Welcome to your August 2022 forecast!   Click on “read article” and scroll down til you find your sign of the zodiac….

LEO (JUL 22-AUG 21) Lest I sound like the proverbial broken record here, I will characterize the general situation very briefly:  the tumult continues. August begins with Mars sitting together with Uranus  and the North Lunar Node  for  5 more days of high drama , unexpected events, and edginess, so watch your temper.  You’re a force of nature, especially now.  (My Leo cat just pushed me off the couch… Just sayin’.)  Then Mars slides into a square to Saturn starting on the 5^th  and all the way through the Aquarius full moon on the 11^th.  Expect to feel kinda cranky and constrained, tied down by work and other responsibilities. Venus in Cancer opposes Pluto for a few days before the full moon, putting a focus on commitment to relationships, Venus enters Leo on the 11^th and immediately aspects Saturn—and Jupiter.  Keep in mind that pesky Saturn is in a nice angle to Jupiter all month long, so even Saturnian pressures may feel a bit lighter. (This is the good news part of my column!) It’s a good month for long-term thinking and planning, especially about resources.  Right on that dramatic full moon on the 11^th and for the following week, the Leo Sun moves from an angle to Uranus to one with Saturn and Jupiter.  Ugh.  What can I say?  You will be feeling the high tension of the world and it will be important for you to take very concrete steps to stay calm.  I mean it!  So that meditation and yoga practice of yours—get it together!   On the 19^th Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune for a few days of dreamy inspiration. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and squares Mars in early Gemini.  Busy busy busy.  Be sure to take time to breathe. Saturn and Uranus move into their 90-degree angle by the last week of August, ushering in a solid three months of serious structural change and challenges to the status quo.  Indeed.  The Virgo new moon falls on the 27^th with Venus in an angle to Saturn and Uranus.  It’s all about prioritizing values of relatedness as you contemplate what needs to change in your life.

 VIRGO (AUG 22- SEPT 21) Sorry to be the one to say it, but you have to continue to live with uncertainty, surprises, and a sense of a world out of control. It’s just how it is right now.  And will continue to be for a while.  Sigh.  And August is kind of intense.  It begins with Mars in Taurus sitting with Uranus and the North Lunar node, bringing more unexpected events. Anger and frustration are running high, so be sure to avoid tussling with anyone about anything.  Then by the 5^th Mars moves into a square to Saturn, bringing you some days of hard work and focus.  At least Jupiter is lined up with Saturn all month, mitigating some of Saturn’s heaviness, and putting the focus on resources and planning.  Venus in Cancer opposes Pluto for a few days before the Aquarius full moon on the 11^th, and you are evaluating commitment to relationships. Venus enters Leo on the full moon and immediately lines up with Saturn and Jupiter, so be … well, judicious in your commitments.  Right after the full moon the Leo Sun catches up to an angle with Uranus and then Saturn,  so the world will be rockin’ and rollin’.  Expect the unexpected and keep track of your peeps.  On the 19^th Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune for a quick day or two of inspiration and also some misinformation.  Make sure people aren’t talking out of both sides of their mouth.  The Sun enters your sign of Virgo on the 22^nd and squares Mars in Gemini.  My, you’re even more industrious than usual but watch out for injury: you may be so busy that you lose track of your body in motion.   The Virgo new moon falls on the 27^th and Venus in Leo gets involved with Saturn and Uranus. Use this new moon to get clarity about plans and commitments, creatively and relationally.

 LIBRA (SEPT 22-OCT21)  I’ll just put it right out there and get it over with: August will be like the last few months but moreso.  It begins with the Mars-Uranus-North Node conjunction that July ended with.   That means more explosively dramatic events and uncertainty – and on crack.  Then Mars moves to an exact angle to Saturn by the 5^th, adding to the pressure leading up to the Aquarius full moon on the 11th.  But the wee piece of good news is that Saturn is in an angle to Jupiter all month, mitigating the heaviness and giving you some breathing room.   Even though things are nuts, the Jupiter-Saturn perspective is one of long-range vision and wisdom, a la “it is what it is,” and “this too shall pass,” so just go with it.  There will be bright spots, so stay in the present moment and enjoy them.  Venus in Cancer opposes Pluto for a few days before the full moon, putting the emphasis on relationships.  On the full moon itself Venus enters Leo and immediately makes an angle to Saturn and Jupiter. It is the turning of the wheel of fate, the cycle of life, and you are in tune with commitment to important relationships.  After the full moon the Leo Sun squares Uranus (hold onto your hat) and then opposes Saturn, so it’s a rough time for the world and all of us in it.  Mercury opposes Neptune for a few days on the 18^th, bringing inspiration.   The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and immediately squares Mars in Gemini.  That’s a busy combo!  Then here comes the Virgo new moon on the 27^th, always a pretty and productive one. This one has Venus lined up with Saturn and Uranus and you will want to let your core values guide you in making any big changes and decisions.

