The Quality of Signifying
“We may think of the stars [planets] as letters, forever being inscribed upon the heavens—or written once for all and set in motion as they carry out their appointed tasks. From these great tasks flows their power of signifying.”
– Plotinus
Nearly 1,800 years ago, the Greek philosopher Plotinus didn’t see the planets as celestial puppet masters pulling the strings of human fate. Rather, he saw them as part of the universal fabric he called "The All", reflecting patterns and correlations – not determinism.
Forgive the “heady” start, but it’s fitting for today’s full moon. On August 9, the Sun shines in heart-centered Leo while the Moon, as always opposite the Sun at full, glows in airy, intellectual Aquarius. The twelve zodiac signs align with the constellations arranged along Earth’s orbital path around the Sun with the planets in our solar system traveling more or less along this same plane. The Moon’s orbit tilts about five degrees. (When it does line up on this plane, we get eclipses.)
So, what’s special about this full moon? The answer: it’s all about contrasts.
On one side, the Sun in Leo teams up with Mercury—still retrograde but preparing to turn direct in two days. Expect communication (and maybe everything else) to start functioning more smoothly. Add to that Jupiter, planet of expansion, now in Cancer for a year-long stay, joined by Venus, planet of love, since July 30. This cosmic “power couple” will be dancing "cheek-to-cheek" for two more weeks, encouraging deeper bonds and sweeter connections. Think of it as a month-long, interstellar Valentine’s Day.
Meanwhile, Mars marched into justice-loving Libra on August 6, opening a six-week window for diplomacy and equitable resolutions. May it be so on the world stage. Yet there’s complexity: Mars now stands in opposition to Saturn and Neptune in Aries, forming a kite aspect pattern for the next six days. As one astrologer puts it, “It doesn’t get more volatile than that.” This tense aspect doesn’t guarantee conflict, but the energetic weather is undeniably charged.
The guidance: keep your cool, stay grounded, and breathe. And if you’re up before dawn, look east between 3:00-6:00 am to see Venus and Jupiter in their close embrace. This conjunction – an event that happens about every 13 months – peaks on August 12.
