August 4/5: Venus, Pluto and Juno join the planetary nebula Hubble 5, transforming relationship formulas, Neptune and the Helix Nebula combine with the Lunar Nodes to have a revitalizing contact with the Universe

August 4/5: Venus is in contra parallel to Pluto, and in opposition to the planetary nebula Hubble 5. Venus and Pluto adjust to each other, making a much needed balance between diplomatic and dominant attitudes. Venusian harmony neutralizes any manipulation attempts by Pluto, as Venus, passing through the zodiacal sign of Gemini, brings a touch of lightness, quite necessary in relationships that have become very intense. The opposition of Venus to the planetary nebula Hubble 5 is significant, as this dying star expels its outer atmosphere into space, forming lobes of gas much like balloons being inflated. The supersonic winds arising from the central star hit the gas that was expulsed hundreds of years before, causing the electrons to collide with it and making it shine.

     This glow symbolizes astrologically an awareness that serves to clarify and understand issues that have caused friction in relationships, in the recent or distant past. Hubble 5 may, on the other hand, revive and give new strength to conflicts that had subsided, but this would only be the case in very unfavorable situations. The trend is rather to "deflate" problems in committed relationships, dissolving exaggeration and making the emotional atmosphere less tense. Under these contidions, understanding is possible, and in the best of cases, a true communion. This can be achieved, but we must take into account that Pluto is at 45° from Juno, and this is another indicator of stress in any close relationships, but especially married couples. On the other hand, this can also be an indicator of positive change and regeneration of obsolete or harmful attitudes. It depends on us if this energy is channeled it into power games or to changes that create new patterns of relationship. But for that, we have Venus' helping attitude in opposition to the nebula Hubble 5, don´t forget!

     Neptune is conjunct the Helix Nebula, square the Lunar Nodes. This trend is interesting and indicates the need to transcend personal or social thought patterns and open the mind to a more universal kind of perception. This sounds like something mystical, of course, but it also has a practical application, because it has to do with our personal interpretation of  the events and situations in which we get involved. It is necessary to avoid bias from personal experience and education as it will prove ineffective to explain or help in most situations, which require a more open mind and a wider vision. The dissolution of prejudice is represented by the Helix Nebula, located in the constellation of Aquarius, which is a dying star. By its appearance, it has sometimes been called "the Eye of God". Planetary Nebulae symbolically dissolve prejudices, but make stable situations go weaker and insecure. But they also have their good applications.

     In this case, the Helix Nebula is of great help, as it is conjunct Neptune, to detach or distance  temporarily from what we have learned so far. This represents in itself a great effort to overcome the personal ego: apparently, this is the evolutionary path that the stars show at this moment of 2012. In addition, the North Lunar Node is also making contact with the Helix Nebula, forming a potent parallel. We must offer, as a sacrifice, our blank mind to the Universe, which will certainly send us the key to the truth that can not reach us if we can not have mental flexibility. Therefore, it is good to express openness, flexibility, to meditate, to pray, to be in contact with the greatness of nature or with a higher knowledge, whether spiritual, scientific or artistic. This release of personal rigidity will give us a broader view and will make us recognize our small but important role in the place where all we know happens: the Universe. A wonderful, revitalizing feeling! Do not forget to open the channels to perceive it and let it flow, as this will be in effect for about two or three more weeks.

Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer