August 2020 Astrology:
Courageous Love + Electric Change
August begins with bold, heart-centered Leo in command—the Lion who grants us the courage to speak our truth and stand up for what is right. With Uranus in the mix, we’re applying our ingenuity, intelligence, and creativity to improve our relationships and the world. After working through our communication issues for the past couple of months, we’re now confronting each other more skillfully, cutting through the obstacles of deception, oppression, and mindless triggering. The planets are helping us to set boundaries and assert our power for the betterment of all, from a place of grounded compassion and mutual respect.
This month will be heated, offering a profound catalyst for change. By the end of August, we’ll slow down again and remember that this all comes back to love. We’ll have the chance to reconnect with Spirit, forgiveness, and peace. But first, we’re doing the important work of the Leo-Aquarius axis, using our voices to create a paradigm that exemplifies our respect for all beings, and our love for each other and the Earth. This way, we can open into oneness and flow, and move closer to building a world that feels safe enough for us to open our hearts.
AQUARIUS FULL MOON
An Aquarius Full Moon arrives on August 3, with the Sun and Moon in harsh squares to Uranus—the planet of rebellion, humanitarianism, and instant liberation. This Full Moon is inspiring electric change and breakthroughs. We may feel anxious or agitated, especially as Jupiter riles up Mars in Aries. It’s time to pull out our swords, severing ties with all that isn’t serving us. We can find ways to offer our hearts, voices, and creative gifts to help with the collective transition that’s already so powerfully underway.
MARS SQUARE PLUTO
Tension mounts as Mars squares Pluto on August 13—the first of three squares this year, because of Mars’ upcoming retrograde. Fiery confrontations are ready to erupt as we confront the truth with fearless audacity. Mars is triggering the Saturn-Pluto conjunction, which started in January, sparking issues around power, abuse, the civil rights, and the pandemic, as we continue to rebirth our systems, structures, and society. Standing up for justice and truth, we are likely to be met with opposition. It’s important that we stay centered and take care of ourselves in order to maintain resilience and avoid unnecessary harm. We’re learning to channel our passions, anger, and assertion in helpful ways, stepping up as warriors in our ongoing fight against materialism and oppression.
URANUS RETROGRADE
Uranus stations retrograde on August 15. Discomfort, agitation, and antagonism could run high, as we continue to fight for freedom and liberate from the past, even within ourselves. While we may feel anxious or restless, these energies are helping to push us into the next phase. With Uranus in retrograde, we have the chance to integrate all of the change that’s already occurred—to go inside and feel our own internal freedom and inspiration as we prepare our hearts, minds, and lives for further liberation.
LEO NEW MOON
The Leo New Moon arrives on August 18, forming a supportive trine to the Mars-Eris conjunction. Aligned with Mercury, our voices are becoming louder, braver, and more daring. We’ve been improving our communication all summer, and now is the time to step boldly into new expressions of truth and heart, in our personal lives and the world at large. We’re feeling our pain, making necessary changes in our lives, and fighting for a better world. All the while, we’re reconnecting with joy and playfulness. New leaders and creatives are now ready to emerge, offering their fresh and courageous voices.
MARS SQUARE SATURN
Mars squares stern Saturn on August 24, the first of three squares, again, because of Mars’ upcoming retrograde. We may feel Saturn’s resistance slowing our forward momentum, making sure that we’re on proper footing. With Mars in Aries, we can call on our stamina and strength to keep us going in the face of any obstacles.
VENUS TRINE NEPTUNE
Luckily, Venus trines Neptune a few days later, on August 27, offering a dose of unconditional love, expanded heart, and forgiveness. We might intentionally slow down and remember to tap into our dreams and visions of the future, as we marinate in feelings of interconnection and compassion. Love and creativity are now supported. In the midst of so much change, we might take advantage of these energies to express our love, write our songs, dance our dances, and remember the profundity available within our hearts at each moment. After all, this is our highest purpose on Earth—to open our hearts no matter what, and help others to do the same.
From this tenderness, we can work together to build our dreams into reality. We are conceiving and realizing a new age, which is so close that we can touch it. It’s an age where we respect each other and Mother Earth, and make sure that all beings are cared for—an age where we have ample resources and safety to laugh, notice our thoughts, and find our stillness. We have the time and space to make our art, hug our loved ones, and relish in the beauty of the natural world, and the pleasures of being human. In just a few days, we will meet a gentle, mystical Pisces New Moon, helping to implant these higher visions of what could be.
august summary
In the wake of many eclipses and retrogrades, August offers us the chance to experience breakthroughs, both personally and collectively. The planets are also helping us reconnect with our heart’s joy, inspiration, and love of the world. For the past couple of months, we’ve been working through communication issues. Now it’s time to slice through our fragility and stand up for truth, justice, and compassion for all. Confrontation and agitation are likely, as resistance blocks our forward momentum. But we can see this as an opportunity to test our fortitude and make sure that we are standing on solid ground. The paradigm is shifting as all of our old structures, systems, and societies are toppling to be reborn. The planets are giving us the strength and courage we need to keep going as warriors of light, recognizing the potency of operating with tender hearts in the face of closed-hearted materialism, malice, and greed. We can do this, if we can each offer our talents and visions to the collective plight, without fear of making mistakes, having uncomfortable conversations, or losing connection to our underlying motivation of love. Representative John Lewis said it perfectly in his letter, which he asked to be published on the day of his funeral:
“Though I may not be here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.
“When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.”
In the heat of summer, may we connect with the strength of stillness and the cool waters of clear mind. May we recognize our true power, which comes not from success, bullying, or materialistic gain, but from Love, which inspires our resilience to carry forward in creating a kinder world.
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