Your Milky Way Horoscope Aug. 18-24, 2013

By Milky Way Maid

Jupiter at 12 degrees Cancer squares Uranus in Aries at 3:14 am Wednesday. Uranus always wants its freedom, and Jupiter can magnify that urge to an unbearable height. People can become so impatient in general that they hurt personal relationships. Uranus can also be haste, so don't be too hasty in judgments at this time. This aspect is really in effect all month if not longer.

The Sun enters Virgo at 7:02 pm Thursday. Sun in Virgo types like to set themselves up as the ultimate arbiter and critic. They are very good at discrimination, at discovering minute differences between items or performance, but they may not be so hot at judging human potential. The Downside: being stuffy, fault-finding, compulsive, intellectually dry and uninspired, as well as having low self-esteem because they are too aware of their own flaws. The Upside: being detail-oriented, orderly, diligent, and able develop the potentials of others, being supportive of others' growing mastery of a given skill or task.

Sun in Virgo has the charm of being modest and unassuming, although many women have an earthy appeal, too. They are very sensible about their diet and other health habits as a rule, and many of them work in allied health fields as nurses or dieticians or medical-records-keepers. Famous people with Sun in Virgo include: Lyndon Johnson, Henry Ford II, Sophia Loren, Anne Bancroft, Leo Tolstoy, Arnold Palmer, Alan Jay Lerner, Cardinal Richelieu, Claudia Schiffer, Geraldine Ferraro, Angelo Dundee, Vittorio Gassman, Dan Marino, Ed Begley Jr., Warren Burger and Greta Garbo.

Mercury enters its second home in Virgo at 6:37 pm Friday. Mercury is strong in this sign, with very powers of analysis and discrimination. Unfortunately, the Virgo Mercury tends to lump things into black or white, good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable categories. Things have to be perfect, other people have to be perfect, in order to satisfy them – and you know that no person is perfect, we are human after all. They need to see perfection as a process; performance can be shaped towards an ideal held in one's head as the ultimate goal. Virgos are very good at educating others in practical skills and in self-management tools. They often have very quick, skilled fingers so they are good at typing and crafts.

Mercury in Virgo represents pure reason, without any consideration for the human impossibility of perfection. Like Vince Lombardi said, we can never achieve perfection, but if we aim for perfection, we can achieve excellence. Anyway, they are better at dealing with abstractions and theory and practical applications of principles. Famous people with Mercury in Virgo include: pianist Vladimir Horowitz, author Truman Capote, golfer Ben Hogan, architect Eero Saarinen, actress Geraldine Chaplin, and Pope Paul VI.

Venus at 9 degrees Libra squares Pluto in Capricorn at 5:59 am Saturday. Venus and Pluto together can spell a magnificent obsession with a loved one. Thankfully, most people do not get to the extreme stages where couples end up in murder-suicides. This transit allows couples to look deeply into their relationship and into themselves and figure out whether they are better off with each other or without each other. They can then decide to go into couples therapy, or attend an enrichment weekend, or whatever they have to do in order to get right with each other. Often this aspect means a deep fear of being controlled. The relationship needs to change and grow, otherwise it starts to die on the vine. In practical matters, Venus also rules cash and cash flow, so Pluto can either turn off the spigot, or inundate you with a massive windfall. There is the possibility of theft or extortion if one runs a business.

The Sun at 1 degrees Virgo is conjunct Mercury at 4:56 pm Saturday. It is hard to sit still under this transit. One gets busy with one's own agenda, knocking things off the to-do list or shopping or paperwork. There may be a lot of chatter, but not for schmoozing; it's for purposes of getting info so he/she can continue with the agenda or schedule appointments. This is also a key point in the business cycle, so watch what the stock market does on Friday and the Monday after. Friday and Monday may look like two completely different psychologies at work.

Please look to the right-hand column on Blogger if you would like these articles translated into Spanish, French, German, Japanese or any other language. Link: http://milky-way-astrology.blogspot.com/

LATE DEGREES – see my popular article on late degrees of all the signs. Link: http://milky-way-astrology.blogspot.com/2008/08/planets-in-late-degrees-what-do-they.html

POPE FRANCIS – I finally posted a little article on the new Pope Francis and also a kind of book review on a book that accidentally talks about ancient astronomy. The article on Pope Francis is here: http://milkywayastrology.wordpress.com/2013/06/02/a-look-at-the-new-pope-franciss-astro-charts/ And the article on the best book that both is and is not about ancient astronomy is here: http://milkywayastrology.wordpress.com/2013/06/02/the-best-book-about-ancient-astronomy-that-isnt-about-astrology-per-se/

GREAT WEBSITES – In no particular order of importance: Check out Astrology.com -- free lessons online. Watch astronomic animations at http://shadowandsubstance.com/. Go to http://www.solarsystemscope.com/ for a view of our solar system and nearby stars. This guy called the correct winner of the 2012 election, and he puts out a monthly column: http://www.howardbeckmanvedicastrologer.com/wordpress/

This guy writes a cool weekly astrology newsletter and sells astro books: Dave at www.astroamerica.com.

