Welcome to your August forecast!   Click on “read article” and scroll down til you find your sign of the zodiac….

LEO (JUL 22-AUG 21) August brings some contradictions, I must admit.…..First, there is the Jupiter-in-Leo effect, which brings you a sense of completion and fulfillment but also some poignant endings.  We think of Jupiter as the planet of abundance – which it is – and it is also about change and growth and the turning of the wheel of fortune. That giant roulette wheel of fate can turn in positive directions or in ones that aren’t so easy.   Jupiter starts off the month conjunct Mercury in Leo and squaring Mars. This makes for some scrappiness on the world stage and also for you, especially if you are an early Leo. Don’t be surprised if you are a bit on edge the first few days of August.   But there is also a Venus-Uranus square at the same time, increasing a kind of antsiness and desire. You’re itchy for change. Here is the thing about this month: with Mercury, Jupiter and the Sun in Leo and Saturn and Mars in Scorpio, there are a lot of tense angles occurring in fixed signs. That makes for some angst! The Mars-Jupiter effect lasts for the whole first week of August, and this combination is also powerful and willful, so you can expect to get things done. The 10^th brings a full moon in Aquarius that makes huge angles with Saturn and Mercury. Ooh, this feels like a particularly anxious and worried lunation – god knows there is a lot to worry about these days. But don’t worry, by the 15^th we have a good five days of a Venus-Jupiter conjunction, which is excellent for all around happiness and feeling good about things. We like that! Then on the 23^rd the Sun enters Virgo and Mars catches up to Saturn in Scorpio with a square to Venus. This occurs on the earth axis, so let’s hope Venus brings some cease -fires to places that need them.   Personally, this is about commitment to shared goals, and this influence is strong on the Virgo new moon on the 25th. At the end of the month the Sun opposes Neptune, and all you can do is go to the beach and bathe in Neptune’s waters….

VIRGO (AUG 22- SEPT 21) Okay, I know Jupiter in Leo has been a mixed bag for the world and for people individually, heightening the sense of crisis in some cases. August continues the mixed-bag feeling. The month begins with a Venus-Uranus square, and Mercury and Jupiter in Leo squaring Mars. That is a lot of stimulation, a lot of energy.   It is excellent for work and creative inspiration, yet on a personal level you may be feeling antsy and dissatisfied. The dissatisfaction culminates on the Aquarius full moon on the 10^th, when the Saturn Mercury square could make communication rather difficult or could exacerbate some discontent and anxiety. Then on the 15^th Venus catches up to Jupiter for a good few days – nice! This is a happy combo. Mercury also enters Virgo on the 15^th and immediately opposes Neptune. Jeez, you’ll be a space cadet. It’s a wonderful combination for inspiration and intuitive process. Then things get very interesting for you when the Sun enters Virgo just over the line into the 23^rd. Mars will be catching up to Saturn in Scorpio while Venus squares them. Hmm . Shared effort, shared commitment, and hopefully a cease fire or two. The new moon in Virgo falls on the 25^th and this powerful Venus/Mars/Saturn effect will still be very strong.   If your birthday is in the first few days of Virgo you will have this influence all year. It’s about intense work and commitment, that’s for sure, with a good dose of Venusian values thrown in. Then the last week of August has the Sun opposing Neptune. More spaciness, creative yearnings, and perhaps a dive in the ocean. And an edgy haircut!

LIBRA (SEPT 22-OCT21) Well, August is odd. It starts with some fractious energy all right: Mercury and Jupiter in Leo squaring Mars. Remember that Jupiter is a complex force, and although we think of it as the planet of great good fortune, it is about the turning of the wheel of fortune – or fate. So there are endings as well as beginnings with this planet . Fortune can be great or lousy…. It depends! And Jupiter also enhances the energy of other planets it touches, so Jupiter exaggerates the Mercury-Mars effect of argument…. Of course you’re the peacemaker in the middle! Your peacemaking may come to no avail since the Full moon in Aquarius on the 10^th has some Saturn-Mercury challenges to communication. My advice is to lay low or use the full moon to do some nudgy detailed work. But then we have a few days of a beautiful Venus Jupiter conjunction on the 15^th followed by a Mercury Neptune opposition. Spacey and romantic – that’s a nice combo!   Then things get very interesting when the Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd. Venus in Leo squares Saturn and Mars in Scorpio and this influence is strong in the August 25^th new moon. That is some serious commitment to a shared effort!   Get to work! Then go to the beach when the Sun opposes Neptune in Pisces.

