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 is an interesting month. Really – I’m not being cute. The influence of Venus retrograde is very strong for you all month since it is moving backwards through Leo. It is especially impactful during the first week of August when it piles up with Mercury and Jupiter in Leo and makes important aspects to Saturn and Pluto. If you are a very-end-of-Leo Leo then you will really feel this set of aspects, but any Leo will feel them. You will be wrestling with some big questions about commitment and investment. No need to wrestle – let it all emerge. But back to August for you…. The good news is that Saturn turns around early on August 2^nd, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Plans and situations that have appeared stuck should begin to move – and Venus retro will help you see a way through that respects your values. In fact, Jupiter and Saturn spend the whole month in a 90-degree angle to each other, highlighting this question of how you are manifesting your Jupiterian dreams out in the world. It’s a good month for ruminating! It’s even a good month for making commitments as long as you’re clear about them. Use Saturn to get all the facts and allow Jupiter to facilitate expansion in some part of your life. There is a nice dreamy new moon in Leo on August 14^th, and the Mercury – Neptune opposition that day should bring lots of inspiration. And starting on the 14^th we get 4 or 5 days of Venus retrograde crossing the Sun in Leo. Wow! Interesting! And if your birthday is between the 14^th and 18^th you’ll have this influence affecting you all year, so get ready. Talk about marching to the beat of a different drummer! You will embody the notion of difference and it will feel completely natural to you…Venus retrograde’s warrior side might be evident and you may find yourself standing up for your values and going completely against the tide in doing so. The Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd and spends a few days with Jupiter. The end of August is about fulfillment, about bringing something to fruition. Of course, it could just be about a much-needed vacation! Enjoy! The full moon in Pisces on the 29^th has Neptune all over it.   It’s either time to hit the beach or the art studio….

VIRGO (AUG 22- SEPT 21)  August is an interesting month, and not at all bad – just be ready for some poignant patches at the end. The big influence is, of course, Venus retrograde, which is stimulating you to reevaluate commitments and where you put your energy. This influence will be particularly provocative at the end of the first week of August, when Venus retrograde and Mercury in Leo pile up with Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto to help you ask yourself some tough questions. The Jupiter-Saturn square is with us all month, a useful transit during which we can make sound decisions, balancing overreaching with stability and good sense. But let me get back to the details…. Saturn finally turns direct early on the 2^nd, and that will bring movement into some situations that have felt very stuck. Mercury enters your own sign on the 7^th, followed by Jupiter on the 11^th. If you are an early Virgo, you’ll have the Jupiter influence with you all month, bringing something to fruition or closure – the old closing one door and opening another routine. There is a new moon on the 14^th with strong Mercury-Neptune aspects, which are great for creative inspiration or just binge-watching “Chopped” on the Food Network. Starting on the 14^th we have a few days of the Sun conjunct Venus retrograde – that’s when this question of values will get very acute indeed. You’ll feel yourself to be moving in a different direction from prevailing opinion – just observe it and factor it into your Jupiter-Saturn decision-trees. The Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd, and moves together with Jupiter for the rest of August. That’s great for completion, for realizing what you have and still very much want. It’s also great for just having a good time! There is a big old full moon in Pisces on the 29^th with Neptune sitting on top of it. Expect emotions to be running high. Thanks to Mars in Leo catching up to Venus retro at the very end of the month, you will be seeking connection, collaboration, and shared purpose and the full moon will illuminate where you have it — and where you don’t yet.

