August Horoscope 2013

There will never be a dull moment this August. August is jam-packed with the good, the bad and the ugly. First the good because we all like to hear good news; and I’ll end with some good news too… This is what they call “sandwiching”. Good. Bad. Good.  Here we go…

The month starts with the remnants of a Grand Trine! Towards the end of July we also experienced a “Star of David”. I mentioned at the beginning of the month in my July horoscope post that this trine had the potential to make dreams a reality; that it gave potential to help in transforming our society, our values, our economy and what really matters. Jupiter held the Grand Trine together but passed it off to the feminine warrior Pallas, who held the space towards the end of the month of July.  

Pallas in the water sign of Cancer infuses feminine creativity. She is able to stand back and witness the patterns emerging while holding the centre. On July 29 another Grand Trine was formed. This one pointed in the other direction and so the two of them formed a hexagram, a “Star of David”. This new Grand Trine was formed with Pluto, Venus and the Moon in earth signs. Like porous pavement, earth absorbs water, grounding the experience of transformation. As above sinks to below, what is left is fire and air. Fire and air have their say a little later at the New Moon on August 6.  But I think that we can safely say that what is happening here is alchemy. There is a fifth unseen element of spirit working to clear the past for the new to emerge. Unfortunately, conflict is always present during change – it is what drives change. Transformation will happen no matter what, but I do believe it is our choice how we handle and respond to that transformation. If you want to know where the conflict lies, here are the components: Pluto opposed Mars and Jupiter at its worst is violence and at its best is focused on the pursuit of goals and the deep examination of our values and beliefs; Saturn opposed the Moon at its worst is insecurity and fear, and at its best is humbly acknowledging our vulnerabilities and dependencies; Neptune opposed Venus at its worst is deception or confusion in relationships and finances, and at its best is letting go.  All in all, nothing to do here but to trust spirit. Read a copy of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho for enjoyable fable tips on how. Or have it read to you by the soothing voice of Jeremy Irons on YouTube

Now for some fire and air…. August 2is a powerhouse day for the Goddesses.  Juno in Aquarius and Vesta in Leo are opposing each other and the two are squaring the nodes. A square to the nodes creates a decision tree for each. Go forward or remain in the past? Riddle me this…. Juno (powerless devotion) in Aquarius (impersonal, temperamental) opposes Vesta (workaholic sacrifice) in Leo (arrogant, autocratic) OR riddle me that, Juno (partnership) in Aquarius (progressive, inventive) opposes Vesta (dedication and devotion) in Leo (creative, optimistic, generous). As these two oppose, a very complex conflict between individuality needs and relationship needs AND creativity is created. This is a call to evolve all marriages, business partnerships and all one-to-one relationships. 

Uranus will help solve and evolve the riddle as Vesta trines and Juno sextiles Uranus on the same day. Some more help will arrive to help us move forward on August 6. The New Moon in Leo will join in on the action and announce a highly creative beginning with a chance to set extremely powerful intentions. The New Moon will join in by conjuncting Vesta and opposing Juno. Vesta with the New Moon wants to be deeply intimate, emotionally close AND free at the same time. For this particular cycle of creativity, this is the formula for success. Projects can only succeed within in a co-creative or interdependent relationship (codependency no more!). If you are hoping for someone else to show you the way or fill you up in order to “do this” you will need to try a different approach. Having emotional literacy can really help here. You will have to remain vigilant in checking in with yourself and in giving yourself what you need. Keep watering this fertile ground and you will see impatience (the flower) sprout up in six months to a year. Lose faith and you will see impatience spout up (the emotion).

