August 18th, 2018: First Quarter Square

• First Quarter Square between the Scorpio Moon and Leo Sun (25 deg)
• Mercury Rx in Leo sextile Venus in Libra (11 deg)

The First Quarter Square asks you to step into the light. There's something to be proud of - something you can go public with. It may feel safer to keep it secret, because you think you can control what happens if you hold something back. But the time for that is past. You may need to expose what's in the shadows, or put the spotlight on your hidden source of power. The idea of being in the spotlight may frighten you, but you know that hanging back feels inauthentic. 

Mercury Rx/Venus indicate a favourable response to the review, question or examination. Asking again, or reconnecting, can result in some pleasantly sparkly interactions. Creatively, this aspect suggests that introspection or reviews can open up something fruitful.

This is the last aspect Mercury makes before it stations direct (on August 19th) and it repeats on September 3rd (at 25 deg). So you're on the verge of a little breakthrough - progress is just around the corner and you'll be having this conversation again. While the aspect itself is not a powerful one, what comes out of it (the social or creative reward) will be significant, even if it doesn't seem that way in the moment.

If you're feeling trapped by the tension of the First Quarter Square, consider reaching out to someone in a one-on-one capacity. The vibe may be feel light and inconsequential, but there's more going on. 

August 14th, 2018: Libra Moon

• trine Black Moon Lilith in Aquarius (0 deg)
• opposite Chiron Rx in Aries (1 deg)
• square Saturn Rx in Capricorn (2 deg)
• trine the Aquarius South Node (5 deg)
• conjunct Venus (7 deg)
• sextile Mercury in Leo (12 deg)

The Moon enters Libra (and ends Void of Course) at 12:56 AM EDT.

Relating and balance/imbalance will be emphasized. Things start off on a good note as the trine to BML suggests taboo or socially unacceptable women's issues won't be so unacceptable. There will be a willingness to make it work, or to establish a point of commonality with the outsider. 

But this take us to a Chiron opposition, which immediately triggers discomforts/wounds (although they may be projected). It will feel very uncomfortable, and will be difficult to find that point of harmony, especially as the Moon moves towards a the square with Saturn - needs are not met and attempts to be friendly/accommodating are blocked (possibly by rules or authority). Best to assume that you won't get what you want or need in this moment. 

However, it looks to be smooth sailing after the square. Perhaps Saturn will symbolize a difficult corner you have to turn (a duty or unpleasant restriction) but then, on to the South Node trine (easy nostalgia or a smooth balance between past and present). And that lovely conjunction with Venus - needs unite with wants. Despite the previous tensions, here we have true harmony, love/affection or a sweetly happy moment. For those using the Moon's aspects in their planning, this conjunction occurs exactly at 2:05 PM EDT.

The day ends on a pleasant note with a sextile to Mercury - easy conversations or ideas with a touch of sparkle or drama (but not too much). 

Overall, today's theme is finding that point where you can relate to the other or maintain some equilibrium. It won't be perfect - there will be tension and hurt feelings. But the conjunction with Venus occurs after the difficult aspects, suggesting that things should work out. 

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August 12th, 2018: Venus and Mars Action

• Venus in Libra trine the Aquarius South Node (5 deg)
• Mars Rx reenters Capricorn

Venus and the South Node indicate an easy social or romantic connection. Air signs mean things won't get heavy - think flirtation or unforced friendliness with a bit of detachment. The trine suggests events should move quickly and lightly (no resistance). 

Any aspect to the South Node also means an aspect (in this case a sextile) to the North Node. Easy aspects indicate a natural transition from past to present. So here's your chance to achieve closure on a relationship issue or take a social/romantic opportunity further. You'll know if it's winding down or heating up, because it will move easily in a certain direction. You won't have to force anything. 

Balance and harmony (Libra) will assist this transition. It's all about your ability to cooperate and relate. 

As Mars Rx reenters Capricorn, you will retrace your steps around a rule, tradition or structure. You may have to recheck the integrity of what you committed to when Mars was last in Capricorn (March 17th to May 16th). How real were your actions? This is the time to refocus or gain control over your efforts. Try harder, try again, intensify your ambitions. You may find that things slow down even more while Mars Rx is in this sign, but remember that Capricorn is ruled by Saturn (focus, reality) and Mars is exalted (strong) in Capricorn. Use the slowdown to concentrate your efforts on building and making it real. 

Mars will station direct in Capricorn on August 27th and will exit Capricorn for Aquarius on September 10th.

