Summary
Full Moon in Capricorn/Shravana August 1
Venus in Cancer August 7 – October 1
New Moon in Cancer/Ashlesha August 16
Sun Transits Leo August 17 – September 17
Mars Transits Virgo August 18 – October 3
Mercury Retrograde in Leo August 23 – September 15
Full Moon in Aquarius/Shatabishak August 30
September 2023 Headlines

Summary

For an in-depth analysis of specific planetary placements, please continue with the full planetary forecast.

Full Moon in Capricorn/Shravana August 1

The Sun and Moon face off, resulting in the bright full Moon of August 1st, with the Sun placed in the Moon's watery sign of Cancer and the Moon opposite in Saturn's earth sign, Capricorn. With both luminaries placed at 16 degrees of their respective occupied signs, we find six of the nine planets occupying the opposite signs ruled by Saturn and the luminaries. Let's explore what themes this may set up for the remainder of August.

The configuration we find in the luminaries' camp is Sun placed in Cancer and Mars, Mercury, and retrograde Venus placed in Leo. In the opposite signs, Moon occupies Capricorn and retrograde Saturn in Aquarius opposes the trio in Leo. This array activates all four elements, represented in these four signs. Cancer is water, Leo is fire, Capricorn is earth, and Aquarius is air. Strongly linking into this relatively balanced structure is the Rahu and Jupiter combination from Aries, with Jupiter exactly aspecting his dispositor Mars. This is an injection of powerful, fiery energy.

Woven into the dynamic of Saturn with the luminaries is the exploration of boundary and separation as an element of relationship. We often think of relationship as a celebration of attraction and the tendency to hold others close, which isn't wrong, but it turns out that the wisdom and experience of Saturn urges us to accept that no matter how harmonious or passionate our connections and contracts are, we still have an individual path and karmic responsibility that requires saying no to some things in relationship.

This full Moon actually sees an opposition between Saturn and Venus, both retrograde, and occupying the signs of Saturn and the Sun. With retrograde Saturn in Aquarius, we are on a fast track to rebalancing our relationships, pushing forward with saying no with freedom and confidence. Opposite in the individualistic sign of Leo, we find the champion of the collective, Venus, also in retrograde motion. This could signal some radical shifts in perception when it comes to what's "yours" and what's "mine."

As the Moon begins to move out of this opposition and wanes to join the Sun as he transits from Cancer to Leo mid-month, we may find ourselves letting go of some agendas while insisting on others as we move away from unhealthy relationship patterns. Remember that letting go really happens before the first step is taken in a new direction. Be clear about attachments, direction, and practical self-acceptance.

Venus in Cancer August 7 – October 1

After a steady rush toward Mars through the spring and summer, Venus slowed and stationed retrograde on July 23rd. This will create space between the fiery Mars and watery Venus, lessening that passionate energy that we may have been tapping into since May.

Venus has been in retrograde motion in the early degrees of Leo since July 23rd, and will conjoin with Mercury during the last week of July. Mercury will move forward into Leo, pushing ahead toward Mars, and Venus will slip back through the critical degrees that transition between Cancer and Leo, the first gandanta of the zodiac.

The first week of August sees Venus reverse swan dive through this space, entering into the late degrees of Cancer on August 7th. With Venus, the representative of connective actions, in retrograde motion and transitioning back into watery Cancer, we may be experiencing a reorganization of relationship in some form.

Venus remains in retrograde motion for the entire month of August, with the main shift being during the sign change on August 7th. The sign of Cancer at this time can act as good shelter for retrograde Venus, who may have begun a cycle of overwhelm as Leo is under an immense amount of influence from the challenging planets of Saturn and Rahu, balanced somewhat by a positive push from Jupiter.

Venus will enjoy this protected environment through October 1, when once again Venus pushes through the Cancer-Leo gandanta, demanding once again a new start for creative processes and relationship phases.

Venus stations for direct motion at 19 degrees Cancer on September 3rd. The beginning of September could show the birth of a higher form of relating, creating, and rejuvenating based on the mental and physcial cleansing available while Venus spends more time in the Moon's watery sign of Cancer.

With the major significations of Venus being relationship, partnership, love, and connection, this retrograde phase could signal a turnaround in that realm of life. This doesn't mean a loss, necessarily, but in fact could signal a reprise of relationship that may have ended, stagnated, or failed to launch. It could mean a loss, also, especially of relationship that has been frustrating, unclear, or unsupportive.

The theme of this time could be integrating the awareness of selfish tendencies within relationship. The retreat of Venus back to Cancer should be supportive for taking these lessons to heart, healing the wounds that may be present, and reorienting to a rejuvenating and nurturing approach to relationships and deep sharing.

New Moon in Cancer/Ashlesha August 16

In the wee hours of August 16th, the Moon slips in to share the same degree with the Sun, 29 degrees Cancer, for a short moment before shifting from the waning to the waxing phase which happens each month at the new Moon.

With retrograde Venus running into combustion with the Sun during the first week of August, this proximity to the Sun removes "evening star" Venus from sight in the western sky after sunset. For a couple weeks, Venus remains in tight conjunction with the Sun, finally re-emerging in the eastern sky pre-dawn for the "morning star" apparition that begins in late August.

This new Moon moment overlays the new Venus moment that is also a reality due to the retrograde Venus combustion status. The trio of the luminaries with retrograde Venus in the late degrees of Cancer, more specifically in the nakshatra Ashlesha, indicates that it's time to count on something new that could be built on the footprints of the past.