As these two Grand Trines die down in August, Pallas will continue to warrior on when she meets up to oppose Pluto on the 7th and square Uranus on the 10th. It’s that Pluto-Uranus square again! On the negative side of things Pallas has been known to undermine, trip up and sell out other women. She is smart and in the past she has survived by aligning herself with the patriarchy, so I am really hoping that the Pallas energy here merges with the high road. If not, what this can look like is unfocused rebellion and obsession. This could be because the patriarch way of doing things is losing power. As it does, so does this type of woman. She will not go down without a fight! Expect some Desperate Housewives’ type of attitude. Some more difficult goddess energy could pop up on Aug 24-27. Long story short…. This is a lot of concentrated relationship drama. Venus will square Pluto, then will move on to oppose Uranus and finally will square Jupiter. Relationships again will be tested, as this is power-struggle energy, followed by erratic out-of-left-field-something-you-would-never-expect-from-him-or-her behaviour, followed by self-indulgent energy. This energy applies to finances as well, so we may see some strange things in the economy. Also, keep your receipts. You may have a lot of things that you just can’t afford to not return.

At the Full Moon on August 20 we are giving birth to visions set earlier this year. Intentions that have been gestating will come into being. These intentions have already had your hard work and as they come into being they will demand more of you… just like a baby. The reason is the Full Moon is opposed Ceres. Ceres in Leo means you will find joy in nurturing this child / project or whatever you intended, but just as every new parent experiences, you will have the conflicts too.  It is important to strive to meet your own needs (without guilt). Here we think of the ever effective example of giving yourself oxygen first and then your child (as demonstrated by all those wise flight attendants worldwide during takeoff). Why is this important? Because if you planted the seeds six months ago, your intentions are really going to take off! This Full Moon will be an ending, but also a major beginning too!

So that was August… How did you like your August sandwich? Good. Bad. Good.

Aries

This month you may find a creative solution to the conflict you’ve been experiencing with your home vs. career. Your faith and unconscious have been working to help you appreciate your sense of responsibility to others and them to you.  Both your beloved and your family of origin are embraced by your sense of service and all that you are working towards in your career. You may have been wondering “what about me?” Remaining objective, open to creativity and to the patterns that are emerging will aid this creative solution into being.The gemstone Jasper will help you to keep that objectivity.

Taurus

Not one to like change or to change course once you’ve made up your mind, you’re being challenged to let go. You’re the emotional rock this month. You’re sturdy stable and reliable, and everyone is taking comfort in your role in being there. It’s even more prized if you can expand your perceptions and beliefs to support the community and your family. Look beyond yourself and remain open to what you think you know.Gemstone Rhodonite or Yellow Topaz will help you to let go and help you to trust.

Gemini

Your actions may be the force behind the changes that are happening within the economy. You are being uncharacteristically deep and esoteric. And if you are not, then perhaps you should take the time to be. Sitting still to go deep isn’t really your thing, but right now you’re waxing political and it’s being heard. It has the potential to impact the way you make money and the way others do too.  Care is needed with your words.Gemstone Blue Topaz will help you deepen into the truth. Calcite will help you link your head to your heart.

Cancer

As the mother sign you have always been the hardest working with the least amount of recognition and pay. You bring relationships together, work hard at the picnic while everyone else is having fun, instill those values by making sure everyone gets up early to go to church (or mosque or temple). Plus, plus, plus… And usually you get forgotten. With the Sun in your second house and Jupiter in your first, I think you might finally get some recognition. Recognition shows up at a pat on the back AND money. NiceMoonstone will help you find your emotional balance.

Leo

Happy Birthday Leo! It’s your month. This year spend some time rejuvenating yourself. Lots is going on in your subconscious. It’s like a cocoon. Rest will help it be nurtured and to take form into that beautiful butterfly, once ready, to be released. Ceres is conjunct your Sun this month, providing you with the right recipe for good meals and nurturing yourself. Heeding to this formula is the best immunity booster you can ask for.Your birth-sign stone Garnet will help increase your power and vitality.

Virgo

You’re a social butterfly this month. All of that humanitarian stuff you’re doing might be sending you into burnout. It’s hard because what you’re doing is important. But summer colds are the worst! Nobody likes to sneeze and blow their nose while the sun is shining. Until next month on your birthday, you need to carve out some time to give yourself time for rest and reflection. Plus, you don’t want to start to hate your own creations.Amber stones soothe and calm all this nervous energy.

