August 2023 Astrology Forecast

August 2023 Astrology

August 2023 Astrology features two Full Moons, the stationing of Mercury Retrograde, and the juicy middle part of Venus’s Retrograde story with Jupiter and Uranus!

Full Moon in Aquarius: August 1st

The first Full Moon of the month is in Saturn-ruled Aquarius on August 1st, which is also the Witch’s holiday of Lughnasadh, the first harvest. This special day signifies a time of thanksgiving and abundance as we mark the height of Summer. It’s a busy day astrologically, as it coincides with two major planetary aspects.

On this day, meticulous Mars in Virgo is in a harmonious, practical Earth trine to Jupiter in Taurus (13° 46′), helping you move forward fearlessly, embrace a competitive spirit, and take bold action to get what you want. This is a lucky transit showing success, growth, and serious conquest.

At the same time, Mercury is opposite dutiful Saturn Retrograde (5° 39′). Mercury has just entered studious, analytical Virgo where he’ll be until October 4. Mentally-focused Mercury loves being in Virgo, the sign of his exaltation, where we have an easier time attending to tedious tasks, staying organized, and improving systems with efficiency and discernment.

But this year Mercury is Retrograde in Earth signs, and he’ll be entering the pre-retrograde shadow phase on August 3 at exactly 8 degrees Virgo. His retrograde stretches from August 23 to September 15, and the shadow continues through September 29.

Mercury opposite Saturn Retrograde can put a slight damper on your enthusiasm, reminding you it’s time to get serious, pulling your thoughts to more somber realities, or confronting you with nibbling self doubt. It can slow you down enough to really think before you take action, which could be to your benefit. Rely on the intelligence of Mercury-Saturn to make smart choices and remember to take your time.

Interestingly, with the Full Moon in Aquarius decan 1 (9° 16′), there’s also a theme of winning but it not really feeling like a win. You could be overcoming something and winning a battle, but that’s not quite the same vibe as, say, winning the lottery. But there’s reason to celebrate all the same. This Full Moon is the culmination of the New Moon in Aquarius that we had on January 21st, also in this first decan of the sign.

Continue reading August 2023 Astrology Forecast

Venus Retrograde in Leo (Summer 2023)

Venus Retrograde in Leo

Venus experiences a Retrograde season about once every 19 months. In 2023, Venus is Retrograde in Leo, offering you a chance to examine your relationship to yourself, your brand, your creativity, and your outward self expression.

From July 22 until September 3, the planet of relationships, beauty, and art will be in deep introspection mode, contemplating the ways she needs to step into the limelight and be seen. Venus in Leo is courageous, playful, and wants to be appreciated for who she essentially is.

Venus Retrograde in Leo 2023 Timeline

  • June 5 – Venus enters Leo
  • June 11 – 1st square to Jupiter
  • June 19 – Start of the pre-retrograde shadow phase
  • July 2 – 1st square to Uranus
  • July 22 – Venus Stations Retrograde at 28° 36′ Leo
  • July 27 – Conjunction with Mercury
  • August 9 – 2nd square to Uranus
  • August 13 – Venus Cazimi
  • August 22 – 2nd square to Jupiter
  • September 3 – Venus Stations Direct at 12° 12′ Leo
  • September 16 – 3rd square to Jupiter
  • September 29 – 3rd square to Uranus
  • October 2 – Venus trines the North Node of future growth
  • October 7 – End of the post-retrograde shadow phase

Important Aspects that Venus Retrograde in Leo Makes

Mercury Conjunct Venus Retrograde in Leo

On July 27, Mercury meets up with Venus on his way out of Leo (at 28° 12′). Mercury invites you to think, process, and communicate around the expressive, self-conscious Venus Retrograde in Leo themes. This is an ideal time to write it out in your journal, brainstorm, get it on paper and out of your head.

Socializing and exploring creative relationships can be an excellent use of this energy. You might also want to dig into some hands on, expressive arts to work through this energy and find where your head’s at.

