Uranus remains retrograde this whole month. Its shadow period remains until April 3, 2014. The degrees it travels this month (11?45´ to 10?40´ Aries) are represented in the Sabian symbols by “the ruler of a nation” and “a triangular-shaped flight of geese.” Geese always take turns in leading the flock to warmer climates. If a goose becomes ill or is injured, it is never left alone. Its mate or another goose will descend with it and remain by its side until it either recovers or dies. This is a reminder that we are now at a time in our evolution when we are supported by like-spirited beings. It is time to acknowledge our leadership, and if we don’t feel ready to lead others, we should rejuvenate while we allow others to navigate us out of troubled waters into clear skies.

Neptune remains retrograde this whole month until November 13. The shadow period (time until it reaches the exact same degree it started its retrogradation) extends until March 4, 2014. The degrees it travels in August (3?49´ to 3?06´ Pisces) are represented in the Sabian symbols by “heavy car traffic on a narrow isthmus linking two seashore resorts.” If we understand that spiritually we are all one, we realize that all our thoughts and all our feelings affect the whole of humanity. The more communication we have with one another, the more we heighten our frequency and the more influence we have on the general direction of planetary evolution. Every word, every thought, and every feeling counts.

Pluto turns direct on September 20. The shadow period lasts until January 2014. This month, its retrogradation goes from 9?05´ to 8?59´ Capricorn. These degrees are symbolized in the Sabian symbols by “an albatross feeding from the hand of a sailor” and “an angel carrying a harp.” The albatross is a bird that symbolically helps us find new ways out of chaos. It has tremendous resilience and is associated with independence, stamina, and faith. This degree is a very hopeful one, showing that the calmer we stay, the more open-minded we are and the easier it is to ride the changes with grace. The power is within us. As we connect to higher realms and know that we are not alone in this major transition humanity is going through, we shall be free from all that is not real. We are never alone. Even if unseen, angels with the music of the spheres soften the paths we are on and create new pathways for us to tread more elegantly in a deeper peace.