I love the paranormal because I am the paranormal

Queen of Pentacles and Eight of Swords

Wednesday, August 12, 17:37 UTC, 20°02’ Leo

Sabian Symbol: chickens intoxicated

The key phrase for the New lunar phase is (usually) “set a new intention for the month” - nothing drastic, just a good habit you think you can successfully establish in one month’s time.

However.

This is also a solar eclipse, in a degree with a cautionary-sounding Sabian Symbol, followed immediately by another one of those long void of course Moons (17:37 UTC Wednesday the 12th, until 10:18 UTC on Thursday the 13th). I’m definitely going to sit this one out, myself.

And then what’s really irritating is that after the Moon enters Virgo (10:18 UTC on Thursday, August 13th), we have a mere 7 hours and 8 minutes before the Moon goes void again (Thursday, August 13th, 17:24 UTC) - and remains void until Saturday, August 15, 14:20 UTC. That’s 44 hours, 56 minutes.

🖕🏻🤬

So yeah, this sucks. Majorly. Tend to routine tasks, and don’t be surprised by any snafus and disruptions; ground and center, hydrate, and take your vitamins.

praise be to the beloved Selene, who dances around our earth playfully, pulling tides and tucking us into bed. as You wax and wane You remind us of the natural ebb and flow of the lived experience. You turn through your cycles inexhaustibly, never ending, like the soft breathing of mortals. a reliable pattern, a heartbeat, high above our human complications. high above the rising and falling of nations Selene sits— friend of the stars, foe of strife, quiet guide and companion. praise to the Moon!

contemplative and illustrious Selene, you remind me of Guan Yin. similarly to the Bodhisattva, the Moon watches over the affairs and suffering of all living beings, shining light upon all who seek Her. great titan, your cycles remind me to meditate and breathe deeper, to let go of attachments, as the Dharma encourages. two deities of motherly energy, how striking are your similarities and influence! how lucky am i to worship such magnificent forces of nature? thank you for keeping me on a path of loving-kindness.

may Selene and Guan Yin bless you.

Executive summary: we’re still in the shadow of the eclipse; the return of the marathon void Moons.

Lunar Phases

Wednesday, August 12, 17:37 UTC - New Moon/Solar Eclipse, 20°02’ Leo

The key phrase for the New lunar phase is usually “set a new intention for the month.” Except this particular New Moon (1) is an eclipse, (2) afyer which the Moon goes void of course right away. Think I’ll sit this one out, too.

Sunday, August 16, 05:28 UTC - Crescent Moon, 8°23’ Libra

The key phrase for the Crescent lunar phase is “gather and mobilize resources.” Diplomacy, graciousness; maybe a partner of some sort?

Void of Course Moon

Monday, August 10, 07:30 UTC (Cancer) - Tuesday, August 11, 08:38 UTC (Leo)

25 hours, 8 minutes

Wednesday, August 12, 17:37 UTC (Leo) - Thursday, August 15, 10:18 UTC (Virgo)

16 hours, 41 minutes

Thursday, August 13, 17:24 UTC (Virgo) - Saturday, August 15, 14:20 UTC (Libra)

44 hours, 56 minutes (🤬🖕🏻)

Retrograde/Direct/Etc.

Pre-retrograde shadow: Pallas/Aries (until Friday, August 14), Vesta/Aries

Retrograde: Pallas/Aries (starting Friday, August 14), Juno/Aquarius-Capricorn, Saturn/Aries, Chiron/Taurus, Neptune/Aries, Pluto/Aquarius, Eris/Aries

Post-retrograde shadow: nothing until September 17

Transiting Pallas stations retrograde on Friday, August 14, 11:42 UTC, at 22°38’ Aries. Our professional plans seem to go “on hold;” so do any creative projects (especially fiber arts).

Transiting Venus has her “greatest eastern elongation” on Saturday, August 15, 10:59 UTC, at 8°21’ Libra. It technically isn’t part of her Retrograde Zone (22° Libra - 8° Scorpio), but it’s like the Last Quarter lunar phase - we’re beginning to “turn away.” Not a good time at all to start anything involving art, beauty, love, or money.

Ingresses

Tuesday, August 11, 08:30 UTC - transiting Mars enters Cancer

The last time Mars was in Cancer, was during and after the 2024 US presidential election - we all seemed to build some “personal protections” as a constructive use of the energy. We can at least review (and where, necessary, shore up) those protections during the next couple or months (until September 28-29).

