August 7/8: Jupiter assists Pallas and star cluster M3 in their process of repair and maintenance, while Mercury stationary supports Ceres and the Butterfly Nebula in their protective intentions

August 7/8: Jupiter is sextile Pallas. Recently, on July 31, 2012, Pallas made its retrograde station in opposition to star cluster M3, indicating a good time to make repairs and give some strength to situations or routines that have become inconsistent or weak over time. For a couple of days, this process is extremely favored by Jupiter, which by itself always makes a good combination with this asteroid, giving an optimistic and positive impulse to Pallas' strategies and plans. Take advantage of this moment to give the necessary maintenance to your everyday environment, as repairs and improvements promise to be successful ... and this includes your own body!

     Mercury is stationary at 45° from Ceres, which is in opposition to the Butterfly Nebula. The Mercury retrograde period ends and is marked by the contact with minor planet Ceres, which is pretty busy protecting and caring for situations that require her help. The Butterfly Nebula is a dying star in the constellation Ophiuchus, which has expelled most of its atmosphere into space in two directions, giving the visual impression of the wings of a butterfly. Despite its beauty, this nebula indicates certainly an area in which there is weakness, and Ceres in opposition is responsible for providing support, time, assistance, energy, understanding, food, optimism, money, effort, love and other resources to compensate for any difficulties found.

     Mercury's station is thus linked to this process of care, which can range from desperate situations to simple maintenance of our everyday environment, depending on the particular conditions. Anyway, we'll discuss more deeply the mercurial station, but for now, we need to be tuned to Ceres' frequency, the asteroid that represents Mother Nature, to let her flow through attitudes of understanding and solidarity in our activities. Your help, as small as it can be, will be welcome, the world will be grateful!


Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer