August 2017 By Bob Mulligan (a personal note is at the end of the newsletter) With two Eclipses and a Retrograde Mercury, this August is more drama than the usual Sun transiting through Leo. The Lunar Eclipse on August 7th sets the stage for later happenings coming at the time of the Solar Eclipse on August 21st. Both Eclipses have a prominent Mars (god of war) in Leo (sign of ego). This shows that there will be no lack of enthusiasm for a personal point of view, general lack of patience, and impending conflict. Jupiter Squares Pluto one last time on August 4th; the first one was November 2016 (right after the US elections), the second March 2017. The events of the world at these two previous Squares have laid the groundwork for what must happen in the world now. Uranus (god of abrupt change) in Aries (sign of initiation) is Semi-square Neptune (lord of illusion) in Pisces (his rulership) on the 11th. This shows a conflict between our aggressive instincts and our higher values. Mercury turns Retrograde on August 12th and turns Direct on September 5th. Retrogrades usually mean looking back over where we have been. With Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto all Retrograde (Saturn turning direct on the 25th), this will be more than just a trip down memory lane. This is a time of “chickens coming home to roost.” Eclipses are always a good time for meditation, setting intentions, and for prayers. It is very easy to get swept up in world events during August this year, but we develop ourselves by focusing our attention on what we can meaningfully affect. This means starting with our own lives and looking where we can do some good. The Full Moon is a Lunar Eclipse on the 15th degree of Leo/Aquarius at 2:10 PM EDT on August 7th. Mars (lord of passion) is with the Sun, so it Opposes the Moon (the public). The 15th degree of the Fixed signs and 0 degrees of Cardinal signs are called the World Point. Things happening here have wide reaching implications for the whole planet. The two rulers of Aquarius (Saturn and Uranus) form a Grand Trine in fire with the Leo North Node of the Moon. Mercury in Virgo is Opposite Neptune in Pisces. There is much confusion, but if we can hold true to what we know to be factual, we will be fine. We are setting the stage for bigger things to come. The New Moon is a Total Eclipse at 28 degrees 52 minutes of Leo at 2:30 PM EDT on August 21st. The North Node of the Moon is right between the Eclipse and Mars. The Eclipse is four degrees on one side and Mars four degrees on the other. This is powerful. Because this Eclipse bisects the USA and is visible from coast to coast, it has gotten much attention. Venus is in a Cardinal Grand Cross with Pluto, Uranus and Jupiter. Even though Eclipses act out over a number of years, we will see much activity right at this time as people are feeling stirred up, impulsive, and fortunate or, even lucky. The next couple of weeks will be wild. The Sun enters Virgo August 22nd at 6:21 PM EDT. This map shows the events and temperament until the Sun goes into Libra, which will be our Fall Equinox on September 22nd. The most interesting features of this chart are the balance of elements and conflicting planetary alignments. There is only one planet, Mars, in a fixed sign. This should indicate lack of stability and a desire for change. Interestingly, Mars (planet of desire) is in Leo, Conjunct the Moon’s North Node and Trining both Saturn (the past) and Uranus (the future). This indicates a desire for slow transition. However, with the Cardinal Grand Cross (Pluto, Uranus, Jupiter, and Venus) it is likely circumstances will dictate a certain urgency. With the majority of planets in earth signs and Mercury (ruler of Virgo) Retrograde, we are reviewing events gone by and looking for practical solutions generated by past happenings. The Moon has just crossed over Mercury and is headed towards Jupiter showing that we are likely to see a positive outcome by taking a closer look at where we have been. Both Mercury and the Moon are in Virgo Opposite Neptune in Pisces indicating that we have real strife between what we would like to be the case and what the facts indicate. For each of us, now is the time to be honest with ourselves and see where our efforts will really matter. From the 1st to the 6th we have confusing pieces of information and a split decision on many issues as to whether to be bold or to act with caution. Important relationships can suffer from a fair amount of stress coming from the outside world. Our best strategy is to focus on our own lives and immediate environment. From the 7th to the 13th new opportunities are before us. It is tempting to jump into new circumstances and new projects, but we will suffer down the road if we haven’t completed what we already have in motion. We should take the time to give and receive the