The shift that we go through at the end of the summer, just before school begins is deeply familiar to each of us. Perhaps you’ve never thought of it in terms of the astrological movement of the planets. But you know what it feels like when summer is over and it is time to get back to school or work.
 
Think back to all the years you spent in school; from kindergarten through graduate school, the pattern remains the same. The shift from summer vacation to buckling down to your homework is the shift from Leo to Virgo.
 
At this time of year our minds are ready to put the party behind us and get down to business.
 
Do you feel the call to learn something new, to take the direction of your life more seriously?
 
It is no accident that the stores are overflowing with back to school supplies! We all need new notebooks, protractors, and pens at this time of the year.
 
The movement from Leo to Virgo is the big news of the week.
 
With Monday’s Venus conjunction to Jupiter, we are beginning a new cycle of expanding love or material value in our lives. The week starts as we plant that seed and we are deeply hopeful and optimistic of the outcome.
 
Anytime a new cycle begins (such as this: Venus conjunction to Jupiter) we must also look at it as the ending of the previous cycle.
 
What began, what seed was planted regarding love or material resource in May 2013? For myself I see several factors that were beginning at that point in time. As we watch these cycles we understand what needs to be released and what needs to be begun.
 
I see doors to love opening even as my astrology practice is expanding in ways I could not have imagined in May 2013!
 
My work and my clients provide the highest value in my life and I am delighted to see the process opening into a new expensive cycle.
 
 
 

Monday, August 18, 2014:

 
What a lovely start to the week! The perfect exact conjunction between Venus and Jupiter forms at 1:21AM EDT at 7° Leo!! Consider what planet you have between 5° and 9° of Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius, or Taurus.
Only good can come from this conjunction. Venus speaks to what we value and what we see as beautiful in the world. Jupiter simply expands and energizes whatever it touches and wherever it moves.
Think of the generosity of Leo and consider how these planets increase love, generosity, and the expansion of love in the world. Allow love, generosity, and heart to grow throughout the week.
We can certainly think of this combination in terms of material value and wealth. Perhaps I should recommend that you go buy a lottery ticket again today, Particularly if you have any significant planets near 7° Leo.
The Moon is in Gemini on Monday; you want to share and express your experiences of love, generosity, and the basic goodness that lives within the heart of each person you meet.
At 11:40PM EDT Mercury opposes Neptune. Explore your dreams. With this cycle you want to look back to March 2014. If you can identify a dream that began at that time, revisit it today. It should be clear at this time where that dream has brought you. Now you release the energy of that dream and see exactly how it has been fulfilled, or not. Fully express that dream or fully released it now. Trust your intuition on this one!
 
 

Tuesday, August 19, 2014:

 
With Monday’s connection between Mercury and Neptune very much coloring the day on Tuesday; allow your mind to enjoy fantasy, allusive sensitivity, compassion, and an opening to spirituality.
Contemplate your ability to step into the shoes of others. Consider the richness of joy and suffering that each person you meet along your path experiences. We are not alone in either our joy or our deepest suffering.
Would you be kinder to the person behind the counter at the grocery store, your annoying coworker, or even a telemarketer who interrupts your dinner; if you understood the causes and the depth of their suffering?
With the Moon in Gemini all day you may want to ignore the sensitivity that tries to get your attention. Wouldn’t it be easier to hang out with friends, listen to insignificant storylines, and have a few extra glasses of wine? Indeed it may be easier, and it would probably be fun.
Gemini wants to be in social situations; Neptune and Mercury together enjoy the fog that alcohol brings to the mind. There’s nothing wrong with that as long as it is done consciously and without harm. No matter how you use this energy keep the idea of intangible sensitivity, compassion, and mysticism close at hand.
 

 

Wednesday, August 20, 2014:

 
By the time you wake up on Wednesday morning the Moon has entered Cancer and the sensitivity from Tuesday grows to a deeper more personal level.
Your emotional security takes center stage today. It may be best to avoid socializing this evening, go home and enjoy domestic comfort and connection.
Here in the northern hemisphere the days are getting shorter, we feel that the Sun preparing to leave the heat of Leo.
It is a very bittersweet time for me. I would love to know how it feels to you!
On Saturday before we awake the Sun will enter Virgo. On Wednesday using the Cancer Moon to support us, we would do well to do a bit of domestic preparation. Prepare to set aside the summer toys, to sharpen your pencils and purchase your notebooks.
 
Friday night will be your last Leo Sun hurrah! Make it good!
 
