Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of August 27th - the delays come to an end, proceed cautiously and strategically, hair-trigger tempers, communication challenges, intense emotions, big plans and even bigger ideas, life speeds up

Time goes by like a train by Julie-de-Waroquier

Some of the big aspects for the week ahead are:

SUNDAY - Full Moon in Pisces
MONDAY - Mars stations direct in Capricorn!!
TUESDAY - Mercury square Jupiter
WEDNESDAY - Mercury inconjunct Pluto
SATURDAY - Venus opposes Eris
SUNDAY - Mercury leaves retrograde shadow

SUNDAY Morning EDT we have the Full Moon in Pisces I wrote about HERE. The day is colored by its aspects as well as a couple I missed in that post including Venus (strong in Libra) opposing Pluto (retrograde in Capricorn) which could bring relationship power struggles, money issues, an almost suffocating desire for something, maybe outside interference in a relationship - the bottom line for us - know this aspect, in play for a couple days, could bring up intense feelings and strong emotions. 

On MONDAY, the Moon (in Pisces) conjuncts Pisces ruler Neptune at 8:05AM EDT. We might feel more sensitive/compassionate and we are certainly more likely to take on other people's emotions - this would be an excellent morning to meditate.

At 10:05AM EDT Mars stations direct at 28 degrees Capricorn - a space where he is exalted.

Whatever stalled or stopped around August 12th will get moving again.

Maybe ego-driven plans (or some area where we wanted our way) and positions that did not work out quite as we expected have caused us to re-flect and re-vise. Between now and September 18th (the final Mars square Uranus) we should get a wrap-up/resolution. If we are smart and paying attention we have received clues from Mars this summer about how to deal with Uranus in Taurus over the next few years.

Mars won't be covering entirely new ground for a few weeks and it will take him a few days to get back up to speed. The Sun is in Virgo. Mars is in Capricorn. Let's take our cues from that. We'll proceed cautiously and strategically.

EXAMPLE FOR LIBRA/Libra Rising - Mars stations direct in your 4th house of home and family. Progress can now be made with a home renovation, relocation, home business or mother/family situation that may have stalled around mid-month.

Mars is very powerful at station and rules violence and anger so stay safe. No dark alleys. Step back from any potential altercations. Expect to feel rushed. 

The Pisces Moon will be active on Monday - keeping us busy - good for business and good for having the energy to do what we need to do.

On TUESDAY, (in play for a couple days before and after) at 1:31AM EDT, Mercury (in fiery Leo) squares Jupiter (in deep, dark Scorpio).

This is BIG News or information or a conversation. Good or bad the square indicates tension. Jupiter will make everything bigger, but also 'appear bigger' than it actually is. So keep this in mind.

Mercury - our communication, conversations, information, local issues, sibling issues, transportation issues - has multiple challenges this week and remember until next Sunday he/she is walking degrees she has walked before (twice!) so this is a repeat pattern from July 9th and then August 11th.

Some people will feel like they are living Groundhog Day (the movie!).

The square with Jupiter can mean we communicate too much. There might be big, floaty ideas without legs now. The details can be missed or glossed over. Words can be over-the-top now. We can be enthusiastic, but also preachy. Any challenges to Mercury mean we need to take care driving. Sibling issues could also come into play.

Remember this isn't an entirely new situation.

We have been through this before - we should have the tools in our tool belt for this one now. We are ready.

EXAMPLE FOR SCORPIO/Scorpio Rising - Mercury is squaring your sign from Leo, your 10th house of career and public life. There could be an optimistic business idea, professional information or exuberant career news now. Make sure you are reading the situation from a grounded space. Don't over-promise. Don't expect too much. The Sun is in Virgo - stick to the facts. Keep in mind Mercury is walking degrees he walked first on July 9th and then again on August 11th (retrograde) - so what have you learned?

The Moon (at the end of Pisces) sextiles (opportunity) Mars (at the end of Capricorn) at 9:54AM EDT. A good time to exercise - we are feeling strong and satisfied with whatever we have completed. 

