8/9 (Mon). Venus continues her extraordinary string of aspects with an opposition to Jupiter, providing fresh hope and expansion to relationships, finance and creativity.
        The Cardinal Climax's New Moon is, appropriately enough, in the fiery sign of Leo! It happens on the 9th at 11:08 PM (17°24' Leo). Given what's going on with Venus, new creative beginnings are especially supported. Leo New Moons are also great times for new initiatives relating to leadership or generosity.
        This New Moon's Sabian Symbol is, "A chemist conducts an experiment for his students." This symbol beautifully reflects what a grand experiment humanity is currently engaged in, as well as the extraordinary alchemical possibilities that lie the open before us. Don't settle for just being one of the students, though: now is the time to make your entire life a grand experiment!

8/10 (Tue). Venus squares Pluto today, engaging the Lord of the Underworld's tremendous power. Be open to any needed transformation in the three Venusian life areas that you may very well have memorized by now - relationships, finance and creativity. Once that process is complete, the doors will be open for you to receive Pluto's gifts of wealth and power!
        Just when you thought there couldn't be any Venus aspects left, she pulls out a biquintile to Neptune! This radiates divinely inspired creativity and facilitates conscious union with the divine.

8/11 (Wed). Whichever of its names you choose to use - quadriform, arrowhead, Thor's Hammer or God's Fist - we've got us a strong aspect pattern today!
        I'll call it an arrowhead just to keep things simple.
        An arrowhead's stressful, dynamic energy is caused by its challenging aspects: a 90° square and two 135°sesquiquadrates. In this case, the Sun is at the tip of the arrowhead. Pluto is at one back corner, while Uranus and Jupiter occupy the other back corner.
        If the names of these slower planets sound familiar, it may be because I've talked about them so much as part of the Cardinal Climax. This means that this arrowhead provides yet more stimulation to this world-shaking aspect pattern.
        So what does a leonine Sun do when simultaneously stimulated by Pluto, Uranus and Jupiter? For starters, he gets intensely bright, and struts his creative stuff on the spotlit stage for all he's worth! Then, if he's smart, he opens himself to transformation, paradigm shift and radical expansion. But he steers clear of power trips and excessive volatility, and keeps reminding himself that whatever gifts, talents and other positive attributes he possesses flow from the divine.
        Then he can launch into the world like a blazing fire arrow, dynamically radiating his talents in a way that serves the highest need of all!

8/13 (Fri). The Cardinal Climax technically ends as Uranus retrogrades into Pisces late today, but I wouldn't count on the intense energy letting up much just yet. Continue releasing, transforming and paradigm shifting!