August 28 - September 3
Full Moon Illumination + a Retrograde Ends (and Two More Begin)
Here are some insights about the opportunities and challenges that this week’s astrology may offer. May they help you make the most of this moment. Additionally, should you would ever like to see how the planetary movements are inspiring you, based upon your personal astrology chart, we can explore that in a Stellar Guidance Session.
We’ve got not one, not two, but three planets moving super slow this week, set to shift directions. This includes electric and eclectic Uranus (going retrograde Monday), relationship-revering Venus (ending its retrograde cycle on Sunday) and expansive Jupiter (which goes retrograde next Monday but whose concentrated effects we should begin feeling later this week).
Let’s take them one by one.
Uranus Retrograde Begins (August 28)
As I alluded to in the previous Stellar Insights, by the time this week rolls round, we were likely to already be in the well of Uranus’ shake-it-up energy. As I shared - “be open to surprising yourself and seeing how by shifting your gaze and orientation you’re able to perceive things that would otherwise not catch your attention.“ Strong Uranian moments offer us opportunities to both recognize patterns as well as to break them. We find ourselves encouraged to take detours from our go-to’s and see what else is possible when we’re not limited by rote approaches that may have been yoked to either shoulds, past conditioning, and/or societal conventionality. While freedom reigns, in the desire to access independence, we may witness (and/or experience) a burst of the innovative, revolutionary, and rebellious.
Given that this year the beginning of Uranus Retrograde occurs just after a Sun/Saturn Opposition (exact on August 27), we could find that the urge to access our individuality may stem from a deep-seated urge to live in integrity. And with this, we may further see, in bursts of Ahas!, what it means to truly do so.
Venus Retrograde Ends (September 3)
Just as the week begins with a planet shifting retrograde, it concludes with one ending its retrograde cycle. This would be Venus, which has been doing its backward jig in Leo since July 22. These past six weeks have likely brought their fair share of frustrations, notably if we’ve found ourselves unable to access the clarity needed to know if a relationship or venture would bring the value to our lives we desire. In these times, feeling at a standstill may have felt trying, even if we knew in our heart of hearts that this period was about reflection, re-evaluation, and re-assessment.
As we enter the last week of Venus Retrograde, survey what you’ve learned and understood in the realm of partnerships, money matters, and what you deem to be beautiful, pleasure, and embody value. Venus Retrograde, notably in Leo as it is, can be tricky and taxing. And yet, it can help us to embrace the unique being that we are and see ways that we need to fortify our strength and confidence so that we can more fully live through our hearts, being generative and generous in an unabashinghly courageous way.
As Venus begins to gain more speed after it goes direct on Sunday, we may find ourselves with a refined sense of what it is that will add more luster to our life and further discover the actions required to bring that into existence. Reflect back to this time eight years ago, and eight years before that, to see if there are any similar themes and/or realizations occurring. I note that because during those periods (and those eight years prior to them) Venus was also retrograde in Leo, getting set to complete its backwards review. All said, don’t be surprised if this weekend and early next week it seems like Venus is camped out, taking residence in your heart and mind, with themes of the feminine, seduction, richness, artistry, and beauty capturing our individual and collective attention.
Jupiter Retrograde Begins (September 4)
The emphasis on Venus may feel even more pronounced give that just the next day (September 4) make-it-bigger Jupiter shifts retrograde. As a lead up to that, this weekend everything may feel more enhanced, expansive, and louder. We may find ourselves with a desire to grow and discover the greater potential that our lives can have. While we may find ourselves adopting a glass-half-full orientation, it’s important to also be realistic about what is possible and when. More on Jupiter Retrograde next week.
Pisces Full Moon (August 30)
In the midst of all of these planetary direction shifts, we also have a Pisces Full Moon, which illumiantes the sky on Wednesday.
The Pisces Full Moon can be an auspicious time for healing. We have at our disposal the ability to connect to the body (via earthy Virgo, the sign in which the Sun resides) and our intuition (via sensitive Pisces, the sign in which the Moon resides). If your health has been less than abundant, or you’re just looking to feel even more vital, taking the time to focus on how to enhance your wellness during this Full Moon may prove very productive.
Use your discerning, critical eye (Virgo) to deduce how different physical and emotional factors may be combining to paint the current picture of your health. Then, sit quietly with these insights (Pisces), allowing conscious knowingness to emerge from a place deep within you and inform you on ways to proceed. The combination of Virgoan and Piscean energy can be a powerful elixir for our health as well as provide solutions to dis-ease in other areas of our life.
Be aware, though, that during a Pisces Full Moon, we may be pulled toward feelings of melancholy, to sensing whispers of sorrow caused by disillusionment. After all, both Virgo and Pisces yield a desire for perfection and idealism, and “reality” oftentimes doesn’t match up to how we desire life to be. It’s especially important during this celestial event to remember to practice compassion—for yourself and others—and to accept that even in imperfection, beauty and grace reside.
Wishing you a week of beauty and illumination!
xxStephanie
Astrological Highlights
August 28: Uranus Retrograde begins
August 30: Pisces Full Moon
September 3: Venus Retrograde ends
All days reflect Eastern Daylight Time (- 4 hours GMT)
Event: An Evening of Esoteric Arts (Seattle)
If you’re in the Seattle area, I’d love for you to join me at this magical and fun event that fruitsuper + Foundry Vineyards are hosting. It will feature aura photography by Create Within, elegant treasures from History + Industry, and a meet-and-greet with yours truly. Plus, as I’ve done before for events in this gorgeous space, I’ll be doing 20-minute personalized astrology (and this time, I’ll be incorporating insights from my oracle card deck).
The meet-and-greet will be 5:00 - 5:30 pm with the astrology + oracle card sessions scheduled for 5:40 - 9:00 pm. The sessions are 20 minutes and $60 (and anyone who has done them with me in the past can attest that we cover a lot of territory in that time). Schedule yours here.
Fruitsuper + Foundry Vineyards are located at 524 1st Avenue South in the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write me.