Almanac for August 2010

  by:  Bob Makransky

The purpose of this almanac is to list the most important astrological events each month to help you plan your life in harmony with cosmic currents. You can easily select the best times each month to advance, hold back, confront, avoid, accept, refuse, yield or stand your ground, in order to enhance your chances of success.

Mutual transits are points of inflection, or moments when things could go one way or the other.  Often on these days something is discovered, some truth revealed, or a new door opens to us.  There are days with favorable times to begin new ventures, to approach others for favors, to initiate healing, to pray or cast spells, to energize amulets and crystals, and so forth.  Conversely, in the case of inharmonious aspects, avoidance of these activities is recommended.

What we are trying to do is to tune into the ambient rhythms of the cosmos.  We tend to be alienated from the universal harmonies because of our stressful life styles:  we feel disconnected, isolated, powerless, adrift and alone in an uncaring universe.  We have lost our sense of being part of an eternal, ongoing process. 

Astrology can help us to regain our sense of connection to the universe and to the earth by teaching us how to look at our daily lives as a series of lessons.  Astrology teaches detachment:  we learn that by paying attention to and adapting to the cosmic rhythms, we can come to a deeper sense of connection to the universe and a greater sense meaning and purpose in our personal lives.

The table below includes transiting conjunctions and oppositions of the planets other than moon; Stationary Retrograde and Stationary Direct positions; and the Greatest Western and Greatest Eastern Elongation positions of Mercury and Venus.  If the zodiacal degree of the transit conjoins or opposes a planet in your own natal horoscope within two degrees orb, then be alert to what happens this day (and the day before and after).  This is a time when the universe sends you important new information.  The nature of the event is symbolized by the transiting planet(s); the nature of your response is symbolized by the natal planet(s) at or opposed to the longitude of the transit.

For example, on August 20, 2010 the sun opposes Neptune at 27 LE/AQ 18, conjunct Barack Obama's natal nodes at 27 LE/AQ 54, which might bring the President an UNUSUAL DECISIVE event which heightens his need for GUIDANCE and to be wary of GRATIFICATION (a scandal involving some sort of betrayal of trust). 

To launch projects, make prayers, or cast spells, one should use the times in this table in conjunction with the Planetary Hours.  Look for a relevant Planetary Hour within 24 hours before the exact time given in the table below.  This table is in Eastern Time:  in the Central time zone subtract an hour; in the Mountain time zone subtract two hours; in the Pacific time zone subtract 3 hours; from the times listed here.  To use Planetary Hours, download the free Planetary Hours calculator from the Magical Almanac files http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagicalAlmanac/files/How%20to%20use%20Magical%20Almanac/ or from http://www.dearbrutus.com/body_planetaryhours.html.   This is an Excel worksheet with complete instructions; however when you open it, it will ask if you want to disable the macros.  Since it won't work with its macros disabled, click on "Enable Macros" (you may have to have previously reduced the Excel security protocol: Tools => Macro => Security => Low). 

            To make a prayer or cast a spell (for detailed information see the BOS file posted at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagicalAlmanac/files/Magic%20101/):  at the chosen time clear your mind, light a candle and make a fervent, heartfelt wish – imagine the scene of your wish coming true as though it were happening right now, all around you.  If other people are involved (e.g., if asking for a favor), imagine that you are looking them right in the eye and talking to them as if they were right there in front of you.  Let yourself feel the feelings you actually would feel if your wish were to come true.  Then watch closely to see how the candle burns:  if it's difficult to light it, then it will be difficult for your wish to come true.  If the flame burns steadily and brightly, the wish will come true.  If the flame smokes or is feeble, or the candle falls over, forget it. 

Keyword Interpretations for Transiting and Natal Planets:

(Detailed interpretations for the transiting and natal planets are filed in the How to Use Magical Almanac Tutorial folder at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagicalAlmanac/files/How%20to%20use%20Magical%20Almanac/)

8/04/2010 @ 0:20 = 3 LI/AR 11 = Mars opposition Jupiter = Be careful of overoptimism or overreaching these few days; avoid investing/lending/borrowing money or launching new projects.  There is a difference between daring and mania.  Be suspicious rather than trusting; watch your temper.

