The planetary movement in the month of August depicts the potential for turbulence and there is significant activity pertaining to the financial sector with both Mercury and Jupiter turning retrograde. In the Lunar Return chart for South Africa the main significator Jupiter is posited on the malefic fixed star Hamal indicating potential for the present-day woes to continue.

Any given month exists within a broader time frame and the current cycle of time is one of change and uncertainty. Lunar Return charts of countries are assessed in relation to their Solar Return charts which in turn are delineated within the more complicated charts used in mundane astrology such as the Aries Ingress chart and the relevant Saturn/Jupiter conjunction.

Saturn is direct in motion and exalted in the sign of Libra, a status quo that will remain until 2012; for as long as he is traversing through Libra Saturn issues will be in the foreground. In August the Sun will form a sextile to Saturn and Mars will square him; both are detrimental to the ruler of stability and law and order as the Sun and Mars are in signs that hate Saturn and wish him harm. In an abstract sense the Sun is the ruler of the king - the heads of state in the form of presidents and governments; Mars is the warlord, the ruler of bloodshed and aggression. It is likely that the existing friction in Libya and other countries where the situation is volatile will be exacerbated in August. Mars is also the ruler of eruptions and fire and Saturn is the ruler of the earth; we may see an increase in volcanic eruptions or other natural disasters of a fiery nature.

In South Africa’s chart Saturn plays multiple roles because we assess both the natal and the Lunar Return charts. South Africa’s assets and resources, its large corporations, its government and its public image are vulnerable during this month which could manifest in many different ways. The ramification of the initiation of a national strike by NUMSA in July is but one example and the significator of South Africa’s money posited on the fixed star Algorab illustrates scavenging and destruction. A deeper concern portrayed by these aspects is that the stability of the South African economy is profoundly threatened and the aspect of the Sun to Saturn could possibly indicate a forced increase in the interest rate by government, one that is premature and which will further devastate an economy that is by no means strong enough to weather this storm.   

Jupiter in Taurus turns retrograde on 31 August and will remain retrograde until 26 December 2011. Jupiter is for the most part neither weak nor strong in Taurus; he is what we term peregrine. Peregrine planets are most likely to behave badly and are vulnerable to external forces much of the time. This status for the natural ruler of wealth is most fitting and depicts the flux of global economies quite succinctly. This depiction of a global economic crisis which began in 2008 may be aggravated when Jupiter turns retrograde at month end.

In South Africa’s natal chart Jupiter is its primary significator as Lord One; Mars is its 12th house of self undoing. In the Lunar Return chart the two house rulerships are reversed with Mars as Lord One and Jupiter as Lord Twelve. This is significant because it indicates that the country is intent on shooting itself in the foot in August as Mars exalts Jupiter, its folly, and Mars in fall Cancer will sextile Jupiter highlighting this additional potential for internal national damage which is self-inflicted. 

Mars ingresses into Cancer where he is unhappy as the cold and moist properties of Cancer are not compatible with the hot and dry nature of Mars. On a personal level confrontation is to be avoided as emotions run high; the outcome of emotional outbursts will most likely not be positive.

Mars signifies conflict, war and strife and in South Africa’s Lunar Return chart he is posited on fixed stars in the constellation of Gemini said to cause trouble and disgrace, sickness and loss of fortune. Mars as the Lunar Return Lord One, so South Africa itself, is conjunct natal Mercury which is South Africa’s ruler of the tenth house. Here we again see the potential for conflict and loss of face to South Africa’s public persona, its leaders and its major corporations. The potential for additional strikes is not farfetched based on this planetary movement. In South Africa's Lunar Return chart Mars rules the fifth house and it is where sport belongs. Based on this unhappy movement of Mars into Cancer the sporting arena in August may not be as glorious as one would hope.

The Sun has moved into his sign of Leo, a strong indication that the gold price will continue to rise in August. It is interesting to note that this is only the third gold super-cycle or Bull Run in 110 years and in so far as I can see, this cannot continue indefinitely as an unbroken thread. Based on planetary movement later in the month it is likely that gold will fall towards the end of August; anyone wishing to get onto the gold train should do so when that happens because in all likelihood it will rise again later this year and continue on an upward trend for a while yet.

I am in the process of assessing the celestial configurations at the times of the previous gold Bull Runs to assess whether or not there are planetary indicators that could be applied to the current cycle. I will publish this in September.

Venus is combust throughout August and she enters her fall in the sign of Virgo; she opposes the outer planet Neptune which indicates mass destruction on some level. In the nativity of South Africa's chart Venus is Lord Eleven, the government's coffers and its taxes; she is also Lord Six, the rural areas, and the work force of the country. In the Lunar Return chart she signifies Lord Two the money of the country and Lord Seven the house of partnerships.

A statement issued by BoE indicates that South Africa may be past its growth peak for 2011 in the light of uncertainty about the global economy, nationalisation, and labour legislation. The bank said a premature tightening in monetary policy would "do little" to contain inflation and would further impact negatively on economic growth." The current planetary movement enforces this and South Africa (and many countries globally) are still in for a rough ride on the economic front.

Mercury retrogrades back into Leo on 4 August, losing his essential dignity and he enters combustion; on 27 August he turns direct again. Those whose natal charts depict Mercury as a sensitive point are more susceptible to the mischievous side of Mercury when he turns retrograde. Computer data should be backed up, all contractual documents signed and negotiations concluded before 4 August.

Mercury is also the ruler of commerce and his loss of dignity and retrograde status could herald a negative turn in this sector. In South Africa's chart Mercury is most notably the government and large corporations and the work force. Further strike-action could return with this planetary movement. 

The Moon is full on 13 August and New Moon is on 29 August. Mercury and the Moon are in aspect in the Lunar Return chart of South Africa, and with the Moon as Lord Eight, the house of partners' money, the movement of Mercury above could most certainly exacerbate the hesitation of foreign investors to plough their funds into South African commodities.

The Moon is also poised to enter Capricorn, the celestial house of her detriment in the Lunar Return chart. This could depict the loss of prosperity of foreign investors globally, due to international events, and she is also Lord Four, South Africa's fixed assets and mines in the Lunar Return chart. Is trouble brewing in these sectors?