It is over two years since I wrote my last column for the Sedona Journal of Emergence! While it's wonderful to be back, I have been rubbing my chin pondering how best to deliver the news that the planetary gods wish me to impart. For the most part, August is a month full of challenges. That's not to say there aren't some wonderful opportunities ahead; there are, but first you'll have to wade through August's stormy waters and hope that we can keep our footing.

The month begins with a grand cross featuring the Moon, Mars, Uranus, and Pluto. This is a hugely volatile, irrational, and emotional alignment under which many people—especially Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn—will find it difficult to keep calm and controlled. Something has to give. It might be useful during the first few days of the month, especially on August 3 and August 10, to consider what you need to let go of.

The grand cross calls us to release that which is no longer working. When we voluntarily release something, it's a lot easier than having it taken away. If you find yourself in a battle, ask yourself what you might be trying to hold on to. Are you strong enough to let it go? While angry outbursts might serve a purpose in releasing tensions and clearing the air, the deeper meaning of this planetary combination asks you to let go. You might be wise enough to do this, but many people won't. As a result, we can expect some dramatic and violent stories on the news or in people's lives around us. Try to go with the flow as much as you can and avoid arguments and battles unless you feel they are for the greater good.