Monthly Vedic Astrology Forecast

Mercury + Sun Conjunction August 1
New Moon in Cancer/Ashlesha August 8
Mercury Transits Leo August 8 – August 25
Venus Transits Virgo August 10 – September 5
Sun Transits Leo August 16 – September 16
Full Moon in Aquarius/Dhanishtha August 21 - 22
Mercury Transits Virgo August 25 – September 21
Ketu Remains Powerful in Scorpio

As we move into the western calendar month of August, we are riding on a planetary raft supported by the signs of the luminaries and the signs of Saturn. This combination of forward movement in the signs of the Sun (Leo) and Moon (Cancer) with retrograde movement in the signs of Saturn (Capricorn and Aquarius) is creating an opportunity for rebalancing and regeneration after a long stretch of instability and uncertainty.

Let us consider the lessons learned in the recent past as we create our new paradigms. Now is the time to cut ties with that which is no longer supportive of new ventures and to carry forward the essential resources and knowledge from the past that will support the desired fruits.

Mercury + Sun Conjunction August 1

The Sun's entourage, the inner planets that are never far from him (Mercury and Venus), will have shifted to proceeding ahead of the Sun in the zodiac after Mercury passes by the Sun in the middle degrees of Cancer on August 1.

By mid-August, Mercury will be out of combustion range of the Sun for a couple of months, until his next retrograde cycle pulls him back toward the Sun from September 27 – October 18.

From mid-August, we are given a couple of months where we may enjoy some space after feelings of confinement. This is a good stretch to explore creative pursuits and analytical thought without feeling crowded, controlled or heavily influenced by someone else's agenda.

Mercury's transit through Cancer, the Moon's sign, is from July 25 – August 8. This is slightly uncomfortable territory for Mercury who prefers to transact in the relatively more dry realm of facts and figures. Cancer is watery, and tends to bring our attention to the messy and uncontrollable part of our minds that is emotional and sensitive.

Mercury in Cancer could be a good ally in stepping back from emotional moments or reactions. This is a good time to analyze why we are sensitive to certain stimuli and devise practices to help us stay grounded even in the face of feelings that may be raging within us.

New Moon in Cancer/Ashlesha August 8

Just prior to Mercury's departure from Cancer, the Moon will join the Sun at 23º Cancer, in the second pada of Ashlesha nakshatra, which is also ruled by Mercury. This is a rather sensitive and activated new Moon, opposed by retrograde Saturn from Capricorn.

During the first week of August, we will have fully boarded the planetary raft, with the Sun, Mars, Mercury and Venus activating the water and fire elements with their occupation of Cancer and Leo. Balancing the other side of the raft, we have retrograde Saturn and Jupiter in Capricorn and Aquarius, activating the earth and air elements.

All at once, we are ready to move and already exhausted from the preparations for leaving. It is not unusual to feel energetically low or drained as the Moon is waning. Saturn's aspect on this new Moon suggests the need to surrender to circumstances as they are and work with the resources on hand.

Ashlesha nakshatra lies at the end of the first third of the nakshatras, as the gandanta between Cancer and Leo is approached. The Moon as ruler of Cancer, with Mercury as planetary ruler of Ashlesha, makes for unusual energy, but the theme of Mercury/Moon interactions that arose when Mercury entered Cancer on July 25 is highlighted during this new Moon. Just as the energy culminates, it begins to break up.

Mercury and Moon are both associated with what we call “the mind.” The Moon governs the more fickle, moody and emotional facet of our mind while Mercury shows the data-driven, analytical mind. With Ashlesha, we see the interaction of these two mental forces, which when united can activate notable changes. Ashlesha's symbol is a serpent, which is often associated with transformation and the intimidating energy that is required to enact changes in difficult circumstances.

In these moments that may be strongly colored by sensitivity, exhaustion and anxiety, may we find the strength to bear the difficulty and may we invite the wisdom to let go of what burdens us, opening a gateway toward necessary changes and upgrades.

Mercury Transits Leo August 8 – August 25

Hours after the moment of the new Moon, Mercury moves across the first zodiacal gandanta point, trading Sun and Moon in Cancer for Venus and Mars in Leo. The gandanta points are junctures in the zodiac that lie between the water and fire signs, symbolizing trials that we all face as we evolve.

Mercury is a great puzzle solver and game player, so we can use his enthusiastic energy to enact our very practical plans for change, even as we do the difficult actions that are often required in order to make things move.

As Mercury jumps the wall, we may get the opportunity to learn a new way to get through blockages, so pay attention to what goes well during the weekend of August 7 – 8. It may give a directional clue.

