Cultivating the Garden Within
We enter the month with Mercury retrograde in Leo. At this time, we may be reconnecting with former lovers, colleagues, clients and the overarching theme will be one of appreciation. Does this person or situation see and respect the "real me"? And can I show my "divine nature" to others freely?
At the moment of direct motion on Aug 11th, Ceres, the mothering archetype, will retrograde in Aries. The Aries energy will be front and center for many years to come, thanks to Saturn and then Neptune entering the sign for a period of 15 years. How can we fiercely care for self and others? This is not a "baking cookies" kind of mother, but rather the coach, the agent and the activist who inspires you to do better.
Mars, meanwhile, is in the codependent relationship - oriented sign of Libra and will collide with both Saturn and Neptune in Aries on the 7th - 10th of the month. Being nice alone will not cut it and we will be pressured into discovering what is really fair and just in the current circumstances - or not.
Saturn and Uranus (structure and surprise) join together positively on the 12th and this is when we may begin to develop the contours of our new ideas and plans for life.
The end of the month brings some potential drama and heat when Venus opposes Pluto in Aquarius on the 27th. Yes, love and lust are possible as well as intensity and challenges with money and power. It's no longer just about me but about the larger world and whether my needs align with collective issues.
Despite these aspects, August is a relatively personal (rather than transpersonal) month and our issues and experiences will be subjective rather than part of the grander astrological themes of historical change.
Those will come soon enough, in September and October, so relish the personal glimmers or triggers as we grow into becoming who we truly are.
Mars into Libra Aug 7th opposing Saturn and Neptune Aug 9th and 10th
is it possible to negotiate?
Before we exit Mercury retro, there is a confrontation between Mars and Saturn and Neptune. Mars now in Libra is considered the sign of its detriment. Why? Because it is hard for the planet to express it's natural energy in a sign somewhat antithetical to its nature.
Mars is correlated with action and initiative, a certain boldness and selfishness. It is exalted in the sign of Aries where we notice the army officer, the corporate raider, the elite officer or everyday cop or fireman. Libra is the opposite of Aries and is more comfortable with massaging relationships, making compromises, and romanticizing everyday encounters. This would be fine if everyone else were as passive or civilized as the Mars in Libra type.
Mars in Libra may also be passive aggressive and accept a lot of abuse but eventually only take so much and explode.
On a more positive note, Mars in Libra is great for diplomats, artists, relationship counselors as the need for balance and desire for beauty can be paramount.
So what happens when civilized or codependent Mars is confronted by strong Aries planets as will be the case when Saturn an Neptune in Aries oppose this sign? Likely a bit of fumbling and trying to adjust or withdraw because Saturn and Neptune cannot be flattered or cajoled into playing nice. In fact they will become enraged.
So if you are engaged in some kind of conflict around the days of Aug 9th and 10th, if it is clear you are outnumbered or outpowered, to just back off. You will have another day to approach matters in the future. But also don't feel bad if you try to deal with issues with a light touch and are rebuffed. The power imbalance is huge and against your efforts.
Mars in Libra also feels strongly about fairness and justice and while admirable, may not take into consideration larger karmic or background issues. Karma does always occur, but not necessarily in human or expected timeline. So trust that even if you are battling the corporatocracy or the govt, that there are larger transpersonal forces at play (outside of the players) and that eventually balance will be restored possibly only after a conflagration or destruction of some sort.
Where might you be convinced you can win or manipulate a situation with kindness only to be rebuffed?
ARIES - in your case, partners may try to cajole or entice you with niceties, but you ain't having it, it's bigger than this
TAURUS - you figure if you keep your head down and are organized in your life that you won't have to deal with your own secrets and fears, they need to be integrated regardless
GEMINI - perhaps if you distract yourself with niceties and frivolities, you won't have to look at the larger mission you signed up for
CANCER - trying to play small and appease everyone will not detain the need to step into bigger shoes professionally
LEO - friends may want to hang out and gossip, but your mind is elsewhere and onto bigger concepts
VIRGO - you may try to make yourself feel better by spending money but it does not ameliorate the onrushing wave of deeper intimacy required now
LIBRA - you may be interested in preserving the relationship but the changes have already taken place and this will be ineffective
SCORPIO - ironically, you are a romantic at heart but you must face that your work in the world is where your energy needs to go
SAGITTARIUS - you can "waste time" scrolling, researching and looking at other people's art but you need to be doing your own
CAPRICORN - the boss is enticing you to stay but you are no longer wedded to the office, you want your autonomy
AQUARIUS - fantasies of travel will not distract you from looking at your own home and life and finding new answers there
PISCES - you can dream of old lovers but your energy is pulled back into making a new life for yourself now that you've recognized your true worth
Mercury direct in Leo Aug 11th
are you king of your domain?
