Worried about Long Count-ageddon in 2012? Why wait? That pesky galactic alignment doesn’t come close to doing what our own solar system dishes out during the summer of 2010. Four outer planets in cardinal signs – Saturn, Pluto, Uranus and Jupiter - form a long-term T-square that some astrologers are calling the Cardinal Cross. It’s repeatedly activated by the inner planets and the moon through the summer. This line-up isn’t favorable for love and abundance spells, but everyone will get plenty of practice with protection spells, psychic shields, and domestic peace spells.

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The month starts with Mars and Jupiter flinging spitwads at Pluto from both sides of the zodiac. Pluto in Capricorn, representing vested pillars of power (corporations, banks, government) are attacked from multiple directions. Venus enters Libra on the 6^th. Although ordinarily a peacenik and love bunny in her own sign, she’s immediately caught up in the Cardinal Cross slug-fest. Powerful women enact the war goddess aspect of Venus as she ascends in the evening sky.

The New Moon in Leo on the 9^th further energizes this combative Venus. Marriages, partnerships, and relationships are strained in early August, requiring extra effort to keep communications open and fracas-free. Uranus retrogrades back into Pisces on Friday the 13^th, making his final (and with Jupiter, emphatic) visit to this water sign.

Jupiter opposes Saturn on the 16^th, culminating the mutual cycle that began in May 2000. This opposition coincides with historic low points in economy, wars, and cultural clashes. The Moon reignites the Cardinal Cross again on the 19^th. Venus conjuncts Mars on the 20^th, again applying pressure to relationships of all flavors. Some may find wants, needs and desires radically evolving through the autumn months. Mercury retrogrades in Virgo on the 20^th, too. With the other planets out of Mercury’s line of sight, Mercury’s shenanigans are his own. Expect a flurry of last-minute adjustments in educational matters, paperwork, repairs and health concerns.

Saturn squares Pluto for the second time on the 21^st, exposing further cracks in societal foundations. This combo is a nasty customer, and natural disasters are possible along with man-made calamities. In tandem with Mercury retrograde, everything takes more time and effort to accomplish. Get a good head start on end-of-the-month deadlines. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd (Pacific) or 23^rd (Eastern) and lights up the Full Moon in Pisces on the 24^th. Virgo and Pisces offer peace and healing energies, and emphasize commonalities instead of differences. After a long, hard summer, this Full Moon shows where people can be kind to one another and to the planet.

August Highlights

August 3-4: Mars-Jupiter-Pluto T-square. Not recommended

August 6: Venus enters Libra

August 8: Venus conjunct Saturn; Moon in Leo sextile Venus/Saturn (evening). Stability in relationships, balancing emotions, protection spells for children - make “God’s Eyes”

August 9: New Moon in Leo. Venus-Jupiter-Pluto T-square. Not recommended

August 11: Moon conjunct Mercury (late afternoon) Mercury retrograde protection charm on tele-com and office equipment, and car charms

August 13: Uranus retrograde in Aries

August 16: Jupiter opposition Saturn. Not recommended

August 19: Moon in Capricorn activates Cardinal Cross. Endings, banishing

August 20: Venus conjunct Mars in Libra. Mercury retrograde. Forgetfulness spells, banishing

August 21: Saturn square Pluto. Not recommended

August 22/23: Sun enters Virgo

August 24: Full Moon in Pisces. Healing, water-scrying, purifying, aura cleansings, Reiki, household protection and peace spells.

Bio

Elizabeth Hazel (Lady Vala Runesinger) is an astrologer, tarotist, occultist, lecturer and author of Tarot Decoded. She created the Whispering Tarot and is the editor of the ATA Quarterly Journal. She teaches pagan studies and conducts both private and public rituals. Liz writes various horoscope columns and is available for consultations. Contact her via: www.kozmic-kitchen.com