AUGUST 2007

August is the culmination of Saturn’s transit thru Leo which began in July of 2005 (See Saturn). While Saturn completes the final five degrees of Leo this month, the Sun, Mercury and Venus also transit these degrees. Mars gives all of the Leo planets a boost, squaring them from Taurus. The Leo/Taurus issue is using talents according to your personal values and to support self-esteem as well as income. This setup emphasizes the importance of what has happened during the past two years of structuring (Saturn) creative talents (Leo) and launches us into the next two years when the Nodes move thru Leo and Aquarius. In addition to those who have the Sun, Moon or Ascendant in Leo, this has affected those born between 1938 and 1958 – the generation with Pluto in the sign of Leo (“Baby-boomers”). Jupiter turns direct on the 6th, opening the doors to opportunity and movement which have seemed closed or delayed since April. On the same day Saturn in Leo makes a positive relationship to Pluto in Sagittarius. Under this aspect leadership and those who manage resources could use their talents and vision in effective ways, provided that their decisions and actions are motivated by high ideals and serving humanitarian goals rather than selfishness and ego. A Lunar Eclipse occurs on the 28th at 4 degrees Pisces, focusing on issues of service, dedication, art and sensitivity throughout the next six months. Under this energy legislators could address the most sensitive issues such as health care and the war in Iraq. The Sun in Leo until the 23rd supports entertainment, performing, enjoyment, parties, fun, attention to children and using one’s talents. Leo also relates to entrepreneurs, leadership and royalty. This is great energy for attendance at concerts, games and outdoor events as well as making time for a vacation or at least a weekend getaway. The Sun in Virgo after the 23rd supports organizing, planning, creating timelines and tracking details in preparation for return to the normal everyday routine of work, school and participation in group and community activities.

Mercury (communication, writing, contracts, commerce, workers) in Cancer until the 4th communicates regarding families, children, food, homes, parents, security, money and real estate. Mercury in Leo from the 4th to the 19th assists sales, teaching, performing, creative talents and appreciation of children. Mercury in Virgo after the 19th attends to plans, schedules, preparation and the practical everyday needs for return to work and school.

Venus (values, money, social connections) retrogrades in Virgo until the 9th when it re-enters Leo. Venus in Leo values parties, weddings, graduations, enjoyment, entertainment and performing. It entered Virgo on July 14th where it turned retrograde on the 27th. On June 24th Venus entered the shadow of its retrograde which spans from July 27th to September 8th. The Leo/Virgo retrograde addresses creativity vs. practicality, leadership vs. service and show vs. preparation. Since Venus moves more slowly than Mercury, its retrograde is longer. The completion phase is 9/8 to 10/11.

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) in Taurus until the 7th supports working with the earth, planting gardens, home improvement and general maintenance. It is loyal, persevering and dedicated as well as stubborn. Under Mars in Gemini after the 7th, communication increases and becomes more energetic and spontaneous.

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, foreign trade, education, religion, legal matters) retrogrades at 9 degrees Sagittarius where it was in January and July 2007. It will turn direct on the 6th at 9 degrees. Jupiter is in Sag from November 2006 thru mid-December 2007. Birthdays most affected by 9 to 10 degrees are December 2nd-3rd, May 31st-June 1st, September 2nd-3rd and February 28th-March 1st as well as companies or persons whose charts have planets or angles from 9 to 10 degrees Sag, Gemini, Virgo or Pisces. Jupiter in its own sign brings issues of and opportunity thru education, travel, foreign countries, relocation, politics, religion, trade, public relations, legal matters and freedom.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) transits 25 to 29 degrees Leo and does not repeat these degrees. Saturn will not retrograde again before it enters Virgo. It has brought career changes and shifts in responsibility to many Leos in addition to restructuring in the house of the chart which Leo rules or where planets in Leo are found, in particular those born between 1938 and 1958. Leo relates to entertainment, royalty, leadership, children, performing 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 19th-23rd, February 15th-19th, November 18th-22nd and May 17th-21st as well as those whose charts have planets or angles from 25 to 29 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 18 to 17 degrees Pisces where it was in April/May of 2007 and will repeat in December 2007 as well as March of 2008. Most affected are birthdays of March 7th-8th, June 7th-8th, September 10th-11th and December 9th-10th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 17 to 18 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius. Between April 2007 and February 2008 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 in Pisces, Congress granted women the right to vote and the “Roaring 20s” began. 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, global warming, health care and political decisions made for the good of the masses, not just special interests and the wealthy.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) retrogrades at 20 degrees Aquarius, where it was in February/March of 2007 and will repeat in December 2007 and January of 2008. Neptune turned retrograde on May 24th. During the retrograde (May-October) is an excellent time to release addictive attitudes, behaviors or habits. Neptune relates to intangibles such as art, imagination, inspiration, dance and creative writing as well as prayer, healing, dreams and escapism. Birthdays most affected are February 9th-10th, May 10th-11th, August 13th-14th and November 13th as well as charts with planets or angles around 20 degrees Aquarius, Leo, Taurus or Scorpio. Neptune transits bring a lack of focus or direction, a sense of drifting or the inability to see an error, disappointment, betrayal or weakness until it’s too late. They dissolve the past in order to open space for the future. On the positive side this can be a time for faith, healing, psychic insights and artistic creativity. Under Neptune in Aquarius you can develop intuition, musical talents, practice meditation and pay more attention to your own inner guidance. You may also need to watch your back and balance faith with fact to see events clearly, not with wishful thinking or being attached to the dream or vision of what you think might have been.

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) retrogrades at 26 degrees Sagittarius, where it was from February thru May and in December 2006 and will repeat in September and October of 2007. Most affected are birthdays of December 18th, June 17th-18th, March 17th and September 19th-20th as well as charts with planets or angles around 26 degrees Sagittarius, Gemini, Pisces and Virgo. Between February 2006 and October of 2007 they will experience major changes in life such as marriage, divorce, relocation and career and/or financial challenges. These are times when counseling or therapy may be required and self-awareness/motivational work necessary. Now that Pluto has completed the 24th degree and is three-quarters of the way thru Sagittarius, it has brought focus, transformation and paradigm shifts in travel, education, travel, religion, politics and global trade.

Note: In addition to reading about your sun sign, you can gain more understanding by reading the signs of your Moon, rising sign and the sign on the midheaven or career house 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