The moon reaches its fullness on Saturday, 9^th August 8:54am UTC at 16 degrees 59 minutes of Aquarius. This lunation has much of the action for August baked into it.

This August is a month of hardness and softness, difficulty and ease. It is both sweet and sour though the measure of both will depend on your natal chart. This full moon is a microcosm of it all with the additional potency of the moon illuminated, full, and visible! All of the tumult may be very noticeable to you, whether it be internal turmoil or external events.  

Mars: The Warrior

Mars takes centre stage as the trigger planet during this full moon. He enters the conversation of the outer planets in the early degrees of Air and Fire signs. He is debilitated in Libra opposite a fallen Saturn in Aries. He holds testimony to Uranus in Gemini, Neptune in Aries and Pluto in Aquarius. All the while Mercury in Leo is retrograde moving closer but not quite meeting the exact opposition with Pluto.

It puts me in mind of a warrior entering the realm of the Morrígan a triplicate Goddess in Irish Mythology. She can appear alone or as the Morrígan, Badb, and/or Nemain¹ representing war, fate, transformation and sovereignty. The Morrígan a Phantom Queen that you dismiss at your peril as Cú Chulainn discovered.² She often appears as a hooded crow or a woman by a river washing the clothes of soldiers, a premonition of those who will die in battle. She is a shape shifter, deeply symbolic of the cycles of regeneration, death/re-birth and victory and defeat in war.

Outer Planet Testimony

Mars though in exile is receiving messages of support from Uranus and Pluto while stuck in his tug of war with Saturn and Neptune. The lack of dignity of two fallen malefics opposing one another is stalemate. Mars and Saturn at the early degrees of Aries and Libra will impact those the most with anything at the early degrees of Cardinal signs. Not an easy transit. The axis of Aries/Libra is symbolically one of equilibrium where day and night are equal lengths, where we enter a new part of the year where the light is either growing (Aries) or retreating (Libra). You may be investing in your own sovereignty that is beset with problems or delays. Bravery, patience, persistence and an openness to change are required in this moment.

The amount of elemental air and fire in the sky is inflammatory; anything smouldering at this time may catch fire. Zealous ideas of an extreme nature may spread quickly. Mars, Uranus and Pluto form a grand air trine in the sky, a combination of flowing supportive energy. The danger of a feedback loop is real. Mercury has not gathered all the facts as it slows down to station direct before the exact opposition to Pluto. We may be missing a piece of the picture.  On a positive note the air signs love to learn and so a new idea may take hold right now that is exciting to us.

Slow Build

This full Moon is ripening at a moment where we may be experiencing immense frustration or unanticipated delay. There is change a foot however it feels slow and we may feel discouraged or wish to throw the towel in. This full Moon may reveal something that will push us to take one step at a time to build towards our goals in the Aries/Libra axis of our charts. Thankfully there is also support in the sky to help buoy our resilience.

A Blossom in the Concrete

Venus is approaching her magnificent conjunction with an exalted Jupiter in Cancer. This sweet flourishing will be felt in a different area of life to the Mars, Saturn and outer planet configurations but it is worth taking note of. Cancer as the temple of the Moon is a fertile place to give and receive emotional support. There is softness, love, and a sense of cohesiveness all magnified by the greater benefic Jupiter.

Both Venus and Jupiter conjoined will form an overcoming square to that exiled Mars in Libra, the temple of Venus. This provides a soft cushion to Mars perhaps sweetening Mars’ passive aggressive tendencies in this air sign during this full moon.

So how does this all impact me?

It’s a really great question and not an easy one to answer. This full Moon is incredibly dynamic. There are many aspects from quicker moving planets to the outer slower moving bodies. Mars seems central to the story of this full Moon. Make friends with Mars and notice how you use and focus your physical energy, especially when redirecting from something destructive to something constructive.

One part of your life may feel like a slog to move forward while another is buoyant and uplifting. Seek out the Venusian Jupiterian nourishment in the midst of the Mars/Saturn frustration. Ideas are flowing and so there may be something in this potent mix that excites and delights in the midst of a stand off or difficult times. The conjunction of the two most supportive planets is the blossom in the concrete of this full moon.

1. The Morrígan, Mythical Ireland: https://mythicalireland.com/blogs/myths-legends/the-morrigan ↩︎
2. The Morrígan, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Morr%C3%ADgan ↩︎