August comes after a turbulent July, with assassination attempts, violence and chaos becoming prominent. That was the energy of the Mars-Uranus conjunction, promoting upheaval (Uranus) through fire (Mars). This influence is gone in August, but is everything better and peaceful? Not that much.
This month we have everyone’s favorite astrological event, Mercury retrograde. I’m sick and tired of discussing Mercury retro, but let’s go. Mercury will be retrograde between August 5th and August 28th. The usual precautions for Mercury retrograde are recommended. Mercury is the planet of communications, so everything related to communications could be slowed down. Computer problems, miscommunications, delays in deliveries and other kinds of issues become possible. Avoid mistakes by double checking and confirming things, and try to be patient when problems arise.
I usually don’t care much for Mercury retrograde, even though a lot of astrologers and non-astrologers seem to take it as the end of the world. It is a time of review, something you should be doing already anyway, so go review.
I’ve travelled, published, bought electronics and done tons of things that are seen as verbotten for Mercury retrograde. The secret is that there is no secret, just review things. If you are travelling, check back on the details. See if the gates or times changed, see if everything you scheduled is ok. If you have meetings or deadlines, double check them, make sure that the people involved know it too, etc. If you have a commitment that starts from the phrase “he probably knows this”, you should know that he probably doesn’t know.
With computers and tech, they need maintenance. Yes, it is annoying to give maintenance, which is why people make a living on giving tech support. Mercury retrograde is the time to review, update, check those error messages you usually ignore, make backups, review your sources and services, etc. Mercury retro is usually the key moment for maintenance and tender-loving-care with your tech gadgets.
Events in August 2024
- 04/08/2024 07:13 New Moon in Ashlesha 18°22’00” Cancer
- 05/08/2024 00:56 Mercury retrograde 09°54’15” Leo
- 14/08/2024 11:22 Mars conjunct Jupiter 22°28’26” Taurus
- 16/08/2024 10:14 Sun in Leo
- 19/08/2024 14:26 Full Moon in Dhanishta 03°03’07” Aquarius
- 19/08/2024 17:46 Jupiter square Saturn 23°15′ (Taurus-Aquarius)
- 21/08/2024 21:07 Mercury in Cancer
- 24/08/2024 15:47 Venus in Virgo
- 26/08/2024 05:55 Mars in Gemini
- 28/08/2024 17:15 Mercury direct 27°12’27” Cancer
- 01/09/2024 10:43 Uranus retrograde 03°03’19” Taurus
- 30/01/2025 12:18 Uranus direct 29°03’12” Aries
Around mid-August, Mars will be conjunct Jupiter. This is a fairly positive aspect, promoting hard-work and a sense of growth through our own efforts. But, on a mundane level, it can show excesses and clashes. It is not as fiery as Mars-Uranus was in July, but it promotes some excitement too.
With Jupiter as the star of the show, things get into the rhetoric level. So this can be a time of fiery discussion, heated arguments and heavy communications. Specially considering that the aspect will happen with Mercury retrograde along for the ride.
A big event this month is Jupiter square Saturn, the first of three exact hits. This aspect shows a turning point or a moment of contention, in regards to the energies of 2020. This is a quarter-cycle from the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction of 2020, and it’s main cycle until 2040.
This square is with us from now until about June 2025, when the final hit will happen. We will see a lot of issues from around 2020 making a comeback of sorts. The square flips the script, and people are much less receptive, or simply different, about the issues in question.
People have new perspectives, new disagreements and new issues. So those things from 2020 coming back now might be poorly received, heavily criticized and rejected. Issues in the economy, specially inflation, will be prominent. And people will tend to shrug off other concerns now.
Going into a more personal route, Venus will enter Virgo on August 24th, remaining there until September 18th. Venus is debilitated in Virgo, weakening matters of agreement and love. This transit is very bad for love matters, people are more finicky, picky and disagreeable. So this is not the best time to meet or find a special someone.
A final point about August deals with September. On September 1st, Uranus will turn retrograde. So the final week of August, as well as the first one of September, can be moments of unexpected events or upheaval. Big changes, unexpected turns and twists are possible with the strong Uranus energy in the air.
The New Moon this month happens on Ashlesha nakshatra, this is the star of the snake energy. Dealing with poison, deceit, trickery and scheming. The New Moon happens with a close aspect of Rahu, a planet with a similar energy. So this New Moon could be a time of high emotions, chaos and excesses. People can be riled up now.
The Full Moon this month is in Dhanishtha nakshatra. This is one of the most positive nakshatras, dealing a lot with wisdom and guidance. So this Full Moon can be a time of revelation and discovery, where we learn some new information and change our minds about something.
Summary
With the Eclipses in September and October, the months ahead are a time where we will feel things speeding up. Things will be more intense, eventful and kinda complicated going forward.
Mundane
On a mundane level, August points to reversals and confusion. On the US, conflict and confusion around Biden’s succession will tend to arise.
New revelations and issues coming forward in politics will tend to happen a lot in August. Issues from 2020, like the lockdowns, might be reviewed on a new light. Specially in late August, people will be riled up about issues of the past.
Personal
On a personal level, August will have some drudgery to it. With Mercury retrograde for most of the month, we can be dealing a lot with past problems, re-doing things or fixing things we previously ignored. Not the most fun of times, but a great moment for troubleshooting.
Later on (24th), and into September for that matter, we will have Venus in Virgo. A bad transit for love. Not a fun time for those looking to find a special someone. Also not the best moment to make radical changes in appearance, like new haircuts or changes in style.
An interesting point deals specially for those with planets in fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius) at around 22-23° of these signs.
With Jupiter in Taurus squaring Saturn in Aquarius around these degrees, those with planets in any of these signs will be affected. It can be a time of important surprises, and important changes, coming into life.
For those with Moon/Ascendant around these degrees:
- For Leo and Scorpio: It can deal a lot with relationships and partnerships, coming into a new understanding through someone. For Leo, it is a lot about expanding their world. While Scorpio will deal more with inner change, and improving their emotional scenario.
- For Taurus: great opportunities in career can arise now, and they might be changing their life to fit their new reality.
- For Aquarius: Feeling mentally secure, and finding stability, are key things now.