Hello Friends:

Venus will experience quite a shakeup in August. She recently emerged as the evening star, bringing all she learned in the underworld to the surface. You can see her just after the sun sets and feel her influence in your relationships, especially the one with yourself. What new wisdom have you uncovered and are now integrating?

Leo will face challenges this year, with its usual grandeur and exuberance tempered by difficult planetary transits this month. The two benefics, Jupiter in Gemini and Venus in Virgo, are in their "fall," and many transits to Uranus in Taurus, a sign resistant to change, add to the disruption. Venus moving into Virgo shifts her focus from pleasure and partnership to organization, details, sovereignty, perfection, and health. Meanwhile, Mercury retrograde demands extra care for your mental health, with anxiety and overthinking paralysis.

Despite these challenges, Leo season can bring clarity through introspection, liberation, and a renewed sense of purpose if you can manage all the Tetris pieces coming at you. The Full Moon in Aquarius on August 19th, flavored by Saturn's discipline and lessons, with nearly all planets activated, makes it a significant day for the Collective. The DNC 2024, occurring on this day, will be charged with the energy of change but tempered by a serious tone. I'm noticing more people finally trying to understand what an electoral college and caucus are for the first time--and now questioning their relevance. Take time to journal about how this kaleidoscope of a full moon feels for you.

I almost put an offer on a house I quickly fell in love with in Apache Shores, close to the water for paddleboarding and sailing. It was placed prominently on the vision board I made earlier this year. It was priced right and beautiful (Venus), but after further inspection, the neighborhood's surprisingly overdeveloped vibe deterred me. Although it was heartbreaking to let it go, this due diligence (Virgo) helped refine what I truly want. Sometimes, the pain of pursuing something and realizing it's not right is valuable information that brings you closer to what your heart truly desires. What disillusionment is changing the course of your actions?

It may seem ill-timed, but I am preparing my house to be listed for sale on August 23rd, despite Mercury going retrograde in Virgo. Mercury retrograde is often blamed for calamities, but I am repainting bathrooms, replacing carpets, and making minor touch-ups. Historically, I tend to make more money during Mercury retrogrades, which activate my grand trine in Earth. I trust this energy pattern and am handling any self-doubts by "carrying water and chopping wood" as my mantra and tasks these days.

Astrology's advantage is in planning your year—or even your month—and understanding the transits can help you prepare for them. This way, you won't fear them but understand their function and use the tension and lessons to your advantage. If you aren't experiencing a transit, you might know someone who is and can support them.

Below are some energies of the month to be aware of and plan around. I am excited for Venus to enter Libra, her home sign, at the end of the month after enduring August's challenges. This transition will remedy some relational issues that began in August, allowing her to harvest the abundant, well-earned fruits of her efforts.

Hold on, laugh as much as you can. We were made for this. We've got this.

August 2024 Forecast

Aug. 2: Venus-Uranus square may disrupt relationships and associations. Perhaps it's polarity. Or not.

Aug. 4: New Moon in Leo inspires intentions for new beginnings or blindspots! Develop a sense of humor. It's an intense month.

Aug. 4: Venus enters Virgo for about 3 weeks. The month starts with difficulty in relationships. Take a break from the "other" and reflect on what you actually want in relationships.

Aug. 5: Mercury retrogrades in Virgo, its home sign, which is often the scapegoat for things going wrong. Expect misunderstandings, and anticipate delays, fiascos, having to do things twice, exes returning, and tech issues.

Aug. 7: Sun forms a sextile to Jupiter for a change of atmosphere/vibe. Take some time away to recharge your vitality.

Aug. 12: first quarter Moon in Scorpio. Wrapping up all the loose ends and details. Now a creative project or desire is increasing in light and energy and it feels like It's finally happening!

Aug. 14: Mars conjunct Jupiter. Amplifies fidgetyiness and a racing mind, spinning plates, arguing, and activating that humor about it all again.

Aug. 16: Mars in Gemini forms a square to Saturn in Pisces. Authority feels burdensome on actions we are taking. Lesson in humility.

Aug. 18: Mercury retrograde forms square to Uranus (again), we no longer want things that don't work. The Mercury cazimi, refreshed by the Sun, helps us find a new solution.

