This August begins with the energy ratcheted up severalfold and the build-up of the energy possibly being released at times in explosive blasts. It is important, even essential, that we be very gentle with ourselves and with other people during this time. For we find ourselves in the midst of what is being referred to as a Cardinal Climax, a most powerful energy configuration in a T-Square formation that links up the Cardinal Signs of Aries, Libra and Capricorn.
The Cardinal Climax is the link up of Uranus, Saturn and Pluto. This interplay of these three energies has been operational since the second half of 2008 when Saturn and Uranus first opposed one another and Pluto entered Capricorn. The energies continue on into 2015 when Pluto and Uranus have their final square. But as we come into August of 2010, this energy configuration is increased exponentially with the Uranus in Aries opposed Saturn in Libra and both opposed Pluto in Capricorn reinforced by Jupiter in Aries and Mars in Libra.
It is vital for us to ‘blow off steam’, ‘air ourselves out’ and find various healthy formats by which to release the intensity of the energy, to vent the pressure of these times. And so I repeat that it is essential that we both be gentle with ourselves and gentle with other people. Otherwise, we can feel as if all hell is breaking loose and that we could be observers, participants, or even victims, in the hell-making.
August begins with four planets in Fire Signs, three planets in Earth Signs and three planets in Air Signs. There are no planets in Water Signs as we begin August. Six planets are in Cardinal Signs, two planets are in Fixed Signs and two planets are in Mutable Signs. Seven planets are in Positive Signs and three planets are in Receptive Signs.
The month begins highly imbalanced, ever more volatile now during these most volatile of times.
Like a thoroughbred in the starting gate, we can be champing at the bit, wanting to get on with it and bucking at any delays or frustrations we might encounter. People are likely to be on edge with their temperaments hair trigger-like, and people liable to become belligerent and argumentative at any perceived slight or misunderstanding. It is essential that we maintain awareness and be ever mindful as we begin this August period.
Along with the Cardinal Sign T-Square, we also start the month with a Stellium of three or more planets in the Cardinal Fire Sign with the Jupiter Uranus in Aries joined by the Moon.
We may want what we want and our interactions with other people could be a little dicey. We might feel as though other people are placing too many demands upon us, restricting our freedom and are the cause of our discontent. The blame game may be all well and good, but it brings no real satisfaction. But the beginning of August is very much akin to that classic Rolling Stones’ song “I can’t get no satisfaction.”
Yes, August starts with our sense of restlessness of discontent. Even if we can’t put our finger on it, we may feel dissatisfied, aggravated and annoyed.
We begin August with no planets in Water Signs. We may be more in our head, in our fiery passion and in our own self-centerdness than emotionally connected. Our sensitivity may be close to nil and that could prove a problem since we are far more interested in asserting ourselves, even willing to bang our head against the wall, rather than feeling things out, drawing upon our intuition and looking behind the curtain to see what might truly be going on.
I wrote about it in my ALERT: Red Flags Waving but I need to reiterate that the 4th of August is one of my least favorite days. Not only can the energy be intense and explosive. We might go overboard. Excess, indulgence and extreme actions can be indicative of this day.
A major factor during the early August period is for us to get our energy out. We shall have the urge to start certain things, initiate and launch forward. For the Cardinal Climax does speak to new beginnings but beginnings born out of the ashes of the past. We may mourn what was. We might be concerned about what appears to be occurring. We could even become fearful about the future. But the more mindful we can be, the more we can come to realize that out of the ashes something even better and brighter can emerge. Let’s release the past which is outmoded and outworn and let’s embrace the exploration of the new, all with the recognition that we are testing things out to see if they fit, if they work, if we resonate to them and if we become strongly impassioned by them. We do not have to make long-term commitments, but we do have to be vigilant and maintain mindfulness. As the musical group R.E.M. would remind us: “It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.”
Since life is changing all around us and demanding that we make changes in order to adapt to the shifting circumstances, it would be strongly advised for us to take some time to get off the track, gain a fresh perspective and consider our potential options outside of our normal existence. The intensity of this August period can be certainly lessened by going on holiday, focusing on recharging our batteries and not becoming obsessed by the shifting conditions in the world. It might be wise for us to allow ourselves something of a hiatus, have the storm pass and let the dust settle instead of reacting to the intensity. In so doing, we can become more aware of the trends and unfolding tendencies and better able to find a best practices approach to deal not only with the unfolding scenario but, more importantly, to thrive from it and utilize it as a catalyst for us to reach our optimum.
