This Week in Astrology: August 16 to 22, 2020

This Week in Astrology: August 16 to 22, 2020

 

August 16 to 22, 2020

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On this Page:

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

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The NEW MOON occurs on Tuesday, August 18th, 2020, at 12:45 PM EDT.

On Tuesday, the New Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon align in the sign of Leo.

The New Moon in Leo is an excellent time for formulating goals regarding “all things Leo.” We might concentrate on new ways to enhance our romantic life, creative endeavors and hobbies, and relationship with children, as well as to build our self-confidence and healthy pride in ourselves.

Some of Leo’s “lessons” include taking pride in ourselves as unique individuals, assuming more responsibility for our lives, and giving ourselves warmly and generously to others. 

This New Moon period is an excellent time to meditate upon some of the characteristics of Leo. Keywords for this self-expressive Fire sign — such things as proud, noble, generous, hospitable, caring, warm, authoritative, active, and open — are traits that we might enhance, develop, and incorporate into our personalities.

We all have Leo somewhere in our chart, and we might use the coming month to improve those areas of life. It’s time to awaken our “inner child” and find ways to express ourselves creatively. 

With this potent Leo energy, we have the chance to make significant changes in our lives that will benefit us well beyond this Moon cycle. It’s time to make some plans and to set the stage for reaping the rewards from our new beginnings, as little or big as they may be, in approximately two weeks after the Full Moon occurs. 

There is stop-and-go energy with this lunation–something might be releasing but a block or obstacle can appear. These ups and downs may motivate us to begin anew or clean the slate.

The New Moon forms a trine to Mars and a quincunx to Saturn (the New Moon happens as Mars applies to a square to Saturn). It also harmonizes with the North Node.

This lunation occurs at 26 degrees and 35 minutes of Leo, affecting people with personal planets and points at approximately 23 to 30 degrees of the Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) and 0 to 1 degree of the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) most significantly.

The above chart is excellent for seeing the fundamental influences and chart patterns of this New Moon. The chart below adds more details with additional points:

 

 

(Times are Eastern)

This week: The Sun is in Leo until August 22nd, when the Sun enters Virgo; Mercury is in Leo until August 19th, when the Mercury enters Virgo; Venus is in Cancer; Mars is in Aries.

The Sun is in Leo from July 22-August 22. In Leo, the Sun is proud, outgoing, and playful. The Leo Sun is intensely individual—not content with simply being just one of the team. It’s time to shine, add a touch of color and drama to our lives, and perform. Like the flowers and fruit of the season–blossoming and ripened–this is a time when we want to enjoy ourselves and express ourselves. We are more generous and grand in our gestures and attitudes. On the shadow side, we can also be self-centered and vain.

The Sun is in Virgo from August 22-September 22. Our focus shifts to the pieces of the puzzle–the little details of our lives. It is now time to take care of practical concerns. Tending 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, to do detail work, and to improve communications on the job.

Mercury is in Leo from August 4-19. When Mercury is in Leo, our thinking is more confident and grand. The focus is now on the goal–and the more grand a goal the better! The details may not be quite as important now. We are more expressive, even theatrical, and given to speech-giving and story-telling under this influence. We are also more convincing and persuasive, as we exude confidence when we speak or write. We may not listen as well as we normally do under Mercury in Leo.

Mercury is in Virgo from August 19-September 5. We value precision in speech, thought, and process. This is a time when we analyze and discriminate between what we deem useful or impractical. Mercury feels right at home in Virgo, one of the signs that it rules. 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. We should also be aware of the possibility of expressing ourselves in an overly factual manner, so much so that we come across as dry, critical, or unimaginative.

Venus is in Cancer from August 7-September 6. In Cancer, Venus is nurturing, protective and self-protective, cautious, and fertile. We experience many emotional ups and downs in love under this influence due to increased sensitivity and impressionability. We are tender, romantic, and attached. Cancer love is dedicated, warm, and devoted. We show our love through our devotion, care, and concern. We are affectionate and cuddly, and we’re at our best when we feel safe and secure.

Mars is in Aries from June 27, 2020, to January 6, 2021. [This is longer than usual due to the retrograde of Mars from September 9-November 13, 2020.] Mars feels at home in one of the signs that it rules, Aries, and therefore its power is boosted. Our energy is spontaneous, forward-looking, and even courageous under this influence. Our competitive spirit is well-developed, and our goal is to win! We are active, single-minded, and confident. Our actions are direct–we instinctively find the fastest way to get from point A to point B. The shadow side of Mars in Aries is a tendency to be impatient, arrogant, impulsive, short-lived, unreflective, and self-centered.

