Aquarius Full Moon

Aquarius Full Moon – August 3, 2020; 8:58 am PDT

The arrival of August brings us an astrologically busy month and moves us into the strongest energy for the year. We currently have four planets retrograde; Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto, and Uranus will station retrograde on August 15th. Retrograde stutters the energy of the planet and in the ‘real’ world that manifests as control and constraint in our lives. But it also allows the planetary energy to turn inward and gives us the opportunity for introspection. We can pause and really think about our life choices, attitudes, and outlooks in order to better understand our lives.

During the first week of August, Mercury, traveling through the last degrees of Cancer, takes an opposing position to Pluto and Saturn who are currently in the last degrees of Capricorn. Mercury first interacts with Pluto and this combination is always about truth. It’s not unusual for issues and topics that have been hidden or suppressed to come to light with this energy. Because Pluto is involved, there could be some tension connected to any revelations that occur. Whatever is revealed may not happen voluntarily.
Pluto is the god of the Underworld so this energetic combination can give us the sense that Mercury is bringing a message up from the depths of the nitty gritty and into everyday life. This ‘message bringing’ can also occur on a psychological level, so we may have aha moments about situations/behaviors/attitudes that we have personally suppressed and been unwilling to look at. This energy is very ‘truth serum-like’ and so you may be having deeper conversations or a strong difference of opinion with those closest to you. If faced with this, be honest – even if the issue is very private to you and difficult to talk about in the open. Now is your chance to clear the air.
On Sunday, August 2nd, the Sun in Leo moves into a challenging combination with Uranus in Taurus. This can stimulate a desire for freedom and a rebellious response to having that freedom curtailed. It’s strongly independent and calls for us to embrace our own individuality and to shrug off what other people think. This is defiant and revolutionary energy and we will be less likely to follow the rules. This type of energy can generate some uncertainty and even chaos but it also helps us break patterns that no longer serve us and help us to move into a new way of being.
This Sun/Uranus energy leads us into the Aquarius Full Moon which occurs on August 3rd at 8:58 am PDT. This energy will echo back to January 24th when we had a New Moon in the sign of Aquarius. Did you set an intention during that New Moon? If so, the manifestation of it may be evident now.
The Full Moon often shines the light on secrets so we are likely to see some revelations at this time. This lunation is strongly influenced by Uranus because Uranus rules the sign of Aquarius and is in a tight T-square aspect to the Sun and the Moon. Uranus is the planet of awakening, revolution, and unexpected events and surprises. In Taurus, those surprises may be related to money, the economy, and the Earth. Innovation figures strongly now too so we may see a breakthrough surrounding how we grow our food or other quantum leaps in technology. There will be an eruptive, chaotic quality to the energy so it will be important to stay grounded.
A Full Moon in Aquarius is about looking forward. It’s about imagining a new and different future that will support the collective in a more holistic way. In 2021 we will have a lot of Aquarian energy upon us so this Full Moon will bring us some ideas of what will come next year. In particular, where this Full Moon falls in your chart will show you the area of life that will be most stimulated as we move into 2021. Pay attention to the topics, themes, conversations, people, frustrations, and blocks that are highlighted for you during these few days. This will bring a spotlight to help you understand the Aquarius area of your chart and any changes that you may need to make.
A key word for Uranus is flexibility so be ready to adapt to the unexpected and to be spontaneous. Give yourself permission to do something unusual or outside your normal box of behaviors. Develop a deep curiosity to see what can be different in your life and to see all of the possibilities. Be willing to do something differently.
Also on August 3rd, Mercury moves to oppose Saturn. This is about standards and understanding that there are necessary steps that need to be taken in order to move from where you are to where you want to be. This is all about planning, research, and due diligence. This may highlight a set of rules that you have to interact with, follow, or accept in order to make a decision. Be patient, be thorough, and pay attention to the details. Put your energy into people and projects that are the most important to you. If you have to sign a contract or make a decision, this is a good time to do it.
There can be a bit of melancholy when Mercury and Saturn combine their energy. If you find yourself falling into a funk or maybe feeling overwhelmed with worry, spend time in self-care, get out in nature, or interact with those you really trust. Give it a day or two and you will feel the energy shift.
Mercury moves from Cancer into Leo on August 4th and will be much more comfortable in that energy. Mercury in a water sign is good for contemplating and reflecting but isn’t very good at verbal expression. In the sign of Leo, Mercury won’t have any trouble expressing quite loudly. This will help you share what’s been bubbling inside while Mercury has been in Cancer. However, the combination of Mercury in Leo is infused with passion, so the communication may not be the most logical. Sometimes out is better than in though, so if you feel the need to release energy through discussion, go for it.