Mercury retrograded on July 18th in Leo and has continued it's backward motion in the sign, turning direct on Aug 11th. The archetype of Leo has been heavily impacted recently by Mars in Leo (retrograde from Dec 8th, 2024 through Feb 2025) where he met up several times before and after with power player Pluto in Aquarius. Pluto is the new authority figure/ abuser and in Aquarius it is related to technology, collectivism and a technocratic future. The most obvious "in your face" example is the encroachment of AI into all walks of life, soon eliminating many white collar jobs.
The people who will survive will be ones who have a unique human voice and message. Calling all artists!
Leo is also leadership and could of course be ego-based but in a more perfect world, would be generously heart-based. We are all questioning the relevance or integrity of powerful entities and calling them to task.
And while, as previous generations, we will be somewhat swept up in the history of the times, we still can have (some) agency in our personal lives and our thoughts. Likewise, our creations, if authentic and divinely inspired, can topple any machine or MLM in influence.
As Mercury retro brings us back to the scene of the crime, we may have dealt one more time with exes - whether personal or professional. In some cases, it could be with the "ex" that returned during last year's Mars retrograde previously mentioned above.
If one of the main issues was one of autonomy and recognition, appreciation and support, this is likely the sticking point in this Mercury retrograde period. And while in the scheme of things, Mercury retro is a relatively everyday type of transit, because the background energy of the life altering Saturn/Neptune conjunction, what is discussed or argued now is truly about the salvation of our authenticity. If we have played small for others or succumbed to their demands, we must overthrow that authority figure now as they likely are replaying old family scripts, particularly around a father figure.
And one psychological type that has popularly emerged is the narcissistic abuser. Of course, this person (or yourself) was wounded early on by their caretakers and now continue to childishly but bullyingly demand fealty and undying support. If you grew up with a narcissist as a parent, you are ripe game for having attracted them throughout your adult life. With the incoming onslaught of an entirely different world and societal paradigm, we can ditch this behavior once and for all. (More easily done by the victim than the perpetrator who can't see anything wrong with themselves).
Where do you need to be seen and heard now in all your luster?
ARIES - in your creative endeavors and romantic liaisons
TAURUS - by your family, original or created
GEMINI - with your peers and colleagues, siblings if possible
CANCER - in acceptance and compensation for your talents
LEO - in appreciation for your fully creative self, time to be the king or queen
VIRGO - in recognizing that you have visions that are valuable
LIBRA - in your social circles, public shows
SCORPIO - in your professional life
SAGITTARIUS - regarding your spiritual world views
CAPRICORN - in your intimate partnership
AQUARIUS - by your significant other
PISCES - in how you manage your life, your co-workers
So if the battle has been about appreciation and recognition, move in the circles where you are accepted and loved without a lot of drama. Move away from those people or situations that demand that you suppress your true self to fit into their distorted narrative. The future waits for no one and we must step into our authentic roles.
Ceres retrograde in Aries Aug 11th
who will be my fiercest advocate?
Ceres, now an official planet, is finally delineated in astrological ephemerides. Ceres is the mothering archetype, the nurturer and in the sign of Aries is not your baking cookies type of mom. This Ceres is a warrior queen who will encourage you to stretch and grow and will defend you against aggressors.
She is distinctly more masculine in her approach and she is something of a harbinger of where the cultural energy will shift in the coming decade as Saturn and then Neptune settle permanently in Aries for 15 years to come.
If we are lucky, there is an actual person who can embody Ceres in our lives but more likely, and especially if we are older, we are called to become Ceres in Aries ourselves. This pushes us to step out of our comfort zones and take decisive action in the areas that need to change.
