Declination Forecast August 2023: Mars Contraparallel and Opposite Neptune

The Moon Out of Bounds in Cancer

As August kicks off the Moon is out of bounds for one day on the 1st, and then goes out of bounds again from Aug. 10 to 14, and from Aug. 25 to 29. These are good days to pay attention to your emotions but also to your habitual responses, that part of you that reacts on autopilot without thinking. Especially on the 12 to the 14th, while the Moon is in Cancer, the volume is turned up really high on subjectivity. This could be a blessing or it might feel like something less than that! Consider using this time to process rather than react.

Take time for yourself, and emphasize self care. When the Moon is back down from its declination peaks, you’ll have more space to process outwardly or with others.

Consider the air sign Moon dates to enhance objectivity. This month the air Moon in Libra on the 19th and 20th could be a good time to share your feelings if you’ve done your work processing beforehand.

Venus Retrograde Parallel Mars

Venus is retrograde for all of August, and at the start of the month makes a parallel to Mars on the 1st. Venus-Mars contacts are great for circulating creative life force, in the body as well as the heart.

August 1 was complex though, because Venus was at the apex of a yod with Neptune and Pluto and also square Uranus. I discussed that a bit in my Venus retrograde webinar.

Mercury Parallel Venus, Then Mars

On August 5 Mercury makes a parallel to Venus, but it’s already in range of a conjunction with Mars, which gets within 5 degrees the next day. While Venus helps Mercury be a little more eloquent and pleasing, Mercury in Virgo palling up with Mars has the feeling of irritability. My sense is that the irritation is coming to the surface around this time, but we’re not quite sure where it’s headed or just how irritating it’s about to get.

From August 6 to August 22, Mercury will be applying to Mars, and makes a parallel on August 7. That’s a day to note. Be careful with your words. Speak forcefully in defense of those in need, or to call attention to what needs mending. But resist the temptation to offer unsolicited advice out of anger.

Feel the anger, and spend some time with it, and skillfully craft your response over a couple of days. Communicate after you’ve dissipated the heat. That could be the hardest thing to do this month. You’re tuning in to something that needs to be fixed, or someone who needs some help. Be supportive and tap into your humility, but not your self deprecation. 

Sun Parallel Jupiter

If you’re looking for a little positive juju this month, there’s a tiny bit on August 11 when the Sun makes a parallel to Jupiter while squaring Jupiter. Some astrologers report that any aspect with Jupiter is helpful for tapping into good vibes. When there’s a square though, we want to be sensitive to overdoing or overpromising. 

Mars Contraparallel and Opposite Neptune

Things start to get a little murky or shady around August 14, when Mercury makes a contraparallel with Neptune while still square Mars. And then Mars makes a contraparallel to Neptune on August 20, while opposing it.

This is probably the biggest news this month. You might be surprised by your own actions. Your motivations may not be clear, and you might be confusing others.

You could face someone who is being unclear or even what seems like a little shady. You might not be able to get a clear answer, and your intuition is usually your best guide at times like this.

Trust your gut, even if your logic is telling you otherwise.

Resist taking action until after this aspect has separated a bit, beginning around Aug. 27, once Mars moves into Libra. That might present it’s own challenge, but I find it’s easier to work with indecision or too much consideration for others than it is to be totally confused about where they stand, or where you stand.

Use the Mars-Neptune time for time off if you can. Your energy might be a little low if this one is hitting your chart, which could be you if you planets in Virgo, Pisces, Sagittarius or Gemini, or if this aspect impacts your 1st house, 6th house or Moon. 

Sun Contraparallel Saturn

There’s a little roadblock aspect on August 22 with the Sun contraparallel Saturn, and that feeling tightens up the next day after the Sun goes into Virgo. This is a quick one though, so the frustration is probably short lived, but you might get a clue about something that needs extra work or effort on your part.

Mercury Retrograde and Parallel Mars

Mercury goes retrograde on August 22, and makes another parallel with Mars on August 30. So Mercury’s Mr. fixit gifts in Virgo are a little complicated if you’re trying to do something new, but if you’re applying this energy to clearing out the space for some new Mercury endeavors once it goes direct, you’ll be aligning perfectly with this energy. 

Alright, well that does it for this month’s declination report. To learn more about declination, check out my course Intro to Declination. And until next time, take good care. 

-Tony Howard

Declination Transit Dates for August 2023

• August 1 – Moon out of bounds
• August 1 – Venus parallel Mars
• August 5 – Mercury parallel Venus
• August 7 – Mercury parallel Mars
• August 10 – Moon out of bounds (through Aug. 14)
• August 11 – Sun parallel Jupiter
• August 14 – Mercury contraparallel Neptune
• August 20 – Mars contraparallel Neptune
• August 22 – Sun contraparallel Saturn
• August 25 – Moon out of bounds (through Aug. 29)
• August 28 – Sun parallel Venus
• August 30 – Mercury parallel Mars