The Awake Space with Laurie Rivers Podcast

This week on The Awake Space Astrology Podcast, Laurie Rivers breaks down the intense astrology building toward the Pisces Full Moon and partial lunar eclipse, and why this energy does not have to be something we fear.
The pressure has been building. Anxiety, anger, exhaustion, frustration, and uncertainty are running high. But this Full Moon also carries tremendous creative potential. The question is: What are you going to do with it?
Laurie explains how to move out of overwhelm and into applied, sustainable action. Instead of scattering your energy through doom scrolling, outrage, or endless conversations about what is wrong, this is an opportunity to get organized, identify what you can influence, and make your next move.
In this episode:
The Pisces Full Moon and partial lunar eclipse

Mercury conjunct the Sun and the square to Uranus

Why friction can become highly creative energy

Turning anxiety, anger, and frustration into productive action

How to stop disqualifying yourself and recognize your actual skills

Preparing without panic or fear

Listener questions about house size, the Ascendant, rising signs, sports, and astrology

The Ralph Report and recent prediction hits

Laurie's forecast for weather, seismic activity, international tensions, technology disruptions, and other potential headlines

How to stabilize yourself before making major decisions

Show Links
People join for the astrology and stay for everything else - Join at patreon.com/theawakespace
What's in the Headlines? Aug 23-30 CLICK HERE
Book a session with Laurie CLICK HERE

CHAPTERS
00:00 | The Energy Is BuildingWhy this is a week for turning pressure, frustration, and exhaustion into action.
13:02 | Fear, Conflict & What Laurie Actually SeesNuclear fears, the Middle East, Turkey, NATO, and separating responsible forecasting from fear-driven astrology.
19:08 | Rage, Systems & Collective ActionWomen, systemic failures, community support, and why anger needs somewhere productive to go.
28:27 | Three Ways to Channel the EnergyTake inventory of your strengths, support each other practically, and use your voice.
40:22 | Full Moon Rocket FuelHow the Pisces Full Moon and Mars can propel goals, planning, and meaningful action.
53:00 | Listener Astrology QuestionsSmall houses with multiple planets, late-degree Ascendants, the fisrst house, rising signs, and changing cultural interests.

01:14:00 | The Ralph Report + Weekly Predictions
A look back at recent prediction hits followed by Laurie's forecast for August 22 through 30.
01:24:50 | How to Ride the Cosmic Tsunami
Stabilize first. Get clear. Then act. Laurie closes with practical ways to work with uncertainty and intense Full Moon energy.
2027 Prepared releases September 3, with special pricing for Awake Space members. Laurie also shares updates about upcoming astrology classes, the September Awake Space Magazine, readings and consultations, and the next 2027 Prediction & Preparation event.
Knowledge is only power when you know how to make your next move.
Listen in, get grounded, and get ready to use the energy instead of letting the energy use you.

In S7 Ep 41 your host Laurie Rivers is focused on preparing your for the Pisces Full Moon on August 28. This week she helps you see how the current online discourse is the distraction to siphon your energy so that you're not taking action that helps you build your security and make your next moves.
Laurie answers astrology questions from Awake Space Community Members, gives highlights from What's in the Headlines? (Weekly predications) and reads the first section from her article "Retrogrades: The Real Story" from The Awake Space Magazine Aug 2026.

Show Links:
Aug 2026 Issue Awake Space Magazine
Love & Sex in Astrology Seminar (Free For Supporting Members) Click Here
Understand Your Pluto In Aquarius Transits CLICK HERE

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode and core themes
02:11 Upcoming full moon and astrological significance
04:20 The influence of outer planets and astrology methodology
06:29 Understanding Pluto's cycle and generational impact
10:06 Mars in Cancer and current social themes
20:53 The upcoming Pisces full moon and collective revelations
23:42 Deconstructing social programming and patriarchy
30:02 Preparing for cosmic undertow and systemic change
34:45 Historical use of astrology in decision-making
40:14 Why house sizes vary in astrology charts
43:23 Sensitivity to lunar cycles and personal astrology
46:08 Jupiter return at age 48 and personal growth
55:26 Sneak peek into the 2027 astrology planner
01:02:04 The impact of stellium and misconceptions in astrology
01:03:01 Weekly predictions and Ralph's forecast
01:12:28 Astrological insights into global events this week
01:16:34 Virgo season and sample horoscopes
01:29:09 Self-examination and mindful engagement with social outrage

