August 19 2:26 PM EST
We continue to experience surprises and disruptions that shake us free from the old in our lives, personally and collectively. This full moon falls at 27 degrees of Aquarius and is exactly square to Uranus at 27 degrees of Taurus. Uranus is the “great disruptor” and is also one of the co-rulers of Aquarius along with Saturn. Saturn is at 17 degrees of Pisces during this full moon and is exactly square to Jupiter at 17 degrees Gemini. When we see a lot of squares and T squares, it indicates that issues may force themselves to the surface for resolution. In other words, we might not be able to sweep uncomfortable situations or conversations under the carpet any longer. Or we may need to see the writing on the wall about certain people or dynamics at play.
Jupiter, at 17 degrees of Gemini, is also conjunct Mars at 19 degrees of that sign. Mars can be hot tempered and wants to force issues rather than waiting on them. So we could end up in situations where things get blown out of proportion (Mars/Jupiter) but we must resolve them in a mature and strategic way (Saturn) in order to create solid ground and an improved situation moving forward.
That may be easier said than done though with Uranus square the full moon feeling like it’s bringing us plenty of curve balls that we may or may not have time and perspective on managing thoughtfully. Wherever possible we should take a pause, take a breath, take some time to process things that are happening so that we can respond rather than react.
We have some other planetary players featuring strongly in the mix now as well. Mercury retrograde is at 26 degrees of Leo conjunct the sun at 27 degrees. So that places Mercury Rx more or less exactly square to Uranus as well. Even if we read or hear something that shocks us now, we always have a choice in how we are going to manage the situation. Drama and reactivity will get us more of the same.
The positive advantages of Mercury Rx (yes, there are some!) are that whatever comes up can shift our perspective or perception so that we see it with more accuracy and clarity. Even if it does not “please” us. I wrote about this also being a key theme of Jupiter square Saturn in my piece about the year long transit of Jupiter in Gemini. The two exact squares between Jupiter and Saturn during this period (August 19 and December 24) are important times of re-evaluation of the exciting ideas and potentialities that have been swirling in our lives since Jupiter first entered Gemini in May of this year. There are exciting new possibilities swirling but Saturn is pragmatic and realistic and wants us to understand what is REALLY going on so we don’t get swept away with rose colored glasses and can instead choose in discernment. Mercury retrograde only underscore this point. Dysfunction reveals itself, not to “mess with us”, but so we can sidestep it in the future.
That said, there are a lot of variables in the air right now, and these are chaotic aspects so when it come to logistical matters the classic Mercury retrograde maxims hold true: double check reservations, re-read important emails, delay signing important paperwork if you can, and expect a certain amount of travel disruption.
Venus is also part of this story. At 18 degrees of Virgo, Venus is creating a leg of a T square through opposition to Saturn and squares to Mars/Jupiter. As the planet of relationships and finances, Venus here indicates that this can be an arena where we need to see the writing on the wall and the bottom line of the situations where we find ourselves. So there could be more financial “reality checks” on the world stage.
So we have EVERY single planet all the way out to Uranus involved in these two massive T-squares at the time of this full moon, with the exception of the two furthest out planets Pluto and Neptune. This is certainly unusual! The sun/moon/Mercury Rx/Uranus are activating the late degrees of the fixed signs (26/27) and Mars/Jupiter/Saturn/Venus are activating the middle degrees of the mutable signs (17/18/19). These are tight orbs and signify meaningful shifts.
As mentioned, neither Pluto or Neptune are tied up in these aspects, but they are both VERY powerful. 0 degrees and 29 degrees are known as the “critical degrees” in astrology, one at the very beginning of a sign, and the other at the very end. You guessed it : Both Pluto and Neptune are at critical degrees. Pluto is at 0 degrees Aquarius as it gets ready to retrograde back into Capricorn on September 1st (before the next new moon- so during this lunar cycle). And Neptune is at 29 degrees Pisces, also retrograde, a degree that it has been at since all the way back on May 3rd.
A lot may have been kicked up psychically and energetically since that time since Neptune is the planet of mysticism, dreams, and intuition. We may have had meaningful breakthroughs in our healing or knowing about what is right for us. Neptune, however, can also signify illusion, addiction and apathy so it’s possible emotions could have been stirred up powerfully creating confusion for us. This is especially true if we are still struggling to learn and integrate the lessons that have been coming for us courtesy of Saturn in Pisces since March 2023 when we began to be prompted to come into a greater level of self-authority, accountability and maturity in our lives and soul path. Now, at this full moon, Neptune in Pisces reminds us that we can truly only get the answers from within and the more we exercise that muscle of learning to hear the voice of our inner guidance and follow it, the better we are able to navigate anything that comes our way.
Pluto at 0 degrees of Aquarius reactivates that energetics of the Jupiter/Saturn grand conjunction at that degree in December 2020. That conjunction “set the tone” for the upcoming 20 years in the collective and we are now at a crucial time when many of things that play out will have deep significance setting the stage moving forward.
So there is a lot on the line right now. It may not exactly be the “relaxing” end of summer (here in the northern hemisphere) that we had envisioned. But rather a necessary course correction in certain ways. It could also, of course, bring welcome surprises! Uranus and Saturn are the co-rulers of the full moon and are both powerfully positioned, as we have discussed. Uranus can offer profound breakthroughs and visionary “upgrades”. Saturn REWARDS us for the hard work we have been putting in and the efforts we are making towards increased accountability, effort and integrity. So despite the rather dramatic nature of this full moon there is nothing to worry about when we step back and observe from a big picture perspective.
At it’s highest, Aquarius is all about authenticity and individuality. Not the kind that we use egoically (Leo) to further separate and distinguish ourselves from others. But the kind that demonstrates our unique flavor of originality and thus helps bolster others into recognizing and expressing their beautiful individuality as well. This is a paradox of Aquarius: that truly embracing our radical authenticity is what ultimately helps us find our tribe and community. So remembering that can help us smooth out any anxiety we have about the disruptions that are occurring now and also with setting intentions that we can end up at the finish line of this catalytic period with a more deeply engrained sense of our unique personal power and the people we can truly be ourselves around and who support us in shining and thriving in that.
Approaching this potent time with a *willingness* to see clearly and handle situations that come up with both love and maturity is our best strategy especially if it feels like the “wild west” out there in the world and even within our own lives. Giving ourselves and others some grace (while not ignoring the writing on the wall) as we move through these upcoming weeks can work wonders. Then we may even be able to accept this potent energetic invitation to fully shed any limitations that have been holding us back, and step into a new version of our own highest future, with eyes wide open to the realities and the possibilities that are before us.
*art by @tomosaito
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