We have the courage and ability (Mars/Capricorn) to handle the things we can't see coming (Pisces).

The Moon goes Void for a couple hours until she moves into Aries at 12:35PM EDT.

At 5:37PM EDT the Moon (in Aries) will square Saturn (in Capricorn). This could feel a little (or alot) depressing/pessimistic and isolating so stay centered and know this will pass. Chocolate will help.

The Aries Moon will give us a focus on Aries themes for the next couple days - courage, passion, action, initiative, maybe anger, anything new and ambitious.

On WEDNESDAY, Mercury (in fiery Leo) inconjuncts Pluto (in sober Capricorn).

This is a rock and a hard place aspect between our Leo and Capricorn houses. There could be power plays, obsessive thinking and persuasive, manipulative information/conversations. Avoid pushing your ideas onto other people. Avoid being pushed by other people's words. Secrets can come out now. There probably isn't any middle ground here, so just know that. Agree to disagree. Not really the time for an intimate conversation. Not the time to send the boss a memo (which could be misconstrued) or make an impassioned statement publicly. People could feel manipulated even if you think you are coming in with a higher agenda. Let sleeping dogs lie ... for now.

On THURSDAY, the skies are testy. The Moon in Aries will oppose Venus in Libra at 6:56AM EDT and then move into a square with Mars (in Capricorn). People might be aggressive and unwilling to compromise. Not easy energy for everyone to get along. The Moon goes void at 7:04PM EDT and then moves into Taurus at 9:30PM EDT focusing us on Taurus themes for the next couple days - comfort, security, our money, our values, eating well, taking care of ourselves.

I will write about Friday and the weekend later in the week and get up a big picture post for autumn.

xo all

Pisces Full Moon | August 26th - something new and solid built from the ashes of whatever has slipped through our fingers

I have to go by Julie-de-Waroquier

On SUNDAY at 7:56AM EDT the Pisces Moon will oppose the Virgo Sun at 3 degrees giving us our annual Pisces Full Moon.

You have probably noticed the Moon appearing larger and fuller over the last few days. I hope you have been able to get out and walk in it!

Anyone with planets or points in the early degrees of the mutable signs - Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces - and people with planets or points in the early degrees of the water signs - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces - will probably feel this Full Moon energy strongest.

Pisces and Virgo are opposite signs, but really the opposite sides of the same coin - the same energetic loop. The balance of these two signs is where we bring God (or whatever word you feel most comfortable using here) to earth through our actions of service.

Virgo/Pisces is about the highest levels of service and compassion - it doesn't take on the burdens of others - compassion holds a higher vibration. It's not about removing the pain or suffering of another person which we literally can't do because the karma (ie energy attraction, cause and effect, our perfectly pre-planned, but not predestined life experiences) - that created it in the first place will just recreate it in another form.

Pisces is the last and final sign - the place where the buck stops - Pisces energy knows this.

Pisces compassion shows patience, lends an ear or a shoulder without the need for recognition - without the need for thanks - knowing the service is its own reward; the work is often invisible. It holds open doors and holds the spaces for others to be strong and courageous and confident. 

Full Moons bring energy to a "peak"; to a culmination, maybe to an ending. Pisces rules the 12th house of what is hidden and put away, the ways we self-sabotage, escape, sacrifice, our addictions, our imagination, lack of boundaries, connection, compassion, charity, hospitals, prisons, the things we do last, the things we have forgotten, our distant pasts, water, sleep, illness, healing, spirituality ....

Our Piscean spaces (the roles we play and the roles we have rejected within ourselves and passed out to other people to act out for us) will be on full display. Dreamers will dream. Escapists will run away. Victims and martyrs will play out some endless saga we will all have to hear about. Saviors will march into action. Seekers will look within. Artists will make art. Drifters will drift off course.

Anyone whose boat is only lightly tethered to the dock could be pulled out to sea ...