Libra

You’re in the limelight this month. Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and Pallas are all in the tenth house of career. The other planets are working with you too and you may be finding yourself kicking butt. But how are you balancing all of this with your family responsibilities? If you’re not, you may need to find a way. Being in the limelight can really expand the ego, but an inflated ego will only land you in trouble. If you have mastered the ability to stand back and look at yourself and your ego, you will fly through this.Snowflake Obsidian will help you gently look inwardly.

Scorpio

This would be a great time to explore distant places. If you’re studying this would do the trick too, but school’s out and it’s summer, so a summer trip might be the better option.  You’re a pretty deep and transformative cat and so you might be surprised by just how many of your perceptions are challenged. Your career may have some surprising boosts this month too.  You’re working well with the feminine energies and bringing them into your work and career.Turquoise provides protection and inner calm.

Sagittarius

Your ideas are fertile and expanding. They may also be grounding into some solid money-making structures. Really, financially, this can go either way. Much will depend on your level of consciousness. If you’re unconscious this could be a kick in the pants. If you’re conscious you may be able to blow them out of the water both creatively and financially.  Some think only special people can make money and be creative too. You have to potential to prove them wrong.Topaz will help you to trust the universe.

Capricorn

You vs them. Pluto is in your first house. Jupiter is opposing it in your seventh house this month and so is Pallas. Mars and Mercury there also make relationships the focus of this month.  Self-righteous indignation will not work. The more your able to work it out the more you will be able to see how all of your relationships work together to support you.  Ceres conjunct the Sun in your eighth house is bringing some support to nurturing in your relationships. The goal for the month is to figure out how not to lose yourself or your cool while trying to keep your personal boundaries amongst all this relationship energy.Quartz relationship crystal will help you with challenging relationships.

Aquarius

Aren’t you on summer vacation? “I’ll rest when I’m dead,” might be your reply. Oh, wow; that’s hard core! You’re working harder than the hardest working man did (James Brown). Letting yourself be nurtured by some TLC from your honey or even giving some TLC to your honey can balance out this work-crazy energy. Some relationship give and take can help ward off any illness.Aquamarine will help soothe stress and gangly energy

Pisces

You’re in a massive creative phase right now. Don’t let the money situation or the lack of support from friends get you down. Hard work on your creative projects can be surprisingly nurturing right now. Most of the time we think of nurturing ourselves as eating good meals and having Epsom salt and lavender bath soaks, but sometimes nurturing yourself means just getting the work done. You feel more peace as long as you’re working towards “it”.Kyanite will help you transform dreams into reality.

From wounded…. to healer… When Pluto meets Chiron.

PlutoIn 1992 I was in a bank robbery. I walked into a bank in Ottawa, Canada with a friend. She was at the teller and I stood at the back of the bank waiting for her. As I stood there I had the thought… ‘what if the bank was robbed’ and seconds later… it was. We were all on the ground as the masked man pointed a sawed off shot gun at my friend and then at the teller and collected the money. It lasted all of 3 minutes, and changed my whole world.

 

Here is the chart of the event.


  • Pluto square mars – classic transit for such dramatic and shady experiences
  • Pluto opposed Saturn – Saturn is in my third house of local surroundings (the bank was down the street) and rules my 11th house of friends (was with my friend) and the 12th house of the subconscious
  • Pluto inconjunct moon – moon ruled 2nd house of worth (self worth on a psychological level and banks on mundane level)
  • Saturn is coming up to cross my ascendant and is in minor aspect to my Mid-heaven – the ascendant or mid heaven are usually involved in big life events
  • Mars square my chiron (mars often triggers events)
  • Chiron is coming up to conjunct my mars 
  • Jupiter conjunct Pluto – another confirmation of shady characters
  • Sun conjunct Uranus – Surprise! 
  • Throw in the moon passing over Pluto for added measure and extra emotion! 


As Pluto squares my Chiron today, I reflect on this past event. It has some of the same qualities of awakening and transforming old wounds that the event of the past held. Well Pluto was involved and so was Chiron. I was young at the time, with no knowledge of astrology. I didn’t see this coming, but if I could have would I have avoided it? I was completely unconscious and this event sent me straight to the 12th house of the unconscious and left me there for several years to uncover.