love that is all around us; this is much more important than the fleeting cares of the daily grind. From the 14th to the 20th relationships can be problematic. It is as if some people can’t be pleased no matter what we do. Underlying frustrations give steam to disagreements. By redirecting our attention to the tasks at hand, we can change the dynamic. Some things need to be done solo and this is ok. Better to be alone than to ruin an important bond. Bring others along when it is effortless. From the 21st to the 27th opening our heart to the possibility of a better life is a good first step. Making new affirmations and taking an incremental approach toward self mastery is the foundation of a new way of living. We need to change with the world now. From the 28th to the 31st deep insights into perplexing problems provide a new lease on life. Anchoring our envisioned future will require some effort but this is not wasted energy. Testing the reality of every new approach brings positive and practical results. Not only is this instructive, it’s fun. 1st – Tuesday – Mercury Contra-parallel Neptune – Our ability to enter an imaginary world can aid us in solving tangible problems. Blending our dreams with the cold hard facts of the moment is a step toward materializing our higher aspirations. 2nd – Wednesday – Venus Contra-parallel Saturn, Uranus turns Retrograde – Accepting limitations does not have to mean abandoning our goals. But, this can be a good time to take care of essentials. Relieve internal pressure and reduce stress by honoring past commitments. 3rd – Thursday – What is most important now is to just keep moving. We open the door to new possibilities by completing tasks at hand. Fear and depression are not our friends. Consistent and practical effort are the characteristics that yield fruit. 4th – Friday – Jupiter Square Pluto – Paying attention to detail, listening, and conveying our ideas can make this a rewarding moment. Conventional techniques and methods assist us on our journey. 5th – Saturday – Mercury Contra-parallel Jupiter, Sun Quincunx Neptune – Having a good time with friends is enjoyable; but finding your own inner truth is more fulfilling. Time is limited. Focus on what is most important first. Everything else will follow. 6th – Sunday – Breaking out of the traditional mold will take some work but it is worth the effort. Changes that are coming require flexibility. Some pushback from others can require rethinking our current direction. More information allows us to make better choices. 7th – Monday – The Full Moon Eclipse comes at 2:11 PM EDT on the 15th degree of Leo/Aquarius – Physical tension can contribute to an already difficult moment. As we adjust our attitude to our circumstances, we can see more clearly what needs to be done. This is a great time to meditate, pray, and set intentions. Release from the past comes as we relax and accept what is. 8th – Tuesday – Venus Contra-parallel Saturn – A good reality check now is to make sure that we aren’t separated from close friends and family because of differences in beliefs. Differences in politics, religion, and philosophy of life can enrich us or bring out conflict. It’s a time to accept other people in spite of our different life experiences. 9th – Wednesday – Sun Quincunx Pluto – Uncomfortable and unhelpful feelings emerge if we jump to conclusions. Holding fixed opinions can stifle innovations. In order to grow we need to relax, be forgiving, and enjoy the stubbornness of the moment. 10th – Thursday – Mercury Sextile Venus, Mars Quincunx Neptune, Sun Sextile Jupiter – Take a giant step forward and explain what you are doing to those around you. Hubris or power tripping others can find us snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Make room for others to shine; a little humility goes a long way toward finding a winning combination for everyone. 11th – Friday – Uranus Semi-square Neptune – It is difficult to align our actions with our thoughts and feelings. We can be pulled in several directions at once. There are a few bumps in the road but we land where we belong if we keep our focus on the genuine goodness in everyone, including ourselves. 12th – Saturday – Venus Trine Neptune, Mercury turns Retrograde – Emotional impressions are strong and we find the wind in our face. It’s a great time to take stock of where we have been and be satisfied to consolidate our gains. Self doubt emerges if we aren’t careful when making and communicating plans. 13th – Sunday – Sun Trine Saturn – Being well organized and disciplined builds self-confidence. Sustained effort brings an opportunity to shine. Being comfortable with our circumstances allows us time to relax and enjoy life. 14th – Monday – Venus Semi-sextile Mars, Venus Contra-parallel Pluto – Romantic impressions can make any relationship go a little smoother. Being in too big a hurry or using too much force can turn a pleasant situation into something problematic. We need to share our feelings, then just relax and enjoy the creative atmosphere of the moment. 