Aquarium Age, Blogs

Aquarium Age: August 8-14

By Jane Lyon

You’re gonna need a score card to track the astral action this week—the planets are plenty busy, and daily life reflects their hustle and bustle with the stop and start rhythm of an erratic triple retrograde pulse that makes direct, forward motion next to impossible. Actually there are six retrograde planets at the moment—Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Mars, and Mercury—but I’m only counting three: Mercury and Mars, because they are integral to the day-to-day functioning of regular routines such as communicating, commuting, and counting on your smart phone not to turn stupid. And as of this week, Uranus, which began its retrograde yesterday, because Uranus has a deep relationship to technology and when it goes retrograde at the same time as Mercury, device issues tend to dominate all other personal concerns. But that’s not all the astral activity that takes place this week. The second solar eclipse of the summer occurs on Saturday, August 11 completing the 2018 eclipse season—and stretching its effect to 2020. And on August 12, Mars Retrograde triggers the now infamous 0° Aquarius point, as it continues its retrograde back in Capricorn.

The week is busy above and below, which means the intensity of daily life continues and all the revelations continue to be unbelievable. Handling this intensity skillfully requires staying present despite an inconsistent and sometimes frustrating pace of the week. Here’s the skinny:

(1) Mercury Retrograde began on July 26 and ends on August 19, which means we’re pretty much right in the middle of it. Mercury Retrograde is our new urban sky myth—it’s just part of the vernacular now, and because of that inclusion, every time Mercury goes retrograde, it gets blamed for more and more difficulties, even if those problems are unrelated its domain. For example, Mercury Retrograde gets erroneously blamed for relationship breakups—I can’t tell you how many people tell me about Mercury Retrograde and divorce. But Mercury has nothing to do with marriage or any other relationship, unless you’re talking about your relationship to your computer. Its collective effect is all about communication and travel delays and detours. Think…lost packages, stalled negotiations, a vehicle breakdown, a train cancellation, or a plane delay—all Mercury Retrograde. Being left at the altar—not really.

(2) Mars Retrograde began on June 26 and ends on August 27, which means we are closer to the end of this cycle than we are to the beginning—and that’s a bit of a relief—but it’s not over yet. What’s been particularly difficult about this Mars Retrograde is that most of the time it’s been in a square to Uranus, which translates into irritation (beyond the normal retrograde irritation), frustration, and meltdowns—yours, theirs, Mr. Trump’s—just about everyone.

On August 12, the day after the next solar eclipse (see below), Mars hits the 0° Aquarius point. This is a significant degree because it seems to be tied to several significant events with long term consequences: It happened early in the morning of November 9, 2016. It happened again, the day after Uranus entered Taurus, and it occurs again the day after tomorrow’s eclipse, with one last time in this cycle on September 10. Be aware, Mars lingers on and around this point for the next several weeks, and as it does, it continues to surface information related to the election of 2016. When Mars goes direct on August 27, it ‘turn’s around’ at 28° Capricorn, its exaltation point, which amplifies all its qualities. You don’t need astrology to know we’ve been locked in an intensely aggressive phase, but it is interesting to note just how often and just how long Mars is pressing its power button.

(3) Uranus Retrograde began on August 7 and it stays retrograde until January 6, 2019, (the day after a solar eclipse on January 5, 2019). As Uranus ‘turns around’ it surveys the path its traveled since April 20, 2018—and what a busy journey it’s been. Not only did Uranus complete its transit through the final degrees of Aries, but it also began its transit into Taurus, and as Uranus revisits its activities since April, so do we. Uranus goes back into Aries on November 6 and stays there for nearly five months. Uranus enters Taurus once and for all on March 6, 2019, and that’s when we are likely to get the clearest indication of what to expect for the next seven years. After all, the Fukushima tidal wave didn’t happen until the day of Uranus’ final entry into Aries. So hold tight this week, and the next several weeks, as Uranus gets used to moving behind instead of ahead. Also anticipate that for the coming months we’re likely to be revisiting history, again and again…and yes, again. As an immediate manifestation: anticipate all sorts of techno snafus for the next week—at least.

(4) The next solar eclipse takes place on Saturday, August 11, and as we’re all learning, eclipses illuminate what the sunlight often obscures, which means we’re dealing with shadows—all sorts of them, personal and collective. An eclipse effect often extends six weeks before and after the actual event, and while it once was possible to pinpoint likely revelations related to an eclipse, these days, all bets are off. It’s been a wild eclipse ride since June, and so much hidden information has been revealed, it’s hard to imagine anything more—although I’m certain (as you probably are) there’s more.

