AstroForecast August 2006

by Lance Rodriguez

August begins with the majestic Sun traveling through its own ruled sign of Leo. This is the height of summer and strong identification with creativity, confidence, risk-taking, authority, playfulness, entertainment, recreation, and children is emphasized with this Solar passage in regal Leo. Negative expressions of Leo are arrogance, false pride, melodrama, stubbornness, dictatorial and authoritarian behaviors, boastfulness and self-absorption. The angel of the month of August is Hamaliel and the Leo angel is Verchiel.

Tuesday the 1st due to the current retrograde motion of Chiron on this day is a repeat opposition of Chiron to President George Bush’s ascendant. This aspect happened originally last March 3, 2006 and once Chiron is direct it will conclude this aspect next December 19, 2006; all three of these dates can correspond to one another. Here is a quote from the March AstroForecast 2006 about this aspect: “This aspect emphasizes how to restore balance, harmony, cooperation, cohesiveness, compromise as well as cooperation to wounded, vulnerable and weakened partnerships whether personal, professional or social ones. Challenges would be rigid, stubborn ego positions, emotional issues surrounding differing values, financial distress, adjustments involving national security especially with farmlands, wetlands, ports and harbors, as well as withdrawal and withholding behaviors. Positive emphases can be the following: versatile dialogue especially with transparency in communications and information involving legislative bodies, new international policy initiatives with broad international support, as well as successful executive branch projects that wipe the slate clean quite particular to defense and military associations.”

Also this same Tuesday involving President Bush’s chart is an inharmonious aspect made by Solar Arc Directed Mars with the ascendant. National security issues come to the fore, problems with agri-business, global warming, real estate markets may experience frustration as well as pressures from armed conflicts, wars and escalation of aggression can be difficult to handle. Temper tantrums, ego conflicts and selfish behaviors that can be considered uncouth, undiplomatic and inconsiderate can blow up. This aspect due to its slow motion can last a year and half before and after this date.

Wednesday the 2nd is an inharmonious contact of the Sun with Jupiter that can symbolize fathers, executives, celebrities and leaders issuing strong negative opinions as well as strong negative judgments that are construed as obstructionist, stubborn and authoritarian in nature. Excesses and exaggerations can become overboard. Hypocritical and double standards behaviors can be especially egregious.

Thursday the 3rd is an adjustment aspect involving Venus with Neptune that can symbolize murky confusion surrounding financial dilemmas that require solid priorities and clear objectives especially associated with family matters or partnership affairs. Real estate depreciation may start to take hold as an unexpected trend. Hyper-emotional positions can play against emotional aloofness.

This same Thursday is another aspect in President Bush’s chart that is an opposition of the Secondary Progressed Moon to Secondary Progressed Uranus. There was another similar aspect that happened earlier this year in the month of May that was an opposition of the Secondary Moon to the natal Uranus. Here is a quote from the May AstroForecast 2006 about this similar aspect: “ this opposition is a definition and clarification period of his political agenda, public programs and ultimately his political priorities. Due to the progressed Moon’s slow motion three months before/after these dates can be considered.”

Sunday the 6th is an adjustment aspect between the Sun and Uranus that can symbolize unexpected events that catch anyone by surprise that throw the individual into a roller coaster of topsy-turvy situations. Philanthropic organizations are caught by surprise by statements by supposed allies that are derogatory and/or inflammatory. Executives, leaders, celebrities and fathers can be callous, obnoxious and stubborn.

Monday the 7th two aspects occur. The first one is the annual conjunction of the Sun with Saturn that symbolizes the “seeding” period of these two planets with one another. Here is a wonderful identification of employing individual creative will power and creative expression with ambitions for success, career related or not, self-discipline, the launch of a new business or business project, actions that enhance personal leadership as well as assuming healthier responsibility. These two planets will oppose one another next February 10, 2007; these two dates can correspond to one another.

Also this same Monday is an adjustment aspect between Venus and Pluto that can symbolize addressing financial matters especially pertaining to credits, debits and loans. Relationships can experience positive growth and expansion as long as both partners are willing to introduce compromise to enhance a deeper and more profound sense of sharing, merging, bonding and intimacy.

Tuesday the 8th is a harmonious contact of Mars with Jupiter that can symbolize positive actions and initiatives that can lead to judicious developments that can be solid gold investments over the long run. Mars’ can-do-attitude meets Jupiter’s gung-ho-attitude and this mix is practically unbeatable. The challenge here is both of these planets detest small details and analyzing minute details is so important with this aspect. Consider one week before and after this aspect to be in effect.

