Hey everyone, happy Friday!
It’s been too long since we’ve had a chat. NGL, writing August’s horoscopes kinda took me out, and then I had *another* writing assignment to complete, so that’s where the majority of my focus has been this month. It’s nuts to think that August is already half over, but I’m kind of... relieved? This month’s astrology has been whacking me, which means it’s probably been whacking you too. We started the month with a Mercury retrograde in Virgo, which is one of the main transits of this month, and IDK about you, but so far, it’s been pretty bumpy! My cell phone suddenly stopped charging, and I accidentally wrote horoscopes for the same month — twice (long story).
What’s even more annoying about August’s astrology is that the retrograde isn’t even the most challenging transit of the month. That credit belongs solely to Mars in Gemini squaring Saturn in Pisces today, August 16. Mars-Saturn squares happen somewhat regularly, with the last one taking place on November 25, 2023, when Mars had just entered Sagittarius, and Saturn was at 1 degree of Pisces. When Mars and Saturn square each other, it’s a slam-on-the-breaks moment. Things oftentimes grind to a halt, whether we’re prepared to hit a wall or not. Usually, this can be the cause of frustration, irritability, and tension, because Mars and Saturn seek to achieve very different goals. Mars is hot, Saturn is cold. Mars is action, Saturn is inaction. This transit feels like burnout, in many ways. Or the feeling of indecisiveness, especially since Mars’ current ruler, Mercury, is still retrograde.
How do we move forward without running headfirst into a wall?
When Mars and Saturn square each other, it’s a time to make calculated and intentional steps forward. Knowing when and how to effectively take action, rather than just charging full-speed ahead. This isn’t the month for rushing things, I’m afraid — which is a total bummer to me, an Aries stellium. I love rushing things! “Jumping the gun” is my middle name. But with all of August’s astrology considered, now doesn’t feel like the right time to go all out. I’d take a look at the Gemini and Saturn-ruled houses in your birth chart, to get a better understanding of where this “stop and go” energy is currently unfolding in your own life. You’ll feel this transit more if you’re Mars ruled (Aries, Scorpio rising, or in a Mars-ruled profection year) or Saturn ruled (Capricorn, Aquarius rising, or in a Saturn-ruled profection year).
Collectively, this may feel like a time of extreme uncertainty. To me, Mars in Gemini feels kind of scatter-brained and easily distracted, which makes it even more difficult to finish what you started. You may have initially set out to achieve something, and then while en-route, changed your mind, or lost focus altogether. This isn’t to say that you can’t get things done during this Mars-Saturn square, but you will probably be changing directions a few times before reaching your destination. This transit may also cause some exhaustion over the weekend, and even into the Aquarius full moon that’s happening on Monday, August 19 (more on this in a separate post!) I recommend simplifying to the best of your ability over the next few days, and not taking on too many different tasks at once.
It’s weird, because while I do think that August is a good month to slow down a bit, I still think that we’ll still be kept pretty busy. Anytime the cosmos are this active, it usually symbolizes a time when things are quite hectic in our own lives. But instead of things progressing forward in one direction, you may be dispersing your energy in a lot of different directions, simultaneously. Things should start to chill out beyond next week’s full moon + Jupiter-Saturn square, but honestly, the entire month of August is pretty chaotic! My advice is to rest, take care of your nervous system, and try not to consume too much caffeine. Do what you can when you have the energy to, and try not to push yourself too hard, especially today.
I do have some availability for 1:1 readings this month, if you’d like to chat about this month’s astrology and beyond more in-depth! Feel free to leave any thoughts about today’s Mars-Saturn square below. I’ll be back with some thoughts on Monday’s upcoming full moon very soon. Until then!