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Jupiter entered Capricorn on December 2nd, 2019, and will transit the sign until December 19th, 2020. Read more about the Jupiter in Capricorn transit.

Saturn has returned to the sign of Capricorn in retrograde motion (early July). In 2020, Saturn divides its time between the signs of Capricorn and Aquarius. Saturn transits Capricorn until March 21, 2020; and then finishes up its transit from July 1 to December 17, 2020. Read about Saturn’s transit through Capricorn here. Saturn transits Aquarius from March 21 to July, 1, 2020, and then later, from December 17, 2020, to March 7, 2023. Read about Saturn’s transit of Aquarius.

Uranus is in Taurus. Uranus transits Taurus 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 how 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. 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. 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. Income and the energy we put into making money can be variable.

Romance & Relationships

Venus is in Cancer from August 7-September 6. We treat lovers with sympathy and tenderness, providing the emotional nurturing they need. We tend to “play it safe” when it comes to relationships. Love and devotion are most important to us, providing us with a sense of inner security. We seek a deep love in which we can merge souls and personalities with our lover. We are devoted and seek familiarity, but we might be possessive, manipulative, or stifling. Our fear of rejection is overdeveloped, and we offer our hearts cautiously as a result. We pay more attention to our lovers’ feelings than their words. We feel threatened if a lover acts in an impersonal, overly independent, or detached manner. Safe and solid relationships are more appealing. Romantic and emotional hurts are very hard to forget.

In Cancer, Venus is nurturing, protective and self-protective, cautious, and fertile. We experience many emotional ups and downs in love under this influence due to increased sensitivity and impressionability. We are tender, romantic, and attached. We show our love through our devotion, care, and concern. We are at our best when we feel safe and secure.

This week: Sunday, the 16th, can be awkward for relationships. We may say the wrong things, and we’re particularly sensitive. On Tuesday, we’re open to new experiences and ways of relating, and we’re more accepting of differences and individuality. It’s a good time to make an effort to reach out, make changes, and embrace new ways to have fun and enjoy ourselves and our relationships. Friendship in love relationships becomes more important. We can be attracted to people who are especially unique, or what makes a person different or special is particularly noticeable and intriguing now. We’re loosening up. Unexpected opportunities for enjoyment or connections can emerge.

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

Venus in Cancer Mothering (or being mothered), sympathy, a yearning to put down roots, and a fondness for things that have stood the test of time – these are some of the hallmarks of the phase that now begins in your life. Romantic and social experiences, as well as artistic tastes, will show evidence of these factors.

Venus square Chiron August 16. Not a commitment-friendly transit. We are somewhat fearful of investing ourselves emotionally in a relationship.

Venus semi-square Mercury August 16. Communications between lovers may feel superficial or unsatisfying, and perhaps awkward. We may be especially sensitive to what’s being communicated now.

Venus sextile Uranus August 18. We lose our fear of taking risks at this time, and we happily embrace all that is new, unusual, and out-of-the-ordinary with regards to romantic involvements. We are ready to experiment, but not necessarily ready to commit.

Venus opposition Jupiter August 25. We are easily bored with the everyday responsibilities and routines of our love lives and are now inclined to dramatize our lives. As a result, our love natures are strong but insatiable. We may overstate our feelings as we temporarily overvalue someone, or we face challenges in our relationships due to overblown expectations. We are itching for adventure and fun, but the wisest course of action is to avoid ignoring our responsibilities (and reality) in our efforts towards self-gratification.

Venus trine Neptune August 27. We perceive romantic situations as if they were “designed” just for us. A magical, romantic time. The pleasures of life are experienced fully. Romance is highly favored. We see the very best in people now, and this eases our interactions and takes the pressure off in personal relationships.

The Void-of-Course Moon this Week:

Void-of-course Moon on Sunday, August 16th, from 8:00 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (an opposition to Saturn), until the Moon enters Leo the next day, Monday, August 17th, at 1:39 AM EDT.

VOC Moon on Wednesday, August 19th, from 1:39 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a conjunction to Mercury), until the Moon enters Virgo at 4:21 AM EDT.

VOC Moon on Thursday, August 20th, from 11:37 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Saturn), until the Moon enters Libra the next day, Friday, August 21st, at 5:16 AM EDT.

August 2020:

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

The Moon is waning this week, which is generally considered unfavorable for new beginnings, but with exceptions. (See Best Time to Start a Business for more details).

According to principles of timing with the Moon, a window of opportunity occurs on Thursday, August 20th, from approximately 2:20 PM to 11:30 PM EDT, while the Moon is in Virgo.

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:

Jun 27
, 2020, 9:45 PM  Mars enters Aries
Jul  1, 2020, 7:37 PM  Saturn Rx enters Capricorn
Jul 22, 2020, 4:37 AM  Sun enters Leo
Aug  4, 2020, 11:32 PM Mercury enters Leo
Aug  7, 2020, 11:21 AM Venus enters Cancer
Aug 11, 2020, 7:14 AM Vesta enters Leo
Aug 19, 2020, 9:30 PM Mercury enters Virgo
Aug 22, 2020, 11:45 AM Sun enters Virgo
Sep  5, 2020, 3:46 PM Mercury enters Libra
Sep  6, 2020, 3:21 AM Venus enters Leo
Sep 20, 2020, 7:19 AM Juno enters Scorpio
Sep 22, 2020, 9:30 AM Sun enters Libra
Sep 27, 2020, 3:20 AM Ceres Rx enters Aquarius
Sep 27, 2020, 3:40 AM Mercury enters Scorpio
Oct  2, 2020, 4:48 PM Venus enters Virgo
Oct  4, 2020, 9:33 AM Pluto Direct
Oct 13, 2020, 9:05 PM Mercury Retrograde
Oct 18, 2020, 1:02 PM Ceres Direct
Oct 22, 2020, 3:34 AM Vesta enters Virgo
Oct 22, 2020, 6:59 PM Sun enters Scorpio
Oct 27, 2020, 9:33 PM Mercury Retrograde enters Libra
Oct 27, 2020, 9:41 PM Venus enters Libra
*** Daylight Saving Time ends ***
Nov  3, 2020, 12:49 PM Mercury Direct
Nov  9, 2020, 9:38 AM  Ceres enters Pisces
Nov 10, 2020, 4:55 PM  Mercury enters Scorpio
Nov 13, 2020, 7:35 PM  Mars Direct
Nov 21, 2020, 8:22 AM  Venus enters Scorpio
Nov 21, 2020, 3:40 PM  Sun enters Sagittarius
Nov 28, 2020, 7:37 PM  Neptune Direct

 

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day (this takes you to my other site, Astrology Cafe).
See also: The Astrology of 2020 – Overview and The Astrology of 2021 – Overview.

Note: Times given are Eastern Time (ET).

 

This Week’s Calendar

 

This Week’s Aspects

Mercury quincunx Pluto. Something we write or say could trigger power struggles or hostility from others. We may be plagued with self-doubt in our attempts to make decisions. Decisions made now are unlikely to be objective. Re-assessing decisions we have made already, or adjusting our plans, may be in order. Second-guessing.

Sun trine Mars. Energy and vitality are strong. Natural confidence that doesn’t come across as offensive. A good time to take the initiative. Favors physical activity. Effective decision-making is possible now.

Venus square Chiron. Blocks to intimacy, learning from one another, and commitment can be experienced now. Insecurities on a social level can be magnified.

Mercury sesquiquadrate Chiron. Communications may be careless, hurtful or perceived as hurtful under this influence. It can be hard to read the intention behind the words used to communicate now. There may be impatience with rules, worry or guilty feelings, and conflicting viewpoints now.

Mercury semi-square Venus. Difficulties in social or romantic communication are possible today. On the other hand, we may make more efforts to be polite and to communicate. Hypersensitivity, and lack of mental discipline. Our minds wander.

Mercury trine Mars. Enthusiasm and energetic communications are likely now. We are productive and take “busy-ness” in stride. We are alert and aware, and can easily turn ideas into workable projects. Our communications are refreshingly direct and to the point, although not especially sympathetic. Our minds are sharp and quick.

Mercury conjunct Sun. We are especially sharp, communicative, and open at this time, as our wants are aligned with our thoughts. It’s a favorable time for solving problems. What we say or write now has impact, for better or for worse!

Mercury quincunx Saturn. Communication challenges today make it hard to get a point across. Delays, “red tape”, and vague feelings of forgetting important details.

Venus sextile Uranus. This is a favorable influence for social meetings and events, and for situations that call for treating others with equality and respect. We lose our fear of taking risks at this time, and we happily embrace all that is new, unusual, and out-of-the-ordinary with regards to romantic involvements as well as financial undertakings. We are ready to experiment, but not necessarily ready to commit. A good time for financial undertakings involving electronics, technology, the internet, metaphysics, and the arts, as well as group activities. A taste for the offbeat is in order.

Sun quincunx Saturn. Doubts, the feeling of not being good enough, and lack of self-confidence might plague us under this influence. Lack of faith in ourselves and in life hinders our movements and initiatives.

