You’ve had a much more serious, somber lifestyle than you might have designed for yourself lately, dear Libra, for Saturn has been moving over your Sun and asking you to work hard to reach your goals. Looking back at your younger years, you may marvel at how trivial and juvenile your pastimes used to be compared to the things you think about now. You’ve matured, and you gave up those time-burning activities in favor of increased productivity.
Saturn teaches us that the things we value most in life are the ones we have to do the most to get. Saturn wants you to have goals, and because Saturn rules the concept of time, we often feel we are running out of time when we have a strong Saturn transit. People tend to get married, have a baby, start a business, write a book, move across country or even overseas, go back to graduate school, or do something else of great importance to give their lives stability and structure for the future. There usually is something new to learn when Saturn comes by, and if so, you would have a mentor or teacher to show you the ropes. When I started Astrology Zone, I had the same aspects as you do now, so it’s true when you are starting down your new road, you don’t quite know where it will take you, only that you know this is what you must do.
In August, by now Saturn will move between 12 and 15 degrees of Libra, highlighting those born October 5 to 8. If your birthday falls within these dates, you already know life has become much more serious - this is not news to you. Yet you are in a rare and special period, for you are now building a firm foundation for a new future. The harder you work, the greater the results will be. You are becoming experienced, and yet practical, able to handle anything life throws your way.
You may or may not have sensed that you are currently transforming from the inside out. This trend only happens every 29 years, so it is rare and special. Other times Libras with your birthday (October 4-8) experienced this trend, it was 1952, and then 1981, and now through the better part of next year Saturn will go back and forth over these degrees. We all only experience two, or possibly three visits from Saturn in our sign during a lifetime. Saturn transits can be draining, so it is important that you keep an eye on your health and do all you can to exercise, eat right, and stay fit. Pay special attention to teeth, bones, and the health of your eyes.
If you were born in September or October 1-4, you have finished the hardest phase of this transit. If your birthday falls after October 8, then you will move into more responsibility soon, but you will be ready to handle it.
At the same time, if you were born September 26-27, you have been battling Uranus opposite the Sun, a slow but enlightening process. This can be a very tough aspect, and it usually manifests with difficulties within a close, committed relationship that suddenly become erratic. This relationship may be with someone you are tied to in love or business. If you have no partner, it also could manifest in regard to health. I know you feel you just finished adjusting to Saturn, and now you have Uranus to deal with too. The stresses on you are considerable, and you should give yourself credit for all that you are handling. When we go through changes or crisis, as sure as mud, someone we think of as a friend will say the precisely the wrong thing, and instead of making us feel better, we feel worse. I so understand, dear Libra. Saturn and Uranus can be isolating influences, where we feel alone, but realize that is only an illusion - you are not alone. Your responsibilities will be manageable and you will be able to handle them, even if you doubt that you can. Later you will feel like the Hulk when you are finished -,like a super hero. This is how we become strong, and the universe sends us these episodes to test and strength our mettle. The Virgo-Pisces have just come through something very similar to your situation, so you might want to talk to friends of that sign and ask them what happened to them since 2003, but particularly during 2009 to mid-2010.
Yet there are amazing benefits when Uranus works with you in the way he has lately, for in the end, you will become truly your own person. Uranus opposed to the Sun will make you powerfully independent and very able to stand on your own, even if you had the physical, emotional, and financial wherewithal to do so. Uranus usually makes us break a relationship or situation by suddenly making us feel at the end of our rope. Once you reach that stage and say, “I am done with this!” you will feel librated. Much to your surprise you will discover an amazing reservoir of strength within you that you never knew existed. From that point on you can depend on drawing from that inner pool, as it will always be there for you.
Uranus moves so slowly that we only experience Uranus opposite our Sun once in our lifetime, so after this year, you will be done. It takes Uranus 84 years to circle the Sun and all 12 signs, so everyone who lives to be 84 years old will get to experience this aspect you have now. If you are born in October, it will take several more years for Uranus to get to your birthday. He will leave in 2019 for good.
If you were born September 26-27, you are dealing with Saturn now. Chances are, you know what challenges you face, and once you deal with that problem head on, the sooner you will feel better. You are in the process of strengthening every particle of your being.
