Aquarium Age - Transformational Astrology

An undertow of difficulty underlies the days and nights this week, intensifying the already too-intense air and adding a bitter flavor to regular routines. Be careful not to get bitten by the bitterness—its toxic effect might result in a cynicism that could be hard to shed. Also be careful not to slide into pessimism about the state of the world or the state of your personal life. Cynicism can be quite debilitating, and you’re going to need all the positive energy you can muster to get through the coming weeks. Refuse to succumb to a negative attitude and instead cling fast to the many efforts, in your life and beyond, to facilitate positive change. We don’t hear about those endeavors as often as we hear about all the things that are going wrong, and that’s unfortunate because many of our fellow travelers are doing their best to promote compassionate transformation.

Several sources contribute to this bitter undercurrent, but the most important influence is a T-Square that includes a Sun/Saturn opposition that began on August 8, is exact and separating on August 14, and ends on August 20. As Saturn’s judgmental perspective scrutinizes the Sun’s vitality and points out the flaws in optimistic plans for the future, we are at risk for a depressive view that can only see the glass as almost entirely empty. Do your best to avoid succumbing to the negative possibilities inherent in this opposition and as you encounter flaws in your plans, use Saturn’s precision to make any realistic adaptations.

The Sun is in Leo, a fundamentally cheerful and generous Sign and Saturn is in Aquarius, which holds an egalitarian viewpoint, but can often skew to an aloof awareness that has the potential to reject or belittle Leo’s optimism. There is actually no conflict in those perspectives except the conflicts we ascribe to tensions between different points of view. Try to see these differences as complementary rather than clashes that can only be rectified by vitriolic debate.

At the midpoint of this Sun/Saturn opposition (and what turns the entire configuration into a T-Square) lies a Mars/Uranus conjunction in Taurus, with both Mars and Uranus in a square to the Sun and Saturn. The Mars/Uranus conjunction was exact and separating on August 9—the separation phase (which we are in this week) is when we feel the full brunt of any interaction; this conjunction is highly volatile and we are likely to experience it in our individual lives through arguments and battles that no one is willing to back down from. Be careful not to descend into revenge or other destructive behavior because that behavior is almost sure to bite you in the ass when the Mars/Uranus separation phase is over, which is technically on August 12, but the fractious energy of this aspect is likely to echo through the remaining weeks of the month.

That echo is attributable (as I mentioned last week) to a Mars/Pluto trine. As Mars pulls away from Uranus it moves immediately into a trine with Pluto, a positive interaction that provides an almost never-ending source of energy and power but simultaneously fails to provide any inclination towards peace-making. One of the problems with this T-Square is that it takes place in Fixed Signs—Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius—and Fixed Signs are notoriously stubborn and for the most part compromise averse. So letting go of a beloved point of view in order to keep the peace won’t be easy—but give it a try. I am not advising you to surrender your principles; I am suggesting that before you go to battle, you take stock and see if the battle and possible damage will be worth it in the long run.

Do your best to keep the peace this week, and as I always advise, take your stand but before you do battle with opposing viewpoints, examine your position with an eye toward how it might be revised and refined. The more we work together, the easier it will be to make it through these waves of change—it’s the kind thing to do and it makes manifest a compassionate heart.

Sun Bursts:  If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.

Aries March 21-April 19
Although the situation is tense, this could be a transformational moment for you if you’re willing to reexamine your relationship to money. Yes, I know this is ultimately about knowing your true value and that recognition will be more precise if you are willing to reflect on your financial situation and how to improve it.

Taurus April 20-May 20
The solution to the tension is reaching out to significant others and making it a priority to resolve your differences. I’m not suggesting you surrender what matters to you; I’m simply advising that if you can find the neutral space to listen to the feelings and ideas of those you love and care about, you’ll find ways to compromise.

Gemini May 21-June 21
Identify what would bring you joy during these tumultuous times and then, rather than brooding over the state of the world, devote yourself to endeavors that feed your happiness. I’m not asking you to ignore the areas that would benefit from your help; I’m suggesting you take care of yourself before you care for others.

Cancer June 22-July 22
You’re tired of the fussing and fighting and you’re longing for an end to the mean-spirited exchanges that seem to be everywhere. Good—now the task at hand is turning your attention to persistent problems and finding creative solutions that include the needs of all concerned. It won’t be easy, but it will be worthwhile.

Leo July 23-August 22
Try not to let the stress and strain of this T-Square dim your light—it’s your time of the year, which means it’s your time to shine brightly, even if you feel like lying low and staying home. Do whatever it is that makes you happy and stokes your fire—wherever you are, you’ll find activities to sustain your enthusiasm.

Virgo August 23-September 22
Sometimes a deep, intimate conversation with someone who has known you through thick and thin works like a remedy for the soul, so don’t hesitate to seek the comfort and consolation of a good friend who isn’t gonna judge you if you start to bitch. Even if things are going well, sometimes it’s healthy to whine for a little while.

Libra September 23-October 22
The tumult of the week challenges your self-esteem and the result is that you’re second-guessing yourself unnecessarily. Of course, a self-inventory every once in a while is always a good thing—it keeps us honest about personal growth—but concentrating on what we perceive to be flaws is often about judging ourselves too harshly.

Scorpio October 23-November 21
It’s essential to assert yourself but it might be wise to be cautious about being too demanding of yourself or others. If you’re unhappy with the situation, take a deep breath and consider how you would like to tell someone to take it down a notch or two. Err on the side of caution and you’ll create allies eager to work with you.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21
The secret of your success is maintaining an inner equilibrium that you can rely on no matter how intense the external world may become. If you meditate, increase your meditation. If you don’t meditate, try to start. If music is what shifts your mood, listen to the music you love. The key is to keep your internal world peaceful.

Capricorn December 22-January 19
It might be a good idea to get a change of air. If you can’t go on a vacation, turn your staycation into an exploration of local venues you’ve never given much thought to. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it is a departure from your regular routine—nothing is wrong, but sometimes it’s good to challenge your habits.

Aquarius January 20-February 18
See if you can channel the intensities of the week into your career efforts. This isn’t about blind ambition; it’s about breaking the spell of any stresses and strains and focusing the excess energy on how to improve your professional situation. Side-stepping external demands will help you stay calm and steady in several situations.

Pisces February 19-March 20
Every once in a while it’s helpful to examine what you believe in and why. Sometimes it’s an easy process to identify belief systems that are meaningful, but often it’s a disturbing process, especially if you’ve outgrown certain ideas but haven’t found appropriate replacements. Take your time with this process and you’ll make tangible progress.