Welcome to your August 2016 forecast!   Click on “read article” and scroll down til you find your sign of the zodiac….

LEO (JUL 22-AUG 21) August begins with a beautiful New Moon in Leo, followed by about a week of a Venus- Mars square. You are filled with ideas and plans and the energy to carry them out. Keep in mind that most of the planets are in Virgo and other mutable signs, leaving that Leo Sun up there kinda lonely and making for lots of changes and transitions

this month. Meanwhile the Saturn-Neptune square continues to mess with all of us. As I wrote last month, the best way to work with this somewhat discomfiting transit is to engage a routine, a practice – either art or meditation or both. By the 6^th, Mercury in Virgo makes an angle to the Saturn-Neptune business for a few days of mental inspiration. Venus in Virgo catches up to Saturn and Neptune a few days later on the 12^th and you have no choice but to get into the studio. Saturn goes direct on the 13^th and even though it remains in its square to Neptune til October, Saturn’s direct motion should release some of the boggy, stuck feeling that has been so intense this summer. The Aquarius full moon falls on the 18^th and this summertime Aquarius full moon is always a recipe for a good time. It’s followed by a Mercury-Jupiter conjunction in Virgo, facilitating excellent communication, but at the same time Mars in Sag catches up to Saturn by the 20^th and joins the Saturn-Neptune bog. This transit is good for completing a difficult creative task, but you will need to focus. You’ll be projecting much more energy than you realize so if Mars and Saturn make you cranky you might spread a lot more gloom than you intend… The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and by the 30^th it too squares Saturn and opposes Neptune– and Mercury goes retrograde! The only thing to do is go to the beach.   

VIRGO (AUG 22- SEPT 21) Virgo is in the spotlight this month, with so many planets in your sign that one right after the other trigger the Saturn-Neptune square in a …well…. very personal way. What does this mean, you ask? It means you have to really stay focused and work on stress management. It is an excellent month to establish healthful routines. First, Venus in early Virgo squares Mars in Sag for a few days starting the 5^th. This is a sweet combination that emphasizes shared purpose. By the 6^th Mercury in Virgo squares off against the Saturn-Neptune combo, which is inspiring mentally if you can resist feeling overwhelmed. By the 13^th Saturn turns direct –loosening up a few logjams, I think—but Venus in Virgo reaches the Saturn Neptune angle for a few days. You will have to keep hold of your meditative clarity lest you feel your sense of values flooded by the insanity of the world. There is a big Aquarius full moon on the 18^th which should be celebratory and fun, helped along by Mercury sitting with Jupiter. Good for conviviality, that’s for sure. Then the week of the 21^st Mars in Sag reaches Saturn and squares Neptune. This tricky transit will require you to harness all of your discipline and focus on a creative project. The Sun enters your own sign on the 22^nd and makes a nice angle to Venus, emphasizing relationships. By the 30^th the Sun gets involved in Saturn and Neptune – sobering, to say the least, but excellent for exercising creative and spiritual discipline. And lest we forget, Mercury goes retrograde on the 30th as well!

LIBRA (SEPT 22-OCT21) August is a sloshy kind of month with lots of transition, thanks to just about every personal planet transiting the Saturn Neptune square one after another. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to become accustomed to being a bit off balance this month. August begins with a pretty new moon in Leo followed by a productive few days of a Venus-Mars square. That’s good for getting things done. By the 6^th, Mercury in Virgo catches up to the Saturn Neptune business and you’re inspired but vague, unable to string a thought together. Don’t worry, it’s fast-moving. By the 13^th, Saturn turns direct, loosening up some of the summer’s stuckness, and Venus in Virgo reaches the Saturn Neptune business. Now you can get to work – harness your creative vision and put up some shields about the world’s stupidity. You may be feeling needy and insecure in your relationships – this too will pass. The 18^th brings a festive full moon in Aquarius, helped by a nice Mercury –Jupiter conjunction that facilitates all kinds of communication. Then Mars in Sag catches up to Saturn and squares Neptune. This can be tough, and your only recourse is to attack a bear of a job, something gritty and knotty that requires tremendous focus. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd for a couple of days of pretty Venus aspects, and then by the 30^th the Sun reaches the Saturn-Neptune square and Mercury goes retrograde. Go to the beach.