Pluto is slow moving and so is Chiron, so I am not the only one experiencing a stressful transit to Chiron. If you have Chiron in a Cardinal sign (Capricorn, Libra, Aries or Cancer) between 8-11 degrees you will be experiencing a hard aspect with Pluto this year as well. This is a transit that pushes at your wound. If you are unconscious it will make you conscious and if you are conscious… (maybe you’ve already had something wake you up, like I did).. perhaps this transit will gently push you to heal and transform yourself and others… and become the wounded healer!

So I share my healing journey during this Pluto/Chiron transit, with the hope that you will look at any scary experience as an awakening and a time to heal.  

In my healing journey, there have been many people who have come into my life to help me and the Universe has always seemed to drop the right book in my lap.

Here are some of the books and people who have helped me along the way:

The Courage to Heal, Laura Davis – This book is old, but constantly updated and is like the essential handbook for dealing with abuse. I was in a bank robbery, but the fear of the event woke up every fearful situation I was ever in. Child Help calls child abuse the hidden epidemic. 3.3 million reports in the United States per year (there are tonnes more stats on their site www.childhelp.org. and on it’s horrible impacts). In Canada the numbers are similar

Tony Crisp’s Dream Dictionary – If you have a crazy dream life like I do, you can use your dreams to give you clues to what is going on in the subconscious. I bought my copy in Jamaica (I know a weird place to pick up this book… but the universe dropped it in my lap) just before this event. It’s a great book because it looks at the dream symbols in a psychological light (not as omens or other weird meanings).  Keeping a dream journal by your bed will help with this. Also Tony now has a website (which obviously was not around in 1992) where you can look up dream keywords… but I still love my dog-eared book!

I kept journals consistently from 1992 till 2009 and then I shredded them all in a releasing ritual. (I love shredding, I find it very satisfying.. Some people like to burn, some just toss in the garbage… shredding is my thing!). I did go over them before shredding and interestingly I could pick out any point in almost any year, read it, and read basically the same old problem over and over… Wow talk about churning things! Journaling is good. It helps to get it out, but you also need a process that will help transform.  The most transforming tools I have found are Cognitive behavioral therapy. Finding a therapist or psychologist who uses this can be key! Again the angels put in my lap a booked called Calling in the One, Katherine Woodward-Thomas…. 

Oh and by the universe always put books in my hands that are written by authors who actually respond to me when I write them emails. Katherine was one (Paulo Coelho was another). Katherine offered me a coaching/counseling session where she used a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and spirit which has now evolved into a transformative process used in her online/tele-class course called ‘Calling in the One’. Calling in the One is a book about attracting the love of your life… but first you have to be attracted to yourself…. agh! that old thing again… You have to love yourself before you can love anyone else! But it’s true!!! The process she used with me was one of connecting with yourself at a younger age in a somewhat meditative process, asking her (or him as the case may be) what is going on, how she feels and what she needs. This is when you uncover all those false beliefs that were created in childhood about yourself. This is when you really get to the wound. But if it’s hard to get to exactly what the wound is you can watch my video on accessing the wound in your birth chart for clues on what your wound could be. The real transformation comes in when you have a chat with that little girl (or boys) false belief, challenge and then change them. 

This process is not in Katherine’s book, but if you can’t take her course another book that guides through a similar process is Mind Over Mood, Dennis Greenberger with their ‘thought record’ worksheet.