Also this Tuesday is an inharmonious contact of Jupiter to President Bush’s birth Pluto. This aspect originally occurred last December 12, 2005 and then due to retrograde motion Jupiter realigned last month June 3, 2006; all three of these dates can correspond to one another. Here is a quote from the June AstroForecast 2006 about this alignment: “Foreign policy, international trade and treaties as well as the immigration question will be very sharpened with this aspect. Foreign intrigue and intelligence are heightened.”

Tuesday is also, due to retrograde motion, the opposition of transiting Chiron to the United States Sibly chart North Node. The previous opposition originally happened last February 26, 2006 and once Chiron is direct will realign next December 14, 2006; all three of these dates can correspond to one another. Here is a quote from the February AstroForecast 2006 about this aspect: “Recent discussions have been mentioned about political capital to be spent. This astrological aspect perhaps is indicating that definitions and clarifications of political resources that benefit the entire country are meant to be developed instead of one political party destroying the other. This destructiveness is causing a much deeper psychological wound as to where is the collective will of the nation taking us? We heal ourselves otherwise the wound inflicts lethal consequences. Chiron is a slow moving celestial object so please consider a month before and after these dates to be significant.”

Wednesday the 9th at 5:54am is the annual Aquarius Full Moon that symbolizes the completion/surrender/let go phase of the Moon. Issues involving mental cruelty or perversity, extreme emotional detachment, rebelliousness, Teflon behaviors (nothing-will-stick-to- me!) and aloofness are emphasized for surrender. Let go of stubbornness, ineffective rebelliousness, anti-social behaviors and the out-in-left-field syndromes. Aziel is this lunation’s celestial angel to invoke for assistance. This Aquarius lunation has strong international repercussions. This can also be a scandal-ridden association that blows up in the media. Victimization, duplicity, criticism, pessimism and hypocrisy can be blown out of proportion. Women’s reproductive rights, the petrochemical industries, pharmaceuticals and the entertainment industries can garner attention. Due to the following day’s Perigee Moon this Aquarius lunation can be considered a “Super Full Moon”. Keywords for this Aquarius lunation are: Many individuals will earnestly search for invaluable solutions from the past to apply for the future well being of society. These individuals will be perceived as ornery and stubborn in their beliefs yet they know without reproach that the best contribution is the one that supports all life. Social sanctions and legal rights will emerge as important strategies and tactics of development. A highly distinctive mode of awareness that works for the future Earth orients the community to access unvarnished truth. Unfriendly instincts and groundless suspicion are the bane.

The Astro*Carto*Graphy Map of this Aquarius Full Moon sensitizes the following United States geographical locations: all of Alaska, Hawaii, eastern Washington, Pendleton Oregon, Boise Idaho, southwestern Utah, northeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, Bismarck and Fargo North Dakota, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Duluth Minnesota, Des Moines and Iowa City Iowa, Wausau and Milwaukee Wisconsin, Bloomington, Peoria, Decatur and Chicago Illinois, the Upper Peninsula and Grand Rapids Michigan, Indianapolis Indiana, St. Louis Missouri, Louisville and Bowling Green Kentucky, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville Tennessee, Huntsville, Anniston and Phenix City Alabama, Columbus, Macon, Augusta, Savannah and Atlanta Georgia, Asheville North Carolina, Greenville and Spartanburg South Carolina, and basically the entire state of Florida (especially the larger population areas) except for the panhandle area.

Around the world the following areas are sensitized: Thunder Bay, Yellowknife, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver Canada, Chihuahua and Guadalajara Mexico, Havana Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Cartagena, Medellín and Bogotá Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Buenos Aires Argentina, La Paz Bolivia, Manaus, Belem and Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow Scotland, Wales and Plymouth England, Brittany France, Madrid Spain, the southern boot of Italy, Stockholm Sweden, Norway, Helsinki Finland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Zagreb Croatia, Tiranë Albania, Belgrade Yugoslavia, Romania, the Ukraine, Brest and Minsk Belorussia, Vilnius Lithuania, St. Petersburg and Sakhalin Island Russia, Vienna Austria, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Agadez Niger, Mali, Burkina, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, N’djamena Chad, the Congo, the Central African Republic, Kinshasa Zaire, Angola, Windhoek Namibia, Cape Town South Africa, Madagascar, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Mandalay and Rangoon Myanmar, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong China, Sapporo and Tokyo Japan, North Korea, the Philippines, Pontianak and Jakarta Indonesia, New Guinea, as well as Darwin, Richmond and Melbourne Australia.

