Tension, Technology and Mercury RX Come Together to Facilitate a Breakthrough
On Monday, August 19th 2024, the full moon in Aquarius will peak at 2:26 PM. This moon has quite a bit going on and to be quite honest, it has a bunch of harsh aspects causing tension and frustration. We are working with a T-square with Jupiter, Mars, Saturn and Venus as well as the full moon squaring off with Uranus. Topping it off, the full moon is in opposition with Mercury retrograde in Leo. However, all this tension isn't necessarily a bad thing by any means – we are dealing with Uranus energy which is prone to giving way to breakthroughs. While this moon is putting pressure on us, it is providing the tension needed to create crucial shifts that open us up to new pathways forward on an individual and collective level.
Uranus Square Moon
This full moon takes place in the sign of the revolutionary/the rebel/the nonconformist, ingenius and innovative Aquarius. The modern planetary ruler of this unconventional sign is Uranus, the planet of shock, unpredictably, progress and innovation. The traditional ancient ruler of Aquarius is Saturn, the lord of time, the taskmaster and karmic figure pushing us into maturity and legacy. Both Saturn and Uranus are heavily involved with this moon with Uranus making a direct aspect. Having both of the rulers of Aquarius involved is beneficial and also amplifies the energy of Aquarius that we’ll be dealing with. Aquarius is connected to change and liberation. It is also a sigh who’s primary focus is on the relationship between the individual and the collective, and vice versa. Aquarius is here to understand the eternity loop (figure 8) between them – the way in which the collective impacts the individual and the way the individual impacts the collective. We are meant to be pondering our role in the greater systems around us and we are also meant to be questioning the role of the greater systems on our lives and the impact they have on the quality of our lives, particularly.
The tension between Uranus as well as Saturn can bring long due changes as well as shifts along our path that we never saw coming. We are meant to be re-evaluating (Mercury RX) and it’s likely we need to do some re-inventing (Aquarius) based on what we discover. In order to re-invent ourselves and our communities, as we are being pushed to, we first need to follow a lesson from Uranus on deconditioning. Uranus is the planet of future-progress and change, it holds a vision of a future brighter than we can imagine but it also knows that in order to create a beautiful new world we must first leave the old one behind, structurally and mentally. The outside structures can change but if the structures still exist within our minds we can never be free to evolve into something new, we instead are bound to repeat the past as it is sustained and carried inside of us. It is not enough to facilitate external change and progress, we must take it inside of ourselves and change the very core of our lives and our inner being to be in alignment with the vision we are holding for the world. This is where Uranus leads us into the process of deconditioning, of daring to stand apart from what we have been told and have come to know; to stand isolated yet with eyes wide open. Uranus is aware of things most are not, which is why Aquarius often stands alone. It's best we each learn how to get comfortable in that place, so we can move with flexibility and openness as we chart unprecedented territories, personally and collectively. Once Aquarius masters the feeling of standing apart it learns its most powerful purpose, to join together with community of its own creation. Aquarius is not meant to be alone, merely their experiences of alone-ness foster their ability to create community and structures of belonging for the many.
Full Moon in Aquarius, Impact on Collective
Something that may or may not be interesting: both presidential candidates were born on full moons which means that each full moon from now until the election has the power to influence them, and in return, the collective. We saw this already with Biden, who was also born on a full moon, withdrawing from the presidential race on the blue moon in Capricorn. This is a moon that could have effects on the collective through some change in the larger systems that hold us and or influence our lives. I’m not saying something is going to happen that pertains to the election or that anything will happen at all, but it’s likely, though certainly not guaranteed, that something global could take place. Regardless, Uranus, the ruling planet of Aquarius loves to shock, so if we were able to predict how it manifests it wouldn't be Uranus. Please note: its really not worth being afraid over. I don't like predictive astrology for the reason that people tend to become overwhelmed with (often fearful) possibilities and regardless of how well we understand the stars we can never know for sure how these things will manifest. The best we can do is identify the themes and archetypes that will be at play and remember there are infinite possibilities for all things, even if we narrow them down. The more we can walk towards uncertainty with faith and courage, leaving fear and anxiety behind, the more control and agency over our lives and the world around us we get to have.
In our personal lives we can also probably expect some surprising things to either happen or be revealed.
Leo Season
We have been in Leo season since July 22nd and will be so until August 22nd. Leo is all about the Self. Ruled by the Sun, Leo is our self-expression and the radiance of who we naturally are. It is creative, generous, exuberant, proud, fun-loving and regal. Leo is the opposite sign of Aquarius and the Leo/Aquarius axis is one of individuality. Leo is focused on re-enforcing their sense of self through who they are and the expression of their natural gifts and talents. Aquarius is about the role of the individual in the collective and its impact on the larger systems and structures around us. This full moon in Leo season is giving us a chance to zoom out and take the perspective off of ourselves and onto our greater surroundings. What's really playing out around us that we couldn't see with our focus so zoomed in on ourselves and our personal lives? There could be breakthroughs or sudden insights in this area and it’s worth noting that we are meant to facilitate changes based off of these insights. This may not be something we are able to move forward with immediately, however, as we are still in Mercury Retrograde and the T-Square with Mars, Jupiter and Saturn is asking us to channel our actions into grounded and slow-moving steps which we may encounter external resistance to for the time being. Keep pushing ahead, wisely and with intentional surrender. As they say, the seed that is watered grows. Great things take time, big things definitely take time, but Saturn reminds us that time passes with or without us, that the daily effort makes up the sum of the parts. We have power only in this moment, what we dont want is to fall into the trap of getting so overwhelmed with what must be done in the future that we forfeit our ability to create it.
