August 2008 Horoscope—Planets in Play

by Laurence Hillman

General Overview

As the month begins, we find ourselves in an intoxicating mist that parallels the steamy weather. With the season heating up, summer romances are the center theme of this month. Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, is directly across the sky from Neptune, Lord of Dreams. Such confrontational positioning in astrology is believed to encourage extreme tension but also creativity and allure. After all, opposites attract. Down here on the terrestrial stage that we call life, this conflict is reflected as an intense focus on Venus energy. Venus, of course, rules all things beautiful: the arts, love, harmony, sex, passion, money, chocolate, seduction, and casual relations. She also rules jealousy, backstabbing, and gossip. Think Sex in the City. Astrology teaches us that because Venus is the faster planet in the duel with Neptune, she is the recipient of the dreamy energy infused by the latter. As a result we are all particularly prone to enchantment, seduction, and fascination right now,  and we can quickly imagine chemistry with others that may not be reciprocated at all. Now is the time of a belated Midsummer Night’s Dream. In Shakespeare’s play there are numerous intrigues, seductions, magical potions, and love situations to bring about a most mirthful and blithesome adventure.

Our personal experiences of this, however, may not be all that convivial. Neptune can also be most destructive and speaks to our addictions and fatal attractions. In Greek mythology we have stories of the Sirens, a group of seductive muses who lured sailors with their irresistible singing. The seamen, completely intoxicated and bewitched, steered their ships toward the alluring sounds only to crash on deadly cliffs and drown. This is the other side of love: Especially under this constellation we tend to be overly idealistic and easily seduced by what is only a package with no real content. We also happily create fantasy situations that are soap bubbles at best. They glisten beautifully in the sunlight but burst as soon as they touch hard reality. It is nearly impossible to see your love life clearly and without illusions now. When you do come up for air, look around for the Sirens in your life.

Venus is also in the constellation Leo. So are the Sun, Lord of Ego; the Moon, Queen of the Hearth; and even Mercury, Lord of Mind. The lion is a glamorous, center-stage royal. We can also expect above-average drama among celebrities, particularly movie stars. In our own lives we feel especially desirous to get what we want and what we feel we deserve. We are particularly charismatic and entertaining.

As Venus also rules money, we can also collectively fall under particularly strong spells regarding our finances. Disillusionment is only around the corner. A safe bet would be to delay any major expenditure until September, when a more rational mindset will prevail. You don’t want to find yourself buying stock from a company that’s just vanished off the face of the earth.

Aries

The dominating relationship of the month, the tension between Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, and Neptune, Lord of Dreams, (see general introduction above) falls right in the area on your inner stage that dominates romantic relationships. You are therefore most likely to be seduced by some Venusian object or person. The object of your desire could be a new car or other glamorous thing that is fast and dangerous. It could also easily be that you fall head over heels in love with someone. There is quite literally a sense of tumbling and falling in this situation as you tend to move head first in life and leap before you think anyway.

With Aries in romance, the chase is often more exciting than the capture. However, this time you have much less control of your pursuits. You may feel quite helplessly exposed to a more vulnerable side of romance. You find that the sheer beauty of what attracts you is disarming and leaves you fumbling and mumbling.

Neptune himself is in that area of your stage that speaks about your friends. A romantic relationship with a longtime friend and all the complications that this can bring is certainly possible.

In its most refined form, this month’s energy would bring out your artistic and imaginary talents as the same celestial tension shows such gifts as well. There is a huge potential for you to sublimate incredible longing and even unrequited love into artistic endeavors, particularly those that involve music, photography, or film. If you could take snapshots of what you are dreaming now the results would be timeless. You are experiencing a collective archetypal energy — inspired love — in a very personal way. Anyone who looks at such expressions born under this spell resonates on some level with your creations.

Your home life is dramatic at this time. Also, interactions with your mother seem unusually intense. If you have any children, or if there are children in your life (if you are a teacher, for instance) they also become increasingly important. Kids around you are more demanding, but hopefully their endless energy can inspire you rather than exhaust you.

This month is all about the home for you. If you have been reading this column for a while you may remember that your work situation has, and remains, in a dreamy state as Neptune, Lord of Dreams, has been hovering in that area for a very long time. Now, in his direct opposition to Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, in your home, the confusion at work simply drives you home. This is where you will find all sorts of new energy.

