First up, Mercury is now travelling smoothly forwards so the tendency for computer, communication and other glitches has reduced dramatically. Thank GOODNESS! I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember a Mercury R period so testy as this last one.Another quick thing – No, Mars will not be seen at the same size as the full moon this month, nor is Mars the closest to earth in a long time. That’s an email hoax if any of you have been receiving it.
So what is happening this month? Lots! The second week of August is especially shaping up to be big, with four planets in Leo, a powerful full moon on the 9th, and the 8.8.8 (8 August 2006) energy influx. Given that 8.8.8 happens in the same window of time known as ‘The Lion’s Gate’ (when the star Sirius rises before the Sun, sacred to Ancient Egyptians), it is said to be increasing our powers as creative manifesters. As Leo is the zodiac sign most associated with creative expression, this is certainly a good month to access our creative selves and check we’re not denying what we would most like to do as creative beings. On the 8th (the Lion’s Gate) and the 9th (the full moon in Aquarius), reflect a little on your creative dreams. You are special and unique – if you weren’t worried about money and survival, what creative dream would you develop?
Throughout August a major alignment between two transformative planets intensifies and becomes exact on the 31st. The planets involved are Saturn and Neptune, and the alignment is known as a Saturn-Neptune opposition. This will be the first of three major contacts between these two. The next will be in February 2007, followed by a final hit in June. Essentially between now and June 2007 (almost a year) we will be influenced by this planetary tension. Saturn is connected with reality, material concerns, time and commitment. Neptune relates to idealism, illusion, dreams, and the experience of being connected to all souls as one. Here are a few possible interpretations of the clash between these two:
- being awoken from illusions and needing to face reality (e.g. a fantasy that someone is your soul-mate when really they are not interested)
- not being disillusioned by life’s realities (e.g. not giving up hope for world peace despite the current increase in war)
- finding time for your dreams (e.g. your creative ideas need a committed time plan to get them happening)
- acceptance and gratitude for where you are now (e.g. you may not like the job you’re in but once you can 100% acknowledge why you are there and how it has helped you, change can happen)
And this is just a start. To help with Neptune-Saturn symptoms, find time to connect with your inner self. When we do some deep breathing, or listen to music, or walk in nature, or doodle with crayons, or write poetry, or sing, or meditate (are you getting the idea of Neptune?) we connect with all souls and remember we are one. So if you are feeling the hardships of Saturn (loneliness, stress, survival fears and so on) go within (by trying some of the Neptune activities just listed) and this will connect you to the living heartbeat of the universe and ease your Saturn worries. Going within isn’t a lonely task – it brings us into contact with the heart and soul of all beings.