WEBVTT 00:00:07.049 --> 00:00:09.509 Hello, welcome to Astrology Alchemy. 00:00:10.019 --> 00:00:12.509 I'm Sheila Bellagio, your host for this podcast. 00:00:13.169 --> 00:00:17.100 Alchemy is defined as a seemingly magical process of transformation. 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:21.835 Spiritual alchemy is the process of pursuing the gold of your true nature. 00:00:22.559 --> 00:00:25.949 By transmuting the unrefined limiting parts of yourself. 00:00:26.789 --> 00:00:36.689 In this podcast, I'll offer you inspiring insights from current astrology cycles that support your path of turning your personal lead into gold. 00:00:37.229 --> 00:00:43.530 More resources are available at the website on the edges of change.com. 00:00:51.521 --> 00:00:58.182 Hello, and welcome to episode number 324 of the Astrology Alchemy Podcast. 00:00:58.692 --> 00:01:02.411 This is for the week of August 4th, 2025. 00:01:02.862 --> 00:01:05.861 I'm your host and guide, Sheila Er. 00:01:07.152 --> 00:01:11.322 So here's a phrase from this week's podcast poem. 00:01:12.882 --> 00:01:15.371 Who wants to know a story's end? 00:01:17.996 --> 00:01:24.206 The big news this week is about Mars, the Warrior Action taker, warriors Archetype. 00:01:24.807 --> 00:01:25.887 Here's an overview. 00:01:27.057 --> 00:01:44.436 Mars enters Libra this week and it activates a wave of dynamic tensions and breakthroughs with outer planets inviting you to a potent review of how you take action, seek justice, and navigate conflict. 00:01:45.246 --> 00:02:07.516 I wanna remind you, I'm trying out a new form with this podcast to give you some reflection questions to help you in your own individual journey with the planetary archetypes to go deeper and to make it your own, and to give yourself some time to reflect and honor how you navigate the unique currents of the astrological energies that you're sensitive to. 00:02:09.076 --> 00:02:13.697 On Wednesday, August 6th, Mars enters Libra for six weeks. 00:02:14.747 --> 00:02:19.907 This begins a new cycle focused on relational assertiveness. 00:02:20.627 --> 00:02:24.856 Mars again is the astrological archetype of action taking. 00:02:24.856 --> 00:02:26.146 It's the sacred yang. 00:02:26.146 --> 00:02:27.016 Let's go do it. 00:02:27.016 --> 00:02:28.366 Let's go after what we want. 00:02:28.366 --> 00:02:29.687 It's very assertive. 00:02:30.137 --> 00:02:34.157 In its wounded side, it is very aggressive and can even be violent. 00:02:34.907 --> 00:02:43.276 Libra is that Zodiac sign that wants balance, fairness, relationship, reciprocity. 00:02:44.912 --> 00:02:58.801 Mars and Libra supports your capacity to initiate from balance, justice and social artistry, but may also expose for you places where you hesitate to take a stand. 00:02:59.822 --> 00:03:10.657 Sometimes the deep challenge of any planet moving through Libra as an energy really has to do with the wounded side of Libra, which is to make nice. 00:03:11.581 --> 00:03:13.352 And to keep the peace at all costs. 00:03:14.012 --> 00:03:15.002 There's a tension here. 00:03:15.032 --> 00:03:17.792 'cause Mars is a very assertive archetype. 00:03:17.792 --> 00:03:20.671 And Libra sometimes can say, well, we can go both ways. 00:03:20.671 --> 00:03:21.451 It could be this. 00:03:21.451 --> 00:03:22.111 What about that? 00:03:22.111 --> 00:03:23.942 We wanna make sure it's okay for everybody. 00:03:24.331 --> 00:03:25.622 That's a beautiful energy. 00:03:25.951 --> 00:03:32.641 But when it comes from a survival strategy, we end up not being assertive in a sacred way. 00:03:33.331 --> 00:03:42.271 So this six week period may challenge your survival strategies and relationship where you make nice or keep the peace, or you don't wanna rock the boat. 00:03:42.481 --> 00:03:51.542 Particularly when we're in such a territory collectively of so much violence, of so much suffering, they may say, oh, I just, I'm just gonna keep it low here. 00:03:52.622 --> 00:03:58.921 Tune into Mars and see where you can take action from a sacred place. 