This may begin with a strong desire to beautify your house literally. You stock up on glossy interior design or decorating magazines, and you want to spruce up your domestic setting and your family at the same time. A royal makeover is imminent. Venus is in Leo, after all. Out with the old and in with the new and glamorous.

Besides decorating, other artistic talents may need to be expressed at this time as well. You may rediscover that old easel in the closet or the violin you put down decades ago. If you have kids, they can easily become part of such a rediscovery of your inner muse. If you are in a stable relationship it is possible that you fall head over heels in love with your mate — again. You feel that the world out there is unpredictable, vague, and sometimes scary, and the idea that you have a loved one who is there to hold you, love you, and treat you royally when you come home, well, this really turns you on. You may instead feel this love on a more platonic level for your offspring or, if you’re single, for your roommates. You love to be the center of your nest as well as to be treated well and adored there.

At night, when things go bump in the dark and we are all in the domain of Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, you feel particularly exposed. Pluto is not relating to any other actors on your inner stage now, and this makes him a free agent and a loose cannon. He is also in that area of your inner stage that addresses your deepest psychological experiences. No matter what glamour you create in your home during the day, when night falls you are faced with a different reality: Your deepest beliefs are challenged and you had best embrace this reality as well. Why not let Pluto be an inspiration to your artistic endeavors?

Gemini

May 21–June 20

The intense group of actors in Leo is standing in that area of your inner stage that naturally belongs to Gemini. This means that you feel empowered and royal this month. In addition, Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, the central character for all of us now, is here as well.

Gemini has to do with siblings, communication, and darting around the neighborhood connecting with people. It is a mercurial sign, and Mercury, Lord of Mind, rules Gemini, (meaning that there is a natural affinity between the planet and the sign). Now that Venus is here this can mean a few things. You could be far more flirtatious than usual and find yourself winking at your neighbor across the hall. Or you could find that a sister or aunt takes on a sweeter and more significant role in your life, much to your pleasure: friendly conversations, nice letters or emails, phone calls until late in the night, those sorts of things. Also, if you have had aspirations to write the Great American Novel, now is the time to start. The fruits of your writing efforts can be quite remarkable.

Let us not forget that Venus is also in a standoff and therefore in tension with Neptune, Lord of Dreams (see general introduction above). This means that things may not be all that rosy around the issues just mentioned. Flirting with the neighbor could end up in a disastrous affair with great disillusionments on both sides. Kindness from a sibling or relative could be a coy ploy to get something from you and you could end up feeling used. And finally, you may find that when you sit down to write, you can’t focus and feel instead as though your mind were wrapped in a thick fog.

Let us also remember that this intense energy is in Leo, a proud sign. Whatever happens, you will not let it get to you; you will stand up after you fall, wipe yourself off, and walk away with you head held high. The Moon, Queen of the Hearth, is also in Leo and your emotional state is dramatic as well. This adds elegance to when you throw the feather boa over your shoulder and wander off into the sunset. You rule.

Cancer

June 21–July 22

If money does in fact “make the world go round,” you will surely experience this now. Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, at the focus of the lengthy lineup of actors in Leo (see general overview above), ends up in that part of your stage that addresses your values and valuables.

At its best, this becomes an extraordinarily creative month for you, with huge financial rewards to back up your feelings of accomplishment. However, with Venus in conflict with Neptune, Lord of Dreams, there could also be disappointment around money or disillusions about what others think of you. For instance, a job that you had lined up and that you thought was a sure thing may suddenly not be there anymore. This not only affects your finances but also your sense of self-worth. Astrologically the two are always connected for all of us. This is especially the case with Venus, as she also rules money and how much we love ourselves. The actual placement of Neptune on your stage indicates that some of the fantasies you hold about money are connected to your significant other. The lesson now is that you cannot count on being supported by your partner. He or she is not your meal ticket. Instead, create your own money and aim for an equal and fair partnership. This is a very important lesson for you at this time.

Mars, Warrior Lord, is also active on your inner stage; he is in the area of communication and siblings, so expect a lot of activity here. This is the kind of time when you spend many hours chatting with neighbors. Because Mars is in a mild conflict with Uranus, Your Inner Disturber, you may find unexpected changes occurring with your siblings. There may also be bursts of anger coming from them or rash and impulsive behavior that suddenly changes your relationship with them dramatically. Uranus’s position indicates that one of your siblings, or you, could take an unexpected trip as well. If you are an only child the above could apply to aunts and uncles as well.

