Astrology by Lauren

August 24th ~ August 31st

Stay, stay thy hands!  thou art an Amazon

And fightest with the sword of Deborah. ~ Shakespeare (Henry VI)

On Thursday, Mars entered its own powerful domain of Scorpio.  This is the feminine warrior, the Amazon, who takes no prisoners.  In Greek mythos, Hyppolyta is the Queen of the Amazons who had the magical girdle, or belt, purported to be made by her ‘father’ Ares, or Mars, the God of War.  This belt is best known for its role in Heracles’ 9th Labor, or task that needed to be accomplished in order for him to attain immortality, or enlightenment.  Heracles was supposed to retrieve this belt for Admeta, the daughter of King Erystheus, who had assumed the throne that was once promised to Heracles.  

The symbol of the Martian (Ares), warrior belt, was no ordinary girdle.  It was not only designed to protect the stomach and womb of its wearer, but was also where the Queen carried her weapons.  L. W. Wilde has speculated that the girdle was a symbol for sexual power, channeled and focused as a form of regenerative power and self-sufficiency.  For the warrior Amazonian women, a matriarchal society, the loss of their Queen’s girdle meant the loss of their independent existence.  

Mars in Scorpio is motivated by the depths of desire, so there is plenty of fodder here for both drama and intensity.  Mars is the planet of courage.  And it takes tremendous courage to be able to face even one’s worse fears and overcome them.  Mars in Scorpio is not easily dissuaded, and will leave no stone unturned in their quest to fulfill their desired goals.  There is something magical about the sign Scorpio, and with Mars here we are reminded of the mythic warrior armed with weapons of magical and transformative powers: cloaks of invisibility, mystic swords, or a divinely rendered girdle.  These are metaphors for the indispensable and regenerative powers of the Scorpio warrior and her invincible Will.   

Following the Sun/Neptune opposition this weekend (worry, loss, angst, confusion, disappointment, trying to create order out of chaos), eased by the presence of Mars (sheer will and bold determination to follow through, coupled with discrimination)... Chiron and Pluto, a co-ruler of Scorpio, travel together and meet in the light of the Moon next week.

No matter what I do, no matter how predictable I try to make my life, it will not be any more predictable than the rest of the world.  Which is chaotic. ~Elizabeth Moon

Chiron, a half-comet half-asteroid centaur, and Pluto will be attended by the Sun in Virgo this week, preparing the ground for the Full Moon in Pisces on the 31st.  In Virgo season there is a desire to create order in our lives, to establish routines.  During the Sun/Neptune veil this will feel undermined... like shoveling snow in a snowstorm.  Or that things are not quite working out as we had hoped.  The key is to step back from this sense of being enveloped, disappointed or overwhelmed, and just allow it to be for now.  On the one hand we have to take care of business, live in the real every day world, while on the other hand we are trying to pursue our ideals and dreams.  When these conflict, or we feel that our dreams are not being fulfilled, we begin to wonder if we are on the right path after all.  Mars inspires us to persevere even when common sense tells us otherwise.  And this will be key to our success.

We also have the magic tool of Mercury sextile Saturn at our disposal this week, which implies the use of and development of skills, expertise and the power of organization.  Practical skills which will help us to create that much desired order in our lives.  As we approach the Full Moon this week, this is a time to step through the portal of self-examination and self-honesty, face our wounds, our weaknesses, our fears and challenges.  This will take great courage, the courage of an Amazon warrior, but with the right tools at our disposal, and the correct antidotes, we open ourselves up to the wonderful possibility of healing, resolution and rebirth.  

The above Amazon illustration is by Greg Spolenka

For the week of August 24th thru the 31st, be sure to read your rising sign as well:

Aries

Be prepared for what might be an unexpected change of plans Monday thru Wednesday.  Otherwise this is an excellent week for Aries to tend to activities that you may have been having to put on the back burner.  Particularly in the area of self-healing and stress reduction.  Eliminate those things that are cluttering your life or getting in the way: bad habits, unnecessary distractions, those piles of paper on your desk, your ‘to do’ list.  Your energy is less competitive, more inclusive and compassionate. Therefore this is a good week to make an effort to help someone else, or to embark on some sort of spiritual quest or journey.  Now where did you put that girdle?

Taurus

It may be hard to get motivated this week.  However, other people might just help you out in that department.  If you are confused about an issue, the best thing to do is to get some expert advice.  In the mean time, this is an excellent week to embark on a journey of exploration, study or research.  What you learn could have a remarkable and powerful effect on your point of view.  Perhaps even transformative.  It’s one of those seek and ye shall find, or ask and you will be answered kind of weeks.