After the moment of the new Moon and with Mercury changing signs, we may feel individually and collectively as if this is a new chapter in a story recently begun.

Mercury's company in Leo consists of Venus and Mars at first, but by August 10, Venus moves to Virgo, leaving Mercury with Mars in Leo, who are both getting an aspect from retrograde Jupiter in Aquarius.

Mercury and Mars aren't technically friends, but when it comes to technology, they are amazing co-workers. With Mars receiving Jupiter's aspect, we can expect his best work. Mercury joining this mission could take us all swiftly down the progress road for a spell. While this pairing gets things done, it is in a fiery sign and isn't the most compassionate combination. Leo is the Sun's sign and supports individuality and personal achievement. If you happen to be working on projects that are “all you,” this Mercury transit through Leo could be a good dose of jet fuel.

Venus Transits Virgo August 10 – September 5

Despite Venus' debilitation status while in Virgo, this transit shows some promise. Virgo has been receiving the aspect of Rahu since October 2020, which has opened doors for Mercury's earth sign. Those with prominent Virgo in their charts may have felt the pull of some new pursuits or desires since that time. With Venus coming on scene, the real magic could truly begin.

Venus is considered to be debilitated while in Virgo, but with all things considered, this doesn't appear to be a huge setback. Debilitation status doesn't mean that the planet is rendered immobile and useless, it just implies that effort must be applied for that planet to attain what it desires.

Venus' main impulse is to connect. This results in outcomes like relationships, contracts, social interaction and creative use of resource or material. What could make this difficult for Venus in Virgo is Mercury's child like and detached nature, which can cause responsibility to seem daunting.

Asking a young person to commit to something is a challenge, as the long view of things hasn't integrated in youth. Similarly, our tendency to attach to what makes us feel loved, whole and complete makes us want to commit, even if it isn't healthy or practical. Venus in Virgo is tricky because we are faced with practical management of a passionate impulse. Not impossible, simply challenging. Any human could use the practice!

With Rahu amplifying the desire to connect by both aspecting Venus and occupying her sign, it may be wise to make an even more conscious effort to manage our desires. We can enjoy and take pleasure in the moment without making rash or hasty decisions that may burden us in the long run. Remember to look at all sides of the situation before making contracts and commitments.

Mercury, as ruler of Virgo will start Venus' Virgo transit in Leo with Mars and will move to join Venus in Virgo on August 25. We gain advantage from both phases. While with Mars in Leo, Mercury is hard at work and benefitting from the direction of the Sun, Jupiter and Mars. This should help even Venus moving through Virgo. When Mercury joins Venus in Virgo on August 25, this will also support Venus' efforts to connect, create and maintain vitality.

Sun Transits Leo August 16 – September 16

When Mercury exits Cancer on August 8, the Moon follows, leaving the Sun and Saturn alone in the opposite signs they occupy. This leaves one week for these two enemy planets to duel it out, between August 8 – 16.

Saturn is strong in Capricorn and the Sun is rather comfortable in Cancer. This one-week period may mark a culmination of some tension that has been building. The story between Saturn and Sun revolves around how we express our egos, individual agendas, and sense of self. Any kind of imbalance around these things, especially as it applies to the health of relationships, could become prominent around this time.

The Sun then moves into his own sign of Leo, beginning a powerful month for the Sun that occurs each year from mid-August to mid-September. This year, the Sun's move to Leo sees him joining his friend Mars and his sidekick, Mercury, who moves more quickly and will overtake Mars, exiting to Virgo on August 25.

Leo is currently receiving the aspect of retrograde Jupiter, which may give mixed results due to the retrograde, but also benefits the Sun, Mars and Mercury. We expect buoyancy and positive growth from Jupiter; this may be stunted or slightly flat during this retrograde phase, which continues through mid-October. Nonetheless, Jupiter's influence is there, but perhaps in a less bubbly mode than usual.

The other factor of Sun departing Cancer is that all of the planets (except the fast-moving Moon) will stay out of Saturn's aspect for a short time. Saturn currently presses on Capricorn where he sits, as well as Pisces, Cancer and Libra via aspect. When Venus enters into Libra on September 6, a short parade will transit through Libra, again turning on the pressure of Saturn.

With Saturn's retrograde motion and inability to reach the other planets via aspect, this may give a few weeks of feeling a bit lighter and more mobile. The Sun's transit through Leo is always supportive of creativity, performances, leadership and self-improvement efforts.