Also on August 4th we have Mars squaring Jupiter. We have some challenging Mars energy later in the month, but this combination brings a more beneficial feel. In this energy we feel energized, inspired, and confident. We believe we can accomplish anything. Unfortunately, this can also be an aspect of excess and not recognizing our limits. Under this energy we over-commit and take on more than we can realistically complete. So, try to prioritize your projects. Pick one or two that are really meaningful to you and let the others go for another time. Channel your energy to what moves you.
If you make an agreement under this aspect be aware that all that is promised may not be delivered. If you experience any tension or conflict it will be a preview of some of the topics or decisions that you will have to go deeper into and deal with when Mars makes challenging aspects to Pluto and Saturn later in the month. The dates for Mars interactions are August 4th, August 13th, and August 24th with the energy becoming increasingly difficult.
Venus interacts with the North Node on August 5th at 28 degrees of Gemini. This is an amplifying aspect for Venus and is about forming partnerships and collaborations that will help you move forward and grow into the future. Venus represents pleasure and those simple day-to-day things that bring us joy. She can be quite demanding when she falls on the North Node so during this time, it might be hard to feel fully satisfied. You may want more of everything. This is another energy of over-doing and going to excess, so be a bit cautious during this time.
The North Node represents the direction our soul wants to go and from a global perspective, this is the direction in which the collective is moving. Venus also strongly represents creativity and music will be a particularly strong way to use this energy. Take the time to listen to your favorite songs and even to dance. This will open you up to the prosperity that Venus can bring.
Venus moves into the sign of Cancer on August 7th and is very comfortable in that energy. She will be there until September 6th so we have about four weeks to enjoy whatever she offers up during this time. It’s a major astrological mood shift from intellect to emotions and should resolve any lingering issues that came up during Venus’ retrograde period and extended stay in the sign of Gemini. Venus in Cancer is generally about connections, nurturing, and feeling protected. This is an opportunity to get closer to your loved ones and spend time exchanging little packages of love, literally and energetically.
We have a breakthrough aspect on August 10th when Mercury squares Uranus. This is hyper-stimulated mental energy so expect downloads and aha solutions to problems you’ve been stuck on. If you’ve been frustrated by an obstacle, use this energy to look for an ‘out of the box’ solution. There’s a strong innovative energy with this combination. Technology and short trips will be highlighted during this time.
There can be a bit of Mercury retrograde feel to this energy producing chaotic business involvements, the necessity to make decisions quickly, and even technology and gadgets not functioning properly. This can also result in mental burnout so don’t overdo it. Stay flexible and expect that plans will change. There can also be some fun unexpected outcomes with this combination and a sense of excitement. Do something exhilarating and different.
Next, we have an intense combination with Mars in Aries interacting with Pluto in Capricorn. This happens on August 13th and is an aspect that highlights a clash of power. From a personal perspective we’ll be questioning our own power or lack of it or maybe experiencing situations that spotlight the ‘right’ use of power. Collectively, we will see more instances of groups who have a disproportionate amount of power coming up against those who believe they are at their mercy.
This is hot energy with strong potential for arguments and conflicts. A difference of opinion that has been able to exist within a relationship for years may come to the surface to be discussed or aired. One of the challenges that this energy brings is a conflict of priorities or of time-lines. Mars in Aries is impatient and wants immediate action whereas Pluto in Capricorn is more strategic and has a longer-term and deeper tone.
This will be the first of three times these two planets interact this way over the next few months. The best way to navigate this energy is to use your power in an authentic, open way and understand that there may be others who use their power in a manipulative and underhanded way. Be aware that your efforts can really make a difference in your life and the lives of others. Be thoughtful and strategic about what you put your energy into and what actions you take. Think long-term rather than short-term.
Issues to do with wealth and money, loyalty, trust, and intimacy can all be activated in an uncomfortable way with Mars/Pluto interactions. It’s not a happy aspect but it can prompt you to take a stand or advocate for yourself and may motivate you to deal with issues you’ve been avoiding or that have become a bit toxic. When we have ongoing interactions with Pluto like this, the first time the energy comes upon us we become aware of a situation or circumstance where we don’t have the power or control that we’d like to have. That awareness can be unsettling but it’s happening because there’s a situation that needs to be dealt with. As we interact with the aspect during the second and third time it comes to us, we are able to understand the lesson to be learned and act to make any necessary changes.
Uranus in Taurus stations retrograde on August 15th and will be in retrograde motion for about five months. Whenever a planet is stationary like this, its symbolism is felt more strongly. As I mentioned above, Uranus brings sudden and unexpected events and circumstances. Stay flexible with this energy and be willing to step outside your normal way of being. This energy is a bit volatile so be mindful when you’re out in the world.
— Beth Lauderdale ~ Evolutionary Astrology