Here is a list of some wounds based only on chiron and the false beliefs that may accompany them:


Chiron/Sun – wounds around the self – “I don’t matter”, 
Chiron/Moon – wounds around emotion – “I’m a burden”
Chiron/Venus – wounds around love – “I am unlovable”, “Nobody love’s me”, “I don’t know how to love”, “I am an ugly”.
Chiron/Mercury – wounds around communication – “Nobody understands me”, “I am dumb”, “I’m not smart” “I am always wrong”
Chiron/Mars –  wounds around doing – “I can’t”
Chiron/Jupiter – wounds around knowledge, customs and beliefs – “I don’t know”,  “I don’t belong”, “I am different than others”
Saturn/Chiron – wounds around success and importance – “I am inferior”, “I am not important”
Uranus/Chiron – Wounds around the unexpected, freedom or uniqueness – “I am not safe” “I can’t be myself”
Neptune/Chiron – Wounds around knowing, intuition – “I am crazy”, “I don’t know”
Pluto/Chiron – Wounds around power – “I am powerless”

Those with Chiron/Pluto in their chart always have a tremendous amount of transformative power, but if unconscious and un-evolved it can be directed negatively. To those and to all of us going through a Pluto/Chiron transit right now, let’s all raise the consciousness of our wounds and channel our wounded power for some good.
 


July Horoscopes 2013

The arrow has been sailing through the air since the full moon in June and will make its impact on July 1. Its target: the Cancer Sun, which opposes Pluto on that day. Now that’s quite a start to the month. It may show up as a bit of backlash or nastiness especially to women and children. Maybe those who are losing power even start to call the men who are pro-renaissance (you know the one’s… they share their emotions, spend more time with their kids, and cook dinner 2.5 days a week) “Lilly boys”, challenging their manhood.  But not to worry; those who are resisting change may get nasty but Saturn and Neptune have been working together to bring about some heaven on earth.  And whatever happens it will only serve to illuminate the problems and further Saturn and Neptune’s agenda, even if it does so by creating some fire under the butt!

A couple of days later the Sun will square Uranus and this will only add fuel to the fire. It will be exact at 2:22 a.m. EDT. Why am I being so specific about the time? For those of you who see repeating numbers (some of you see 11:11; some of you, like myself see 222). The spiritual meaning of seeing 222 is that you are on the right track. It’s a new beginning. Well, if that is so, I’ll take it… and so will Saturn and Neptune. That’s because the major theme of the month is the grand trine that is formed with Saturn, Neptune and Jupiter. Saturn is in Scorpio bringing structure to death, sex and taxes. Neptune is in Pisces where it has made its homecoming and is raising our spiritual awareness. Neptune also calls for creativity; it slowly and subtly changes structures, unveils deception and innovates the exchange of energy, such as financial currencies. Jupiter is in Cancer and is focused on expanding family values, love, caring and sharing. These three are working together in the backdrop, or forefront depending on your perspective. We have been seeing lots of really hard stuff as the fallout of the Pluto-Uranus squares. But Saturn, Neptune and Jupiter are now working together to highlight what really matters. Songs like Same Loveare hitting the charts. Moms like Ingrid Loyau-Kennett are saying no to violence. New currency exchanges such as bartering (what’s old is new again) and person-to-person lending are transforming economies.  And though they have been gaining ground, we may see these kinds of changes take stage in the mainstream. The height of this energy will be when Jupiter joins these two between the 17th and the 19th.

Saturn has a bad rap, but in fact, Saturn isn’t all bad. And because Pluto and Saturn have been in mutual reception (this means they are transiting in each other’s signs, helping each other out) when Saturn meets up with Jupiter, Saturn will have some reliable insider info to offer. Jupiter will be in Cancer and will be like a super optimistic mom – the one who’s always on the sidelines cheering on her kid’s game, the one who is the volunteer parent on every field trip, the one who is always front and centre at all the PTA meetings… And it’s her optimism that will really help to make things happen.  The PTA’s values in the United States are collaboration, commitment, accountability, respect, inclusivity and integrity… and you better believe these will be Jupiter’s mission over the next year. Think mom has no power, say or influence? Think again; a stunning example was Ingrid Loyau-Kennett.

