Important astrological energies for the month of August 2017:

• Uranus in Aries turns stationary retrograde on August 3, 2017. It will remain retrograde until January 2, 2018.
• Jupiter in Libra forms a square to Pluto retrograde in Capricorn on August 4, 2017. This is the last square in this sequence. The first time that Jupiter formed the square on November 24, 2016, both planets were in direct motion. The second time this square was formed on March 30, 2017, Jupiter was retrograde and Pluto was direct.
• Partial Lunar Eclipse with Sun in Leo and Moon in Aquarius occurs on August 7, 2017.
• Mercury in Virgo turns stationary retrograde on August 12, 2017. It will remain retrograde until September 5, 2017.
• Solar Total Eclipse with Sun and Moon in Leo occurs on August 21, 2017. This eclipse will be seen throughout most of the United States. NASA calls it the Great American Eclipse of 2017.
• Saturn in Sagittarius turns stationary direct on August 24, 2017. It went retrograde on April 5, 2017.
• Jupiter in Libra forms a sextile to Saturn in Sagittarius on August 27, 2017. This is the only time this sextile occurs.
• Mercury retrograde re-enters the sign of Leo on August 31, 2017. It turned retrograde in the sign of Virgo on August 12, 2017. It will turn direct in the sign of Leo on September 5, 2017.

Dealing with Past Actions

By Misty Kuceris ©2017

For many people, especially those of you living in the United States, the month of August 2017 is one of great anticipation: The Great American Eclipse occurs on August 21^st. With another eclipse happening this month as well as several major aspects, you may actually forget that Mercury will also be retrograde from August 12, 2017 until September 5, 2017.  You may feel a need to implement new strategies in your life but with all the energies occurring this month you need to deal with past events. You can’t move into the future until you remove the past barriers that could prevent your success.

As the month starts Uranus turns stationary retrograde on August 3^rd. It will remain retrograde until January 2, 2018.

When Uranus turns retrograde you feel a sense of relief even though you don’t realize it. The retrograde period of Uranus slows down energy. You feel as if there is less turmoil in the world. Or, you’re getting less information in the news about turmoil. Either way, you don’t feel like the world is barging in on you.

But Uranus is also in its final degrees and waiting to move from the sign of Aries into the sign of Taurus. It will actually enter the sign of Taurus on May 15, 2018. For this reason, you may see more actions trying to gain traction. Even with this retrograde period you may find that more revolts are occurring in the world. In many ways, with this retrograde period, you have time to clear up old problems. You can also go back and correct mistakes you made when you tried to create changes too quickly in your life. And, you might be able to mend some fences with old adversaries. You may even find that those old adversaries are now becoming allies. But, Uranus in Aries won’t be totally done when it enters the sign of Taurus in May 2018. It will return for one final time in the sign of Aries between November 6, 2018 and March 6, 2019.

When Jupiter forms a square to Pluto retrograde on August 4^th, this will be the last square in this triad sequence. Jupiter formed the first square on November 24, 2016 when both planets were in direct motion. Jupiter formed the second square on March 30, 2017 when Jupiter was retrograde and Pluto was direct.

There are still struggles going on when Jupiter forms a square to Pluto retrograde at this time.  Revolts are still occurring in the world. People want to have more control over their own lives. They don’t want other people telling them what to do. And, they don’t want laws imposed which appear to dictate their personal lives.

Once again, you need to understand just how much power you have and how to use that power. You need to make certain that other people don’t manipulate you.

It’s important to note that this chart has ties with the November 24, 2016 chart. In this chart, the Jupiter/Pluto square occurs at 17º of Libra and Capricorn. In the November 24, 2016 chart, Saturn was at 17º of Sagittarius. This means that Jupiter in this current chart formed a sextile to Saturn in the November 24, 2016. If people are willing to take lessons learned from the past, they can grow and perhaps have a revolution of ideas rather than violence. They can take what they know and use it to build a firm base. It’s the same way in your personal life. Take what you know. Use it as a foundation. Build on the information you have so you can move forward with your life on your terms.

A partial lunar eclipse occurs on August 7^th. This is a full Moon eclipse with the Sun in Leo and the Moon in Aquarius. It is in the Saros Series 119 and will be seen in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It will not be seen in the United States.