00:04:00.556 --> 00:04:03.646 Of stewardship of your own and others' energy. 00:04:05.086 --> 00:04:07.426 Here's a reflection question for you. 00:04:07.426 --> 00:04:15.856 With this cycle, where are you being asked to initiate action from partnership and not polarization? 00:04:17.026 --> 00:04:26.716 This is an immense gift to our world right now because the toxic hook to polarize and other everyone, including your inner parts, is very strong. 00:04:28.007 --> 00:04:29.896 Can you take action from partnership? 00:04:32.927 --> 00:04:34.576 We continue the journey with Mars. 00:04:34.576 --> 00:04:37.797 It's a very strong Mars week, so, cool. 00:04:37.797 --> 00:04:38.576 Your jets. 00:04:38.637 --> 00:04:44.007 When you get pissed off and activated, please take some time out and take care of yourself, okay? 00:04:44.427 --> 00:04:48.387 Because conscious Mars is really powerfully helpful. 00:04:48.836 --> 00:04:50.637 Unconscious Mars is destructive. 00:04:52.317 --> 00:04:54.086 On Friday, August 8th. 00:04:54.701 --> 00:04:59.771 Mars newly in Libra, trines, Uranus, newly in Gemini. 00:05:00.911 --> 00:05:12.281 Again, this action taker, just having moved into the territory of partnership relationship justice activates with Uranus, the Maverick archetype. 00:05:12.942 --> 00:05:22.362 This is the one that wants us to question old status quo, stagnant control patterns to say, blow it up, get free. 00:05:23.937 --> 00:05:25.137 Dig under the fence. 00:05:25.197 --> 00:05:26.576 Let's try something different here. 00:05:27.177 --> 00:05:31.137 Just recently in the sign of Gemini, we'll be there for seven years. 00:05:31.586 --> 00:05:39.057 So this radical change with our mind, with our ideas, with our capacity to think outside the box. 00:05:39.656 --> 00:05:45.146 Now, Rine means Mars and Uranus are 120 degrees away in the heavens from each other. 00:05:45.146 --> 00:05:47.067 That's from Astrology's point of view. 00:05:47.247 --> 00:05:48.476 It's very harmonious. 00:05:48.627 --> 00:05:50.127 They really support each other. 00:05:50.487 --> 00:05:56.036 And of all the planets that we work with as archetypes, they are the most impulsive ones. 00:05:56.036 --> 00:05:57.747 They just wanna get on with it. 00:05:58.016 --> 00:06:07.677 So you have this really deep support to take action Mars in a balanced, fair way, Libra, to radically shift up your ideas, your mindset. 00:06:08.951 --> 00:06:11.411 How you wanna think your narratives. 00:06:11.862 --> 00:06:22.122 So Mars trying, Uranus is also helping this electric impulse for change, but there's another cycle involved here. 00:06:23.021 --> 00:06:29.742 On the same day, August 8th, Mars is opposite Saturn, which is retrograde in Aries right now. 00:06:30.732 --> 00:06:37.091 There's a very different character than Mars and Uranus, Saturn, the structure maker. 00:06:37.632 --> 00:06:42.641 The responsible one, the overt planet with the rings, bring your own boundaries. 00:06:42.672 --> 00:06:43.091 Okay. 00:06:43.451 --> 00:06:54.252 Whenever Saturn's in the play, there is this invitation to adulting to step up, make the call, decide, Hey, this is mine to do or not mine to do. 00:06:55.437 --> 00:07:18.206 Now Saturn is recently new into Aries, so this is really challenging us to take responsibility for our absolute unique self and way of going and to listen to ourselves in a good way, to take back our own authority and not project it on outer of humans, institutions, religions. 00:07:18.206 --> 00:07:20.007 It's just, okay, it's up to me. 00:07:21.057 --> 00:07:39.747 Now Saturn is retrograde, which means it appears to be going backwards in its heaven, and it brings this inner review of what is really mine to do, Saturn and AVEs, and how do I create foundation and structure for my own uniqueness, my own individual path. 00:07:39.747 --> 00:07:39.956 Now. 00:07:41.096 --> 00:07:43.076 Now Mars is opposite Saturn. 