August 2011 Saturn-Mars-Sun-Neptune

As noted in my prior posts on August 2011 ( here and here ) this has been a dramatic month, as befits the solar force, personified through LEO.
Next up after the full moon and before the Virgo New Moon on the 29th, Saturn and Mars both interact with Sun opposing Neptune at the tail end of Leo-Aquarius.
Looking at the 23rd-24th when Sun 29.30 Leo opposes Neptune 29.30 Aquarius, Saturn at 14.20 Libra  will closely aspect both (semisquare/sequiquadrate) These often overlooked and sometimes designated "minor" aspects can have a lot more of a power punch than expected, so with Saturn involved, forget about any "semi" considerations and give the aspect a challenging role to play.
Then look at Mars in Cancer - building to an exact square to Saturn on the 25th and so capable of energising the potentials of the Saturn-Sun-Neptune combo, since Mars itself will reach also an exact semisquare/sequiquadrate to the Sun-Neptune pairing.

Interpretative possibilities range from collective humanitarian impulses, people yearning for a better world of social justice (Neptune in Aquarius) facing off against despotic, authoritarian people/systems (Leo Sun-Saturn Libra mix). An angry public (Mars in Libra) facing repressive or controlling(Saturn in Libra) dictates. 
On a private level -relationship and domestic strife where one participant seeks to escape one-to-one partnership issues in favour of friendship and group fun and support.

We are already seeing pockets of this globally within the context of the widespread pro-democracy movements and these new surges of energy will manifest in people and places that most closely correspond vibrationally to the particular energy mix.

In economic terms - more strain on the global sharemarket could arise due to Neptune aggravating Saturn's tendency to worry, into a state of panic (Neptune causes the imagination to run wild). This is the sort of scenario that leads to contagion in the markets, as the energy ripples out like a stone tossed into a pond. ( update Aug 26 -US markets have instead surged in a mood of "wishful thinking"   with the hope that Bernanke can "wave a magic wand". Neptune is the indicator of magic so it looks like the collective choice has been to flip from dominant Saturn (worry) to dominant Neptune (fantasy) as often happens when the truth is too hard to bear.) 

August 22

Clearly events in Libya are most closely representing the pro democracy surge

August 24

USA East coast regions are facing two powerful acts of nature: the unusual M5.8 quake (rare in that region) and shallow -meaning more widespread shaking. See the astrology of this event
Hurricane Irene is also causing concern

August 2011: understanding the turbulence

Pluto, Uranus and the Sun are all acting up in August 2011. Way beyond earth there's a whole lot of energy in motion that most people have absolutely no concept of: they are trying to live, day to day in their microcosm, unaware of how connected their lives are to the bigger picture.

Astrologers and astronomers are used to looking at the big picture, the macrocosm, but in different ways - probably as differently as an artist and a non-artist view an abstract painting. The points of reference are different, the conclusions are different. Much can be gained however from blending both perspectives. This is where we may collectively be heading: blending, mixing, creating new forms, new outcomes and new understandings.

Global turbulence in August 2011 has been widely reported in terms of anarchic behaviour which started from a spark in one London community, then erupted like wildfire across multiple London townships, extending then to northern cities (interactive map of reported incidents)

"I mean a couple of months ago Britain was Harry Potter and the Royal Wedding. Now it is phone-hacking and riots in the street." says a New York reporter
The BBC reports on global reactions

The second global news event has been the stockmarket shudder, leading to roller coaster dips and some ups, but overall a state of nervous panic, again rippling or contagion-like across a large territory - global stock exchanges. BBC summary

Just about any other news is being avalanched by these two high impact issues.

From the perspective of astrology, looking at long and short term cycles, we know the typical monthly pattern features a new and full moon, and we know that a solar or lunar eclipse will happen at certain times of the year. But far more than that goes on of course, because none of these events is isolated or unconnected. The earth sits within the alignment of solar-lunar events in space and is directly linked to the energy emitted during the cycles of those larger spheres. When you view the spread of our solar system diagrammatically, it is evident that the planets are arrayed as in a radiating magnetic field. This field is what disperses unseen charged material across space and astrologers for centuries have worked out what types of events occur when particular planets orbit into alignment with each other, activating their individual and synergistic potentials wherever and in whoever resonates closely to the vibrational signatures of that energy, liking a tuning fork call and response.
So right now, London and other UK cities are responding in vibrational similarity. The global sharemarkets are also resonating. Both show evidence of turmoil, loss of control, panic.

