This Week in Astrology: August 27 to September 2, 2023

This Week in Astrology: August 27th to September 2nd, 2023

 

August 27-September 2, 2023

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On this Page:

This week’s Moon
phase
Planets in signs and by aspect
Retrogrades
This week’s astrology calendar
Timing with the Moon
Romance & Relationship Report
Daily Trends

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The FULL MOON occurs on Wednesday, August 30th, 2023, at 9:35 PM EDT. 

On Wednesday night, a Full Moon occurs when the Sun in Virgo forms an opposition to the Moon in Pisces. The Full Moon is a time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of what we started at the New Moon. It is an emotional time – a time of romance, fertilization, and relationships.

This lunation occurs along the Virgo-Pisces polarity, which is the service axis. This axis deals with the balance between day-to-day functions and routines, physical health, and the need for order (Virgo) and vision, spiritual health, disorder, and the infinite (Pisces).

Virgo rules our personal set of tools and techniques that we use to deal with day-to-day life, while Pisces rules the tools that we use to deal with our spirituality.

The key to balance lies in identifying and expressing our spiritual needs while maintaining order in our everyday lives.

Neglecting either end of the axis will surely backfire–we would either be living in chaos or in excessive order.

The Moon is conjunct Saturn around the time of this Full Moon, suggesting a serious, sober look at our emotions. There may be a tough decision or choice, reality check, or we may feel some pressure to make changes. Watch for fear-driven moves. Instead, aim to strengthen and safeguard.

This phase of the Moon occurs at 7 degree and 25 minutes of Pisces, opposite the Sun at the same degree of Virgo, and affecting planets at approximately 3 to 11 degrees of the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) the most.

This second chart wheel is of the same Full Moon event, but with additional points for more detail.

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(Times are Eastern)

This week: The Sun is in Virgo; Mercury is in Virgo; Venus is in Leo; Mars is in Virgo until the 27th, when it enters Libra.

The Sun is in Virgo from August 23-September 23. Our focus shifts to the puzzle pieces–the little details of our lives. It is now time to take care of practical concerns. Attending to the details of everyday life may not sound like loads of fun, but it can certainly free us from unnecessary stress that results from “collecting” odds and ends of unfinished business.

This is an ideal time to get organized, do detailed work, and improve communications on the job. We take more pride in our work, chores, and health efforts. We also want to be more organized and informed during the Sun-in-Virgo cycle.

We’re learning humility and the benefits of developing skills, some level of perfectionism, and the importance of attention to detail. It’s a time of down-to-earth practicality when we prefer to invest our time and energy in things with realistic potential. We’re not inclined to ambition or “going big.” Attracting prosperity involves honest, careful, and attentive work and dedication.

Mercury is in Virgo from July 28-October 4. [This transit is longer than usual due to the retrograde of Mercury in Virgo from August 23rd to September 15th.] When Mercury is in Virgo, precision in speech, thought, and process are more important to us. This is a time when we analyze and decide what is useful and what we deem to be impractical.

Mercury feels right at home in Virgo, one of the signs that it rules (Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo). Dealing with details is natural and easy now. We need to be careful that we don’t lose perspective if we find ourselves lost in details, however.

While Mercury is in Virgo, we should also be aware of the possibility of expressing ourselves in a too factual manner, so much so that we come across as dry, critical, or unimaginative.

We gravitate to useful information, and we can enjoy helping others with our knowledge. It’s a time for analyzing and dissecting, but we need other influences to put the pieces together or to see the bigger picture as our confidence in so doing is not strong at this time. It’s a time of conservative thinking and a strong tendency to want facts and certainties.

Venus is in Leo from June 5-October 8. [This transit is longer than usual due to the retrograde of Venus in Leo from July 22nd to September 3rd.] Love is magnificent and grand while Venus is in Leo. We take pride in love, and we are generous with our money as well. This is a warmhearted, teasing, expressive, proud, and extravagant placement for Venus. Love is a bit of a game–a game that is perpetual, as Venus in Leo is forever stuck in the romance stage of a relationship. We feed on attention, acknowledgement, validation, and adoration.