Readers can follow not only their Sun sign horoscope but also their Ascendant for further clues to how your week will develop. NOTE: some aspects are exact on a weekend but may find opportunity for expression on the Friday or Monday nearest the exact aspect. Times given are in Eastern Standard or Eastern Daylight Savings Time depending on the season.

ARIES - March 20-April 19 – Fun times with friends is on the agenda for Monday night. The Moon is in Aries from 3:13 am Friday till next Sunday morning. You feel rather unappreciated and even blocked Friday; try not to trip over your own lip. On Saturday's Venus-Pluto square puts the stress on all relationships, altho you may be able to talk your way back into others' good graces. Mercury and Sun enter your solar sixth house this week; this is really ideal for getting a first-rate, thorough checkup.

TAURUS - April 20-May 20 - Mercury and Sun enter your solar fifth house this week; this kind of assumes that you have been doing some creative writing, because now the editing phase begins. Sunday looks good for getting lots of errands done; rest your tootsies when you get home. Wednesday favors lunch with an older and very special friend. Shopping with a friend looks good for Wednesday night but I hope your pocketbook can stand it. Thursday night favors attending a local sports event – go team!

GEMINI - May 21-June 20 - Mercury and Sun enter your solar fourth house this week; spring cleaning comes a wee bit late for you, but better late than never. Your house and kitchen will never be so clean as it will be this month. Monday night you latch onto a humorous book or magazine at the bookshop. Friday night could be good for a romantic evening, but it is best to avoid talking about work. Saturday's Venus-Pluto square stresses finances; this is not likely to be a lucky weekend for gambles.

CANCER - June 21-July 22 - Mercury and Sun enter your solar third house this week; calls may increase in volume, most of which will be requests for information. Try not to correct other people for errors of grammar or spelling, etc – just enjoy being the paragon of correctness this month. Saturday's Venus-Pluto square stresses all relationships for the cardinal signs; decisions about family expenses can spark arguments.

LEO - July 23-Aug. 22 - Mercury and Sun enter your solar second house this week; it is time to analyze bank statements and invoices with a fine-tooth comb. You might pore through your possessions for chips or other flaws and discard the leavings. Monday night you are in a mood to enjoy comedy, since you love to laugh. Friday night could be rather romantic for a dinner out, if you have primed the pump with sweet nothings earlier in the day.

VIRGO - Aug. 23-Sept. 22 - Mercury and Sun enter your sign this week; you are sure to be the answer man or gal, and have a microphone in your hand to amplify your responses. If you are not comfortable talking off the cuff then make sure to make some note cards. Don't over-extend yourself Sunday. Thursday night Mars lends you extra energy for that big chore; clean out closets or even the garage.

LIBRA - Sept. 23-Oct. 22 - Mercury and Sun enter your solar twelfth house this week; you will most likely spend more time either alone or in some kind of hospital (hopefully as a volunteer or observer rather than as a patient!). You might enroll in a writing workshop or any other type of retreat, or just cocoon in your own hideaway. Saturday's Venus-Pluto square stresses all relationships for the cardinal signs; your family deserves some quality time.

SCORPIO - Oct. 23-Nov. 21 - Mercury and Sun enter your solar eleventh house this week; you may put in more hours at a service organization this month, possibly on teams of volunteers. Just be extra careful to follow directions exactly, because they will be extra persnickety about any mistakes. Wednesday may be your best day this week, with the Moon in compatible Pisces and several easy aspects spread thru the day -- Consult with a mentor over lunch.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov. 22-Dec. 21 - Mercury and Sun enter your solar tenth house this week; management may be especially picky about evaluating performance at work so really push to make sure you are as close to perfection as possible. They may be aiming at cutting out deadwood and so their review of your record becomes even more crucial. Saturday's Venus-Pluto square stresses finances, so have cash reserves if the ATM is out of commission, and don't max out your credit.

CAPRICORN - Dec. 22-Jan. 19 – The Moon is in Capricorn Sunday. Moon opposes Mars in the afternoon, making everyone irritable and emotional; also haste makes for accidents so be especially careful with machinery or while driving. Later, the moon is void so stick to routine. Mercury and Sun enter your solar ninth house this week; look over contracts and other legal papers with a fine-tooth comb for errors and blanks not filled in. If you have submitted a manuscript or term paper, expect to see a lot of corrections.

AQUARIUS - Jan. 20-Feb. 17 – The Moon is in Aquarius from 12:07 am Monday thru Wednesday. Early risers may have pastries for breakfast Monday. You are determined to get things done Monday morning. Changes of plan in the afternoon may work out better than expected. A bit of a tug-of-war all pm Tuesday; you will have to marshal all the facts to make your case. Mercury and Sun enter your solar eighth house this week; keep an eagle eye on insurance fine print and check your bills and investment statements.

PISCES - Feb. 18-March 19 – The Moon is in Pisces from 12:43 am Wednesday till early Friday. Early risers Wednesday need that second cuppa java before trying the commute. You may be pushed into a thankless job midday Wednesday. You're up for a spirited game Thursday night. Mercury and Sun enter your solar seventh house this week; try not to be overly picky about others' appearance and behavior. Saturday's Venus-Pluto squares forces decisions about debt.