Date Posted: July 31, 2023

The Capricorn Pluto continues to make squares with the Aries Rahu (and the Libra Ketu) within a degree (presently right on) that lasts through September 2.  It’s still a long one month ordeal.  From the material destruction as well as painful material life experiences standpoint, the Capricorn Pluto’s energy gets several fold magnified when it gets in the vicinity of the square aspect with the equally explosive and tremendously karmic north lunar node Rahu.

As a result, collectively, the Ukraine-Russia war had entered into a phase where both sides have been enduring severe human casualties and material destruction.  With the continued retrograde Neptune’s transit in Pisces, Russia is likely to go through an incredible change with internal power and political struggle with Putin continue to lose his grip on Russia as an autocrat. Ukraine is likely to continue gain grounds despite human casualties and material destruction.

For the United States, especially for politicians, reporters and media industry personnel, this is the period of turbulence and turmoil. For republican politicians and the Republican Party, July and August may prove to be very trying and difficult.

For religions, the Pluto-Rahu square spells a big change.  It’s a period of pain, yet it’s a great opportunity for transformation. 

For those who have lunar nodes placed unfavorably with respect to Pluto in their natal charts may need to be on guard. Unexpected and painful events might happen if not careful. Nonetheless, it’s a period of transformation if one remains aware while going through this difficult period.

The next significant planetary events for August are mostly linked to the planets turning retrograde during August (Venus, Mercury and Uranus). These events are more likely to affect us at personal level as the energies of the retrograde Venus and Mercury (turning retrograde on Aug 24) in sidereal Leo take the center stage.

While the retrograde Venus in sidereal Leo means a challenging period for women in leadership and entrepreneurial role, marriages (committed as well as not committed), home life, lovers, artists, actors and people connected with entertainment industries, the retrograde Mercury in Leo means more frustrating periods for leaders in politics, show business, business leaders, reformers, money managers, builders and people in power in general.

Uranus becomes retrograde in sidereal Aries on August 29. For financial markets the retrograde transit of Uranus in Aries is significant (Aug 29 thru Jan 27, 2024) as world financial markets likely to exhibit unprecedented volatility. In addition, Places like United Kingdom and California are likely to make headline news.

Retrograde Venus

On July 23, Venus turned retrograde in sidereal Leo. With her retrograde motion she returns to Cancer on August 7. Then on September 4, she becomes direct.  Venus becomes retrograde about once every 19 months, and stays retrograde for about six weeks.

In general, a retrograde Venus in Leo (a sign ruled by Sun) means a very challenging period for women in leadership and entrepreneurial role, marriages (committed as well as not committed), home life, lovers, artists, actors and people connected with entertainment industries. I wouldn’t be surprised the ongoing strike of actors, screen writers, producers and directors continues through the retrograde Venus period.

Typically during the Venus retrograde period, expect the divorce rates to peak, fighting between spouses to intensify, and delays, frustrations, and misunderstandings to take a center-stage in domestic matters. Leo being the fire sign (leaders, fighters, politicians, etc.,) the retrograde Venus in Leo means challenges for leaders, politicians, administrators, actors and people who influence the societies.

When the retrograde Venus transits through Cancer (a water sign) social reformers, health care providers, care givers, charity organizations, mothers with babies, pregnant women are likely to be challenged.

If you have a dominating Venus in your birth chart and if Venus is active via your transit chart then you are more likely to experience the effects of the retrograde Venus during August 8 – September 4.

Retrograde Mercury (Aug 24 – Sept 16) 

On August 24, the planet Mercury becomes retrograde in sidereal Leo. It will stay retrograde in Leo all the time until it becomes direct on September 16.

Typically retrograde Mercury means anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, missing deadlines, unforeseen obstacles and disappointment in daily chores.

Retrograde Mercury in Leo means more frustrating periods for leaders in politics, show business, business leaders, reformers, money managers, builders and people in power in general. This is not a good time to start a new project or venture, but rather reflect on what’s been done so far. Also, this is the best time to cleanup that closet and do other chores that you have been postponing due to lack of time. 