Venus in Leo loves to be adored, pampered, and admired. Pride and passion are hallmarks of this cycle. We have a strong ego investment in our love lives during this period. The negative expression of this placement is overstating our feelings simply for the effect, as well as extravagance.

The Venus-in-Leo cycle can be a strong or profitable time for contests, lotteries, parties, recreation, drama, adornment, jewelry, costumes, art dealing, and all things golden. Generosity and warmth contribute to our ability to draw in the right resources. We can have a compelling desire to stand out, be remarkable, and feel special during this period.

Mars is in Virgo from July 10-August 27. In Virgo, Mars is somewhat of a workhorse. We have a passion for details, as well as a need to do the right thing at just the right time under this influence. The satisfaction of a job well done is one of your greatest incentives now. We are more precise and concerned about performance.

We’re more exacting and concerned with correctness and details in our work, output, or efforts. It’s a time of greater caution, skepticism, and discipline. We tend to focus on details and plans, sometimes losing sight of the bigger picture.

There can be a perfectionistic or workaholic streak. We have a greater interest in excelling or mastering a particular skill. Science and health are most appealing. This transit highlights work with details or requiring precision, such as surgery, bookkeeping, crafts, musical instruments, etc. It also spotlights attention to health and nutrition, the healing arts, and a great interest in how things work, techniques, mechanics, and systems.

It can be a time of irritability, tension, or nervousness. Attention to detail and technique is tremendous, although our vision or confidence may suffer if we limit ourselves. There can be competitive or inflamed situations with co-workers, work, routines, or healthcare.

Our standards for ourselves are high during this cycle, and we work hard to be accurate, precise, and efficient.

Mars is in Libra from August 27-October 12. We tend to use our charm as a means to an end under the influence of this cycle. Because we can see many different sides of any given issue, we can be vacillating and indecisive about how to act. We don’t want to be the “bad guy” and rarely resort to force. Instead, we attempt to win arguments with style.

We are indirect in approach and inclined towards mental debates, yet we also try to make the opposition comfortable! Passive aggressiveness is the shadow side of this energy. We can be angry at ourselves if we’ve done too much conciliating.

We’re adept at predicting when problems and discord will occur well in advance and talented at compromise and conflict management.

We can be warriors for peace and justice during the Mars-in-Libra cycle. We strive for balance and avoid extremes. It’s an excellent time for strategy and teaming or partnering up to reach a goal.

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Jupiter is in Taurus.

Jupiter begins its transit of Taurus on May 16th, 2023, and it will continue its transit of the sign until May 25th, 2024. Read more about Jupiter’s transit of Taurus.

Saturn transits Pisces from March 7th, 2023 until May 24th, 2025, and Sep 1st, 2025, to Feb 13th, 2026. Read about Saturn’s transit of Pisces.

Uranus is in Taurus.

Uranus transits Taurus from May 15, 2018, to November 6, 2018, and then from March 6th, 2019, until 2025/6. We approach money and personal possessions in new ways and learn to free ourselves from certain material constraints. Innovative ways to make ourselves comfortable emerge. We’re less inhibited about expressing sensuality, self-love, body love, and pampering. Above all, we’re challenging what we previously valued during this cycle.

There can be abrupt changes with money, valuables, possessions, and income that lead to a reshuffling of priorities or values. Income might come from non-traditional sources or ventures. In general, we’re bringing progressive ideas to the world of business. New ways of doing business, as well as making, viewing, and handling money, are likely. Our income and the energy we put into making money can be variable.

Pluto transitions from Capricorn to Aquarius in 2023 and 2024. Read about Pluto’s transit of Aquarius. Pluto has retrograded back into Capricorn, and is in Capricorn until January 20th, 2024.

Romance & Relationships

Venus is in Leo from June 5-October 8. Love is magnificent and grand! We take pride in love, and we are generous with our money as well. This is a warmhearted, teasing, expressive, proud, and extravagant placement for Venus. Love is a bit of a game–a game that is perpetual, as Venus in Leo is forever stuck in the romance stage of a relationship. We feed on attention, acknowledgement, validation, and adoration.

