This week may feel heavy and intense; small emotions getting super-sized, annoyances into emergencies, drowning in birdbaths, etc. This is because the moon is passing through the two signs ruled by Saturn, and so our hearts may feel oppressed, constrained, crushed under the weight of our troubles. Not only that, but the moon will first ping Pluto, today on Weds 8/10, before building up to the full moon on top of Saturn in Aquarius which occurs tomorrow night, Thurs 8/11.

Pluto takes our hearts down to the plumb their depths, and if we do not panic and thrash, we may find glittering treasure within – for a start, are the things rattling us the ACTUAL problem, or a symptom of other matters? Something left undone? Which, if addressed at its root, could potentially nip other problems in the bud and raise the overall quality of life? Venus opposes this conjunction of the Moon and Pluto, and so it may be a place that seems unattractive and to be avoided (and perhaps with good reason!) But even if the antidote is covered in centipedes, it’s still the antidote, and you might want to take that medicine.

The Sun also may have us feeling icky and uneasy this Hump Day – his trine to Chiron may call attention to insecurities of personality and how to move past them, but the exact square to Uranus and the North Node may throw unseen banana peels into ego’s path. I may be downplaying this aspect, but it’s only because I’ve been harping on about hard aspects to Uranus-North Node for a while now, so to reiterate: expect monkey wrenches and substantial surprises. The Sun is also moving into an opposition with Saturn, which will feel especially potent on Thursday with the full moon, so many of these obstacles may feel insurmountable. But all escape rooms are solvable, and the key here may be Saturn’s retrograde, which calls into focus the directive to redefine structures and boundaries. A detached approach to one’s heart may serve here, at least in this moment, as a means to analyze the way your emotions are serving, are hindering, and are perhaps losing at the whole risk/reward, return-on-investment thing.

On a brighter note, Thursday night sees Venus exit the deep well of feeling that is the third decan of Cancer, and enter the hot girl summer savanna of Leo. Venus will soon meet many of the same challenges that plague the Sun this week, but for now, styles can get wild, looks can get curated, freak flags can fly. Express yourself!

I wish I could say that Friday (8/12) keeps the sunshine and lollipops rolling in, but no, Friday brings a conjunction of Mars and the very malefic fixed star, Algol, for the remainder of the week. Both are volatile forces known for severing connections, and Algol in particular is known for making folks lose their heads – literally, in historical record, but more often these days, the act is figurative. Either way, there may be some gruesome outbursts this week. Algol is also known to expose those who victimize the weak, so hopefully we’ll see some of that in the news. Justice against the powerful is a best-case scenario, but we may also be subject to horrors that have little to do with that.

Meanwhile, Mercury in Virgo slides closer into a trine with Uranus-North Node. Unlike the contentious relationship that the lights had with this array (discussed earlier,) Mercury is in a position to receive benefit from this relationship, though it may still come in way that is unexpected or even jarring. Smells like a brain breakthrough. This aspect persists throughout the week, and may be triggered (and also possibly challenged) by the moon’s opposition to Mercury on Saturday (8/13,) which may mean the heart isn’t ready for some of what the mind has manifested.

Sun (8/14) seems a touch softer. The Sun itself is still being assailed by tough aspects to the planets in Taurus, but the Moon is first wading through the waters of Neptune, which usually seems a harmonious relationship (at least, for those who can go with the flow,) before joining Jupiter late Sun into midday Monday, enflaming a spirit of competition and self-betterment. Just remember the state of Mars – don’t lose your head!

The remainder of the week sees Venus close in on a tight trine to Jupiter, reiterating earlier comments on style and expression. New horizons may be found by ambitious creatives here, or really anyone looking to more confidently do what they love. After a week front-loaded with heavy feelings, it’s nice to close out with a little self-care. So whatever form that takes, take the time to indulge.

Until next Hump Day!