With past-facing Pluto in Capricorn squaring the lunar nodes this week, there can be a tie-in with looking to the distant past, your roots and inheritance, and contemplating what your own legacy may be. What are you creating or hoping to create that you’ll pass on as a testament to your own creative drive and soul purpose?

What’s on your mind about Venus Retrograde and your own creative process? How do you plan on stepping into the Light? Think first steps. You have time!

Venus Squares Jupiter + Uranus in Taurus

Venus in Leo makes a series of 3 squares each to both Jupiter and Uranus in Taurus. These are significant, especially since Jupiter and Uranus are in the Fixed sign that Venus rules. Each series of energizing square aspects has a hit before, during, and after the Retrograde. You can consider this a 3-part story and use the dates to determine your own plot development throughout the Venus Retrograde journey.

Continue reading Venus Retrograde in Leo (Summer 2023)

Full Moon in Capricorn: The 3 of Pentacles – “Works” (July 2023 Astrology)

3 of Pentacles

How to Use The 3 of Pentacles Series for Full Moon in Capricorn Magick

The 3 of Pentacles is the Lord of Material Works. This is the middle decan of Capricorn, where we have our Full Moon on July 3, 2023.

The Full Moon in Capricorn comes on the heels of an illuminating Mercury Cazimi. This is a lucky time for Mercury when he reaches his Full phase and unites with the Sun.

During the Full phase of the Moon – exact at 4:39am PDT on Monday morning (the 3rd) – Mercury is ahead of the Sun already by 3 degrees. Despite the fact that Mercury Cazimi’s over, the energy of that Cazimi is baked right into the Full Moon. The Full Moon is built on its enlightening and energizing momentum.

The Cazimi energy heightens awareness, leading to insights and revelations about intimacy and our relationships. We’re called to think deeply about what bonds are really the most important to us. To focus our energy on protecting and nurturing those connections. The Full Moon also heightens our awareness of how we can work together to build something of lasting value.

The Energy Leading into the Full Moon

A Blessing from Jupiter and a Motivating Fire Trine

The Mercury Cazimi at 9° 8′ Cancer on June 30th is especially fortunate. It’s in a helpful sextile relationship with good-hearted Jupiter, potentially opening us up to some lucky opportunities. The Sun and Mercury are harmonizing with disciplined Saturn, too. This provides ease with setting boundaries and developing an intuitive container or system that’s going to work for you.

The current communications cycle began on May 1st. At that time, Mercury was retrograde in Taurus, associated with the steady, rhythmic flow of the universe. Our mental focus has been on reciprocity, ensuring that there’s an equal give and take in relationships and at work.

Now at his full phase, Mercury meets with the royal Sun in the first decan of Cancer. This part of the Zodiac’s associated with the Love card in the Tarot. The 2 of Cups represents the deep bond of trust and intimacy. It can be a romance, a mom and her baby, or any two souls meeting each other in divinity.

This is followed by a nice Fire trine with the building Moon in active Sagittarius. She applies to Venus-Mars in heroic Leo, and Chiron in independent Aries. It’s a lot of upward energy with forward momentum. It can feel energizing and motivating as it stirs up all this energy and action.

A Preview of What’s to Come: Venus in Leo Square Uranus

Venus in Leo squares Uranus on July 2nd. This invites Full Moon drama to creep in that may be associated with your Venus Retrograde journey to come. Venus Retrograde is right around the corner. The goddess of love, beauty and pleasure in her pre-retrograde shadow phase from June 19 until she stations on July 22.

This means that this Full Moon drama with Venus and Uranus is part of a 3-act show. Pay special attention to any big revelations, strange occurrences, or surprises now. Look to your relationships, business dealings, or thinking about money, art, and things of value. This rambunctious transit will happen again on August 9, and one final time after the Retrograde on September 29.

Continue reading Full Moon in Capricorn: The 3 of Pentacles – “Works” (July 2023 Astrology)

Use Venus in Leo for Branding + Marketing Brilliance

Venus in Leo

Venus in Leo: June – October 2023

The planet of art, beauty, and special appeal, Venus will be in bold, colorful Leo from June 5th through October 8th in 2023. She’ll be throwing a special disco Retrograde party, giving you ample opportunity to explore and implement Venus in Leo themes. Level up your confidence and increase your visibility, challenging yourself to lead from the heart and express yourself and your values fully.

