As we begin the month of August, we have Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto in retrograde. Midway through the month, Uranus will join in too, giving us four planets in retrograde. With all of these cosmic bodies in retrograde, we may find ourselves taking a trip down memory lane or feeling like we need to revisit the past in some way before we can move ahead.
The Leo Sun and Messenger Mercury are tightly paired opposing Taskmaster Saturn in Aquarius on August 1. Creativity and innovation abound. The first week of the month is an excellent time to start work on creative pursuits (the New Moon is in creative Leo on the 7th) or adjust projects already underway. There is still a lot of Summer energy radiating down on our goals for this year. But now is the time to fine-tune those goals because the harvest season will be here soon.
On August 8 the New Moon occurs in the sign of Leo, prompting a new beginning. This is a time to uncover and share those things that make us special. We might let our “inner child” come out and play, and possibly commit to plans related to games, sports or hobbies. The Leo New Moon is concerned with self-expression, and showing what’s in your heart. So, this is when you’re beginning a relationship with a person, an idea, or a goal. You want to open your heart, and make your deepest desires become everything in your life. This is a great time to ask yourself if you’ve truly been doing the things that make you feel the most fulfilled.
Mercury moves into Virgo on August 11. This is one of the home-turf positions for Mercury, where he operates at his efficient-and-speedy best. It’s time to get down to brass tacks because efficiency is key. This is a flexible-but-grounded position for Mercury, where only sensible and clean solutions are favored. Virgo is known for its ability to analyze and yes, criticize. Expect tons of analysis, perhaps to the point of obsession and problem-solving overkill. The downside of this transit is to get so caught in the details that we overlook the big picture. The best part about this transit is it brings our brains into sharp focus, providing the ability to truly refine our craft. If you have projects that require serious focus, now is the time to take advantage of Mercury in Virgo’s precision.
Gears begin shifting on August 16 Venus transits into her home sign of Libra. She graces our relationships with gentility and an eye for beauty; softens our interests and knows how to attract and appeal to others, whether family, business, or romantic relations. We can be especially idealistic about love. We prefer things be done the “right” way, and are turned off by aggressive or uncouth behavior. The shadow side of this position is dependency, inconsistency, and superficiality. In an attempt to avoid unpleasant situations, we could easily gloss over deeper issues at play in our relationships.
Uranus turns retrograde on the August 19 and will remain retrograde until January of next year. Uranus is almost midway through the sign of Taurus. This can be a time for a more conservative approach to pursuing our goals. While Uranus is retrograde our desire to make changes in our lives turns inward as we get in touch with what it is that may be holding us back from living more spontaneously and authentically. This is a less rebellious time, generally speaking. At least when it comes to appearances, we tend to follow the rules. If you're in a bad relationship, stuck in a job you don't like or living, Uranus will alert you to this in coming months. The realization may dawn on you slowly, and it may involve an uncomfortable period of anxiety, but when you do have those epiphanies, pay attention and make the needed changes. Get real about what you want, be brave, and embrace your freedom to go after it.
The Sun moves into Virgo on August 22, followed the same day by the Full Moon in Aquarius. We are looking at energy that is practical, analytical, dependable and adaptable. And the perfectionist aspect can be both a blessing and a curse depending on the circumstances. Virgo rules habits, practices, and systems. Do not allow overthinking or a critical mindset to dominate your headspace. Rather, harness this humbling energy to begin healthy, new practices: positive affirmations, exercise routines, clean eating habits. The Full Moon occurs in the sign of Aquarius, and this is the second Full Moon in the sign. It’s the second prompt in 2021 to recognize the needs and feelings of others. It occurs at the tail-end of Aquarius, suggesting final decisions on a matter or culminations. This Full Moon again reminds us of our needs for friendship, community, as well as impartiality and objectivity. We cannot lose sight of our larger goals and our need to give back to the community or group that supports us. It can be an impulsive time, and we should watch for rash decisions.
Mercury moves into Libra on August 30, communications are gracious, fair, balanced and diplomatic. Whether we apply this focus to the world-at-large or upon the inequalities in our relationships, the lens of our perceptual field will now hone in on where things are out of proportion. Reciprocity is key, the give-and-take in all commerce, conversation and exchange. This phase can also generate loads of indecision and confusion as we try to achieve that ever-elusive balancing of the scales in our minds. Eventually we must commit or quit, even if the situation is not perfect.
Click here to read your August horoscope