Planetary Cycles
Sun Signs For August 2007
The sun in Leo brings fun and self-expression
The sun entered the fiery, expressive, dramatic sign of Leo on July 22, beginning a month-long cycle of self-exploration, fun, and creative expression. A positive, fixed fire sign, Leo calls for adventure, romance, challenge, and authentic self-expression. While the sun is in Leo, the emphasis for everyone is on fulfilling our personal desires, knowing ourselves more deeply, and having fun as we connect with the meaning and higher purpose for our lifetime.
Self-knowledge through creative expression
If you are born with the sun, moon, or rising sign in Leo, you seek continual reflection from others in order to help you to define yourself. At the core of a Leo lifetime is the burning desire to know the self through various means of expressive art, and if your work does not involve some degree of freedom for self-expression, you will seek it elsewhere. Your life path involves an ongoing and ever-evolving search for authentic identity, which ideally culminates in learning to fully love, embrace and accept yourself as you are.
Venus brings a review of our values and relationships
Once every two years, the planet symbolizing love, values and relationship, Venus, turns retrograde for a six-week period. On July 27, Venus turned retrograde in Virgo and will dip back into Leo on August 8. While Venus is retrograde, we experience a review of our current values, financial condition, and relationships, the purpose of which is to create a “clearing house” for old patterns with love and money. As Venus retrogrades through Leo, we will be looking at our values and relationships in terms of how they reflect who we truly are. If you have unfinished financial dealings dangling out there, or unfinished business in a relationship, this is the time to complete it. A little soul-searching will help you identify the difference between values that you “inherited” from others, and those values that are true to your heart.
Growth and expansion is on the horizon
Following the last four months of retrograde motion, Jupiter, the planet of growth and expansion, returns to direct motion on August 6. The long period of review and refinement stimulated by retrograde Jupiter has of course been necessary, but has also put many of our plans on the back burner while we attended to other business. As Jupiter gathers motion in its home sign of Sagittarius this month, we feel free again to move forward and expand our new ideas, new plans, and new goals with renewed enthusiasm.
New Moon in Leo ignites our dreams
On August 12, we have a new moon in Leo, opposite idealistic Neptune in Aquarius, highlighting our dreams and wishes. The new moon sets the stage for the coming four weeks of experience, and with this one, Neptune acts like a tuning fork, directing our attention to our higher purpose. This month, we find ways to express our authentic self that honor our spiritual truth. The new moon also highlights Pluto, the planet of transformation, which prompts us this month to let go of old, unwanted patterns in our relationships, and gives us a deeper look at our capacity to love and be loved.
Lunar Eclipse stimulates changes
On August 23, the sun completes its transit through Leo, and enters the earthly, analytical sign of Virgo. Following the intense period of self-discovery initiated by the sun and Venus in Leo, the sun in Virgo calls for refinement of our purpose and searches for practical means to achieve our life's ambitions. At the full moon on August 28, we have a powerful lunar eclipse in Pisces, opposite the sun in Virgo, bringing changes into all of our lives. We gain new understanding of what it means to be the creator our life. This eclipse encourages us to surrender all attempts to control our lives from the ego, leading us instead to come into harmony with our higher selves, allowing our lives to unfold from the perfection of our spirit.
Aries – The sun in Leo activates the area of your chart that represents fun, pleasure and self-expression, and, particularly around the new moon on August 12, your creative energy will be flying high. As the Venus retrograde also affects the same area, some projects may need revision, and August is an excellent month to complete your revisions with inspiration. The end of the month solar eclipse highlights inner, spiritual reflection and completions.
Taurus – Awareness dawns this month on the life-purpose you have been seeking to know. Much of the shifting and changing in your career has occurred to help you wake up to what truly has meaning for you. This month you discover, or rediscover, what in life brings you real, lasting satisfaction. If you get back to basics, you will awaken your joy.
Gemini – Mars in your sign puts you into hyper-drive from August 7 into September. You simply will not be able to please everybody, and it is important that you focus on your goals, especially around the new moon on August 12, so, even if they come in–an appealing package, avoid distractions. The mid-month new moon in Leo emphasizes your creativity, communications, and friends and relatives. Stimulated by the solar eclipse August 28, much of your focus goes to your career and life-purpose.
Cancer – The August 12 new moon sheds light on your finances. If you own property, or have other investments, you may have been watching your money dwindle over the past few years. This month, you find solutions to help you rebuild constructively. Retrograde Venus in your money sector requires a rather exhaustive look at every aspect of your financial well-being, but will result in greater stability for the future.
Leo – This is your month to shine, allow your creativity full expression. Three planets join the sun in Leo, urging you to step into the limelight and bring your gifts and talents out for all to enjoy. On August 12, we have a new moon in Leo that highlights the changing landscape in your most important relationships. Letting go of expectations will surprisingly bring you more of what you actually want in your love life.
Virgo – You have been stretched too thin for two long, and if you don't make some changes soon, your body will rebel. It is essential for you to take time this month, especially around the new moon on August 12, to focus on rejuvenating your health and renewing your spirit. The retrograde Venus, together with a lunar eclipse on August 28, reveals that career demands are putting a strain on your most valued relationships, do something.
Libra – The August 12 new moon initiates a review of your long-terms goals and brings new friends and group activities into your life. Your normal daily routines will most likely change as your new goals may require travel, or include getting more education. The lunar eclipse at the end of the month brings your attention to new health routines.
Scorpio – Retrograde Venus brings a review of your work and life-purpose. New career objectives that call upon your creativity are on the horizon mid-month. Although it may seem that everything you have counted on to provide a foundation for your life is in flux, you begin to see the wisdom in all of life's changes that have led you to this point of self-actualization. As Jupiter goes direct, money begins to flow for you again and valuable resources become available.
Sagittarius - The new moon August 12 highlights travel and new discoveries that challenge your mind and awaken your spirit. Venus retrograde prompts a review of your belief system, leading you to some deep soul searching, and Pluto brings a long-awaited breakthrough in higher understanding. Mars in Gemini opposite your ruling planet, Jupiter can make you restless; try some meditation or other relaxation techniques to help you find balance.
Capricorn – This month's focus goes to the financial area of your life. With Neptune urging you regarding money matters, to “let go and let God” for several years now, you finally get the message. Venus retrograde brings a review of shared resources and investments with partners, and Pluto brings a breakthrough with the transformational energy for you to make necessary major financial changes.
Aquarius –The new moon on August 12 perks up your love life, bringing your attention to relationship dynamics, and urging communication with loved ones. Additionally, Venus retrogrades in your area of partnerships, and this brings a review of any meaningful, committed relationships, whether business or personal. Your long-term goals undergo transformation as a result of the soul searching in your love life.
Pisces – You may be challenged this month to balance energy that seems to be moving in many directions all at once. Staying focused on your own life and personal objectives will help. The new moon mid month highlights Venus retrograding in the health sector of your life. Based on a review of your current physical condition, you may choose to implement new, healthier habits and routines.
Carolina Eastwood provides in-depth personal astrology readings that open the doorway to fulfilling your life-purpose. Offices in Solana Beach and Poway. www.earthstarconsulting.com. or: Phone: 858/259-1590
HOME - FEATURES - NEWS - FROM THE PUBLISHER
LETTERS - COLUMNS - MUSIC REVIEWS - BOOK REVIEWS
PLANETARY CYCLES - CALENDAR - ABOUT TLC - CONTACT US
CLASSIFIEDS - RESOURCE DIRECTORY
ARCHIVES - SUBSCRIBE - ADVERTISE - SEARCH