Mundane Astrology
The month begins with a crowded Leo hosting Jupiter, Mercury, Rahu and Venus together. Venus and Mercury together in Leo is very political, and obviously politics is the keyword in the world right now, as it was even before this combination. While the ongoing tension of Rahu and Jupiter over this last year has caused plenty of distress and revolts against leadership and governments, the new presence of Venus and Mercury should lead to some good and much needed treatises, political deals, support deals, transactions, and just all around some better lawmaking. This coming as Jupiter is on the cusp of leaving Leo early in the month, hopefully leading to large-scale resolutions in riot-stricken countries around the world. However, Venus is not a happy planet in Leo, so we can’t expect the legislation to go over well with the majority even if it serves the immediate purpose of calming tensions and restoring some peace.
The Sun starts the month in Ashlesha, a malefic lunar mansion that deals with illegal activities, backroom-deals, espionage, lies, etc. Ashlesha creates appearances to serve its need, putting on a mask for everyone to see. Hence we can better understand the kind of lawmaking that will be taking place in this next month from the Venus-Mercury combo in Leo. A lot of pockets will have to get filled to get anything done. This goes the same for businesses, trades, or any kinds of deals being made right now. If you work in marketing or in any such profession where you need to make contracts or trades with others, it would be better to wait until the middle of August. Otherwise there will likely be deceit and lying involved in the trade. It was an Ashlesha New Moon as well, so expect this to be a dominant theme for the whole month. In your personal life try to avoid situations where you need to lie or have to save your own neck, or where you need to mislead others. For many people these situations will definitely arise this month, especially Leo ascendants or those with a prominent Sun in their natal chart, or Mercury ascendants.
Saturn in Jyeshta continues to direct the planetary energies of the sky towards concepts of ruling and government, but all for the better good. Jyeshta is ruled by Indra the King of the Gods, and thus deals with all concepts of governance. It is also a Sattwic nakshatra though, which directs these energies towards a positive change and purification. Saturn’s position here weakens the rulers of society, while the Jupiter/Rahu combo in Leo makes the people rise against such leaders.
On August 6th one of the bigger astrological events of the year will happen; Jupiter will finally leave Leo! This bodes well for the international scene since Jupiter had been inflating the problems caused by Rahu. Hopefully Jupiter’s ingress into Virgo will signal a new phase of growth and development for the world and begin healing wounds, instead of simply becoming an excuse to ignore the complaints of the people. Either way, once Jupiter leaves Leo the world situation should stabilize and the economy should also benefit over this next year from Jupiter freeing itself from the confines of Rahu and Ketu. On August 6th and 7th watch your governments and see how they respond to the new Jupiter energies; it will be a good foreshadowing of the rest of the year.
Personal Horoscopes
Aries: Venus and Mercury with Rahu in the 5th can lead to conception for those trying to have children. In the career field it can give power and authority, a promotion leading to management or oversight, giving your authority you didn’t have before, and accompanying a pay-raise. However such a new position will lead you to serve your boss or CEO much more directly, Jupiter in the 6th leading to service towards bosses or authority figures. The ascendant lord Mars is passing through Anuradha, the sign of friendship and agreements. On the 7th Mars and Venus will be kendra to each-other giving a strong raja-yoga to confer power, possibly triggering a rise in rank and/or bringing a new and meaningful friend into your life.
Taurus: You’ve had it rough with Ketu, Rahu and Mars forming a sarpa yoga on the ascendant, causing loss of work (or problems with career), changes in living situation and relationship issues. The venus-loving Saturn helps support you through this with a strong aspect as the lord of the 9th and 10th, giving help in the form of higher education. The retrograde motion means you can work if you want to work, or instead just focus on education or the spiritual path. It is a good time to get a new vehicle, though Rahu may force you to get a new one whether you want to or not! Over the next year expect Jupiter’s new home in Virgo to improve financial situations and/or educational situation.
Gemini: Ketu/Rahu in the 9th/3rd house axis may continue to cause problems with bosses and authorities, as well as with friends or relatives. Rahu in the 3rd is great for developing new skills though. Mercury and Venus in the 3rd will tend to cause short travels, or even long travels that have a short stay. Venus could make this trip into a road trip. A strong 6th house gives strength for overcoming obstacles and making important decisions. Jupiter’s new placement in Virgo will increase happiness and give a better home, or make big improvements to the house you already have (over the course of this next year).