15th – Tuesday – Venus Opposite Pluto – Power struggles make the working environment uncomfortable. We are best when we allow others to be themselves while simultaneously unleashing our own creative instincts. Even though the news that comes to us now is far from new, we can still be sensitive to the messenger’s needs. 16th – Wednesday – Mars Quincunx Pluto – Things put in motion about a week ago need some adjustment now. We have an opportunity to correct a misunderstanding. Conversation may rectify an uncomfortable silence in long standing relationships. 17th – Thursday – Venus Square Jupiter – Our concern for other people’s wellbeing can bring benefits to all. However, too much of anything may upset a critical balance. Sentimental feelings are augmented; it’s ok to relish and relive past experiences. Reaffirming other people as important figures in our lives is a good thing. 18th – Friday – Venus Quincunx Saturn – When we expect too much from others we can suffer disappointment. Becoming more self reliant may be a way to overcome unrealistic expectations. Sometimes we need to take stock of how much we really do mean to others and see that we have some important support and security in our lives that we have been taking for granted. Acknowledge others. 19th – Saturday – As a reaction to the vast amount of stimulation during the last couple of weeks, a certain kind of inertia can settle in. Even recreational activities can seem laborious. Getting back into a more proactive mode may mean just starting off in any direction and then correcting in flight. 20th – Sunday – Mars Sextile Jupiter, Mercury Semi-square Venus – We have energy and enthusiasm but we can achieve more if others are included. Critical comments can undermine friendly feelings. Family is important but there is an awkwardness to interactions. Being pleasant and leaving long standing disagreements alone is the best use of today’s opportunities. 21st – Monday –Sun Trine Uranus, the New Moon Total Eclipse is at 2:31 PM EDT on the 28th degree of Leo – Meditate. Set intentions. You know what you want; this is the perfect time to declare your independence from past bondage. The buildup of mental energy is overwhelming as so many people are concentrating on one thing at the same time. 22nd – Tuesday – Mars Trine Saturn, Sun enters Virgo – Seeing a goal and achieving it are two separate things. We have a vision and it is good to hold on to it. Now we have to do the work to materialize our intentions. 23rd – Wednesday – Being comfortable with ourselves and appreciative of others is the first step to getting on with the various and necessary details that come with heading toward our dreams. Roots of further progress are growing now. Take time to relax and just enjoy life. 24th – Thursday – Venus Sesquiquadrate Neptune, Mercury Semi-square Jupiter, Venus Square Uranus, Sun Sesquiquadrate Pluto – Conflicting information can give us a cloudy picture of what is necessary. We need to balance our current perceptions with what we have known to be true in the past. We need caution with creative projects so our efforts don’t have to be unraveled later. Starting over is more tedious than being cautious now. If we are able to put the needs of others first, we learn. 25th – Friday – Saturn turns Direct, Venus enters Leo – Things that have been on hold move forward; our confidence gathers strength. It is relatively easy to strike a healthy balance between the demands of life and our own passions. It’s as if we have been waiting for help and it finally arrives. 26th – Saturday – Sun Parallel Uranus, Sun Conjunct Mercury – We can reset our mental clocks now. There is a breath of freedom. The prevailing atmosphere is lighter. We have turned an important corner and it is easier to feel comfortable. 27th – Sunday – Jupiter Sextile Saturn – Emotions run hot and cold; finding peace of mind comes by learning to relax deeply and accept what is. Other people’s advice can play a critical and corrective role in allowing us to organize our long term plans. 28th – Monday – Mercury Semi-sextile Venus, Mercury Sesquiquadrate Pluto, Mercury Contra-parallel Jupiter – Lots of details need to be addressed. There is a certain amount of mental turbulence; some things need to be postponed; not everything we see and want to accomplish can be achieved now. 29th – Tuesday – Mercury Contra-parallel Neptune, Sun Semi-square Jupiter – We are pulled between fantasy and reality. Wishful thinking doesn’t accomplish much. However, dreaming of a better world is a good first step in changing it. It starts with ourselves and the path is quickest if we listen to others. There is bountiful and useful information to be harvested. 