Throughout the month of August 2010, there are a series of actions which are all preparing for the culmination of The Cardinal Crisis near the end of this month. June 2010 was the month of preparation for “The Great Cardinal Crisis.” During July 2010 many of the changes were felt in your life. Now you are moving in a direction where you can start regaining some of your personal power and creating the kind of foundation you need for stability in your life. The important planets involved in this change are Jupiter retrograde in Aries, Saturn in Libra, and Pluto retrograde in Capricorn. The time period that they will create the greatest impact is between August 16, 2010 when Jupiter retrograde forms an opposition to Saturn and August 24, 2010 when the full Moon emphasizes the close cardinal T-square between these three planets. The open end of this T-square is Cancer which indicates the importance of creating a secure and safe space.

It’s important that Mercury makes no aspects to the outer planets this month and also turns retrograde later in the month. While you may want to communicate with others, you’ll find it difficult to communicate clear thoughts to others. Silence is important right now. You need to pull back and reflect on your life. You need to keep things to yourself until you feel an emotional understanding of the direction you want to take.

Mars makes only two aspects to outer planets this month: An opposition to Jupiter retrograde and a square to Pluto retrograde on August 4th. This is very important because the square occurs on the day after Jupiter retrograde and Pluto retrograde make their second square to each other. Jupiter retrograde forming a square to Pluto retrograde is a fairly new cycle that occurs approximately every 12 to 13 years. The first time this occurred was not that long ago: July 24, 2010. The last time that this square will form in this cycle is February 25, 2011. Sometimes this aspect, as it does now, occurs three times in a cycle. At other times this aspect only occurs once in a cycle.

Even without the square, there is tension between the two planets. Jupiter represents your need to expand your horizons and move beyond the confines of society. Pluto represents the need for you to move slowly, processing information on an emotional level, before you take the next step. There is an interesting connection between the two planets: Both Jupiter and Pluto often represent legal problems. The legal problems that occur under Jupiter deal with hubris and the belief that you have the right to do anything, even if it injures other people. The legal problems that occur under Pluto deal with the dark side of society that lives under the surface and circumvents conventional standards. Don’t be surprised if you hear or read about more scandals at this time.

Historically, power struggles occur when this square forms. Emotionally, the power struggles focus on your need to express your independence as other people try to force you into their way of thinking. The best means of protection is remain “clear of purpose.” “Clear of purpose” means not only understanding what goals are important to you, but also maintaining your focus on achieving those goals.

What is nice about this cycle is that interest in spiritualism increases. You’ll find more information and teachers who are willing to guide you on your path. You’ll learn how to become self-sufficient in your studies of spiritual approaches to life.

The greatest lesson that comes during this cycle is the acceptance of personality responsibility. If you succumb to the negative aspect of this energy, you may find yourself being pulled into polarizing arguments. However, that doesn’t need to happen if you stay true to your inner self.

August 4th will be a very rocky day because of the opposition Mars forms to Jupiter retrograde and the square Mars forms to Pluto retrograde. At the end of July, Mars formed an opposition to Uranus retrograde and a conjunction to Saturn. That started a cardinal T-square energy where you felt loss of control. Now this energy is coming to a head. This is not a time to get into arguments with people: You’ll lose. This is not a time to make major decisions because you’ll be acting on impulse and not rational behavior. The fact that your behavior may not be rational is also emphasized by the quincunx Venus forms to Neptune retrograde on this day.

Whenever the energy is irrational, the stock market becomes very erratic. It really is a barometer of people’s feelings. Therefore, be very careful with any investment decisions.

If you were put into a position where you had to make some decisions on August 4th, you’ll understand fully the long-term consequences of those decisions on August 6th when Venus forms a quincunx to Chiron retrograde. At this time you may have a chance to make some changes to your earlier decisions. If you can’t make any changes, try to see this all as a learning experience.

While the personal planet of Venus makes more aspects to the outer planets, it only does so between August 7th (the day after it enters Libra) and August 10th. During this period, it creates a cardinal T-square. It won’t be as disruptive as Mars was because Venus rules the sign of Libra. There’s a willingness to negotiate when Venus is in Libra. Also during these days, you’ll be able to understand what you value. Through finding out what you value, you’ll be able to maintain better focus on your needs and your goals.

Venus starts the cardinal T-square by forming an opposition to Uranus retrograde on August 7th. Pay attention to your emotions on this day. If you are having difficulties feeling accepted or loved, you’ll see why and be able to extract yourself from the situation. If you have difficulties accepting another person or situation in your life, you’ll understand why. Basically, if you’re either with the wrong people or in the wrong place, you’ll feel anxious until you remove yourself from that person or situation.