Join the Awake Space to explore how to use astrology in practical and liberating ways!
This week on The Awake Space Astrology Podcast, Laurie tackles the Steven Forrest controversy and addresses the idea that Western Tropical Astrology is exclusionary or a rip off of Vedic. (Find source material links below)
Laurie traces the fascinating development of astrology from ancient Mesopotamia through Greece, India, the Islamic world, medieval Europe, and into modern practice. She explains why Western Tropical and Vedic/Jyotish astrology are distinct traditions, how scholars exchanged knowledge across cultures, and why astrology has always evolved alongside our understanding of humanity.
She also shares why she developed Progressive Evolutionary Astrology, an approach centered on the complexity of human experience rather than rigid binaries, limiting labels, or outdated interpretations.
Plus, Awake Space Magazine Subscriber questions, this week’s Ralph Report, and a look at the August 12 Leo New Moon and solar eclipse.
Chapters
00:00 — Welcome & What’s Ahead
03:49 — The Steven Forrest Controversy
13:15 — Moving Astrology Forward
29:21 — The Real History of Western & Vedic Astrology
47:02 — Mundane Astrology & the U.S. Chart
51:10 — Your Astrology Questions Answered
01:05:00 — The Ralph Report
01:11:01 — August 12 Solar Eclipse & Leo New Moon
Astrology has never existed in a vacuum. It has grown through observation, mathematics, cultural exchange, scholarship, and generations of astrologers asking better questions. This episode explores that history while looking toward what astrology can become next.
Show Links:
July Archivist Report on Laurie's Predictions
Citations: Please note that some information is debated by scholars.
Encyclopaedia Iranica — Horoscope, David Pingree
Encyclopaedia Iranica — Astrology and Astronomy in Iran, David Pingree & Christopher J. Brunner
Encyclopaedia Iranica — Zodiac
Encyclopaedia Iranica — Planets
Bill M. Mak — The Date and Nature of Sphujidhvaja’s Yavanajātaka Reconsidered
Cambridge History of Science — Translation and Transmission of Greek and Islamic Science to Latin Christendom
Please note he was an astrologer (astronomers and astrologers were not separate occupations until the 18th century) https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Al-Biruni/
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/cambridge-history-of-science/islamic-astronomy/DBE63FFD4918F948F362A66DE721C022
Plato Tiburtinus who translated Ptolemy into Latin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato_Tiburtinus
Also not mentioned directly in the podcast, but given the Islamic Empire was very vast throughout it's history I decided to look up what might be in Timbuktu which still houses literature that goes back over 1000 years. Here's an article that might be very interesting - remember, there was not division between astronomy and astrology until the 18th century. https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2014-12-02-africas-ancient-astronomers-made-their-mark-in-culture-folklore

August is a month that asks a different question than most of us are used to answering. Instead of asking what's happening out there, it asks: Who are you becoming in the middle of it?
This week, Laurie explores the defining astrology of August 2026 and why the coming planetary shifts; from Venus entering Libra and Mars entering Cancer to the powerful Pisces Full Moon eclipse are less about reacting to the world's chaos and more about examining your own beliefs, motivations, and direction before taking action.
Against a backdrop of political upheaval, economic uncertainty, extreme weather, and constant distraction, Laurie shares practical ways to stay grounded, reconnect with your values, and rediscover meaning without becoming consumed by the collective noise.
Along the way, she pays tribute to legendary astrologer Joanne Wickenburg, whose scholarship and lifelong commitment to observation helped shape Laurie's own approach to astrology and reminds us why thoughtful study matters in an age of opinions and algorithms.
Listener questions cover finding joy in uncertain times, the Uranus opposition and midlife reinvention, protecting your energy, grounding practices, and how astrology can become a practical framework for understanding yourself rather than simply predicting events.
If the world feels louder than ever, this episode is an invitation to go within and challenge yourself to shifting your inner landscape to help shape a life experience worth diving into.
Episode LINKS
July Archives: Accuracy Report
AFA Joanne Wickenburg Books
Consultations with Laurie BOOK HERE

Time Stamps
00:00 – Remembering Joanne Wickenburg and her legacy
07:00 – The teacher who changed Laurie's career forever
18:00 – August astrology: self-examination before reaction
23:00 – Finding meaning and joy during uncertain times
33:20 – Understanding the Uranus opposition and midlife reinvention
37:25 – Astrology Q&A: city charts, eclipses and Saturn returns
43:15 – Protecting your energy and grounding during collective chaos
54:25 – Community updates, August classes, The Ralph Report and what Laurie is watching next

S7 Ep 38 Your host Laurie Rivers walks you through the astrology of August which technically kicks off with the July 29th Aquarius Full Moon.
Show Links: Awake Space Community on Patreon
True or Mean Node? Click for Article
Astrology Consults with Laurie & the astrologers CLICK TO BOOK
The Aquarius Full Moon is one of the most powerful lunations of the year. With Pluto, Jupiter, Uranus, Mars, and Venus all creating intense planetary dynamics, Laurie explains why this is not an ordinary Full Moon and why the days surrounding it could bring historic events, geopolitical escalations, disruptive weather, technology shocks, and major leadership developments.
More importantly, she explores how this same energy can become a catalyst for personal liberation. Rather than reinforcing old limitations, this Full Moon invites you to break through outdated beliefs, reclaim your agency, and use disruption as an opportunity for transformation.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction and overview of the episode
01:24 The cosmic rift: Full moon conjunct Pluto and opposition to Jupiter
02:20 How to navigate the energy of the full moon and upcoming astrological events
05:14 Predictions for August 2026: Environmental, political, and social insights
09:47 The importance of directing your narrative and beliefs
11:02 Managing systemic change: Strengths, community, and discernment
16:53 The significance of local action and self-sufficiency
22:42 Predictions for wildfires, environmental issues, and political shifts
28:50 Using astrology for personal empowerment and systemic liberation
37:35 The shadow concept in astrology and shadow work
40:48 Collective and personal impacts of lunar transits
56:35 The full moon in Aquarius: planetary aspects and global impacts
01:02:01 Potential leadership changes and global upheavals
01:12:45 Practical advice for navigating the energetic chaos
01:15:12 Community, self-care, and grounding practices
01:17:05 Upcoming projects, courses, and community support