T- Square Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, Mars
Mars and Jupiter had a major conjunction on August 14th in the sign of Gemini, the effects of which we will continue to feel for the rest of the month. This is a transit known for bringing lots of energy and enthusiasm to go after our dreams and ambitions. However, this took place while Mercury is retrograding so the action oriented energy that this conjunction may have brought may not have an outlet yet. We may have been given a seed but the soil around us is not ripe for planting. All things in divine timing, so if this is the case we must assume the retrograde has more to reveal to us before we are ready to set sail and take course.
Mars and Jupiter are square Saturn in Pisces, which is currently retrograding. This adds more tension and confusion to the mix and prohibits the energy of Mars and Jupiter from acting. There is a desire to expand, to do more and to take one step closer to our dreams, yet to do so it becomes very clear that we must step into higher responsibility and maturity as well as ground our expectations. We are pondering the best ways to manifest our visions and dreams. Sacrifices will have to be made, as they always are. To receive anything we must have empty hands to hold.
Venus in Virgo is opposite Saturn in Pisces and square Mars and Jupiter in Gemini. Venus’ opposite to Saturn could leave us feeling vulnerable in relationship matters and we may be feeling lonely or more isolated than normal. Saturn is known for creating limitations and restrictions so Venus is stifled by this aspect. On the other hand, if setting boundaries in your relationships has been a struggle this full moon will likely provide a breakthrough. The added square to Jupiter and a lesser extent Mars is bringing conflict but also providing opportunity of maturation. Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces, so the focus is on our dreams and our beliefs. Tension and pressure in these areas are designed to reveal new pathways to us. There’s no need to crumble under the weight of these things, we can utilize this pressure to create something new in the world as long as we are not afraid to be and feel vulnerable. Our beliefs may be due for an upgrade/overhaul. When the limits of our mind begin to press up upon us the next course of action will always be to deconstruct said limits. The Death card in the tarot reminds us that evolution of our soul requires frequent deaths and transformations of our psyche (ego).
Full Moon Opposite Mercury Retrograde
Mercury retrograde plays a major role in this Aquarius full moon and is at the heart of the lessons connected to this lunation. The opposition is a naturally harsh aspect but brings with it opportunities of integration and balance of opposing ideas and energies. Mercury retrograde naturally acts as a slower, more bumpy version of reality where we have frequent hiccups, miscommunications and annoyance. All of this is designed to simply slow us down. Mercury retrograde is a potent time for reflecting and re-evaluating, as there are usually things we must see from a new angle in order to come to a true understanding of it. As such, it is not a time of action and therefor we find ourselves at a standstill. We are primed and ready to go but there is no road yet available. It's here that we have to find faith in the timing of things and wait until the right moment opens up for us to move forward.
Mercury retrograde has a lot to do with technology, particularly issues and restriction around technology. With the heavy Uranian and Aquarian nature of this lunation we are already dealing with the themes of technology and social media so we can expect issues yet also breakthroughs here. It is very likely we will be ponder our relationship with technology and social media and we may find that there are needed adjustments to this relationship for greater quality of life. We are meant to be analyzing and reflecting on the impact of these systems on our lives and our personal fulfillment as well as how they impact our ability to show up for our communities and those around us. Aquarius rules over the internet and our larger global communities but it also rules over the flesh and blood, person to person communities that we engage with on a day to day basis, ie our local communities. We are meant to be reflecting on the dynamic between the two and where re-adjusting must take place for greater balance.
Mercury retrograde is back in Leo where it began on the last new moon. The energy of the month has been one of a false start, but that’s okay. We are getting the information we needed to have clarity on how that start, sparked back on the Leo new moon, is meant to move forward. Likely, what we thought then is not how it turns out in the future. Once the retrograde ends on August 28th and the shadow retrograde period ends 2 weeks later, we may find the doors are open and we have a transformed perspective on how to take action. In the meantime, expect unclear messages and to feel like you’re being messed with by the Universe. Laugh it off, Mercury loves to joke and remind us that it's not so serious. The more we join in on the joke the more enjoyable Mercury retrograde, an inherent and frequent part of life here on planet Earth, becomes. Periods of rest, introspection and a shift in perspective serve us just as profoundly as periods of action, creation and a clear focus. We need both to navigate our path and our purpose. This is why Mercury retrograde happens so often, it is a crucial and intrinsic part of how we do life on this planet.
Paving the Way for Eclipse Season
This is our very last moon before eclipse season which explains why it's doing the most. This lunation is preparing us to enter the eclipse portal, a chaotic time of fate and divine intervention. We do not have control in eclipse season, it is a time to take our hands completely off the wheel and trust in the process enfolding around us. This moon is giving us the seeds to sow now which the Universe will then water during the eclipse portal. Best to remember, fate works in mysterious ways and we can find greater comfort and empowerment by detaching from the outcoming while being intentional about what seeds that we plant. If you have been feeling stuck the eclipse portal will likely bring the change and action you have been anticipating.
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