Also by the 19th Saturn will be direct. In fact, Saturn turns direct on July 7/8.  Even though Saturn is not all bad, a Saturn transit is still quite serious – it’s like having to do your taxes; and when Saturn is retrograde it’s like being audited. When Saturn goes direct on the 7th, it’s like the audit has been completed; but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some changes as a result. Maybe you’ll have had to implement new processes, or something has come to an end and as a result more is required of you. Whatever the case, you can move forward now.  But as you move forward the Goddess Asteroids will pipe in, challenging us to do things a bit differently. In the old days we went overboard to get things off the ground with new enterprises. We denied ourselves, working long hours or neglecting one area of our lives to further goals of a project or another area of our lives. Maybe we neglected our families or children and worked long hours to get a business going. Maybe we studied into the wee hours of the night neglecting our friends and a social life. We are challenged with a lesson on this on July 2 when Saturn squares Ceres. Taking time to nurture your inner child no longer means that we won’t succeed. Later in the month Saturn will square Vesta on July 16. Vesta moves into Leo on July 6 igniting devotion to creativity, or in the negative, to extravagance. Problems with trying to create the perfect work of art or just general workaholism can emerge. We are challenged again with creating balance. The lesson is to have fun while also committing to our gifts that we are offering the world.  Balance IS the key word. The universe is supporting us in bringing forth our creativity, so there is no need to fear balance. We can have balance AND success. So although Saturn may have created new structures for us to follow, know that we can take it in stride.

 

 Aries

Having some fun with your family may be on the agenda for July. If everyone else misses the “have fun” point you can give them pointers by the end of the month.  There might be a bit of miscommunication with family members at the beginning of the month. To avoid a national lampoon’s style summer vacation, don’t assume they understood what you meant; make sure they do.

 Taurus

Jupiter and Mars have you wanting to do things around the community, but Mercury could interfere with communication or car problems. You will really enjoy yourself just staying home. Venus warms up your house like a cozy fire in winter.

Gemini

Whatever you do, do not make any financial deals until after the 20th. Mars will make you want to do it, Jupiter will make you optimistic about it… but trust me, money will be lost. Fun can be had by holding a block party with the neighbours. You will be talking about it for years to come.

Cancer

It’s your birthday month, but at the beginning of the month you might be coming across all wrong. Saturn in your 5th house has been teaching you a thing or two about fun and creativity, but you can give your self-esteem a boost by nurturing your inner child.

Leo

You might be battling demons in your dreams at night or fighting a bit of insomnia. Both your dream state and your wakefulness will help to bring awareness to your thought processes or your unconscious thoughts. Even if you’re getting no sleep (or restless sleep) you’re still looking good with Venus in your first house.

Virgo

You’ll be out having fun with friends all month. Mercury is retrograde in the 11th house of friends and Venus is in the 12th house of secrets. You know that song Blurred Lines By Robin Thicke? Try not to do that.  You can have fun and nurture yourself by extending some unconditional love… And the goal is to heal Karma, not accumulate more.

Libra

Your career should be going well this month. At the beginning of the month, try to do more listening than talking, especially since you will be in the spotlight. Mercury retrograde could have your followers on twitter raising their eyebrows to that weird tweet.

Scorpio

Your self-presentation is changing as you’re becoming more spiritual, yet you are somehow infusing your career into your higher learning and spirituality in a beautifully feminine way. Sharing this new way of being is better done by being and less by telling everyone about who you’ve become. The message comes across smoother by letting it just be.

Sagittarius

You might go overboard, especially with your significant other’s money or resources. Try to hold in the reigns particularly at the beginning of the month, otherwise this can truly be a disaster. Luck will really be on your side if you hold off until after the 20th, when both Mars and Mercury will be in a better place.

Capricorn

Your marriage and business partnerships are a major focus this month. Mercury can cause a bit of miscommunication, but sometimes a good heart-to-heart when things go wrong is just the remedy for deepening the intimacy. By the end of the month you be glad for your mistakes, for they will teach you much.

Aquarius

You may feel like all work and no play, but give yourself a break or you will make mistakes especially during the first part of the month. You will benefit the most and will have the most fulfilling fun by spending time with your partner.

Pisces

You will struggle the most with work-life balance this month. In fact things can go a little off while having fun that will make you think you’re better off just to spend the time working. If you feel you must work, make sure you are doing the kind of work that you find fun.