Dear NightFall Astrology readers,
This week signals a period of heightened intensity and meticulous focus, as the celestial landscape shifts towards a blend of precision and passion. Expect a tug-of-war between the urge to perfect and the desire to push forward, with a few unexpected twists thrown in for good measure. It’s a time to clear out what no longer serves you, but not without a bit of drama along the way. While tensions may rise, especially in matters of the heart and mind, the energy also suggests the potential for clever solutions and strategic manoeuvres—if you’re willing to stay flexible and think twice before leaping.
Delve deeper into the details of this week’s transits to see what the stars have in store for you!
I. Full Moon in Aquarius:
With this Full Moon in Aquarius, it appears that you are genuinely prepared to let go of something that has been a significant burden in your life, rife with miscommunications and chaos. It won’t be an easy task to rid yourself of it, but given the absurdity of the situation, it couldn’t possibly be any other way.
This Full Moon in Aquarius will occur on 19th August 2024 at 8:26 PM. Full Moons are always the peak of the lunar cycle (in this case, the peak or wrapping up of a situation that has started around the last New Moon in Aquarius on February 9th): the Sun stands opposite the Moon, the light reflected off the Moon is at its maximum, and the energy is at its most vibrant, akin to that of a lively gathering or even an emergency situation. High energy characterises the Full Moon.
The Sun will be positioned at 27° of Leo, directly opposite the Moon at 27° of Aquarius. These degrees correspond to the final segment of their respective signs, placing the Sun and Moon in the third decan of Leo and Aquarius. The Sun’s position in the third decan of Leo adds a distinct layer of meaning to this Full Moon. A Full Moon in Aquarius naturally leans towards a more logical, intellectual, and calculated form of release, rather than an emotional one. However, with the Sun residing in a decan ruled by Mars, the emphasis shifts towards courage, determination, and the drive to complete something that demands a final, perhaps uncomfortable, effort to bring matters to a close.
The influence of Mars as the ruler of this decan underscores the need for assertiveness and the willingness to take bold action in confronting challenges. This Full Moon highlights the necessity of personal responsibility—or rather, collective responsibility—to muster the final surge of energy needed to remove obstacles from our paths.
On the opposite side, the Moon’s position at 27° of Aquarius places it in the third decan of Aquarius, which is ruled by the Moon. This introduces a contrasting but complementary dynamic. The Moon’s rulership over this decan emphasises emotional intelligence, intuition, and the deep, often unconscious, forces that drive our need for change. While Aquarius is typically associated with detachment and rationality, the Moon’s influence in this decan brings a subtle undercurrent of emotional insight, suggesting that the process of letting go, though intellectually driven, is also deeply connected to our inner emotional landscapes.
This alignment, therefore, indicates that the final push required during this Full Moon must balance the Mars-driven courage and determination from Leo with the Moon’s intuitive, emotionally informed guidance in Aquarius. The outcome should not only clear the path forward but also resonate on an emotional level, ensuring that the release is both intellectually and emotionally satisfying.
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It’s evident that a significant amount of miscommunication is involved, as the Sun is in conjunction with Mercury retrograde in Leo, within a degree. Mercury retrograde, while not necessarily catastrophic, is certainly an annoyance and can be quite troublesome. The conjunction with the Sun indicates that the issue has come into sharp focus—there is clarity regarding something that has been obscured, hidden, or lied about. This realisation makes you think, “I need to make a dramatic exit because there’s no other way out of this situation.”
The true intensity of this Full Moon comes from the exact square to Uranus at 27° of Taurus. With this T-square—formed by the Sun, Moon, and Uranus—Uranus introduces maximum chaos and volatility. Uranus is the planet of upheaval, the unexpected, and electric energy. The exact square to this Full Moon amplifies chaos, volatility, surprises, and wild card energy. Be aware that the path you choose may appear erratic and volatile to others, and their reactions to your exit may also seem volatile. Everything about this situation is unpredictable and, frankly, quite embarrassing.
Despite the shocking nature of the conclusion, it doesn’t seem to be riddled with conflict, as Mars will still be conjunct with Jupiter. As I mentioned in a previous forecast, the Mars-Jupiter conjunction offers a kind of saving grace. Mars and Jupiter together signify honourable and magnanimous actions—though potentially dramatic, as Mars represents action and Jupiter amplifies it. Nevertheless, Mars and Jupiter also suggest heroic actions, the choice to be the bigger person, and the execution of grand gestures marked by courage and valour. Therefore, the actions taken are not driven by malice, even if there is a strong trickster element at play.
However, this Mars-Jupiter conjunction is square to Saturn in Pisces, which represents a blockage or a hindrance to these otherwise commendable actions. Something is getting in the way, making the process more challenging, or preventing things from fully coming to fruition as easily as one might hope. Additionally, it is square to Venus in Virgo, meaning that Venus is exactly opposite Saturn, indicating a clear obstruction, rejection, boundary, or an unequivocal “no” in an interpersonal relationship. Either you or the other party is taking a critical, mature stance, essentially icing the other out. This is very much a sudden, decisive boundary being drawn after a period of silence or a sudden raising of issues that leads to chaos.
