August will continue to be influenced by the retrograde motions of Pluto, Neptune, and Saturn, likely resulting in a tumultuous period characterized by a slow pace, delays, and some level of disappointment. This influence will also be felt in the political landscape of the US presidential election.
Despite these challenges, the silver lining is the potential for spiritual awakening and a deeper connection with others during these times of uncertainty and anxiety. On a personal level, the recent experience of Hurricane Beryl hitting the Texas coast near Houston, resulting in a prolonged power outage and material destruction, brought neighbors on my street closer together. It was a heartfelt experience that fostered a sense of community and connection.
On August 5, Mercury becomes retrograde in sidereal Leo. It will remain retrograde in Leo until August 22, continues its retrograde journey back into sidereal Cancer before turning direct on August 29. Typically, retrograde Mercury brings anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, missed deadlines, unforeseen obstacles, and disappointment in daily chores. If Mercury is a dominant planet in your birth chart and is currently active, you are more likely to experience these effects, particularly in the areas of life signified by the house Mercury is transiting in your Gochar (transit) chart.
According to the 2024 annual predictions and recent astrological insights, Uranus’s ingress into sidereal Taurus has been heralding a turbulent phase in the US political landscape. Recent events raising serious concerns about President Biden’s ability to govern effectively, his subsequent withdrawal from the presidential race, and the failed assassination attempt on former President Trump clearly reflect Uranus’s energy of change, surprises, violence, independence, ambition, impulsivity, and unpredictability.
The retrograde motion of Neptune continues to signify a prolonged and grinding phase in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, marked by twists, turns, deception, and confusion.
In summary, August is looking to be a month of stagnation and delay on one hand, and significant challenges influenced by planetary retrograde motions and dynamic shifts in political and financial landscapes on the other.
Retrograde Mercury (August 5-29)
On August 5, Mercury turns retrograde in sidereal Leo. It will stay in Leo until August 22, continues its retrograde journey back into sidereal Cancer before turning direct on August 29. Typically, retrograde Mercury brings anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, missed deadlines, unforeseen obstacles, and disappointments in daily chores.
When Mercury is retrograde in Leo, it tends to be more frustrating for politicians, government leaders, military commanders, and influential, wealthy individuals. As it moves back into Cancer, the challenges shift, affecting mothers with babies, hospital nurses, the dairy industry, charities, and non-profit organizations.
This period is not ideal for starting new projects or ventures. Instead, it’s a good time to reflect on what has already been done and tackle those chores you’ve been putting off, like cleaning out the closet.
If Mercury is a dominant planet in your birth chart and currently active, you are more likely to feel the pronounced effects of its retrograde during this period. These effects will be especially noticeable in the areas of life signified by the house Mercury is transiting in your Gochar (transit) chart.
Uranus Ingress Sidereal Taurus
An era of Material World Transformation and Female Dominance
After entering sidereal Taurus on May 31, Uranus stays in Taurus till Dec 16, 2024. However, with its retrograde motion Uranus returns to sidereal Aries. Then after transiting through Aries until March 16, 2024, Uranus finally reenters Taurus and will stay in Taurus for next seven years or so.
Uranus being the planet of a sudden and uninvited change will certainly affect the matters related to Taurus in a big way. Taurus being the earth and fixed sign, the energy of extremely independent, ambitious, energetic, impulsive and capricious Uranus will be reflected in drastic changes in the material world (banking, stock brokers, financial institutes, the US Federal reserve and reserve banks all over the world) in next seven years. World Financial markets would likely to be extremely volatile possibly dipping into a short term but severe depression. But the good news is we may not experience this severity at least until May of 2025, as it will be offset by Jupiter’s materially favorable transit through Taurus.
Business leaders, the wealthy, real estate magnates, and influential figures in the entertainment industry will feel the impact of Uranus’s transit most significantly. The period will witness innovations and breakthroughs in science and technology, driving rapid advancements and discoveries. A new wave of spiritually inclined leaders in politics and corporations will emerge, integrating compassion and human values into their approach.