Leo

July 23–Aug. 22

Well, this certainly is a highpoint for you! So many planets lined up in your sign, and then Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, at the center of it all (see general overview above). This is a month to stroll along the boardwalk and bask in the sunlight that follows you wherever you go. You are the king (or queen) of the universe and everyone else knows it and bows to your royal highness.

If you have any desire at all to express yourself creatively, through any of the arts or with children, do so now. This is a rare lineup in your favor and rather than gamble it all away (another real possibility) wouldn’t it be nice if you had something to show for it when September comes around? The Sun, Lord of Ego, and the Moon, Queen of the Hearth, are both being aligned in your sign, and this helps you find congruency between what you want and what you need. These are not always the same. Now you can unite your inner voices and together they can sing an extraordinary aria. It is your moment to step center-stage and to declare to the world what it is that you came to this earth to accomplish. This is quite an event.

So where are the downsides? Well, Neptune, Lord of Dreams, in a standoff with Venus, is positioned in that area of your inner stage that describes your intimate other. This can be your spouse, lover, partner, or also business partner — whomever you form an intimate one-on-one relationship with. There is a very real possibility of disenchantment here. Perhaps your partner bursts your bubble and you find yourself stumbling just as you reach center stage and the spotlight. Or, with all your self-assured and magnanimous charm you attract someone to your bright light who ends up being a flake, an alcoholic, or who simply disappears after they have basked in your light for a while, leaving you and your oversized heart broken.

Speaking of the heart, the lion and the heart are related in many ways. For instance, the word courage, often associated with lions in fables, comes from “coeur,” the French word for heart. With this extraordinary energy in your sign, be courageous as you step forward to make your claim. Think of others too and do something that takes courage. Be valiant and fight for the underdog; make a statement on behalf of those who cannot. This is the responsibility of noble royalty, an evolved form of Leo.

Virgo

Aug. 23–Sept. 22

You find yourself playing dress-up a lot this month; perhaps even alone and in the attic. Your imagination is wild and your fantasy life vivid. You fancy that you are the princess to be rescued or the prince to do the rescuing. There is an extraordinary richness to your inner life, and the line between what is real to those around you and what is true to you may indeed become blurred. Some of your experiences may be spiritual in nature, as though you were acting out a divine play in your life. You are perhaps the happiest when you are alone — and much solo time is needed now. It is during these times that you also feel the greatest longing: for love, for the divine, for exorbitant riches. Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, is about to take you for a joyride that is also lined with heartache. This is the aching that inspires great country songs and love ballads.

Let’s not forget that while Venus is working in you to create all these lovely reveries, Neptune, Lord of Dreams, is ever-present as well (see general overview above). You may find that despite all the longing, Mr. Right never appears on his white horse, or that Ms. Wonderful doesn’t show up, no matter how much you wish. One of several things that Venus and Neptune together do really well together is make music. Now we are back to the ballads and wistful tunes. If you have any inclination towards music, even if you just sing in the shower, use it now. Surround yourself with beautiful and yearning songs as much as you can, because this will allow you to experience the heavenly constellation to the fullest. In an instant-gratification society many have lost the capacity to value longing. However, this is an emotion that has brought forth some of the greatest art, and you may find yourself, at the end of this period, having birthed a remarkable piece of work worthy of sharing with the world. 

Libra

Sept. 23–Oct. 22

What exactly are your higher aspirations in life? This question is the focus of your attention this month. The tremendous line-up of actors in Leo (see general overview above) stands in that area of your inner stage where we learn about your big-picture view of the world and where you desire to take yourself in the long run. This is also a time to revisit your old dreams and even visions for the world at large. How are you going to leave the earth a better place than when you came here? You have the confidence of a lion to be able to go back and dig up any old ideals you have perhaps discarded in a cynical response to “real life.” Now you find that you are playful again, optimistic and highly idealistic; you will lead us all to a better future. “So come and join the gang,” you say. You show the charisma and natural leadership qualities necessary to attract a long line of followers.

Take these gifts seriously and with the appropriate amount of responsibility: Remember that Neptune, Lord of Dreams, is also very active now and when we all follow you we don’t want  your visions to be blurry so that we may be led off the edge of a cliff.

As Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, is the center character at this time, one appropriate place to focus this energy would be in promoting the arts or beauty in general. Look around you and your immediate world. Decide what needs to be beautified, spiffed up, or polished, then go to work. Nothing seems to be too big a challenge. With childlike fervor and excitement you tackle even the greatest projects as long as they benefit as many people as possible. Why not imagine cleaning up a whole neighborhood? Or joining the Peace Corps? Who needs your love and attention?

