by Steve Nelson

August is the month of illumination and great new opportunity in this renaissance year 2014. Venus rising before the Sun now with the bright star Sirius is the signal event inaugurating this new Summer of Love at the dawning of the Aquarian Age.

What has been hidden now comes to light and our soul purpose is realized as the world is illuminated during the Lammas canonical period August 6-21. This is the time of the global awakening, the emergence of the Aquarian avatars, and the activation of the round table of enlightened souls that will usher in the New Age.

The Sun, the Moon and other cosmic forces come together this month to bring us into the New Age of Light. Sun in Leo illuminates who we are and what we are to do as this new creation comes to flower. Now we begin to understand and realize our unique design and destiny for this new time.

Aug 1 New Magic Is Afoot Lammas / Lughnasa / White Rabbit!

August begins with Lughnasa festival celebrating the Celtic Sun god Lugh. Christianized as Lammas or Loaf-mass, it’s traditional to share bread of the first harvest in this time. The Lughnasa celebration culminates Aug 6-8 when the Sun is mid-Leo, the Summer cross-quarter. And the magic continues through the Lammas Hora Aug 7-21. Say White Rabbit first thing today for luck throughout the month. Rabbit is magic, alchemy and the Moon. #1 days belong to the Magician who pulls a new rabbit from his hat each month. What new magic are we about?

Aug 3-6 (exact phase 8:50 pm Aug 3) Time to Choose 1st Quarter Moon

This Moon is a scythe cutting across the sky, it’s time to cut free from the trappings of the past and affirm our purpose moving forward. This is a time to decide; choices now are likely right ones. Breathing deeply through the light of the crown frees energy flow up and down the spine to transform old world shadows and power our dreams.

Aug 6-8 Illumination Lammas / Lughnasa Cross-Quarter

The Lammas cross-quarter (exact 10:10 am Aug 7) is a time for mountain top picnics. Ideally we fast while going up the mountain and do the blessing ritual before enjoying the feast. Food on the mountain gathers the magic of this natural place of power - and hunger invokes the magic of the time. At this mid-Leo power gate of fire, solar prana streams down to mountains all over the world bringing illumination to those who are there. This is a magic seed time, whatever is focused and intended at this Summer cross-quarter comes to flower in the autumn season.

Aug 8-12 Celebrate! Leo-Aquarius Full Moon

Each Full Moon brings revelation and opportunity for healing body, mind and soul. This Sun in Leo Full Moon (exact 9:45 pm Aug 20) brings illumination like no other before. A great global awakening is under way and this is when all the lights come on. Leo rules the heart and it is the home sign of Sol, the cosmic source of love.

Aug 10-13 Power Wishes, Power Dreams Perseids Meteor Shower

The sword of Perseus is the radiant source of these bright iron bearing meteors. People of Spain and the Canary Islands honor San Lorenzo with all night bonfires. Persians call these celestial fires Pairikas, they celebrate their Festival of the Pairikas Aug 10. Pairikas are “female angels” seen flying between Heaven and Earth. Make a wish when you see one to give your wish fiery wings.

Aug 17-20 (begins 8:26 am Aug 17) Realizing Dreams 3rd Quarter Moon

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

Aug 20-23 Make a Wish! Balsamic Moon

This is the Wishing Moon, a time to put wishes on the air. Also called the Witches Moon, it’s time to bring to mind those who need healing. The Moon moves tides of emotion as it moves tides of the ocean. The outgoing tide takes away what is no longer needed, the incoming tide brings forth what is being seeded new. Moon shadows, old life patterns, go out with the waning tide. We just breathe in, breathe out and let go.

Aug 24-26 Follow the Light Within Dark of the Moon / Cancer New Moon

The day before New Moon until Sunset the day after is ideal for energy work and meditation to clear way for the new cycle; outer activity is well favored in the days after the new lunar crescent appears on the evening of Aug 26. Old Moon shadows give way as we connect to the light within and breathe. The day of the New Moon (exact 10:13 am July 25) is a cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down. New Moon is the monthly reunion of Sun and Moon when a new pulse of divine light and spiritual direction enters our world.

Aug 26-30 A Time to Sow Crescent New Moon

It’s time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. Farmers plant seeds when the new lunar crescent appears, seeds become fertile on every level; new beginnings are favored now. Whatever is dreamed and initiated in this new Summer of Love brings blessings for the years to come. Moon magic is strongest from Sunset to Moonset when the Moon is in the 7th House. Meditation now opens doorways, wishes take wing, prayers bring blessings for this lunar cycle and the new creation to be.

Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer using Tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. Info: GaiaAstrology.com.