While I wouldn’t categorise this Full Moon as inherently negative, it certainly doesn’t embody the type of energy one would desire. I find this energy rather unsettling, especially in the days leading up to such an event, though it will pass before then. It indicates a dramatic exit, but there are ways to make that exit without unnecessary theatrics.
If you have any thoughts or feelings about this Full Moon, I’d encourage you to share them in the comments below.
This full moon will be felt most intensely by Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, and Scorpio placements, particularly if you have planets and/or important chart points around 27 degrees of these signs (give or take 1-5 degrees).
II. Sun enters Virgo, Venus squares Mars, & Mercury sextiles Mars:
As the Sun enters Virgo on the 22nd of August, the heavens signal a shift towards precision, pragmatism, and a keen attention to detail. Virgo, known for its analytical nature, invites us to scrutinise the small things that might otherwise be overlooked. It’s a season for refining processes, organising our lives, and adopting a more disciplined approach to the tasks at hand. Whether it’s a cluttered desk or a muddled mind, this period suggests it’s time to clean up, prioritise, and focus on what truly matters.
Virgo is a sign that values efficiency and effectiveness, not just for the sake of order, but to serve a higher purpose. With the Sun’s entry into Virgo, there’s an indication that we may find ourselves more concerned with the practicalities of life. The trivialities that once seemed insignificant may now demand our full attention. This period might also highlight the necessity of addressing health matters, both physical and mental, with the meticulous care that Virgo so adeptly embodies. There’s no room for the half-hearted now—Virgo’s energy signals the need for thoroughness and precision in all endeavours.
However, the Sun’s transit into Virgo does not occur in isolation. From August 21st to the 25th, Venus in Virgo will square Mars in Gemini, with the exact square occurring on the 22nd. Venus in Virgo typically signals a time where love, beauty, and relationships are approached with a more critical and discerning eye. There’s a tendency to seek perfection, and anything less can feel intolerable. On the other hand, Mars in Gemini suggests a more scattered, versatile energy—quick-witted and ever-changing. When these two meet in a square, a challenging aspect, the celestial climate suggests a period of tension and conflict, particularly in relationships.
This square might indicate a clash between the desire for order and the impulse for variety. Venus in Virgo seeks to refine and perfect, while Mars in Gemini favours exploration and the pursuit of new experiences. The result could be a sense of frustration, where the need for stability and clarity in relationships is at odds with a restless, changeable energy. There’s a strong indication that this period could bring about arguments or misunderstandings, especially if expectations aren’t clearly communicated. While Venus in Virgo might be preoccupied with what’s wrong, Mars in Gemini may not have the patience for such nitpicking, leading to potential conflicts that could be more about petty grievances than substantive issues.
Yet, there’s a silver lining. From August 22nd to the 26th, with the exact sextile occurring on the 24th, Mercury retrograde in Leo will sextile Mars in Gemini. Sextiles, being harmonious aspects, suggest opportunities for productive communication and strategic thinking, even amidst the potential discord of the Venus-Mars square. Mercury retrograde, often maligned for its association with delays and miscommunications, in this context, signals a time to revisit and revise ideas and plans, particularly those that require a creative or bold approach, given Mercury’s position in Leo.
This sextile between Mercury retrograde and Mars in Gemini suggests a period where, despite the retrograde’s usual associations, there’s potential for clever solutions and quick thinking. Mercury in Leo suggests a confident, even dramatic, expression of ideas, while Mars in Gemini provides the agility and adaptability to navigate any hurdles that arise. This is a time where rethinking strategies, especially those that involve communication or negotiation, could lead to breakthroughs. While Venus and Mars might be squabbling over the details, Mercury and Mars suggest a way forward through wit and adaptability.
It’s important to note, however, that while this sextile provides an opportunity for resolving conflicts and miscommunications, it also signals the need to be mindful of impulsiveness. The quick, agile energy of Mars in Gemini combined with Mercury’s retrograde status might tempt some into making hasty decisions or speaking too soon, only to regret it later. The key here is to harness the reflective nature of Mercury retrograde—think before you speak, revise before you act. There’s wisdom in taking a step back to reassess before charging ahead, no matter how tempting it might be to jump to conclusions or respond in the heat of the moment.
As the week progresses, the skies suggest a blend of tensions and opportunities. The Sun in Virgo signals the need for careful, considered actions, while the Venus-Mars square might highlight where our desires and impulses are in conflict. Yet, the sextile between Mercury retrograde and Mars hints at the possibility of finding creative, intelligent solutions if we’re willing to think on our feet and remain flexible.
So, as you navigate the week ahead, be prepared to balance the drive for perfection with the necessity of compromise. Keep an eye on the details, but don’t let them trip you up. And most importantly, remember that in the midst of any celestial tension, there’s always room for a clever solution—just be sure to think twice before speaking your mind. After all, some things are better left unsaid, especially during Mercury retrograde.
The Venus/Mars square will be most challenging for Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces, and Gemini placements.
The Mercury/Mars sextile will be most beneficial for Leo, Gemini, Aries, and Libra placements.
Thank you for reading. Let me know your thoughts about this week’s astrological weather in the comments down below!
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Your Astrologer – Theodora NightFall ~
Remember that this is a general horoscope and is NOT your personal one. If you’d like to know what your birth chart says about your personality and your life’s purpose or discover what the upcoming astrological alignments mean specifically for you, you can:
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