Scorpio

Oct. 23–Nov. 22

Get ready for that promotion. Rarely have you shone this brightly at work. The magnificent line-up of planets in Leo, with Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, at the center of them all, falls in that part of your stage that addresses your work. This is truly an awesome accumulation of energy. Even people who try not to like you give you compliments now. The amazing thing is that they are genuine. Everything seems to go your way and you feel regal and catered to. Most of all, you are creative and colorful and you want your coworkers to play with you and enjoy the world the same way that you do. Life seems like a giant playground. (If you are in school, then this all applies to your fellow students.)

Beware that Neptune, Lord of Dreams, is playing with Venus too, and his games are darker and far more sinister than the golden light that surrounds Leo. The illusionary energy that follows Neptune around like a cloud originates in your home: It is there that sabotage for all your worldly success lurks. This could mean a jealous mate bursting your bubble when you come home from a successful day, an alcoholic parent who sits up late at night and waits for you to come home, or simply an over-demanding family that constantly distracts and eventually confuses you about where you want to go with your career. You feel the home/work split of intensely and it is not easy to reconcile the two. A way that you could bring these energies together is if you could spend time imagining your next work day at home each night. When you visualize what your intentions are for the next day you are in effect creating a reality in your mind — and this is using Neptune at his best. Imagination and creative dreaming is as much an expression of Neptune as feeling lost and confused.

Also, remember that the nefarious world where intrigue and sabotage are regular fare is not a part of life that you are not skilled in. Scorpio is a master at all stealth, and it is hard to beat you at this game. Chances are that any intrigues plotted against you at work have been on your radar for a while and you are then unlikely to fall into any trap.

Sagittarius

Nov. 23–Dec. 21

Have you bought your ticket yet? The question is not when you are getting on a plane, in a car, or on a train, the question is how far will you go? As you can read in the general overview above, there is an extraordinary lineup of planets in the constellation Leo this month. Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, is leading the dance into this playful and creative time. For you, the party takes place in an area of your stage that is naturally associated with your sign. Traveling, thinking expansively, and growing in every sense of the word are all part and parcel of this voyaging. Think of Indiana Jones — or “Indiana Jane” — and imagine a distant goal that simply must be reached. Most of all, think of adventures and having fun on them, traveling, meeting people of strange cultures, and learning about new foods, customs, and philosophies. All of this challenges your previous ideas, and you love every minute of it. Even if your circumstances don’t allow you to actually travel, you can’t stop your mind. A program on the Discovery Channel might keep you up at night until you find answers to questions it brings up at your local library. These are travels of the mind, and you are just as prone to them now as you are to actually packing your bags.

You may also have a pressing desire to go back to school. If you are already in school, it may feel especially easy to proceed. You want to learn because your world feels too stuffy right now and new ideas free you even though their unfamiliarity is a bit scary. But these are the good kind of butterflies in your stomach, the kind you get on a Ferris wheel.  

Of course, Venus is also in a tensional standoff with Neptune, Lord of Dreams, and some of the voyages may end in places you don’t want to be. You can find yourself tricked or disappointed abroad. For instance, you may arrive tired in your hotel room only to find that the promised ocean view is actually of a garbage dump. This is definitely not the time to skim over important details. Disillusionment is sure to follow if you do.

Capricorn

Dec. 22–Jan. 19

Jupiter, Lord of Expansion, is in a prominent place on your inner stage and also in a harmonious relationship with Mars, Warrior Lord. You have plenty of energy and feel particularly optimistic and lucky. And with Jupiter and Mars in conservative signs (Capricorn and Virgo, respectively), there is little risk that you will get overly enthusiastic and gamble away your good fortunes.

Then there is that extraordinary lineup of planets in Leo (see general overview above): For you they all appear in a deep and psychological place on your stage. Your inner life is extremely rich and colorful right now. Your dreams are extraordinary. If you meditate or practice yoga, such experiences are most insightful and you may easily have visions full of vivid light. Fire is the dominating element, and you feel it burning in your heart. Even at night, in the darkest of moments, you feel that you are practically glowing.

Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, the lead character for us all this month, in a private and mysterious place on your inner stage now, you are prone to blissful romantic experiences. This secret and also sacred part of your psyche is where the Leo lineup of planets appears. It also denotes your deepest and most private sexual life. Perhaps you explore sides of your sexuality that you never dared explore before. Leo, too, is about sex, but more about the fun side of fooling around. Add all this together and passion is sure to erupt somewhere.