Astrologers following the long cycles know that Pluto and Uranus have reached in August 2011 the closest angle (91 degrees) in their current movement towards an exact 90 degree right angle (called a "square") during this current phase.
What is also known, is that in 2011 we have seen the face of many unfolding events, still to emerge, as the cycle moves to even closer contact between Pluto and Uranus during 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

So how might Pluto and Uranus be related to turmoil, loss of control, panic ?

The movement of Pluto through Capricorn (2008-2024) is a major phase of change for human civilization and the evolution of our planet. Old structures, both within the earth itself and those created by humans, are being adjusted, altered, broken down for reconstruction, transformed and in some cases destroyed. (Earthquakes are a prime example of how this happens on the level of earth physics). In people this can express as the urge to destroy - self or others. So structural and systemic(human organisations) change is being met by another force - Uranus in Aries (2011-2019) = the energy of radical, even revolutionary upheaval, adding cracks and lightning rods of electrical charge into the ether ( another force adding to significant seismic shifts). In people this is the urge to change, overthrow, break free, seek justice, take collective action. Aries is a fiery force linked to the war-like Mars archetype - military, warrior modes are activated, with use of weaponry, like guns and knives. Fire also literally means the fire element. Fire also accentuates anger, aggression and irritability in most people, due to stimulating the adrenal hormonal output. Those able to transcend the base level of these powerful elemental earth & fire forces can be truly inspirational in terms of courageous, progressive and transformational acts which can be of great humanitarian benefit. These people are scarce but will be increasingly of maximum importance.
So periods of extreme turmoil are on the agenda in this difficult rebirthing period for humanity. Each of us needs to choose which path to follow because the two extremes will stand within the same small spaces -the angry, fearful survivalist and the compassionate humanitarian.

An astronomer looking at August 2011 would be talking about the Sun: suddenly lots of activity in an otherwise quiet 11 year sunspot cycle. The cycle is heading to maximum and that phase is known to coincide with more solar flares and their often subsequent coronal mass ejections (CME). Activity increased from August 3. Smaller flares plus on August 4 a powerful M-class flare sent a combined CME to earth. Astronomers are happy to talk about the geomagnetic impact of a CME: how the charged particles stream out in the solar wind and then mix & minlge with earth’s magnetic field creating a geomagnetic storm, visible to the naked eye via the awe-inspiring polar aurora. If the storm is strong enough, all sorts of electrical systems can be negatively impacted, ranging from power shutdowns to GPS aberrations. What the astronomers will not typically discuss is the extra electrical charge that everyone and everything on earth will experience during such a storm. This month these solar and geo-effective events happened in sequence with the outbreaks in the UK and on the global sharemarkets.

We have just passed a powerful eclipse sequence (from June1-July 1 2011) which I have written of extensively in my archives and the energy unleashed can be factored in as contributing to current events. In addition the end of July New Moon and mid August Full Moon have also had a part to play, as detailed in a prior post (also in the archive) on August moons.

Shock, fear, grief and confusion are certainly being felt across the UK and indeed the world, in a similar way that people respond to the death of an individual, because this too, in Pluto style, is a death, the death of old institutions, old systems, old ways of life, as the process of major change unfolds. Those losing money on the sharemarket may feel similar emotions, but in effect they are still trying to ride the old wave.

Updates:

Violence, looting and burning has also erupted in Chile (August 9) - Santiago & other cities, with students protesting public education issues. Again as in London, the protest began peacefully -but one sector broke away to challenge the police barricades

August 12

Here's another astro analysis on the UK riots by Lynn Hayes
Here's a  longer view of the Pluto-Uranus cycle and what might be achieved in the collective rebirth

Rioting has broken out in China
as residents react to repressive practices by local enforcement officers. The public backlash has been growing significantly in recent years. Pluto and Uranus will continue to fuel the discontent.

