RUNE OF THE MONTH:Teiwaz. Passion is a powerful emotion.

RUNE OF THE MONTH: Teiwaz. Passion is a powerful emotion. It comes from our commitment to an idea, to a feeling. It involves all of us: our body, our mind, our heart and our spirit. There is not lukewarm passion. Passion is intense, total. It is our throwing ourselves into what we believe in and walking our talk without any fear. There is a sense of boundlessness in passion, a sense of strong desire, compelling enthusiasm and ardent love. Let us this month believe in ourselves and stand like warriors behind our truth. ************************

Uranus remains retrograde this whole month. Its shadow period will remain until April 3, 2014.

The degrees is travels this month 12º26'-11º46' Aries are represented in the Sabian Symbols by: "An unexploded bomb reveals an unsuccessful social protest" and "A triangularly shaped flight of geese". As the masses are awakening to the illusions we thought were reality, much social unrest occurs, leading to changes. Even if all the efforts to overturn the old paradigms are not yet successful, the general consensus of wanting a better, more honest life is rampant throughout the whole of society. Returning to Nature and our instincts free us from mirrors and smoke screens.

Neptune remains retrograde this whole month until November 13.

The shadow period (period of time until it reaches the exact same degree it started its retrogration on) extends until March 4, 2014. The degrees it travels in August (4º39'-3º51' Pisces) are represented in the Sabian Symbols by "A church bazaar" and "Heavy car traffic on a narrow isthmus linking two seashore resorts". A month of connecting the dots through intense communication with others. The more we share our insights, the greater our vision of truth develops. Because we are interrelated, the consciousness of one affects all. As we support one another, major shifts take place, allowing new pathways to be developed.

Pluto continues being retrograde this whole month until September 20.

The shadow period will last until January 2014. This month, it travels from 9º34' to 905' Capricorn. This degree is symbolized in the Sabian Symbols by the following image: "An albatross feeding from the hand of a sailor". Albatross is the bird which symbolically helps us find new ways out of chaos. It has tremendous resilience and is associated with independence, stamina, and faith. This degree is a very hopeful one, showing that the calmer we stay, the more open-minded we are, the easier it will be to ride the changes with grace. The power is within us. As we connect to higher realms and know that we are not alone in this major transition humanity is going through, we shall be free from all that is not real. ************************

The Moon will be Void of Course

(V/O –forming no major aspect with any planet before entering the following sign-):

• From Thursday 8/1 at 9:48 AM till Friday 8/2 at 9:30 PM: when the Moon enters Cancer.
• From Sunday 8/4 at 11:49 PM till Monday 8/5 at 9:58 AM: when the Moon enters Leo.
• From Tuesday 8/6 at 2:51 PM till Wednesday 8/7 at 8:57 PM: when the Moon enters Virgo.
• From Friday 8/9 at 3:05 PM till Saturday 8/10 at 6:08 AM: when the Moon enters Libra.
• From Sunday 8/11 at 6:29 PM till Monday 8/12 1:18 PM: when the Moon enters Scorpio
• On Wednesday 8/14 between 2:30 PM and 6:04 PM: when the Moon enters Sagittarius.
• On Friday 8/16 between 10:32 AM and 8:25 PM: when the Moon enters Capricorn.
• On Sunday 8/18 between 11:26 AM and 9:07 PM: when the Moon enters Aquarius.
• On Tuesday 8/20 between 6:45 PM and 9:43 PM: when the Moon enters Pisces.
• From Thursday 8/22 at 6:38 PM till Friday 8/23 at 9:13 AM: when the Moon enters Aries.
• On Sunday 8/25 between 3:01 AM and 6:13 AM: when the Moon enters Taurus.
• On Tuesday 8/27 between 3:58 PM and 4:08 PM: when the Moon enters Gemini.
• From Wednesday 8/28 at 9:44 PM till Friday 8/30 at 4:33 AM (Thursday 8/29, the Moon is V/C all day): when the Moon enters Cancer.
• From Saturday 8/31 at 5:06 PM till Sunday 9/1 at 5:01 PM: when the Moon enters Leo.