SCORPIO (OCT 22-NOV 21)  I’ll get this out of the way: the world is still a mess, and it gets even messier this month, sorry to say!   August begins with a pesky Mars-Uranus-North Node lineup that intensifies the rather dramatic uncertainty we are living with. Because there is so much action in Leo, Taurus, and Aquarius, Scorpio is on the hot seat this month especially.  The Uranus-Mars  dramatic influence lasts til the 5^th, when Mars moves into a square to Saturn, bringing hard work and heavy responsibility.  But there’s some good news – Saturn lines up with Jupiter all month, mitigating Saturn’s heaviness a bit.  The Jupiter Saturn angle is a nice one, good for long-range planning, especially about resources.  Use it,  since the Mars-Jupiter-Saturn combination lasts through the Aquarius full moon on the 11^th.  Venus in Cancer opposes Pluto for a few days  just before the full moon, putting a focus on relationships and intimacy.  Then on the full moon the Leo Sun squares Uranus for a few days and moves to  oppose Saturn.  Expect high drama, tumult and tension.   Use the Mercury -Neptune  opposition on the 18^th to get some inspiration and spiritual grounding.  The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and squares Mars in early Gemini.   You will be busy, juggling a lot, but try to avoid stress. The Virgo new moon falls on the 27^th, and this is a beautiful moon for planning and creative work.  Venus in Leo squares Saturn and Uranus and it is a good time to evaluate relationships and boundaries.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22- DEC 21)  Yes, things are still intense, and August brings more intense uncertainty and tumult our way.  It’s just how it is right now!  August begins with a powerful Mars-Uranus-North Lunar Node combination that is edgy and potentially explosive.   Watch your irritation level and do not engage in arguments about anything! Mars moves from Uranus to a square to Saturn by the 5^th and the Mars Saturn angle continues through the Aquarius full moon on the 11^th.  The good news is that Jupiter is in an angle to Saturn all month, lightening up Saturn’s heaviness.  Although you are feeling the weight of responsibility you are also enjoying your work.  Jupiter and Saturn are very good for long-term planning, especially about resources, so let Mars help you get some plans together during this stretch.  It’s a good time to evaluate your relationship to work.  Venus in Cancer opposes Pluto for a few days right before the August 11 Aquarius full moon, putting a focus on relationships and commitment, then on the 11^th Venus enters Leo and opposes Saturn. You may be pressed to show up differently in some relationships, given Sag’s tendency to sometimes run from commitment.  Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune for a couple of days on the 18^th, opening up your intuition.  But the Leo Sun squares Uranus for a few days and then moves into position with Saturn, so the world will be out of control and people will be stressed.   Stay calm and stay open to changes and surprises.  The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and immediately squares Mars in early Gemini.  You will be busy but be careful not to be too busy and stress yourself out.  The Virgo new moon falls on the 27^th with Venus in an angle to Saturn and Uranus.  Take advantage of this productive lunation to make some plans.  You will want to restructure some things in your life – just stay true to your values.

CAPRICORN (Dec 21-Jan19)  The world is reeling with Uranus’ effects of tumult, tension, and change, and it just intensifies this month, I’m afraid.  August begins with a high-tension lineup of Mars, Uranus, and the North Lunar Node through the 5^th.  This is a rather testy combination so watch your irritation meter.  Stay away from arguments.  Then Mars leaves Uranus and squares Saturn, for more fun and games – not.   That is a very pressurized combination and usually brings hard work, but the good news is that this month anything that involves Saturn also pulls in Jupiter.  Whew!  Jupiter and Saturn are a nice balanced combination, great for Capricornian pursuits like planning and long-term thinking, especially about resources.   We could all use some balance right now!  So use Mars to help you lay out some long-range plans—just remember that Uranus may throw some wrenches into the works!  Right before the Aquarius full moon on the 11^th Venus in Cancer opposes Pluto in your sign, putting the focus on relationships.  Then Venus enters Leo on the 11^th and immediately makes an angle to Saturn, really emphasizing commitment.  On the full moon the Leo Sun squares Uranus and then moves into an angle to Saturn, bringing some global upset and surprises.  Hold on to your hat and stay calm.  On the 18^th Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune and you might find yourself uncharacteristically spacey.  The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and squares Mars in Gemini. You’ll be busy but  be careful about overdoing.  The Virgo new moon on the 27^th is especially good for planning and for creative inspiration, especially with Venus involved.  Enjoy it and take some risks.