With Venus in Leo, your creativity can go through the roof. You’ll be wanting to state a strong position and to attract attention by showing up with that loud & proud energy. Leo’s a Fire sign, bringing vitality, dynamism, and a bit of rambunctiousness to Venus.

As Venus rules brand aesthetics, attracting clients, building relationships, things of value and money itself, she plays a very important role in business. You can track what sign Venus is transiting and apply specific protocols to work with these energies in order to maximize your success as an entrepreneur.

Over the Summer, Venus will be lit up in Leo, and so should you! Don’t miss the opportunity to nurture your audience in unique form and share your passions fearlessly. It’s time to be seen for who you are authentically and what you believe in, to lead the pack and to show up with courage and confidence.

In this post we’ll explore how you can use Venus in Leo magick to make some beautiful sparks with your brand and in your most important business relationships. Lean into fearless self-expression, bold displays, and emphasizing what sets you apart.

Venus in Leo Offerings

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Jupiter in Taurus for Business Success

Jupiter in Taurus

How to Use Jupiter in Taurus to Grow your Business

Jupiter’s ingress into Taurus can aid in the growth of finances and material resources for your business. There are opportunities here for long-term gain, material stability, financial blessings, and increased income, but you’ve gotta grab the bull by the horns to reap the benefits.

Read on to learn about the many important roles that Jupiter plays in your business. You’ll soon discover how to use this transit to grow your influence, nurture client relationships, and ensure your overall business and financial success.

Jupiter’s Role in Business

Success, Prosperity + Growth

The planet of growth, wisdom, and positivity, Jupiter’s known as the greater benefic, being one of the most auspicious planets to work with. This King of the gods can conjure up blessings of abundance and good luck, helping you hit your goals, achieve favorable outcomes, and earn recognition for your efforts. He can be called on for protection, guidance, increased prosperity, good fortune, influence, and inspiration.

Jupiter’s role in business is to present opportunities for growth, expansion, learning, and increase, opening the door to new business ventures, collaborations, or partnerships. He’s in charge of profitability, wealth, scaling up your business operations, growing your audience, and leveling up on your expertise.

Do you often get side-tracked by all the million things you want to study and learn to improve your skills? Look to Jupiter in your natal chart for clues as to your style of learning and questing for new information and skill sets.

Mentorship, Influence + Positivity

Jupiter opens the door on new possibilities in business by expanding your mind and helping you see opportunities in a new light. He hooks you up with people of influence who can help you along the way, wise souls and business gurus with just the right words of advice.

Making positive connections with benefactors, networking, and gaining support in business are all under the auspices of our main man, Jupiter.

Always reaching for greater heights, the planet of seeking and adventure can inspire you to reach new milestones and to ask for more.

Jupiter’s an enthusiastic and optimistic spirit, showing how you take on positions of leadership and inspire confidence in others. He rules mentoring relationships and motivational speaking, elevating and empowering others with his high energy. Call on him to increase your charisma and juice you up to give the talk or get on camera – with excitement instead of dread!

Mission, Vision + Ethics

Think of Jupiter as your vision and the mission statement behind your work, along with your moral, spiritual and ethical philosophy. When you believe in what you’re saying, you naturally attract attention to your work.

Taking a bird’s eye view on what’s important in your business can help with strategic thinking and long-term planning for future progress.

Another area that Jupiter’s responsible for is business travel, multicultural awareness, and international ventures. Social responsibility, generosity and philanthropy are all under his domain. Some of the work you can do when focusing on Jupiter may involve ethical policies and legal contracts.

Continue reading Jupiter in Taurus for Business Success

Lunar Eclipse 2023: Scorpio + Taurus

Lunar Eclipse 2023

In 2023 we experience an overlapping transition, from the final chapter of big changes unfolding on the Taurus-Scorpio axis to the beginning of a new series of eclipses in Aries and Libra. Our final eclipse in Scorpio is on May 5 and we also have one more in Taurus at the end of October. Both are illuminating lunar eclipses or full moons that bring the series to a state of completion and heightened awareness.

