What's in the sky this month? By now you must have seen the glittering light of Mars in the evening sky, drawing nearer than it's been in thousands of years. On August 27, it reaches perigree, its closest approach to earth; on August 30 it reaches perihelion, its closest approach to the Sun. Let its presence be a transmission. Given this Mars is in Pisces, it brings a compassionate teaching, even as it erupts and disrupts through its conjunction to volatile Uranus. While some may be flailing around you, gather your clarity and allow the visible planet to enter you wordlessly. Ride its chaotic energy. Mars is retrograde until September 27. This suggests a necessary gentling of any forward or aggressive urges throughout the month. Follow your intuition to be patient and receptive. Remain calm in the face of setbacks and surprises. Know that what you want will come in its proper time. In the meantime, enjoy the brilliance of the sign.

There is a moment in every fairy tale when the hero sees what no one else has seen. In The Twelve Dancing Princesses, after the suitor only pretends to drink the wine that would send him to oblivion, he wraps himself in a cloak of invisibility and follows the princesses to their midnight rendezvous. He alone discovers how they are trapped, dancing under a wicked spell. And because of what he's seen, he will soon be made a king. This Virgo New Moon brings just such a moment, its promise confirmed by the sabian symbol: "A man becoming aware of nature spirits and normally unseen spiritual agencies; the opening of new levels of consciousness."

The planets are poised for an opening. Hours before the New Moon, Jupiter will have just entered Virgo, opposing Mars and Uranus. On the day after the New Moon, Pluto stations direct; then Mercury stations retrograde. Shortly after that, Mars reaches perihelion, and a couple days later, the Sun squares the last solar eclipse degree. This is one of the busiest New Moons we've seen in quite some time. What does it all mean?

It means you should avoid the wine, keep a low profile, and open your eyes wide. You will learn the secret of what's been holding your world in suspended confusion - perhaps since late March, when Pluto last stationed retrograde. Subconscious obstacles may fall away. But don't act just yet. Mercury retrograde suggests you need further refinements. Keep going over your plans, retracing your steps, particularly in your Virgo house (where Mercury retrogrades for the next three weeks). Pluto and Mercury are unaspected in the New Moon chart; you'll have to work to bring their powers into your life. Don't avoid going forward if you need to, but allow for a necessarily bumpy ride; enjoy it even! Jupiter in Virgo will put you in a more discerning frame of mind, even as its opposition to Uranus brings exciting breakthroughs along the way.

Expect that at the end of this Moon cycle, you will have reached a new level. A great new kingdom will be yours.

© 2003 Dana Gerhardt
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