SCORPIO (OCT 22-NOV 21) August is strangely unsettled, with so many planets in mutable signs that change seems everywhere. The Saturn-Neptune square continues to be the main influence, and its action will be triggered by Mercury, Venus, Mars and the Sun in succession. Weird. What to do? You have to cultivate an attitude of not being attached because plans and actions are slippery this month. Additionally, Mars has just left Scorpio after what has felt like countless eons. It has crossed back into Sag, adding to the instability you’re feeling with so many planets in mutable signs. The beginning of August does bring a few days of a nice little Venus-Mars square, great for shared activity. Then by the 6^th, Mercury catches up to the Saturn Neptune square, bringing you lots of inspiration and insight. Try not to become overwhelmed by all the psychic input flooding you. On the 13^th Saturn turns direct – releasing some stuck situations- and Venus in Virgo gets involved in Saturn and Neptune. You’re filled with creative and romantic yearnings and need to express them. Just know that Neptune can cause things to slip through your fingers, so again, don’t be attached to outcome. Enjoy the Aquarius full moon on the 18^th and allow Mercury and Jupiter to aid communication and fun. Meanwhile Mars reaches Saturn in Sag and squares Neptune, and this will feel like a martial arts challenge. You have to reach your goal by standing aside and shifting the energy, if that makes any sense. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd.   The end of the month has the Sun opposing Neptune – what better time to go to the beach? And Mercury goes retrograde on the 30th.

 SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22- DEC 21) August is a month of transitions, and although the Saturn Neptune square still dominates, all the planets in mutable signs do create some movement. It is just that it’s movement that you don’t really have any control over…The start of the month brings Mars into Sag and into a square with Venus. All of a sudden you’re busy and more is happening than you can handle. By the 6^th Mercury in Virgo squares off against the Saturn Neptune square and you are filled with inspiration and vision. On the 13^th Saturn in Sag turns direct – loosening up some of the summer’s logjams—and Venus in Virgo catches up to the Saturn-Neptune angle. For you, this is an opportunity to take off the rose-colored glasses that you’ve had on about someone or something. It’s time to cultivate a deep faith and give your Sagittarian authority a rest. There is a big Aquarian full moon on the 18^th, along with a pretty Mercury-Jupiter conjunction in Virgo. This is a great combination for communication and resolution, as well as fun. Then by the 21^st Mars in Sagittarius reaches Saturn and squares Neptune. Oh boy—this will require some discipline lest you feel overwhelmed. Although your instincts may lead you to dig your heels into rationality and attempt to force something, you have to go with Neptune’s pull and admit there is lots you don’t know. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd, and by the 30^th gets involved in Saturn and Neptune. And Mercury goes retrograde! Go to the beach!

CAPRICORN (Dec 21-Jan19) August is a slippery, sloshy month, still dominated by Saturn and Neptune but all the planets in mutable signs start to stir up movement. It is just movement we can neither control nor predict. The preponderance of planets in Virgo helps you employ the skill of discernment. The month begins with a pretty Mars-Venus square which is wonderful for shared purpose and action. By the 6^th Mercury in Virgo gets involved in the Saturn-Neptune aspect, bringing a few days of mental inspiration. Saturn turns direct on the 13^th, loosening up some situations that have been stuck all summer long, and Venus in Virgo reaches the Saturn Neptune business. Time to see a relationship or interaction clearly lest you be disappointed—remember, discernment! There is a gorgeous full moon in Aquarius on the 18^th, helped by a nice Mercury-Jupiter conjunction in Virgo that facilitates communication. Then Mars in Sagittarius reaches a conjunction with Saturn and squares Neptune. This is a harder transit to deal with unless you can take yourself to endless Zumba classes or throw yourself into an artistic discipline. You want to be careful about being too attached to Sagittarian dogma — this transit requires faith in the unknown. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd with a few days of positive relationship aspects, followed by its opposition to Neptune and square to Saturn on the 30^th.And Mercury goes retrograde! Oy. Go to the beach.