Dates of this Eclipse Series

  • November 19, 2021: Lunar Eclipse in Taurus Decan 3
  • April 30, 2022: Solar Eclipse in Taurus Decan 2
  • May 15, 2022: Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio Decan 3
  • October 25, 2022: Solar Eclipse in Scorpio Decan 1
  • November 8, 2022: Lunar Eclipse in Taurus Decan 2
  • May 5, 2023: Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio Decan 2
  • October 28: Lunar Eclipse in Taurus Decan 1

Lunar Eclipse 2023 Part 1: Scorpio Decan 2 (May 5)

Scorpio Decan 2: The 6 of Cups

This middle part of Scorpio is particularly nostalgic, drawn to the past, longing for the pleasures of childhood and simpler times. There is an innocent, playful quality recalling our inner child, and there can also be a strong feeling of innocence lost, yearning to return to that state of wholeness.

Co-presence with Mercury Retrograde

The eclipse is made even more intense with the addition of Mercury Retrograde, which has the effect of slowing us down and turning us inward. Mercury Retrograde can bring people back from the past, which could be particularly poignant with this past-facing Full Moon in brooding Scorpio.

As the Full Moon brings in big feelings, insights, and a sense of illumination or revelation about the past, we have a great opportunity for looking back, reviewing and processing. Take the time to write down your dreams, journal, or contemplate what’s on your mind now.

Continue reading Lunar Eclipse 2023: Scorpio + Taurus

May 2023 Astrology: Taurus Season

May 2023 Astrology

May 2023 Astrology Overview

May 2023 astrology gives us our second eclipse of the season, a revelatory lunar eclipse in Scorpio. This is followed by a fresh New Moon in Taurus that’s tied into the current Mercury Retrograde. Jupiter enters Taurus as well for the next year, driving new growth to this area of our charts. This month we’ll also see Venus seeking comfort in empathetic Cancer while Mars drives us to venture forward in bold, daring Leo.

Although Mercury Retrograde officially ends in the middle of the month, the shadow period extends through the end of May. This means that themes covered during the retrograde will still be subject to review all month long.

The midway point in Mercury’s retrograde cycle comes on May 1, along with Pluto stationing. This is a powerful combination that starts us off on a new chapter with our communications and inner processing. We’ll be more focused on relationships and meeting others eye-to-eye.

With last month’s Solar Eclipse, we walked through a fiery gateway or rite of passage, and there are now many important changes pending in our lives, especially as concerns the Aries, Taurus, and Scorpio parts of our charts.

Mercury Cazimi in Taurus (May 1)

Mercury’s inferior conjunction with the Sun is at 11° 20′ of Taurus. Our new cycle begins in the symbiotic middle decan of Taurus. This is the 6 of Pentacles in the Tarot, Lord of Success, which has to do with reciprocity – giving and taking in equal measure. Ruled by the Moon, there’s a rhythm and synergy at work here, one that makes for fertile ground when the energy’s in its proper flow.

This cycle builds up to Mercury’s maximum brilliance on June 30 in the 1st decan of Cancer. This is the 2 of Cups energy in Tarot, the Lord of Love. Ruled by Venus, it represents the trust and intimacy between two people who are deeply bonded to each other, such as the bond between mother and child.

During this Mercury Retrograde, we’re starting a new chapter that focuses on relationships, intimacy, and the equal exchange of energy.

Shop Mercury Cazimi Offerings

Continue reading May 2023 Astrology: Taurus Season

Solar Eclipse 2023: Aries + Libra

Solar Eclipse 2023

We’re about to venture into our first eclipse season of the year! The first solar eclipse 2023 delivers is in Aries, and in October we’ll have another in Libra. This year’s lunar eclipses, meanwhile, are in Scorpio and Taurus.

