This is quite the month! So take out your natal chart and your ephemeris and read along.

Pluto stays at 26° Sagittarius for the entire period and will have covered only 26°-28° of this sign for all of 2007. This means that people with planets and important points in their natal chart will have found persistent pressure and/or opportunity for transformation and growth (often via destruction and release, apparent loss and then—don’t forget—definite return) via the places in your map that Pluto touches. Thus, if transiting Pluto is in aspect (always use a 1-1.5 transiting orb) to your Venus by trine or sextile, look for a regeneration of values as manifesting via personal relationships and/or (increasing) finances. If it is square or opposing this point, transformations in these same areas occur only through rather challenging circumstances.

Neptune remains between 19°-20° of Aquarius and will have only crossed through 18°-22° of this sign during 2007. Should these degrees be of importance to you, you already know that until last month, Neptune’s trident has pierced many people most unkindly. This was not due to its influence alone but for the fact that for most of 2007, it was in strong opposition to Saturn in and around these degrees, leading to a lot of befuddlement and struggle both personally and internationally. With the definite passing of Saturn out of this position, this “to be or not to be” opposition (often translated by those afflicted by it as: “What is IS anyway?”), is over. Should Neptune now be floating around in your life more propitiously at this time, you will be getting a wonderful expansion of understanding and a broadening of perspective. Well that is, unless it is opposing or square in which case watch out for unbridled idealism in the wrong places.

Uranus is retrograding from 17°-15° of Pisces, covering 14°-18° of this sign in 2007. It’s influence on important positions of your natal chart stimulates the unfolding of new possibilities for the planet or point it touches. If it conjoins your Ascendant for example, you will want a new environment that will give you more individualized opportunities to state who you are to life; expect powerful changes. If it transits in square or opposition to your Moon, look out for old emotional and instinctive patterns to erupt in your life and the need to change them for new ways of seeking and giving intimacy, protection, and nurturing.

Saturn enters Virgo on September 2nd , transiting 28° Leo to 2° Virgo during the period covered by this edition of the newsletter. Saturn likes Virgo as it provides a vast field of resources for structuring, refining, and solidifying the practical tools of life. Look for the natal house is will transit while in this sign as it will point to where a lot of advancement can be found if we have learned how to benefit from experiences. This transit will also show us where we may best use our acquired “tools of the trade” to best (or worst, if we lack discipline) advantage.

Jupiter is slowly coming out of retrograde and will be covering 10°-13° Sagittarius during this period. Jove of course loves his own sign (being who he is, doesn’t much care if you like it, but welcomes you anyway to join his party). Expansion (or exaggeration!) of the astrological principles it touches in your natal chart will occur. Aries and Leo (and Sagittarius!) Suns at these degrees for example, will be especially happy with experiential goodies on offer while Pisces, Virgo, and Gemini Suns at these degrees have to be careful that they do not get too much of a good thing.

Now let’s take a look at certain days in particular:

August 23rd Mars opposes Jupiter and on August 24th Mercury in Virgo joins them for a mutable T-Square. This is not the best day for the travel industry and may make the organization of details very challenging for one and all. Naturally as in all these commentaries about the transits, the more they touch your own horoscope with exactitude, the more personal will be these effects. This is very difficult for any form of international trade agreements, and educational organizations.

August 25th is when transiting Venus opposes transiting Neptune. False idealism and exaggerated romanticism dominates. A great day for going to the movies and listening to music and poetry (just don’t get too serious about the depth of its profundity). This is an aspect of “glamour” in the esoteric sense, meaning that the senses are ripe to be fooled.

August 28th—Total Eclipse of the Moon at 4° Pisces 46’. An eclipse is the end of one set of circumstances and cycles and the beginning of another. Use an orb of +/- 5° and note that the conjunctions and oppositions will have the strongest effects on your chart. The conjunction for example of this eclipse to your IC will often indicate a change in residence or at the very least a major shift of circumstances in your domestic life. It may also have a lot to do with what represents secure foundations for you and may offer you the opportunity to refine or redefine such conditions. Should the conjunction effect Venus in your 7th House (or fall in your 7th or connect strongly with the ruler of your 7th), a major shift will definitely take place in your relationships and/or manner of forming and attracting relationships. How this occurs and the details of such situations will of course require a more precise and personal assessment of the natal chart.

September 2nd Saturn enters Virgo (please see above for more details).

September 3rd Mars squares Uranus in the heavens that is exaggerated in its potential for upheaval the next day when at around Noon (GMT) the Moon joins in to create an even more potent square at 16° Gemini/Pisces. Can prove to be two days of sudden violence, especially in those parts of the world at the local time the Moon connect with this square. Combinations of Moon/Uranus/Mars difficulties always affect the collective consciousness of the masses (or individuals) with certain forms of sudden upsets. This 16th degree remains sensitive as on September 9th, the Sun comes to this point in Virgo opposing Uranus. On the global level, this could temporarily excite revolutionary, rebellious, and anti-social elements. Another potential day of violence in the world (although these days, almost any day of the week will do), is September 15th when the Sun squares Mars at 23° of Virgo/Gemini. What could be a positive personal use of Sun/Mars aspects? Apply oneself to the work at hand and give it your all (but take care not to intrude on other people’s territory in the process).

September 16th the Mars/Sun square is still in effect and is joined by a Finger of God (or Yod) configuration at 16°-17° of Leo/Libra (Venus sextile Mercury) and 16° Pisces (Uranus). This may not be the best day for communication in general as there are lots of opportunities for misunderstandings. September 17th-19th are much better for interpersonal dynamics as the sextile leaves the Yod to function on its own, followed by Mercury’s trine to Neptune. But the planets are back at it again at around 4PM (GMT) on September 20th when the Moon conjoins Pluto at 26° Sagittarius and squares the Sun at that degree in Virgo. Tempers may flash, deep moods will erupt, not the best time to try to reach an emotional agreement with one’s partner or lover.