Mark these periods in red in your calendar and avoid scheduling anything of importance during these times as they would amount to… Nothing! ************************

Scheduling our activities using the zodiacal position of the Moon

Moon in Gemini until Friday 8/2 at 9:29 PM + between Tuesday 8/27 at 4:08 PM and Friday 8/30 at 4:32 AM:

Excellent for multi-tasking, curiosity, any form of communication, exchanging information, sending e-mails, calling friends and acquaintances. Great also for social activities, attending conferences, reading a book, watching a documentary, gathering data on various topics, connecting with new people….

Moon in Cancer between Friday 8/2 at 9:30 PM and Monday 8/5 at 9:57 AM + between Friday 8/30 at 4:33 AM and Sunday 8/1 at 5:00 PM:

Perfect for family activities, especially those involving children. Good for spending more time at home, cooking, nurturing ourselves and those we love, inviting the people we cherish over for dinner. Excellent also for drawing, creative writing, humor and anything requiring imagination and a touch of craziness….

Moon in Leo between Monday 8/5 at 9:58 AM and Wednesday 8/7 at 8:56 PM:

Excellent for anything glamorous, dramatic performances, being in the public's eye, throwing or attending an elegant party, playing with children, romance and creativity in general…

Moon in Virgo between Wednesday 8/7 at 8:57 PM and Saturday 8/10 at 6:07 AM:

Excellent for starting a new fitness program, learning, healthy nutrition, fasting, clearing our closets, cleaning our home, reorganizing our drawers…. Perfect also for detailed work, the focused use of our intelligence, and taking care of small pets….

Moon in Libra between Saturday 8/10 at 6:08 AM and Monday 8/12 at 1:17 PM:

Great for relationships, associations, diplomatic exchanges with others, anything related to beauty (a haircut, buying new clothes, a make-over…), art (especially painting and decorating…), a pleasant social event (concert, art exhibition…).

Moon in Scorpio between Monday 8/12 at 1:18 PM and Wednesday 8/14 at 6:03 PM:

Perfect for scientific research, esoteric studies, self-transformation, shamanism, dealing with the mysteries of life, death, and sexuality, as well as insurances and issues involving personal power.

Moon in Sagittarius between Wednesday 8/14 at 6:04 PM and Friday 8/16 at 8:24 PM:

Perfect for traveling, religious and/or philosophical activities or matters related to higher education and the law. Excellent for lecturing, learning, perfecting a foreign language, exploring other cultures… Perfect also for athletic training and tending to large animals (horses….)

Moon in Capricorn between Friday 8/16 at 8:25 PM and Sunday 8/18 at 9:06 PM:

Good for furthering our ambitions, asking for a promotion, enlisting the support of people in positions of authority, making a good impression, re-structuring our business and redefining our long-term goals…

Moon in Aquarius between Sunday 8/18 at 9:07 PM and Tuesday 8/20 at 9:42 PM:

Perfect for philanthropic activities, charitable organizations, meeting with friends, making new acquaintances. Good also for inventions, far out, progressive ideas, inter-dimensional and time travel, anything related to UFOs, computers and technology in general….

Moon in Pisces between Tuesday 8/20 at 9:43 PM and Friday 8/23 at 0:12 AM:

Great for meditating, sitting by the ocean, anything related to the sacred, dancing, painting, swimming, dreaming, music, photography, film, sleeping, channeling, connecting with the mystical, the magic and the oneness of all that is…

Moon in Aries between Friday 8/23 at 0:13 AM and Sunday 8/25 at 6:12 AM:

Perfect for intense physical activities, anything requiring forceful, direct action and self-assertion. Good also for leadership, spontaneity, good will, being a way shower, initiating new projects or bringing our car to the mechanic….

Moon in Taurus between 8/25 at 6:13 AM and Tuesday 8/27 at 4:07 PM:

Perfect for any financial matter: paying our bills/debts, asking for the money that is owed to us, investing in real estate, buying and selling. Perfect also for a stroll in the park, going to the countryside, connecting with our Mother the Earth… Good also for gardening, pottery, sculpting, as well as bodywork… ************************

Our Intentional Meditation

Our intentional meditation started on July 22 with the Full Moon in Aquarius.

