~ Pamela McDonough

August 1 – Late in the day on Friday, the Moon will be headed for a collision in Virgo with the expansive and super vata inducing Rahu! This planetary combo can create unbalanced emotions. Weigh your important decisions carefully at this time. This influence will be felt most strongly early Saturday morning before the Moon finally heads into Libra.

August 2 – Mercury comes into contact with exalted Jupiter in Cancer today. Wisdom meets knowledge. The student Mercury meets Jupiter, the teacher. This is a short lived influence since Mercury is moving quickly through Cancer. Which wisdom tradition do you want deepen during this time?

August 3 – Moon in lovely Libra and runs headlong into fiery Mars early Sunday morning, and then Saturn! Libra is an air sign and Mars is the planet of fire and strongly pitta inducing. The flames of Mars are fanned by this transit. August 3 – 4 could be an emotional roller coaster ride since the watery Moon first gets heated up from contact with Mars, leading up to the vata inducing energy of Saturn. Fortunately this influence only lasts for a few days. Take this time to practice compassion for ourselves and others.

August 4 – 6 – Late in the day Monday, the Moon dives into the watery depths of Scorpio. The mind is very focused on transformation, death, and anything that hidden below the surface. The Moon can exhibit secretive traits in Scorpio. A great opportunity to practice awareness of our emotional ups and downs and what emotions we may be holding in.

August 8 – Mercury meets the Sun head on in Cancer. This close contact with the Sun from Mercury can create issues around the things that Mercury represents. Because of this contact August 6-10 are not ideal dates for beginning new business ventures, writing or marketing projects.

The Sagittarius Moon is also being influenced by serious Saturn on this day. An excellent day for introspection.

On the same day Venus glides into Cancer to join Jupiter, Mercury and Sun. The water element is very active right now! Anyone who has Sun, Moon, their rising sign or chart ruler in Cancer, will feel this influx of planetary energy.

Through August 31, take advantage and connect with beautiful Venus in sensitive Cancer and create something beautiful that connects to your heart!

August 10 – Full Moon in Capricorn Sunday at 1:09pm CDT. This Full Moon falls into the nakshatra of Dhanistha. The Vasus are the presiding deities and are the Gods of abundance. They have the power to give abundance and also fame in the arena of the music and fine arts. What area of your life do you want to manifest abundance? Set your intention for today during this phase.

The full Moon is influenced by so many planets during this lunar phase – Mars, Rahu, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury and Sun. This is a lot of planetary energy to process during an already dynamic full moon in Capricorn. An excellent day to complete projects, but make sure to check your list twice!

August 14 – Most of the day Thursday the Moon will connect with spiritual Ketu in the watery domain of Pisces. Our subconscious mind may be very active and dreams can be prophetic.

August 15-16 – The Moon moves into fiery Aries. Again we may experience an emotional roller coaster ride due to the aspect from Mars that connects to the Moon overnight on August 16 and then later in the day from Saturn and Rahu.

The Sun also changes signs on August 16 from watery Cancer to his own fire sign of Leo. When the Sun changes signs every month it is weak for the few days during the transition. Particularly when transitioning from Fire into Water, and Water into Fire. August 15-19 is definitely a time to put off any non-critical business ventures or deal with issues with leadership in your work or with the government. After this time the Sun will be very strong in Leo and an excellent time for letting your soul shine!

August 17 – Early Sunday morning we get a break from the ups and downs of the prior week as the Moon glides into its most favored earth sign of Taurus. The Moon in Taurus is grounded and soothed. The Moon does receive an aspect from fiery Mars that may felt as an emotional response on Monday night. August 17 and 18 are excellent days to tap into the earth — pull some weeds, plant some flowers, practice tadasana (mountain pose) and tree pose (vrksasana) to stay grounded!

August 19 – Late in the day Moon transitions from Taurus into the dual air sign of Gemini. The Moon can be very fickle in Gemini – this one or that one, both actually! Head any indecisiveness off at the pass and assess important choices carefully. Or wait until the Moon moves into Cancer Friday August 22.

August 22 – The Moon meets up with positive Jupiter on this day and then snuggles up to beauty loving Venus in Cancer for the evening. Since the Moon is waning deeply now, this might be a nice night to stay at home. Enjoy a restorative yoga practice and a quite evening at home with the one you love.

August 25 – New Moon in the sign of Leo today at 9:12 am CDT. This Moon marks the start of a new lunar phase. This first lunar tithi after the dark moon is connected to burning and desire. The transformation of the dark moon energy into the first glimpse of light illuminates our awareness.

The Nakshatra (Lunar mansion) of the new Moon is Magha. Magha is presided over by the Pitris and connects very deeply to our ancestral lineage. What do you want to heal that connects to your ancestors during this new Moon phase?

And on the same day as the new Moon we have a once in every two year meeting of the God of War, Mars, and the Karmic Taskmaster, Saturn in the air sign of Libra. This is not an easy influence.

Saturn and Mars are bitter enemies and their energy could not be more opposite. Mars wants everything now and Saturn wants due process! Combine this with the explosive fiery energy of Mars and super wind element of Saturn — the flames of frustration will be fanned! This influence will be felt strongly by anyone who has their rising degree, Moon, Sun, or chart ruler between 20-26 degrees of Libra. This discordant energy will be felt as early as August 19 and as late at September 1.

This is an excellent time for a moving meditation – walk the labyrinth, practice yoga or take a hike to stay grounded and calm during this period. Vata and/or Pitta inducing foods should be avoided during this time for those who lean strongly to these two doshas.

August 27 – Venus connects with Ketu through the element of Water. This is an interesting combination since Venus is very attached to love and relationship, and Ketu is the most detached planet of the nine. This combination can create a time of insensitivity in relationship. Be kind and stay tuned into your partner and loved ones emotions this week! Chanting the Hare Krsna mantra can help us stay connected with our hearts.

August 29 – Mercury zips into his own and most favored sign of Virgo! This three week period is an excellent transit for writing, business and all things related to Mercury and communication.

August 31 – The Moon gets caught trapped between fiery Mars and windy Saturn on this day. 2pm CDT to 9pm CDT could be a very intensely emotional time period. You may feel like you are on an emotional see-saw. Ardha Chandrasana pose can temper your Vata and Pitta that may rise up during this period. Sattvic foods will also support stable emotions on this day.

The important dates and transits explained are done so in order to help us maximize the positive influences, recognize and better manage the challenging planetary energies. They are not intended to generate any panic or anxiety. In fact depending upon your own individual horoscope you may or may not feel these influences. Each transit may not influence every individual the same way. These should be just taken as a general guideline for the month. Those with a spiritual life may not even feel any of the negative impacts of some of these dates.

Pamela McDonough is a Vedic astrologer and artist. She is an avid student of the ancient Indian arts and sciences and her passion for the Vedic Sciences evolved organically out of her own personal quest for alternatives to western medicine for lifestyle and stress management. Her quest began in 2001 and resulted in her studying with amazing gurus that carry ancient lineages from India in astrology and the art of yantras and mandalas.  She is currently studying with Souvik Dutta, Guru of Ancient Indian Astrology Classes and teaching for his school. Along with her astrology practice, Pamela collaborates with her husband Mick creating yantra and mandala sculptures for yoga studios, retreat centers, spas and personal collectors. You can schedule a reading with Pamela and view their art on their website, and you can follow them on Facebook.