August 13

Workers who were in the process of installing a metal flagpole in Auckand ended up charred with burning clothes, when the pole slipped onto power lines, sending a power surge through their vehicle. The energy force of Uranus is typically related to all things electric/electronic (the power lines). The men suffered burns, their bodies smoking and clothes on fire (all energy of Aries) This event on Aug 12 was also in the buildup phase of the Full Mon (Aug 13) -full article

August 15

For similar views from another astrologer, AstroYiaYia

August 17

Johnny Rotten of the UK punk band, the Sex Pistols recalls:
Early Seventies Britain was a very depressing place. It was completely run-down, there was trash on the streets, total unemployment—just about everybody was on strike. Everybody was brought up with an education system that told you point blank that if you came from the wrong side of the tracks...then you had no hope in hell and no career prospects at all. Out of that came pretentious moi and the Sex Pistols and then a whole bunch of copycat wankers after us. -source
The band is known for it's anti-establishment ethic and the word Anarchy.
Clear energy links exist between  that era and the present.
                       April 1974       Pluto 5 LIB    NNode 22 SAG




                       August 2011  Pluto 5 CAP  NNode 22 SAG
Two cycles linked: the Pluto cycle coinciding with the Moon's nodal return.

Not only was there anarchy in the air in the UK but the sharemarket was in a global slump, particularly in the UK.

August 25

Better late than never, but have to recommend one of my favourite astrology authors Alan Oken. Just found his website and he gives a great run-down for August

August 28

Hurricane Irene remains in alert level force up the eastern seaboard, USA as we approach New Moon, whipping up sea levels = flooding on top of wind damage. Mercury is in hard aspect to Uranus which may be the Hurricane signature. For more on specialist info on how planets link to weather

August 2011 New & Full Moons -Astro Events -

August has a reputation for being a power-packed month and that may be down to the prominence of the solar force during it's passage through Leo. Be assured, the fundamental loving, creative and dramatic force of the sun has been shown to have a deep shadow as well, during many past recorded events of global significance that have occurred during the month of Leo. What's particularly important, is to see what other influences impact on the solar output to see what themes arise.


The New Moon heralding in August occurred in Leo on July 30 (Universal Time UTC)  with Jupiter in Taurus in a tight square to sun and moon plus both these are in semisquare-sesquiquadrate aspect to the SAG-GEM lunar nodes.
This looks like some will start to question personal self interest, greed and excess (versus collective, humanitarian issues) and we may see use of social media to spread this message both on local and global levels -an example would be hi-profile entertainers/stars/warm-hearted people (Leo) who feel challenged by their wealth/abundance (Jupiter in Taurus) and wish to help others. (Hello, there is a growing famine in the Horn of Africa)

Space News - via NASA confirms we are currently seeing the biggest sunspot display during this quiet Cycle24. First an M-class flare from sunspot 1261, approaching New Moon in Leo, plus  "Sunspot 1261 has a "beta-gamma-delta" magnetic field that harbors energy for X-class solar flares".  
Jupiter enlarges and increases whatever it merges with so in current 90 degrees to the Sun, it's not surprising the sun is very active.


The Full Moon (August 13 UTC) brings Pluto into the picture ( by semisquare-sesquiquadrate) which is fiery, volcanic & destructive, both in personal manifestations and energetically in earth and elemental activity -so expect eruptive, destructive, hot, outpourings. Several volcanoes(Hawaii, Iceland, Chile, Indonesia) have been on the radar recently, so any of these could  be the site of more overt action. People whose planets link to 20Leo in particular will be similarly volatile /vulnerable (coronary risk in some, aggro in others or can attract violent people)


Mars begins to ramp up this Full Moon from Aug 10th & 11th when Mars opposes Pluto and both these are at 90 degree right angles (square) to Uranus. With Mars in Cancer interacting with powerful Uranus and Pluto the risks of domestic violence and houses consumed in fire is elevated locations and people corresponding closely to 5 degrees in Cardinal Signs ( born on or near to March 27, June 27, Sept 29, Dec 28 - any year.

Venus at 20Leo contributes around Aug 13-14th - though not a heavyweight, Venus, (like Mercury ) can be seen to be in close contact during the timing of significant events.

Right at the tail end of Leo this August (23rd) we will see Neptune in Aquarius aligned in exact opposition to the Sun and Saturn semiquare-sequiquadrate this combo.

Firstly: the whole time Saturn is in Libra the big wake-up call is IMBALANCE -a theme we see currently played out in the enduring global financial crisis and weather extremes for example.
When Saturn makes a significant link to another energy, expect considerations of TOO MUCH/TOO LITTLE to be part of the issue at hand.
Sun opposite Neptune is fire versus water and with Saturn in the picture the balance is towards reduced output.
An imbalance related to the Sun/solar activity - the sun's activity may go very quiet (re flares etc)
An imbalance related to Water energy = a drought indicator on our planet
are both implicated around Aug 23.