As said, every Libra will feel this energy in time. Those with birthdays that fall before September 25 are just about done with Uranus AND Saturn.
Now let’s turn to the events of August, and let’s start with your social life. Despite the serious background music that Saturn and Uranus may be playing, August could bring lots of fun. The new moon of July 30 will still be cranking up lots of invitations and events for you to participate in during the first half of August.
I am excited about that new moon and Sun because it will arrive in fun-loving Leo (7 degrees) on July 30 and be operative for two weeks. They will arrive arm-in-arm with Venus, the love and happiness planet and be cordial to Saturn, planet of stability. You may now make a new friend, and if so, this person would likely have a vibrant effect on your life. For example, this person will expose you to new people and interests that you would find very refreshing. Early August may find you involved with a charity or benefit too, a perfect time to do so, for you would meet like-minded people, and at the same time you would be making a difference to a charity that needs your help.
If you were born on or within five days of September 30, you will benefit most from this joyous new moon of July 30. I am happy to report this, as your birthday, as described, is one of the most deserving of more fun!
Romance should blossom beautifully at the full moon 20 degrees Aquarius on Saturday, August 13. What a fantastic new moon this is for you - the most romantic of the year! Falling in your fifth house of true love, children, and artistic expression, you have all the makings of a memorable, tender, and highly romantic, fun evening. Neptune will be somewhat near that full moon, adding mystery and tenderness, and sprinkling plenty of romance over the evening. Remember, this full moon has an area of influence of plus or minus four days, and the Friday-Saturday-Sunday nights will be strongest. Saturn will be beautifully positioned to add a touch of permanence to the successes you experience or promises you make at this time.
With Neptune close, this full moon of August 13 will be quite breathtaking. However, Neptune is known to bring both intensely romantic experiences and confusing ones, so be careful. If you don’t know your partner well, don’t be tempted to throw caution to the wind and get in too deep. With Saturn over your Sun, I know you have common sense - I bet you will be fine! Enjoy this influence.
If your birthday falls on October 13, plus or minus five days, you will be doubly lucky, for that August 13 new moon will be just made for you.
In all, your most romantic dates in August include: August 1 (Venus and Uranus will meet, and if single bring surprise meetings!), along with August 3, 4, 7, 11-13 (gold star), 18, 23, 27, and 31.
Perhaps the most important piece of news about August is that you need to expect a very slow place. After a busy June and July, this has to be good news! Mercury will be retrograde from August 2 to 25, ensuring that nothing of importance will happen this month. You will experience delays, and yet they will benefit you. Let nature take its course. Several of your assumptions will now need to be adjusted because conditions around you that appeared so fixed will shift. Do all in your power to hold off decisions and commitments until September, and also hold off all purchases, including ones for electronics, appliances, a car, and other machines, jewelry, and furniture too. It goes without saying that closing on a house would not be wise in August - have another appraisal, for the results may be enlightening.
Mars will be in your house of fame and honors all month, and this is a wonderful development for you. The eclipses have been falling in Cancer, the sign ruling your house of fame, for two years, and we just had one more - the last - on July 1.
Pay special attention to the day that Mars reaches the exact degree of the July 1 eclipse, 9 degrees Cancer, on August 16-17, likely to be an important day for many Libra careers. Mars may deliver the eclipse’s message on,August 16-17, especially if you didn’t hear anything in July. Furthermore, Mars will help you to find a better, more prestigious job than you had before. (The aspects you have are definitely pointing to a big step up the ladder, not a lateral move.) Mars will give you courage and drive, and you’ll be highly motivated to locate work that can showcase your talents in a very effective way. If you are self-employed, you can now get some amazing publicity, and also have a chance to bring in new clients.
But wait, you may say - “I can’t take a job with Mercury retrograde!” True. You can’t because the job you take won’t be the job you have later - something will change. Or if opening a business, profits may be very poor. You have to hold things off for September. Still, big jobs or clients are hard to reel in, and you can start the process now - you just can’t finish it with an official signing yet.
