August 8/9: Mercury ends its retrograde period conjunct open cluster M46, stimulating expression and creativity... Uranus, Pallas and globular cluster M5 indicate alterations in plans and a good maintenance of daily life, while the Sun and galaxy M74 emphasize art, aesthetics and drastic changes

August 8/9: Mercury makes its direct station conjunct star cluster M46, in parallel to Vesta. Mercury retrograde finally ends and the planet of communication makes its direct station conjunct star cluster M46. This open cluster, like others in the same area of the sky, has an abundance of A-type stars, which strongly stimulate expression. Further, these stars are about 100 times more luminous than our Sun, suggesting astrologically a special intensity in their manifestation. Therefore, this mercurial station represents an opportunity to express ideas, feelings and creative impulses, but with a tendency to exaggerate or magnify things.

     That this is positive or unfavorable depends on the context in which things are expressed. M46 supports artistic creativity, expression of hidden or long suppressed emotions and feelings, social events, communication in general and political demonstrations, but it may be quite strident in an everyday context or when a certain neutrality or objectivity is needed. It is advisable to avoid drama, to seek fairness and equanimity in relationships, focusing on creating and generating productivity at all levels. This mercurial station can be particularly favorable for finance, as M46 is a very rich cluster: it has over 500 stars, and this abundance can be materialized in excellent investments, purchases, exchanges and business. This is especially true if they were concceived around the last week of June and the first of July 2012. So...let's be productive!

     Uranus is in parallel with Pallas and star cluster M5, a combination that indicates changes in plans and strategies. Do not be surprised if things don't go as planned, since cluster M5 is quite unstable, with many variable stars. However, changes can be favorable, try to adapt to whatever arises in the moment with a little bit of flexibility. Uranus means renewal, and cluster M5 is a very old one, symbolizing past, decadent situations or failures caused by time, neglect or excessive use. Therefore, it is a good time to update our routine and give proper maintenance to our environment, at home, at work, or to ourselves...

     The Sun is parallel to spiral galaxy M74. This combination, which occurs twice a year, can be very harmonious and very explosive at the same time. M74, with its great design and magnificent beauty, can  stimulate strongly aesthetic sense, art, order, structure, which can inspire many to inject a healthy dose of beauty to their surroundings. There is enough strength and encouragement to rearrange things in a creative and aesthetic environment at home or in the workplace... It is definitely a good day for artists, taking into account Mercury's station with M46, which occurs simultaneously and with a similar creative and aesthetic trend. However, this galaxy contains a hypernova, a special kind of supernova or stellar explosion which is extremely powerful, indicating a tendency to surprising, drastic change, perhaps exaggerated. It is therefore necessary to be very careful not to recklessly cause explosive situations by lack of awareness. However, if you already have planned important changes in advance, this is a very good time to implement them without any problems. Go for them and take care!