  Mercury sesquiquadrate Jupiter. We experience information overload, and we neglect to consider details. People tend to exaggerate today.

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 – or the Transits for Here and Now chart.

See also: The Astrology of 2020 – Overview and NEW! The Astrology of 2021 – Overview.

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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 new Astrology Trends Calendar that includes these daily trends overviews and other astrological events such as ingresses, stations, and lunations.

AUGUST 16

Mercury and the Sun are heading into alignment, exact tomorrow, and they’re forming a trine to Mars. These aspects stimulate a strong desire to take action, express ourselves, and pursue our passions. We’re energized, feeling we can accomplish much. We have a good sense of timing, and we’re especially enterprising and resourceful. Stress eases as we feel confident about our abilities and our judgment. We can have a strong desire to do something with our ideas, learn, teach, or discuss (energetically). We are exceptionally alert and aware, although possibly self-focused. There is enthusiasm in our conversations, as well as excitement about our interests and discoveries. However, we should watch for a tendency for hurt feelings or misgivings. Mercury is semisquare Venus, and both bodies are in hard aspect to Chiron, and saying the wrong things can figure strongly. The Moon spends the day in the sign of Cancer and forms particularly tense aspects today. We can feel some tension due to our drives to perform, the demands of our responsibilities, and our personal needs or sense of independence. Events, people, and circumstances tend to pull us out of our comfort zone.

The void Moon occurs from 8:00 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (an opposition to Saturn), until the Moon enters Leo tomorrow, Monday, August 17th, at 1:39 AM EDT.

AUGUST 17

The Moon ends its transit of Cancer as it enters Leo at 1:39 AM EDT. The Leo Moon is expressive, bold, and passionate. Mercury aligns with the Sun in the sign of Leo today, offering us a nice window of opportunity to clearly see our goals in the areas of self-expression, play, courage, pleasure, creativity, and romance. This is a superior conjunction of Mercury and the Sun and can stimulate an epiphany, illumination of a matter, or a clearing of the air. We are sharp, communicative, and open at this time, and what we say or write now has a strong impact, for better or for worse! An idea or plan can come to full bloom. We may want to watch for intellectualizing issues that require sensitivity.

The Moon continues its void period today until 1:39 AM EDT when it enters Leo.

AUGUST 18

Both Mercury and the Sun form quincunxes to Saturn today, and there can be some sensitivity to how our ideas are received. Mental anxiety can interfere with making good, practical choices. There can be communication challenges or mental blocks. The desire to enjoy ourselves can clash with our material goals. Doubts might slow down our movements and initiatives. Even so, this can be a helpful process as we take a break from pushing ahead. We might now see the need to adjust our plans based on new responsibilities or a reality check. A Venus-Uranus aspect also in force today helps loosen up, however. This transit encourages our bolder, more innovative natures, socially speaking. We are most interested in all that is new, unusual, and out-of-the-ordinary with romantic involvements, personal pleasures, and financial undertakings. We may be experimenting, improvising, and trying on new ways of relating to others and expressing ourselves. The Moon spends the day in happy, generous Leo, and a New Moon occurs in the sign tonight at 10:42 PM EDT. The New Moon in Leo can prompt a new beginning with romance, creative endeavors, hobbies, relationship with children, and our self-confidence or healthy pride in ourselves. It’s time to awaken our “inner child” and find ways to express ourselves creatively. There is stop-and-go energy with this lunation–something might be releasing but a block or obstacle can appear. These ups and downs may motivate us to begin anew or clean the slate.

AUGUST 19

The Moon continues its transit of Leo until 4:21 AM EDT, after which the Moon transits Virgo. With the Moon in Virgo, we’re particularly concerned about tying up loose ends and dealing with routine matters. The details of our big plans assume more importance or interest to us. The Sun forms a sextile with the True North Node of the Moon today, encouraging us to grow, improve, and rise to a challenge. Mercury enters Virgo this evening and will transit the sign until September 5th. We’re especially interested in more precision in our speech, thought, method, and process during this cycle. Dealing with details is natural and comfortable now. We need to be careful that we don’t lose perspective if we find ourselves overly focused on the details. 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. However, it’s an excellent time for organizing, sorting, and analyzing.

The void Moon occurs from 1:39 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a conjunction to Mercury), until the Moon enters Virgo at 4:21 AM EDT.