00:07:43.137 --> 00:07:47.276 This means they're opposite each other in the heavens, and that implies some tension. 00:07:47.786 --> 00:07:52.406 I often say to people that an opposition between two planets is like a tug of war. 00:07:52.766 --> 00:07:55.521 It's a back and forth journey, give and take. 00:07:56.487 --> 00:07:58.047 So here's Mars and Libra. 00:07:58.047 --> 00:08:01.737 I wanna stand up and take action on fairness and balance. 00:08:02.007 --> 00:08:04.377 Here's Saturn in Aries saying, whoa, whoa, whoa. 00:08:04.377 --> 00:08:05.637 I need an inner structure. 00:08:05.637 --> 00:08:10.526 I need to know the rules of the game for me to figure out what it is mine to do, what's not mine to do. 00:08:11.997 --> 00:08:20.766 So this brings, this challenge and friction to question some old limitations or internalized rules. 00:08:21.427 --> 00:08:30.276 And remember, we've got this double energy on this particular day we have Mars, the action taker in you and the world activate evading with the maverick. 00:08:30.276 --> 00:08:36.937 Come on, make some radical changes, but also being held sort of stopped in a appropriate way by Saturn. 00:08:37.177 --> 00:08:46.206 It's kind of cranky energy and it really, these two cycles, it's a signature that invites a bold but measured realignment. 00:08:47.422 --> 00:08:52.221 In how you assert your will, that's Mars in relationships or group dynamics. 00:08:52.731 --> 00:09:05.101 So it's this, growth producing tension that says, I know where I need to go or where our group needs to go to do something radically different, but I need to be measured and adult and mature about it. 00:09:05.522 --> 00:09:10.412 It's not just about me, and it's not just about, you know, lead follower get outta my way. 00:09:10.442 --> 00:09:13.831 It's like, whoa, how do I become a leader of change? 00:09:14.777 --> 00:09:17.027 So just notice how that might be stirring. 00:09:17.027 --> 00:09:20.057 Here's a reflection question on these two cycles. 00:09:21.797 --> 00:09:29.956 What outdated rule or internal authority needs to shift so you can act with more freedom? 00:09:31.996 --> 00:09:35.177 And remember that liberation starts as an inside job. 00:09:36.256 --> 00:09:39.677 So many of us are so distressed. 00:09:40.307 --> 00:10:02.746 And activated and reactive to the immense, horrific suffering that's going on in the world with dominator, white supremacist control, patriarchal patterns, and in our anger or rage, we can be self-destructive and not make any change. 00:10:03.917 --> 00:10:04.756 So it's also, whoa. 00:10:06.767 --> 00:10:15.886 What's my own inner outdated rules or internal authority that I need to shift so that I can act with more freedom, not just for myself, but for all beings? 00:10:17.746 --> 00:10:18.076 Okay. 00:10:18.647 --> 00:10:23.267 The Mars journey continues on Saturday, August 9th. 00:10:24.106 --> 00:10:28.697 Mars and Libra is now opposite Neptune, newly in two areas. 00:10:28.726 --> 00:10:30.017 Also, retrograde. 00:10:30.557 --> 00:10:34.562 Refer back to many podcasts about Saturn and Neptune right next to each other. 00:10:36.241 --> 00:10:48.601 So this cycle of Mars opposite Neptune can be a time of possible confusion or disillusionment about what direction to take or how to use your energy. 00:10:49.922 --> 00:10:55.381 'cause Neptune is this visionary, mystic being, it's an archetype. 00:10:55.951 --> 00:10:58.621 I've talked to you about how it's a dissolving function. 00:10:58.621 --> 00:11:00.631 It takes us into altered states. 00:11:01.486 --> 00:11:02.746 Very positively. 00:11:02.746 --> 00:11:10.356 It's vision, it's prayer, it's ceremony, it's union with, something larger than our ego. 00:11:11.226 --> 00:11:13.927 Equally, its challenge can be altered. 00:11:13.927 --> 00:11:28.027 States that are unhealthy, addiction, hopelessness, despair, mental health issues, giving up, why bother feeling invisibilized, feeling just g lost and confused. 