Astrologically Speaking Aug 29-Sep 6
Friends, the desire for the joys of summer is natural and healthy. “One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter,” Henry David Thoreau wrote. And yet that is the irony and the tragedy of pandemics, that they can turn our joys into sorrows. We have before us another week of inconjunctions. Eleven inconjunctions, and only a few of them lunar. This suggests another week when health issues return to the forefront.
With inconjunctions most people want to emphasize only one side of the aspect, which causes the other side to build up a strong reaction. Unless both sides are given adequate attention there can be stagnation and physical issues related to the planets and signs involved. Sep 6 has some powerful aspects all in one day and could represent a turning point or an important event.
Yesterday’s Venus inconjunct Uranus remains a factor especially in the early part of this week. The desire to socialize, to enjoy romance, music, art, to feel free, and liberated, can lead to disruptions and shocks with this aspect. It will take a few weeks for us to see what happens next. Hopefully, results will be moderate. We have more aspects this week and especially on Labor Day that will encourage risk taking and extroverted urges. Near the end of September we will begin to see what really happened, ominous, as Saturn and Pluto are slowing down to stationary direct in early October. That is likely to mark a turning point for better or worse.
Today at 10:10 PM (all times Pacific) Mercury leaves picky Virgo for romantic Libra. Romance and the arts are favored, as well as partnerships and any and all Venus related activities. Poetry, painting and music are said to be especially favored with this placement.
Monday August 30 at 12:13 AM we enter the dark of the moon. Many feel they have less energy. It’s a good time for finishing things, for finding time for extra rest, relaxation, and contentment.
Tue Aug 31 sun inconjunct Saturn suggests issues around health that are related to exhaustion, depression, the feeling of too much responsibility, or chronic pessimism or criticism. Saturn suggests a need to slow down, to be patient, especially avoid situations where the ego is up against facts. Meditation can be a big help in finding the necessary balance.
Thu Sep 2 Mars opposition Neptune is exact. This is a classic pandemic aspect, that is said to represent a disease rampaging through the populace. You may recall the flock of inconjunctions we had not so long ago, many of which encouraged reckless behavior. We’ll begin to see the results with this aspect. But also the urge to have fun in the sun, especially by water, with a nostalgic sense of the imminence of fall, may create a further surge. I continue to urge caution even to the vaccinated. Hopefully we have seen the worst, but practicing safety is a discipline that can prevent tragedy. Remember, what we typically call drudgery is actually prevention of harm.
Friday Sep 3 Venus inconjunct Neptune and sun inconjunct Chiron are exact. The first is the classic Labor Day weekend aspect implying the desire for romance, fun, fantasy, intoxication, and plenty of self-delusion to go around. Another aspect of strong attraction to holidays by the sea, river, lake or swimming pool. Relax and have fun but don’t take unnecessary risks. This too is an aspect of pandemic, ironically representing disease spread by love and pleasure. Chiron can represent a crisis in the area of health, possibly intensifying the surge.
Saturday Sep 4 in the evening Mercury trine Saturn is exact, an excellent aspect for editing, writing, organizing, hashing out the details, finding the facts, and favorable for meditation. Saturn can also be funny, and will reward hard work and dedication. Perhaps help arrives in the form of a mentor, or an elder. Or perhaps some serious thinking gives a more realistic perspective.
Sunday Sep 5 Venus square Pluto is exact. This will add an edge to the weekend and the holiday. This is the kinkiest of Venus aspects, but it is very important that everyone be on the same page. Forcing your way in the name of pleasure can backfire with this aspect. Go ahead and explore the shadow side, but avoid criminal areas and behaviors. This is an aspect that can turn violent. Catharsis through romance or art can be healing and liberating. Unfortunately it’s probably going to inspire a surge as those deluded by the desire for pleasures take otherwise unnecessary risks. Wearing a mask, keeping your distance, hiking outdoors at a national park? Sure. Jumping up and down and screaming along with a band at a giant concert where hardly anyone is wearing masks? Not so good. Feel free to apply those metaphors to other situations.
Here it is, the momentous Monday that is Labor Day Sep 6. First just before dawn we have Mars trine Pluto, an aspect given to excess that can often indicate violence, with the trine, sometimes violence or even terrorism thwarted. For individuals there’s more energy in the areas of ambition, libido, anger, the drive to make your mark on the world. Pluto wants results, if there are none, then there must be change. This can a fun aspect, another one that favors catharisis, this one less artistic and more physical. It’s going to inspire a lot of stupid bravado, especially of the masculine sort. Most will escape unharmed, but not all. And ultimately the consequences will be measured in the statistics.
Also next Monday we have Venus trine Jupiter around dawn, another aspect that can inspire excess. Life is a party with this aspect and the desire to get out and have some fun is very strong. Best to avoid over-spending, over-intoxication, and over-doing in general. Knowing when to quit is your friend with this aspect, helping keep it light and fun, and free of regrets.
Also next Monday the new moon in Virgo arrives in the late afternoon, commencing a new cycle. Get started on that new project. Think about how you want to use the next four weeks. As Hesiod wrote, “It will not always be summer; build barns.”
Also next Monday sun trine Uranus is exact as the sun goes down. This aspect demands freedom for the unexpected or the shocking. It’s quite a combination with the Mars trine Pluto and Venus trine Jupiter, the collective will be in full party mode, unfortunately the pandemic may be as well.
Also next Monday Mars inconjunct Jupiter is exact in the evening, an inauspicious way to end the day this aspect, can be associated with violence, power struggles, reckless acting out in the name of a good time, especially by men. The urge to do something impulsive, such as an impulsive purchase, affair, or holiday may go rather awry with this aspect. And since Mars is sometimes related to the virulence of diseases this is the cherry on top of what promises to be the mother of all super spreader weekends.
The following two weeks are mercifully quiet, astrologically speaking. But we do have Saturn and Pluto slowing down now to their stations about six weeks away. The arrival of fall can have a threatening quality, a reminder of mortality, perhaps, but with the pandemic the chill goes deeper. So do have some fun in the sun, find a way to relax, but also be meticulous about your safety. As Wallace Stevens wrote: “The summer night is like a perfection of thought.”
