“We have two choices. We can be pessimistic, give up and help ensure that the worst will happen. Or we can be optimistic, grasp the opportunities that surely exist and maybe help make the world a better place.” Noam Chomsky
Perhaps I have used this quote before, but it bears repeating. This is exactly the choice we are facing now. Do we sink into our own despair or can we find a way to help make the world a better place?
Last weekend we experienced the jolt of Mars and Uranus joining the North Node. We saw the Senate reach an agreement on legislation that, among other things, addresses the climate crisis. Good sign for our future. On the other hand, the FBI executed a search warrant on Mar-a-Lago and Trump’s minions are threatening civil war. The minority leader of the House actually threatened the Attorney General. Apparently these legislators don’t like it when the laws they passed are enforced.
So let’s see what the heavens tell us.
Full Moon in Aquarius
On Thursday evening, August 11th, we have our 4th Super Moon of the year. I haven’t checked, but I don’t remember us ever having four in a row. But the Moon is in our collective face beaming information. The Moon is the gatherer and dispenser of multidimensional experience with all its complexity. It is hard to pin down the Moon because it is changeable. Today we are flying high, confident and hopeful. Something happens to clip our wings and we plummet back to Earth. It can be quite a ride.
The Moon moves through the entire Zodiac every month, bringing us a shift in energetic context every 2-1/2 days. Right now it feels more like every 2-1/2 hours. We are going through an accelerated evolution, and we’ve hit a lot of turbulence.
This Full Moon’s message is about tension and polarity. We have faced obstacle after obstacle, all intended to get our attention. How will we respond – to Covid, to conflict and war, to the rise of Fascism, to the gulf between factions in our citizenry? It’s like being in a batting cage and the balls come faster and faster. The purpose is to turn up the heat on our simmering transformation. As we get squeezed, we are forced to let go – of old habits, of the past we cling to, of the image we have of ourselves, of the wounds and resentments of the past, of pretense and illusion. In short it’s time to let go of everything that weighs us down.
So what are Aquarian themes? Aquarius is a paradox. It has two rulers – Saturn, the structure builder, and Uranus the explosives expert. Aquarius embraces dichotomy. It is the symbol for all humanity and therefore gets the reputation of being aloof or detached. This is the third and most evolved Air sign. In Gemini we are discovering intellect, gathering information, learning how to communicate. In Libra we move beyond ourselves into relationship with others. In Aquarius we turn our attention to the larger sphere of our humanity. We begin to identify with the glorious sum of our parts, the vast diversity and wonder of us as a collective.
Here comes paradox #1. When we think in collective terms, we address collective issues. We make the health of the whole top priority and sublimate our personal preferences for the good of all. But Aquarius is also ruled by Uranus – the rebel, the individualist, the freedom lover who resists and breaks through all attempts to contain him. Uranus carries the spirit of independence coupled with vast curiosity to explore the unknown. So Aquarius is associated with science and technology, exploration, research, experimentation.
So how do we reconcile the individualistic spirit of Uranus with the collective consciousness of humanity? We’re trying to work it out now through our political process. We disagree about the future because we no longer share the same values. We can’t force others to abandon theirs, and we’re unwilling to abandon ours. Seems like a stalemate. And this is where the ingenuity of Aquarius comes into play. We have to create a third thing at a higher frequency. We have to create a bigger whole that can integrate this polarity.
The whole purpose of our experiment in democracy, as stated in the Preamble to our Constitution, is to form a “more perfect union.” This is the question of the moment. Can we recommit to this ideal and save our democracy or will we backslide into autocratic rule? The ones who advocate for this are the ones who hope to be in power, but no one will win in this scenario. We will lose our sovereignty.
This is what Mars/Uranus/North Node are showing us, that the future we need to pursue is freedom, respect for diversity, and a dedication to the welfare of the whole. The current rift is symbolized by the tug of war between Saturn and Uranus. Saturn builds stability, structure, institutions – the framework of our physical reality. Saturn accepts change as long as it is slow. Uranus wants it right now, and not in baby steps. Uranus loves to quantum leap. Paradox #2. How do find the sweet spot? Saturn clings to the past and Uranus lunges into the future. Many of us already sense this future and welcome it with relief. Others fear change and resist. Thus the tension, but tension serves its purpose. It increases awareness, throws us back on our own resources, forces us to find resolution.
The Full Moon Chart
The chart for August 11th reveals tension and opposition. The Sun in Leo opposes the Moon in Aquarius which is conjunct Saturn! The South Node in Scorpio is opposite the North Node in Taurus conjunct Uranus. The two axes are square to one another forming a Grand Fixed Cross. A Fixed Cross reveals a solid state, so to speak, a structure that is under stress. This is where we are, fixed in time, trying to break out of a system that is failing and no longer meets the complex needs of our time. What happens now can either imprison us in past illusions or catapult us into a brighter future.