Now, the wonderful thing about this particular Pisces Full Moon, because it is stabilizing, is the chart includes a Grand Earth Trine between the Sun, Saturn and Uranus. There is solid ground here. With both Saturn and Uranus still retrograde whatever we are dealing with at this Full Moon will have its feet in the past.

The Virgo Sun speaks of us putting one foot in front of the other, developing a solid routine, figuring out what doesn't work, seeing the trees - we know the forest is there, that big old Pisces Full Moon will light up the periphery - but keeping our focus on the details.

The Moon (in Pisces) forms a Kite at the top of the Grand Earth Trine with sextiles from Saturn and Uranus. So we have the new/unexpected (Uranus), the stable/solid (Saturn) enabled into something REAL through that sacrificial Pisces Moon. What are we willing to give up/release to get something new/solid and lasting? Something has to give here. 

Keep in mind with Pisces there is always the chance things can look better than they are and we can be pretty sure that even with that bright light in the night sky we aren't seeing everything. But for those who have done their summer "work" - there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

At the same time we have the Sun (in Virgo) inconjunct Chiron (in Aries) telling us that there is no "perfect" Virgo solution. We also have Saturn (in Capricorn) squaring Chiron.

The rock/hard place (inconjunct), the limit/responsibility (Saturn), the Pisces focal point and the Virgo/Pisces opposition are all reinforcing the same message - to get the manifestion (the new, real solid thing) something else needs to be released. 

"Life is complicated", says Virgo, looking at all the moving parts and noting what needs fixing. "It doesn't need to be" says Pisces, seeing all the ways everything is already working together perfectly.

I hope everyone can get out and walk in the Full Moon. Mars (our action, initiative, passion, anger) moves direct on Monday people. It may take him a few days to get up to speed, but something in our Capricorn house is about to get a big forward PUSH.

xo

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | transition time, the king gets humbled, looking ahead, preparing for lift-off, creating something real, keeping that kite in the air

... by oprisco

I've been finding it hard to get to these charts and write about them lately ... focus Catherine!

Let's take a look at where we are.

We closed out Leo season last week with the Sun's move into practical and "let's get on a routine" Virgo. The time of the harvest (and I have the garden filled with tomatoes to prove it), in Virgo season we move into mutable energy. Shifts happen. The weather changes. Kids go back to school. We adjust our schedules and daily routines. Health issues catch our attention.

The transition from Leo (ruled by the Sun) to Virgo can be hard or welcomed depending on how ready we are to come in out of the Sun!

With the Sun in Virgo we focus on the details. We clean things up. We get organized. Small steps lead to big changes. Small is BIG now.

The astrology wheel is the hero's journey of self discovery. When the sun moves into Virgo, it is the hero's (our) first encounter with service.

We are learning when to help and when helping isn't really helping. Virgo is the modest healer with the critical eye that takes care of the details. Meaningful work and competence are key now.

Virgo knows we are not here to do the work we love - we are here to love the work we do. There is a difference. This is the difference that changes the world. This is the difference that changes us.

Every sign has something to learn from the sign that follows it.

Leo learns from Virgo (and we all have Leo and Virgo in our charts somewhere - its placement will affect how this activates in your own journey) - to do the work. Virgo teaches Leo to let go of the need for the spotlight and recognition and to just focus on the work.

The king gets humbled ... and we might now, too!

(and speaking of kings - last week the Sun moved through the last degrees of Leo - powerful degrees already and uber activated from last year's "Great American Eclipse" - at precisely the time the press was reporting Cohen's guilty pleas and Manafort's guilty convictions. You might remember this eclipse was right on Trump's ascendant and his guiding star Regulus - the star promising 'success and riches if revenge is avoided' - and was followed immediately by multiple powerful weather "storms" and then the more personal, for Trump, 'Stormy' Daniels payoff allegations which are part of Cohen's guilty pleas)

It is no coincidence that Virgo comes in autumn; the time of the harvest - the time we separate the wheat from the chaff.

