Michael O'Connor Astrologer

The New Moon this month occurred on August 4 at 12 Leo 33. Venus and Neptune at the critical 29^th degrees of Leo and Pisces, respectively, and Pluto hovering at ‘0’ Aquarius, all lend to this overall complex lunation cycle.

And now with the Full Moon in Aquarius on August 19 (popularly called a Supermoon or Blue Moon) at 27 Aquarius 15 in a close, hard 90-degree square to Uranus in Taurus, is synchronizing with the foundational processes of AI weaving its way into mainstream society and the inevitable bulldozing of what was deemed ‘normal’ not so long ago. The Covid-19 nightmare coincided with this cycle as well, which technically began on May 15, 2018.

This emphasis of Aquarius, the sign of sudden, unexpected, and revolutionary change is amplified now by:

• the Full Moon,

• Pluto at 0 degrees and retrograde, (the hard raking or ‘clawing back’ as it were phase of any planet’s cycle),

• and Uranus (Aquarius’s ruling planet) in Taurus.

Uranus in Taurus and Pluto in Aquarius are both signs of these planet’s’ ‘fall’, which as the word suggests, implies challenging complexity.

Neptune at the last or 29^th ‘critical’ degree of Pisces also shares intimate association with Aquarius, so the current state or status of the global, social revolution is at high volume. The citizen journalists especially will be reporting on this with wide-eyed alarm and credulity, as their viewing audience count steadily rises…

Yes, the march of globalism is in full stride and nothing will stop it. Positively, awareness of this process can support us to contribute to the revolution in positive ways. This does include shining lights on the lower, darker social elements that are invariably oriented to try to control the gameboard to safeguard their own interests and ‘traditions’…. Yes, the human condition is indeed riddled with darkness hidden in the shadows of strategically oriented secrecy. It has always been this way, but that does not make it ‘right’.

This overall dynamic in context of the little old Moon, or lunation cycle, includes all these deeper complexities, so it should be quite clear what August generally implies. Of course, life occurs on many levels and the emphasis of these themes are largely that of the larger social dynamic, and the human condition, in general. Positively, from complexity comes artistry, innovation, genius, and progressive change in general. As uncomfortable as this may be, imagine if no revolutionary changes occurred, ever!? Cave dwelling and hammering bones on rocks does not hold much satisfaction for very long…

August is a Universal 16/7 month. In Numerology, 16 is symbolic of the will, creative intelligence, and sense of responsibility to take a deeper dive into investigation and research and to understand matters better. It can also be described as an ardent sense of truth guided by a moral obligation to set the record straight, whatever the specific focus.

The challenge includes the will, strength, and ability to allow new perspectives to refine or altogether replace existing ones. 16 is also categorized as one of the 4 karmic numbers implying that the pressures to be mature and responsible come from within and outer circumstances tend to be rather swift if the task is evaded. It also implies what can be described as a relentless process, ensuring that the lesson is learned well.

I experienced an example of this recently associated with a post that featured AI which animated an Otter to behave in a manner that was like a real-life cartoon. As might be expected, it stirred some reactions, some of which suggesting that I as unaware that it was ‘probably’ AI. Admittedly, I was for a moment taken-in by the notion of reality of the appealing portrayal of what amounts to what might be described as ‘the genius of cinematic, technological illusion’.

Here is the link to the reel/video to which I added the following comment: “Careful, the cute crush is devastating….”

Then, due to the relevant and to be expected array of comments, which generally included degrees of negative reaction by some, I added the following response:

It seems a little lost on some that I knew it was AI. when I posted it. That is why I wrote the caution along with it. 

Interestingly, the angry or at least frustrated reactions stating the obvious, with disdain is its own issue. As with everything, how we use or react to it is ever the test because the reality we create most fully is that in our own mind.

Positively, AI will increase our ability to discern and come to appreciate what is true and real from what is fake…, manipulated and contrived. 

That the fake can be and is being used creatively is the positive. In the past, some regarded paintings of people and places as evil, then the same was said of photographs, both of which are fake or artificial ‘replicas’. This is also true of ‘television’ and cinema…

At a deeper level, the fact is that no one perceives or experiences reality ‘as it is’ but rather as they are by way of a co-creative process. 

At this stage, it appears that we are wise to accept that AI is here and is steadily weaving itself into daily life.

Making use, adapting, and directing our focus positively, as in what we are for tends to work better than being angrily against various aspects of reality. 

If organized religions have taught us anything, it is that denying the beliefs and perspectives of others and endeavoring to force them into rejecting those alternate perspectives… is the road to hell.

