August 2024

Have you been watching the Olympic games in Paris?  As I tuned in, I realized the games illustrate the current planetary moves of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Although the transits are exact by degree in mid-August, they are close enough now (in orb) to notice. Mars is approaching Jupiter in Gemini and they both form a harsh aspect (the 90-degree square) with Saturn in Pisces.  

The Mars-Jupiter conjunction symbolizes the Games. Mars is a planet of action and courage, associated with combat and competition. Jupiter represents aspirations, high ideals,  honor, daring, and generosity. Together, Mars and Jupiter can bring loud, boisterous, confident energy to the point of braggadocio. The Olympics glorify physical achievement as elite athletes compete aggressively for national bragging rights.

The first Olympic Games occurred in 776 BC as part of a Greek festival celebrating  Zeus, supreme ruler of the Olympian deities, later called Jupiter by the Romans. The name comes from the town of origin, Olympia. For more than 1,000 years, athletes gathered to compete, demonstrating their prowess for glory and honor.

This month, Mars and Jupiter in Gemini are tested by Saturn in Pisces, who can pour cold water onto heated frenzy. Already, there were complaints about the opening ceremonies, which included a metal band, singing likenesses of a beheaded Marie Antoinette, and an homage to Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility, wine, and revelry.

It wasn’t the first time the Olympics offended religious critics. In the 4th century, Roman rulers began converting to Christianity. As Christianity grew in popularity, pagan practices were outlawed, temples destroyed, and non-Christians were persecuted. In 393 AD, the Roman Emperor Theodosius I canceled the games because he viewed them as an unsavory pagan ritual.

History may not repeat, but it rhymes-in the world and our lives.

The ban lasted 1,500 years. The Olympic Games were revived in Athens in 1896.

August Unfolds in Three Acts

ACT I,  August 1 - 10

The New Moon occurs on Sunday, August 4, at 6:13 a.m., at the 13th degree of Leo, supported by a sextile (60-degree aspect) with Jupiter. Later that day, Venus enters Virgo,where Mercury begins a three-week retrograde.  

A few words on Mercury Retrograde

No planets travel backward, but it appears that way to observers on Earth. For over 3,000 years, astrologers noted that planets in retrograde motion indicate weakness and unreliability in their corresponding matters.

We live in a Mercurial world, relying heavily on fast, accurate information transmission to conduct daily activities. That is why Mercury retrogrades are challenging periods for technology, communications, and travel. There are two reasons why I think this particular retrograde will be notable: 1) Mercury’s harsh aspects with Uranus, and 2) Mercury is the ruler of Gemini and influences Mars and Jupiter as they travel through that sign.

We first tasted Mercury square Uranus in late July, with history's largest information technology outage.  Watch for an event that rhymes in mid-August and Mercury’s third pass in early September.

What can you do to prepare? My Mercury RX suggestions are to backup files, print out important information, and have cash on hand. If you’re traveling, be prepared for delays or cancellations. Cultivate an attitude of flexibility and calm. Remember that Mercury retrogrades are always a good time to engage in activities that start with re-, i.e., reflect, re-evaluate, review, revise, etc.  

Mercury retrogrades are generally more impactful for people who have Gemini or Virgo placements or if Mercury is activated in your chart by a timing system or transit.  Some people born with Mercury retrograde thrive during these 3-week periods!

There isn’t much else happening in the first third of August. On August 7, the Sun forms a trine with Jupiter, and Venus meets Mercury.  You can use this day (or two) to give or receive help, positive energy, and support.

ACT II,  August 11 - 21

As in July, the real action of August comes mid-month, just as another U.S. political convention (the Democratic National Convention) begins. I've included a timeline below, but please remember that exact dates are a culmination, with an orb of influence before and after.

Aug 14 - Mercury backtracks from Virgo into Leo, and Mars conjoins Jupiter

Aug 16 - Mars squares Saturn

Aug 18 -  Mercury squares Uranus for the 2nd time and meets up with the Sun in Leo, forming a conjunction/cazimi.

Aug 19 - The Full Moon is at 29 Aquarius with other exact aspects—the Sun (and Moon) square Uranus.  Venus squares Jupiter and opposes Saturn.  Jupiter squares Saturn.

Jupiter square Saturn is one of the most significant astrological events of 2024-2025. The two planets form a square (90-degree angle) every 8-10 years. The last time it occurred was 2015-2016.  Because of retrogrades, we get three exact occurrences, but it will be in orb for many months.

This is a big deal, so I’ll break it down.

• Jupiter represents forces of growth and expansion, inflation, and themes like justice and law, honor, and dignity. It is also associated with optimism and good fortune.
• Saturn represents boundaries and limitations, themes of responsibility and commitment, and perseverance over time to build lasting structures. Saturn is associated with melancholy and hard work.
• The  90-degree square aspect reflects the tension between the two planets. Events force you (and us collectively) to adapt, change, and try new approaches to resolve the uncomfortable tension.

All transits may manifest in experiences that we perceive as helpful or problematic. Keep in mind that this one is a process—not a single event. Conflict and tension are inevitable, but we can overcome the challenges for constructive and positive change.  It’s up to us to integrate the duality and find a balanced approach.  

The first Jupiter-Saturn square is August 19, and the second is December 24. Mercury will be retrograde for both, with a weak Jupiter in Gemini (Mercury’s domain) and Saturn in Pisces (Jupiter’s domain). Their last square is June 15, 2025, with a stronger and more capable Jupiter in Cancer confronting Saturn in Aries. It won’t occur again until 2035.

One public manifestation of the Jupiter-Saturn square is visible in the executive branch’s proposal to reform the U.S. Supreme Court (Jupiter) with ethical boundaries and term limits (Saturn).  

Bernadette Brady says, “The square pushes us into corners we can’t avoid… We scream, kick, maybe even swear, and after the outburst, we realize the only way out is to do something we never tried before.”  

ACT III,  Aug 22 - Sept 1

The cool-down begins when the Sun leaves Leo for Virgo on August 22, as Venus squares Mars. However, messages of all kinds will still be unreliable. This includes stories, images, and videos you may see on traditional or social media. It’s crucial to continue discernment, which new artificial intelligence capabilities can make quite tricky.

The Mercury retrograde ends on Aug 28, and Venus opposes Neptune. The next day, Venus trines Pluto after moving into her home sign of Libra. Venus has been growing in strength and light since mid-July; now she is a diamond! Look for the brightest star in the western sky right after sunset.

Venus represents women, artists, and concepts of beauty, harmony, and social graces. Venus in Libra is a powerful aid to women in public roles and the entertainment industry and can help moderate the after-effects of the Jupiter-Saturn square.

On September 1, retrograde Pluto enters Capricorn for the last time of this century to finish the old business that started in 2008. It will be a short but potent stay, lasting through the Fall eclipses and the U.S. elections in November. Pluto’s last ingress to Aquarius is November 19.

Golden hours

All times are CST.  

August 4-5 The New Moon in Leo makes a lovely sextile with Jupiter and then approaches Venus.  It’s ideal for setting heartfelt intentions and can help gain positive attention from the public or authorities. Do things before 4 pm; the Moon will enter Virgo and be subject to Mercury RX shenanigans.

August 30-31 The Moon is back in Leo but waning now.  It has a different vibe than the August 4-5 days because of the Moon’s phase and the Sun in Virgo. This Leo Moon is more about indulging in personal passions. If you’re working, take Friday afternoon off and do your version of Happy Hour.  Saturday also looks pleasant, but focus on cleaning, closure, and reflection - not starting new projects.