Ceres in Aries can be an activist, a healer, a restauranteur, a farmer. The call is to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves but also provide clean, clear guidance on how to take care of oneself. As Ceres is related to food and gardening, a simple but effective step is eating healthy food and supporting communities that follow sustainability and regenerative farming practices.
Ceres in Aries is also the coach, the agent, lawyer who will take on the harder causes and break through the gatekeepers and establishment protocol that is more hindrance than help to those in need.
As the planet is now retrograding, all these themes may be up for review and reassessed so that one can be more effective when going out into the battlefield in the fall, when Ceres moves forward again.
Where will you be willing to actively nurture goals or self to bring on a new life?
ARIES - a rediscovery of your essential warrior nature
TAURUS - overcoming delusions and fears that belong in the past
GEMINI - you can be the political or nutritional advocate online or in groups
CANCER - helping to redesign the corporate structure
LEO - in seeking out a spiritual philosophy that supports action
VIRGO - in allowing vulnerability in your private relationships
LIBRA - in allowing others to take care of you instead of you always worrying about others
SCORPIO - in exploring new ways of healing or exercise
SAGITTARIUS - in finally writing that book or painting that picture
CAPRICORN - in letting others take charge once in awhile
AQUARIUS - by focusing on education or communication skills
PISCES - by deciding to "go for it" with a new career project
Saturn in Aries sextile Uranus in Gemini 1 degree Aug 12th
what can be easily begun at this time?
Both Saturn and Uranus are in early degrees of longer transits. Uranus is genius and brilliance while Saturn is the will and ability to make things real. When they sextile on the 12th, right after Mercury turns direct and Ceres retrogrades, we have a opportunity to lay the groundwork for our new breakthrough ideas.
Where in your life can you implement newly emerging goals?
ARIES - you have the discipline now to speak your truth
TAURUS - you may take more initiative in developing your talents
GEMINI - you're strengthening your professional and political connections
CANCER - you realize that your intuition guides you to professional success
LEO - you may find a new collegial organization that shares your views
VIRGO - merging resources with others can be beneficial in the long run
LIBRA - a new way of seeing the world strengthens or improves your relationship
SCORPIO - working your gifts can bring financial security
SAGITTARIUS - it's time to enjoy life more and seek out new relationships
CAPRICORN - by reorganizing the family structure (and responsibilities) your time is freed up for pursuing personal goals or service
AQUARIUS - discovering your voice opens you up to more romantic or creative prospects, children if you desire
PISCES - a new home or reorganized space supports a different set of talents
Jupiter in Cancer inconjunct Uranus in Gemini Aug 24th
Uranus in Gemini sextile Neptune in Aries Aug 29th
security vs. adventure vs. dharma
At the end of the month, Uranus in Gemini aspects two very different energies, revealing what might need to give way in order to move into our next life phase.
Jupiter in Cancer is very concerned with home, comfort and emotional nurturance. Uranus in Gemini seeks stimulation and disruptive scenarios.
Likewise, Uranus must "submit" to Neptune in Aries which is about forging an entirely new goal and vision for your life.
(In all cases, where a lesser planet bumps up against a stronger outerplanetary force, invariably the most powerful planet "wins").
Hence, Jupiter's emotional desires must accommodate the need for excitement while Uranus himself must nevertheless "surrender" to one's life work.
As the transits of Uranus in Gemini and Neptune is Aries are just beginning and will be in effect for the next 8 years (with Uranus) and 15 years (with Neptune), these proddings are simply the beginning inquiries and nudges into where we will land in the coming decade.
So at month's end, rather than be wedded to any specific ego-based outcome it is best to acknowledge these differing needs and consider how they might be accommodated for you to grow into the next iteration of self.
What are the varying and potentially conflicting influences you must eventually integrate?