While the energy is ratcheted up during this August period, this month is a highly dynamic month. Things can change without a moment’s notice, and we could find ourselves catalyzed by the opportunities within the bedlam. The main thing is for us to keep our wits about us. If we take our time, exercise the necessary due diligence and work with peripheral vision and consider some of the unexpected variables that might arise, then this month can be a highly productive month.
Certainly the tides are high during the early part of the month.
August is often a time when people take the month off to vacation and fully enjoy the summertime. And such a choice might be the best choice, especially during the early part of the month. Getting out of town, taking that hiatus, looking to re-create and relax sound like the best prescription for the early part of the month. Such choices could help defuse the intensity of this time and possibly make it far less explosive for us on the individual level.
The 3rd and 4th are my least favorite days with the Cardinal Climax being triggered by the Jupiter square Pluto on the 3rd, followed with increased intensity on the 4th by Mars opposed Jupiter and Mars square Pluto. Belligerence and forcefulness can peak with people acting out with explosive temperaments and aggressive behavior.
The 6th through the 10th can be difficult for relationship matters. Venus moves into its own Sign of Libra on the 6th, creates a Stellium of three or more planets in Libra as Venus joins Saturn and Mars in the Cardinal Air Sign and contributes to the Cardinal Climax by Venus opposing Uranus on the 7th, Venus conjunct Saturn on the 8th, Venus opposed Jupiter on the 9th at the time of the Leo New Moon and Venus square Pluto on the 10th. People might want greater excitement in their relationship but some of the passion could turn out to be downright aggression.
One thing to be aware of is the fact that people may vent their frustrations on what they consider to be their safe harbors — their loved ones, their significant relationships. Unfortunately, we may hear of an increase in domestic violence. It would be far wiser for people to vent their frustrations by getting their physical energy out through sports activities, hiking and other physical exercise. Failing that, one can always beat a pillow to release their pent-up and blocked emotions.
Uranus retrogrades back into Pisces on the 13th. Back in April, a month before Uranus exited Pisces to enter Aries, there was the BP oil spill. With Uranus retrograding back into Pisces, we may become aware of other problems with our oceans caused by technology gone awry. But with Uranus retrograding back into Pisces, we do pick up some Water and we may feel a more spiritual urge rather than just the proactive desires we might have been feeling for much of this summertime.
On the 16th, Jupiter opposes Saturn, and it will be important that we find the balance between our own personal needs and desires and the personal needs and desires of those special people in our lives. We may want to focus on our own interests but might feel constricted by the demands of other people. We might also feel as though other people aren’t quite getting us, not fully understanding of who we are. This is also a time when we have to be careful about being extravagant. I have cautioned before the need for us to become ever more resourceful. We are in a contractive economic phase no matter what the spinmeisters and hypesters may say. If we can cut back on our expenses, put some monies aside and take a conservative, even bearish, approach, it would be well advised.
Although talk of a double dip recession has lessened, I would suggest the potential is not only strong but quite likely. Some of the energies operating now, the Cardinal Climax, were also operational in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. While similar cycles do not totally replicate situations of a previous cycle, there can be parallels, and I believe that we have only seen the tip of the iceberg and that this next year of 2011 could prove far more difficult with increased taxation whether overt or covert in increased user fees and the like.
The 20th and 21st could also prove a testy period this month. We start our third of the year Mercury retrograde cycle on the 20th at the time that Venus conjuncts Mars in Libra and the Leo Sun opposes Neptune. Confusion and lack of clarity can be increased severalfold, and it would be wise that we both add on extra time to get things done and then to check and recheck before we assume things to be completed or resolved. If important decisions need to be made or high-priced items purchased, it would be wise to do so prior to the Mercury retrograde or waiting until Mercury turns direct on September 12th.
The 21st has Saturn square Pluto, which could provide a breaking point in some relationships and even a structural breaking point with the possibility of geophysical activity of volcanic eruptions or earthquake activity. There might be a liability to mining accidents, so staying above ground would be a cautionary move.
The latter part of August seems less intense, less volatile. The Sun moves into Virgo on the 23rd, followed by the Pisces Full Moon on the 24th. We are looking to get back on the track, but even if we are engaging our ‘normal’ routine, we may have matured, developed and grown from some of the intense situations that early August could have shown us.
Let’s always remember that we never get more than we can handle. While we might not like the concept that adversity builds character, we are developing the tools and the skill set by which to create brighter days through better ways.
August 2010… asking us to be wise as serpents, gentle as doves…