In addition, if you have dominating Mercury in your birth chart and if Mercury is currently as your active planet, then you are more likely to experience pronounced effects of retrograde Mercury during this period with respect to matters signified by the house it’s currently transiting through in your Gochar (transit) chart.  However, for those who have Cancer, Taurus, Pisces, Capricorn, Scorpio or Libra as their ninefold ascendant are least likely to be affected during this period.

Pluto-Lunar nodes (Rahu and Ketu) Squares

The Capricorn Pluto continues to make squares with the Aries Rahu (and the Libra Ketu) within a degree (presently right on) that lasts through September 2.  It’s still a long one month ordeal.  From the material destruction as well as painful material life experiences standpoint, the Capricorn Pluto’s energy gets several fold magnified when it gets in the vicinity of the square aspect with the equally explosive and tremendously karmic north lunar node Rahu.

As a result, collectively, the Ukraine-Russia war is likely to enter into a phase where both sides will likely to endure severe human casualties as well as destruction of material wealth.  With the continued Neptune’s transit in Pisces, and Neptune turning retrograde on July 1, Russia will likely to go through an incredible change with internal power and political struggle with Putin continue to lose his grip on Russia as an autocrat. Ukraine is likely to continue gain grounds despite human casualties and destruction.

For the United States, for politicians, reporters and media industry personnel, this is the period of turbulence and turmoil. Especially for the republicans and the Republican Party, July and August may prove to be very trying and difficult.

For religions, the Pluto-Rahu square spells a big change.  It’s a period of pain, yet it’s a great opportunity for transformation.

On an individual level, if you have Pluto and the lunar nodes oppositions, square, quincunxes or conjunctions in your natal chart and they are placed in unfavorable houses in the natal chart, you are more likely to feel this intensive energy of material destruction and/or psychological and emotional breakdown during July and August. If you have this unfavorable aspect in your natal chart, you are very likely to experience-“Why me? Or why it’s happening to me?” the questions that have no logical answers. However, if you endure this difficult period with grin this may prove to be a blessing in disguise as the energy of the square aspect help you transform to new level of understanding your own life bringing you closer to the center of stability.

Retrograde Saturn in sidereal Aquarius

On June 18 Saturn turned retrograde in sidereal Aquarius and will continue to be retrograde till November 4. The retrograde Saturn means it’s time to slow down and pause and take a stock of or reflect on what has been going on in life in general.

Aquarius being the air (intelligence) and fixed (perseverance) sign, Saturn’s energy will likely be strongly reflected in the scientific research that deal with information technology (Artificial Intelligence) helping  us collectively to bring us together at a phenomenal rate leading to a new level of understanding of this world as a part of the process of our spiritual growth.

Thus, philanthropists, social reformers, philosophers, scientists, spiritual leaders (not religious leaders) and peace-makers will shape our world with better clarity and purpose.

On the downside, some of the prominent social media, news media and internet related companies likely to go under and replaced with new companies as a part of Saturn/Pluto’s transformation process.

Those who have Saturn in Aquarius (Saturn return) in their natal charts have already been experiencing  retrograde Saturn’s energy as their lives get transformed to a new settings due to a drastic change (mostly) at mental and psychological levels. In my opinion, despite a painful period of frustration due to unexpected drastic changes in life, it’s going to be an exciting period for those who have dominant Saturn in their birth chart and have Aries, Taurus, Virgo and Sagittarius as their natal ninefold (Navamansha) ascendant. 

Neptune’s transit in sidereal Pisces

After being retrograde, Neptune returned to Pisces on February 15, 2023 and continues to transit through Pisces for the following 13 years (till mid 2036). Neptune being the spiritual planets of our solar system that deal more with heart than mind, it will certainly affect the matters related to Pisces in a significant way. 

Pisces being a water and mutable sign ruled by Jupiter some of its significant characteristics are: Divine, fruitful, fertile, emotional, honest, outspoken, religious, spiritual, nonviolent, polite, modest, moody, affectionate, hermit, psychic, water, compassion, love, heart connection, non-verbal communication and introvert. These qualities complement very well with qualities of Neptune that include: spiritual, intuitive, divine, psychic, magical, highly emotional, moody, clairvoyant, inspiration, imaginative, love, compassionate and mystical. 