LIBRA (SEPT 22-OCT21) There is a lot going on this month! Of course, Venus retrograde is the big focal point, but it has a lot of planetary help along the way.   First, Saturn which has been retrograding back into Scorpio this summer for what feels like endless eons and irritating the heck out of many of us, turns direct early on the 2^nd.   That should bring some movement in situations that have felt stuck. By the end of the first week of August, Mercury, Venus retro, and Jupiter all pile up in Leo, making aspects to Saturn and Pluto. This is a fascinating combination, because it will really focus Venus-retrograde’s attention on commitments, investments, and development of new projects. If you have anything going on concerning real estate or financial issues, it is a good time to be making decisions and plans. In fact, the Jupiter -Saturn square is with us all month, and that is a wonderful combination for sound planning of any kind. There is a dreamy new moon in Leo on the 14^th with strong Mercury-Neptune aspects – good for creative inspiration or binge-watching Bob’s Burgers.   Seriously, by the middle of the month, both Mercury and Jupiter will have entered Virgo so if you have been doing too much binge-watching those two planets should help you engage in more productive activity…. For a few days between the 14^th and 18^th Venus retrograde crosses over the Sun, making you very aware of the ways you don’t fit in or the ways in which you’re values set you apart from others. The Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd and spends a week with Jupiter. You are definitely in transition, ending one phase and beginning another. The big Pisces full moon on the 29^th will make you weepy and emotional – my advice is to hit the beach and commune with the ocean. Mars in Leo catches up to Venus retrograde for the last few days of August, and you will feel inspired to be working in a shared endeavor.

SCORPIO (OCT 22-NOV 21) The dominant influence this month is Venus retrograde, which inspires a lot of questions for you about where you are putting time, energy, and money. The first week of August is especially intense, especially if you are a late-late Scorpio. There will be quite the pile-up of Mercury, Venus retro and Jupiter in Leo, making big angles to Saturn and Pluto. So the issues are more likely to be financial and practical than emotional. If something is a drain on your energy, bank account, and spirit, you will get very clear about that during the first week of the month. If you have made a commitment that doesn’t really reflect your true needs, you will see it that week. Do not despair — Jupiter and Saturn are squared all month and they are excellent planets for facilitating sound decision-making and planning. Meanwhile we have a dreamy new moon in Leo on the 14^th that inspires creative expression, followed by a few days of a Sun-Venus retro conjunction. From the 14^th to the 18^th you will feel comfortable going out on a limb and bucking the status quo. The Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd and spends a few days with Jupiter. That is a nice combination for making transitions, for completion, or just for going to the beach and having a good time. Get ready for an emotional full moon in Pisces on the 29^th. You’ll be yearning for collaboration, for having a team to work with, for a sense that you’re not in this alone. Um, you might want to keep the Kleenex handy.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22- DEC 21) Venus retrograde is doing its thing, and you’re becoming very aware of what you want and need and what you don’t. The first week of August brings this to a head, especially as it relates to some real world material issues like work and home and money. Keep in mind that Saturn – which has been retrograding back into Scorpio this summer—finally turns direct on the 2^nd. Whew! Finally some movement forward in a situation that has felt stuck for about 10,000 endless eons. The first week of August has an amazing pile-up of Mercury, Venus retro, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto.   This too will bring movement.   Keep track of your values and try not to let the situation get ahead of you. The good news is that Jupiter and Saturn (and Pluto) are in aspect to each other all month. This is a great combination for planning and decision-making, especially about where you’re putting your time, energy and money. There is a dreamy new moon in Leo on the 14^th which is excellent for inspiration, followed by a few days of Venus retrograde crossing paths with the Sun. Now that’s interesting! You’ll be out on some Sagittarian limb, doing your own independent thing, or speaking out about injustice. You will be very in touch with your values. The Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd and spends a few days with Jupiter—if you are an early Sag this will have a big effect on you. This is about fulfillment and completion. Then there is a big emotional full moon in Pisces on the 29^th with a very strong Neptune influence. You’ll be feeling connected to everyone and everything. Shields up!

