Forecasts for August, September and October

By Carole Devine

August 1999: Besides the eclipse of August 11^th, which does not bear repeating here, Mercury remains retrograde until August 5^th, when it will station at 28 Cancer. It will finally be out of range of the affected period by August 20^th. Remember during retrograde Mercury periods to take your time making major decisions, and try to avoid major purchases or new enterprises. Whatever you begin during this time will need revision later.

Venus begins retrograde motion on July 29^th and continues until Sept. 10^th, when it stations at 18:47 Leo—the eclipse point on August 11. That is interesting! It doesn't leave its affected retrograde area until October 14. All this period may be important in terms of re-examining our values, learning lessons about love, and having our "hearts" tested in one way or another. Again, it isn't a good time to jump into anything new. It is a good time to reflect, meditate, and re-examine. Wherever Venus is in your chart, concentrate your retrospection there.

Saturn, Uranus and Mars hold their T square until around August 24^th when the faster body, Mars, moves out of range. This precipitates a condition of frustration. That is, many, many people will be about to explode with impatience, but will find that events or circumstances hold them back from being able to move ahead with viable solutions to their frustration. The eclipse on this T square emphasizes the importance of these dilemmas. It will be obvious both on a global and personal level. Just about every family will have someone in it trying to find a way to live a more fulfilling life (see "Sabian Symbols" on page 1).

Jupiter goes retrograde on August 25^th at 4:59 Taurus, exactly square the July 28^th eclipse point. With both Venus and Jupiter making stations on the two important eclipse points, it further emphasizes the importance of this period of time, but also shows the ultimate positive outcome since these two are nicknamed the "lesser (Venus) and greater (Jupiter) benefics."

September 1999: Venus goes direct Sept. 10^th, Jupiter stays retrograde until mid-December, and Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are retrograde for quite some time. This doesn't mean you should stagnate, but it is emphasizing a retrospection of our philosophies of life. What do we stand for? What is our code of ethics?

On a global level, given the symbology of the eclipses, we are definitely, as a human family, looking at these issues. This does not mean that any one person has all the answers about what is right and wrong. After all, the crusades were quite an atrocity in the name of "Christianity." And often well-meaning people hold others hostage by instilling guilt in their souls. But it does mean that we have to ask ourselves if we are being authentic to our true beliefs and living them in our daily lives.

Venus is square Saturn and opposite Uranus from late August until about Sept. 25^th. Most romances will undergo extreme stress during this time since there will be conflict between feelings of "freedom" or "space" and obligation or guilt. It will be especially true for those people affected by the eclipses. Decisions will be made one day and changed the next. A real roller coaster ride. If there are money issues, they will be blown way out of proportion to reality. One day a person will do something outrageous with finances and then be irrationally frugal the next. It would be wise to put financial decisions on hold until this period is long past—into early October.

Between Sept. 4^th and Sept. 25^th, there is a conjunction of Mars and Pluto in Sagittarius. People born around Nov. 23^rd to Dec. 10^th will be more obsessively willful, obstinate and angry. It will be hard to reason with them. Same for those born around Feb. 20^th through March 6^th, May 22^nd through June 8^th, and August 24^th through Sept. 8^th. All dates are approximate.

October 1999: In October things finally quiet down. There is a Venus/Jupiter trine which brings in more good will and co-operation. Decisions are made and put into action. The weekend of Oct. 16/17 we come as close as we can to a grand trine of Jupiter, Venus and Mars, which is symbolic of putting love into action. Generosity reigns. However, Jupiter has maintained a square with Neptune all during this three month period. Although these two are symbolic of organized religion (Jupiter) and spirituality (Neptune), the square can indicate confusion about these. Either there can be manipulation with them, or confusion in seeing principles clearly. It does confuse judgement. It is especially fuzzy when Mercury joins this square in early October—until around the 9^th.

Neptune goes direct on Oct. 13^th. Uranus does so on the 23^rd. This is a pretty good month to move forward, implement plans and embark in a new direction if you so desire.

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Cosmic Views copyright © 1999 Carole Devine. All rights reserved. Eclipse photo copyright © NASA.