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Number 89 

August is a month for reflection and re-evaluation as Mercury joins all the transpersonal planets in retrograde motion. The two solar eclipses of June and July have created quite a lot of inner and outer chaos that needs to be processed. 

Blessings

Christine Rothwell 

'03 9584 6532

Email:christiner@netspace.net.au

Website:www.christinerothwell.com.au 

 Contents

1.   August Overview

2.   Mercury Retrograde

3.   2011 Astrology Classes.

·       Beginner's / First Year on Thursday nights

·       Intermediate / Second Year on Monday nights

·       Advanced / Third Year one Saturday afternoon per month

4.   Consultations and Gift Certificates 

1. August Overview

 

The VAA is hosting the next National Conference in January 2012For detailed information about the Conference click on the banner or go tohttp://www.vicastrology.net/faa-conference-2012/  

 

August sees all the transpersonal planets and Chiron moving retrograde. Mercury joins them for most of the month and Jupiter joins in at the very end of the month.

This retrograde environment emphasizesthe process of review and reflection that has been a prominent feature of the last couple of months. The retrograde motion of the planets is a geocentric or earth based phenomenon that means the planets look as if they are moving backwards from ourvantage point here on Mother Earth. This is similar to the phenomenon of two trains travelling along parallel tracks: the slower moving train appears to move backwards if you are in the faster moving train. 

The traditional interpretation of retrograde planets suggests that they become weak, inhibited or repressed. Psychologically we can see this quite differently: the planet is no longer functioning in its usual mode and canoffer us a new angle or perspectiveas it moves over one area of the zodiac three times. Retrograde motion always suggests a time forintrospection, reviewandrevision. 

Mercury moves retrograde on August 3 and will remain so until August 27 while Mercury remains in the 'retrograde loop' from July 15 to September 17. Please check and double check all arrangements and have a sense of humour if things go awry. Mercury always assumes the persona of the Trickster when he is forced to remain stationary but he is hiding his deeper purpose as Psychopomp and guide to the Underworld. Mercury retrograde can be our friend at this time as he invites us to explore the deeper workings of our mind, release outmoded thinking and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs.[More information on Mercury retrograde in section 2] 

If you are feeling stuck, the retrograde energy may be challenging you to ask yourself WHY? The planets would suggest that you are trying to move forward in an old dysfunctional way that your soul is calling out for you to change. 

Remember, the retrograde motion of the planets can offer us a new angle or perspective on our life and gives us the opportunity to break free of old limiting beliefs, patterns and behavioursthat we often don't notice until we face blocks, delays, frustration. So, give thanks for all your current challenges and see if you can sit quietly and discover a new way forward that is more compatible with you inner truth. 

The current retrograde patterns provide us all the opportunity to see how we utilize the energy of:

• Chiron - our ability to reconcile opposites and come to terms with our physical and emotional wounds and integrate this with our spirituality. Where are you stuck in your wounds and unable to let them go? How might this serve you in some perverse way? Are you ready to let go an attachment to being the victim?
• Uranus - our ability to create meaningful change and express your individuality and uniqueness. Where and how are you limiting yourself by fearing change and the process of growth? What needs to change? How can you do things differently?
• Neptune- our ability to surrender our ego and open to the imaginal, spiritual and transpersonal realms. Do you listen to your intuition and have some way of accessing the guidance that comes through the symbolic realm of images and feelings?
• Pluto - our ability to face our fears, embrace our shadows and claim our power. How and where is fear undermining your forward momentum? How can you attend to this fear and befriend the inner demons that personify this realm? 

As the retrograde planets appear to move contrary to their normal pattern, they symbolize a shift in how we may experience their energies. Retrograde planets can offer us a new angle or perspective on our patterns and beliefs. Obstacles may suggest that you are operating from an old paradigm that is no longer congruent with the person who have become or are in the process of becoming! So, if things are slowing down in some area of your life, or you are feeling blocked or frustrated, see if you can sit quietly and discover a new way forward that is more compatible with your inner truth and core self.  

The possibility for illumination around these blocks is particularly potent at the times when the retrograding planet opposes the Sun. This month seesNeptunereaching the climax of its annual retrograde cycle when it is at the closest point to the earth for 2011. This brings the energies and processes that it symbolizes much closer to consciousness so we can develop greater clarity regarding ourNeptunefunction. The opposition has the potential to be illuminating or explosive!