This week and the next several weeks, all those areas of life, individual and collective, that are already too intense reach a crescendo, but don’t equate that quickening with an ending. Some of the hot spots of daily life are going to continue to burn out of control, and my heart goes out to those who are physically experiencing the heat of the fires in California, as the rest of us attempt to cope with psychic and emotional wild fires. Help others when you can, and don’t forget to take good care of yourself.

Here’s an inspirational short video by Takashi Tanemori, a Hiroshima survivor, who made it through the devastation of Hiroshima—he is living proof that hope is possible even when we think it isn’t. He would suggest that you find the blade of grass in your heart and know that it is possible to endure any hardship. www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=7285

Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.

Aries March 21-April 19
Have fun—that’s simply the best eclipse advice I can offer. Yes, there are serious issues that need your attention, but you can’t let those concerns overshadow your time for pleasure. So take a deep breath, exhale all the reasons you’ve used to keep you from a good time, and then do whatever it is that feeds your joy.

Taurus April 20-May 20
This eclipse takes place at home—your physical home and your psychic home—which means you may be moved to make changes in your living situation or to actually find a new place to live (if you haven’t already). This position also includes where you live inside of yourself and so may shift your internal universe as well. You can’t control it, so why not enjoy it.

Gemini May 21-June 21
This eclipse has the power to catalyze important conversations that reveal previously withheld information. Listen carefully to all that’s said, but don’t jump to conclusions or make any rash decisions—you need all the pieces of the puzzle to see the entire panorama, so before you make any decisions let the rest of the story be told.

Cancer June 22-July 22
It’s not like you to indulge in extravagant spending, but this eclipse could stimulate the need to surround yourself with posh products and bodacious beauty. Of course what you spend and what you spend it on depends upon your budget—and you are usually quite careful—but not this week. Just try to make sure that what you invest in will yield positive results.

Leo July 23-August 22
This week’s solar eclipse occurs in your Sign in your Solar House of personality, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself in an identity crisis, wondering who you want to be next. The good news is that you’re supported through this process, so don’t be afraid to shed an old skin. Even if the process feels a bit uncomfortable, allow yourself to experience the creativity of the moment.

Virgo August 23-September 22
This eclipse is dismantling several psychological patterns that no longer serve so rather than resist this process, surrender to it.  Sometimes—even most of the time—outdated systems have to fall completely apart before you can start the required renovations to improve the overall situation. Take your time with the new design and make sure it really suits your long-term vision.

Libra September 23-October 22
The eclipse challenges you to contemplate how you share your gifts with the world. Ask yourself these questions: Am I doing enough? Too much? Is it okay to do nothing and still feel good? There are no right answers to these or any other questions you may have. The only important part of this process is to observe your internal reactions and let those reveal the next steps.

Scorpio October 23-November 21
This solar eclipses catalyzes the need to be seen for what it is you do, and while you may already feel appreciated, you might find that your need to be recognized is expanding. I’m not suggesting you make demands or do anything outrageous, but you might be surprised by just how deeply the need to be appreciated informs your choices and behavior.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21
The best way to handle this solar eclipse is to step away from the vehicle—or whatever it is you’re driving or is driving you—take a deep breath, and make a commitment to just be present. All you have to do is show up, be in the moment, and practice non-attachment to the outcome. This may sound simple, but it is really, really hard to pull off, so just do your best—you’ll be fine.

Capricorn December 22-January 19
The solar eclipses poses a crisis of values—yours versus theirs (whoever they are)—and it’s not a situation that’s easily resolved because so much more information has been made available. If you didn’t know the behind the scenes story, you’d probably make a different decision. But because you know more of the details, it’s harder to choose. Trust your heart—it always knows best.

Aquarius January 20-February 18
The eclipse occurs in your Solar House of relationship, which means the emphasis is likely to be on significant others, but try to not be fooled by that—your first and primary relationship is with yourself. So rather than focus on others, make sometime to focus on you. Yes, you have needs, but some of those needs are best met internally, with a shift in attitude and perspective.

Pisces February 19-March 20
The solar eclipse invites you to examine your definition of wellness—what it means to you on a daily level and what it means to you from a broader perspective. This includes looking at all types of self-care, as well as any efforts you may be making to help heal the planet. And while it is true that all these efforts are interconnected, sometimes it’s good to be able to identify them.

This article was originally published on August 8, 2018.