As a result, a subtle and slow change in our collective moral and spiritual perceptions is certainly going to be manifested in the way we never experienced before. This era (next 13 years) will be remembered as the period of spiritual inspiration and transformation. Interestingly, this era also complements well with the era of Pluto’s transit in sidereal Capricorn (a sign ruled by spiritual Saturn) that runs in parallel during the same time. The way we have been used to deal with religions will no longer be our norms.  Our moral codes will be greatly influenced by our collective spiritual experiences. And in that sense a subtle but most effective transformation of world morality during this unique era of the next 13 years is likely to take us to a level where the norms solely based on spiritual experiences will dictate and guide our lives with new level of understanding.  

Pisces, being the sign for poets, musicians, singers, monks, religious leaders, spiritual leaders, nurses, nuns, social workers, caregivers, saints, psychics, actors, sailors and ship captains, these respective fields will go through significant transformations. And these transformations will be reflected in the new norms of morality and ethics, expansion of our collective psychic abilities and mystical experiences keeping in line with steady progress in our ability to directly perceive truth. Also, creativity in areas of music will likely complement our spiritual progress. 

In scientific and technological areas, a lot of drastic changes and emerging new ideas coupled with mystical experiences will find their way into innovations and discoveries.  However, it will be the first time the scientific and technological research will be more focused in areas that will bridge the gap between the science and morality. The likely areas of research will be in spiritual healing, and life-force related activities, looking for ways to tap new sources of energy without disturbing global climate (recent news about the possibility of harnessing energy from nuclear fission and minimizing the usage of fossil fuels will very likely be materialized in next 13 years). The return to the holistic and Ayurvedic practices and alternate medicines are also very likely. The availability of inexpensive generic drugs for those who cannot afford the expensive brand name drugs is becoming reality. A new wave of philosophers and philanthropist with their new perspectives on living, in general, will certainly transform our world in next 13 years with a new level of understanding of life.

On the downside, the religious leaders and social reformers may tend to form cults and spread cult like activities, rise in organized religion scandals, deceptive activities under the disguise of promise of spiritual experiences are likely to be on rise in certain parts of the world.  The scandals of the secretive collaboration between the medical doctors and pharmaceutical industries will continue to be exposed.  The increase usage of mind altering drugs, disregard for social and to some extent moral responsibility, rise in mental disorders, and losing the touch with reality are some of the likely symptoms of the negative side of Neptune. One of the prominent fall-outs of the Piscean Neptune will be a significant decline of authoritarian regime’s influence around the world.  Russia, China and other authoritarian regimes will continue to lose their hold as they face the forces of our collective spiritual transformation.

On individual level for those who have water sign (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces) as their ascendant in their natal ninefold (Navamansh) chart should get ready for a brand new and long lasting (13 years) cycle of change, especially a very pronounced cycle for those who have Neptune as a dominant planet in their birth charts. The changes that might occur would be very subtle and would deal with new or renewed interest in spirituality, openness, psychic abilities to perceive truth, divine experiences, transformed perceptions and beliefs, and the way of living.  

Russian-Ukraine war and senseless killings

The intensity of Russian-Ukraine war has been gaining momentum at a remarkable speed with both sides incurring severe human tolls and destruction of wealth. The war continues with Ukraine gaining more ground. Going forward, Putin is likely to be consumed by the dealing with the uprising in Russia. Until the Russian president Putin loses his grip and becomes powerless this war is not going to end and so will be killings of innocent civilians.

President Biden’s challenges in August

For President Biden, August looks to be a month where he will be forced into challenging situations, and the outcome will depend on how carefully and successfully he overcomes those challenges.

As for this month, with Saturn’s major and intermediate cycles and Ketu’s sub-cycle, the planets that fall in the constellations ruled by Saturn and Ketu become active, and they are: Pluto, Venus, Sun, Moon and Rahu.