 

Thursday, August 21, 2014:

 
Don’t be too surprised if Thursday presents you with both an emotional struggle and an emotional breakthrough. The Cancer Moon makes tough aspects to Uranus and Pluto insisting that you keep your eyes focused on the most important transformations as they are occurring in your life.
The sensitive and nostalgic Cancer Moon also makes lovely aspects to Mercury, Mars, and Saturn throughout the day. Emotionally Cancer Moon suggests deep sensitivity and possibly moodiness.
The final aspect is a trine to Saturn at 3:33PM EDT. Following this aspect the Moon is VOC* until late tomorrow afternoon! The final aspect before a VOC* Moon is very significant. It suggests how the VOC* period is reflected in your circumstances. The trine to Saturn is a positive energy of stabilization! Following the emotional moodiness of the morning you have stabilized and encouraged others to hold steady with full awareness of the balance our lives are ultimately seeking.
At 3:19PM EDT Mercury in Virgo trine’s Pluto in Capricorn. This reflects the empowerment of your thinking and communicating at this time. You may notice that you are not satisfied with trivial or inconsequential conversations.
December 31, 2013 was the beginning of the current cycle between Mercury and Pluto. Consider issues of ambition and deep thought. Reflect upon any New Year’s resolutions that you made. Now you’re able to see where those thoughts or resolutions have brought you. You are ready to bring the wisdom you have gathered to others.
Consider this: What began at the New Year? What have you learned on this issue, and how can you teach others from this experience? Your thoughts and communications may seem almost obsessive as the power within them absorbs all of your thoughts. Your thoughts and communications are being powerfully impacted and have a powerful impact on others.
 
 

Friday, August 22, 2014:

 
Friday begins with the Moon still VOC* in Cancer. You may start the day feeling lethargic; not in a hurry to accomplish anything. You could sit on the couch all day sorting through old photographs, reading old letters, and generally getting lost in nostalgia and moodiness. If that is what you are called to, go ahead. However, consider other ways to use this nurturing, sensitive energy.
Contact family members you’ve been out of touch with, cook for a loved one, find ways to care for and nurture yourself and others.
At 4:49PM EDT the Moon enters Leo and we leave the sensitivity behind. Shortly after midnight the Sun leaves Leo behind to enter Virgo.
Keep this in mind as you prepare for Friday evening. I think of this as the last hurrah. The end of hot summer play-time!
It is time to turn our thoughts to work, study, classes, and new ways to be of service to our world.
For tonight: party! Make it loud, Make it fun, fully express your most flamboyant demonstrative nature! Don’t hold back expression of love, joy, and heat.
 
 

Saturday August 23, 2014:

 
Saturday we wake to a very different world! Sun is now in Virgo! As the Sun moves from one Sign to another, our lives and attention shifts from one area of our life to another. The past Month with the Sun in Leo we have been able to express the energy of generosity, flamboyance, and creativity.
Whatever house has Leo on the cusp in your personal horoscope is the area of your life where you have been called to express the fullness of your individuality over this past month.
Now with the Sun in Virgo, it is a time to dedicate yourself to the potential you see in your career, relationships, loved ones, and yourself.
Party time is over. If you haven’t already done your back-to-school shopping it’s time to do it now. Even if you’re not going back to school in the traditional sense you may find yourself needing the type of organization that comes with new pencils and notepads!
If you have a copy of your horoscope, pay attention to the house that has Virgo on the cusp. This is the area that requires focus. In what way can you improve this area of your life? What is the potential that ultimately needs to be developed in order for you to have something useful to offer as a service to others?
Today’s playful Leo Moon makes contact with both Jupiter and Venus. Love and resources are offered without condition. Love and beauty are fully expressed. Regardless of your relationship status you can fully engage with the love that overflows from your heart.
 
 

Sunday, August 24, 2014:

 
I love having a Sunday with a long VOC Moon! It is simply the perfect excuse to take a day fully off from effort and engaged with full relaxation.
The final aspect of the Moon in Leo is a square to Saturn at 4:26AM EDT. This reminds us that we can’t always have what we want. Regardless of how we know that to be true, it is often a bitter pill to swallow.
So, on Sunday rest, acknowledge the situations in your life that are not the way you would like them to be. The movement from the intensity of Leo’s fire to the quieter space of Virgo takes some adapting. There’s been a great deal of beauty and intense generosity of love over these past few weeks. As the sun shifts to Virgo you may have concerns with where and how you will manage that moving forward.
This may not be an easy day. Take it for what it is: a day of adapting to, possibly unwanted, change. The simple fun of summer is over. Prepare for work, creating stability, finding, and perfecting, the thing within yourself that is your gift to the world.
If you know your chart look to the House that has Virgo on the cusp. Work on that area of your life this month, is where your gift to the world resides.
 

Welcome to Virgo.

 

 

Images by Thomas Hart Benton (1889 – 1975)

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* In these weekly reports I am exploring the major aspects formed by transit between the planets. I do not consider every aspect that the Moon makes each day as they can be numerous and are often fleeting moods. I will consider the final major aspect formed by the Moon prior to it’s VOC time, as that aspect holds it’s influence throughout the VOC*
The Aspects I consider: Conjunctions, Sextiles, Squares, Trines, and Oppositions
The Planets I am working with: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
*VOC (void of course) refers to the period of time between the final aspect that the Moon makes while in one sign until she enters the next sign. This can consist of several minutes or many hours. These periods are best handled with little expectation of accomplishment; times ideally suited for rest and contemplation.