With this eclipse, you need to determine what’s important to you when it comes to groups and organizations. You want to take a look at the people you know and decide if they are worth keeping in your life. The Moon forms a trine to Jupiter and the Sun forms a sextile to Jupiter indicating the importance of friends. At the same time, you keep your generous spirit under control. You don’t want to make so many commitments that you don’t have time for your own needs. This is especially true since the Sun forms a quincunx to Pluto retrograde. While it’s not obvious, you are still feeling the energy of the Jupiter/Pluto retrograde square that occurred on August 4^th. You want to find your balance of power while you move on with your life. You don’t want other people to manipulate you.

Things are very confusing on August 10^th when Mars forms a quincunx to Neptune retrograde. You don’t know what action to take. Everything that you try just doesn’t seem to work out. Every time you take one step forward, you slip back two steps.

This is a day where you need to pull back and have as few interactions as possible. You may feel frustrated, but you don’t know what’s causing that frustration. A major reason you feel frustrated is that you feel aimless. You don’t know what direction to take.

Maintaining safety is very important when Ceres is in Cancer, but it’s not always easy when Ceres is forming an aspect to Neptune retrograde as it does on August 11^th. You want to go with your feelings because your intuition is high. At the same time, you don’t want to feel too much because it means that you might want to help someone and you’re not quite sure how. This is another day where you’re better off just keeping to yourself.

Emotions can be very high on August 12^th as Venus forms a trine to Neptune retrograde and a conjunction to Ceres less than one hour later. It can become more confusing since Mercury in Virgo will turn stationary retrograde later in the day.

With Venus forming the trine to Neptune retrograde and a conjunction to Ceres, you want to take care of the world. You feel a lot of compassion for others. You don’t like to see pain. And, you don’t want to feel hurt by others.

It’s not uncommon, when Venus forms a trine to Neptune retrograde, to run into someone from your past that you experienced difficulties with. If that’s the case, you’ll be able to resolve those old problems. Both of you have changed and are ready to move on with your lives.

In a very positive light, you might meet someone new who feels like a soulmate. There’s a connection between you and this individual. Either this person reminds you of someone from your past or this person is from a past lifetime. Just be a little careful. While you may feel that connection today it doesn’t mean that the connection is meant to last for the long term. With Neptune involved you see what you want to see, not necessarily what’s really there. Enjoy this person’s company and take time to get to know each other. By the end of the month, or sooner, you’ll know if this person is a true soulmate or just someone passing through.

There is one other thing about a Venus/Neptune retrograde aspect. With Venus ruling finances and Neptune ruling illusion, you don’t want to sign any contracts today which obligate you to a large payment. Wait until this aspect has passed before you consider any contract that requires a large outlay of money.

As Venus moves into the conjunction with Ceres, you’ll want to save everyone. You may even want to adopt a stray pet or human. But, if you invite someone into your home make sure that you don’t give everything away.

This is a good day to determine what you need to do to protect yourself and your family. You may even decide to make changes in your home which make it safer. Or, you may decide that you want to redecorate it to make it feel more like the real you.

Even with Mercury turning stationary retrograde, this can be a great day for creative ventures. Mercury will turn direct on September 5^th.

When Mercury in Virgo turns stationary retrograde, take time to review your daily routine and see where you can make it more efficient and simple. It’s time to simplify your life. If you don’t take the time during this retrograde period you’ll feel frustrated as more and more “little” things get in your way.

It’s also important to review your health regiment. Look at your diet to make certain that you’re getting the best nutrients possible. Consider your exercise, or lack of exercise, program to make certain you’re keeping your body agile and mentally aware.

Financially you need to be very careful when Venus forms an opposition to Pluto retrograde on August 15^th. You may feel that you’re overwhelmed with your bills. You may want to find a way to renegotiate some of those bills. With Mercury now retrograde this is a good time to renegotiate some of those contracts. This is also a good day to throw out whatever is getting in the way of your success.