Cancer: The Sun typically doesn’t do well in Cancer despite its affinity with the Moon. Blood pressure issues, stress, and heat-related sicknesses can all arise for the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August. Once the Sun enters into Leo on the 15th then financial situations and health will improve, though there could be a flare up of health issues on the day of the 15th itself. A loaded second house can lead to multiple sources of income, but can also indicate a coming together of family due to a family concern/drama or just as a reunion. A strong 5th house with Mars’ transit can lead to status and power, though Saturn can still cause problems with underlings, employees and children.
Leo: A busy place this month! Lots of transits over the ascendant can bring lots of people into your life. Venus is a woman, Mercury depicts friends and relatives, Sun indicates father or authority figures, and Rahu indicates foreigners. These effects can of course combine, for example in the case of a foreign woman coming to visit who is also a friend of distantly related. The transit of Venus is good for work, and Mercury is good for finances and sales. Saturn in the fourth has been a struggle for the last two years, making it difficult to stay positive or making you feel weighed down. Mars moving through there to join Saturn should counter-act this to some extent and give you the energy to make any changes you feel need to be made to your environment, where you live or who you live with.
Virgo: Loaded 12th house throughout the month that can cause international travel, planning for international travel, foreign visitors, investments, and gambling! A big opportunity for investments could arise later in the month, or for some kind of foreign work. Jupiter in the ascendant should give a good year financially and also bring a new relationship into your life if you are currently single. By the end of the month the ascendant will be very strong with its lord Mercury alongside it, a very good combination for career, finances, and also spiritual studies.
Libra: Jupiter moving into the 12th can change where you live, but also lead to a lot of meditation and a greater sense of happiness. Mars is giving the chart lots of energy in the second house to give you a sense of strength and some motivation, but could lead to problems with close family. The financial situation should improve, especially for healers or people who work with vehicles (both Venus indications). A business trip may be a good idea as well. It is a good time to think about money and the possibility of multiple income streams.
Scorpio: A strong ascendant benefits you this month, though it can lead to lot of work and a feeling of servitude. The month starts with the Sun in the 9th, a great place for spiritual practice and personal growth. Then it moves to the 10th to join the club with Venus, Mercury and Rahu on the 15th. For about a month afterwards there should be new opportunities at work and some recognition received therein. Jupiter’s move into the 11th forms a Dhana yoga (wealth combination) for the next year that should treat you well. Ketu in the 4th is good for the spiritual path but can lead to a sense of disenchantment with your personal life or home. The Ashlesha month can bring out some of the more deceitful sides of Scorpio, so watch yourself! Don’t put yourself in situations where you need to lie, and be open and honest with the people you care about.
Sagittarius: A strong 12th house is good for international work and travel, or planning accordingly due to Mercury’s aspect. Many planets in the 9th can cause confusion as to your personal beliefs and spiritual path, presenting many possibilities in this area of life, maybe too many to be comfortable with any one choice. It can also lead to a change of bosses at work, and some short travels as well. Saturn and Mercury’s aspect to each other make it difficult to make decisions, so the advice of an elder (Saturn) should be sought in such decision making. The 5th and 6th are good days for travel or for asking for promotions. The 11th and 12th of August can cause loss, unexpected expenditures, or extensive travel and expenses therefrom.
Capricorn: Some health issues or heat-related problems early in the month. Take care of your health this month, don’t drive too much, and spend time with family, especially the father if possible. Things should improve after the 15th when the Sun strengthens the 8th house and can help lead to many changes in health and lifestyle. A strong 11th house bodes well for personal growth and finances, and Mars adds some fire and energy to work on improving income. Jupiter moving into the 9th house can bring you closer to a spiritual guide or mentor, or in a more material chart it can bestow promotions and make you the boss, or bring you closer to your boss.
Aquarius: Lots of change is the theme for Aquarius ascendants. Ketu’s transit over the ascendant makes one feel unhappy with their current place in life, while Rahu in the 7th initiates a desire for large changes. The Sun in the 6th gives strength and courage to fight through any adversities or obstacles. Jupiter will be moving into the 8th house for the next year, which can cause financial strain and indicate some problems with family. Mars strong in the 10th is a great time for getting work done and especially working on manual skills you may have.
Pisces: Jupiter will be fully aspecting Pisces this month when it moves into Virgo, which doesn’t bode well for personal relationships and love-life, but does do well for your own health, wealth and success. Jupiter’s trine on the 11th house will bring income this year from a business partner or someone you are in a relationship with. A loaded 6th house can create a number of obstacles this month and next month, but after the 15th the Sun will come to help you overcome those obstacles, either in the form of someone you look up to, a boss, a spiritual guide or just a renewed vigor and fighting spirit in yourself. Venus can give car troubles, so if you’re overdo for a basic tune-up then this is a good time to get one before it’s too late.