The realities of the human drama invariably continue to manifest reactions to the march of change occurring in the world. Ironically, it is the reactions or resistance to these changes, to the ‘revolutions of evolution’, that are often the most negative. One example of this is the suppression of women forced to hide their beauty due to the power it has. It includes the other end of the spectrum, as well, as with questions regarding the lines of division between male and female.

Astrologically, these current themes and destined processes are basically indicated by Mercury and Venus in critical-analysis-Virgo. Mercury entered its ruling sign of Virgo on July 26 and Venus did so as well on August 5, just as Mercury stationed (appears to stop) prior to turning retrograde. By August 7, Mercury conjunct Venus, while retrograde, which formed a complex mini-cycle that will last just over 7 months when on March 11, 2025, they will once again form a conjunction in Aries with Venus taking its turn as the retrograde planet!

While the ‘near’ planets do not symbolize the larger dynamics, they are associated with the dramatic processes of change at play at any given time.

So, the dance between Mercury, Venus, Sun, Moon and Mars can be interpreted as the more immediate plot and dialogue of the ‘soap opera’ that life tends to be, which I refer to by the title: “As the World Turns”, which someone aptly coined decades ago.

Mercury/Venus conjunctions in a Natal Chart are symbolically indicative of heightened creative abilities. When one or both planets are retrograde, the overall theme becomes more complex.

In turn, the sign they are in, the exact degree and aspects make to other planets all contribute to the finer details of the overall theme. In this case, Mercury is very well placed in its own ruling sign of Virgo. So, the retrograde cycle in and of itself, in association with Virgo, can be understood to be strong and positive.

Venus in Virgo, however, is not so well placed and tends to produce what can be described as a sour and/or bitter flavour compared to its more common pleasant sweetness.

When Mercury and Venus meet again in early March 2025, Venus will be retrograde and again in a difficult sign position… This next conjunction in March 2025 is even more complex as Mercury will soon after also turn retrograde and include a conjunction with Neptune just as Mercury re-enters Pisces, and Neptune enters Aries! This basically suggests that the confusing complexity of this world-wide revolution of evolution, what can be described as ‘the birthing process of the global village’, will continue to challenge us to accept and adapt without getting lost and/or injured in the tumultuous fray.

Mercury re-entered Leo on August 14 and completes its retrograde cycle in the lion sign on August 28. Mercury is not so well placed in Leo and the issue is exacerbated when it is retrograde. The tendency is for people to become inordinately identified with their perceptions and opinions. Mercury will remain in Leo, until September 9, gaining speed and momentum all the while. During this time, the Sun will have entered Virgo on August 22.

Adding to the plot, Mars formed a conjunction with Jupiter at 16 Gemini also on August 14 to begin a 27-month cycle. That exact degree also reveals a complex theme that will color the entire cycle which can be basically described as an excited, energetic, edgy determination to get to the heart of the matter in terms of truth and justice, whatever its focus. Since the exact time of the conjunction will occur with Venus, Saturn, and the Moon all in hard aspect, forming what is called a ‘Grand Square’, which significantly contributes to the potency of this seed event activating the entire cycle. It essentially contributes to a sense of overwhelm that many trying to remain current will likely experience. The result of it is likely to include people turning away from ‘knowing’ to redirect their focus back to just living as healthily, peacefully, and joyfully as they can, for now at least. However, there will ever be those who are inclined and feel called to better understand ‘what is going on’.

In the bigger context, all the above can be understood as the late dawning phase processes of the Age of Aquarius.

At month’s end of August, Pluto prepares its re-entry back into Capricorn for its last passage through the last degree of Capricorn completing the cycle that began in late January 2008! Capricorn is symbolic of governments and the social order in general while Pluto is symbolic of themes of regeneration and transformation. Take a moment to reflect upon just how much the world has changed since that time! It was 2008 when the real estate bubble burst and the economy began to change drastically and has continued ever since.

By the last day of August, just as Pluto re-enters Capricorn for its denoument, Uranus will turn retrograde, joining Saturn, Chiron, Neptune, and Pluto, Venus will enter Libra, and Mercury will turn direct again in Leo. The themes associated with retrograde planets essentially implies the deepening of destined themes, especially if they initially formed an exact aspect with a planet in your Birth Chart. But all of that is for another time, unless I hear from you personally to examine how these dynamics are activating your personal themes of destiny within the context of this much larger, ‘natural’ dynamic of the revolutions of evolution.

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