SCORPIO (OCT 22-NOV 21) August is …. Well, complicated. The month kicks off with a Mercury-and- Jupiter –in-Leo squaring Mars in Scorpio. First, let me say that Jupiter in Leo has been a big energy, exaggerating everything that is going on, for good or for ill.   And god knows there has been a fair amount of the ill part of that equation….So this combination at the start of August emphasizes argument and power struggles. With Mars in Scorpio, you are feeling easily thwarted by other people’s stuff. Try to go with the flow, or at least get through the first 10 days of the month without locking horns with someone. The full moon in Aquarius on the 10^th is a tense one with a Saturn Mercury square making communication and/or travel difficult. Distract yourself by playing Settlers of Catan, and don’t go anywhere. Then things start to look up. Venus catches up to Jupiter mid month for a good few days. This is a nice combination for fulfillment and for feeling good and happy. Enjoy it! Then Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune, which is really excellent for inspiration and intuition.   The Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd and there is a beautiful new moon on the 25^th. This new moon has a strong influence of Venus, Mars, and Saturn.   If you have an iron in the fire, it’s time to make a commitment to a venture that involves others, a shared piece of work.   Then enjoy the Sun-Neptune opposition during the last week of August and go to the ocean.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22- DEC 21) Your ruling planet Jupiter has entered Leo and is acting up big-time. It starts the month with Mercury beside it, making a 90-degree angle to Mars. No matter the provocation, try not to succumb to argument!   Remember that Jupiter is a big, big gaseous energy that exaggerates everything else that is going on.   For the first few days of August, Venus also squares Uranus and so you are feeling itchy and unsettled, yearning for a sense of community. Your appetite for life is big big big right now, and you may be taking on more than you bargained for. Watch your big appetite for excess as well! The full moon in Aquarius on the 10^th forces you to focus and take care of a seriously detailed piece of work. It’s hard to force all the Jupiterian big energy into a spreadsheet or something, but you must…. Then mid August we get a good few days of a Venus-Jupiter conjunction in Leo. Ooh la la! Now that’s fun and satisfying.   Mercury also enters Virgo on the 15^th and quickly opposes Neptune – this is great for intuitive and healing work. The Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd, followed by a new moon in Virgo on the 25^th. This is a powerful new moon with a strong lineup of Venus, Mars and Saturn. This is all about committing to a shared effort or relationship. Then your job is to go to the beach and enjoy the Sun-Neptune opposition!

CAPRICORN (Dec 21-Jan19) I know, I know, I said last month that Jupiter in Leo would bring some closure. Well, as we can see, Jupiter in the fire sign of Leo is exaggerating the energy of everything it touches, and there is a great deal of fractiousness on the planet. There continues to be a lot of crisis affecting your life in a variety of ways – that is simply the nature of the crazy times we live in. At the start of this month, your job is to stay away from argument and know that these few days of antsiness will pass. Make sure you connect with friends and community during the first week of August. The full moon in Aquarius on the 10^th has some anxiety-producing aspects which will be strengthened by the full moon. Use the Saturn Mercury square to do some detailed planning or writing. Then on the 15^th we have a few days of a Venus-Jupiter conjunction – a beautiful combination for feeling connected and happy. Meanwhile we’re heading into a fascinating end of the month when the Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd, followed by a gorgeous new moon in Virgo on the 25^th. Venus in Leo catches up to an angle with Mars and Saturn in Scorpio.   This is all about making a commitment to a shared project. It’s hard work, but it reflects your values. Whether the work is emotional or material, there is real satisfaction to be had.

AQUARIUS (JAN 20-FEB 19) Jupiter has now entered Leo, your opposite sign, and it is bringing some attention to what is working in your life and what still needs adjustment….Stay away from argument at the start of the month and focus on the Venus-Uranus square which is all about your relationship to friends and community.   As we head towards the full moon in Aquarius on the

10^th, you’ll have the opportunity to do some very focused work such as writing or editing. Then starting on the 15^th, we have a good 5 days of a beautiful Venus Jupiter conjunction in Leo. Happy Days Are Here Again…. Meanwhile also on the 15^th Mercury moves into Virgo and opposes Neptune – so you’ll be happy and be able to operate from a very intuitive place….Nice! Then on the 23^rd, the Sun enters Virgo, quickly followed by the new moon on the 25^th.   The combinations for the week of the 23^rd are fascinating and have everything to do with commitment to a shared purpose. Then the Sun opposes Neptune and it’s time to head for the beach, or binge watch Homeland, or indulge in some creative expression…..

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 19) So yes, Jupiter has entered Leo and spends the first week of August with Mercury and squaring Mars in Scorpio. That is a fractious combination! I know we think of Jupiter as the planet of great good fortune, but fortune can be fickle. They are not always good, those twists of fate. And, Jupiter seems to be exaggerating the force of Mars during this first week of the month….Once again, you feel out of control. Then energy builds towards not the easiest full moon in Aquarius on August 10^th. The Saturn Mercury aspects make this a difficult time for communication and travel.   Then here comes a big gift from the universe – starting on the 15^th, a good few days of a Venus Jupiter conjunction. That is a nice combo for relationship and connection, and for all-around feeling good and loved. Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune at the same time so you’ll be all mushy. Then the Sun enters Virgo – your opposite sign – on the 23^rd, followed quickly by a new moon in Virgo on the 25^th.   Venus in Leo squares Mars and Saturn in Scorpio that week, making for commitment to a shared effort or artistic effort. If there is a project in the works, get it off of the drawing board and make it real. Then the Sun opposes Neptune during the last week of August – go to the beach!

