Stellar Insights: August 21 - 27
Karma is a Cat
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.
As the week begins, we may find ourselves inspired to work on a relationship, seeing if there are ways that we can enhance its potential. One way to do so is by putting yourself in the other’s shoes to better see if you understand their motivations and what makes them tick. That said, it’s also important to have realistic goals and to not be overly idealistic about what is possible. A balance of optimism and realism can serve us well.
All week, we’re also invited to slow down, just like messenger Mercury is doing as it gets set to begin its retrograde cycle on Wednesday. It’s now the second personal planet doing an apparent backward jig (Venus being the other one). Reflecting this, moving leisurely and taking time for re-consideration can be of benefit.
It’s not a time to be fast and furious in pushing forward. Rather, follow the encouragement to turn back to see what treasures reside in the past. Remember that retrograde planets aren’t bad nor do they necessarily impart a time of strife and struggle. If we can focus on relating to our relationships and values (Venus) as well as how we can go about discerning more understanding and sharing it (Mercury) in a style different than the ones that are our usual go-to’s, we may find this to be a period filled with deeply meaningful insights (for timing context, Venus goes direct on September 3 and Mercury on September 15.) For more on this Mercury Retrograde, including some sign-by-sign reflections, see this article on Well + Good to which I contributed.
The other reason for the encouragement to go slow this week is related to this weekend’s Sun/Saturn Opposition. While a quick pace could seem productive in the short term, it could weaken long-term foundations and have consequences down the road we would have rather have avoided. A reverence for rules and an acknowledgement of trusted authorities could work in our favor.
With Saturn being the planet of reap-what-you-sow, if we’ve skipped steps in the past, we may find ourselves greeting some repercussions. If this is the case, honor Saturn by taking the mantle of accountability, attending to doing what’s necessary. If it at the moment it feels limiting, just know that important foundational lessons are being seeded that can help bring you more sustainable growth in the future. In addition, it’s a time when we may look to the past and see how endurance, commitment, loyalty, and our ability to “do the work” has shaped us into who we are, forging our strength and capacity.
When I think of Saturn I often think of karma, which now given my step-daughter’s newfound adoration of Taylor Swift has me think of Karma, the song she sings with Ice Spice. While my favorite line is karma is a cat, purring in my lap 'cause it loves me, it feels like the following lines from the song could end up being a rallying cry for some of us this week:
Ask me what I learned from all those years
Ask me what I earned from all those tears
Ask me why so many fade, but I'm still here
(Check out the video here, which at the 1:55 mark actually features an image of Saturn.)
That said, while this weekend brings an infusion of Saturnian principles, we’ll also be in the swell of shake-it-up energy, given that Uranus will shift retrograde next Monday (August 28). As such, 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.
Also, not to forget: on Wednesday, the Sun moves from Leo to Virgo, where it will be for the next month. We can take what we learned about harnessing our unique creative spark over the past weeks and dedicate ourselves to crafting forms that are embedded with functional beauty. During Virgo season, we’re attuned to the details and to seeing things through a systematic lens. Additionally, we can connect with the ground and feel into the inspiration of nature. Follow the encouragement to discern what’s important: separate the proverbial chaff from the proverbial wheat, distilling the essence of what matters most in the moment.
Wishing you a lovely week!
xxStephanie
Astrological Highlights
August 22: Venus/Jupiter Square; Mars/Neptune Opposition
August 23: Sun enters Virgo; Mercury Retrograde Begins
August 24: Mars/Pluto Trine
August 27: Sun/Saturn Opposition; Mars enters Libra
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.