Both Leo and Virgo energy prevail. These two unlikely neighbors of the zodiac provide different ways in which we can find and nurture our hearts. We can do this by taking the broadest path of love, joy and compassion. Leo invites us to play but cautions us that drama is possible and can sometimes spin out of control. Human emotion is a great and terrible force. I hope you never get to experience road rage or being betrayed, or having your heart broken through rejection. But you may. We’re human even if some of us originated in the stars. The point is… Leo is the drama of the human experience. “All the world’s a stage and every man a player,” Shakespeare said.
Tap into and feel the Sun’s vibration as the Sun and Venus travel through this heart-centered energy.
The month opens with deep stubborn energy – a Full Moon at 9° Aquarius. The Sun, fierce in Leo highlights the T square with Jupiter in Taurus. It could represent a stalemate of sorts. All parties holding firmly to their viewpoint. Adding an element of karma and precise speech at the Full Moon, Mercury and Saturn oppose each other. It’s truth telling time. Your soul can make great progress if you let it. The ego has a way of wanting to hold on. The sad news is, that the more fixed the mind, the greater the blows to the heart. The heart cracks so it can grow. The heart grows toward greater and greater understanding and compassion so the soul can progress. If we get hung up on the pain and don’t let go – which this Full Moon is showing – we block the flow of love both toward ourselves and others. The earth element has a strong voice at this Full Moon. I like what Thich Nhat Hanh wrote; I think it expresses Jupiter in Taurus beautifully.
“O my beloved,
touch Earth every time you get scared.
Touch her deeply,
and your sorrow will melt away…”
Friends, I’m sure you recognize that this is a great truth.
The message of the Full Moon continues to resonate for the next few days as the Moon conjuncts Saturn and opposes Mercury and Mars during its Pisces sojourn. This may be felt in the body so be gentle with yourself. It’s a good time for prayer (when isn’t?).
Venus is retrograde in Leo the entire month. And on August 24th, Mercury turns retrograde too, in Virgo. Keep that in mind as you journey through these next weeks. The whole cosmic point of this time is to return to your heart-center, to re-discover your path.
As Venus retrogrades, she re-enters the angle of tension she has with Uranus in Taurus. This takes a couple of weeks culminating between August 8th and 10th. This is an unpredictable time. Fortunes may be won and lost. Love affairs opened and closed. Remember, “no mud, no lotus.”
August 12th and the Sun and Chiron kiss. But the kiss is searing and could hurt or heal. This is another ego revealing moment. You might remember one of the four agreements – “take nothing personally.”
August 13th, fierce tenderness is the path — retrograding Venus meets the Sun at 20° Leo today. The Moon is beginning to wane. Let things wind down.
Allow yourself to resonate with the cosmic energies by pausing to breathe. The Leo New Moon approaches and you’ll want to be in your heart chakra for it.
August 16th is an early morning 23° Leo New Moon featuring Venus, still on her retrograde journey and the alluring Ms. Black Moon Lilith. What a mystical time this is! Oh, my goodness! Aslan may appear, accompanied by unicorns. Who knows what could happen my loves, only that it could be OTT, over the top, as my brother calls it. This New Moon is in an exact square with unpredictable Uranus. Anything can happen! This New Moon is a great time for seeding creative projects, returning to what (and whom) you love, and for play. Heart health and acts of bravery predominate. Romance is fun too!
The Sun moves away from Venus and connects with Black Moon Lilith the next day (8/17). Mars connects with Uranus also. Stay close to your intuition. Intend to live in your heart space through this entire week.
Enhance your immune system over the next few days as both Mars and the Moon oppose dreamy Neptune. It’s okay to not make decisions if you don’t have to. Again, stay close to your intuition.
Be especially mindful of your health when Mars makes a direct opposition to Neptune August 21 to the 23.
The 23rd is a full day cosmically. The Sun enters Virgo today. Happy birthday Virgo! What would we do without you dear Ones! Bless you mightily.
Also on the 23rd, Mercury retrogrades (at 21° Virgo). Mercury will turn direct on September 15th at 8° Virgo.
We’re now in an unusual cosmic environment. Both Venus and Mercury are retrograde, and solar energy has shifted.
A lot can get done on the 25th when Mars trines Pluto. Set your sights on global goals and act locally. Together we can turn this ship around.
On the 26th the Sun and Saturn oppose each other. Look for an illuminating teaching.
Mars enters Libra on the 27th, further changing the cosmic scene. Collaborative ventures thrive under this energy.
The month ends on a Full Pisces Moon. Saturn is embedded in this cosmic alignment, just like it was at the Full Moon at the beginning of the month. Now more than ever, karma applies. Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you is a vital injunction. Keep your act clean. In fact, a detox would be great now. Decluttering is a good idea too. Make this a restful, meditative day if you can.
Well, that’s it for another month, and what a full one. The energy is a tad OTT so hang on to your common sense and pause before responding. I’ll be back here for September. In the meantime, remember you matter, we’re all connected, Earth is our home and love is our destination.
Your astrologer,
Dulce
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