The combination of Venus and Mars' influences today does suggest returning to a past relationship issue, or reviewing actions to get what you want. While social interactions are frothy on the surface, effort/ambition is serious and deliberate. What's happening is significant, even if it seems like fun.  

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August 9th, 2018: Confusion and More Relationship Tension

• Mercury Rx in Leo square Juno in Taurus: 16 deg
• Mercury Rx in Leo conjunct Pallas: 16 deg
• Mercury Rx in Leo inconjunct Neptune Rx in Pisces: 15 deg
• Venus in Libra inconjunct Uranus Rx in Taurus: 2 deg
• Venus in Libra square Saturn Rx in Capricorn: 3 deg

Mercury

Aspects to Mercury continue yesterday's influences involving the Sun and Pallas, but Mercury suggests specific details or a messenger. Mercury Rx/Pallas combines intellect and communication with a strategy or pattern, enabling you to put it into words (albeit words that are being reviewed). However, Mercury Rx/Juno is about revisiting the details of a relationship disagreement, and Mercury Rx/Neptune Rx can be about revisiting a specific fact that's false or confusing. So putting it into words will only be the first step - you'll have to navigate other difficulties. 

If Mercury manifests as the messenger, watch for a person who triggers the above. In all cases, you're being asked to look more closely at the details, or ask questions (about the agreement or strategy). 

Note that Pallas and Juno will make an exact square on August 11th, so conflict around relationship strategies will continue until then. 

Venus

Venus/Uranus hi-lights the disconnect between necessary change versus the desire for harmony. There can be an avoidance of what needs to change (or be set free) or an abrupt development that triggers an extreme imbalance. Venus rules Taurus and Libra, but these signs make an inconjunct with each other- Libra is about relating and Taurus is about self-preservation. These issues will collide, and the trick is to honour both sides. 

The square to Saturn will not make that easy, but at the same time, Saturn will cut out all the non-essentials. You will probably run into a hard limit around what you want, especially regarding a relationship or what you're trying to attract. So you won't get distracted, because certain things will simply not be available to you. Focus on what's left.

Along with Uranus, this can feel upsetting as you're confronted with change while being restricted. You may feel cornered or rejected. Accept the limits and the change, then do your best to find the balance within that situation. Or, you can say "F**k it" and refuse to play ball. But it's always helpful to try and work with the energy of the sign that's being activated.

And now you see why Venus in Libra is not an easy energy to master. I'm not talking about being a doormat or glossing over all the problems. The real task here is to honestly find the balance between you and them. Honour yourself and the other, in whatever situation unfolds. Respect your wants while playing by Saturn's rules and getting with Uranus' program.

Impossible? Nope. Libra is being activated because balance is possible. But it won't be easy. 

August 8th, 2018: Relationship Difficulties

• Leo Sun inconjunct Neptune Rx in Pisces (15 deg)
• Pallas in Leo inconjunct Neptune Rx in Pisces (15 deg)
• Sun conjunct Mercury Rx in Leo (16 deg)
• Sun square Juno in Taurus (16 deg)
• Venus in Libra opposite Chiron Rx in Aries (1 deg)

Yesterday's Sun/Pallas conjunction offered a bright, bold strategy, but the inconjunct to Neptune Rx suggests it may be undermined by confusion or doubt. There may be difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality - strategies can be inspired or delusional. And yet, Neptune's influence shouldn't be ignored. There's a message here that your creation is not all about impressing others. Neptune suggests there's a higher purpose that transcends success or glory. Consider what more you can do with what you've designed. 

The Sun/Mercury Rx conjunction is the midpoint of Mercury Rx -a moment of clarity that also acts as a new beginning, connected to the last Sun/Mercury conjunction (June 5th, 15 deg Gemini). Whatever is illuminated will involve Mercury Rx's delay's and reviews. And part of this will shine a light on tension within a relationship, as the Sun's square to Juno hi-lights a disagreement. The issue may involve one partner's ego/self-expression versus the other's desire for basic security. Maybe someone isn't getting enough attention/romance. This will continue until August 9th, when Mercury Rx makes an exact square to Juno. 

And more relationship tensions, as Venus opposes Chiron. Venus in Libra loves to be liked/loved - she wants everyone to be happy, but with Chiron know that you won't be able to make everyone happy today. The more you try to appease, the more it may hurt. So don't sugar it up and pretend that nothing's wrong. Address the wound (and own it if you happen to be projecting). Consider that it's not your job to make them happy, and it's not their job to appease you (especially if you deny what you really want). We're all responsible for confronting what hurts.