There are signs on both sides of our nodal axis. The ultimate outcome depends on the quality of choices and decisions we make now. Can we muster the courage and will to choose the more challenging path? Can we summon our pioneer spirit? Can we believe enough in ourselves and trust the benevolence of the cosmos to step into unknown territory?
Jupiter and MakeMake
Retrograde Jupiter in Aries is opposite the dwarf planet MakeMake. We all know that Jupiter is an expansive, forceful energy that can be just the fuel we need to meet the challenges of the day. We haven’t pinned down MakeMake yet, but it seems he is an evolutionary force, helping us see the bigger picture, nudging us to fulfill our potential. Perhaps something is calling us forward. We can listen for that call. We can face our fears and move into a better version of ourselves. We can step into the light, be seen and heard, and cast our vote for the future by living our values fully.
The opposition between Jupiter and MakeMake bisects the Fixed Square of lunar and nodal axes. It suggests a path to cut through resistance. As you will see, this is a period of waking up, opening our minds to new possibilities, and allowing our world view to expand.
I must note that our natal Ixion has almost perfected its return. It’s within 8 minutes of arc to its natal position. It’s time to step outside the box. Ixion is part of our national identity. He can manifest either as the courageous pioneer or the disgruntled saboteur. We came here to pioneer, to go through this time of chaos within which reside all possibilities. We came here to hold an energy field and influence the outcome. Now is the time to embrace courage and step into our power that resides within authenticity.
I want to point out that there will be a Total Lunar Eclipse with Moon conjunct Uranus and the North Node on election day! A powerful echo of this Full Moon. The eclipsed Moon suggests to me that women are going to make the difference in this election. Uranus indicates surprises and change. The North Node is the direction in which we evolve. We have a say in that.
Key dates
Aug 11 Sun square Uranus
Mars sextile Neptune
Venus moves into Leo
Aug 14 Sun opposite Saturn
Mars trine Pluto
Aug 15 Mercury trine North Node
Aug 16 Mercury trine Uranus
Aug 18 Venus trine Jupiter
Aug 20 Mars into Gemini
Aug 21 Mercury opposite Neptune
Vesta retrogrades back into Aquarius
Aug 22 Mercury trine Pluto
Aug 23 Sun moves into Virgo
Aug 25 Venus square North Node
Mercury moves into Libra
Aug 26 Venus square Uranus
Sun square Mars
Aug 27 New Moon in Virgo
These dates lay out a process for the next two weeks. The Full Moon triggers change. It has been brewing in the unconscious, but now it’s ready to come to light. Think of this process as both personal and collective. On the same day Mars sextiles Neptune, the spiritual need to connect meets masculine assertiveness. Venus moves into Leo, shining her passion for beauty and harmonious relationships. We can bask in these energies.
On the 14th the Sun opposes Saturn – we see problems, challenges, limitations. Meanwhile Mars trines Pluto to bring up some information from the Underworld. The way is prepared for reflection and rethinking.
On the 15th Mercury takes over, trining the North Node, asking us to think about the future. Then it trines Uranus – think about change and social reform. What changes do we need to make?
August 18: We have the final quarter Moon. Venus trines Jupiter and opens our hearts into more expansive space.
August 20-21: Mars moves into Gemini where he will reside for seven months, turning retrograde on Halloween, direct on January 12, 2023 and finally entering Cancer on March 26th. We’ll be looking at this passage in detail in coming months. How will our world view shift in that time?
On the 21st Mercury opposes Neptune perhaps blurring the boundaries of some of our rigid beliefs, opening us up to consider our Oneness. Then Vesta retrogrades back into Aquarius to review some unresolved paradoxes and strengthen our devotion to democracy. Next day Mercury trines Pluto. Now we’re thinking about deep subjects – secrets, phobias, taboos, empowerment, even death and transformation.
These themes pave the way for the Sun moving into analytical Virgo which supports increased discernment.
On the 25th Venus squares the North Node bringing the feminine view of our future. That same day Mercury moves into her sign of Libra where we contemplate relationships – to ourselves, to others, to our world.
On the 26th Venus squares Uranus and the Sun squares Mars. This could be an interesting day with the potential for rashness and contention. But it is also an opportunity to work on the relationship between our inner masculine and feminine. Are they working together or is there an imbalance of power?
On August 27th, at the New Moon, we begin the Virgo cycle.
Remember that once we experience the illumination of the Full Moon, we turn to integrating the experiences, information and lessons of this lunation. This is the Leo cycle. There is energy here to enhance courage, self-expression, big-heartedness, a spirit of fun and play. While our world is a bit dour, we can still have fun. I heard a great quote on the new Star Trek series called “Strange New Worlds.” Captain Pike has a motto (I paraphrase): “Sometimes things get so awful you just have to laugh.” Even Spock had to agree. Maybe I should have opened with that.
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