With most of the strong transit dynamics pulled together in the signs of Aries and Leo, we may feel inspired to whip up a new paradigm from a seemingly random array of creative detritus that has accrued on our shores. With Saturn in Aquarius opposing Mars and Mercury in Leo, we are urged to be practical and conservative with our hard-earned resources, striving for dynamic management of rapidly developing situations.

Sun Transits Leo August 17 – September 17

Following the waxing Moon into Leo just after the new Moon, the Sun enters into his own fire sign of Leo on August 17th for the annual transit that stretches from mid-August to mid-September when reckoned with the observable, sidereal zodiac.

In both 2023 and 2024, our Sun in Leo transit will be opposed by retrograde Saturn from Aquarius. In 2023 only, Leo will be receiving the additional aspect from the combination of Jupiter and Rahu from Aries. This intense beam into Leo will break up slowly, with the Rahu-Ketu axis shifting in November 2023 and Jupiter moving from Aries to Taurus on April 30, 2024.

This could be a notable Sun in Leo transit due to the many influences coming into Leo. Especially during the first couple of days, mid-August, with Mars also in Leo, we could find ourselves in memorable circumstances.

Even more likely to play into these circumstances will be Mercury, retrograde in Leo from August 23 – September 15th, for the remainder of the Sun's transit there. This posits retrograde Mercury in Leo, oppositing retrograde Saturn in his own sign of Aquarius. This combination is supportive of establishing new habits that support personal growth, which is one way of leaning away from historical, deeply rooted patterns of stagnancy or contraction.

Good themes to explore during this time are studies of what "selfish" actually means. Retrograde Saturn in Aquarius remains a champion of the masses, but can also stretch to understand particular individual needs. The Sun opposite, with retrograde Mercury, also encourages self-examination and re-calibration. This is a good time for learning that what is good for all is generally good for each individual, in most circumstances.

Be aware of strong personal agendas whose cost is the satisfaction and protection of the collective. If it feels off, it's off.

Mars Transits Virgo August 18 – October 3

The next push of Mars comes as he transits Virgo from August 18th to October 3rd, which puts him in a position to make upgrades, destroy bad habits, distribute wealth and orient to new lesson plans.

This shift of Mars out of Leo and into Virgo could result in a turning of tables. While in Leo, Mars was receiving pressure from Saturn topped off with a hopeful outlook combined with erratic planning due to Rahu and Jupiter's combined aspect from Aries. When Mars passes into Virgo, the pressure is off, reorganizing is possible, power is harvested, and rather than getting blown about by Jupiter and Rahu, Mars points his fiery gaze instead at his own sign of Aries and the inflated complications that stem from the compound influence of the Guru and the Joker.

What a great time to get some perspective about what is working or not in jobs, businesses, education processes, and health maintenane programs. Mars offers logic when it comes to making difficult choices that will ultimately support efficiency and health.

With Mars aspecting Aries during his time in Virgo, we could perhaps find the courage and resources to engineer our next move. Beware of hasty choices made out of frustration or duress. Choose deliberation over erratic behavior during this time. Discipline and planning will win the day.

Mercury Retrograde in Leo August 23 – September 15

Adding to the retrograde bonanza, Mercury initiates retrograde motion on August 23rd at 28 degrees of Leo. He walks back through the Sun's fire sign until September 15th, when he resumes direct motion at 14 degrees Leo.

It should be noted that during this Mercury retrograde, which is receiving the aspect of Saturn retrograde, that Jupiter, also aspecting Mercury, will begin a retrograde phase that goes from September 4th through December 30th. Let's also remember that Venus is also retrograde in Cancer through September 3rd. As soon as Venus goes direct on September 3rd, Jupiter goes retrograde on September 4th.

How do we interpret this? Well, anything could happen, and then totally reverse, and then happen again! Retrograde planets can behave erratically, making their influence difficult to predict. Especially with the aspect of two powerful retrograde planets coming in at Mercury, we could find that things are up in the air with multiple sets of plan changes along the way during the few weeks straddling August and September.

Additionally, Mercury's best buddy Venus will also be retrograde through September 3rd, which increases the anything-could-happen energy. If you are craving stability and clarity about relationships, businesses decisions, creative projects or learning trajectories, you may have to settle into the easy chair of unknowing for a bit longer. It's a good time for encountering fleeting opportunities, riding the tides, revisiting shelved items, and checking out what's on the back burner.

Full Moon in Aquarius/Shatabishak August 30

The second full Moon of August comes on August 30th, as the Moon pushes into opposition with the Sun in the nakshatra of Shatabishak, within the sign of Aquarius. The reflected light of the Sun from Leo will shine onto the beautful face of the full Moon, and could offer some clarity in the midst of the rocky ride some of us may be experiencing.

Moon joins retrograde Saturn in his own sign of Aquarius while Sun opposes in his own sign of Leo, joined by his sidekick, retrograde Mercury. The luminary energy is shaped and guided by skillful Mercury and experienced Saturn, helping us to understand the longterm costs and effects of what we may be currently creating.

This is a great moment to recalibrate and rebalance. Early September sees the retrograde train keep going but change tracks, as Venus goes direct and Jupiter goes retrograde. It would be good to decide where to be first so that you can know what to do next!

September 2023 Headlines

Venus Direct in Cancer September 3
Jupiter Retrograde in Aries September 4 – December 30
New Moon in Leo/Uttarphalguni September 14
Mercury Direct in Leo September 15
Sun Transits Virgo September 17 – October 17
Full Moon in Pisces/Uttarabhadra September 29