AQUARIUS (JAN 20-FEB 19)  Yes, well, Uranus is still at it this month, so things are very crazy in the world and many people are experiencing chaos and disruption.  With so many heavy duty planets in fixed signs of Taurus and Aquarius, all the Leo action this month will join the party and have a big impact on your Aquarian self, any way you slice it.   So.  August begins with Mars in Taurus joining up with Uranus and the North Lunar Node through the 5^th.  This is a very provocative and even explosive combination, so I advise you to lay low and certainly avoid any kind of argument.  Then Mars moves for Uranus to an angle to Saturn in Aquarius for the next several days, all the way to the Aquarian full moon on the 11^th.  (Yup, full moon in your sign!)   Saturn and Mars are about hard work and perhaps some pressure, but the good news – yes, some good news!—is that Jupiter is in an angle to Saturn all month long.  Anything that involves Saturn also pulls in Jupiter ‘s more expansive energy, so the Saturn Mars business will inspire planning and long-term thinking., and won’t just be a pain.  It is a very good time to make decisions, especially about resources, so let Mars nudge you towards signing on some dotted lines. Venus in Cancer opposes Pluto just before the full moon, so you will really be feeling some pressure to commit your resources, financially and emotionally. Then on your full moon Venus enters Leo and opposes Saturn, putting some closure or redefinition  to a relationship or commitment.  Yowza! The changes keep coming.   After the full moon the Leo Sun gets into it with Uranus , and you will feel the winds of change for sure, and then the Sun moves to an angle to Saturn.  You’re working hard and feeling a lot of responsibility, but Jupiter keeps you happy with your life.  The Sun enters Virgo on the 22nd. Then the delightful Virgo new moon falls on the 27^th, with Venus lined up with Saturn and Uranus, inspiring big energies of change and restructuring.

 PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 19)  Oh baby, what can I say?  It is another month of just plain crazy.  Crazy— full stop. So August begins with Mars in Taurus lined up with Uranus and the North Lunar Node til the 5^th , a particularly tension-producing and potentially explosive combination of energies.  Definitely avoid any interaction which could lead to conflict or struggle.  Nuh-uh.  Then Mars moves from Uranus into a square to Saturn, which could be constraining and difficult, but thank God, Jupiter is in an angle to Saturn all month, lightening up Saturn’s restrictiveness. The Saturn-Jupiter effect is excellent for balance, and god knows we need some of that right now!  It is good for decision-making and long-range planning, especially about resources and real estate.  With Mars in the picture, you will be propelled towards some plans and actions.   Then right before the Aquarian full moon on the 11^th Venus in Cancer opposes Pluto in Capricorn, raising the temperature in a relationship, for good or ill. But then on the full moon Venus moves into Leo and aspects Saturn, and the relationship moves from heat to decision-time.  You’re either in and recommitting and/or setting a firm boundary.  On the 11^th the Leo Sun aspects Uranus and then Saturn, triggering all kinds of global disruption and whiplash. Deep breaths!  Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune on the 18^th for a couple of days of dreamy inspiration. The Sun enters Virgo, your opposite sign, on the 22^nd, and it immediately squares Mars.  You will be busy and perhaps a bit overwhelmed.  Then the beautiful Virgo new moon falls on the 27^th, pulling in Venus and Saturn and Uranus. You are restructuring something big in your life, so let the new moon give you guidance.

ARIES (MAR 20-APRIL19)   Well,  I wish I could promise calmness this month, but I just can’t! We will have more of the same chaos and disruption in August, but moreso. The month begins with your ruling planet Mars catching up to Uranus and the North Lunar Node through the 5th, a rather tension-producing and even explosive combination.  Then Mars moves from Uranus to a square to Saturn, normally an indicator of constraint or at least very hard work.  The good news is that this month Jupiter is lined up with Saturn, and so anything involving Saturn also pulls in Jupiter, softening  Saturn’s sternness and pressure.  In fact, the Saturn-Jupiter angle is a nice one, bringing some balance and groundedness, which god knows we could use!! It also is great for planning and long-term vision, so let Mars inspire some of that in you.  Then as we approach the Aquarius full moon on the 11^th Venus in Cancer lines up with Pluto, putting the focus on commitment and relationships.  On the full moon Venus enters Leo and immediately makes an angle to Saturn, so you are inclined to put some structure into the relationship or set some boundaries.   On the full moon the Sun in Leo squares Uranus and the world is rockin’ and rollin’—again, yes, and still.   Then the Leo Sun moves into an opposition to Saturn, adding to the stress. Be careful that you’re not doing too much.  On the 19^th Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune for a quick transit of dreamy inspiration. Use it.  The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and squares Mars in Gemini, so the temptation to throw yourself into action is very great.  The 27th brings the beautiful new moon in Virgo, excellent for planning and creative order. Venus makes angles to Saturn and Uranus, inspiring a  radical reorientation and realignment of values.