The Sun in Virgo needs to do good work. In order to do this, we need to figure out what isn't working. We need to be able to see the flaws and problems.

We have Mercury direct now, although still covering old ground. Things are not wrapped up all nicely with a big pink bow, but we are thinking about the future again. We have one eye in the past and one on "what comes next".

Mars is still retrograde, but turns direct on MONDAY. So this past week our attention turned to the future (and on wrapping things up - where do we find that big pink bow?) and next week our actions get green-lighted.

We act. We get acted upon. Things come unstuck. There is movement. 

And, yes, Mars also will be covering old ground for a while, too - so we are moving forward, dragging one, unfinished, foot behind us.

Then on September 6th Saturn stations direct. We have been on a long, backward journey this summer. Now our thoughts and actions reach their logical conclusion. We have consequences. Maybe we meet a goal. Maybe a responsibility clobbers us in the head. Daddy's home.

This weekend we are building toward Sunday's Full Moon in Pisces with a Sun/Saturn/Uranus Grand Earth Trine - a powerful energy for manifesting something REAL. Then at the Full Moon (ruled by dream-maker Neptune) - and this is very rare - the energies form a high flying Kite aspect. As a kid I was never very good at flying kites. Mine would always quickly crash to the ground. This one feels a little different with that solid Grand Earth Trine behind it. Whatever story we have each been walking back and forth over the last few weeks here is the fresh air - inspiring movement toward HIGHER GROUND complete with a detailed Virgo step-by-step action plan/roadmap. What more do we need?

On FRIDAY we have an active Aquarius Moon. First, opposing Mercury and making us mentally restless maybe or compelled to give voice to the unconscious. Maybe we change our mind. It's like we are leaving post-it notes all over the place, even if we don't have any post-it notes. Then the Moon squares Jupiter - this isn't the best aspect to make a good financial decision. We could make a mountain out of a molehill. We could feel overwhelmed - which might be a good thing or not so good. Maybe something here about protecting, or feeling protective of, our home or family. The Moon will finish her day (12:39AM EDT) with a trine to lovely Venus at home in Libra - good for socializing and finding balance. Then she turns void and will be void all day Saturday. Saturday is not a good day to start something new even with the grounded Grand Earth Trine.

Today (Friday) we also have the Sun (in Virgo) inconjunct - that rock and a hard place - Chiron (in Aries). Something here about something that can't be fixed, can't be put back together, can't be made perfect. If we have done our best with it, that is all we can do. I know it hurts. At the same time devoted Vesta (in Sagittarius) is trining (brakes off) strategic Pallas (in Leo) at 24 degrees. This is where we put our energy as we move toward HIGHER GROUND this weekend. Bring an optimistic, big-picture focus on Leo - creative projects, children, romance, fun - our heart's desire, that thing that pushes us into the center stage of our own life, what we are here to be proud of.

We will talk more about the Grand Earth Trine and the powerful Pisces Full Moon in this weekend's post.

xo all

Astrology Forecast For Creatives | Week of August 13th - smooth sailing, don't rush or force things, our rose-colored glasses are wearing rose-colored glasses, love, compassion, stay grounded

... bohemian rapsody 2 by oprisco

Here are some aspects/transits I see for the week ahead:

SUNDAY - Mars retrogrades back into Capricorn, Venus trines the South Node and sextiles the North Node, Pluto trines Ceres
SATURDAY - Mercury sextile Venus
SUNDAY - Mercury stations direct (!), Jupiter trines Neptune
ALL WEEK - Grand Earth Trine with Pluto/Ceres/Juno

Notice the word trine (brakes off) multiple times!

This is a quiet week allowing us to acclimate to this summer's eclipse shifts. Keep in mind we still have six retrograde planets and an active Neptune (obscuring our vision/reality), so let's give the eclipse dust some time to settle down a bit before making any big decisions. We are doing the "re's" (review, revamp, revisit, rethink, redo, relax, etc) and the major work is an inside job.

