The lunar nodes are highlighted in planetary events for the rest of the month which often indicates a change in direction of some kind. Mars squared the nodes of the Moon yesterday, an event which often requires a change of direction. The Moon’s Nodes are signposts that point the way for us in our evolutionary journey, and Mars here activates that pathway for the next couple of days. Mars is approaching an opposition to Jupiter (exact August 23) where it can inflame our ego and stimulate a reckless urge for rash behavior and a tendency towards overconfidence. This is not a good time for gambling of any kind, and impulsive decisions made while Mars and Jupiter square the nodes could have a lasting effect. This aspect will be particularly challenging for those of us with planets in the early degrees of Virgo, Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces.

The Mars/Jupiter influence will be in effect for several days and lead into a square of Mars to Mercury on the 25th which will increase the likelihood of arguments and verbal conflict. The opposition of Venus to Neptune that same day will bring us an idealistic viewpoint, but could also bring confusion (Neptune) and cause us to lose perspective, particularly where other people (Venus) are concerned. These few days may bring experiences where disagreements take place and no one really knows what they are about. In that case it is useful to retreat from the arena and let the dust settle before making a second try to resolve things.

The trine of Mars to Chiron will aid in that resolution. Mars provides the drive to get to the root of the problem, the process that is embraced by Chiron. This will set the stage for the total lunar eclipse of the Full Moon on August 28. The Full Moon occurs when the Moon opposes the Sun, and lunar eclipses occur when the Moon and Sun each conjuncts the nodes of the moon. The South Node shows our past and the influences that hold us back, and the North Node guides us into our future. The eclipse on the 28th shows the North Node conjunct the Pisces Moon, calling us to go into the great beyond that lies within us to achieve a greater harmony within ourselves. The Virgo Sun conjuncts the South Node, highlighting our tendency to place the details of our daily life above the needs of our soul.

This is a powerful eclipse that includes a Grand Cross involving Mars in Gemini, Uranus in Pisces, Jupiter in Sagittarius and Mercury in Virgo. I’ll be writing more about the eclipse in the next week or so, but in the meantime all of this Mars energy can provide plenty of fuel for all of our endeavors if we don’t become caught in battles of ego. Exercise and lots of physical activity are the prescription for an overabundance of Mars, so get your body moving this week!