AUGUST 2006

This month’s combined planetary energy is the best so far this year for opportunity and moving forward with plans and ideas which have been under construction since last year. 2006 began with Venus and Saturn both retrograde (restructuring relationships). Just as the Venus retrograde cycle completed, Jupiter (opportunity) went retrograde. This delayed plans for expansion and moving. Saturn went direct in April, but while Jupiter was retrograde there was confusion in leadership and choosing options. Jupiter went direct at the beginning of July, but Mercury was retrograde all month. It has been a year of so much change that an entire generation is being affected – those born between 1938 and 1958 – the “Baby Boomers”. After Pluto turns direct on September 4th, there will be additional information regarding money, investments and resources. All plans and decisions will not be completed until the fall of 2007 when Saturn moves out of Leo, but now that we have reached the half-way point of Leo, many of us have a better idea now of options and direction. The Sun in Leo until the 23rd supports performing, entertaining, sports events and time spent with children, hobbies and romantic partners. Concerts, cruises, trips, picnics, parties, indulging yourself and honoring the warmth of the Sun are activities for most of this month. The Sun in Virgo after the 23rd supports preparation, organization, health, details and analysis. Attention turns to lists and calendars more so than in the last couple of months. This is the time for school plans, organizations to focus on their agendas and corporations to review the year’s performance and create budgets for the coming year.

Mercury (communications, writing, contracts, commerce) in Cancer until the 11th completes the windup phase of the Mercury retrograde cycle in Cancer/Leo. Between June 17th and July 4th was the entry phase when you become aware of the retrograde issue in your life. In general a retrograde is a time of review and/or transition. Mercury was retrograde from July 4th to the 29th. Leo can speak from the ego, but it supports all types of performing, sales, entertaining, children and sports. Mercury in Cancer considers family, children, food, home and all matters related to security. It adds to the Venus in Cancer desire to connect with family until the 12th. The “exit shadow” or completion of the retrograde cycle lasts until August 12th when decisions can be made and details finalized in regard to the issue of the retrograde. Mercury retrograde cycles are a time of transition, such as packing to move, reorganizing office or home space, testing computer programs, review and catching up on correspondence. It is not a good time to list a home, begin a major project, make an expensive purchase or commit to a long-range expensive business agreement.

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Cancer until the 12th supports activities with children, family members and those with whom we have close emotional ties. This is an excellent time for a family reunion. Venus in Leo after the 12th supports values performing, entertainment, sports, creative talents and hobbies. People who are considering job change or retirement may begin to view their hobbies or background and experience as a way to support themselves and still be involved with others on a part-time basis.

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) in Virgo all month lends energy to organization, analysis, details, plans and timing. Mars in Virgo takes action to create order and a sense of preparedness. Working with lists, calendars, forecasts and timelines they give support to their own goals and careers as well as those with whom they live and for whom they work. Mars in Virgo has high standards.

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, foreign trade, education, religion, legal matters) transits 9 to 13 degrees Scorpio where it was in December 2005 and May/June 2006. Jupiter in Scorpio is a cycle of opportunity, freedom, expansion or movement for those born November 1st-2nd, August 1st-2nd, January 29th-30th and April 29th-30th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 9 to 13 degrees Scorpio, Taurus, Leo or Aquarius. In Scorpio, Jupiter supports opportunity thru motivation, commitment, sharing, saving, paying off debt, fiscal responsibility and supporting the passions and talents which make a person unique. It is important now to recognize and know what you believe in.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) transits 14 to 17 degrees Leo. Saturn does not repeat these degrees and has now reached the middle of Leo. Saturn has brought career shifts and changes in responsibility to Leos as well as restructuring in the house of the chart it rules or where planets in Leo are found. Leo relates to royalty, leadership, entertainment, performing, children and creative talents. During Saturn in Leo hobbies can be developed and turned into businesses. This month’s transit most directly affects those born August 6th-11th, May 4th-8th, November 6th-10th and February 3rd-7th as well as those whose charts have planets or angles from 14 to 17 degrees Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio. Saturn’s last transit thru Leo was 1975 to 1978. Review what was happening in your life about 30 years ago, during the half-cycle of 14-15 years (in Aquarius), the quarter cycle of 7 years (in Taurus) and 21 years, the third quarter cycle (in Scorpio) to understand what Saturn in Leo from July 2005 to September 2007 will mean for you.

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention technology) retrogrades from 14 to 12 degrees Pisces, repeating where it was in April and May 2006 and where it will repeat in February 2007. Most affected are birthdays from March 3rd-5th, September 5th-7th, June 3rd-4th and December 5th-6th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 12-14 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sag. Between April 2006 and February 2007 they will need freedom, experience chaos or make radical changes. Uranus will be in Pisces until 2011 and supports social revolution. During 1920, the start of the previous Uranus thru Pisces, Congress granted women the right to vote. It was the “roaring 20’s”. Uranus in Pisces supports artistic creativity with innovation and intellect with sensitivity, leading to modern ways of helping those in need and suggesting that the only way that humanity will survive is by caring for each other and doing what is best for all, addressing humanitarian and global issues such as disaster relief and political decisions made for the good of the masses, not just special interests and the wealthy.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) retrogrades from 18 to 17 degrees Aquarius, repeating where it was in February and March and where it will transit in December 2006 and January of 2007. Neptune relates to intangibles such as art, imagination, inspiration and creative writing as well as prayer, healing, dreams and escapism. Birthdays most affected are February 6th-7th, May 8th-9th, August 10th-11th and November 10th-11th as well as charts with planets or angles from 17 to 18 degrees Leo, Taurus, Aquarius or Scorpio. During Neptune’s retrograde (May thru October 2006) is a good time to release addictive habits, attitudes or behaviors. Neptune transits bring a lack of focus or direction, a sense of drifting or the inability to see a disappointment, betrayal, error or weakness until it’s too late. It dissolves the past in order to make space for the future. On the positive side this can be a time for healing, faith, psychic insights and artistic creativity. Under Neptune in Aquarius you can develop musical talents, practice meditation, intuition and inner guidance. You may also need to watch your back and balance faith with fact to see events clearly, not with just wishful thinking or remaining attached to the dream or vision of what you think might have been.

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) retrogrades at 24 degrees Sagittarius, repeating where it was from February thru May as well as in December 2005 and where it will repeat in September and October 2006. Birthdays influenced most are December 15th-16th, June 15th, March 14th-15th and September 17th as well as charts with planets or angles around 24 degrees Virgo, Pisces, Sagittarius and Gemini. From February 2005 to October 2006 they will have experienced major changes in life such as marriage, divorce, relocation, career changes or financial problems. These are times in life when counseling or therapy could be required and self-awareness/motivational work found very valuable. Pluto has passed the 24th degree and is now three-quarters of the way thru the sign of Sagittarius, bringing transformation and paradigm shifts in education, travel, religion, politics and global trade.

Specific indications for the twelve signs are as follows:

 Here are the Specific indications for the 12 signs

Note: In addition to reading about your sun sign, you can get additional information by reading about your moon sign, rising sign and the sign on the Midheaven of your chart.

Nancy Bahlman is a professional astrologer with special interests in relating persons to locations using Astro*Cartography and Local Space Charts. Classes now forming.
(248) 546-5407 chartmates@aol.com