Weekly Forecast: August 20 – 26, 2023, Kelly M. Beard, 21 August 2023

8/22  ::  Venus Rx (love, finances & relationships) ~square~ Jupiter (expansion & consciousness): (2 of 3: 6/11 :: 8/22 :: 9/17)

This energy is a happy-go-lucky kind of energy that doesn’t really want to be bothered with the mundane, however, you must not allow that passing energy to get you so off track that it costs you more than it is worth down the road. If you do not have any pressing obligations, then this can be a fun, relaxing time, possibly with friends or socializing. However, if you have work to do, make sure that it gets done first so you can truly enjoy yourself without the worry of the pile being bigger when you return. Watch the excesses as well, food, drink and/or spending. On a deeper level, you may have to make some adjustments in your relationships or finances. Jupiter always reveals how we make things bigger’ (consciously or not) and this activation usually helps us be more realistic, so that we can align our true priorities with our grand vision of the future.
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8/22  ::  Mars (actions & desires) ~oppose~ Neptune (faith & vision):

Mars rules your ability to act on your own behalf and Neptune is the planet of dreams, visions & spirituality (among other things). One is very personal & direct and the other is very general & elusive. When these two are opposite eachother, there is a push-pull between the actions you want to take and the actions you believe you are capable of taking. Often, this activation helps you balance faith and action, that is, if you can be clear about who you are, what you want and what you believe is possible, then the action steps present themselves organically. It can also activate irrational fears & unfounded doubts. Oppositions always require balance to be useful & effective, even though we usually have to go through the experience of extremes to figure that out. These are two very diverse energies that have to compromise in order to strike a balance that will facilitate flow. It may be hard to decide what you really want and communication with others tends to go awry with this one. This energy tends to obscure things right in front of you, but can also make very clear that the current consequences are related to your past choices. It is best to own your choices and/or mistakes and do whatever damage control you can at this point. The one thing this combination of energies is favorable for is working in solitude on a project that needs completion. This will give you the energy to go the distance, as well as the tenacity to overcome obstacles which delayed you previously. If you end up in this mode, do your work, put the final touches on everything, but then wait a week or two before sharing it with others.

8/23  ::  Mercury Retro in VIRGO (until Sept 15th):

Hopefully, Mercury’s time in Cancer re-connected your Head & Heart and the couple of weeks in Leo got you back to feeling like your Self in some way. All that has prepared you for this Virgo time. How is your summer going? Have you changed your mind about something? Have you discovered what really nourishes you and connects you to your true heart? Mercury’s journey through Virgo is going to allow you to truly process & integrate whatever came into your conscious awareness during this Spring & Summer. It’s time for discernment & discrimination – you will have to choose or decide which ideas are worth investing more energy, time & resources going forward. It is time to get organized and create space to anchor these new ideas and integrate them into the new rhythm that is emerging at this time. We are in the Pre-Harvest Season for another month or so, and I think you will benefit from some time-outs in Nature to mentally process your summer and get grounded. Reflect on the emotions of Solstice time and the creativity of Leo time to inspire the Virgo discipline to tend to the all the “little things” that allow the “big vision” to work in your life.

The other thing to consider is that Mercury is going to Retrograde in Virgo. If we can recalibrate our communication with others and re-establish a balanced mind within, then we can tap into our own natural rhythms and Right Timing. It’s also an opportunity to do some personal healing of the Mental Body. We have been cracked open to all new consciousness in recent years (and there is more to come) so it is a good idea to use any Mercury Retrograde to time-out, pause & reflect on your Mental Input & Output ~ consider how much are you taking in, processing and putting to good use and how much are you cultivating your own unique ideas and sharing them with others.

Mercury is going to move from processing in Virgo to restoring mental balance & equilibrium to your nervous system in Libra. The special thing about this go-round is that Mercury extends its stay in Virgo, which is going to affect your Virgo/Pisces & Gemini/Sagittarius by default. If you change your thinking or want to make some new choices in the area of Mental, Physical & Emotional Health, then you have to make time & space to do your personal processing – on a regular basis. This is a time to review your ideas, thoughts & concepts about your own physical & mental well being on a daily basis and how you would like to do that in a new & different way going forward. But first, you’ll have to look in the mirror to discover where your own imbalances are around your concept of health & fitness or around cultivating working systems for living your life. Any Mercury Retrograde is an upgrade to your Mental Body and since we get them 3-4 times a year, it is good to get into the practice of taking some time to review that Area of Life (Virgo House) and see what’s been happening in the last 3-months specifically and where you want to be 3-months from now.

8/24  ::  Mars (energy) ~trine~ Pluto (transformation):

This is an active, transformative energy that will help you to change your life in a healthy, positive way. You may have the energy & inclination to make major personal (and permanent) changes to who you are and what you want on a deep Soul level. Because it’s a Trine, it promises more ease than is usually associated with Pluto, and in this case, makes transformation smoother. You may be especially focused on what needs to be done or changed in your life at this time. You will want to take action and the Universe supports that decision, as long as it is righteous and not totally self-serving. This is a good time to get moving, take action regarding your long-term goals – and you will be able to create some momentum. You may realize some of your recent actions or choices do not necessarily support your deepest drives or desires. As you get in alignment within & without, the results can be miraculous, so be creative ~ be brave!

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