AUGUST 20

The Moon continues its transit of Virgo all day, encouraging a closer look at the small jobs and essential details of our lives. The Virgo Moon sensitizes us to the flaws, but it also drives us to fix problems. While the Moon’s trines to Jupiter, Pluto, and Saturn help us prioritize, its opposition to Neptune can distract us. It can be challenging to find peace or balance in our relationships or to connect deeply/intimately now, but it’s an excellent time to try. If we haven’t been showing our appreciation for one another, this can come to a head. Our tastes, values, and ideas can clash, but we might learn more about ourselves and relationships through the conflict.

The void Moon occurs from 11:37 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Saturn), until the Moon enters Libra the next day, Friday, August 21st, at 5:16 AM EDT.

AUGUST 21

Mercury forms a sesquiquadrate aspect with Jupiter, suggesting tendencies to make more of an issue than it deserves, either negatively or positively. Watch for exaggerated perceptions and communications or news now. Still, Mercury connects creatively with Saturn and Chiron, and we can feel more secure regarding our responsibilities. We are also more able to express our unique qualities or to go our own way without stirring up controversy. We’re smart about solving dilemmas, particularly those that may have prevented us from filling our responsibilities or feeling good about ourselves. The Moon continues its transit of Virgo until it enters Libra at 5:16 AM EDT. The Libra Moon is sociable. Harmony and beauty are deeply satisfying, and the lack of them can be emotionally unsettling with this transit.

The void Moon continues until the Moon enters Libra at 5:16 AM EDT today.

AUGUST 22

The Sun enters Virgo today and will transit the Mutable Earth sign until September 22nd. Our focus shifts to the pieces of the puzzle–the details of our lives. It’s now time to take care of practical concerns. Attending to the details of daily living can free us from the unnecessary stress that results from “collecting” odds and ends of unfinished business. It’s an ideal cycle to get organized, do detail work, and improve connections and communications on the job. Rediscovering the joy of our work, services, chores, and routines can be in focus in the month ahead. The Moon spends the day in Libra, and while we seek more harmony and balance with this transit, the Moon forms many challenging aspects today. We’re especially sensitive to areas of our lives (and especially our relationships) that have come out of balance. There can be some impatience and combativeness even so. We can be somewhat competitive, quick to react if our passions are met with indifference. The Moon-Mars opposition excites our passions, although we may feel less in control of them than usual. It stirs up our need for action, activity, and challenges, but it can feel at odds with our emotional orientation.

 

 

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 Cancer

 The restlessness of the Gemini Moon gives way to an instinctive need for peace and quiet. A feeling of belonging and safety is what motivates us under this influence. The Moon feels right at home in the sign of Cancer, as it rules the sign. This Moon position has much healing potential. Although insular by nature, our feelings run deep, making it an ideal time to get in touch with what motivates us.

The Moon in Cancer generally favors the following activities: Domestic activities, those that involve awareness of personal needs. Home decor, family get-togethers.

When the Moon is in Leo

The Moon in Leo speaks to our "inner child". It's a warm, generous, whole-heartedly loving position. Pride keeps us from pettiness, but it can also prevent us from opening up and revealing how we are truly feeling. We are on stage, our feelings are grand, and we appreciate some drama in our lives. We are easily threatened by anything that seems to be impersonal. This is a time when we seek attention--when we want to stand out for our special qualities. It's a strong time for romance and any creative activity as well.

The Moon in Leo generally favors the following activities: Creative activities, activities involving children, generous undertakings, undertakings in which personal recognition is desired, and risk-taking.

When the Moon is in Virgo

We instinctually gravitate towards practical activities under the influence of a Virgo Moon. In an urge to set things right, we might easily find ourselves re-organizing and rethinking plans. Emotional satisfaction comes from solving problems, making order out of confusion, and helping others. Health matters might come into focus. We notice the smaller parts that make up the whole, and instead of letting nagging details bother us, we might work on ironing them out so that we can feel more confident moving ahead.

The Moon in Virgo generally favors the following activities: Mental pursuits, work activities, services, and routines. Activities that would benefit from tending to details.

When the Moon is in Libra

Creating order is the focus, not necessarily through tidying or organizing as was the case while the Moon was in Virgo, but rather through pleasing interactions with others and aesthetics in our environment. We tend to solve problems through diplomacy, and we are more able to put aside our own emotions in order to achieve the peace we crave. The tendency now is to avoid direct confrontations. Decisions do not come easily. Seeing both sides to any given situation is the main reason for hesitation. Fear of losing others' approval is another.

The Moon in Libra generally favors the following activities: Relationship and partnership issues, activities involving teamwork and cooperation, activities that involve self-examination, activities related to beauty.

 

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 2020 – Overview

The Astrology of 2021 – Overview

Monthly Calendar

This Month in Astrology

This Month’s Ephemeris

This Month’s Transits