Astrology Intense Zones for August 2005 - Mars influencing Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces

by Robert Wilkinson

Mars is the "tripwire" for activity in our charts. During August 2005, it moves from 3 Taurus through 17 Taurus. People going through dynamic activity, a hectic fast-paced period, or those having the hardest time the first half of this month are Tauruses born in late April, Leos born late July, Scorpios born late October, and Aquarians born late January. The second half of August, this applies to Taurus born the first week of May, Leo born the first week of August, Scorpio born the first week of November, and Aquarians born the first week of February.

People with birthdays during these periods need to focus on what constitutes responsible action, given the high energy of this period. Mars tests us to get our energetics together, and shows us how we achieve self-control or not. It is our "fight or flight" principle, as well as a symbol for that which aggravates us, so beware of hasty action, argumentativeness, or impulsiveness.

January Aquarians are seeing the first emergence of something begun around late March 2005. After mid-month, early February Aquarians will see the first emergence of something begun the first two weeks of April 2005. Both these groups should see the new life direction or new way of naturally expressing themselves. Get grounded, and remember that "as the roots, so the flowers." Effort now is critical to future success.

All Aquarians need to be focused, playful, and magnanimous while purifying what they need to by eliminating all that is stagnant in their lives. Be more noble, humble, courageous, fearless and gracious when dealing with your own or others' stuck feelings, and continue to eliminate unhelpful attitudes while demonstrating creativity, generosity, and a loving playfulness.

April Taurus are seeing the end of a 2-year cycle and the beginning of a new one during August. May Tauruses will see this beginning mid-month. Slow down, don't force things, finish up what you’ve been doing these past two years, and refuse to get hassled or pushed beyond your limits. This is a period of endings and beginnings, so keep the focus and see how your relationships and motives have changed or fulfilled themselves in the past 18 months since this cycle began in February 2004.

This begins a new cycle of relationships, opportunities, karma, and seeing the whole of the lives of Taurus people. This is a time of closing out old ways of being and seeing themselves, and begins a time of finding new ways of approaching others and themselves and living their purpose. In August, end what needs to end, examine your motives, and diminish impulsive or stubborn behaviors that create sorrow. Face the future, work with vision, and capture what you need to support your next two year cycle.

July Leos are culminating something begun in late June or early July 2004, so Slow down, consolidate, and follow through in what's coming to fruition. Claim your personal power and further the momentum while not being impulsive or aggravated as you accept higher recognition. It is the fulfillment and culmination of an old cycle, so start capturing the fruits of past labors while completing what you need to, preparing for a new cycle beginning June 2006.

After mid-August, early August Leos also are culminatng whatever was begun in July 2004. For Leos covered in this article, this month fulfills a professional or public cycle while shifting their relationship to home and family life, vision of a truth or future, philosophy, or way of regarding the past. This period begins the completion of whatever has fulfilled itself. All Leos should purify, check out their desires and examine what they're attracting and why they want what they want. It requires being detached, friendly, dispassionate, and focusing on the big picture.

October Scorpios should avoid aggression, impulsiveness, or getting aggravated by oppositional people during August while correcting whatever they need to within the cycle that began late November 2004. Bring different things to surface, or correct what you need to while avoiding adversarial interactions. Early November Scorpios started this cycle in early December 2004. All Scorpios should try to see ways to take the initiative in relationships, or quickly grab an opportunity that presents itself. If you're having problems, it's probably due to someone opposing your way of doing things, your way of working or not adjusting to practical necessities. Show detachment and largeness of vision, and practice being more gentle and pleasant while not indulging stubborn, self-serving, or excessively aggressive bahavior in others.

By the end of July, Scorpios born the second week of November are in a correctional phase relative in the cycle that began December 2004. All Scorpios should embrace a kinder, gentler, more enjoyable self-image and tend to any health conditions that are an issue. This is a time of shifts or things surfacing in the areas of work or those who work for you, and should be seen as a chance to adjust your way of being yourself to a form that is more enjoyable for you and others.

Because we're dealing with Mars, it of course affects the areas of your chart influenced by Aries and Scorpio, so take note. It also affects planets you may have in these signs, as well as any planets listed in the signs above. Don't forget to include your progressions and solar return planets.

The quincunx effect significantly influences 3-17 degrees of Libra and Sagittarius in August. Quincunxes always indicate a health issue on some level (not necessarily physical!), and require an adjustment through sacrifice, this being narrowly focused according to birthday. late September Libras and late November Sagittarians will be most affected by the quincunx the first half of August, whereas early October Libras and early December Sagittarians will be most affected after mid-August.

Pisces born the second and third weeks of March, and Geminis born the second and third weeks of June will be most influenced by the semisquare the first half of August, while Pisces and Aries born in the third and fourth weeks of March will be most influenced by the semisquare during the second half of August, as will Geminis and Cancers born in the third and fourth weeks of June. There may be internal crises of direction, or the sense that something is beginning to open (or close) and decisions must be made.

Mars is beginning its series of squares and oppositions that will influence the entire autumn through a number of T-squares culminating in a Grand Fixed Cross in November and December 2005. The T-squares are integrative but challenging, while the Grand Cross is diffusing. Involving Fixed signs, expect many stubborn, conflicted, and oppositional trends to be strongly in evidence. The T-squares will throw energies into Scorpio in late August and Leo in October, with the Grand Cross emerging in November to fracture many things that are familiar to us, especially in the realms of finance, collective wealth, human ideals, and any ability to cling to that which is obsolete. Though off-set, the Cross will persist through December, morphing back into T-squares in January and early February.

The difficult zones begin the end of the second week of August with Mercury retrograde square Mars at the same time as the Venus sesquisquare Mars. Neither of these is a particularly easy aspect, and the general tension persists during the entire Mercury stationary direct period, culminating with its third square to Mars on August 25 (26th in Europe and points east of there). This square forms a T-square with Neptune mentioned above, and requires a tremendous concentration and positivity to regenerate rather than yield to forms of decay. Clear out any stagnant feelings, and use practicality is assessing how to bring the potential into actuality. Do not yield to discouragement too easily, and find some larger ideal you can use as a basis for action. Avoid hasty, disruptive, or argumentative people, or those who are impractical or deluded. Act quickly when necessary, but not thoughtlessly. Impulsive people or those who lack self control will have the hardest time.

The first week of August will show us our "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" that will mean saying goodbye to lesser things in order to open a new life in the second week of August. By mid-month we're shown clues toward a larger service and dedication, and must mobilize our imagination and our willingness to do what it takes between August 17-26. The end of the month shows us "the inadequacy of past knowledge in times of crisis" as well how to confirm the new values, resources, or conditions we'll be dealing with through January 2006.

Mars is already beginning to slow down as it prepares to go stationary retrograde on October 1, 2005 (October 2 in Europe and points east of there). I will discuss this important Mars retrograde period in future posts, as it will impact all signs in very important ways. We'll ultimately learn to "create inner happiness in dark hours," but will also be able to find joy and celebration in the middle of some very harsh outer conditions. This coming few months will show us the relative purity of our hearts, so focus, be strong, try not to be hassled about money or things, and let go of whatever isn't working in your life. This period tests our magnetism and our willingness to shift our desires as necessities present themselves. Aum Namah Shivaya!

© Copyright 2006 Robert Wilkinson. Last update: 8/27/2006; 10:54:15 AM.