The August forecast offers a window to plan ahead for the rest of the year and to implement changes before the fall. Uncertainty has been the keyword this year we continue to wrestle with more questions than answers. Our ability to plan, which is crucial to success in modern life, has been seriously hindered. Following the planets has turned out to be one of the few available “trackers” to make sense of the conflicting news that floods our feeds every day. While there are no guarantees, at least we can get an idea of what’s ahead. Now that the eclipse season is over and we’re between retrogrades, we have a chance to prepare for the rest of 2020.

July does not waiver from June’s message to “hurry up and wait.” And there is nothing we can do but wait with 5 planets (Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto) in retrograde and asking us to look inward and take stock of who we are.

It should also be noted that this month there is strong Cardinal energy in the signs of Cancer, Capricorn and Aries. (Cardinal signs start every season and thus they are the leaders and “idea people” of the zodiac. Count on them to initiate a winning idea or plan.) This energy may help us plod against the tide and start to put plans into motion. Slowly of course, but surely.

Mercury, messenger of the Gods, begins another backward orbit pattern bringing the total of planets in retrograde energy to five.  This time Mercury is in the emotional sign of Cancer.  Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is a Cardinal water sign.  Mercury is the planet that rules our thoughts, ideas, and the way we communicate with others. It is a planet of the mind, but the zodiac sign Cancer is all about feelings. Therefore, when Mercury enters this sentimental sign, his sharp, logical edges are softened, offering us an opportunity to understand and communicate our emotions more directly.

The year is almost half over and what a year it’s been. June continues this year’s theme of discovering what we are made of. With six planets retrograde by the end of the month things will be moving slowly, giving us time to process and digest. Even with the Eclipses, we will be able to take any twists and turns at a steady pace.

We are now entering eclipse season with the lunar eclipse, taking place on June 5. This eclipse will be in Sagittarius, signaling that there are important decisions to be made around issues such as international connections, belief systems, legal issues or education. Sagittarius is about the big picture. The last time we had a Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius was back in 2013, so this signifies the start of a new Eclipse cycle. This is a potent one and will really be guiding us to shed and remove those layers that have held us back and made us feel small. This Eclipse is about stepping into our power, and removing the obstacles that we very often place ourselves. We are far more powerful and knowing than we give ourselves credit for, and we are going to be reminded us of this. Mars is very active around this Eclipse, which means our emotions may be heated. There may be some unresolved anger floating to the surface, but it is important that we allow ourselves to feel all that arises.

I think that’s it’s a fair statement to say that since the beginning of 2020, we have been slammed individually and collectively. What has happened is out of our control and we have limited influence on the outcome (But, please, wear your masks and wash your hands!). No longer able to keep our plates spinning, we are hunkered down and trying to adjust to the changes before us.

Now as baby steps are being taken to re-start our lives again, May brings us 3 planets to join Pluto which is already retrograde. While many panic during these periods, I feel we have been given a pause, a period of time to review our lives and assimilate new lessons. I know it seems as if we have nothing but time to dwell on what is missing, but that’s really not the point. Brooding is not reflection; this is a time to reach deep into ourselves and pull ourselves out of the mire.