Venus forms a conjunction to Saturn on August 8th and Ceres turns direct on that same day. There are various ways this energy can manifest. On one hand, you may take things too seriously. You may be too critical. On the other hand, you may finally feel gentleness surrounding you. In that case, you’ll find it easier to be nurturing as well as to receive nurturing.

The next phase of the cardinal T-square occurs on August 9th, a few hours before the new Moon. Venus will now form an opposition to Jupiter retrograde. You need to be very careful with your finances. Be certain that you are current on all your payments otherwise problems will arise. Try not to negotiate any major contract that requires you to make payments. The price is actually too high. If possible, try to limit your activities, especially volunteer activities, so that people don’t take advantage of your good nature.

The Sun and Moon are both in Leo at the time of the new Moon. While technically the Sun and Moon do not oppose either Neptune retrograde or Chiron retrograde in Aquarius, they do by energy. This means that you need to be very cautious with any new project you want to begin under this new Moon. You won’t have all the facts. Or, the situation may be so fluid that you can’t keep up with the changes. The new Moon also forms a trine to Ceres. Ceres often represents the unexpected occurrences which force you to question your values. Since this energy is a trine, you’ll find many answers to your questions.

This minor cardinal T-square energy ends on August 10th when Venus forms a square to Pluto retrograde. The cardinal T-square energy created by Venus represented the need for you to put yourself in the right position and take care of yourself. This is really emphasized now. There’s a tendency when Pluto is squared for power struggles to occur. Once again you need to stand up for your rights.

Things will be very calm from August 11th to August 14th. On August 14th, Uranus retrograde re-enters the sign of Pisces. Uranus originally entered Pisces on March 10, 2003. It retrograded back into Aquarius on September 15, 2003 until December 30, 2003 when it re-entered Pisces and stayed there until May 27, 2010. This is a typical pattern for Uranus.

When Uranus entered Aries for the first time on May 27, 2010, it gave you a precursor to the next 84-year cycle and what the trends to expect from March 11, 2011 and on for the next seven years. However, before those trends can fully be implemented, a clean-up of past activities needs to occur. Also, before those trends can fully be implemented, a better understanding of their potential impacts needs to occur.

When Uranus was in Pisces, there was a desire to find a common world order. Globalization was the buzz word. Economies became more interlocked with each other. Social networking sites became popular and your “friends” were people that you either barely knew or didn’t really know at all. However, now the problems of globalization and social networks are beginning to surface. Products made from different parts of the world don’t all meet the same standards of quality and re-calls are increasing. Interlocking economies mean that when one area fails, another area is also in danger. Social networking is beginning to burn people out. Being online is actually more demanding than you realized. It may have seemed fun at first, but is it really now? Plus, many of you are beginning to feel concerned about your loss of privacy. Once gone, it’s very difficult to re-establish.

With Uranus in Pisces for that last time in this cycle and not to return to Pisces for another 84 years, it really is time to look at the impact of globalization and social networking sites. During this period of Uranus in Pisces, it’s time to see just what aspects of the changes which occurred when Uranus was in Pisces for seven years are important to you. It’s also a time period to realize that you can be in control of your reality. Other people don’t have to control you.

In those areas of your life where these changes have been beneficial to you, embrace the benefits. Internet banking may make it easier for you to pay your bills. Economic globalization may make it easier for you to travel without worrying that you’ll run out of money on the road. And, social networking sites may increase the number of people you know who share similar concerns. The key is not to be controlled by all the technology that surrounds you.

August 16th through August 24th is the most important time period of this month. It begins with Jupiter retrograde forming an opposition to Saturn and starting the energy of a cardinal T-square between Jupiter retrograde, Saturn, and Pluto.

The opposition between Jupiter and Saturn is a cycle that occurs approximately every 18 to 21 years in a series of three. The first time this opposition occurred was on May 23, 2010. The last time this opposition will occur in this cycle is on March 28, 2011.

It seems very appropriate that this opposition occurs two days after Uranus re-enters Pisces. Jupiter is a planet of expansion while Saturn is a planet of contraction. Jupiter indicates the desire to try everything while Saturn indicates the desire to be cautious. It is important to find the balance between knowing how to reach for the stars while keeping your feet on the ground. Any goals you have in life need to be realistic.

Businesses which haven’t taken the future into consideration tend to fail during this cycle. If you are a business owner, take time to update your business plan and make certain it includes information you have on all the upcoming trends. You don’t want to be so realistic that you take no action and your business starts doing badly. At the same time, you don’t want to operate from a sense of wishful thinking, hoping that by just pushing forward without a plan everything will work out.