The Sun opposes Neptune on August 20,heralding the key moment in the retrograde cycle ofNeptune. This alignment offers us potential illumination or disintegration. With Neptune at its closest point to Earth for this year we have the opportunity to review our dreams, ideals, visions, spirituality and may also be confronted with our illusions, delusions, escape patterns / addictions and co-dependency. If thevictim archetypeemerges, give thanks for the opportunity to see it so clearly, try not to fall into the blame game [not for too long anyhow] and see how you can empower this part of yourself. It could be a great time to have some energy work to work with whatever comes up.

The Full Moon on August 14 is at 20 Aquarius and opposite the Sun. Venus and Mercury in Leo. This polarity highlights our needs to be part of something larger [the Aquarian domain of friends, community, humanitarian movements] with our need to be acknowledged for our individual creativity and uniqueness [the Leo domain of creative self expression]. This full moon is a logical time to review our friendships and group commitments and see whether we feel validated in those relationships. The Moon opposite Venus invites us explore how our relationships [Venus] nurture us [Moon] or pull us out of our centre [Sun].

The New Moon on August 29 is at 5 Virgo, conjunct Venus and opposite Chiron andNeptuneand quincunx Uranus, challenging us all to undertake some honest self analysis and take some steps to improve our lives, particularly in the house that contains Virgo in our natal charts. The Neptune / Chiron conjunction has been active for the last few years and this new moon brings its gifts of spiritual healing once more to the forefront. Old wounds [Chiron]and feelings / patterns of abandonment [Neptune] may resurface, challenging us to forgive our self and others and develop a more compassionate perspective. 

Jupiter, the Principle of Expansion and Lord of Olympus, moves retrograde on August 30, joining Chiron, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.Jupiter spends about 4 months retrograde each year and will turn direct around Christmas Day, just in time for the New Year.

As the largest planet in our solar system Jupiter symbolizes our search for meaning as well as expansive states that come from faith such as confidence and optimism.The retrograde motion of Jupiterinvites us to review our growth, examine our moral codes [personally and collectively] and develop a deeper sense of what is right and true for us. Our plans for expansion may undergo a reality check and require re-visioning. Sometimes we lose track of what is right for us and get carried along with collective beliefs that are not congruent with who we are. Jupiter retrograde can expose any incongruence and offer us a new perspective on our visions, beliefs and plans for growth.

Sometimes we can feel deflated [particularly if we have been inflated] and there is a major conflict between what we had hoped for and the reality of the situation. The challenge is always to review and revise our plans and to hold onto a positive attitude. Jupiter rewards positive [not naïve] thinking and invites us to walk our talk and move out of our comfort zones.

2. Mercury Retrograde

Mercury entered the retrograde loopon July 15 in preparation for turning retrograde onAugust 3, a process that heralds a new Mercury cycle that will begin around August 17 when Mercury conjuncts the Sun. The retrograde process takes place in the signs of Virgo and Leo. During 2011 the Mercury retrograde process has been taking place mainly in fire signs, asking us to review how we work with the energy of fire which is all about our passion, inspiration, courage, joy, optimism and confidence.

The whole retrograde phase is a potent time for reflection and review … a time when we can become aware of habitual beliefs and thought patterns and make the adjustments necessary to align our thinking with the person we are now. This is a great time to meditate, reflect, research, seek answers, sort out your paperwork, return calls and generally attend to all the things you have been too busy to do earlier.

This is also a time when normal communications can go haywire and things often don't run to plan. Remember to be patient, maintain your sense of humour, CHECK ALL PLANS, BACK UP YOUR DATA AND DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY IF THINGS GO WRONG! 

Currently Mercury is still visible in the evening sky but he will disappear for  about a week when he is lost in the blaze of the Sun from around August 11 to re-appear in the sky just before sunrise around August 23 or later. In esoteric terms this is the most intense and powerful part of the retrograde process as this when Mercury assumes his alter ego as Psychopomp and Guide to the Underworld. In this role Mercury is associated with the Egyptian scribe Thoth, who has access to the Halls of Record [Akashic records]. Esoteric writers suggest that the retrograde phase of Mercury creates an opening that allows access to the wisdom of our soul and the wisdom of the Cosmos. 

Key dates / degrees

?Exact dates: August 3 to 27.

?Sensitive degrees: 18 Leo to 1 Virgo

?Full time of influence: 15 August to September 10

?Time for insight: around August 17 when the New Mercury Cycle begins [Mercury conjunct the Sun]

?Time to act on new ideas / beliefs: August 27 to September 10 

Remember Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking from habitual ruts and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs. Concerns may arise over the first few weeks and the answers and insight can appear when the new cycle begins onAugust 17. Sit with your insights until afterAugust 27when Mercury goes direct. The next few weeks are the time to express your insights and put new plans into action. 

 

Blessings

Christine Rothwell