AQUARIUS (JAN 20-FEB 19) August is a month of transitions and movement, although the movement is still strange because of the boggy, sloshy Saturn Neptune square. The personal planets of Mercury, Venus, and Mars all move into mutable signs this month, joining forces with Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. So things are a bit weird. There is an uncertainty and instability to things that you have to just go with for now. All the Virgo energy in the sky is good for discernment, allowing you to see what’s what… Keep that nugget in mind.   But okay, back to the month at hand. August begins with a nice Mars-Venus square which is wonderful for shared effort. You’ll get a lot done. By the 6^th Mercury in Virgo catches up to the Saturn Neptune square, and you should give your brain a rest. Allow inspiration to come in – no need to force anything. Saturn turns direct on the 13^th – releasing some of the summer’s logjams—and Venus gets involved in Saturn and Neptune. This can be a confusing transit—you’re filled with spiritual and creative yearnings and not sure what to do with them. Just let yourself be stirred up—it passes quickly. Then the Aquarian full moon occurs on the 18^th along with a pretty little Mercury Jupiter conjunction in Virgo. This is great for communication and fun. Meanwhile Mars in Sag catches up to Saturn and joins in on squaring Neptune. You’ll be feeling powerful and fragile at the same time– and it is an opportunity for discipline, for creating a deep healthful routine for yourself. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and makes some juicy relationship aspects to Venus. Enjoy.  And Mercury goes retrograde on the 30th!

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 19) August is all about the Saturn Neptune square in a very up close and personal way for you. Pisces is a mutable sign and half of the universe is in Virgo this month, making angles to Saturn and Neptune. So, honey, your life will be in a huge amount of flux. Virgo is your opposite sign, and all the Virgo planets will make you want to make

sense out of the Saturn Neptune sloshiness. Good luck with that, and try not get stressed out. The Virgo planets will give you discernment if you focus – remember that feeling stressed is Virgo’s default state. Back to the details of the month, though. August begins with a gorgeous Mars-Venus square on the tail of the Leo new moon, which is a nice combo for getting things done in shared purpose.   By the 6^th Mercury in Virgo aspects the Saturn Neptune thing, and you’re inspired but slightly overwhelmed. Go see some silly summer movies. Saturn goes direct on the 13^th, releasing some of the stuckness you’ve felt this summer, and Venus gets involved in Saturn and Neptune. You’d do well to focus on art-making otherwise you may feel unsettled and disappointed in people. There is a big Aquarian full moon on the 18^th which is good for fun and celebration, especially since Mercury conjoins Jupiter.   Meanwhile Mars in Sag catches up to Saturn and squares Neptune. This is a hard one, requiring some emotional Aikido. Avoid fighting and go with the flow. And do not be so hard on yourself!!! The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd with some nice Venus aspects, oh happy day.   By the end of the month the Sun gets into the Saturn-Neptune angle and Mercury goes retrograde!  You had better go to the beach.

ARIES (MAR 20-APRIL19) August brings a great deal of transition and uncertainty. The Saturn Neptune square is very dominant since it will be triggered by Mercury Venus, Mars and the Sun in mutable signs over the course of the month. Many planets are in Virgo, a sign that is so very different from your instinctual headlong energy. The Virgo energy gives you an opportunity for discernment, even as Saturn and Neptune pull you towards surrender as well as to self care and alignment. But back to the details… Venus and Mars are in a pretty square at the start of the month, making for productive activity and shared purpose. By the 6^th Mercury in Virgo aspects the Saturn Neptune angle, giving you access to intuitive inspiration. Saturn turns direct on the 13^th and brings a bit of release to the logjams of the summer, as Venus in Virgo catches up the Saturn Neptune square. Work your muscles of connection and transcendence during this transit. There is a full moon in Aquarius on the 18^th along with a Mercury and Jupiter conjunction – yes, in Virgo.   Have fun—make pickles and can tomatoes. Meanwhile Mars in Sag catches up to Saturn and squares Neptune. Beware of Sagittarian hubris. Use this combination to channel some very powerful healing energy. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd with positive Venus aspects. Yay.  And Mercury goes retrograde on the 30th.

