Astro Magickal

Lughnasadh and Astrology

In popular culture the thought of August conjures up imagery of long, hot, often lazy days. It’s a time of relishing and celebrating the last rays of warm Summer sunshine. It is as if we are lost in the moment. It seems as if Summer will never end. Yet Autumn looms, ever nearer.

Once again, the wheel shall turn.

In August the Pagan Wheel of the Year turns to Lughnasadh (also called Lammas). The festival of Lugh, the Irish Sun God, quite appropriately marks the beginning of the popular Sun worshiping month. Lughnasadh falls exactly half way between Summer Solstice (Midsummer) and Autumn Equinox (Mabon). This year that occurs on August 7th, at 6:50am PDT – making the traditional celebration (the eve of the Sabbat) fall on August 6th. However, many Wiccans and Pagans simply celebrate the holiday as August 1st, with July 31st considered the eve.

Lughnasadh marks the end of Summer and beginning of Autumn. Though, very fittingly, we continue to feel and celebrate the sunny days of Summer- they are growing shorter. The warm nights are growing longer. This festival of First Harvest is a time of appreciation for the abundance beginning to manifest. Summer ends in a blaze of glory, but it ends none the less. One of the four Greater Sabbats, Lughnasadh occurs at the moment the Sun reaches the astrological power point of 15 degrees Leo.

Lughnasadh Forecast

You may be familiar with the ongoing astrological aspect configuration called a T-Square, which has been discussed in previous posts. It has been shaping (and will continue to shape) a great deal of the turbulence and upheaval developing on all levels this year. One extremely important aspect in this configuration is Saturn opposing Uranus. Mars will oppose Uranus July 30th, and conjoin Saturn July 31st – therefore triggering the opposition. Venus will make the same aspects on August 7th and 8th. Right between the two celebrations, on August 3rd Jupiter will square Pluto – another important element in the T-Square. Mars opposes Jupiter and squares Pluto the very same day, triggering this aspect as it happens!

If that sounds like an awful lot of activity in the skies in a short time – it is. What are the effects?

On the surface, it will play out as a exceedingly frustrating, difficult, or turbulent period. Be especially carful of arguments under these aspects they could turn (emotionally) hurtful and destructive, even violent, easily. Mishaps will come all too easily, especially as a result of carelessness. Unexpected turns of events, legal or financial problems, and relationship problems are where most of us will see these aspects manifest.

During this period, it’s best to act with certainty, fire and drive – or not at all. Snap decisions are best avoided if possible, and followed through on if not avoided. Unfortunately, it likely won’t be possible to avoid them. Basically, the forecast shows very stormy astrological weather for the period. It may make actual celebrations more challenging, like any other storm. However, we can weather the storm.

And on a deeper level

The more important forecast on the Sabbats relates to deeper issues. On an emotional and spiritual level the T-square configuration, and the aspects triggering it, relate to purging and rebirth. Saturn and Uranus are opposites in many ways. The tale of their mythology involves the Battle of the Titans – and when they clash astrologically, the effects are similar.

Everyone is on their own unique spiritual journey throughout this incarnation. Whether you are still trying to find your path, following a personal path, following a specific tradition, initiated into a Coven or other Magickal order, or non-Pagan – we all seek advancement in some way. Striving for knowledge, power, skills, attunement, ascension, enlightenment… whatever you strive for, it is a challenge. Not in a bad way; like exercise challenges your muscles and they grow stronger.

These are spiritual challenges we choose, find peace and happiness in pursuing, and benefit from. We all hear (and most of us believe) that challenges can be our greatest gifts. These are the kinds of challenges that demonstrate how true it is. Sometimes, though, our conscious and deliberate efforts don’t result in advancement. Sometimes it takes more than practice, knowledge, focus, faith, tools, timing…

There are many factors that can hamper personal power, psychic functioning, aura strength, inner fire etc. without our conscious awareness. Karmic connections from past lives, buried psychological trauma, social and family pressure, insecurities, inhibitions, repression – these are things that can influence our mind and spirit without our even realizing it.

What is too subtle, buried too deep, or too much of an ingrained habit (including habitual ways of thinking) can’t always find it’s way to your conscious awareness. It takes a bit of upheaval, or the “in your face” type challenge to bring it to our attention. And that is at the heart of these aspects.

As we celebrate Lughnasadh, our attention begins turning toward the waning year. This is the First Harvest, the time when we begin to reap what we have sown. The surprise in the skies is what you reap may not be what you have sown. At least it may seem that way, if you take time to look around you, and look within.

Are people or events predominating your life, which seem unrelated to it? Perhaps it is Karmic connections from previous incarnations (or just Karma from your past in this incarnation). Do you feel blocked for no apparent cause spiritually, emotionally or psychically? Maybe the cause is buried deep in your subconscious, or soul – and reflected in equally out of context seeming thoughts, desires or emotions surfacing.

There is a constant cycle of life, death, and rebirth – not only in the Wheel of the Year, and our path through this incarnation but in all things. Needs, fears, relationships, goals, traumas, successes, failures… Everything has a cycle. Spiritually we embrace the ever-changing nature of our world. Psychologically, even if we aren’t aware, we often fight it.

These aspects are telling us it’s time to cleanse and purify. Purge old negativity, accept closed doors and seek open ones. Whatever in your life, or inner self has lived out it’s cycle – accept the end and embrace the new beginning. However these aspects are playing out in your chart, the wheel must turn, before you can go any farther. That is the basic theme. Whatever is coming to the surface in your mind, or manifesting in your life – face it.

The term spiritual warrior is overused – but it’s fitting of these aspects. You may be fighting inner or outer “demons”. They may be coming from the past or the present. Never-the-less, this is a time to summons your courage and win your war. It may feel as if you are, in some way, fighting your own personal Battle of the Titans. Remember the theme of that story – what had long been buried out of fear bursting forth; fighting for freedom and justice.