Venus in Leo loves to be adored, pampered, and admired. Pride and passion are hallmarks of this cycle. We have a strong ego investment in our love lives during this period. The negative expression of this placement is overstating our feelings simply for the effect, as well as extravagance.

This week: Venus is retrograde from July 22nd to September 3rd, and things are changing. Venus-ruled endeavors, such as money, beauty, art, romance, and pleasure, become a little heavier, more prone to reassessment, review, and perhaps delay or a period of limbo. This Venus retrograde cycle lasts until September 3rd, and is a period in which we reevaluate or review our love life as well as the manner in which we receive, reveal, and express our affections. Thoughts turn to the past so that we can lay to rest unhealthy habits in these areas of life.

With Venus retrograde in Leo, we may question whether we’re getting the romance, ego boost, or attention we need from our relationships and experiences. Read more about Venus retrograde in Leo from July 22nd to September 3rd, 2023.

On Monday, August 28th, we’re proud of and invested in our relationships. We’re motivated to harmonize and connect.

Venus, the Goddess of Love: Highlights in the Coming Week:

Venus in Leo Romance becomes an end in itself as a new cycle begins for you. It marks a time when love, creativity, and self-expression satisfy a deep yearning to be appreciated and admired – needed, even. A flashy, flirty, stylish splash of color and warmth.

Venus semi-square Mars August 25. Tensions in relationships. Attempting to satisfy romantic needs and assertive/sexual needs simultaneously can be challenging.

Venus parallel Chiron August 25. Healing energy is brought to love relationships, and a new cycle begins. A commitment-friendly transit. Love can heal old wounds. We are open to romantic feelings, and more willing to act upon them. This is a good time to make a resolution to repair, heal, and improve relationships.

Venus parallel the Sun August 28. A strong desire for harmony and comfort fill us now. We may be moved to express our affections.

Venus semi-sextile the Sun September 4. We may feel that our quest for pleasure, affection, love, or comfort is at odds with what we think we should be doing, which can lead to mild tension or feelings of guilt, and perhaps some indecision. Seeking to fulfill both of these needs without doing so at the expense of the other makes sense, but isn’t straightforward at this time.

The Void-of-Course Moon this Week:

Void-of-course Moon on Monday, August 28th, from 7:49 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a conjunction to Pluto), until the Moon enters Aquarius at 10:32 AM EDT.

VOC Moon on Tuesday, August 29th, from 11:04 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Uranus), until the Moon enters Pisces the next day, Wednesday, August 30th, at 9:57 AM EDT.

VOC Moon on Friday, September 1st, from 6:36 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a sextile to Pluto), until the Moon enters Aries at 9:25 AM EDT.

August 2023:

September 2023:

Timing with the Moon – Better Periods this Week for Electing New Initiatives

It’s important to note that there are more factors to consider in addition to the windows listed below. The following windows are starting points. For example, you generally don’t want to elect a new venture when a very challenging aspect is applying, and it’s preferable to elect a time when a particularly positive aspect hasn’t yet perfected (is applying rather than separating).

The Moon is waxing this week until the Full Moon on the 30th, which is generally considered favorable for new beginnings, but with exceptions. (See Best Time to Start a Business for more details). After the Full Moon on the 30th, the Moon is waning, which is generally considered unfavorable for new beginnings, also with some exceptions.

According to principles of timing with the Moon, a window of opportunity occurs from Sunday, August 27th, at approximately 9:45 AM EDT, until Monday, August 28th, at approximately 7:45 AM EDT, while the Moon is in Capricorn. Another window occurs from Thursday, August 31st, at approximately 4:30 PM EDT, until Friday, September 1st, at approximately 6:30 AM EDT, while the Moon is in Pisces. Note that both Mercury and Venus are retrograde during these windows.

See also the following articles and tables: Timing with the Moon and Opportunity Periods with the Void Moon for times and techniques.