 TAURUS (APR 20-MAY 20) August is a curious month, filled with changes and transitions. The dominant influence continues to be the boggy Saturn-Neptune square but it should feel different this month. There are so many planets in Virgo right now – a fellow earth sign— that come into contact with Saturn and Neptune that you will be able to access the transcendent part of Saturn Neptune energy and make some things happen. But back to the reality of August… The month begins with a pretty Mars-Venus square on the tails of a New Moon in Leo, giving you the ability to produce a lot of work and be happy doing it. By the 6^th Mercury in Virgo gets involved in the Saturn Neptune square, giving you direct mental access to inspiration. It’s a good time for writing and conceptualizing. Saturn goes direct on the 13^th which should release some of the stuckness you’ve been experiencing this summer, and at the same time Venus in Virgo moves into position with Saturn and Neptune. This could be a lovefest of some sort, a time of vision and transcendence but be sure you’re seeing the situation clearly. Venus in Virgo should help remove any rose colored glasses! There is an Aquarius full moon on the 18^th accompanied by a nice conjunction of Mercury and Jupiter—a great combo for communication and ideas. Have fun with that, especially since Mars in Sag catches up to Saturn and its square to Neptune. Be careful with this one – if you’re in a struggle or challenging work situation you don’t want to run smack at it but use some mental martial arts to shift it. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd with some pretty Venus aspects — enjoy. On the 30^th Mercury goes retrograde and the Sun then jumps in on the Saturn Neptune action – well, why not?  You should go to the beach.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) This is a month of change and uncertainty and you’re smack in the midst of the changes. The dominant influence continues to be the Saturn-Neptune square, but this month there are so many planets in Virgo that trigger the square and guess who is left in the middle? Gemini. If you can focus and not get overwhelmed you’ll be able to use all the Virgo energy to make things happen, get organized, create order. If you can’t it will be stressful – remember that Virgo’s default state is stress. So—the month begins with a beautiful new moon in Leo followed by a Venus-Mars square. This is all good for productive activity and shared effort. By the 6^th Mercury in Virgo catches up to the Saturn Neptune square, making you a complete space cadet and slightly overwhelmed. Be sure to engage a spiritual and physical routine if you haven’t already…Saturn turns direct on the 13^th, which should release any stuckness you’ve been feeling and at the same time Venus in Virgo gets all up in the Saturn Neptune square. You may be overcome by romantic and creative yearnings. There is a full moon in Aquarius on the 18^th along with a pretty Mercury Jupiter conjunction in Virgo. Get some chat on! Then Mars in Sag catches up to Saturn in Sag and that could make anyone cranky – the square to Neptune makes it kinda weird. Avoid conflict and go with the flow. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and by the 30^th the Sun gets involved in Saturn and Neptune.And Mercury goes retrograde! I hope you’re on vacation and just chillin’ out.

CANCER (JUNE 21- JUL 21)  August is a month of shifting realities and uncertainty– so many planets in mutable signs. But it’s good – the Saturn Neptune logjams are beginning to loosen, and all the Virgo planets this month play well with Cancer. The month starts with a pretty Mars-Venus square allowing you to be productive in a shared effort. By the 6^th Mercury in Virgo catches up to the dominant Saturn Neptune             square, and this is a great combination for writing and conceptualizing and harnessing inspiration. Saturn moves direct on the 13^th which will bring some relief to the bogginess, and then Venus in Virgo aspects the Saturn Neptune square. It’s time to make art or look at art, to let yourself be bathed in Neptunes’s waters of creative expression. You might be feeling dreamy and unsettled, but just go with it. There is a big Aquarius full moon on the 18^th along with a delightful Mercury Jupiter conjunction—in Virgo. This is great for writing and communication. But here comes the chunky part of the month: Mars in Sag reaches Saturn in Sag and its square to Neptune. Avoid the news; avoid ideology. Get some nudgy detailed work done. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd making nice aspects to Venus and connecting you to friends and family. The Sun gets up in the Saturn Neptune business by the 30^th and Mercury goes retrograde– go hang out at some big water.