Welcome to your August 2017 forecast!   Click on “read article” and scroll down til you find your sign of the zodiac….

 LEO (JUL 22-AUG 21) August is a fairly relaxed month with a couple of whoppingly big exceptions. The month begins with just a day or two more of the Sun-Mars combo which has been making you insanely busy and likely to bump into things. Starting on the 3^rd the Sun starts outpacing Mars and that influence wanes as we head towards a fun-filled Aquarius full moon on the 7^th. By the 10^th, Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune for a few days of extreme spaciness. Back up that hard drive, especially since Mercury turns retrograde on the 12^th (yup!) and the opposition to Neptune continues til about the 15^th. If you are engaged in creative work—especially writing or photography—this will be an inspiring stretch. Just don’t expect to remember where you’re supposed to be when… And allow me a word about Merc retrograde in Virgo: this astrologer loves Mercury retrograde in its non-linear wondrousness, but Mercury rules Virgo and you may find your inability to hold onto a single detail about your life aggravating. Just go with the flow. The 15^th brings some other nice aspects including a Sun- North Node conjunction, which is wonderful for connecting with intimates, and a Venus-Jupiter-Pluto line-up which is excellent for cooking up plans and collaborative schemes. Then it’s August 21^st and the Great American Eclipse is upon us !!! If you are a tail –end- of -Leo Leo then heads up because this eclipse falls right on you! Solar eclipses fall on new moons so this new moon, which occurs at 28’53 Leo, is super-charged. All that creative potential will just be bursting forth in an unexpected and dramatic way…. If you need a push in your life, here it is. Take the plunge. Often information or events from an outside source create the stimulus for the eclipse’s push, and this time, Mercury retrograde will be sure to deliver a piece of information that stirs you to action. The rest of the month feels like a piece of cake, if you can work with Mercury retro, that is. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and by the 26^th the Sun and Mercury retrograde cross paths, making for a few confusing, dreamy days. Mars in your own sign catches up to the North Node at the same time, bringing some intensity to your relationships.   August ends with a quick-moving Mercury-Saturn angle. Like I said, back up your hard drive.

VIRGO (AUG 22- SEPT 21) This month would be perfectly delightful if it weren’t for the solar eclipse and Mercury retrograde….but it’s still quite good for you. It begins with a lot of activity due to the Sun-Mars conjunction but those two orbs separate as we head towards the wild and crazy full moon in Aquarius on the 7^th.  That’s a fun full moon with little drama, believe it or not. By the 10^th things get interesting, when Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune, making truth very slippery, and then on the 12^th Mercury turns retrograde in your own sign. That is always challenging, to have Mercury retrograde in one’s own sign, but keep in mind that Mercury rules Virgo so you will definitely feel this transit. The Neptune opposition, which lasts til the 15^th, just knocks the legs out from under Mercury, so you are spacey and dreamy and have a bad case of CRS (“Can’t Remember S—“). In the middle of the Neptune action, Mercury turns retrograde. Oh honey. You just have to go with the flow and relinquish that very important Virgo sense of needing to know where everything is and how it all fits together…. And it may wreak havoc with your technology so be prepared. But also on the 15^th there are some delightful transits—the Sun meets up with the North Lunar Node for solid intimate connections and Venus in Cancer gets involved with Jupiter and Pluto. This is a great combination for developing plans and sorting out familial money stuff.   Then it’s August 21^st, the Leo New Moon and the Great American Eclipse.   If you are an early Virgo, born near the cusp, you will be especially affected by it.   It will be a big personal watershed moment for you. Get ready to make some changes! Even if you’re not a cuspy Virgo, this eclipse is a big deal and is likely to push you in unexpected ways. On August 22 the Sun enters Virgo and by the 26^th, it crosses paths with Mercury retrograde. Oh, that will be fun. Just go with the flow and let yourself be awash in intuitive knowing – don’t try to figure out a thing.

 LIBRA (SEPT 22-OCT21) August is a pretty nice month if you can roll with the punches of Mercury retrograde and the Big Eclipse…. The start of the month is quite calm once the Sun overtakes Mars by the 3^rd. We head for an Aquarian full moon on the 7^th and this lunation is kinda fun and startlingly without drama. By the 10^th Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune for a good few days, making you spacey as hell but inspired if you can focus long enough to do some writing or other creative work.   Mercury goes retrograde on the 12^th for 3 weeks, and wow, won’t that be fun. Mercury rules Virgo, and when retrograde in that most earthy and organized of earth signs…. Well, you get my meaning. Organization may go out the window. Don’t sweat it if you can’t hold onto any details or remember where your thumb drive is… Just go with the flow but back everything up at least 12 times, especially in the 5 day period of the Mercury –Neptune opposition. On the 15^th there are some juicy relationship aspects when the Sun catches up to the North Lunar Node. Meanwhile Venus in Cancer aspects the Jupiter-Pluto business so you’ll be able to sort out some financial planning. Then the solar eclipse is on the 21^st, a big fabulous turbo-charged new moon in Leo which may shake the crap out of the US and a whole lot of people. If there are changes you need to make in your own life, let the eclipse push you to take the leap. Then the Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and the month ends mildly except for a few days of Mercury retrograde-Sun action starting on the 26^th. It will be hard to know which end is up. Like I said, back up your hard drive.