00:11:28.086 --> 00:11:30.037 It's all there in the spectrum of Neptune. 00:11:30.831 --> 00:11:38.902 So it's really also this time of having the courage Mars to activate your intuition, not just your logic. 00:11:39.621 --> 00:11:41.902 Let your intuition guide your next move. 00:11:43.192 --> 00:11:48.591 This cycle invites surrendering ego control and softening combative tendencies. 00:11:50.241 --> 00:11:54.591 Mars represents the part of ourselves that is our individual personal will. 00:11:54.711 --> 00:11:59.211 And when we get stressed, when we get fearful, when we get anxious, we fight. 00:11:59.302 --> 00:12:03.532 That's a very, I mean, there's many core reactions, but fight is one of them. 00:12:04.192 --> 00:12:13.011 And Neptune is this dissolving, softening much larger collective perspective, transpersonal perspective. 00:12:13.011 --> 00:12:17.121 So it's also like, you know, what are you fighting about that you don't need to fight about? 00:12:18.532 --> 00:12:26.422 How can you really tune into your intuition and let it guide you what move, what action to take? 00:12:29.032 --> 00:12:39.292 Same day on Saturday, August 9th, we have a full moon at 17 degrees of Aquarius at 12:55 AM Pacific Daylight time. 00:12:40.192 --> 00:12:44.897 So here's this monthly time of the balance between the sun and the moon. 00:12:46.147 --> 00:13:04.596 The sun, the solar conscious self radiating its light from Leo, the fire sign of creativity, sovereignty, and willing to be seen opposite, balancing the moon, the instinct of nurturer archetype full in the energy of Aquarius. 00:13:05.466 --> 00:13:12.486 And the core conversation between Leon Aquarius is the individual self-expression visibility. 00:13:12.486 --> 00:13:18.697 Here I am in balance with the collective evolutionary transformation, Aquarius. 00:13:19.206 --> 00:13:22.177 It's a you we conversation. 00:13:22.596 --> 00:13:23.767 Be who you are. 00:13:24.067 --> 00:13:29.047 Stand in your own sovereignty, but don't fall into the wounded patterns of narcissism. 00:13:29.886 --> 00:13:30.817 Recognize. 00:13:31.447 --> 00:13:38.797 Your individual creative beauty and power is also there to contribute to the greatest good of all, which is Aquarius. 00:13:40.897 --> 00:13:45.907 So this Aquarius Full Moon shines a light on your place in the collective. 00:13:47.736 --> 00:13:52.807 It highlights themes of vision, innovation, and emotional detachment. 00:13:53.287 --> 00:13:59.381 Aqua, this is a time for you reflect on how your personal expression supports. 00:14:00.172 --> 00:14:03.532 Or sabotages larger social ideals. 00:14:05.152 --> 00:14:13.282 It's really important for those of us who live in the United States to recognize that we co-created the situation we have. 00:14:13.701 --> 00:14:24.802 And again, there's, it's playing out this clash between the old patriarchal, dominating, overbearing, over control energy is universal in our world. 00:14:26.226 --> 00:14:37.777 And this evolution where this old way of being and this old narrative is dying in its death rows, and yet it's taking a lot, it's taking many out in its death rows. 00:14:38.287 --> 00:14:44.106 But we need to recognize any of us who are involved in the United States living here connected to it in some way. 00:14:44.586 --> 00:14:46.147 We co-created this. 00:14:46.567 --> 00:14:48.726 And so this question I'm offering you. 00:14:50.302 --> 00:14:54.172 What personal truths are you ready to contribute in service to the greater whole? 00:14:54.381 --> 00:14:57.501 What's your piece in revolution? 00:14:57.501 --> 00:15:00.981 Evolution in whatever way you feel called to make a difference. 00:15:02.782 --> 00:15:07.251 It's not so much about we are right, they're right, they're right, we're wrong. 