Venus moves into Virgo at the beginning of August, following its conjunction with Ketu in Leo, the South Node and ‘remover of obstacles’. Yet Ketu can also remove things we would prefer to hold onto. In the end, whether of this life or a chapter within it, we must let it all go if we are to evolve. The Ketu part shows where we might hold on, or revert back to something familiar, while Rahu, the North Node, points us forward to where we must try something new. As we have seen in recent weeks, wars have ramped up, reflected in Venus’ conjunction with Ketu. Venus’ ingress into Virgo, a sign it's fallen in, does not bode well for peace in the more immediate timeframe. The mood is likely to dip, and things you would usually appreciate may lessen in your eyes somewhat. Venus does not have the support of Mercury in Virgo, which, following its retrograde in July, slowly returns to Cancer in August, where Jupiter remains exalted. Venus is opposite Saturn and squared by Mars while in Virgo. With Venus under such scrutiny, it would be far too easy to complain about whatever Venus represents for you. Generally, we’re all likely to complain about the lack of accord and goodwill in the world. The concerns are also likely economic, as well as diplomatic. Diplomatic failure may trigger economic issues, of course. Jupiter offers hope that all may yet be well, despite the challenges ahead. However, Jupiter is combust in August as the Sun moves through Cancer, making it difficult to see the results we are hoping for. This is where faith becomes important. We must have faith in the process, even when progress is not immediately visible. An uprising or revolutionary movement may struggle to gain traction or make a meaningful impact on entrenched systems, as Jupiter continues to oppose Pluto in Capricorn. Positive changes (Jupiter in Cancer) you know you must make may not be as easy to implement when there’s so much else to adjust to. The biggest adjustment we must make is the eclipses in Cancer and Aquarius. Time can feel warped and events more fated. The positive vibes will return in September, so use August to be open to the change that must happen. Jupiter continues to aspect Saturn and Neptune in Pisces, so this can bring more of a sense of what’s the right thing to do, despite Saturn’s and Neptune’s retrograde in the depths of possibility, asking us all to keep an open mind about eventual outcomes. Whatever form the astrological weather takes for you in August, hold firm to whatever gives you a sense of meaning, while remaining realistic about the issues that must be addressed.