In scientific and technological world expect a lot of positive changes as the emerging new ideas will find their way into innovations and discoveries. The scientific and technological growth will continue to rise at a phenomenal rate. A new wave of spiritually inclined world political and corporation leaders with their human and compassion laced perspectives will certainly transform our world in next 6-7 years to a new world that balances the material world with spiritual or non-material world.
The challenging aspect of the Uranus’s transit in Taurus is the painful transformation of the material world. The material norms that we are used to would likely to be altered and transformed to a set of new norms that will certainly reflect the direction of our spiritual growth and human evolution in line with and as outlined in past annual predictions by the energies of Capricorn Pluto and Piscean Neptune.
Other manifestations of Uranus’s transit in the earth sign Taurus are: economic wars that include cyber wars, currency manipulation, economic persecutions, agriculture wars, real estate meltdowns and intolerable and tragic situations for those who are economically deprived. In addition, natural calamities, especially wildfires, abnormal weather patterns, earthquakes of significant magnitude, unbearable summer and winter months, etc., will continue to occur more frequently.
Another important aspect of Uranus’s transit in Taurus is the prominence of female dominance in leadership roles. Taurus being the female sign, more females will be replacing their male counterparts for leadership positions in both political and financial world.
The timing of Uranus’s transit coincides with the next US presidential election, potentially leading to the election of a female president. However, the brief return of Uranus to Aries from December 16, 2024, to March 16, 2025, may introduce political chaos and instability, delaying the inauguration process and potentially impacting the outcome.
For those who have a reasonably well placed Uranus in their birth charts and have Pisces, Sagittarius, Leo or Cancer as a ninefold (Navamansa) ascendant will likely to experience a very positive period, especially during the time Uranus is active in their transit charts.
Jupiter ingress Sidereal Taurus, a year of material expansion!
On April 30, 2024, Jupiter concluded its transit through sidereal Aries and transitioned into the subsequent zodiac sign, Taurus. Typically occurring approximately once a year, Jupiter’s shift from one zodiac sign to another marks a significant astrological event. Taurus, being a fixed earth sign governed by Venus, signifies stability and material abundance. Jupiter’s presence in Taurus has a propensity to amplify the material prosperity, particularly for individuals with well-positioned and interconnected Venus and Jupiter placements in their birth charts. It’s essential to consider the interplay of all planetary influences in an individual’s chart to comprehensively assess the overall interpretation.
At a collective level, Jupiter’s ingress into Taurus heralds a period where the influence of entrepreneurs and financial institutions such as banks and brokerage houses will significantly shape the trajectory of global economic and societal evolution. This influence extends beyond mere material expansion, fostering philosophical and spiritual discourse that underpins societal progress. Overall, the transit of Jupiter in Taurus bodes well for global economic growth and prosperity, indicating positive shifts on the horizon.
On an individual level, those with prominent Jupiter placements in their birth charts, particularly if Taurus, Aries, Capricorn, Scorpio, Virgo, or Cancer feature prominently as their natal ninefold (Navamansa) ascendant signs, are likely to experience a highly auspicious twelve-month period commencing May 1. This period holds promise for significant personal growth, material gain, and overall well-being, aligning with the favorable astrological energies associated with Jupiter’s transit in Taurus.
Russian-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas war and senseless killings
With the approval of over sixty billion dollars in aid from the United States, Ukraine is poised to gain an upper hand in its conflict against Russia. The intensity of the Russian-Ukraine war has remained constant for the past six months, resulting in significant human casualties and economic devastation. However, with this influx of aid, Ukraine is expected not only to halt further territorial losses but also to reclaim some of its lost ground.
With the continued Neptune’s retrograde transit in Pisces Russia will likely to go through an incredible change with internal power and political struggle and perhaps Putin slowly beginning to lose his grip on Russia as an autocrat. Ukraine is likely to continue gain grounds despite human casualties and destruction. .
Turning to the Israel-Hamas conflict, although it may be losing momentum, violence persists, particularly in Gaza where shortages of essential supplies exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. Regardless of short-term developments, this enduring conflict is expected to persist unless there is a profound spiritual awakening in the region that transcends religious divisions.
President Biden’s challenges in August
Note: President Biden (as forecasted last month as a make or break month for him) dropped out of 2025 presidential race. However, he will still be governing the country till the end of his term by the end of this year. And therefore this column will continue until the next President takes over.