00:15:07.371 --> 00:15:16.537 You know, those kinds of things, but rather recognizing you have a creative spark, you have a unique voice, and it needs to come to the table in service to the greater good. 00:15:17.902 --> 00:15:20.211 Notice what's stirring with you under this full moon. 00:15:22.672 --> 00:15:24.322 Okay, one more Mars cycle. 00:15:24.772 --> 00:15:26.241 Sunday, August 10th. 00:15:26.721 --> 00:15:28.011 Mars in Libra. 00:15:28.642 --> 00:15:31.282 Rines, Pluto retrograde in Aquarius. 00:15:33.317 --> 00:15:33.537 Plu. 00:15:35.557 --> 00:15:38.557 The farthest planet in our solar system. 00:15:38.736 --> 00:15:42.096 Remember, like many astrologers, it is not a dwarf planet. 00:15:42.846 --> 00:15:46.596 It's a very, it's small but mighty as a transpersonal ally. 00:15:46.956 --> 00:15:47.947 It's the transformer. 00:15:48.846 --> 00:15:50.677 It's the systemic change maker. 00:15:52.267 --> 00:15:58.836 Remember, I see Pluto as the archetypal energy in us, in the world that says, get into the basement and clean up your old boxes. 00:15:59.317 --> 00:16:00.606 Look at what's festering. 00:16:01.177 --> 00:16:02.557 Look at what's dying. 00:16:03.172 --> 00:16:06.532 Look at what hasn't been metabolized and alchemized. 00:16:07.312 --> 00:16:10.341 'cause until you do that, you can't have true evolution. 00:16:10.581 --> 00:16:18.741 You can't really be in sacred power because you are still unmetabolized, and we're always unmetabolized. 00:16:18.772 --> 00:16:23.091 But Pluto really demands a truth telling down to the bones. 00:16:23.091 --> 00:16:24.052 Cut the bs. 00:16:24.802 --> 00:16:26.601 So here comes Mars. 00:16:26.601 --> 00:16:31.731 The action taker again, trining 120 degrees away from Pluto in the heavens. 00:16:32.841 --> 00:16:39.111 Harmonious powerful cycle to help you make deep systemic changes. 00:16:40.162 --> 00:16:48.172 This cycle is like a deep, well of empowered, will, and focused intention that becomes available to you. 00:16:49.371 --> 00:16:58.761 This is an alchemical aspect, catalyzing you to act with courage and integrity. 00:16:59.601 --> 00:17:03.981 Especially in transforming relationship patterns or social structures. 00:17:03.981 --> 00:17:14.557 That's the Libra part that Mars is in, because again, Pluto and Aquarius, Aquarius is a sign that wants, evolution and it's very connected to. 00:17:15.616 --> 00:17:19.727 Universal truths and egalitarian mission. 00:17:20.027 --> 00:17:21.886 It's like, how does everybody get free? 00:17:21.886 --> 00:17:24.467 How does everybody get to be liberated? 00:17:24.946 --> 00:17:40.336 So Mars in this very personal planet, meaning our own individual will, asking about balance and justice and fairness and relationships aligning with this larger collective transformation evolution call. 00:17:43.517 --> 00:17:45.586 A reflection question for this cycle. 00:17:46.936 --> 00:17:51.376 Where are you ready to act with deeper purpose and transformative power? 00:17:54.856 --> 00:17:58.277 And last but not least, coming attractions. 00:17:59.507 --> 00:18:04.277 The next week on Monday, mercury goes Direct. 00:18:05.623 --> 00:18:08.653 in Leo after being retrograde for three weeks. 00:18:09.268 --> 00:18:14.817 So it, I'll speak more about this in next week's podcast, but it happens pretty early on Monday. 00:18:14.817 --> 00:18:16.347 So I wanna give you a heads up. 00:18:17.307 --> 00:18:22.557 It marks a time of mental clarity returning after a profound review phase. 00:18:22.617 --> 00:18:24.627 Maybe you found that to be, so maybe not. 00:18:25.498 --> 00:18:31.077 New insights may emerge about how to express your voice and creativity with heart-centered leadership. 00:18:31.647 --> 00:18:33.028 So I just wanna plant that seed. 00:18:33.028 --> 00:18:34.137 It's already happening. 00:18:34.188 --> 00:18:35.538 Most of my listeners are. 00:18:35.827 --> 00:18:40.508 Very, very sensitive to these archetypal planetary cycles. 00:18:40.748 --> 00:18:45.637 So you're probably already feeling Mercury about to go forward in its orbit symbolically. 