With both Sun and Mars occupying Leo, we do have an increase in fire energy. Leo receiving Jupiter's aspect is helpful, but the energy of the water element is rather weak at this time, so we may need to consciously add in the watery things to keep ourselves cool, calm, healthy and peaceful.

Full Moon in Aquarius/Dhanishtha August 21 - 22

Around sunrise on August 22, the Moon joins Jupiter in the sign of Aquarius, coming into exact opposition with the Sun and bringing the Moon to its full point at 6º Aquarius, in the nakshatra of Dhanistha.

The balance of opposition between the Sun and Moon is always present during the full Moon. Here we have the Moon joined by retrograde Jupiter in Aquarius while the Sun is joined by Mercury and Mars in Leo. This could signal a culmination of effort related to Jupiter, whose positivity and direction could seem weakened at this time due to influence from the planets in Leo as well as retrograde motion.

Jupiter entered Aquarius on April 5, 2021, exiting Capricorn, which had recently been the difficult scene of Jupiter joining with Saturn in December 2020 and then moving forward through his sign of debilitation. Jupiter took retrograde motion on June 20, moving back again toward the early degrees of Aquarius. By mid-July, Jupiter had re-entered the nakshatra of Dhanishta, which he will occupy through the end of 2021, even as he retrogrades back into Capricorn.

Dhanistha spans equally between Capricorn and Aquarius, two signs ruled by Saturn. Saturn alone rules the earth sign of Capricorn, which exalts Mars and debilitates Jupiter. Saturn and Rahu together rule the sign of Aquarius, a sign that neither exalts nor debilitates any planet. Mars is the planetary ruler of Dhanistha, which is considered to be an auspicious nakshatra that creates cohesion by focusing power in a steady and rhythmic way.

Jupiter's first pass through Dhanistha in forward motion was from March 4 – May 21, 2021. Did that period correspond with any notable growth efforts or decisions that seem to mark a new era either personally or collectively? The retrograde phase of Jupiter is bringing us back to the roots of those choices and decisions. One one hand, there may be a sense of doubt or changing mind about how is best to move forward. On the other hand, we may be given a chance to review the details and reassess what our resources can actually support, such that we can make course corrections without abandoning the whole mission.

The Moon becoming full in Dhanistha, in close proximity to retrograde Jupiter, should be helpful as we reflect with open minds about how we are moving both forward and backward through our lives. This time supports gaining perspective on the big picture with a greater degree of clarity. Mars, as ruler of Dhanistha, is able to aspect this full Moon from his position in Leo, affording us the courage to move forward in spite of the unknowns or to move backward if needed, in spite of our egos.

Mercury Transits Virgo August 25 – September 21

After having a month of balance between the signs of the luminaries and Saturn, we see this temporary state of balance begin to break up after the full Moon, led by Mercury advancing into his own sign of Virgo, preparing for the next retrograde run from September 27 – October 17 in Libra – Virgo.

Prior to retrograde cycles, our wondrous Mercury tends to slow down a bit, causing him to take his time through Virgo, which is both his own sign and the sign that exalts him. This is a positive thing, allowing our minds to both analyze and organize but with less chance of skipping steps and losing threads.

During this pre-retrograde month, it would be wise to bring order to one's communication and transportation technology, finances and educational pursuits as these things tend to jump the tracks when Mercury's retrograde cycles run through activated signs such as Libra and Virgo (which is the case for the upcoming one.)

Let's remember that Virgo is currently home to a somewhat party atmosphere, with Rahu aspecting from Taurus (Venus' earth sign) and Venus herself in attendance. This is an extremely potent and enthusiastic energy. This could be an inspiring time to collaborate, create, write, produce and generally move things along with various types of projects.

Venus moves to Libra on September 5, which may actually stabilize the creative flow into a powerful stream. Venus in Libra brings the social energy, so working with others, enjoying the fruits of our labors together and keeping the momentum up is the theme with Mercury and Venus moving through the active signs of Virgo and Libra.

Ketu Remains Powerful in Scorpio

As we move about on the surface of things, with Rahu still powerfully unearthing treasures in Taurus, our anchor, the silent Ketu, remains strongly placed in Scorpio, a watery sign that he co-rules with Mars.

With Mars transiting Leo from July 7 – September 5, this even further amplifies the transformative power of Scorpio due to Mars' aspect on his own sign.

As the planet of liberation, intuition and confronting life's obstacles, Ketu's transit through Scorpio promises to be powerful in the sense of allowing us to re-wire and re-program ourselves in deep and transformative ways. Ketu is in Scorpio from October 2020 – April 2022.

May we all benefit from the quiet and meditative approach that Ketu teaches us as we navigate through life's ups and downs.