Image: Wiki-Sky -
Key August Sky Events:
1. The Perseid Meteor Shower. This is an annual event for stargazers. The meteors are said to peak in predawn Sunday, 8/13/23. But be sure to look for them the night before Saturday 8/12/23, after sunset. If you know your constellations, look for Perseus to rise over the northeastern horizon, the meteors emanate from there. This year, there’s no competition from the light of the Moon, as it’s at its darkest, or balsamic phase, days before a New Moon (8/16/23). Perseus is easy to find, it has a distinctive shape and is surrounded by several recognizable constellations: Cassiopeia’s W to the north, Auriga‘s hexagon with bright Capella to the east, the Pleiades to the south, and the chain of three brightest stars in Andromeda to the west. (See skymap above.) Perseus is the 24th largest constellation in the sky. It is located in the first quadrant of the northern hemisphere and can be seen at latitudes between +90° and -35°.
2. Two Full Moons this month. The first was on 8/1/23 at 9 Aquarius, called the Sturgeon Moon (when these fish were plentiful in the Great Lakes and elsewhere in August). The lunar cycle is 29 ½ days, so in August we have a second Full Moon on 8/30/23 at 7 Pisces. (Note this FM triggers Saturn/Pisces Station Retrograde, described below). When two Full Moons occur in one month is called a Blue Moon. They are on the rare side, taking place about once in 2+ years.
3. Saturn/Pisces becomes an evening star, late August. On 8/26, Saturn opposes the Sun. As the Sun sets, Saturn will rise. Look for it low in the East as twilight deepens. That “blue” Moon will be close by, just 5° away, on the night of the 30th.
4. Antares – One of the four Royal Stars of antiquity: 9 Sagittarius sits in the Scorpion’s Heart. Known as the Guardian of the West. All month, look South, after nightfall, the fairly bright star not far above the southern horizon is Antares. Antares: Red supergiant. Infra-red source. Directly opposite Aldebaran, another Royal star.
Image: Book of Fixes Stars: Diana Rosenberg.
The closest aspect to 9 Sadge recently by square (90de.) was Saturn in Pisces retrograde station @ 7 degrees on 6/17/23. That’s close enough to access the energies of this star. Saturn reaches 9 deg. exactly between 2/22/24 – 3/2/24. If you have planets or horoscope points near this degree, you will feel this energy powerfully.
Characteristics of Antares: Modified by conjunction with planets or angles:
“Represents the oft-broken heart of humankind, alternately hopeful and despairing, noble and base, courageous and cowardly.
Confers courage, intelligence, high-position, honors and riches but as will all the royal stars, the danger of a fall from high position. Tendency to belligerence, violence, suspicion, self-destructiveness and possible loss of position and property. They need social and intellectual stimulation, seek excitement and expect to be at the center of activity and in charge. The best of them are hard-working, broadminded, gracious and generous. Strategic ability and seeing the big picture. Overconfidence and arrogance are problems.
They approach life with a greater than average intensity, stress is their natural habitat – if they do not encounter it, hey will seek it out (or create it.) Tough, obstinate, impulsive, dominant, their lives may be marred by quarrels with friends, relatives, who do not understand them. A saving grace is a very good sense of humor, a love of language but tendency for exaggeration.” -D.K.Rosemberg