Planetary Stations & Sign Ingresses:

Jul 28, 2023
, 5:31 PM, Mercury enters Virgo
Aug 15, 2023, 3:29 PM, Juno enters Leo
Aug 23, 2023, 5:01 AM, Sun enters Virgo
Aug 23, 2023, 3:59 PM, Mercury Retrograde at 21 Virgo 51
Aug 27, 2023, 9:20 AM, Mars enters Libra
Aug 28, 2023, 10:39 PM, Uranus Retrograde at 23 Taurus 05
Sep  3, 2023, 9:20 PM, Venus Direct at 12 Leo 13
Sep  4, 2023, 10:11 AM, Jupiter Retrograde at 15 Taurus 35
Sep 13, 2023, 12:35 PM, Pallas enters Libra
Sep 13, 2023, 7:22 PM, Vesta enters Cancer
Sep 15, 2023, 8:47 AM, Ceres enters Scorpio
Sep 15, 2023, 4:21 PM, Mercury Direct at  8 Virgo 00
Sep 23, 2023, 2:50 AM, Sun enters Libra
Oct  4, 2023, 8:08 PM, Mercury enters Libra
Oct  8, 2023, 9:10 PM, Venus enters Virgo
Oct 10, 2023, 9:09 PM, Pluto Direct at 27 Cap 53
Oct 12, 2023, 12:04 AM, Mars enters Scorpio
Oct 17, 2023, 9:27 AM, Juno enters Virgo
Oct 22, 2023, 2:49 AM, Mercury enters Scorpio
Oct 23, 2023, 12:21 PM, Sun enters Scorpio
Nov  2, 2023, 9:52 PM, Vesta Retrograde at 7 Can 30
Nov  4, 2023, 3:02 AM, Saturn Direct at 0 Pisces 31
Nov  8, 2023, 4:30 AM, Venus enters Libra

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day (this takes you to my other site, Astrology Cafe).

See also: The Astrology of 2023 – Overview and The Astrology of 2024 – Overview.

Note: Times given are Eastern Time (ET).

 

This Week’s Calendar

This Week’s Aspects

Sun opposition Saturn. Our confidence is undermined by feelings of doubt, pessimism, or feelings of guilt. Feeling blocked, encountering obstacles to progress, and inhibitions are prominent under this influence. A heavy dose of realism seems forced upon us under this influence, but our efforts to measure up to expectations can ultimately increase our confidence in our ability to be responsible for ourselves. This influence is a somber one.

Sun sesquiquadrate Chiron. The desire to learn and grow through experiences and through others is strong, but may be hampered by a lack of confidence or a fear of being different.

Mars sesquiquadrate Jupiter. Although we may have much enthusiasm for life and for new projects, over-confidence and over-estimation of what we can do is likely. We are ready and willing to fight for our beliefs. We may be excitable and competitive. Jumping ahead without considering the consequences can be costly.

Mercury quincunx Chiron. Decisions can be hard to come by under this influence, as we tend to doubt our perceptions or the effectiveness of our ability to solve problems. It can be hard to read the intention behind the words used to communicate now, which can lead to misunderstandings.

Mars quincunx Saturn. Awkward, stop-and-go energy. Attempts to force an issue tend to be thwarted. Indecision or fear can hold us back from taking direct action.

Note: Times given in the table/calendar above are Eastern Time (ET).

Daily Trends Calendar

See below for day-by-day forecasts and planets in signs. See also Transit to Transit aspects.

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day – Astrology Cafe.

See also: The Astrology of 2023 – Overview and The Astrology of 2024 – Overview.

Astrology Chart of Today/Now in my Free Report section shows the current chart with interpretations.

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What’s In Store By the Stars – Daily Astrology Trends

(as featured on the site’s main page and in our Daily Trends Calendar)

See also the Astrology Trends Calendar that includes these daily trend overviews and other astrological events such as ingresses, stations, and lunations.

AUGUST 27

The Sun’s opposition to Saturn perfects this morning, pointing to feelings of being underestimated, unrecognized, unlucky, or unrewarded. It’s a good time to strengthen ourselves and our plans, lay low, and conserve energy.

