Active from 22^nd August to 1^st September 2020

This is the August lunar cycle and completes the three Moon cycles for June’s edition of Fortuna’s Garden from the June FAA Journal. The September and October cycles will be in Fortuna’s Garden in September’s FAA Journal, and November’s cycle will be published as a blog when the date gets closer in mid-November.

Sun and Moon in Leo: Moon disposited by Sun

The August New Moon chart sees the Sun and Moon meet in the last degrees of Leo. The Sun is now in rulership and the Moon must follow its lead as it too is found in the sign belonging to the Sun. A fire New Moon may be just what we need to kick start any lingering apathy created by the past eclipse period of June and July. Even if a Southern Hemisphere winter does not reflect the astrological Sun in rulership, theoretically, we are ‘warmed by the Sun’s rays’ during this lunar phase.

Beginning a lunar cycle at the end of a sign will mean that for the second time in a row, the Sun will have moved on to the next sign by the time the Moon opposes it in a fortnight’s time. The Sun’s ingress into Virgo will occur around the same time as the Moon becomes visible on 23^rd August. 

Sun / Moon / Mercury conjunction in Leo

Mercury passes the Sun two days before the August luminaries’ conjunction and the New Moon will be at Mercury’s degree three hours after the beginning of the new cycle. Bringing Mercury into the mix adds another dimension to the New Moon because, apart from being the planet signifying our memory, communication and mental agility, Mercury is also vital to our global monetary systems, our markets, retail industries and all manner of business dealings. Along with the Moon, Mercury in Leo is also disposited by the Sun in rulership and by middle August it is hoped that world economies are beginning to recover from the lockdowns imposed during the peaks of Covid-19. However, the lunar cycle charts are worldwide, and each country will be dealing with its own Covid-19 crisis according to its responses and its own particular timeline on the epicentre of the virus.

Sun and Moon partile quincunx to Saturn: Mercury’s earlier quincunx

The three planets in Leo, namely Sun, Moon and Mercury appear in a ‘non-aspect’ to Saturn which is more about their refusal to acknowledge each other than it is about a relationship between the trio of planets and the Greater Malefic. The quincunx at the New Moon is the same degree for the conjunction of Sun and Moon to Saturn and this is one modern aspect (non-aspect?) that is unwise to ignore. The placement of Saturn five signs away is often an indication that structures are no longer holding and that Saturn cannot maintain its hold on tradition or normality. A quincunx means change is on the way and letting go instead of holding on tight, is often the only option.

Whatever happens, we can’t say we haven’t been warned as Saturn has given us plenty of notification in the past three months, simply because it has been an active participant in three consecutive New Moon charts. For instance, similar to August, the June New Moon also has a partile quincunx between the Sun/Moon and Saturn when all three planets were at zero degrees of their respective signs of Cancer and Aquarius – and it was Summer Solstice and a solar eclipse on this New Moon. At the July New Moon the luminaries had moved to 28 Cancer, but they were still not free of Saturn, who had retrograded back into 28 Capricorn to oppose the luminaries. Now in August, we have come to the other side of an opposition and Saturn at 26 Capricorn is once more withdrawing its services  so far as structure, familiarity and a belief that it is ‘business as usual’ are concerned.

Saturn’s continued involvement in the Full Moon charts of July (opposing Mercury) and in August (opposing Venus) are reminders of something of which we are already  aware – 2020 is a year unlike any other and that it will redefine how we move forwards as individuals, as communities, as countries, and as the human race after this year.

Sun and Moon aspects to the Nodes: sextile North and trine South Node

Normally these types of aspects to the Nodes would not gain great merit but it’s always comforting to think that there will be silver linings and that although the benefits we gain at this time may be precious and few, there is still hope that the acts of human kindness will outweigh the acts of fear and prejudice. It is possible that a physical manifestation of these positive aspects may be seen when the travelling Moon reaches 27 Virgo and squares the Nodes two days after the New Moon on 21^st August when the Moon will move into its Crescent Phase and activates the cycle.