CAPRICORN (Dec 21-Jan19)   August is an interesting month—mostly because of Venus retrograde. During the first week of August, Venus is in a major pile-up with Mercury and Jupiter, and they all make aspects to Saturn and Pluto. This is fascinating because the values clarification energy of Venus retro will put its focus on real-world matters such as real estate, career, and investments. So you will have a lot to think about.   You will be reviewing where you are putting your time, energy, and money.   In fact, Jupiter and Saturn will be squared all month long, and these two planets often have to do with financial issues. It’s time for some serious planning and evaluation about these parts of your life. And if it has felt like you have been in a holding pattern until now, that is the case – Saturn finally turns direct early on the 2^nd.   Meanwhile there is a dreamy new moon in Leo on the 14^th, followed by a few days of Venus retro crossing paths with the Sun. These few days – from the 14^th through 18^th – will make the Venus retro awareness particularly acute. Don’t angst about it – just sit back and observe what you are feeling and thinking. The Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd and catches up to Jupiter for a few days – that’s a nice combination for completion and fulfillment. Enjoy! Then use the Pisces full moon on the 29^th for watery inspiration and feeling connected to all things.

AQUARIUS (JAN 20-FEB 19)   The big player this month is Venus retrograde, and its influence is especially strong and

This Akron graffiti is perfect for Aquarius…

complex during the first week of August.   For one thing, Mercury and Jupiter and Venus are all together in Leo, and for another, they make big angles to Saturn and Pluto. Whew! That’s a lot. And—Saturn moves direct August 2^nd, releasing some pent-up energy. So the arena for Venus retrograde’s values clarification will be very real world matters such as finances,

investment, real estate, and building projects. It is a good time to review your commitments and to get really clear about what you’re doing and why. In fact, Jupiter and Saturn make a square to each other all month, which is excellent for sound decision-making and planning. Keep in mind that all this Leo action is really important for you because Leo is your opposite sign – it means that the Venus retro influence is probably hitting you very directly. Mid month, right after the Leo new moon on the 14^th, we have a few days of Venus retro crossing paths with the Sun. These few days will heighten the Venusian self-reflection and may inspire you to move in a different direction from prevailing winds—not hard for you!   Then the Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd and spends a few days moving in step with Jupiter. That’s a great combo for completion and fulfillment and transition. Enjoy!   Use the Pisces full moon on the 29^th for inspiration.

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 19) This is a big month for you, not only because of Venus retrograde but because of the Virgo activity later this month. But I am getting ahead of myself! First, Venus. This retrograde pass is especially provocative on the subject of real-world financial and real estate matters in relation to your real values. This is really highlighted during the first week of August, when Venus retro, Mercury, and Jupiter all aspect Saturn and Pluto. In fact, Jupiter and Saturn will be in a square position all month, and they are classically about money and investments. They are also about making sound decisions, balancing Jupiterian overreach with Saturnian conservatism, so use this combination well. Pluto’s involvement raises issues of long-term development. You will be cogitating on some situation that is making you square your values with a financial reality. Don’t stress – you have a lot of help here in the form of Venus, Jupiter and Saturn . Allow yourself some fun distractions mid month when Mercury and Neptune get involved in the August 14^th new moon.   Then there are a few days of Venus retro crossing the Sun, when you feel like you are really moving in a different direction from expectations or from the dominant culture.   This is a good thing!   Then the Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd and immediately joins up with Jupiter for a few days of completion and fulfillment – especially if you are an early early Pisces. Get ready for a weepy full moon in Pisces on the 29^th which has Neptune all over it. Make sure you’re at the ocean!! Then throw yourself into some labor of love with the help of Mars and Venus retro in Leo.

ARIES (MAR 20-APRIL19) Venus retrograde is the big news this month, inspiring lots of awareness for you about commitment. This is especially the case during the first week of August, when a major pile-up of Venus retro with Mercury and Jupiter in an angle to Saturn and Pluto raises big questions for you about where you are investing time, energy, and resources. The Saturn-Jupiter effect will be with us all month, and it is one of sound decision-making. With Pluto thrown in there is an emphasis on long-term planning. You’ll be wrestling with some real-world material concerns and how they are in sync with your values. Real-world concerns such as money, career, home, land. Then there is a dreamy new moon in Leo on the 14^th, followed by a few days of Venus retro crossing paths with the Sun. Now that’s interesting – you’ll be inclined to buck convention and follow your heart. Listen closely to that big heart of yours! The Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd, pairing up with Jupiter for a few days of completion and fulfillment. There is a big full moon in Pisces on the 29^th which has Neptune all over it – great for inspiration and spiritual work. Get yourself to the ocean if you can. The month ends with an emphasis on collaboration and shared goals.