Thursday the 10th at 11:09pm is the annual ingress of Mercury into majestic Leo for an approximate two week time period. Creative communications will be a highlight with this passage of Mercury. Executives and authorities dictate new policies for the masses. Stubbornness and willfulness can be problematic with this Leonine transit of Mercury. Individuals who have strong hunches about risk-taking or speculation do well as long as there is confidence to replace what may be temporarily lost. Global entertainment and the world media romance one another.

This same Tuesday is the Perigee Moon (closest approach of the Moon to Earth) that symbolizes strong intense emotions that can come easily to the conscious surface. As was previously mentioned in the Aquarius Full Moon paragraph this creates a “Super Full Moon”. No matter what can be overblown and disproportionate reactions with the “Super Aquarius Full Moon” energies is there room for contrition, reconciliation and forgiveness?

Friday the 11th is the annual opposition of the Sun with Neptune that is the clarification and definition period of what was “seeded” between these two planets when they were conjunct one another last February 5, 2006; these two dates can correspond to one another. Victimization, authoritarianism, melodrama, dictatorial behaviors as well as grandstanding can be negative expressions of this aspect.

Also this same Friday is the Post-Shadow of Mercury that witnesses Mercury having returned, due to its now direct motion, back to the original degree position of the retrograde degree position of last July 4, 2006; these two dates can correspond to one another. Mercury will resume completing all the degrees of Leo that was halted with last month’s retrograde. Here is a quote from the July AstroForecast 2006 about this Leo degree position associated with Mercury: “International justice, trade, espionage, diplomacy, ambassadors, couriers are in the limelight. A lot of second thoughts about these areas around the globe will be focused. Bias, secular and religious intolerance, prejudice, hypocrisy and double standards can be egregious and particular cruelty can garnish attention. Keywords for this station of Mercury are: So what is the grand design, what is the specific program to launch? It’s like a rubber band that requires some tension and the pulling back for any forward motion to happen. Just when it seems like regression is the intolerable brink, snap goes the rubber band and the launch forward occurs. No matter what distance is covered it’s really the journey to the new location that matters the most. The dream wakes you up to your existential reality; how will you manifest the dream or do you hit the snooze button? It’s not where you’ve been but more importantly where are you going?”

Saturday the 12th at 3:21pm is the entrance of Venus into the sign of Leo for an approximate 28-day journey. Creative individuals do very well with this passage of Venus, due to the stimulation of the more self-expressive side of Leo. Risk-takers and gamblers can roll on the hard side and go full tilt. This is a goddess that loves to be courted and suited, so jewelry and accessories are perfect gifts to be exchanged during this Venus journey in Leo. Whatever have been flaps in relationships prior to this Leo entry of Venus, now can be smoothed as long as all is fair in romance. Leo is the astrological ruler of the heart and the following quote by Sri Ramana Maharshi best describes Venus in Leo “The whole universe is condensed in the body, and the whole body in the heart. Thus, the heart is the nucleus of the whole universe”.

This same Saturday is the declinational shift of the Moon that symbolizes changes with meteorological, seismic and volcanic activities. Care should be taken with headstrong and impulsive statements that lack tact and diplomacy.

Sunday the 13th is the opposition of Mars with Uranus. These two planets were conjunct one another last May 15, 2005 which was their “seeding” period and now they are in a clarification and definition period; these two dates can correspond to one another. Several issues can arise with this opposition. A health crisis dealing with a major contagion can emerge especially attacking the immune system in general and be quite specific to abdominal/intestinal areas of the body. Alleged and/or actual use of chemical warfare can ignite great controversy and scandal. Accident proneness due to carelessness can be higher than usual. Overall agitation can emerge in regards to worker pensions, health insurance, wage compensation, hospital workers, and health inspectors with strikes or work slow downs becoming a headache. Volatile, temperamental and explosive flare-ups can suddenly burst on the scene. Consider a week before and after this date for this aspect.

Tuesday the 15th is the annual opposition of Mercury with Chiron. These two heavenly bodies were last conjunct one another in their “seeding” period last January 24, 2006; these two dates can correspond to one another. This is the definition and clarification period of these two bodies. It is important to bridge communications gaps, excessive negative criticisms as well as anxiety-ridden behaviors that have thwarted confidence, expressions of joy and playfulness. Health issues surrounding cardiovascular problems, the lower legs, ankles and the central nervous system are vital to address.

