by Lina Elisabeth Preston 4 min read

This could be a stormy month with three planets in gandanta on August 16th. We also have a transit of Venus with Rahu in Gemini which can manifest volatility.

Venus Enters Gemini

Venus has been transiting the sign of Taurus for over four months. This is a long time for Venus in one sign, whose usual transit through a sign is between three weeks and two months. The reason for Venus’s long stay in Taurus, was that Venus has been direct, retrograde, and then direct again in the same sign.

Venus will cross Rahu’s path during the transit in Gemini (August 1 - August 31). During the first week of August, both Venus and Rahu are very close to one another. The stabilizing earth quality of Taurus has now been exchanged with the volatile air quality of Rahu in Gemini. This situation will likely manifest turbulence in areas ruled by Venus; finances, prosperity, enjoyment and relationships. 

Rahu rules our desires for new experiences. Rahu is intense and can express hunger and cravings. Some people may be especially hungry for acceptance and love during this transit of Rahu and Venus.

Rahu also represents foreigners, and we may have a desire to connect with people in other cultures during this transit. In a normal year, this transit might produce air travel. With current restrictions we need to watch out for restlessness.

With Venus and Rahu in the sign ruling communication there is a desire to communicate love, art and beauty in new and innovative ways.

Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, moves into Cancer on August 2nd which also suggests creative communication, especially with family. However,  communication is restricted by Saturn's opposition to Mercury. 

Full Moon in Capricorn

Saturn’s opposition to Mercury is exact on August 3rd, the same day as the full moon. The moon is with Saturn and this can also be a time of strong sentiment and confrontation. The conjunction between Venus and Rahu is exact on August 4th.

Gandanta - a Time of Uncertainty and Change

Three planets will be in gandanta on the same day this month. On August 16th both Mercury and the Sun move across the cusp between Cancer and Leo. On the same day Mars will move from Pisces into Aries.

Where Water and Fire Meet

Gandanta occurs at the junction between a water sign and a fire sign. Water and fire are incompatible. The entwined energy of water and fire gives unstable energy and a sense of unpredictability.

Gand means knot and this is a knot that is hard to disentangle. There is karma that needs to be resolved and cleansed.

Mars is in the gandanta zone between August 13 - August 18. Mars in Gandanta reveals energy that is hard to control. When Mars is gandanta in Pisces, a water sign, we need to watch out for storms related to water, and when Mars is gandanta in Aries, a fire sign, we need to be on the alert for fires. 

Mars is Strong in Aries

After August 20th Mars will be comfortable and strong in his own sign Aries, where he expresses dynamic energy, courage and assertiveness. 

Mars takes initiative in this sign and this is a good time for new beginnings. It is good to do some form of physical exercise and fitness now since Mars will have plenty of energy.

Mars is direct in Aries until September 9th but he will retrograde back to Pisces on October 3rd. During his time in Aries he will transit the Ashwini nakshatra which relates to health and healing.

We are looking at a long stay for Mars in the signs of Pisces and Aries. Between October 3rd and December 23rd Mars is in Pisces. He comes back to Aries on December 23rd and stays until February 21st, 2021.

Because of his retrograde back into Pisces, Mars will be gandanta 3 times during this period. His exact gandanta is on August 16, October 3rd, and December 23rd.

All the Fire Signs are Powerful

Sun and Mercury both enter Leo on August 16th. There is a new moon in Leo on August 18.

We may see a big shift at this time. The Krishna Amavasya Moon (just before the new moon) and Sun/Mercury/Moon in the Magha nakshatra makes this a good time to pray for guidance and to honor our spiritual lineage. It is also good to honor our ancestors. Magha nakshatra is ruled by the Pitris, the fore-fathers of humanity whose mission is to guide their children to the right course of life.

Mars in Aries and the planets in Leo are aspected by Jupiter and Ketu in Sagittarius. This makes the fire signs very strong. The fire signs emphasize action and dharma. The Sun remains in Leo until September 16th.

After August 20th is a good time to set goals and new directions. The energy of the planets in the fire signs will support right action and help us follow through on our intentions.


Blessings,

Lina

 

Dates to Remember:

  • August 1 - 31   Venus in Gemini
  • August 1 - 17   Mercury in Cancer
  • August 3rd       Full Moon in Capricorn, Shravana nakshatra
  •                          Saturn Opposition Mercury
  • August 5th        Venus exact conjunction with Rahu
  • August 7 - 8       Venus passes the eclipse point from June  6’ Gemini 
  • August 15               Mars Gandanta in Pisces
  • August 16- 18         Mars Gandanta in Aries
  • Aug 16 - Sep 9   Mars is direct in Aries
  • Sep 9 - Oct 3      Mars is retrograde in Aries
  • Aug 15  Sun Gandanta in Cancer 
  • Aug 16  Sun Gandanta in Leo 
  • Aug 16  Mercury Gandanta  Cancer
  • Aug 17  Mercury Gandanta in Leo 
  • Aug 17  Sun/Mercury conjunction in Leo 
  • Aug 18  Krishna Amavasya Moon
  • Aug 18  New Moon in Leo  
  • Aug 18  Six planets in fire signs
  • Mars, Saturn R, Jupiter R, Sun in their own signs
Lina Elisabeth Preston
Lina Elisabeth Preston

Lina Elisabeth Preston has been doing astrological consultations for 20 years. She is a certified Jyotish Visharada and member and practitioner with the Council of Vedic Astrology. Lina also works with vedic gemstones. A long time meditator and disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, Lina lives with her husband Binay at Ananda Village, a spiritual community in Northern California. Lina and Binay founded their business Northern Lights in 1990.



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