August 4

Note the Cleveland volcano in Alaska is in active building mode

August 6
The global financial markets have suffered a significant lurch, continuing, as Liam Dann observes, the unresolved global crisis of 2008.
When focussing particularly on this event, the interpretation of the July 30 New Moon would include: the Jupiter in Taurus factor (excess money.greed/possessions, primal survivalism) in conflict with Sun-Moon Leo (warm hearted benevolence); Mercury opposite Neptune (confused, deceived, fuzzy thinking, not at all practical, strongly spiritual/humanitarian, very subconsciously driven) This mix of competing/conflicting energies is likely to underpin the panic aspect, especially when the thinking mode (Mercury) is so non-rational in contact with Neptune: wild imaginings can take hold.
It is evident too that this event has strongly spiritual/humanitarian drivers. We need to move on from basic survivalism, greed and excessively materialistic values towards a more loving, sharing and caring global, national and local environments.
With Mars(28GEM) active in respect of the Galactic Centre (27SAG) an event of global significance is reinforced.
All this of course is within the context of the longer term (for 5 years to come) game-changer combo: Pluto square Uranus -the revolutionary destroyer force which is amassing momentum in the coming week for the first very close contact in this cycle (Aug 11) Other factors will align with a power punch from the 10th as Moon and Mars join the picture, leading into the powerful Aug 13 Full Moon as detailed above.

August 9

A worsening of global economic stability as turmoil infests the markets. Along with the powerful planetary mix we have to add in the massive output from the sun last week, which resulted in a high level geomagnetic storm on earth. This disturbs both people and places. The planets alone have been enough to upset the markets, but add in the sun's intensifying effect and we have a hi-profile period featuring riots in several London towns
Starting with collective anger (Uranus in Aries) over Police conduct (Pluto in Capricorn) it is not surprising that fire (Aries, Leo), destruction (Pluto) anarchy (Uranus) have featured prominently. London in particular is resonating strongly with the big stress pattern generated by Pluto in it's closest, near 90 degree link to Uranus in this cycle. There will be other people/places, but this is headlining the global news - and the pattern still has building momentum -exact on Weds Aug 10
It is fascinating to come across the ways in which the manifold keywords of the planetary energies get expressed in different people/places which share that resonance/vibration.
In NZ in the past week of Aug 2011 there have been two tragic deaths, both involving men testing powerful air generating (Uranus) engines. One was killed by the propellor of a hovercraft, the other by being sucked into a jet engine. The Uranus-Pluto force led to their very violent deaths.
In addition in Afghanistan a US Chinook helicopter was shot down, (Uranus in Aries) losing (Pluto) all 38 military (Aries) on board.

August 10

Surprisingly, so far, in this cycle period, seismic and volcanic activity, though grinding and bubbling away, has yet to have a noticeable breakthrough, showing how hard these things are to consistently accurately predict ahead of time. Many observers will be surprised, within the context of various precipitating factors, that there hasn't been a significant quake over M7.0 somewhere in the world this week. Still this is a building phase for the next event - the Full Moon weekend - which has an after affect momentum period of a few days - so let's watch this week ahead from today to see if earth activations join with the big human activations of the past week.

August 12
The main seismic focus is coastal Japan, with a recent build up of events M5+

August 27
The coming New Moon in Virgo (Aug 29 UT) is surrounded by turbulent energy related to the declination of the Moon crossing the path of several powerful planets in a short time frame. This is because so many are positioned from the equator southwards.
On  the 29th the Moon will join forces with Uranus on the equator; next Moon will be in a parallel position to Saturn on the 30th. Into September, on the 1st Moon joins with Neptune; on the 2nd Moon joins with Pluto. Moon then, alone, reaches maximum south declination on Sept 5. Next Moon heads north again, reaching Pluto on Sept 7-8, on a path of reverse order, passing Neptune (9th), Saturn (11th) as it climbs again to cross Uranus on the equator on Sept 12.

This combo is likely to correspond not only with Hurricane Irene, which we all know the tracking for  (this link will expire) but also extreme weather, increased seismicity & aggravated human behaviour in places/people resonating to those vibrational signatures.