Thursday the 17th is a harmonious contact of the Sun with Pluto that can symbolize healthy identification of positive growth and expansion with areas that can experience transformation. Long term changes in regards to new attitudes, new perspectives and broadened viewpoints do well. Important developments in regards to espionage intelligence with critical facts pertaining to positive protection efforts do well. Extremely honest, ethical and principled behaviors of certain individuals can actually garner deserved attention.

This same Thursday is the annual opposition of Venus with Chiron. These two planets were last conjunct one another in their “seeding” period three times due to Venus’ retrograde motion with the following dates > December 18, 2005, December 25, 2005 and March 14, 2006; all of these dates can correspond to one another. This is the definition and clarification period of these two heavenly bodies. Partners can work on healthy compromises that heal gaps created due to devaluation and invalidation issues. Financial issues can also be rectified as long as there is mutual agreement.

Friday the 18th is an inharmonious contact of Mercury with Jupiter that can witness individuals jumping to conclusions without pertinent facts and information proving otherwise. What can be played out here is the “Don’t question my authority!” syndrome that torpedoes what are the better judgments, interests and investments for the future. Opportunities for profound and deep reform are missed due to stubbornness, intransigence and “I’m going to clobber you over the head with what I think is best for you!” approaches that are way off the mark.

Saturday the 19th is an adjustment aspect involving Mercury with Uranus that can focus attention on teenagers in general and in particular teenagers who feel marginalized, ostracized and excluded. Concern can also focus on those teenagers who are in depression particularly those teenagers who can be suicide prone.

Sunday the 20th two aspects occur with the first one being an adjustment aspect between Mars and Neptune that can symbolize refugees dealing with health issues, war victims’ housing and food requirements, lapses of workers health insurance as well as criticism of the pharmaceutical companies.

This same Sunday is the annual conjunction of Mercury with Saturn that is their “seeding” period with one another. These two planets will oppose one another next January 28, 2007; these two dates can correspond to one another. This conjunction of these two planets is excellent for meticulous planning and execution of creative projects, communications enhancements that further career goals, healthy guidance that fathers provide especially to their teenager children, leadership councils as well as solid business principles.

Note: Beginning Monday the 21st and ending Wednesday the 23rd there are five out of ten planets in zodiacal sequence with all of them in the sign of Leo. The five planets (half of all the planets) are the Moon, the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Saturn. Leo rules children, executives, leaders, fathers and celebrities. Leo also rules creativity, fun, entertainment, past times, hobbies, amusement, the entertainment industry, romance, speculation, accessing one’s own Divine Inner Child as well as joy. This week in August can be a blockbuster in all of these areas of life. Observe what happens!

Monday the 21st is the annual opposition of Mercury with Neptune. These two planets were conjunct one another in their “seeding” period last February 1, 2006; these dates can correspond to one another. This is the definition and clarification period especially clearing up temporary confusion, uncertainty and tentativeness. As details are hammered out care should be taken in regards to fuzzy thinking and preposterous claims.

Tuesday the 22nd is an inharmonious aspect involving Venus with Jupiter that can witness certain individuals caught up with compensatory behaviors of eating and/or shopping binges due to life being a little “sucky” for them. The shopping binge syndrome can create an enormous wedge in relationships that require financial discipline due to credit issues. The eating binge syndrome will eventually plunge a partner into further morass about physical devaluation issues. Major issues can arise with actual and/or perceived issues involving disloyalty, adultery, irreconcilable differences as well as infantile rage acted out by an adult.

Wednesday the 23rd at 1:22am is the annual ingress of the majestic Sun into the sign of meticulous Virgo launching a 30-day journey in this zodiac sign that symbolizes work, health, improvement, quality of life themes, fastidiousness, hygiene, service, and changes that improve day-to-day life particularly with work and health. Negative associations Virgo can get caught up in are criticism, perfectionism, nagging, browbeating, hypochondriac behaviors, extreme micro-management, faultfinding, and hairsplitting. The angel associated with Virgo is Hamaliel.