Tuesday, August 11, 14:44 UTC - transiting Juno retrogrades back into Capricorn

Juno’s affinity for social protocol does well in Capricorn. Unfortunately, the patriarchy (via Capricorn) tends to enforce its restrictions against those of us who are not white cishet male property owners. That bit needs work.

Wednesday, August 12, 14:54 UTC - transiting Ceres enters Cancer

Ceres loves being in Cancer. Which is a very good thing, because - thanks to her upcoming retrograde zone - she’s going to be here for the next several months.

Et Cetera

Sunday, August 9 - Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Note: currently enduring another 100°F/38°C weekend, and a migraine, so my ability to focus is limited let’s say - and I want to save that for the weekly. This is such a relatively brief transit, that I feel I can safely forego the usual thoroughness.

Let’s start by noting that Mercury is said to be in its fall in Leo - which condition is said to be like “staying at someone else’s house, and you don’t know what their rules are.” What we do here with these so-called “debilitations,” is look for some Leo skills to develop that Mercury ordinarily wouldn’t bother with. (And in my case, anyway, remembering all the “prima donna” intentions of the Mercury Rx we just finished. Leo can definitely help with that.)

Learning - Leo has a very scientific side; they’re really interested in figuring out how life “works” on that level. They also want to have fun while they’re learning. (So do we sit around and wait for the teachers to make it fun, or do we do that part ourselves?)

Thinking and reasoning - there can be stubbornness, some refusal to consider anyone else’s point of view. But there’s also a certain generosity and joie de vivre which can make us a little less judge-y and a lot more forgiving. We can come up with some truly creative solutions when we “think outside the box.”

Communication - learning to speak up at all; learning to use our authentic voices when we do; adding a little creativity and drama (but not lying!!) to help get the point across.

King of Pentacles and Two of Pentacles

Seven of Swords reversed and Page of Pentacles

Friday, August 7, 11:43 UTC

Chart erected for Washington, DC

Not a very grounded chart, with Earth signs represented only by a pair of Centaurs (Chiron Rx/Taurus, and Pholus Rx/Capricorn). Possibly an insensitive one, too, with only Mercury/Cancer and a third Centaur, Nessus Rx/Pisces, occupying Water signs.

But, this is a chart for a solar event (the Sun reaching 15°00’00” Leo, precisely halfway between the Cancer Solstice and the Libra Equinox), and look at that amazing exact trine between the Sun/Leo and Saturn/Aries! An excellent “season” to begin to really do that Saturn/Aries work:

Stepping up and taking personal responsibility (even when we didn’t “do it”)

Learning to work independently, in solitude

Meeting the challenge to become worthy of what we’re trying to accomplish

As for the Moon, it’s part of a “Kite” formation. There’s an Air sign grand trine between the Moon and Uranus together in Gemini, Venus/Libra, and Juno Rx with Pluto Rx in Aquarius. Women! Let’s talk (and listen) to each other!

The focal point for all that Airy energy is Neptune Rx/Aries. There are (surprisingly) plenty of ways to express this:

Working on our “spiritual warrior” side - from our right to be spiritual at all, up to our right to be spiritual in the way(s) that we determine for ourselves what is best for us

More artistic authenticity (e.g., people who can actually sing well without autotune, AI, etc.)

A more straightforward and direct approach to spirituality and religion (rather than elaborate rituals)

=+*+=+*+=+*+=

Happy Lammas for the northern hemisphere, and happy Brigid for you southern hemisphere folks! Since I always seem to start these with flowers - in these parts, it’s black-eyed Susan time:

(Own photo, from 2013)

We have gradually lost an hour of daylight, where I live - not really even perceptible, unless you have to wake up before 6 am. Now, though, “all of a sudden” the total daylight time begins to shrink very quickly and noticeably:

August 7 - 14 hours, 3 minutes

August 31 - 13 hours, 6 minutes

September 23 - 12 hours, 6 minutes

The shadows are darker, and their edges are sharper. This definitely adds to a slight urgency to our diminishing days.

The fresh produce makes up for it, for me anyway. For this cross-quarter we feast on peaches, blueberries, and corn on the cob.