ARIES (MAR 20-APRIL19) The start of August has heavy influences of Jupiter in Leo squaring Mars in Scorpio. We don’t usually think of Jupiter as a difficult planet, but it is about the turning of the wheel of fortune, endings as much as beginnings. Things come and go. This week, it exaggerates the fractiousness of the Mars –Mercury tendency to argue, so be careful! Instead, pay attention to the romantically exciting Venus-Uranus square. Then heading into the full moon in Aquarius on the 10^th there is an emphasis on linear thinking and people are fretful. The mood doesn’t break until the 15^th when we have 4 gorgeous days of a Venus Jupiter conjunction. That is pretty delightful. Mercury opposes Neptune at the same time, emphasizing your intuitive process. Then the Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd, followed by a new moon in Virgo on the 25^th. Venus in Leo squares Mars and Saturn in Scorpio, and that is a rather intense pile-up, having to do with making a commitment to a shared effort. In combination with the new moon, it is an excellent time to get something off the ground that you have wanted to do, something involving others. Then the last week of August brings a Sun-Neptune opposition, a positive influence for healing.

TAURUS (APR 20-MAY 20) We are in a time of the year when there a ton of planets in fixed signs, making powerful angles to your Taurean self. Life is intense right now. Jupiter has entered Leo and is kicking up issues about fulfillment. Mars is in Scorpio, your opposite sign. During the first week of August, the Jupiter-Mercury-Mars angles put you in the middle of other people’s conflicts or crises. Keep your head down, as it were, and no fighting! Then there is a full moon in Aquarius on the 10^th with some tense Saturn Mercury aspects. People are anxious and edgy and communication is difficult. It is another time to stay away from conflict.   Just hang on til the 15^th, when Venus and Jupiter are conjunct in Leo – now that’s worth waiting for!   This is a great combination for feeling just plan good. Then the Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd, followed by the new moon in Virgo on the 25^th. The aspects are fascinating that week – Venus in Leo squares Mars and Saturn in Scorpio. You will no doubt be making a commitment to a joint project of some sort. Whether the commitment is an emotional one or a material one or both, it’s not just work but a labor of love. The last week of August is great for creative expression.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) Oh what an interesting month! Jupiter in Leo brings big movement, big energy changes, expansion, and lots of endings. We think of Jupiter as the planet of great good fortune, but it is really just fortune or fate. It can be good or bad – it is simply the turning of the wheel. The month kicks off with major Jupiter influences on Mercury and Mars, potentially exaggerating tension and conflict. Energy keeps building til the full moon in Aquarius on the 10^th, which has some challenging Saturn Mercury aspects.   Use them to hole up somewhere and write. Then energy shifts around the 15^th, when there is a very pretty Venus-Jupiter conjunction. You’ll be feeling full full full of feeling, and again, it’s a good time to write. Mercury also enters Virgo on the 15^th, and quickly opposes Neptune. Did I say it was a good time to write or make art of some kind? Then the Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd, and is followed by the new moon in Virgo on the 25^th. If you are an early Gemini, this new moon is a big one for you. Venus in Leo squares Mars and Saturn in Scorpio, and so it is an important time for commitment to a joint venture, a shared project, or to an artistic project. Then the last week of August brings a Sun Neptune opposition, and you need to be in the water. Get yourself in your kayak and get out there!

CANCER (JUNE 21- JUL 21) This is a month of contradictions. On the one hand, Jupiter in Leo is bringing self-expression to the fore but that is not always a good thing. During the first week of August, Jupiter exaggerates the fractiousness of the Mars Mercury square, so tempers are quick to flare.   Stay away from argument and instead focus on the Venus-Uranus square which makes you antsy for artistic expression of some sort. People get increasingly wigged out as energy builds to the full moon in Aquarius on the 10^th , and the Saturn Mercury aspects on that full moon make communication difficult. But then starting on the 15^th there is wonderful Venus Jupiter conjunction—the ultimate feel good combo—at the same time as Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune.   That is a good combination for intuitive process, healing, and pushing the boundaries of understanding. Then the Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd, followed by a new moon in Virgo on the 25^th. The aspects are fascinating: Venus in Leo squares Mars and Saturn. That is about a labor of love of some sort – gotta commit to shared purpose or artistic purpose. Nice!   Then the Sun opposes Neptune the last week of August, and everyone should go to the beach.