TAURUS (APR 20-MAY 20)   Let me get this over with:  August brings more disruption, chaos, and intensity.  I’m sorry but it’s not my fault!  The month begins with Mars in Taurus catching up to Uranus and the North Lunar Node, a tension- producing and even explosive combination for the world.  And for you. Watch out for road rage and avoid any thing that could involve conflict.  By the 5^th Mars leaves Uranus but moves into a square to Saturn. Normally I would say, ugh, here comes some hard work, but this time Jupiter is in the mix too, lightening up Saturn’s load quite a bit.  The Jupiter Saturn effect is a good one, excellent for planning and decision-making, especially around resources.  Let Mars move you towards decisions – even in this ever-changing world of ours.  Then as we approach the Aquarius full moon on the 11^th Venus in Cancer opposes Pluto, putting the focus on commitment and relationships.  On the 11^th Venus moves into Leo and makes an angle to Saturn, so it is a good time to recommit. There will be more surprises and unexpected events in all kinds of contexts.  Focus on your breath!  After a few days the Leo Sun moves into an opposition to Saturn, bringing some pressure your way but also a sense of purpose.  On the 18^th Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune for creative and spiritual inspiration. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and squares Mars in Gemini, and you feel pulled in many different directions. Try to stay focused.  The Virgo new moon on the 27^th is a gorgeous one, excellent for creative work and planning.  Meanwhile Saturn and Uranus have returned to their very powerful angle of breakdown/build up and out with the old/in with the new that they were in during 2021.  Venus lines up with them on the new moon, so it is time to restructure your creative life and ground yourself in your Taurean values of relatedness.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20)  Okay, okay.  These times of tumult and disruption, shock and reversals are far from over.  In fact, they are somewhat more intense in August.  The month begins with Mars in Taurus paired up with Uranus and the North Lunar Node until the 5th.  Kinda edgy and even explosive, so please please please avoid anything that resembles conflict.  Then Mars moves from Uranus to a square to Saturn which can bring pressure and constraint. The good news – yes, some good news!—is that Saturn is in angle to Jupiter all  month long, lightening Saturn’s normal heaviness.   Saturn and Jupiter bring a kind of balance and wisdom – whew!  They are great for long-term thinking and planning, especially about resources.  Let Mars push you towards some decisions.  Before the Aquarian full moon on the 11th Venus in Cancer opposes Pluto, surfacing a crisis point in a relationship which the full moon will reveal.  When Venus moves into Leo on the 11^th it aspects Saturn and you set some much needed boundaries. Then the world has a freak out when the Leo Sun squares Uranus and then moves to an angle to Saturn, so expect tumult and the unexpected the week of the 11^th.  The 18^th has Mercury in Virgo opposing Neptune for some creative and dreamy inspiration .    The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and immediately squares Mars in early Gemini, a recipe for doing too much and not paying attention to what you’re doing. Be careful of hurting yourself, tripping on your flip-flops and the like!   The beautiful Virgo new moon is on the 27^th with major Venus-Saturn-Uranus effects. You will want to bust out of what’s holding you back!   Liberation!

CANCER  (JUNE 21- JULY 21)  Please don’t shoot the messenger: the world is insane and everyone is dealing with disruption and chaos, and it continues in August.  August begins with a high-tension lineup of Mars, Uranus, and the North Lunar Node through the 5^th.  This is a rather testy combination and you might be edgy and quick to react.   Shields up! Stay away from anything resembling an argument.  Then Mars leaves Uranus and squares Saturn. That can be a constraining aspect and usually brings hard work, but the good news is that this month anything that involves Saturn also pulls in Jupiter.  Whew!  Jupiter and Saturn are a nice balanced combination, great for planning and long-term thinking, especially about resources.   The balance is welcome right now!  So use Mars to help you with long-range plans and decisions—just remember that Uranus is still stirring up changes and surprises.  Right before the Aquarius full moon on the 11^th Venus in your sign of Cancer opposes Pluto, putting the focus on relationships, and even surfacing a crisis of competing needs and commitment. Then Venus enters Leo on the 11^th and immediately makes an angle to Saturn, really emphasizing issues of commitment.  On the full moon the Leo Sun squares Uranus and then moves into an angle to Saturn, bringing more chaos, crisis and  surprises. Stay calm and meditate!   On the 18^th Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune bringing dreaminess and inspiration .  The Sun enters Virgo on the 22^nd and squares Mars in Gemini. You’re a busy bee, but be careful to slow down and not overdo.  The Virgo new moon on the 27^th is especially good for planning and for creative inspiration, especially with Venus involved.  Venus squares Saturn and Uranus, making you itchy for a change and for restructuring part of your life.