Aug. 19: Venus in Virgo (personal relationships) square to Jupiter (community) in Gemini causing conflict around debating, arguing, and breaking promises. Venus in Virgo (bridge builder) opposing Saturn (not open to invitations) features women's issues in the spotlight, especially around health and work. Sun in Leo square to Uranus in Taurus feels like a disruption of what was supposed to be stable and agreed upon. Full Moon in Aquarius, squaring Uranus (its modern ruler). Will you side with the Sun (what we agreed on) or Uranus (why did we agree to it?). Jupiter in Gemini square Saturn in Pisces is a declaration of purpose for something new and different.

Aug. 22: Sun enters Virgo demands moving at a hectic pace with attention to detail in anticipation of a fruitful harvest.

Aug. 24: Mercury retrograde sextile to Mars, may find you revisiting a negotiation.

Aug. 26: Last quarter Moon in Gemini. There is pressure to act. Breathe. Assess.

Aug. 27: Venus trine Uranus, romantic status changes.

Aug. 28: Venus opposes Neptune, that realization of disillusionment.

Aug. 28: Mercury stations direct in Leo. Hop off the hamster wheel. Declare your reimagined purpose.

Aug. 29: Venus enters Libra, the peacemaker, compromise.

Aug. 29: Venus-Pluto trine, truces and covenants, which feel more attractive.

Gene Keys

July 30th – August 5th 2024

Gene Key 33: Forgetting - Mindfulness - Revelation. Accessing the deep revelation of wisdom requires some dedicated time to go inward in stillness.

"The main difference between contemplation and either mindfulness or meditation is that contemplation also uses the mind in a proactive way. We make use of mindfulness by inwardly watching our mind, our emotions and body, but with contemplation we are also doing something active. Contemplation engages the power of mind, emotion and body. It fuses and uses their energy to bring about an increased state of self-awareness, freedom and general prosperity. Thus, the real power of contemplation is that it naturally turns into decisive action, and that action brings about fundamental changes in our life..'"

​The Art of Contemplation, Richard Rudd

Astrological Mentorship

I have two openings for 3-months of 1:1 spiritual guidance through the methodologies of Astrology, Tarot, Gene Keys, Human Design, embodiment, yoga, meditation, ritual, and frameworks. It begins with initiation on September 9 and ends with ceremony on December 2, 2024.

If you are embarking on a creative project, book writing, healing journey, or building a new business and would like a holistic strategy that includes a 360-degree perspective of energetics, metaphysics, integration, and the ability to see progress through action, this might be useful for you.

You'll receive:

• Your personal natal chart, Human Design, Gene Keys, and Tarot guidance reading and analysis.
• Weekly lessons and experiments based on your personal transits as they affect your nata chart.
• One live 90-minute call per week for questions, activities, and deep dives.
• A Trello that keeps track of your progress toward your north star.
• Accountability through unlimited asynchronous messaging through Loom or Slack.
• A workbook that helps you stay organized and on-track until the end.

There are only two openings for this limited-time, private guidance from me. This is a condensed version of what is normally only offered to my business strategy clients on an annual retainer starting at $60K.

Austin Witches Market

I'll be giving Astro-Tarot readings at the Brewtorium on Sunday, August 24, 2024 from 12-4 p.m. 6015 Dillard Cir. 78752

You can always book a specific type of session at Ritual Resonance.

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Soul On Deck

By Clarissa Pinkola-Estes

This is one of my favorite poems, which was shared by Tad in his recent newsletter, "Be Not Afraid." It has a very Leo with a challenged Venus vibe.

Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely.

It is not given to us to know which acts or by whom, will cause the critical mass to tip toward an enduring good.

What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts, adding, adding to, adding more, continuing.

We know that it does not take everyone on Earth to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up during the first, second, or hundredth gale.
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One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul.

Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times.

The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire.

To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these -- to be fierce and to show mercy toward others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity.

Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it. If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do."

Gentle Flow Yoga & Sound

On Sundays, I teach a gentle Kripalu Yoga class that includes a long sound bath at the end to reset the nervous system. They are held at the gorgeous Yoga Common in the Balcones Woods neighborhood studio from 6 - 7 p.m. Reserve your spot here.

Thank you for being a part of my community. Your support means the world to me.

With much love,

Monica