Sunday, AUGUST 11

It’s an astrologically busy day. The Moon enters Capricorn–a practical, goal-oriented transit. Our desire to be efficient and useful increases. However, several influences point to some murkiness today. Mercury’s minor square to Jupiter early today suggests some tendency to blow a matter out of proportion.

Mercury enters Leo this afternoon. It first moved into Leo on June 26th, but later turned retrograde, retreating into Cancer, now re-entering the Fixed Fire sign. Mercury covers old ground and then leaves its post-retrograde shadow on the 15th. It will stay in Leo until August 29th. Our communications are more colorful, and we are more convincing and persuasive, exuding confidence when we speak or write, while Mercury is in Leo.

Two stations occur today. First, Jupiter turns direct after retrograde motion since April 10th.  Gradually over the coming weeks, matters ruled by Jupiter will move forward more straightforwardly. Our confidence in ourselves and the universe builds. Our faith and perspective expand. This direct turn can feel refreshing at a time when there is quite a bit of retrograde activity, in general.

Second, Uranus turns retrograde and will continue this apparent backward motion until January 10th, 2020. During this cycle, our desire to make changes in our lives turns inward. We are getting in touch with what it is that may be holding us back from living more spontaneously and authentically. We seem less rebellious, at least on the surface, and more inclined to follow the rules. This will be especially so after Saturn turns direct on September 18th, which will serve to highlight a more conservative approach to pursuing our goals. Today as the shift occurs, however, Uranian energy is more challenging, and we can experience some tension until we acclimatize to the energy.

A Venus-Neptune quincunx adds to the lack of clarity on this “shift” day. Uncertainty in Venus-ruled areas of life (romance, social life, pleasures, and finances) can be a theme. There can be some struggle between wanting to see things realistically and preferring to look the other way or nurture a fantasy. There can be some insecurity or doubts about others or our own feelings and perceptions.

The Moon is void until it enters Capricorn today at 12:51 AM EDT.