00:18:45.938 --> 00:18:48.667 So just want to acknowledge it and acknowledge you. 00:18:51.907 --> 00:19:00.607 Thank you so much for listening and I hope you are with me in this experiment of the new format with the reflection questions. 00:19:00.607 --> 00:19:03.548 I I welcome any kind of feedback email. 00:19:04.847 --> 00:19:12.377 You let me know how it's going for you, but I wanna help you go deeper with some of these cycles and really let you own it in your own way through reflection. 00:19:14.988 --> 00:19:22.768 So the poem that came to offer for this week's cycles with this Mars action taking courage. 00:19:22.778 --> 00:19:31.448 Let's balance things out in alignment with four big outer planets, Saturn. 00:19:32.692 --> 00:19:39.893 Uranus, Neptune and Pluto really helps you question your status quo and how you've always done things. 00:19:40.583 --> 00:19:45.623 It's called What if This Road by Sheena Puke. 00:19:48.593 --> 00:19:56.093 What if this road that has held no surprises these many years decided not to go home after all? 00:19:58.192 --> 00:20:00.502 What if it could turn left or right? 00:20:01.343 --> 00:20:03.202 With no more ado than a kite tail. 00:20:04.883 --> 00:20:06.772 What if its tarry skin? 00:20:06.982 --> 00:20:26.782 Were like a long, subtle bolt of cloth that is shaken and rolled out and takes a new shape from the contours beneath and, and if it chose to lay itself down in a new way around a blind corner. 00:20:27.728 --> 00:20:28.718 Across hills. 00:20:28.718 --> 00:20:31.837 You must climb without knowing what's on the other side. 00:20:33.157 --> 00:20:36.698 Who would not hanker to be going at all Risks. 00:20:38.438 --> 00:20:43.298 Who wants to know a story's end or where a road will go? 00:20:47.288 --> 00:20:49.867 What if this road by Sheena Pgh? 00:20:52.087 --> 00:20:52.718 So notice. 00:20:53.647 --> 00:20:57.907 Your attunement with Mars' challenge to you this week and the full Moon. 00:20:59.137 --> 00:21:01.748 What if this old road goes a different way? 00:21:03.577 --> 00:21:11.438 What if you are willing to know a different ending to your story and to sort of set forth and say, let's try it differently. 00:21:13.298 --> 00:21:16.208 Let's explore balance and. 00:21:18.367 --> 00:21:23.827 Relationship that is an attunement, not just with me, but all my beloveds with the world. 00:21:24.847 --> 00:21:31.449 How can you be a champion of justice and fairness now in a way that's congruent for you? 00:21:36.008 --> 00:21:39.577 Thanks as always for your listening to this podcast. 00:21:39.577 --> 00:21:43.478 I so appreciate your support. 00:21:43.577 --> 00:21:55.907 And you're telling others about it, your reviews, and I wanna highlight for you, I'm very excited to open up enrollment once more in my signature course Transformation Journey roadmap. 00:21:56.567 --> 00:22:05.688 It's a very powerful journey, self-guided of reclaiming your own intuitive, powerful wisdom by. 00:22:06.542 --> 00:22:13.563 Addressing your inner saboteurs and all the conditioning patterns we all have that make ourselves small and invisible. 00:22:14.613 --> 00:22:28.073 So if you're not already on my email list, go to my website on the edges of change.com, sign up for the email list, and also go there for information on when I'm opening the Transformation Journey Roadmap course. 00:22:28.073 --> 00:22:31.913 Once more, it will come with a free workshop. 00:22:32.962 --> 00:22:36.623 To invite you into exploring the roadmap. 00:22:37.163 --> 00:22:42.292 That'll be on Saturday, August 16th, so check it out. 00:22:42.982 --> 00:22:44.423 Thanks so much. 00:22:45.627 --> 00:22:45.748 I. 00:22:48.239 --> 00:22:53.189 You have been listening to the Astrology Alchemy Podcast with your host, Sheila Lange. 00:22:54.058 --> 00:23:00.659 Resources are available at the website on the edges of change.com. 00:23:01.199 --> 00:23:02.308 Thank you for listening. 00:23:02.969 --> 00:23:07.499 Bless your alchemical journey to embrace the gold of your true nature.