Things can be erratic when this opposition occurs. You’ll see it in the stock market and with certain commodities, such as gold. You’ll see it in the environment as weather patterns continue to be erratic. You’ll also see it in your personal life. If you are involved in a relationship which lacks communication, the relationship will fail. However, if you are in a supportive relationship, you’ll see it grow and get stronger.

On August 20th, Mercury turns retrograde and remains retrograde until September 12, 2010. As already written, Mercury doesn’t really make any aspects this month to outer planets. This means difficulty with communications. Now that Mercury is turning retrograde, you may find the difficulty increasing. Think before you speak. Try to listen to what other people are saying. Mercury will be retrograde until September 12, 2010, so you have plenty of time to understand the power of silence.

On August 21, 2010, a 32 to 35-year cycle, Saturn squares Pluto, draws to a close. This cycle occurred in a series of three and occurred the first time on November 15, 2009. The second time it occurred was on January 31, 2010. This cycle is especially important because it emphasizes a very tight cardinal T-square that includes Jupiter retrograde. All three planets, Jupiter retrograde, Saturn, and Pluto retrograde are at two degrees.

When Saturn formed a square to Pluto on November 15, 2009, the unemployment rate rose to 10.2%, the highest level since 1983. Since that time period, the unemployment rate is still hovering around the 9 to 10% mark. In some cases, companies are announcing more profits. However, they still aren’t hiring people. Frustrations are always high when Saturn forms a square to Pluto. Various leaders try to control the economic problems with price controls or other special problems. Yet, these controls don’t produce the desired results.

You’ll feel frustrated because you try to do things in life and they just don’t seem to work. There are power struggles going on between different political factors in life. Each person is positive that their agenda is the right one to create a solution. Yet, the power of Pluto is really found in understanding that any change occurs slowly. It’s important that you take your time as you make changes in your life. The problems that occurred did not suddenly happen. They happened over a period of time. Therefore, the solutions will also take time before the positive results can be seen. It’s very important that you don’t let your frustrations get in the way of how you interact with others. In some ways, it’s a good thing that Uranus is no longer in Aries but now in Pisces. This will give you an opportunity to review the possible changes that you want to make in your life and figure out how not to make the same mistakes.

On August 24th, the day after the Sun enters Virgo, a full Moon occurs. With the Sun in Virgo, a trine is formed to Pluto retrograde and a quincunx to Jupiter retrograde. With the Moon in Pisces, a sextile is formed to Pluto retrograde and a quincunx is formed to Saturn. Therefore, this full Moon is linked to the cardinal T-square created by Jupiter retrograde, Saturn, and Pluto retrograde. This makes the cardinal T-square very personal.

The Sun represents your ego. Since it forms a trine to Pluto retrograde, it means that you need to reach into your deepest desires and understand the direction you want to take in your life. With the Sun forming a quincunx to Jupiter retrograde, it means that you need to slow down in your approach to life. You need to spend more time with people you love and less time expressing your frustration.

The Moon represents your emotions and desire for security. With it forming a sextile to Pluto retrograde, you have the opportunity to reach into your inner self and create a sense of well-being and security. With it forming a quincunx to Saturn, it means that you need to re-evaluate your core beliefs, especially those based on what you learned from your parents and society. Some of those old beliefs won’t bring the security you need to have right now. It’s time to look for new ways to do old things.

Although “The Great Cardinal Crisis” is drawing to a close, there are many lessons that you can take from it and the day of the full Moon is a wonderful time to meditate on those lessons.

Jupiter is the principle of expansion, the need to move into the future and not be stymied by actions of the past. However, Jupiter is retrograde which means that you need to understand the price you may have to pay. And, you may find that price too high.

Saturn represents the rules for living which you learned from you parents. Some of these rules are valid because they can protect you from harm. But some of the rules that you learned were really there so that your parents could control your actions. Now, as an adult, those rules which give others control over you are no longer valid in your life. The key here is to understand which rules are important so that you can live your life without harm to yourself or others. It’s also important to know which rules need to be thrown out because they create harm.

Finally, it is fascinating that Pluto is part of this equation. Pluto is often misunderstood because the energy surrounding it is profound and deep. In its most negative, Pluto can represent criminal activity and manipulation by others. Yet, in its most positive, Pluto represents deep psychological understandings which can let you control your own life. So Pluto retrograde, which forms a square to both Jupiter retrograde and Saturn, provides an important clue to using this energy to its best potential. Take time to dig deeply into your psyche. Find out what it is that you need to do in life that promotes the best for you. It may be painful to admit some things just aren’t working. But, before you can move on with life, you need to let go of those things which aren’t working. That creates the balance you need.

As the month ends, Venus forms a sextile to Ceres on August 29th. This is another day where reflection is important. Whatever has surfaced since the full Moon is important. But, the most important thing right now is to find a way to nurture your soul and maintain your relationship with others.