Date Posted: July 31, 2018
For Sky-watchers: You are in for a huge treat of a spectacular planetary display in sky for the entire month of August. You can see all the visible planets (with naked eye) soon after the sunset (about half an hour or less). These include Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and Moon during two week period after the New-Moon (August 13-27). Mercury, being getting closer to Sun, may not be so easy to spot. Because planets are closer to earth compared to stars, they pop up first in the sky before the stars do. And planets do not twinkle while stars do.
Venus: Big, bright and beautiful Venus will be shining in the southwestern sky (northwestern sky for those who live in the Southern hemisphere) half way across the sky. It will be visible for at least next 5-6 weeks.
Jupiter: Not as big as Venus but bright and beautiful almost right above in the Southern sky (Northern sky for southern hemisphere habitants).
Saturn: Saturn being retrograde is closer to earth, and is easily visible with the naked eye in the southeastern sky (northeastern sky for southern hemisphere residents) approximately halfway across towards east.
Mars: Being retrograde and closest to the earth you won’t miss this bright-red planet rising in the east (probably about 10-20 degree angle from the horizon).
Enjoy this spectacular imagery, a wonderful gift from nature!
Retrograde Mercury (July 26 – Aug 19)
On July 26, the planet Mercury turned retrograde in sidereal Cancer. It will stay retrograde in Cancer until August 19. Typically retrograde Mercury means anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, missing deadlines, unforeseen obstacles and disappointment in daily chores. Retrograde Mercury in Cancer means more frustrating periods for nursing mothers, psychologists, reformers and people who work in hospitals. This is the time not 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. It’s also very emotional time that may turn into a very depressing period for those who have Mercury in Cancer and currently as an operating planet.
In addition, if you have dominating Mercury in your birth chart and if Mercury is currently your operating planet, then you are more likely to experience the pronounced effects of retrograde Mercury during this period with respect to matters signified by the house it’s currently transiting through in your progressive chart.
About President Donald Trump and his challenges……
President Trump’s operating planets (the planets that presently influence him most) for August continue to be Saturn and Venus. In addition, Mercury will be his operating planet till November 25, 2018.
During August, the retrograde Saturn will be in sidereal Sagittarius, the seventh house of his progressive chart, and it will be in the 1st house of his ninefold progressive chart for the month. Venus will be in sidereal Virgo (the 4th house of his progressive chart), and Cancer Mercury will be in the 2nd house of his progressive chart.
From Dasa standpoint, Saturn is unfavorable (being in the seventh house of his progressive chart and in the first house of his ninefold progressive chart) for him. Therefore, Mr. trump will likely to continue to cause a lot of stir by exhibiting immature and senseless behavior in dealing with his friends and adversaries alike. He might even get involved in direct confrontations with people that include not only his adversaries but also his cabinet members, family members and friends.
The manifestation of the 4th house resident transiting Venus will be reflected in a favorable period for him from his showmanship standpoint.
The transiting Mercury in the 2nd house of his progressive charge is good for him from his financial gains point of view, but it can become responsible for (especially till August 19 due to its retrograde motion) possible humiliation, delays and disappointments and political insecurity.
Thus, during August, both the transit of Saturn and the ninefold Saturn are unfavorable, especially the ninefold Saturn ( being in the first house of his progressive chart). While Venus is favorable for him from his showmanship standpoint, the transiting Saturn spells a troubling period from legality and insecurity standpoint, resulting in for yet another extremely challenging, trying and eventful month for him to deal with the ongoing Russia probe, immigration, women, suspicious and insecure people around him and for advancing his political agenda.
Transit of Mars in sidereal Capricorn…….
One of the important astrological events of 2018 is the transit of Mars in the sidereal Capricorn. Mars enters the sidereal Capricorn on May 2, 2018 and it stays in Capricorn for more than six months till November 6, 2018. During that stay in Capricorn, Mars turns retrograde on June 27 and then it becomes direct on August 28.
Mars is the planet of action, energy and strength, and it becomes exalted in Capricorn. Capricorn being the earth and cardinal sign, it’s the perfect sign for Mars to explode (cardinal being the lead sign) with a tremendous strength. And the manifestation of that energy will be reflected in the material world (earth sign) with tremendous ups and downs (ups during its direct motion and downs during its retrograde motion) that will be intensely experienced by the entire world, especially by the military personnel (Mars being the fire sign with tremendous energy and strength), sportsmen, warriors, fighters, commanders, leaders and people in power in almost every field (especially in politics and business). Also, Capricorn being the earth sign, the sign of accumulation of material wealth, the transit of Mars through Capricorn means volatility in the financial markets.
During May 2 – June 27, we are likely to enjoy the positive energy of Mars as it begins its journey through Capricorn. But then during June 27 through August 28, we are likely to feel the negative energy of the retrograde Mars as the ride starts becoming painful and frustrating. Thus, during June 27-August 28, a possibility of war, violence, destruction of material wealth due to natural as well as man-made calamities, social and political uproars, financial markets coming under tremendous pressure, political leaders and business executives feeling the pains are very real. After August 28 till November 6, we are likely to go through a slow period of recovery for at least few weeks before we regain the full speed of positive energy of Mars.