Although a sitting President, for President Biden, August, continues to be a challenging month to navigate through Israel-Hamas conflict and Ukraine-Russia war.
From Pluto’s spiritual force standpoint, progress continues but at a very slow pace.
As for Venus, the entire month promises material and family happiness. From the perspective of the Sun’s energy, the whole month looks positive for governing the country.
However, until August 8, Saturn’s influence continues to bring a sense of confusion, particularly in managing both domestic and international affairs. Adversaries are expected to effectively resist Biden’s agenda, potentially highlighting political challenges and areas of concern. After August 8, the rest of the month may prove to be stressful as he will be confronted with directly dealing his health issues.
In summary, like July, August stands as a challenging month for President Biden, to navigate through Israel-Hamas conflict and Ukraine-Russia war.
Global Insights……..
The important challenging possibilities for August include:
July 21 – Aug 6: A rise in covert activities worldwide, including political covert operations. Social confusion and chaos may escalate in countries like Russia and China, posing real challenges.
Aug 15-17: A possibility of short but highly intense period of friction between India and Pakistan. Terrorism and violence may escalate worldwide, particularly in regions like Iran, Iraq, Syria, and the Israel-Palestine area. The likelihood of both natural and man-made calamities is high.
Aug 15-18: Significant changes in religious, academic, and social fields.
Aug 15-19: World religions likely to face challenges with groundbreaking ideas demanding attention. Open-minded religious leaders who listen and act on fresh concepts will be instrumental in transforming our religious landscape to a new level. Those who resist change may gradually lose relevance.
Aug 15-24: Difficulties for world religious leaders, leading to more controversies that test traditional moral values. Religious authorities may struggle to keep people content amidst these challenges.
Aug 19-27: Social or political turmoil in the United States, Russia, or China, with potential tensions escalating among these nations.
The important auspicious possibilities for August include:
July 28 – Sept 4: Potentially carries positive implications for bringing terrorism under control, even dismantling major terrorist cells through covert operations. Furthermore, this alignment bodes well for Russia and to a lesser extent for China. Expect positive breakthroughs in the fields of medicine, high technology, and biotechnology on the technological front.
Aug 24 – Sept 4: Likelihood of a better period for the European and Russian economies. Progress in technical fields, including new innovations and discoveries, is expected. Additionally, there may be opportunities for religious reconciliation during this time.
The countries that are more likely to be affected during this month are: the United States, Ukraine, Russia, China, and Middle-East–especially Iran, Iraq and the Palestinian-Israel region.
Natural and Man-made Calamities……..
The natural calamities like extreme weather conditions, wildfires, hurricanes, heavy rains, snow storms, air crashes as well as man-made accidents are more likely to occur -mad e accidents are more likely to occur during Aug 1-6 and 19-27.
While man-made calamities may manifest themselves in terrorism, unrest, violence, accidents, and air crashes, the natural calamities are likely to include extreme weather conditions such as severe cold winters, and equally intensive droughts, hurricanes or typhoons, thunderstorms, earthquakes and fires.
Planetary Energies for Individuals
Uranus-Mars conjunction (July 31 – Aug 3)
For individuals with unfavorable placements of Mars in relation to Uranus in their natal charts, this brief period may bring intense and challenging experiences. Expect sudden and potentially devastating changes that will test your resilience to the core. Be prepared for a complete upheaval of your surroundings and the possibility of encountering a hostile atmosphere. Exercise caution and remain vigilant, as the range of potential challenges is vast. Conversely, those with well-placed Uranus-Mars configurations in their birth charts are likely to emerge victorious and successful in their endeavors.
Pluto-Neptune sextile (July 28 – Sept 4)If Pluto forms a sextile with Neptune in your birth chart or if Pluto and Neptune form a ninefold trine, and if either of these planets is currently active in through your Gochar (transit) chart, you’re likely to experience positive effects from this alignment. The specific houses occupied by these planets in your birth chart will determine the particular area of life in which you’ll have a positive experience. Enjoy this uplifting period!
Jagdish Maheshri
Professional Vedic Astrologer
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