8/06/2010 @ 16:15 = 11 VI 35 = Mercury Greatest Eastern Elongation = Things are pushed to the limits, to the edge of what is acceptable.  There may be a breakdown in communications, or you have to take a detour from your normal mode of action.   You may have to put on the brakes, shift perspective, or adapt your own opinion to the necessities of the time.  You have to see the larger picture now, be open to other people's ideas and points of view.  This can result in a better understanding and deeper appreciation of other people's viewpoints, and of where your own limits lie. 

8/07/2010 @ 3:59 = 0 LI /AR 11 = Venus opposition Uranus = This may bring sudden estrangements or disruptive actions by a friend or family member.  It may be best to leave the other person in peace and go your own way; unavoidable contacts should be made during Venus hours.

8/08/2010 @ 13:24 = 1 LI 37 = Venus conjunct Saturn = Tact and discretion are needed in addressing the feelings of a friend or family member, or else feelings may be hurt on both sides.  On the other hand, this is a good day to break things off or do a Scat ritual to get rid of people who are bringing you down (use a Saturn hour).

8/09/2010 @ 19:41 = 2 LI/AR 54 = Venus opposition Jupiter = Inflated hopes or expectations may bring disappointments.  There may be estrangements or misunderstandings with intimates or family members.  This is not a good time to borrow / lend / invest money, but if you must approach others use a Jupiter or Venus hour.

8/09/2010 @ 23:09 = 17 LE 25 = New Moon

8/16/2010 @ 16:49 = 2 AR/LI 27 = Jupiter opposition Saturn = There may be disappointments, estrangement, opposition:  some sort of occurrence which requires you to consider the meaning of your life and the seriousness of your purpose.  You have to cop to something unpleasant.  It's not so much a question of inadequacy or failure as of recognition, admission, and willingness to try again. 

8/20/2010 @ 6:07 = 27 LE/AQ 18 = sun opposition Neptune = There may be some deception going on, especially vis a vis men, superiors, authorities.  Be careful not to deceive yourself.   It's easy to fall for delusions now; you have to take responsibility, not pursue fantasies or will-o-the-wisps. 

8/19/2010 @ 23:44 = 12 LI 59 = Venus Greatest Eastern Elongation = There is a need for support and encouragement, which may have to be won by standing up for yourself and sticking to your guns.  You have to assert yourself by going with your own feelings and instincts rather than by trying to curry favor.

8/20/2010 @ 14:49 = 13 LI 35 = Venus conjunct Mars = There may be a romantic attraction or attachment, or an enjoyable time with one's present significant other, or just a member of the opposite sex.  Good to ask someone out for a date.  Good day to cast a love spell (use a Venus hour):  At this moment light a pink candle and imagine that you are right there in front of your beloved (or if you don't have a beloved, a beautiful stranger).  Look him or her directly in the eyes; take his or her hands in yours; and say everything that is in your heart.  Then listen to what he or she has to say; let the thing flow as it will.  Then embrace and kiss as if it were really happening right now, and feel yourself filled with joy and happiness!  Then with a sigh, squeeze their hands, wish them well, and let them go.  Love spells are essentially the same thing as bewitching the person; except casting spells are usually only done once, at a favorable astrological time; whereas bewitching is carried out on a daily (or even moment-to-moment) basis for a while to build up pressure, before dropping the procedure and turning one's mind to other things. 

8/20/2010 @ 15:53 = 19 VI 04 = Mercury Stationary Retrograde = A breakthrough, perhaps quite unexpected, in your current situation or relationships. You see yourself in a new light, in a new role

vis a vis other people, and need tact, aplomb, and confidence in your own abilities. You get past a blind spot – a sticking point or hang-up – that was holding you back, by looking at things from a new point of view.  Good day to address intransigent people or tackle intractable problems (approach them during a Mercury hour). Your optimism and enthusiasm are fired up and you are able to make progress in the realization of your life goals.  

8/24/2010 @ 13:06 = 1 PI 26 = Full Moon

About the author: Bob Makransky is a systems analyst, computer programmer and professional astrologer.  He lives on a farm in highland Guatemala where he is a Mayan priest and is head of the local blueberry growers' association.  Check out his free downloadable Mayan Horoscope software, free downloadable Planetary Hours calculator, free downloadable Primary Directions / celestial sphere mathematics textbook, complete instructions on how to channel by automatic writing and how to run past life regressions, articles, books, stories, cartoons, etc. etc. at www.dearbrutus.com