Mars enters Libra today, where it will transit until October 12th. Mars is in its detriment in Libra (Libra opposes Mars-ruled Aries)–it’s not as comfortable in the sign as it is in most other signs and may not function at its best. We may be indirect in our approach and should watch for passive-aggressiveness during this cycle. However, it’s a good time for actively seeking harmony and balance. We work hard at finding compromises. We can be warriors for peace and justice during the Mars-in-Libra cycle. It’s an excellent time for strategy and teaming or partnering up to reach a goal.

While we can be energized with Mars in a new sign, there is some tendency to want to get started before we have a good plan as Mars and Jupiter approach a minor square. This aspect excites our desire to do something new and produces some agitation and competitive feelings that can either distract us or spur us to improve. Enthusiasm and motivation can be incredible if we know where to channel excess energy. Still, overconfidence and overestimation of what we can do may lead to poor decisions or regrettable actions. We can also be rather argumentative and reactive with this combination.

AUGUST 28

The Moon continues its transit of organized, ambitious Capricorn until 10:32 AM EDT, when it moves into inspired, fair-minded Aquarius. The Aquarius Moon brings out our forward-looking, inventive, and humanitarian qualities. The modern ruler of Aquarius, Uranus, stations and turns retrograde today. During its retrograde cycle until January 27th, 2024, our desire to make changes in our lives can turn inward as we get in touch with what may be holding us back from living more spontaneously and authentically. We may be less overtly rebellious and more inclined to follow the rules while Uranus is retrograde. As the shift occurs this week, however, Uranian energy is more challenging, and we can experience some tension until we acclimatize to the directional change.

The Moon is void from 7:49 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a conjunction to Pluto), until the Moon enters Aquarius at 10:32 AM EDT.

AUGUST 29

The Moon spends the day in Aquarius, and we are attracted to the unusual, extraordinary, and unconventional. Independence, equality, and freedom are vital to feeling emotionally satisfied with this position of the Moon. We aim to be fair and honest and gravitate to new and unique ways of approaching the world around us. The Moon’s square to Jupiter and Uranus today can certainly stir restless or rebellious feelings. Nevertheless, strong energy is with us for seeing patterns and coming up with unusual but useful ideas. We’re open-minded and open to change.

The Moon is void from 11:04 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Uranus), until the Moon enters Pisces tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30th, at 9:57 AM EDT.

AUGUST 30

The Full Moon occurs tonight at 9:36 PM EDT in the sign of Pisces. This lunation challenges us to identify and express our spiritual needs while maintaining order in our everyday lives. The illumination of a dream or a desire to find more meaning in our lives can figure strongly now. It’s important to avoid looking for salvation through a relationship, person, project, or business. We may be putting too high expectations on these things when we should be looking within for happiness. Otherwise, this is a potent, intense, and revealing time! Our discoveries and epiphanies are exciting and passionate, and we might allow our dreams to motivate us.

Mercury’s quincunx to Chiron can introduce misunderstandings, doubts, and hypersensitivity to the day. However, we’re talented at putting things together and making things work with Jupiter’s quintile to Saturn. This is the first of three perfections of this aspect, the last of which will happen on May 28th, 2024. During this cycle, we make the most of what we have, and we more easily recognize ways to improve. Our approach to life is balanced, and we benefit from greater organization.

The Moon continues its void period until the Moon enters Pisces today at 9:57 AM EDT.

AUGUST 31

The Moon spends the day in Pisces, and we’re adaptable, compassionate, and wise. This Moon encourages us to connect with our imaginative, sensitive side. We might avoid confrontations or challenging situations. The Pisces Moon favors winding down and connecting with our intuition. Even so, there can be some disconnect between our emotions and intellect with the Moon’s opposition to Mercury this afternoon. Minor disagreements, mainly about sensitivity to feelings, are more likely now. The Moon’s sextile to Jupiter this morning and Uranus tonight help us go with the flow and work with our emotions constructively.