On the New Moon in Leo on 8/6, take out your blank full moon charged papers and write on each a concise, positive intention. Place them on a balcony, in a garden or near a window so that they are out at exactly 2:51 PM (you can put them out up to several hours prior to that time). Once that moment has passed (even if several hours later, or the next morning), staple them together and put them away in a folder expecting the manifestation of all your dreams… On Tuesday 8/20, place as many blank sheets as you will have intentions out to be charged by the Full Moon in Aquarius at exactly 6:45 PM. Once that moment has passed, put them away in a folder until the next New Moon in Virgo on Thursday September 5 at 4:36 AM. ************************

Friday 8/2: Venus Sextile Mars (1:35 PM)

A day of balance of the masculine and the feminine within and without. Differences are settled amicably. A sense of harmony pervades our social encounters. We feel emotionally supported.

Sunday 8/4: Sun Trine Uranus (8:05 AM)

We may seek more independence than usual today. A friend we haven't heard from in a long time could reemerge, allowing us to measure our progress. Social activities are exciting and stimulating.

Wednesday 8/7: Jupiter Opposition Pluto (4:34 PM)

People in positions of authority could be more difficult than expected. Best to compromise and cooperate in a way that allows us to remain true to our beliefs. Words may not be as powerful as leading through example. A day when areas of indulgence may become highly visible, forcing us to re-evaluate our past and become clearer in our present. A trusting, optimistic outlook creates wonders today.

Thursday 8/8: Mercury enters Leo (5:13 AM till August 23 at 3:36 PM)

During the next 3 weeks, our self-expression is more dramatic than usual. Artistic activities are appealing. Great for actors, painters and lecturers. Our creativity is enhanced. So is our playfulness and our connections with children.

Sunday 8/11: Mercury Square Saturn (11:05 AM)

We could feel tired and somewhat depressed today. Social activities may be burdensome. Best to keep our opinions to ourselves and focus on work requiring attention to details.

Wednesday 8/14: Mercury Trine Uranus (7:11 PM)

Exciting social encounters could help us break our usual patterns and open new horizons. Unusual concepts are fascinating and a friend whom we haven't heard from in a while is likely to expose us to interesting ideas. Great for an unexpected trip that opens our mind to new possibilities.

Friday 8/16: Venus enters Libra (8:37 AM till Tuesday September 10 at 11:15 PM)

During the next 3 weeks, we seek harmony and balance in our relationships. If single, we could be more motivated to find a partner who matches us in body, heart, mind and spirit. We think with our hearts and feel with our minds. Our self-expression is more diplomatic than usual.

Wednesday 8/21: Jupiter Square Uranus (0:14 AM)

Anticipated changes may not happen in the way nor at the time expected. There may still be a few obstacles to our need for freedom. We can accelerate the shifts we seek by staying anchored in our serenity and trusting the process.

Thursday 8/22: Sun enters Virgo (4:02 PM till Sunday September 22 at 1:43 PM )

During the next month, we may feel the need to be more organized, attentive to details in our work, practical in our approach to life and grounded in our body. Exercise, nutrition and the general improvement of our health are highlighted.

Thursday 8/26: Venus Trine Jupiter (2:01 PM)

Our social activities prove pleasurable and exciting. Wonderful new people could walk into our life. Our focus on the silver lining of every cloud brings out the same positive attitude in others. If we are careful to maintain a healthy balance, financial matters are extremely beneficial. We feel happy for no special reason, expansive and in love with life.

Saturday 8/28: Venus Square Mars (6:32 AM)

Today, the intensity of our energy is best dealt with through competitive sports, throwing or attending a party. Let us avoid impulsive reactions. Staying calm and centered in the face of romantic frustrations or general difficulties helps us recreate balance and harmony.

Sunday 8/29: Mercury enters Scorpio (4:38AM till Wednesday Dec 4 at 6:41 PM)

During the next 3 months, our concentration intensifies and our thoughts and exchanges with others become deeper. We seek profound answers to our questions and are asked to dwell deeply into our subconscious. Science as well as the metaphysical are particularly appealing areas of interest.