How does a solar eclipse differ from a lunar eclipse in astrology? Solar eclipses fall on the New Moon and bring a major transformative change, a sharp ending and beginning, often acting as a call to action in our lives. In contrast, lunar eclipses fall on the Full Moon and are more about an emotional awakening or inner revelation.

Eclipses are not a good time to do magick or to start new projects. It’s best to lay low and process the changes at work within and around us. Give a couple days padding for important affairs if you can.

Solar Eclipse 2023 Part 1: Aries Decan 3 (April 19)

Solar Eclipse 2023

The first eclipse gateway we walk through in 2023 is in the passionate 3rd decan of Aries. This is the 4 of Wands in Tarot, Lord of Completion, which is ruled by the benefics, Venus and Jupiter. A celebratory card, it represents a joyous occasion and a rite of passage. It marks the completion of one chapter and the commencement of a new adventure that awaits us.

This rather positive card comes up when there’s an important event recognizing a rite of passage: graduations, weddings, and birthday parties are prime examples. With each of these kind of events there’s a sense of finality or completion paired with the promise of a new beginning. Thematically this is very apt at describing Solar eclipse energy in general.

The Sun and Moon are in the urgent last degree of Aries, too. This is already a very fervent, compelling energy with the third decan of Aries. Being in the last degree adds some heat and intensity.

A caution for this fiery eclipse is to avoid burning too hot and too fast. Burnout is quite possible when we get wrapped up in the heat of the moment. This can be a strong party vibe, or an anxious feeling that what we hunger for most must happen right now.

But in the morning when the Sun goes into Taurus, we’re going to be more aware of a need for conservation and slowing down. Mercury stationing retrograde in Taurus at the same time will cut the party short as well, counseling rest. We’ll be reminded that this is only the beginning, and we have to pace ourselves!

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April 2023 Astrology: Solar Eclipse

april 2023 astrology

April 2023 Astrology Overview

April 2023 Astrology brings in a Full Moon in Libra followed by a Solar Eclipse in Aries. There’s a special emphasis on the Aries/Libra axis at this time. Themes of independence, balance, and interpersonal relationship dynamics are prominent. In between these lunations, we have a fortunate, growth-spurring Jupiter Cazimi — also in Aries!

Venus enters social Gemini, while Mercury enters hard-working Taurus and stations retrograde, just in time for Taurus Season. Let’s dig in beginning with the current lunar cycle, which started on March 21 in Aries decan 1.

The Full Moon in Libra (April 5)

The Full Moon in Libra decan 2 (the 3 of Swords) is in direct conversation with the wounded healer Chiron. This continues to bring up Chiron in Aries wounds around independence, leadership, worldly desires/goals/ambitions, warrior mindset, self-assertiveness, anger/frustration, etc.

In Tarot, the middle decan of Libra is associated with the 3 of Swords, Lord of Sorrow. There’s a pessimistic or cynical side at play, but it’s more about having realistic expectations and being ground in reality — even when the truth is hard to face. There can be issues around relationships causing separation, loss, or disruptions that can throw us off. It’s important to not lose sense of yourself in these situations and to keep a clear head.

Continue reading April 2023 Astrology: Solar Eclipse

Full Moon in Virgo 2023: Lord of Gain

Full Moon in Virgo 2023

Full Moon in Virgo 2023

The Full Moon in Virgo on March 7, 2023 is in the second part of the Maiden’s sign, the Lord of Gain. In Tarot we look to the 9 of Pentacles, which is concerned with material independence and self-sufficiency. The image of the 9 of Pentacles is of a woman tending her garden. She holds a bird of prey whose job it is to kill the pests that would otherwise nibble away at the fruits of her labor.

Every Full Moon is an opportunity for heightened awareness on our spiritual path. As the Moon’s light increases, so does our understanding of our lived experiences. This Moon can be particularly illuminating. An electric Sun-Uranus transit ties into this lunation, offering a spark of optimism, intuitive insight and innovative thinking.

The Full Moon brings with her an anticipated change in the skies — Saturn moving into enigmatic Pisces, Pluto into idealistic Aquarius, and Mars into empathetic Cancer.

Continue reading Full Moon in Virgo 2023: Lord of Gain