Gemini

This is actually a good week for Gemini to organize, make plans, get rid of clutter... before Mercury enters Virgo on the 31st and opposes Neptune.  Get rid of anything that is getting in the way.  Whether it’s the mess in your closet or a bad habit you’ve been meaning to tackle.  Do, however, be prepared for a potential change of plans Sunday to Tuesday.  Despite this, Mercury working with Saturn this week allows for very constructive and focused organizational ability.  As well as the application of useful skills or knowledge.  This is particularly helpful if you have to make a plan, or create some sort of list... or simply being able to show off your expertise.

Cancer

Even intense emotional encounters have the capacity to allow you to heal.  As well as allow you to come in touch with your true feelings about something or someone.  The inventor, Alexander Graham Bell is quoted as having said, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the new one opened for us.”  Decide what area of your life needs healing, closure and rehabilitation, and take the steps to do so.

Leo

Confusion, a feeling of incapacity, and perhaps even hopelessness and anxiety can hit you when Sun is opposed by Neptune.  There may or may not be a rational reason for this, so the best advice is to just sit with it for a bit.  If there’s something that you can do to make you feel more secure, then do it.  If you can’t then let it go.  Healing comes in the wake of this opposition, but part of this is a recognition of perhaps needing to just stop for a bit and go within.  If you are feeling under the weather, the Sun/Pluto energy after the weekend is excellent for recuperation, as well as rehabilitation, rebuilding or therapy.

Virgo

If you find yourself at a loss, or perhaps visiting the Twilight Zone this week... and feeling vaguely undermined (though you can’t really place a finger on why)... Allow some healing to enter your relationships with others.  The potential for misunderstandings and mixed messages has you wondering if you are coming or going.  They key is through the Neptune door.  Find your point of agreement through spiritual practices, through music, or acts of compassion. Allow yourself to walk in someone else’s shoes.  Through the door of compassion, you have the capacity to both heal and be healed.

Libra

Although you may not be able to get a handle on your daily routine, or you’re feeling distracted and anxious... it might be helpful to remember the hourglass, and to use some triage.  On the other hand, something that you may have been wanting to sort out in the home, family department can be addressed this week (after the weekend).  If a garage needs to be cleaned out, something needs to be made more presentable... rebuilt, refurbished, scrubbed and re-organized, this is a good week to do so.  

Scorpio

This is a great week for Scorpio.  Your ruler Mars is strong and determined now that it is in its own sign.  And so are you.  You can cut right through the misinformation, confusion and tidal wave of expectations, and go straight to fixing problems, whatever they may be.  The more focused you are on also considering the welfare of others, or doing the right thing for everyone concerned, the more successful and efficient you will be.  As well as being gratified at seeing a job well done.  It’s a win-win situation for us all.

Sagittarius

Anxiety, especially about a situation at home, or a conflict with work, could have you feeling pretty edgy over the weekend.  Be assured that there will be resolution, and that things are going to work out, but it just might entail a willingness to give in, or make some sacrifices for the sake of others.  Your willingness to put your own needs on the back burner, in order to ease a situation, or relieve someone else’s worry, will make all the difference.  

Capricorn

This is a really good week for any sort of research, sleuthing, investigation... or having to learn a new skill, or study a new subject.  Whatever it is, you are up to the challenge, and more than ready to hit the books, or rifle through the library records.  You will leave no stone unturned in your quest for information or knowledge.  Know that through knowledge, comes healing as well as awakening.  You can get a lot done this week, and well you should.

Aquarius

There was a little Irish lady I used to work with who used to always say in consternation: “The faster I go, the more behinder I get.”  There’s something to be said for these words of wisdom this week.  True reforms, true healing take time and patience.  They cannot be rushed willy nilly.  Allow yourself to get a little serious this week.  Pay attention to details, and make sure you have all the facts and information before you make a decision.  As the Sun moves into Virgo, practical skills become more useful to organize, take care of business, and streamline your life.  

Pisces

If confusion arises in your interactions with others, see where you may have misunderstood their meaning, or whether you were only seeing what you wanted to see.  You may be called on to help someone this weekend and that is probably the best course of action to keep you out of trouble.  Otherwise you are likely to succumb to needless worry about things that haven’t even happened yet.  Put your focus on other people’s needs for now, and look at the situation from their perspective.  Your support will  make all the difference.