Presently the transiting Pluto is going to be in the 4^thhouse, and in the 5^th house of his ninefold transit chart. Despite being nonstop challenged by his adversaries, he still will slowly (at much slower pace since Pluto turned retrograde on May 2) continue to pave his way by figuring out the political solutions and effectively govern the country.

As for Venus, the first week of the month is going to be favorable for him both from personal and professional standpoint.  However, after August 7, he will be faced with difficulties, political hurdles resulting in a painful and stressful environment around him.

From the Sun’s energy point of view, he will continue to enjoy his political career in the form of accomplishments and prestige. Although his popularity remains stagnant at a low level, it will slowly begin to creep up.

However, the energy of Rahu may become important for him for this month.  He will likely to be dealing with orthodox and old acquaintances, and unless he is careful and aware, he may end up with situations of misplaced priorities for his political agenda.

Thus, in summary, August looks to be a month where he will be push into challenging situations, and the outcome will depend on how carefully and successfully he overcomes those challenges.

Global Insights……..

The important challenging planetary configurations for August include:  Neptune-Mars (Aug 21-23) opposition; Rahu-Mars (Aug 23-24) and Saturn-Mars (Aug 31 – Sept 2) quincunxes; Pluto-Rahu/Ketu (July 1 – Sept 2) squares and Saturn-Jupiter (Aug 12-15) ninefold square.

The energy of the Neptune-Mars (Aug 21-23) opposition may become responsible for rise in covert activities. China and Russia are likely to experience some very drastic changes in their domestic as well as international policies, and those changes will influence the psyche of those nations at a deeper level.

The consequence of the Rahu-Mars (Aug 23-24) quincunx energy may be reflected in both natural and man-made calamities causing destruction and loss of lives, and perhaps a painful experience for an international level political leader.

The energy of the Saturn-Mars (Aug 31 – Sept 2) quincunx may be displayed through violence in the Middle-East, especially in Israel-Palestine region. A short term but intensive friction between India and Pakistan is likely during this period. Also, strong occurrences of both natural and man-made calamities cannot be ruled out.

The energy of the Pluto-Rahu/Ketu (July 1 – Sept 2) squares may become responsible for a new wave of renewed violence between Israel and Palestinians, as well as outbreak of violence around the world causing instability during this period is a real possibility.

The manifestation of the energy of Saturn-Jupiter (Aug 12-15) ninefold square maybe reflected in challenges for world religious leaders.  More controversies that test traditional moral values are likely to occur, and in general, religious authorities will have difficulty in keeping people happy.

The important auspicious planetary configurations for August include Saturn-Rahu (July 1 – Aug 23) and Pluto-Jupiter (Aug 15-24) ninefold trines; and Neptune-Jupiter (Aug 2-7) ninefold sextile.

The manifestation of the energy of the Saturn-Rahu (July 1 – Aug 23) ninefold trine maybe reflected in a possible breakthrough (a remote possibility) for Ukraine-Russia war.  A good period for world economy, especially for Europe and South Africa is likely. Also, this is a good time for collective spiritual growth, technological discoveries and inventions. 

The energy of the Pluto-Jupiter (Aug 15-24) ninefold trine is likely to become responsible for significant changes in religious, academic and to some extent social fields.  Initial reaction to these changes might appear to be a bit confusing and perhaps chaotic, but a majority of us are going to embrace this new wave of change.

The energy of the Neptune-Jupiter (Aug 2-7) ninefold sextile deals with positive changes that religious, academic, and social fields are likely to enjoy.

The countries that are more likely to be affected during this month are:  Ukraine, Russia, China, the United States, the Middle East Region, India-Pakistan, and Europe.

Natural and Man-made Calamities……..

The natural calamities like extreme weather conditions, wildfires, hurricanes, heavy rains, snow storms, air crashes as well as manmade accidents are likely to occur almost through the entire month, more specifically, during Aug 12-17 and 21-24.

Earthquakes:Based on a new Earthquake prediction model (the work is still in progress), the earthquake(s) of magnitude 6.9 or higher, if occur, are likely to occur on following dates and Times and possible locations: Earthquake Predictions 2023.  Please note that these hourly predictions refer to the Universal time (GMT).

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