The Great Shift
August 2025Exhausted and wired at the same time is a complaint shared often with me; and I must confess, not a feeling unknown to me. It is the result of overwhelming energetic bombardment we are currently enduring in this time known as The Great Shift. We are experiencing far, far more than planetary passages now. Solar flares, geomagnetic storms, Schumann Resonance (the earth’s pulse) changes and much more than I am aware.
The sheer volume of energetic waves to navigate is both exhausting and energizing. I feel that there is both never enough time for adequate sleep, (and when I do wake up, I am still exhausted), and yet weirdly eager and ready to get going. There is so much to do! This massive energetic push and pull reminds us that there are forces much greater than ourselves at work; and that all we can do is show up and do the work. Our work is a call and response with the Universe, playing the cards we’re dealt to the best of our ability.
Due to the very strong energies at play, allowing time for integration and development is essential. Fortunately as August begins, we are afforded the perfect time to do just that! Messenger Mercury has already been retrograde for two weeks and has another ten days until it turns forward motion.
Cosmically, we are let off the hook so to speak, to play hookey, go on vacation for the next ten ten days until Monday, August 11th. Rest, restore and renew now. Valuable Venus has just entered compassionate Cancer the Crab slowly joining Generous Jupiter. Both align to the Moon in intuitive Scorpio on August 1st inviting us to flow. Allow. Swim with the current, what carries us. It is a time to soak in self-care. Choose what is most soothing and what feels relaxing. You will be very glad you did. Further, you might not have much choice now anyway as trying to push forward on projects and pursuits yield little if any traction. The more you push, the more pushback you will get during the first ten days of August.
Magic is afoot as we move toward a waxing Moon.
First, on Thursday, August 7th, Motivating Mars enters lovely Libra. The rough and tumble planet of action is not especially comfortable in graceful, relationship oriented Libra. However, any awkward edge is enormously softened by Mars’ flowing alignment to Powerful Pluto in Aquarius and Change Agent Uranus in Gemini, forming what is known as a grand air trine. These planets are the movers and shakers of the solar system. With such powerful planets in connective and communicative energies, our thoughts, words, and technology are extremely potent now through mid-August. Ideas flow, connections are seamless, groups and teamwork are effortless, communications are well-received.
This is like being given a Harry Potter magic wand.
What will you do with your wand? Where will you point it?
Just remember to control the wand and not allow it to control you. Because your wish is its command. If ever there was a time to be careful for what you wish for, this is it! To effectively control your wand, or the power of your thoughts, focus on what you do want (not what you do not want). Visualize, write, then speak your desire. Pause. Then watch what you most desire manifest quickly. Faster perhaps than you ever dreamt possible.
Have you ever thought about someone only to receive an email or phone call from that person? Thought about a song and then it comes on the radio? Thought about an old, favorite movie then it appears on television?
These are small examples of the intentional communication energies at play from August 7-20th. We are all getting strong lessons now in the power of intention.
The stage is set.
Under the glaring spotlight of the Full Moon in revolutionary Aquarius on Saturday, August 9th Messenger Mercury, the planet ruling communication, turns direct motion the very next day on Sunday, August 10th. Everything is exposed now, all of it, the dirt and the blessings. This is an incredibly auspicious and powerful Full Moon.
Opposing the creative Leo sun, this innovative Full Moon knows no bounds. It runs on information, takes ideas and invents what never existed before. Radical, independent and non-comforming, this Moon could care less whose toes it steps on; rather, may step very intentionally on specific feet to make a point, be heard and seen.
Those seeking attention will indeed get it now, regardless of reason or purpose. To expect the unexpected during the second weekend in August is a major understatement. If you thought 2025 was too much, too fast, this Full Moon says, hold my beer.
We have crossed the Rubicon, passed the tipping point of no return. There is no going backward. Resistance is futile, as is trying to hold on to what once was or re-creating the way life used to be.
Not only is Messenger Mercury now rolling forward, it aligns smoothly to Neptune and Saturn in Aries. Feeling fierce and fearless? Time to tackle your dream; for there is little but our own internal blocks and resistance to stop us now. And need I emphasize: This is no time to play small. Leap and the net will appear. The moment is upon us to take up space, to be heard and seen, to walk with destiny.
It is particularly safe to do so the week of August 11-17th while Generous Jupiter and Valuable Venus travel together in maternal Cancer the Crab, aligning helpfully to the lunar North Node in Pisces. This configuration has our back and acts as a guardian angel by heightening our intuition. Silver linings appear. You know. You don’t why you know; you just do. And you are correct.
You might have some extra time on your calendar only to receive the call you’ve been waiting for to fill that gap. You might get held up in traffic only to be spared a life-threatening car accident. You get the idea.
With Mercury moving full steam ahead, sign the key documents, launch your projects, book your travel plans, or purchase the large ticket items you’ve had your eye on.
Our grand designs will be called into sharp focus at the time of the New Moon on Saturday, August 23rd. In practical Virgo, both Sun and Moon ask us to get real, to make a plan, and to be prepared for what is to come. All of our ideas are terrific but if they lack basic common sense or a plan to execute them, how will you see the results you desire, asks this New Moon?
Remember to hand write three to five intentions or goals you seek to manifest over the coming month or season. Plant in the soft earth to be harvested at a future time.
A few days later, Valuable Venus emerges out of her Cancer the crab shell and moves into Look at me Leo. Aligning to Neptune and Saturn in fiery Aries through the end of August, we are rarin’ and ready to go. Good thing we set those intentions on the New Moon last week! We have energy to burn. Now, it’s time to bring your plans to life.
Of Special Note:
ZENATHON! is ON!!! Join me on Sunday, September 14th in Sharon, MA for a day of peace, learning and incredible vendors! I am offering a class on the current astrology influences including a forecast for 2026. For more information and tickets, please visit: www.zenathon.org
Are you in search of a healer? Don’t know where to look to find excellent, vetted alternative and metaphysical practitioners? Check out The Seekers Field Guide!! I am so thrilled to now be a guide and offer my services with this groundbreaking resource offering a directory of the best healers in the business. Visit: www.seekersfieldguide.com to learn more!
The 3 Wise Women is off and running! Our community is about to celebrate its first anniversary. Join us! We are three veteran metaphysical practitioners offering community, conversation and connection via zoom every first Tuesday of the month @6 pm eastern. For just $10/session, feel safe among like-minded seekers to ask your wildest woo questions and learn from each other. To enroll: www.cathyripleygreene.com
Mystical Messages features my monthly astrology forecasts if you prefer listening via podcast. Also featured are cutting edge healing arts practitioners. Tune in and listen through Youtube, Apple or Spotify or hear previous episodes: www.hilaryharley.com