Mars (Term Ruler) trines Sun, Moon, Mercury

Although the aspect had already taken place on 17^th August, the role of Mars as the term ruler for Sun, Moon and Mercury , makes this trine a valid contributor to the energies of August’s New Moon. Mars in rulership in Aries is another positive indicator that there is stimulation, increased energy, and hopefully positive manifestations of the trine between the four planets. Each one has their own significations of positivity and good fortune so with Fortuna’s Blessing we trust that, even with Saturn’s alarm bells, the cloud is lifting and good things are starting to happen. The Moon’s position on 23^rd August will be 25 Libra and the Moon opposes Mars on the same day it becomes visible in the evening sky on the western horizon. The Moon will also square Saturn on this day.

Venus sextile Uranus – earlier on same day as New Moon

Venus makes a sextile aspect two signs away from Uranus on the same day as the New Moon. Venus in Cancer is not an unwelcome sign so even if there are changes to relationships, we trust that they are beneficial and a statements of happiness and new beginnings that are both pleasant and highly energised or productive in their expression.

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Full Moon in PISCES opposing Sun in VIRGO – 2^nd September 2020

Active from 2^nd September to 16^th September 2020

There is so much going on in the August Full Moon that it’s hard to know where to start. Perhaps beginning with a positive statement for these two luminaries with a good flow of energy to Uranus is as a good a place as any.

Sun / Moon aspects to Uranus: Sun trine Uranus, Moon sextile Uranus

The aspects between Uranus suggest fresh approaches to a conflict that has turned into a stalemate and their ease of movement from the same gender (Moon sextile Uranus) and from element to same element (Sun trine Uranus) indicate that obstacles are being removed and both parties feel like they are in a win/win situation.  Uranus may represent an independent party who is assisting in the matter and as the aspects are free flowing, the third party is moving things along in order to get a satisfactory result. The Moon reaches Uranus five days later on 7^th September so perhaps the resolution takes place around this time.

Venus (Sun and Moon’s Term Ruler), opposes Retrograde Saturn in Capricorn

The dispositor of August’s Pisces Full Moon is Jupiter but there is very little happening for Jupiter in this chart. It may be more useful to examine the Moon’s term ruler, Venus, to see how the Moon is travelling during the waning phases of this cycle. Venus is term ruler for both the Moon and Sun’s 10 degrees and Venus is busy with a full-blown opposition to Saturn. These two planets are not natural enemies so the aspect is more about discomfort or regret than it is all out war between them.

Negotiations with women, a loved one, or a family member may be tricky, especially as Mars in Aries is waiting in the wings at the halfway mark between Venus and Saturn, but Venus in Cancer is nothing if not diplomatic when it comes to others’ feelings so perhaps a compromise might be possible. However, you may need Venus to get passed its exact square to Mars before you try something which will be constructive to the relationship. This square will occur two days after the Full Moon (4^th Sept), but it may take two or three more days for the dust to settle as the Moon conjuncts Mars on 6^th September, possibly inflaming the situation and agitating hurt feelings. Patience, tolerance and kindness are the keys here if you are willing to learn a lesson from this opposition.

Mercury sextile Venus

Mercury in rulership echoes the potential for a good outcome if your motives are honourable and your desire to fairly resolve a confrontation comes from an honest space. The sextile becomes exact on 4^th Sept – same day as Venus squares Mars, and Mercury is quincunx Mars – so be careful with your words as you don’t want to alienate the very person with whom you are trying to build bridges. Diplomacy is paramount if you can keep your temper in check.

Mercury (Virgo Sun’s Dispositor) square The Nodes

There is so much going on, but it seems there is a link to the events and the same dates keep occurring as planets continue to move on their own measured pathways. The 3^rd September is significant as this is the day that Mercury reaches the exact point of being at the ‘bendings’, that is, at the mid-point of the North and South Nodes. This is a critical place for any planet to find itself, let alone the planet that signifies the mind and all its tricksy machinations. Mercury is constantly shifting through, organising, analysing, looking for connection and meaning, and deciding which bits of information it will keep, or reject so perhaps it is for the best that it is in excellent condition (in dignity and exaltation) when it finds itself at the dusty crossroads.

Fortuna is back once more and she is busy, busy, busy in this month as she wills her fateful wheel to turn on its steady axle. On whom will she smile as they grab the wheel on its rise? And on whom will she turn her back as others fall from grace?  The wily Trickster may know, but he’s not sharing the secret.