Whatever action you take, be cautious. When Venus forms the opposition to Pluto retrograde, it starts the energy of a cardinal T-square which won’t be completed until August 17^th when Venus forms a square to Jupiter. There’s a tendency to spend too much on items during this cardinal T-square. You act first and think later. Try to avoid moving too quickly. Take the time to assess situations in your life.

While both Mars and Pluto rule the sign of Scorpio, when they form a quincunx as they do on August 16^th, it’s not the easier time period in the world. You feel angry and frustrated that other people are getting in your way. You don’t feel as if you can move forward with your life. There is some validity to that feeling. What you really need to do today is look at the garbage that’s standing in your way. You need to find a way to release negative energy so you can increase your vitality and move on with your life.

When Venus forms a square to Jupiter on August 17^th, it completes the energy of a cardinal T-square which it began when it formed an opposition to Pluto retrograde on August 15^th. At that time you needed to be very careful with your finances. The same is true today. You need to be very careful with your money.

It’s also important to watch your surroundings. There’s a tendency to rush into things without thinking. You don’t want to move forward with your life only to discover that you overlooked something.

Finances can continue to be difficult on August 18^th when Venus forms a quincunx to Saturn retrograde. If you pay attention to your spending, you can use this energy to your advantage. The tension may increase your awareness.

But this is not a good time for relationships. You feel as if other people are criticizing you. You don’t understand why. You think that you’re doing everything right, but other people just don’t seem to feel that way. One of the karmic lessons here is to understand that you have to please yourself, not other people.

You feel more optimistic on August 20^th when Mars forms a sextile to Jupiter. You feel that life is a lot easier. You’re able to get things done. You have more energy, but you can focus that energy. Take advantage of any opportunities that come your way.

August 21^st is a day that a lot of people in the United States are waiting for. A total solar eclipse occurs which can be seen through most of the country. But before that solar eclipse occurs, Ceres forms an opposition to Pluto retrograde. Ceres and Pluto have a symbiotic relationship. Pluto represents Hades, the God of the underworld who stole Persephone from her mother Ceres. Ceres represents the earth goddess who threw the world into chaos because she couldn’t find her daughter.

When Ceres forms an opposition to Pluto retrograde it’s important that you pay attention to your surroundings. You don’t want things taken away from you by unseen forces. You also don’t want your life thrown into chaos. When other people come at you with their negativity, just pull back. Don’t get sucked into their drama. Instead, find a way to negotiate with them. Understand their fears so you can show them the compassion. Realize that you actually have more power than they do.

As the Moon moves into a direct line between the Sun and the Earth, a shadow is cast on the earth and a total solar eclipse occurs. This is the first total solar eclipse that the United States has experienced since 1979. The next total solar eclipse won’t be seen in the United States until April 8, 2024. The eclipse that occurs on August 21, 2017 is called the Great American Eclipse because it will be seen in a path from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. The biggest eclipse parties will be hosted by people living in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina. If you want to see this eclipse, be sure that you have your special glasses to protect your eyes as the rays of the Sun can still damage your retina even in the darkness of the sky at that time.

Because of the wide path of this eclipse, there is an energy surrounding it that’s more intense as people look forward to experiencing the phenomena, especially people living in the United States.

Solar eclipses occur at the time of the new Moon. In this case, both the Sun and Moon are in the sign of Leo at 28 degrees. This means that once the eclipse occurs, the Moon goes void-of-course which increases the significance of this eclipse. With the eclipse occurring at 28 degrees, it also means that a lot of old events that have been bubbling under the surface are going to emerge.

Some astrologers feel that a solar eclipse that occurs in the sign of Leo is even more significant because the Sun rules Leo. They believe that it makes a statement about circumstance that need to be addressed. There may be a lot of truth to that statement because the Sun rules your personality and the person you need to be in this lifetime.

There is always a sense that important events occur around the time period of eclipses. Some people like to get married at that time. Other people feel children born around the time of an eclipse can rise to greatness. Still eclipses obscure matters. When happens around the time of an eclipse isn’t fully realized until months or years later.

Mars is a very important part of this eclipse. It’s the lead planets in the stellium created by the eclipse. With Mars as the lead planet you want to take action. You don’t want to wait for all the facts. You just want to jump into the situation. Without taking all the facts into consideration, you could make some serious mistakes. This is especially true because the energy of Ceres forming the quincunx to Pluto retrograde which occurred earlier in the day is still active in this eclipse chart.

