Astrological Energies August 23 to 29, 2010

NorthPoint
Astrology Journal
Written by Pam Younghans

The imperatives for change represented by the Pluto-Saturn square (exact August 21 -- was that only yesterday?) continue to define our landscape. We can usually expect the effects of major interactions between the outer planets to be strong for at least a couple of weeks on either side of the exact aspect, and this one certainly qualifies in that regard.

During these next two weeks or more, we'll need to watch aspects to both Pluto and Saturn from the other planets, to see if the energies are triggered into effect. It may be that this Wednesday's trine aspect between Pluto and the Sun acts as a release point for some of the tension. And yet, given that a trine is an aspect of flow and growth, we can assume we will be able to adapt to and work with any events that occur.

Then, on Thursday, Saturn steps in to form a semisextile aspect with the Sun. The energy of this type of aspect is usually so subtle as to go fairly unnoticed -- but it does represent some uncertainty related to the changes that are underway.

Saturn can bring us down to earth and help us be more objective, but he can also bring out some residual fears and resistance to change. Our best response to Saturn's effect includes being responsible and looking at things realistically, but we will also benefit from detaching (or remaining unattached) from any fears or depression that go floating through our emotional and mental fields.

We must also consider that we have just begun Mercury's three-week retrograde period, when our focus is meant to be more introspective and retrospective. This usually means that until Mercury goes direct, we will be reviewing recent changes, rather than initiating new ones.

It is interesting that Mercury goes direct on September 12, the day before Pluto also stations and goes direct. This puts an emphasis on the last half of September as our next opportunity for important forward motion -- just in time for the second Uranus-Jupiter alignment (on September 18), and the Sun's opposition to both Uranus and Jupiter (on September 21).

On paper, our primary astrological event this week is the Full Moon on Tuesday. Like Mercury retrograde, this lunation in Pisces makes the external realities of life a little less tangible, as if they can easily slip, like sand, through our fingers.

Typical astrological advice for Mercury's retrograde period, and for this week especially, includes not signing important papers and not making important, long-lasting decisions. Our minds are just not as well equipped as they might usually be to handle the details of practical reality. Instead, we can benefit from meditating on our choices and on recent changes, with an open ear to hearing the voice of our higher Self with regards to same.

The Sabian symbol for the location of the Moon at the time of the lunation also supports our going inward. It reads:

A squirrel hiding from hunters: The individual's need both to ensure his future subsistence and to protect himself from aggressive elements.

Certainly, there have been so many changes in our lives recently, we may be feeling like this squirrel, needing to hide out and re-establish our feeling that life is safe and is to be trusted. And when there are life-changing events that occur, we need to take the time and allow our psyches and our bodies to adjust to the new world that has taken the place of the old.

We need to sleep more, gently exercise, eat foods that support our bodies, and express the emotions that are welling up from within. And we also need to release our attachment to "how things used to be," and be willing to allow the tears and fears to drain out of us and into the earth.

In other words, for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, this is a good week to take an end-of-summer vacation, to rest and restore in preparation for our next steps. And for readers in the Southern Hemisphere -- any chance you can take a late-winter break? Tell them you have a note from your astrologer...

Blessings,

Pam

NorthPoint Astrology Blog: I'll be posting additional comments during the coming week at http://northpointastrology.blogspot.com/ -- please visit and add your perspective!

To request a personal astrology reading, please e-mail pam@northpointastrology.com. Or, see the "Readings" page at www.northpointastrology.com for more information.

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