Wednesday the 23rd at 2:10pm is the annual Virgo New Moon that symbolizes the new beginnings/new initiatives phase of the Moon. Launch new nutritional and exercise programs with this lunation. Begin a new savings account, get a medical check-up done, get the clutter out of the home (good Feng Shui!), re-organize filing cabinets, sift through those closets and toss out clothing not seen since Moses left Egypt! Learn how to say an occasional healthy no to attract a yes situation in your life. Create a workable budget and stick to it. This lunation’s angel is Abdizuel. This Virgo lunation is associated with the following: international affairs, colleges, universities, churches, the media, religious admonishments, executive actions, commitments and/or breaches thereof involving health matters/policies as well as how do partners remain focused/committed with budgets, health matters and work efficiency. Keywords associated with this Virgo New Moon are: Acquiring self-assurance with whatever developments arise that kindles opportunities. Deep impressionability of our mother planet’s own consciousness arouses those individuals sensitive enough to embrace what emerges or become what emerges from the earthly conscious depths. Render service to gathering material/physical resources for the betterment and improvement of all earthly inhabitants.

The following US locations are sensitized by this Virgo lunation: Seattle Washington, Eugene Oregon, Bakersfield California, Winnemucca and Las Vegas Nevada, Montana, Casper Wyoming, Aspen Colorado, Los Alamos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque New Mexico, Fargo North Dakota, Rapid City and Sioux Falls South Dakota, Nebraska, Wichita Kansas, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, El Paso, Fort Stockton, Midland-Odessa, Victoria, Matagorda Island, Corpus Christi and Dallas-Fort Worth Texas, Minnesota, Des Moines Iowa, Jefferson City Missouri, Arkansas, Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Gulfport, Pascagoula and Jackson Mississippi, Caribou and Portland Maine, Boston Massachusetts, Providence Rhode Island, as well as Memphis Tennessee.

Across the globe the following areas are sensitized: Yellowknife, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver Canada, Mexicali, Chihuahua, Guadalajara, Mazatlan, Veracruz, Cancun and Mexico City Mexico, the Bahamas, Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Quito Ecuador, Lima Peru, Santiago Chile, Argentina, the Falkland Islands, Recife and Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Galway Ireland, Northern Ireland, Inverness Scotland, Wales, Lancaster, Liverpool, Halifax, Rochester and Birmingham England, Lisbon Portugal, Brittany, Lyon and Marseilles France, Oviedo, Salamanca, Seville, Majorca, the Canary Islands and Barcelona Spain, Florence Italy, Brussels Belgium, the Hague and Amsterdam Holland, Hamburg, Cologne, and Munich Germany, Innsbruck Austria, Oslo Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Tallinn Estonia, Riga Latvia, Minsk Belorussia, Kiev the Ukraine, Casablanca Morocco, Algiers Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Mali, Burkina, the Ivory Coast, Niger, Lagos Nigeria, Chad, Douala Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Somalia, San’a Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Calcutta India, Nepal, Beijing China, Japan, Pakse Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Hanoi Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Port Moresby New Guinea, Wellington New Zealand, Polynesia particularly the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia as well as Fiji.

This same Wednesday is an adjustment aspect between Venus and Uranus that can symbolize a self-absorbed partner that is inconsiderately shocking a more sensitive partner. Vanity and pride collide with charity and mysticism.

Thursday the 24th is a harmonious contact of Mercury with Pluto that is excellent for depth in research, investigations and the solving of riddles. Creative applications can enhance transportation, investments, as well as mercantile and commercial affairs.

Friday the 25th is the monthly Apogee Moon (greatest distance from the Earth) that symbolizes the ability to cultivate objectivity and impartiality with emotions/feelings. This day is suitable for addressing incomplete projects, tackling clutter in the home and work, as well as perhaps best of all launching a healthy dietary regimen that can eventually stick.

Saturday the 26th is the annual conjunction of Venus with Saturn that can represent maturity and sobriety in relationship dynamics. Fiscal discipline is another positive expression of this planetary alignment. Appreciation of elders is another scenario here. These two planets are in their “seeding” period on this August date. These two planets will oppose one another next January 22, 2007; these two dates can correspond to one another.

This same Saturday is the second declinational shift of the Moon that symbolizes changes with meteorological, seismic and volcanic activities. This declinational shift of the Moon is strongly associated with the Apogee Moon paragraph of the 25th so please refer to that paragraph of this July AstroForecast 2006.