SEPTEMBER 1

The Moon continues its transit of intuitive Pisces until 9:25 AM EDT, when it moves into the bold, direct sign of Aries. While the Aries Moon is energetic and enterprising, Mars, the ruler of Aries, forms a quincunx with Saturn today, pointing to some stop-and-go energy. With this aspect in play, attempts to force an issue will likely meet resistance. Sometimes, the resistance is internal – indecision or fear can hold us back from taking direct action. This transit has a way of stimulating a glass-half-empty perspective. Rules, restrictions, and limits feel heavy and difficult to coordinate or synthesize with our wants and desires. Timing is off as a result, and the need to adjust our plans can become apparent.

The Moon is void from 6:36 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a sextile to Pluto), until the Moon enters Aries at 9:25 AM EDT.

SEPTEMBER 2

The Moon spends the day in direct Aries, aligning with Chiron and harmonizing with Venus. The desire to initiate and move on is strong today. We’re bold and ready to take action but sometimes impatient. We seek a fresh start now, and we’re quick to let go of the past–we want to come first. Still, the Moon’s alignment with Chiron can pull up the need to deal with unresolved emotional matters. It’s a good time to explore our feelings about what it means to us to win or come first. Today’s Aries Moon is bold, confident, and pioneering. We more readily take the initiative under this influence. We’re assertive, upfront, and competitive. On this day before Venus stations, it’s best to watch for actions that can be easily misconstrued, especially in relationships, and for impulsive purchases.

 

 

If it’s your birthday today, see our feature, If Today is Your Birthday Forecasts, for a free forecast for the upcoming year.

Moon Signs This Week:

When the Moon is in Capricorn

We become aware of the need for structure and planning ahead. We also instinctively are aware of the limitations of time. We are motivated by a desire for success. Achievement and manifestation are most important to us now. We are resourceful and don't want to waste time, energy, or resources. This can be a very sober influence--even a depressing one. However, it can also be a productive time when we look reality in the eye.

The Moon in Capricorn generally favors the following activities: Long-term activities that yield slow but steady results, practical undertakings, career issues, making a business plan, practical investments.

When the Moon is in Aquarius

Attraction to all that is new and unusual, and an instinctive need for improvement, characterize the Moon in Aquarius. Reactions are more intellectual than emotional, and interactions are more impersonal than personal, under this influence. This is a time that promotes social gatherings, dealing with group ideals and goals for the future, brainstorming, new ideas, and progressive changes. We are open to new methods of doing things and we have our eye on the future. It can be hard to stick to schedules now, as personal freedom is most important to us.

The Moon in Aquarius generally favors the following activities: Unusual or radical undertakings, social pursuits, group projects, trying something new, joining a group.

When the Moon is in Pisces

 We may not want to face reality while the Moon is in dreamy, impressionable Pisces. It can be a wistful, sensitive, intuitive, and compassionate time. We are especially imaginative, and our intuition reigns under this influence. Boundaries and walls come down, as Pisces energy merges and blends. It's a time when details are overlooked and feelings defy description.

The Moon in Pisces generally favors the following activities: Imaginative undertakings, mystical or spiritual pursuits, inner development, music and drama, going on a retreat, activities involving water.

When the Moon is in Aries

We're motivated by a strong desire to start fresh. A gut instinct to begin something new is with us now, as well as the gumption to do so. Our pioneering impulses are strong, and we feel energetic, spontaneous, and enthusiastic. We may also be tactless and impulsive now. Excess energy is best channeled into physical activity.

People can be more self-motivated and also self-focused while the Moon is in Aries. It's a competitive rather than cooperative time. Accidents and tempers flaring are more likely than usual. This period is one of more personal courage.

The Moon in Aries generally favors the following activities: Quick actions that yield immediate results. Undertakings that involve the self and the personality. (Staying power may be lacking). Self-assertion, taking on challenges, beginning short-term projects.

 

Upcoming Weeks: Calendars

 

 

What’s In Your Forecast?

Take a peek at the year ahead with in-depth Future Forecast Reports from Cafe Astrology.

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BACK TO THIS WEEK IN ASTROLOGY MAIN/CURRENT

See also:

The Astrology of 2023 – Overview

The Astrology of 2024 – Overview

Monthly Calendar

This Month in Astrology

This Month’s Ephemeris

This Month’s Transits