30th – Wednesday – People are pleasant. It is a good time to rest and recharge our inner batteries. We can feel a new energy growing; we are up to the challenges in front of us. 31st – Thursday – Venus Sesquiquadrate Saturn, Sun Parallel Mercury, Mercury enters Leo, Jupiter Parallel Neptune – As one door closes another opens. It seems as if there are infinite possibilities. Most important now is to let the good come to us…chasing rainbows can leave us empty handed and disappointed. Bob Mulligan is available for personal appointments, astrology classes, and astrological material. Call him at 239-261-2840 or by e-mail at bobmulliga@aol.com. Visit our web site, www.theastrologycompany.com. First, I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to write me. It is heartwarming to know that someone is reading this newsletter. A fair amount of time goes into its production. As astrologers, we are always cognizant of the element of time, and as we get older, the more its limitations become apparent. It’s amazing to me how many people only have one source of news that they read or listen to. Being informed about world happenings allows me to give the best advice to clients and to be comprehensive in my outlook when writing this newsletter. I read the daily newspaper; the magazines “Business Week” and “The Nation”; as well as listen to a number of radio stations. Because I have XM radio I listen to: FOX, CNN, MSNBC, BBC, NPR, POTUS, and PROGRESS every day. There are a few others I listen to occasionally. In addition to gathering news, I get different points of view and find out what people think is important. Actually, as the perfect master Hafez wrote 500 years ago, ” A million times I have looked into the affairs of the universe; it is always the same, nothing into nothing”. We do tend to take life too seriously. The most important thing we eat each day is our thoughts. In this time of stress, where the world is on the brink of war between opposing views, people of higher consciousness have a responsibility to hold on to the hand of Truth. Did you know that until 1974, a woman couldn’t get a credit card unless a man cosigned for it? I didn’t. This was in an article in “Business Week” on income inequality last week. We have to remember how far we have come in a short period of time. This is a very active time for all of us. I have been using what time is left, after seeing clients and taking care of family issues, to sort through the massive amount of stuff from my, now closed, storage locker. I had four large containers of photographs. Now I have one. Many of the pictures got tossed, many were sent to people I thought would find them interesting. My dear friends, Arlan Wise and Leela Bruner, acknowledged receiving them….I’m sure others will let me know at some point. On the 4th, 5th, and 6th of August I will be with 7 people in Ft. Lauderdale who were at my “Boot Camp” workshop. Over the weekend we will be applying the techniques from this workshop to their birth charts. I’m really excited. My daughter, Katie, wants to spend her 40th birthday in India. So we are leaving for India on August 26th and will arrive on the morning of her birthday. This will be my 57th pilgrimage to the Tomb of my Master, Meher Baba. I keep a diary on every journey. We arrive back home on September 19th. My oldest child, Hannah, will turn 44 just four days after I turn 70. She wants us to spend our birthdays together at Meher Baba’s Samadhi in India in 2018. Plans are in the works. 1947 – Jackie Robinson enters major league baseball; major league baseball was officially integrated. July 26th, 1948 – Harry Truman desegregates the military by executive order. July 26th, 2017, Donald Trump, tweeted that there will be no transgender people in the military. The warp and woof of history. If you are planning on coming to UAC in Chicago May 22nd -31st, 2018, take note, registration is already through the roof. When I booked my hotel room the room block was more than half sold out; the days before the conference starts are already gone. Book your room now if you are planning on coming. My talks, “The Five Gifts of Astrology” and the “Hierarchy of the Planets” are both on Sunday, May 30th. It is important to stay positive, think good thoughts, and share the love. Take a look at these short videos from “Love Has No Labels”; Love will always lift our spirits: Kiss cam at Orlando pro bowl 2017 football game – (2:41): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-xScLIevw0 90 second X ray spot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVBHwVBBB4g one year anniversary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWDZCVejcZQ We Are America ft. John Cena: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MdK8hBkR3s Special thanks to Mary Weiss for her editing in Katie’s absence. | 