The intensity of negative energy of Capricorn Mars will be more apparent during its close square (with in three degrees) with Uranus (May 12-17; July 28 – Aug 4; Sept 15-20) and opposition with the lunar north node, Rahu (June 9-18; July 12-22; Sept 19-23).
While for those who have well placed Mars in their natal charts are likely to do well during this transit of Mars, the others will feel unbearable pain and perhaps emotional breakdowns depending on the Mar’s placement in their natal charts.
Retrograde Saturn (April 18 – September 6)………
Saturn became retrograde on April 11 in sidereal Sagittarius, and is going to stay retrograde till September 6, 2018. For those who have a well placed Saturn in their birth charts and if Saturn’s period is currently in operation, then they are likely to continue to experience their positive period but at slower rate. Usually a better way to deal with retrograde Saturn is either put more energy in to whatever you do to work towards your goal or use this time to take pause in your outward activity and divert your energy more inward, such as reflecting on what you have been doing.
If Saturn is not placed in your natal chart, and it is currently active as an operating planet, then it’s better to lay low and not take any risk in starting a new activity or venture. In stead, focus on things that you have postponing due to lack of time, such as cleaning that closet, work around house or read a book you always wanted to read.
On the world scene, generally, the projects that deal with expansion are likely to either stay on hold or experience sluggish progress. In religious world, things are likely to move at frustratingly slow rate. In the political arena what may seem like progress will turn out to be a disaster.
Global Predictions……..
The important challenging planetary configurations for August include Rahu-Jupiter (Aug 11-15) ninefold opposition; Pluto-Neptune (July 13 – Aug 28), Pluto-Uranus (Aug 1- Sept 21) and Pluto-Saturn (Aug 16 – Sept 7) ninefold quincunxes; Uranus-Mars (July 28 – Aug 4) square.
The Rahu-Jupiter (Aug 11-15) ninefold opposition means: While this opposition is likely to temporarily favor orthodox and ultra conservative religious authorities, it also is going to sow seed of self destruction for those authorities. Some sort of religious upheaval or conflict is likely to surface during this period. Also, it may become responsible in slowing down social progress, humanitarian efforts, and charity work. The morality, in general, is likely to take a backseat and religious scandals may come to the surface during this period.
The manifestation of the Pluto-Neptune (July 13 – Aug 28) ninefold quincunx may be reflected in a fresh outbreak of violence and terrorist activities in Middle east. Also, the occurrences of natural as well as man-made calamities are more likely. Some of the east-European countries, Russia, and China may experience political as well as social turmoil.
The Pluto-Uranus (Aug 1- Sept 21) ninefold quincunx may become responsible for a unique change in the way the current US administration deals with other nations with respect to its international trade and terrorism agenda, and also with its domestic matters. There will be a transformation of a political strategy that might become responsible of a change in the current political agenda, and foreign policy matters of the Trump administration as the planet Pluto with its tremendous energy has a power of irreversibly transforming the field of politics to a new level or setting with a new set of norms. Expect some serious issues that the Trump administration could get tangled with.
The Pluto-Saturn (Aug 16 – Sept 7) ninefold quincunx may become a cause for an outbreak of violence and terrorist activities in Middle-East, a strong possibility of natural as well as man-made calamities, and to some extent, war-like climate in some part of the world. Tension between Israelis and Palestinians will remain unabated. Some of the eastern-European countries, Russia, and China may experience political as well as social turmoil.
The Uranus-Mars (July 28 – Aug 4) square may become responsible for a sudden outbreak of an undesirable happening and strong possibilities of both natural and man-made calamities.
The important auspicious planetary configuration for August include Uranus-Saturn (Aug 1 – Sept 21) and Neptune-Jupiter (Aug 10-24) trines and Neptune-Uranus (July 25 – Aug 25) ninefold sextile.
The Uranus-Saturn (Aug 1 – Sept 21) trine may become responsible for a wonderful period for religious activities all around the world. Also, this is a great time for the USA to make some extraordinary progress in enhancing her image both internationally and domestically.
The Neptune-Jupiter (Aug 10-24) trine means religious, academic, and social fields are very likely to enjoy new and positive changes occurring in their respective field.
The manifestation of the Neptune-Uranus (July 25 – Aug 25) ninefold sextile maybe reflected in an extraordinary time for collective spiritual growth, technological discoveries and inventions. Expect some new important technological breakthroughs during this period. For the United States, in general, it’s going to be a remarkable and very successful period.
The countries that are more likely to be affected during this month are: the Middle East (Syria, Iraq, Iran and Palestine-Israel regions), USA, Russia, China, North and South Korea 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 man made accidents are more likely to occur during August 16-31.
Earthquakes: Based on the Earthquake prediction model III the earthquake(s) of magnitude 7 or higher, if occur, are likely to occur on August 13, 16-17, 19-22, 25. Please note that these dates refer to the Universal time (GMT). For your convenience, the earthquake predictions for the entire year 2017 are provided at Earthquake Predictions 2018. 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