TAURUS (APR 20-MAY 20) Venus retrograde does her thing this month, which you will find a relief. The first week of August should be especially illuminating in the values clarification department, especially as they relate to finances and real estate and investment of time, energy and money. First, Saturn turns direct August 2^nd, so a situation that has been stuck should start to move. Then a beautiful pile-up of Venus retro, Mercury and Jupiter all in an angle to Saturn and Pluto raise all these big issues for you about commitment of resources. The Saturn Jupiter square is in effect all month and that is a great combination for planning and decision-making. Saturn reins in Jupiter’s tendency to grandiosity, and Jupiter loosens up Saturn’s conservatism. So this is a good month for figuring things out. Mid-month there is a nice new moon in Leo that emphasizes creative and intuitive process. From the 14^th to 18^th Venus retrograde crosses the Sun, really highlighting how your values fly in the face of dominant culture.   The Sun enters Virgo, a fellow earth sign, on the 23^rd, and it marches along with Jupiter for a good few days. This is a nice combination for transitions, for completion, and for having a good time. Enjoy!   Everyone’s feelings will run high on the full moon in Pisces on the 29^th so there may be drama but the Venus retro- Mars aspects make for a satisfying sense of shared values and goals.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) Ah, Venus retrograde- dontcha love it? Venus retrograde is like a homeopathic cure – gentle and life-changing.   You are likely to make some important course corrections this month, especially at the beginning and at the end. First , Saturn goes direct on the 2^nd after what feels like endless eons of stuckness. Then during the first week of August Venus retro has a pile-up with Mercury and Jupiter – all in Leo and all making an angle to Saturn and Pluto. This is a great opportunity for reflection about resources and investment. Saturn and Jupiter’s role may make the values clarification occur on a mundane but important level: money, investment, real estate, career. In fact, Saturn and Jupiter are squared all month, and they give us a wonderful ability to make sound decisions and exercise great judgment. Pluto’s role is to help us focus on development and long-term planning.   So you’ll be grappling with some important issues. August 14 beings a nice and dreamy new moon in Leo – see , it’s not all business! The Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd and pairs up with Jupiter for a few days. If you are an early Gemini you will feel this aspect as a sense of completion and transition. Enjoy it. There is a full moon in Pisces on the 29^th which has Neptune sitting on top of it. This is a big full moon for you – it’s a weepy one, especially if you are an early Gemini—so expect something to come to fruition. But keep the Kleenex handy! The month ends with Mars in Leo catching up to Venus retrograde – this is all about shared effort and collaboration.

CANCER (JUNE 21- JUL 21) Venus retrograde is helping you get very clear about what you want and need, so enjoy the next month of fruitful decision-making. First, Saturn turns direct on the 2^nd, helping move some situations that have felt stuck. Then the first week of August brings a fabulous mash-up of Venus retro, Mercury and Jupiter in Leo, all making an angle to Saturn and Pluto. There will be some values clarification going on, and the topic is resources, career, investment of your time and energy. The Saturn-Jupiter effect — which will be with us all month—emphasizes this theme of investment, and these two planets also work together to help us make sound assessments and decisions. Pluto in the mix enables us to take the long-term view and understand the steps needed in a process. So this will be a fascinating month for you. Mid month there is an inspiring Leo new moon on the 14^th, followed by a few days of Venus retro crossing the Sun. Those few days, from the 14^th through 18^th, will allow you to feel great and settled about being utterly unconventional and bucking tradition. The Sun enters Virgo on the 23^rd and pairs up with Jupiter for a few days. Closure. Completion. Fulfillment.   Transition. Those are all Jupiter words.   Fun too. There is a big watery Neptunian full moon on the 29^th – make sure you’re near water and cleanse your Cancerian soul.