ARIES
security - home and family
excitement - new friendships and learning opportunities
dharma - becoming an active force for good
TAURUS
security - friendship, childhood memories
excitement - making money, new business ideas
dharma - alignment with universal forces
GEMINI
security - money for self and loved ones
excitement - unlocking your genius
dharma - being a connector in the world
CANCER
security - food and homelife
excitement -discovering your intuition or other forms of esoterica
dharma - representing "the mother" to the world at large
LEO
security - time to sleep and dream
excitement -new friends and co-learners
dharma - representing spiritual truth and higher ideals
VIRGO
security - acceptance by the group or on social media
excitement -tackling a new job
dharma - fearless intimacy
LIBRA
security - a steady job
excitement - foreign travel
dharma - a relationship where each person is free
SCORPIO
security - romantic attachments
excitement - new types of intimacy
dharma - right work
SAGITTARIUS
security - financial or emotional coupling
excitement - a new type of relationship
dharma - creative expression
CAPRICORN
security - a solid reliable partnership
excitement - a new daily routine
dharma - creating a fiercely individualistic support system for family and self
AQUARIUS
security - a decent but not overwhelming day job
excitement - romantic or creative prospects
dharma - a purveyor of original ideas of freedom
PISCES
security - romance or children
excitement - a new homelife or residence
dharma - materializing and benefitting from your talents
And please note that the dharma I am referring to is that of the next 15 years of Neptune in Aries. Except for the 1/12 of the population who has a North Node in Aries, our lifelong lessons may be different. But with the Saturn/Neptune alignment, we will all be beginning a new life journey and this is where the dharma will be set into play.
Venus in Leo Aug 26th squares Pluto on Aug 27th
what's love got to do with it?
As mentioned in the Mercury retrograde section, planets moving through Leo have had to contend with the heavy and controlling energy of Pluto in Aquarius. And likewise, as also mentioned, the personal planets are buffeted and changed by the outer planets, not vice versa. So, in this instance, Venus in Leo must confront the new reality of Pluto in Aquarius, digital love or erasure of personhood.
Venus in Leo does need to be special but in an impersonal or chaotic world, may not likely receive that appreciation or adoration. We must change our idea of what brings us value and we may also have to determine our own self worth rather than try to have it reflected by others.
In some ways, when dealing with Pluto, it is best to detach rather than fight as you will not win. What might this look like in today's world? Certainly, in the realm of algorithms, to not let your moods or identity be determined by likes or ratings. To step back from comparing oneself to unrealistic standards. To detach from the online dating game.
Leo benefits from in persona interactions anyway and so as with Mercury in Leo, seek out or engage with those people who see the real you.
Now, another manifestation of Venus opposing Pluto is that money issues can temporarily arise. A credit card is denied, you're overcharged or if a celebrity, dished in the news.
Pluto would also love to dismiss someone who needs too much attention so notice if your partner or lover gives you the cold shoulder when you plead for acknowledgement.
I'm mentioning real world type of experiences that can happen with this minor aspect. But what underlies this is our conditioned thinking that we need others to validate us and the pain that attends a rejection or criticism. Your antidote is to not give power away to someone who will disabuse you of your selfhood.
Where might you seek attention only to get an impersonal brush off?
ARIES - in revealing your art or lover, social media responses are critical or non-existent
TAURUS - you are happy about home developments, but your boss doesn't care
GEMINI - you want to share what you just learned, but others think it is irrelevant or unsophisticated
CANCER - you're proud of your salary, but your financial advisors are unimpressed
LEO - that new haircut or clothing item gets the thumbs down from your partner (or worse yet, goes unnoticed)
VIRGO - you're experiencing some breakthrough spiritual moments, but no one is interested in hearing about it, particularly at work
LIBRA - you've made headway with a large goal, but your lover ignores it
SCORPIO - you've scored a point with your boss, but your family doesn't care
SAGITTARIUS - some original insights get lost in the boredom of ordinary conversation
CAPRICORN - you feel more open to love and experimentation, but somehow it is not valued as it is not tied to money
AQUARIUS - your partner is demanding your attention and you shut it down or ignore them, you've got "bigger" things on your mind
PISCES - you've got a good health update but this does not alleviate your existential dread of existence
And even though this is a lengthy monthly, the astrology's grander effects are not as in play this month as the recent times of planetary stations. Not to worry, this pause and contemplation/integration is needed as karmic energy picks up this fall and pushes us toward a grand finale/beginning in February 2026. So learn to enjoy the ride as the energy's going to happen!