Mercury began its retrograde movement back in July and will continue its apparent journey backward until August 8th when it will go direct, although the shadow period of a planet in retrograde can often be felt from the time leading up to as well as one or two weeks after. During Mercury Retrograde it is best to avoid signing any contracts, engaging in business negotiations, as well as beginning new partnerships. Also one should anticipate delays in travel as well as breakdowns in various types of communication. The planet Mercury is naturally ruled by Gemini; home to the third house in astrology. Gemini Keywords are “I think”; the 3rd house oversees all modes of communication as well as short distance travel. Individuals born under the Sun sign of Gemini are most susceptible to the effects of this transit being that Mercury is their ruler. Retrograde periods are often a time of review hence the term “retro”; rethinking old methods, establishing new ways that can be set forth once Mercury goes direct. Mercury has been working its way backward in the fiery, dramatic, and creative sign of Leo. Mercury in Leo doesn’t merely want to communicate they wish to perform! The need to create is strong when planets are placed in the limelight loving Leo, it is quite evident when we review the natal chart of Andy Warhol whose work consisted of everything from photography to silk screening and most notably pop art; with his Ascendant, Sun, Mercury, Venus and Neptune placed in the expressive Lion. Since the Sun entered Leo on July 23rd the King and Queen of the Zodiac may have felt their expression has been thwarted, but they will soon find their ROAR again and it is back to theatrics at last.

Venus ruler of art, beauty and finance will finally enter Cancer on August 8th after an extended period in Gemini which began back in April, while Mercury Retrograde is a time of reassessing our means of communication and thought patterns Venus Retrograde in the early part of summer was a time to reflect on the things we value, our finances as well as our personal relationships. In Gemini Venus is eager to flirt, flutter and make the rounds at social events, in Cancer Venus demands we leave the mind behind and find the heart. Venus in Cancer is draped in an emotional bath concerned with the nurturing of individuals this placement of Venus suggests we go deeper and find comfort in what is familiar. Individuals with Sun signs placed in early degrees of earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) will experience a nice sextile from this Venusian energy where as water signs (Scorpio and Pisces) will receive a lovely trine from Venus. Those born in the first and second decan of Cancer may find love or some extra cash in their wallets. One of the great benefices in astrology, with Venus placed in their home sign those born under a Cancer Sun may find themselves feeling and looking great with the likelihood of attracting potential suitors. By mid month Venus will face off in opposition with power house Pluto attempting to balance love and light with dark and penetrative before squaring Uranus which brings instant but not necessarily lasting results.

Mars planet of action and aggression will remain in Libra the diplomat of the Zodiac until August 24th; this is not the easiest placement for an action oriented planet. Mars tends to want to apply brute force but Libra often stops to analyze and question. How does this look? How will everyone feel about this and which route is best? Last month we witnessed the effect of Mars (god of war) in Libra opposing Uranus (shock & rebellion) in Aries with both squaring Pluto (destruction & transformation) in Capricorn. This formed a dramatic Cardinal T-square in the heavens, which was like a war of the wills. The Cardinals signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) usher in each season and are accustomed to initiating, taking charge and working toward their own agenda. The energy of Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn will try to dominate one another for the next several years however when you add personal planet Mars into the mix we feel this energy in closer proximity to our immediate environment. These three planets in hard aspect to one another by square and opposition were unable to reconcile their differences and it would appear the way out was via violence (Mars).This created an explosive energy that can be contributed to the mass shooting in Colorado, which I imagine will be the catalyst for great change regarding gun control in the United States. We can all expect to see that high on the priority list of the Obama/Romney Campaign trail. Uranus in Aries demands change immediately, Aries is the sign of impulse and immediate gratification. Uranus is the planet of unexpected change where as Pluto destroys everything and wants to rebuild, in Capricorn this has a direct correlation to the “men in charge” as the mountain goat astrologically rules all authority figures. Mars was simply yet tragically the mode or the means to get the people in charge to make a change now.

The Cardinal Signs have been experiencing and will continue to struggle with the change that is taking place dubbed by Astrologers as “The Cardinal Crisis” Those with Personal Planets; sun, moon, Venus & mars in Cardinal signs -Aries-Cancer-Libra-Capricorn will find themselves going through great change & upheaval with Uranus & Pluto in Aries & Capricorn. Be prepared to be revolutionized!

Saturn has been transiting through cardinal sign of partnership, Libra since 2009 and is finally crawling his way into Scorpio come this October. Saturn in Libra called upon us to question our partnerships; many of us have reached inevitable crossroads in our relationship sector, matrimonial and otherwise. In Libra Saturn requires us to alter our ideas on what a relationship means? What will we do to sustain one? What are we not willing to sacrifice in order to remain in one? On a broader level Saturn demanded fair treatment of others which can be seen by the Anti Bullying movement, the outrage over the Trayvon Martin Shooting in Florida and the demand for same sex marriage laws. It would appear we still have a few lessons to learn this month with Mars in Libra meeting up with Saturn in Libra to form a conjunction or harmonization of energies on August 15th. Expect to see some more movement in terms of equality, fairness, and partnerships.

We close the month with a Full Moon in Pisces on August 31st; this is actually the 2nd full moon to occur within the same month. We opened August with a Full Moon in freedom loving Aquarius which served as a reminder to continue expanding and stretching ourselves. Aquarius is a futuristic and humanitarian sign naturally ruled by Uranus. Aquarius energy is sudden, electric and revolutionary. As we close the month we are faced with a Pisces Full moon, Pisces a mutable and sensitive sign serves as a reminder that in the midst of all this Cardinal oriented energy to take our compassionate selves with us.