by Steve Nelson

August begins with a great rush of energy and a lot of fireworks as Mars aligns with Betelgeuse, the great red star of Orion believed to signal the beginning of a new Age. Venus trine Uranus August 1 adds exciting new dimensions to our relationships, while Sun square with Jupiter signals impending transformation and the promise of greater things to come.

 

This is the month to bring forward that bold new project we’ve had in mind, it’s time to take the initiative, put our best foot forward, make that proposal. Most significantly, this is when we are all given the opportunity to come out onto the world stage, each in our own way. Here we will find that we’re all a part of and contributing to an integral beingness, a planetary consciousness some call the mind of Gaia, others the mind of God. Yes, this August Sun in Leo brings us into a new state of being where we can discover who we are; it begins an 18-month period when we realize the special gift that we bring and know the part that we are to play in this new creation. Now we will begin the great Global Initiation when Earth and humanity as a whole enter a state of enlightened awareness, now we will know who we are together for the first time. This universal shift in consciousness starts soon after the New Mercury cycle begins on August 16.

Leading up to this great awakening there is much work to be done Aug 1-16 as the ending of an old Mercury cycle (and Moon “going out of the signs”) facilitates the breaking down of our old state of mind. The future depends on us; to the extent we can let go of our old ways of thinking and being, to this degree we receive the blessings of this new state of mind.

August 1-7 – Illumination Lammas / Lughnasa Fiery August begins with Lughnasa celebrating the Celtic Sun god Lugh. Also known as Lammas or Loaf-mass, it is traditional to share bread of the first harvest to ground, make flesh, the illumination this time brings. The celebration climaxes Aug 6-8 when the Sun is at mid-Leo/mid-Summer.

Aug 1-5 – A Time to Sow Crescent New Moon

Bring forward what you wish to be realized. Moon magic is strongest Sunset to Moonset when the Moon is in the 7th House. Meditation now opens doorways, wishes take wing, and prayers bring blessings through the lunar cycle. Mercury with the crescent stimulates communications and brings unexpected good news.

Aug 2 (12:50 pm) – Clearing Out the Old Mercury Retrograde

The next 14 days (until 9 pm 8/16) are ideal for finishing up old business, not good for beginning new. Relax and clear the slate for the 8/16 New Mercury that will bring us into a new state of mind. Simplifying communications and eliminating mental clutter prepares our minds to open to the bright new possibilities that will be coming through.

Aug 5-6 (7:08 am 8/6) – Time to Choose 1st Quarter Moon

Cut free from trappings of the past and affirm your purpose moving forward. Choices made now are likely the right ones. Breathing deeply through the light of the crown frees energy flow up and down to power our dreams.

Aug 6-7 – Illumination Lammas/Lughnasa Cross-Quarter

The Lammas cross-quarter (exact 4:44 pm 8/7) culminates at the mid-Leo “power gate of fire” when mountain top picnics and celebration are favored. Bread shared now (hence Lammas or "loaf mass") is imbued with special energy like the Hobbits “Lammas bread” that sustains them in their quest. Dreams and portents now predict what will be in the new cycle. The Aug 6 Feast of Transfiguration celebrates the mountaintop illumination of Jesus.

Aug 7-16 –Breaking Habits, Weaning Babies Going Out of the Signs

The best time to break addictions or eliminate attachments is when the Moon wave moves down below vital organs from Sagittarius (thighs) to Pisces (feet). Now we can more easily let go outmoded patterns of being and eliminate toxins physical, emotional and psychic. It’s purging time.

Aug 8-9 (4:47 am 8/8 – 10 am 8/9) Moon Out of Bounds South

As the Moon "rides low" below the zodiac our inner world is illuminated. This is a time to go below the surface, do original research, change habits and renovate our inner world.

Aug 12-13 (exact 2:57 pm 8/13) – Love and Revelation Leo Full Moon

Each Full Moon brings revelation and opportunity for healing body, mind and soul. Energy flows for 3 days following. Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters, and flashes of inspiration. Leo rules the heart and it is home sign to Sol, the cosmic source of love. The Sun in Leo Full Moon keynote is: "May the wellspring of Love find in us an unimpeded channel"

Aug 15 3:35 pm - 8/16 1:40 am – Imagine! Moon at the Equator

Lunar 0 Points are cosmic balance times for creative imagination. Moon at the Equator going North is time to envision what we wish for the future.

Aug 16 – New Mind for New Time New Mercury

As Mercury crosses between Earth and Sun a new 4-month cycle of creative thinking, communication, invention and commerce begins. A New Mercury brings a new mind set for a new time. This leonine New Mercury brings us mental magic and focus to realize our dreams. We have 3 months to bring this magic down to ground and move freely (dance!) to shed old ways and be present to the power and possibilities of the time.

Aug 21-22 (exact 8:5 pm 8/21) – Realizing Dreams 3rd Quarter Moon

This Moon cuts away all that distracts from putting dreams into action. 3rd Quarter integrates new ideas into creative expression; it's time to follow our bliss and do what feels good in concert with the whole.

Aug 22-23 (8:50 pm  8/22 - 7:40 pm 8/23) Moon Out of Bounds North

All are more open-minded and ready for change, new ideas are successfully shared. This is a good time to start a new business, have a social gathering, share opportunities, make announcements and bring new discoveries to light.

Aug 25-27 – Make a Wish! Balsamic Moon

Needs felt now invoke response from the new lunar cycle. The deeper we feel the more Moon magic we invoke for the new lunar cycle. Also called Witches Moon, this is a time to bring others to mind for healing. Feeling invokes healing, as we feel we heal.

Aug 27-29  – Going Within Dark of Moon/New Moon

The day before New Moon until Sunset a day after is ideal for inner work to seed the new cycle. The New Moon (11:04 pm 8/28) is like a cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down. This is when mystics descend to drink from the magic well within.

Aug 29-31 – Time to Sow Crescent New Moon

It's time to bring forward what we wish be realized. Moon at the Equator going south 8/29 3:40 pm - 11:50 pm seeds special magic for this time. All new initiatives are favored now. Meditation now opens doorways, wishes take wing, prayers bring blessings for the new time.

 Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer who uses Tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. He can be reached at 704-375-3759, GaiaAstrology or  [email protected].