This week's multiple trines will allow things to fall into place if we go with the flow. They could make us a bit lazy, but I think we are allowed a little breather after the last three months!

Let's start our forecast with Sunday this week since it kind of sets everything up.

On SUNDAY our Virgo Moon makes a Grand Earth Trine with Saturn and Uranus. Mars, still retrograde, moves from Aquarius back into sober Capricorn (through September 12th).

Mars into Capricorn will get us re-focused on our goals and ambitions.

He is still retrograde, so it's not the time for any big moves, but we are setting up the big moves that will come in September. NOTE - after September's full-steam-ahead, Venus will retrograde on October 5th and on the day she stations direct a month later Mercury will station retrograde again, so from October 5th - mid December we are back in the "re's" - we want to make September count and we are setting it up NOW.

Mars change of signs will shift our passions/ambitions/anger/initiative. Mars is exalted in Capricorn - like a young soldier under a salty general, he (as we) can do some of his best work. So, yes, even if we are laying on the beach we will probably be thinking about work or our ambitious plans to make this vacation our best vacation ever. Ha!

Pluto will trine Ceres (Demeter in the Greek story) and Venus (home in Libra) will trine the South Node (in Aquarius). With Venus/Libra trining (brakes off) the South Node (endings, release) we could be re-visiting a prior relationship or relationship issue. The opportunity comes through that sextile with the North Node - our heart, generosity, courage, standing out/up, our creativity and children.

The Virgo Moon will have us focused on service, organization, our day-to-day activities, our health, our work, our pets. Her trine (brakes off) to Saturn (in Capricorn) and Uranus (in Taurus) grounds whatever we are doing. We will be focused on the practical side of life. Some things fall into place so soundlessly we might not even notice.

Now, Mercury is still retrograde so there could still be some snafus and delays, but we should see less of them this week.

For the rest of the week I have nothing to write about other than the Moons, so the aspects through Friday will be fast-moving.

On MONDAY we wake (7:12AM EDT) with the Virgo Moon trining Pluto (in Capricorn). No sleeping in! We are sharp and focused. Small changes create big improvements. After midnight the same Virgo Moon trines Mars (now retrograde in Capricorn) giving us a burst of energy and the ability to get alot done. Who needs sleep, right?! The Moon takes a short void from 12:37AM EDT to 12:57AM EDT when she moves into Libra.

On TUESDAY the Moon in Libra turns our attention to Libran matters - relationships, money, our resources, beauty, women and self-esteem. She squares sober Saturn at 5:55AM EDT so we could wake up grumpy - or we could just let him sleep (let him sleep!). People could be more serious, unbending and less interested in anything that sounds like 'cooperation'. The good news at 2:05PM EDT, the Moon will conjunct lovely Venus making for an easier afternoon. Relationships, cooperation, commerce - things will smooth out. Good energy for socializing. In the evening more good news as the Moon sextiles (opportunity) Mercury at 10:09PM EDT. A good time for a heart to heart conversation. Good for romance and business.

At 9:540AM EDT on WEDNESDAY, the Libra Moon will square Pluto - tempers could flare, secrets come out - the stuff we have stuffed doesn't stay stuffed. At 4:22PM EDT the Moon sextiles the Sun - Moon/Sun sextiles are always good for starting new things - especially short-term projects. Good for creativity, time with children, romance.

On THURSDAY things could be a bit more testy and frustrating, but we could get alot accomplished today. Hopefully we can sleep through the Moon square Mars (3:56AM EDT) - impulsive action, anger, tension. Following an hour long void the Moon enters Scorpio while we sleep focusing us on Scorpian issues for the next couple days - finances, loans, mortgages, debt, sex, reproduction, death/rebirth, other people's resources, the things/ways we merge with other people as well as the themes of our natal Scorpio house.

With the Moon in Scorpio it is always good to KEEP MOVING, so we don't get bogged down in the muck!