SCORPIO (OCT 22-NOV 21) August is pretty chill, with the exception of Mercury retrograde and the big eclipse coming on the 21^st…. August begins with a lot of activity but that calms down quickly and things roll nicely towards the Aquarian full moon on the 7^th. There’s not even much drama with this full moon. Then by the 10^th there are 5 days of a dreamy Mercury –Neptune opposition. This is a wonderful combo for creative and spiritual work but get ready to not know anything about plans and details. It gets even worse when Mercury goes retrograde on the 12^th – and Mercury is in Virgo, no less, so forget about keeping track of important information. But the Sun catches up to the North Node on the 15^th for a couple of days, which is wonderful for connection and intimacy.   Venus in Cancer gets involved in the Jupiter –Pluto action also on the 15^th, which gives you fodder for scheming with friends and family and making plans for fall. Then it’s the Great American Eclipse on the 21^st—which will be a big deal for you if you are a late Scorpio, born around November 19-21, since it occurs at the tail end of Leo. Get ready for some big changes to come into your life! Then on the 22^nd the Sun enters Virgo and the month ends calmly, except for a few days of Sun-Mercury retro craziness on the 26^th….Whatever is going on, remember that you don’t have all the information!

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22- DEC 21) Oh my! August is a pretty calm month with a few moments of extreme intensity. It begins with just a few more days of a Sun –Mars conjunction which has contributed to some accident prone-ness perhaps…But then life is good in the build up to the fun-filled Aquarian full moon on the 7^th. Things get a bit interesting on the 10^th when Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune. This is a great combination for inspired creative and mediumistic work but forget about remembering where you put your checkbook. Then on the 12^th Mercury goes retrograde, right in the middle of the Neptune aspect. Oh wow, won’t that be fun! You absolutely have to go with the flow and not be concerned about what you know and don’t know. The 15^th also brings nice relationship aspects and positive aspects for planning and decision making, particularly about financial and real estate matters. Then comes the solar eclipse and new moon on August 21! If you are an early early cuspy Sag, this eclipse will have a big effect on you and will push you to make a set of moves in your life. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and by the 26^th, crosses paths with Mercury retrograde . If you are an early Sag, expect to feel that classic Mercury retrograde stress around communication and technology.

 CAPRICORN (Dec 21-Jan19) Wow, we could call this a reasonably great month, astrologically speaking, except for Mercury retrograde and the eclipse which aren’t terrible things, just a bit challenging. August begins with the end of a Sun-Mars conjunction which has had you very busy and active. Life calms down for the week leading up to the Aquarian full moon on the 7^th, a shockingly drama-free full moon. Starting on the 10^th we have a good few days of Mercury in Virgo opposing Neptune—ooh that’s slippery and dreamy. If that weren’t enough, Mercury goes retrograde on the 12^th and stays in its opposition to Neptune til the 15^th. Oy! You won’t know which way is up! Expect lots of delays and changes in plans! But also on the 15th there are nice Sun-North Lunar Node relationship aspects, and Venus in Cancer connects with Jupiter and Pluto to facilitate lots of planning and financial decision-making. I know – Mercury is retrograde, but still, do some planning. Then August 21 brings the big eclipse. This is a supercharged new moon in Leo which will provide an extra kick in the pants to you to make some changes in your life.   The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and then on the 26^th catches up to Mercury retro for a few days of non-linear utterly weird communication. Roll with it!

AQUARIUS (JAN 20-FEB 19) This is a big month for you! It starts with the end of the Sun-Mars conjunction in Leo, making you busy, active, and perhaps accident-prone. It quickly calms down and things are quite copacetic leading up to the enjoyable Aquarius full moon on the 7^th. Have fun on this one! Then on the 10^th Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune for 5 days, making you a space cadet. Mercury turns retrograde in the middle of this on the 12^th, so you really have no idea what you’re doing from one minute to the next. Mercury retrograde in Virgo is no joke, since Mercury rules Virgo and Virgo like to have know where all its pieces and parts are… Oh well, not for the next few weeks. On the 15^th the Sun catches up to the North Node for a few days of positive relationship aspects. In addition, Venus in Cancer lines up with the Jupiter Pluto square so it is a good time to do some real estate and financial planning – just don’t lock things down til after Mercury turns around on September 5^th . Then it’s the solar eclipse and new moon in Leo on the 21^st.   This critically important eclipse will push you forward, a nice astrological kick that will advance your life in ways you can’t imagine, especially if you are a late , late cuspy Aquarius. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd, and by the 26^th, catches up to Mercury retrograde for a few days of really non-linear communication.   Go with the flow!