Ah, but we have Neptune, Lord of Dreams, to reckon with as well, and he is in a stressful relationship with that overly confident Venus. As a result you may get deeply hurt in love matters if you aren’t careful. Remember that you are particularly prone to disillusionment. Just when you feel safe enough to present to your partner your deepest sexual fantasies and wishes, you find yourself turned down and disappointed. Because Neptune is in that part of your stage that describes your sense of self-worth, you may take such rejection very personally and believe that you are a lesser person because of your colorful desires. This is not so. It takes enormous courage, a Leo trait, to express your wants, and there is no need to shut down just because the person you chose to confide in turned out to be the wrong one. Try again elsewhere and don’t be discouraged.

Aquarius

Jan. 20–Feb. 18

There is an extraordinary lineup of planets in the celestial constellation Leo this month. Leading the colorful parade is Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love (see general overview above). Surely, there is a wonderful, fiery, passionate energy constellated here. And all of this, reflected down onto your inner stage, takes place in that area that describes your intimate partnerships. If you are in a committed relationship of any kind you will feel more passionate and frisky than you have in a long while. You are playful, extremely romantic, and happy. A kid in a candy store comes to mind, except it’s all a little naughtier. You draw heavily upon your partner to give you strength and energy.

But that’s also where we find the other side to all this joy. Neptune, Lord of Dreams, is in a very personal part of your stage, the one directly opposite from where we find all that Leo excitement: This area shows how you see yourself — as opposed to how your partner sees you. Neptune is now all about how you see yourself. No matter how much love is showered upon you, you are unsure of yourself and don’t trust yourself. Not that you find yourself unworthy of affection, you simply can’t see what the other person adores in you, and you feel utterly confused about these strong emotions coming toward you. Then, in a typical Aquarian manner you may simply withdraw, or disappear altogether, leaving your mate bewildered. There is a tragic aspect to this constellation. It reminds us of a Shakespeare play where the lovers keep misunderstanding each other. But don’t worry, this is not Romeo and Juliet, and the lovers must not perish in the end.

The best way to fight this negative side is to not give away your power. Because you are so utterly confused about who is staring back at you when you ponder your reflection in the mirror, you are liable to let someone else define you. Most likely this will be your intimate partner. Find a way to define yourself even if it’s nebulous. The language of music, poetry, and prose may be more appropriate for this than rational explanations.

Of course, not everyone is in a committed relationship. Some are happy alone and some are seeking. In those instances the energies described above present themselves in other intense one-on-one relationships: with business partners, one’s children, or even one’s enemies. Someone once said that we keep a close eye not only on our lovers but also on our enemies.

Pisces

Feb. 19–March 20

Two areas of your life get the brunt of the energy presented by the intense lineup of planets in the constellation Leo (see general overview above): your health and your work environment.

Let’s begin with your health. There is a lot of glowing, fiery energy here. People who meet you will comment on your sunny disposition and your positive outlook. You will radiate health and joy. Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, leads this group, so you also look beautiful. You feel rich and gorgeous.

At work this lineup specifically informs the feeling you have there — how comfortable you are at your workplace. This is not about your performance; it’s about your surroundings. Venus is part of the work scenario and you simply must work in a beautiful environment. Suddenly you notice how the fluorescent lights that have been glaring down on you for years really bother you. And those Styrofoam cups: Has no one noticed how offensive they are? You are apt to start several campaigns at work; they may involve health and fitness as well. For instance, you petition for better food in the cafeteria. Because you behave so joyfully, and are so well spoken and attractive, people will follow your lead and gladly accept what you suggest.

But wait a minute. It’s not quite that easy. There is still that Neptune, Lord of Dreams, in tension with seemingly almighty Venus. Neptune is also the ruler of Pisces, meaning that there is a natural affinity between the sign and the planet. You may find yourself facing strange opponents, perhaps even fanatics, who for some obscure reason don’t like your suggestions. Most likely your opposition comes out of nowhere and you feel as though you just slipped on a banana peel.

The best way to effectively handle the implied confusion and disillusionment is to move very slowly. Your enthusiasm and health ideas can feel like zealotry to others. When you move slowly you give others a chance to really ponder your ideas and they don’t feel overrun. Also, when you slow down you can spot any possible banana peels before you step on them.