At 9:27AM EDT the Scorpian Moon will oppose Uranus (in Taurus). We won't want to be boxed in. People will be seeking out unusual experiences. Paranoia, obsession. Excellent energy for focus and research and to get alot accomplished though. An hour later the Moon will sextile Saturn - do the work, be responsible. The Moon squares Mercury in the P.M. - not good for communications, not the time to be out driving around or dealing with sibling issues.

On FRIDAY the Moon conjuncts Jupiter at 9:06AM EDT - we will all want the day off! This is a good day for business though. We should be feeling lucky and optimistic. Within 30 minutes she moves into a trine with Neptune - more "let's call in sick and take the day off" energy! We could be uber emotional, more compassionate toward others, but also more easily hurt/offended. By 4:11PM EDT the Moon is sextiling Pluto - here is where we get ambitious. This is good energy to have a breakthrough!

On SATURDAY we have the monthly Moon's First Quarter Square with the Scorpio Moon squaring the Leo Sun. Here is our first challenge from last Saturday's Solar Eclipse. There is tension/frustration. Scorpio and Leo are fixed signs so something needs to give here. At 11:07AM EDT the Moon will sextile Mars - the opportunity comes by taking action - especially actions we have taken before or on matters already in play. Following a short void the Moon moves into optimistic Sagittarius focusing us on Sagittarian themes for the next couple days - legal issues, higher education, travel, weddings, our higher thinking, our beliefs, foreigners, exploration, the media, publishing, everything just outside our comfort zone.

At 9:36AM EDT, Mercury - retrograde in Leo - will sextile Venus (in Libra) - this opportunity will be in play for a couple weeks. Mercury in Leo is dramatic and Venus in Libra wants to hear what Mercury has to say. This is an excellent aspect for communication, relationships, love, money and commerce. Great for making art, eloquent writing and making creative projects more beautiful and attractive. Excellent for improving relationships with children and for romance. We will be thinking about relationships/sharing information. Sweet talk feels good. Showy language and big talkers could be more attractive ....

which leads us to SUNDAY and Jupiter trine Neptune which is THE BIG ENERGY OF THE WEEK and one of the biggest energetics in 2018. This is a repeating pattern we had on December 2nd and May 25th. Today's trine is the final of 2018. This is excellent energy for healing, spiritual work, compassion.

Jupiter stretches our boundaries and then Neptune dissolves them.  Boundaries? What boundaries?

This can be a very good thing where we fall right into something WONDERFUL

or something like quicksand and we are very quickly submerged, all depending on what we have going on in our life and how closely this is hitting our planets/points (15 degrees Scorpio/Pisces).

This is excellent healing energy. This is excellent "dream come true" energy. We are manifesting through our emotions now.

With Jupiter in Scorpio though we just need to be sure this is a positive dream and not an obsession/addiction because it could be hard to see the difference now.

Our, and other people's, aspirations could be delusional. 

Our rose colored glasses will be wearing their own rose-colored glasses.

We can more easily connect with collective consciousness. This is excellent energy for meditation - to take care of ourselves. With Uranus retrograde in Taurus now - our health (especially our self-esteem) really will be our wealth.

Connect with nature. Get into water.

If you have someone in your life prone to addiction, this is tricky energy for that - reach out to them now - connection heals addiction.

Our own addictions/escape hatches could become more visible. 

If we have to push we are moving against the currents today. Let it be. The "no limits" comes through faith now. Trust.

Also on SUNDAY Mercury will station direct at 11 degrees Leo. Mercury is very potent at the time of his/her station, so take care driving/operating machinery/dealing with a crazy sibling, no dark alleys - you know the drill. It will take her a few days to get back up to speed and she will be covering old ground (degrees he has walked before) until September 2nd. Answers come in. Progress can be made now - and especially in September!

We will talk more about the big energetics as we move through the week. The urge to escape from reality will be strong now - stay grounded.

xo all