Glimmers of Hope

Overview

A stellium in Aries of retrograde planets, including the centaur Chiron and the dwarf planet Ceres retrograde, represent a focus on reversing policies or reclaiming territory, continues throughout the week of this report. The Grand-trine fades, while the  minor grand-trine continues. Mars gains speed as it reverses to direct transit, leaving the kite formation. Slowly. Progress on resolving issues and conflicts begins to take form.

Summary of major and minor aspects of the week

Wednesday August 13^th — A stellium in Aries with retrograde planets Saturn, Neptune, Ceres, Chiron, and the Moon with a potential trine aspect to Mercury in Leo, to complete the Mystic Rectangle, a minor configuration. A wide opposition aspect from Mars in Libra to Saturn/Neptune retro weakens as Mars pulls ahead, putting less pressure on the odd couple Saturn/Neptune retro. Mercury in Leo is partile sextile aspect to Mars, signifying a talking companionship. The goal may be to reignite a friendship. Saturn/ Neptune retro separating sextile aspect to Pluto retro in Aquarius , and partile sextile aspect to Uranus in Gemini, threatening rebellion in the ranks against secret pacts that may be initiated. Uranus doubly applying trine aspect to Pluto retro indicates that exchanges could be volatile. Trine aspects from Uranus to Mars and from Pluto retro to Mars weaken, although the grand-trine configuration is operational for now, indicating a goal to unify the powers to settle disagreements. The Moon in Aries is square aspect to Venus and Jupiter conjunction aspect in Cancer, the Moon disposed of by Mars. Uranus is semi-square aspect to Jupiter/Venus pair and semi–square aspect to the Moon/Ceres conjunction aspect in Aries.  Demands to release captives, including radical demonstrations, may advance operations to secure release.

Thursday August 14^th — Uranus in Gemini partile sextile aspect to Saturn/Neptune retro in Aries seeks to differentiate the fellow travelers (Saturn and Neptune), is also semi-square aspect to the Jupiter/Venus pair in Cancer, and semi-square aspect to Chiron retro in Aries. Uranus trine aspect to Pluto retro in Aquarius, Uranus the dispositor of Pluto, the major power centers, with the understanding of a possible ignition of conflict involving the super-powers, seeks a reduction of hostilities, and are strangely compatible. Mercury in Leo, the dispositor of Uranus, disposed of by the Sun in Leo, and sextile aspect to Mars in Gemini. Mercury still in shadow represents the negotiator, carries a burden to appease conflicts. The Sun is largely unaspected in its domain, maintains a royal distance, personal attributes muted. The Moon ingress Taurus 13:23 UTC; 09:23 EDT; 16:23 EEDT.  The Moon transits to the square aspect to Pluto retro and then square aspect to Mercury, making a T-square configuration [see image]. The practical Moon in earth sign Taurus represents the persistent mediator, assisting in finding a diplomatic middle ground. However, the balance is easily lost, as the underlying motivations are revealed.

Friday August 15^th — The Moon in Taurus is sextile aspect to Jupiter in Cancer and then to Venus in Cancer, disposed of by the Moon. Ceres retro in Aries is in a separating square aspect to Venus and applying square aspect to Jupiter. A daring rescue operation is implemented and /or celebrated. Saturn/Neptune retro in Aries sextile aspects to Uranus in Gemini and sextile aspects to Pluto retro in Aquarius represents the intractable situation. Uranus is in close sextile aspect to the midpoint of Saturn/Neptune, disposed of by Mercury in Leo, intelligence is able to pinpoint locations, partile sextile aspect to Mars in Libra, disposed of by Venus, success brings about a new balance in an intractable conflict.

Saturday August 16^th — The Moon makes a square aspect to the Sun for the 3^rd quarter Moon phase 05:13 UTC; 01:13 EDT; 22:13 Friday PDT; 04:13 EEDT Jupiter in Cancer doubly applying square aspect to Ceres retro in Aries. Disagreements center around the exchanges of prisoners. Stellium in Aries of retrograde planets Saturn/Neptune conjunction aspect, and Ceres and Chiron retro.  Uranus in Gemini partile sextile aspect to Saturn/Neptune retro, and doubly applying trine aspect to Pluto retro in Aquarius. Moon ingress Gemini 16:02 UTC; 12:02 EDT; 19:02 EEDT.  The Moon in a conjunction aspect to Uranus 2 hours after the ingress, sextile aspect to Saturn/Neptune retro and doubly applying trine aspect to Pluto retro activates the minor Grand-trine configuration with a push for a transformation, possibly upsetting the status quo. The Moon transits to the sextile aspect with Mercury in Leo and trine aspect to Mars in Libra, opening communication channels could be one outcome of the Trump-Putin meeting, as a new temporary minor Grand-trine is created.

Sunday August 17^th — The Moon in Gemini is semi-square aspect to Chiron retro in Aries early today, US time zones, and sextile aspect to Ceres retro in Aries by mid-afternoon, evening in time zones for UK, EU, and ME.  An exceptional offer may release hostages, believe it when you see it. Jupiter is square aspect to Ceres retro, as the harsh reality mixes with joy. Mercury and Mars partile sextile aspect continues over 3 days, with intensive communications and messaging.

Monday August 18^th — The Moon in Gemini reaches the sextile aspect to the Sun in Leo early today, US time zones, afternoon hours in UK, EU , and ME. Mercury partile sextile aspect to Mars, initiates goals and proposals. Moon ingress its domicile sign Cancer 19:06 UTC; 15:06 EDT; 18:06 EEDT square aspects to Saturn retro and Neptune retro in Aries, then quincunx aspect to Pluto retro in Aquarius. Finally, square aspect to Mars in Libra, late in the day, as hope for a truce initiates actions.

Tuesday August 19^th — The Sun in Leo is trine aspect to Chiron retro in Aries, as the Aries stellium of retro planets continues over several days. Action to remedy the abuses of power may be taken now. The Moon in Cancer transits to the conjunction aspect to Jupiter in Cancer, and makes a square aspect to Ceres retro in Aries, as more hope for reparations and a release of missing hostages who may finally reach their families. Uranus in Gemini doubly applying trine aspect with Pluto retro in Aquarius strengthens to partile, as the minor Grand-trine with Saturn/Neptune retro holds. The Moon transits to the conjunction aspect with Venus overnight, square aspect to Chiron retro in Aries, as agreements are made that accomplish goals while sacrificing on some issues.

Looking ahead

Delve into the mysteries of astrology in this introduction and guidebook — Our Cosmic Imprint — available on Amazon with eBook or print version. Fascinating chart readings of celebrities included.

Reminder: While lunar aspects are in effect only for only a few hours, the aspect of the outer planets can last days and weeks. While I no longer post on Facebook each day, the week’s review is posted each Tuesday.

Hope you navigate the week successfully and share the joy! Thanks for reading.

The first Volume of Our Cosmic Imprint, astrology for self-actualization and transformation is now available online at Amazon bookstore in paperback or ebook format. It should be of interest to the novice astrologer or the curious as well as those advanced in astrological practice. View at https://amzn.to/35bFC7w

To comment, please send email to: admin@shoshananeshri.com

Gimelstar
August 12, 2025
Safed, Israel