The August 2023 calendar is shaded for the following influences:
 
Green = bullish
Red = bearish
Lavender = volatile
Yellow = energy shift
 
As these colors suggest, the month ahead looks choppier for markets than what we’ve seen lately.
 
On Friday, July 28, there was another bank failure as the FDIC closed Kansas Heartland Tri-State Bank. I think markets will become more volatile as we get closer to retrograde Venus in Leo square Uranus in Taurus, which is exact on August 9 at 7:08 am. Venus rules money, currencies and banks while Uranus rules tech, AI and innovation like cryptos or robotics.
 
Somewhat surprised, I've noticed no real bearish trend yet due to the Nodes now in a challenging square angle to Pluto or Uranus at the 22° Taurus degree of collapse. However, on August 9 retrograde Venus square Uranus will exactly align and trigger that position. These sectors are most likely involved: banking, currencies, tech and/or cryptos.
 
I did a review of when the April 4, 2022 bear market began which directly coincides with the North Node stationed at 22° Taurus. It turns out Saturn was also at 22° Aquarius, exactly square to the Nodes, and that was a huge trigger. (See picture below.) As the planet of limitation and restriction, Saturn square to the nodes at any degree is considered a negative secondary factor for markets in general.

Apparently, a planetary trigger to the degree of collapse made things way worse - a real bear market! I’m adjusting my thesis that merely having a planet or point at 22° Taurus is not enough to cause a trend change. A trigger by another planet or point is needed. Just like with technical analysis, astrological forecasting is an art; not a guaranteed science.
 
On August 15 at 10:35 pm the Leo Sun will square Uranus at 23° Taurus. This is another date to watch carefully for a major test or change of trend to the downside. The NYSE natal Mercury (planet of trade, transactions, communications and commerce) happens to be at 23° Taurus. Potential or surprising market excitement/drama may occur near this date.
 
It's hard to predict what will develop with Uranus - except to know there will likely be wild swings up or down. Uranus and its affiliated zodiac sign Aquarius are always full of surprises and lean toward a rebel attitude, daring to be different.
 
In trying to understand what planetary alignment has influenced a bullish 2023 market, I’ve concluded that Neptune sextile Pluto has been driving the momentum. Astrologer Louise McWhirter in her book “McWhirter Theory of Stock Market Forecasting” explains how outer planet alignments have the power to sway major market trends.
 
Neptune represents our dreams, ideals, visions as well as deceptions and illusions. Pluto signifies power itself, plus control, transformation, death and rebirth. These two planets have been traveling within a 3° orb of a 60° sextile pattern since May 11. Their sextile continues until November 9. The sextile is an energy of beneficial and positive opportunity; hence, markets have overall seen fantastic rallies this year.
 
Currently enhancing momentum is an added transit of Venus (planet of money) making what’s called a “Yod” pattern to this Neptune-Pluto sextile. Since July 8, Venus has been aligned in a 150° quincunx angle to Neptune. On July 12, Venus aligned in a 150° quincunx angle to Pluto. For now, this “Finger of God” or “Finger of Fate” pattern lasts until August 5-7. (See picture of the July 29, 2023 Yod below.)

Since all three planets are now retrograde, this same Yod pattern repeats during the first week of October when Venus retraces quincunx viewpoints to Neptune and Pluto.
 
The Yod implies an underlying force beyond our grasp is at work. With Venus, Neptune and Pluto, our fate is intertwined with finances, values, imaginings, beliefs, supremacy and renovation. This is a subtle yet important time in the grand scheme of all things. Ironically, the U.S. finally had a congressional hearing about “UAPs” (aka “UFOs”) during this rare configuration of Venus-Neptune-Pluto conversing together in a Yod formation.
 
Btw, according to CNN, last Thursday the DJIA ended a 13-day winning streak for gains; the most consecutive days of positive momentum since 1987: https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/27/investing/dow-stock-market-news-today/index.html

Please note this 2023 fall season there are additional astrological similarities to October 1987. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletters as I’ll discuss this further in a future post.
 
Until next time, I wish you an awesome August!
Trudy

Disclaimer: The above content is for informational and educational purposes only. No guarantees to accuracy are being made. The information contained herein should not be interpreted as personal advice for finances or investments. This is not a solicitation or endorsement to buy or sell financial products, equities and/or securities. The author and website publisher do not accept or assume any liability or responsibility for any private asset choices and purchases made. An individual’s own mental thoughts, free will and actions always create their unique destiny.
 
© 2023 Trudy Carol