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 19) This month is almost okay, with the exception of Mercury retrograde in your opposite sign of Virgo and the big eclipse due August 21. The month starts off with you being a bit too busy for your tastes. Don’t worry – things calm down and the upcoming August 7 full moon in Aquarius is a fun one and pretty drama-free. On the 10^th Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune in Pisces for about 5 days of dreamy inspiration. Just go with it – you really have no choice since Mercury turns retrograde on the 12^th, right in the middle of this transit.   So it’s downtime for the linear, left brain. Enjoy it! Just make sure to back up your hard drive! By the 15^th the Sun catches up to the North Lunar Node and you will make nice connections with friends and intimates. Venus in Cancer lines up with the Jupiter Pluto aspects to create rich fertile soil for planning about real estate and money. Then the solar eclipse and super-charged new moon in Leo occur on the 21^st — this is a big planetary kick in the pants for everyone. If you are an early, cuspy Pisces it will have a clear impact on you. Get ready to make some changes! The Sun enters your opposite sign of Virgo on the 22^nd, and by the 26^th crosses paths with Mercury retrograde for a few days of weird communication. Remember to go with the flow of Mercury retrograde and be inspired.

 ARIES (MAR 20-APRIL19) August will be enjoyable as long as you can roll with Mercury retrograde and a big whopping solar eclipse. It starts off with you being very busy but then calms down in the approach to the Aquarian full moon on the 7^th. Have some fun – it’s all about conviviality. Then on the 10^th Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune for 5 days of really spacey inspiration, exaggerated by Mercury turning retrograde on the 12^th. Forget about knowing which end is up or even what day it is. You have no choice but to go with the flow while not stressing about how all your best-laid plans are melting in front of your eyes… The 15^th brings some beautiful relationship transits when the Sun catches up to the North Lunar Node, and Venus in Cancer lines up with Jupiter and Pluto, facilitating some positive real estate and financial discussions. Then it’s the 21^st, the big solar eclipse and super-charged Leo new moon. This is a kick in your pants to change your life. Go for it. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and by the 26^th crosses paths with Mercury retrograde for a few days.   That will wreak some havoc with communication, travel, and technology…

 TAURUS (APR 20-MAY 20) August is quite a nice month – that is, if you can deal with Mercury retrograde and the solar eclipse on the 21^st. It starts with some Sun-Mars physical vulnerability so take your vitamins and get good rest, and it quickly calms down even though we’re heading into a full moon. The Aquarius full moon on the 7^th is kinda fun and convivial, and not very stressful for a full moon. Then on the 10^th, Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune for five days of strange dreamtime. Although communication and linear process will be weird, inspiration will be running high. It is a great time for creative work. On the 12^th, Mercury goes retrograde, exaggerating the dreamy effect. Know you will be inspired but you won’t have a grip on a single detail of your life, such as where you’re supposed to be when. The 15^th brings nice relationship aspects when the Sun catches up to the North Lunar Node. Venus in Cancer lines up with Jupiter and Pluto to facilitate some financial and real estate planning. Then it’s the 21^st, the big solar eclipse and new moon in Leo. This eclipse will push you to a new level in your life, especially if you are a late Taurus born around the 17-19 of May. This might be the kick in the pants some part of your life needs. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd, and crosses paths with Mercury retrograde on the 26^th for a few days of chunky communication. Back up your hard drive!

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) August is a pretty easy month if you can go with the flow of Mercury retrograde and weather the eclipse without panicking…. It starts with a lot of Sun-Mars activity which quickly settles down into a rhythm of fun leading up to the Aquarian full moon on the 7^th. This full moon is all about conviviality, so enjoy hanging out with friends. On the 10^th Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune for a good few days, leaving you really spacey and ungrounded but full of inspiration. Mercury turns retrograde on the 12^th so the dreamy feeling is exaggerated. Use the intuitive dreaminess of Mercury retrograde and don’t stress about all the falling-apart details… The 15^th brings nice relationship energy through the Sun –North Lunar Node conjunction. Meanwhile Venus in Cancer lines up with Jupiter and Pluto, so if you’re cooking up real estate schemes, let your inspiration guide you. Then it’s the 21^st, and the eclipse is here, this major transformational push. If there is something holding you back, the eclipse is likely to tear away the impediments…. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and by the 26^th, crosses paths with Mercury retrograde for a few days. Oof! Communication will be strange indeed. Plans may fall apart. Make sure you’re backing up your hard drive!

CANCER (JUNE 21- JUL 21) This is a an odd but not so bad month, as long as you go with the flow of Mercury retrograde and with the big eclipse. The month starts with a lot of activity, but quickly settles down. The build up to the Aquarian full moon on the 7^th is quite nice and fun. This is one full moon without drama, believe it or not. On the 10^th, Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune for a few days of dreamy inspiration. Use it to move along a creative project. Mercury turns retrograde on the 12^th which really exaggerates the dreamtime feeling. Nonlinear thinking goes out the window and you are a bundle of intuitive perception. Use it. The 15^th brings nice relationship aspects and some positive developments around real estate and financial planning. Then it’s the eclipse! The eclipse makes this new moon super charged, a new moon on crack, so use it for inspiration and to let yourself take steps that you’ve been wanting to take. The eclipse will propel you forward into a new version of yourself. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and then catches up to Mercury retrograde by the 26^th. You’re in for a few days of wild and richly unexpected communication and connection.