Sunday the 27th at 2:30pm is the entrance of Mercury into its own ruled sign of Virgo for an approximate 2-week journey. This passage of Mercury in Virgo is excellent for meticulous analysis, evaluation and assessment of quality of life themes especially those concerning work and health. Virgo is a productive earth sign that desires to implement and apply whatever it analyzes, evaluates and assesses so that a goal is manifested through changes the individual can embrace. The following Arabic Proverb best describes this Virgo industriousness: “Ten minutes of planning can save you hours of squandered time”. Do be careful of criticism and perfectionism as this sign can be anal-retentive when in its negative expression.

Also this same Sunday is the annual opposition of Venus with Neptune that represents the definition and clarification of partnership unity, mutual financial vision as well as cooperative and sensitive values. These two planets were last conjunct one another last March 26, 2006; these two dates can correspond to one another.

Monday the 28th is an opposition aspect between President Bush’s Secondary Progressed Moon with the Secondary Progressed Midheaven that is the definition and clarification of domestic policies intertwined with executive policies. Public policies especially dealing with international affairs and the international media are in the limelight. Consider three months before and after this date as the most sensitive time period for this opposition. August is proving to be an astrological crossroads for the President with so many challenging aspects.

Tuesday the 29th two aspects occur that can be so totally different from one another. The first aspect is a harmonious contact of Jupiter with Uranus. Due to Jupiter’s recent direct motion this is the third and final contact of Jupiter harmonious to Uranus. The previous contacts were November 27, 2005 and May 4, 2006; all three of these dates can correspond to one another. Here is a quote from the original alignment in the November AstroForecast 2005 about Jupiter contacting Uranus: “this harmonious aspect between Jupiter and Uranus can symbolize healthy growth and expansion with technology, politics, religion, spirituality, forward thinking communities, communications as well as the tax base. Extremely creative individuals can be in the vanguard for the stimulation of a “renaissance” revival orientation. Broadmindedness, tolerance and humanitarianism can be given a chance to thrive. A maverick energy is embraced with an opportunistic face on it filled with optimism for the future. Inspiration, ingenuity, inventiveness and iconoclasm fill the air with excitement. Two weeks before and after all three of these dates can witness this celestial harmony sensitizing on the personal/collective levels.”

The second aspect is an inharmonious contact of Mars with Pluto that can witness hate crimes, violence, criminal activities, rape, murder, contamination, poisoning, genocide, crimes of passion and well the picture emerges quite negatively. This is an extremist aspect with little room for broadmindedness or the ability to wipe the slate clean. Disempowerment can develop. Consider one week before and after as the sensitive time period.

Wednesday the 30th is the conjunction of transiting Mars with the Virgo Lunar Eclipse degree of last March 14, 2006. Here is a brief quote from the March AstroForecast 2006 about this Virgo Lunar Eclipse: “Virgo is the zodiac sign that rules the armed forces, civil service and the police. Powerful court decisions and rulings impact especially women’s reproductive rights . Government health programs undergo intense scrutiny. Media staff experience life-threatening situations. Unethical and unprincipled behaviors are scathingly exposed.”

Thursday the 31st is the first of three oppositions of Saturn with Neptune over the coming year. The two later dates will occur next February 28, 2007 and next June 25, 2007; all three of these dates can correspond to one another. Sobering realities confront delusional, escapist and over idealistic tendencies. Health care, hospitals, politicians, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, the arts, psychics, charitable organizations, as well as workers pensions are under intense scrutiny. A practical and more pragmatic approach desires to be employed in regards to resolutions, definitions and clarifications. Certain sectors of the economy can experience deflation/inflation tendencies as surprising as that combo sounds. A big pinprick is about to pop an unreal bubble in the economy. Is this the beginning of an economic depression or slowdown?

Also this same Thursday is the opposition of Mars with the North Node that can symbolize fate and destiny are conspiring together to see what actions, initiatives and projects will be defined and clarified in regards to fathers, executives, leaders and celebrities. This opposition follows closely the inharmonious contact of Mars with Pluto from the 29th and the conjunction of Mars on the 30th with the Virgo Lunar Eclipse of March 2006. This is an extremely active Mars for the end of the month of August. There can be precarious actions with little thought of consequences that can harbor grave developments. Consider a week before and after as the most sensitive timelines with Mars activities.

The last aspect of August is the conjunction of Mercury with the Sun on this final Thursday of the month. This is an excellent aspect for the identification of healthy resolutions due to precision analyses and assessments that better and improve efficiency, streamlining and overall tweaking of health and/or work regimens.

“I used to be Snow White…but I drifted.”
-Mae West