Meanwhile, Uranus retrograde in Aries is forming a trine to the eclipse. The old motto with Uranus is: expect the unexpected. What you see isn’t necessarily what is there. You may feel as if you have all the facts, but you don’t.  Don’t rush into situations, especially since Chiron retrograde is forming a quincunx to the eclipse and you may find yourself in trouble.

As always in the world of astrology, there are protecting energies. Toward the end of this month, Jupiter will form a sextile to Saturn after it turns direct. And, with Saturn retrograde forming a wide trine to the eclipse, you’ll feel the Jupiter/Saturn sextile during the time of this eclipse. This means that if you can understand the importance of past experiences in life you’ll be able to move into the future with safe plans that promote both your material and spiritual growth. The key is to take the excitement that you’ll feel during this eclipse and find a way to temper it with slow and deliberate action.

On August 22^nd, Mars forms a trine to Saturn retrograde before the Sun enters the sign of Virgo a few hours later. Today you feel as if you have more control in your life. You’re able to focus. You understand what you need to do. You feel good about your actions. You’re willing to pay attention to those small details. Having all the facts is important in determining the right actions to take.

With Venus forming a trine to Chiron retrograde and a square to Uranus retrograde on August 24^th, you’re not quite certain how to feel about life. On one hand, you want to step back and understand other people’s feelings. On the other hand, you don’t want anyone to tell you what to do. You want to take care of your own problems and come up with your own solutions. Be careful because unexpected situations will crop up. As much as you might want to control a situation, you may not be able to do so. The important thing is not to let other people take advantage of you. Let them know that you’re willing to listen to what they have to say but that you’re not willing to act on their information if it doesn’t meet your needs.

On August 25^th, Saturn turns stationary direct. It went retrograde on April 5, 2017. During the time it was retrograde you may have felt as if life was dragging you down. But in actuality, you needed to slow down. It was important for you to understand your boundaries so you could develop better guidelines for your life. It was also important to take your past experiences into consideration before you took on any other actions.

Now that Saturn is direct you’ll be able to start making some progress in life. You’ll be able to develop small milestones that can lead to longer term success. You’ll know how to work within the societal rules while maintaining your own individuality.

When Venus enters the sign of Leo on August 26^th, you feel very optimistic. You feel as if you can accomplish anything. You are willing to take risks. You are also willing to be generous to other people. You want to take the time to play and enjoy life. Just be a little careful with your money. There’s a tendency to spend more on play and friends. You may have difficulty maintaining your budget.

Jupiter will form a sextile to Saturn on August 27^th. But before that occurs, Mars forms a conjunction to the Moon’s North Node. With both of these aspects it’s an important time period to think about your future and what you want to do. You need to understand how to take action. At the same time you need to develop goals which are reasonable. You don’t want to make too many commitments. You want to be realistic about your path. Today you have the opportunity to understand what you want for your future and how you want to make that future safe and secure. The answer is to rely on what you know and your love for family and friends. By making certain that you have this firm foundation you will find success.

As the month of August ends, Ceres forms a quincunx to Saturn and Mercury retrograde re-enters the sign of Leo on August 31st. With Ceres making this aspect to Saturn, you need to re-evaluate the rules you’ve set up for yourself in life. You need to see what’s working and what’s not working.

While it’s important that you compromise where necessary, don’t give so much away when you compromise that you lose either your independence or control. You are the person who decides: not someone else.

Mercury was originally in the sign of Leo from July 5^th to July 25^th when it entered the sign of Virgo. While in the sign of Virgo, it turned stationary retrograde on August 12^th and is still currently retrograde.

When Mercury is in the sign of Leo, you want to find optimistic ways to approach life. You want to have fun. You don’t want to take anything too seriously. With Mercury retrograde it’s a good time to look at your life and determine just how and where you want to have fun. Perhaps you put work ahead of your own personal needs. Or, perhaps you forgot to relax and have fun. Now is the time to revisit this. Mercury will be retrograde in the sign of Leo until September 5^th when it turns stationary direct in the sign of Leo.