Fortunately, Mars will remain in your tenth house of honors, awards, and achievement until September 18. This means that although August will be rife with delays and changes, if you are organized, you will be able to hit the ground running the minute you hit the new moon, August 28 (a truly great new moon) and make a great deal of headway during those first 18 days of September.
With Mercury retrograde, concentrate your efforts in August polishing your resume, and if artistic, your reel or portfolio. When you have meetings, allow the pace to be leisurely, and let them ask the questions. Don’t discuss money quite yet - you won’t want to state a salary while Mercury is retrograde, as you might not fully understand the work you’ll be expected to do.
When searching for a position in August, focus on contacting people you know from the past who can help you now. For example, if a former boss is appointed to a new top spot and asks you to join him, consider the offer. In this case, Mercury retrograde will not hurt you, because you are simply continuing a previous relationship. (Even if you had a pause of several years,with this past friendship, it’s okay - you started it before, and your previous work was the reason you got the offer now.)
I will advise you not to schedule career meetings on August 9, when Mars will be in hard angle to Uranus, and you’ll be battling a partner or client who will be in a very bad, erratic mood. Also do not meet anyone for talks on August 11 when Mars will oppose Pluto and you’ll feel pulled in two directions, between needs of home and those of a demanding boss. You’ll be running from pillar to post on these days, and you’ll need to be organized.
On the other hand, August 18 will be simply glorious for career and money talks. With Mars meeting Jupiter for lunch, the outcome can only be sensational. Now here’s a day you can “talk turkey” and be gratified at how much the other party values your services. Remember,however, you can’t sign any deal, or accept verbally, on this day - just enter talks!
Let me stop for a moment to talk with you. I know it’s hard to turn down an offer for a position in this economy. I get questions from hundreds of readers on Twitter and Facebook all the time about this. (I am,@astrologyzone on Twitter and on Facebook I am “Susan Miller Astrology Zone”.) Here’s what I say - take the job if you like it. Stay flexible. Realize the job description may change. Also, their mission is to paint a glowing picture of the position, but it’s your mission to figure out what they are not telling you. Mercury retrograde periods indicate that something is shifting behind the scenes. Try to find out what is happening, and be sure to keep up with the news in trade journals to find out. As I mentioned earlier, if the offer comes from someone you,already worked with in the past, then you will be protected - go ahead.
Do the best you can. If you want to take the job during the retrograde, do, but realize, it may not be a long-term job for you. Keep your eyes open for other opportunities all the time. This is the best way to handle this situation.
I will always say, if you can wait to give your final answer at month’s end (I suggest the new moon August 28), then do.
The month will end on a quiet note. The new moon, August 28, will fall in Virgo, in your house of mediation and planning. It will be an usually beautiful new moon because it links to the Sun and Venus in Virgo, to Jupiter, giver of gifts and luck, in Taurus, now in your eighth house of other people’s money, and Pluto to your house of home. You may get news that you can move ahead with a plan for buying, selling, or leasing a new apartment or house soon, because by September you will be able to get a favorable mortgage, refinance plan, or home improvement loan from your bank or family. All those planets will be in earth signs, so be practical and realistic in all your decisions. This is no time for blue-sky thinking, but you seem to know that intuitively, and will make the right choice.
The twelfth house has to do with areas of confinement, so if you have a relative - most likely a parent - who is in (or needs) a hospital, rehab center, nursing home, or other facility, you will find the perfect answer after this new moon appears. It is rare to see this level of planetary support. Jupiter, Pluto, the Sun, moon, and Venus will all be in tight mathematical distances from each other. Not all new moons are like this one - this is one of the standout new moons of 2011.
Month’s end will be a good time to collect your thoughts and to enjoy being your own best friend. Give yourself time alone and enjoy doing what you like to do, without having to consider others, as you always do. You can spend time writing essays or poetry, composing music, being on the computer on social networks, or developing one of your talents. You can spend time with your children, or simply enjoy reading and sipping tea in a chaise lounge near the pool on a beautiful day. As I discussed earlier, you’ve had a lot to handle lately, and no one deserves a little quiet time more than you, dear Libra. You’ll have an exceptionally busy October - be rested before you hit birthday time.
