MONTH OF August
The most wonderful time of the year for Sagittarians has arrived! The Sun is in fiery Leo and your ninth house of growth, travel and opportunity, ushering you into a season of positivity and possibility. It’s time to come out and spread your wings completely—maybe schedule an overseas trip, or delve into a new spiritual belief system. You’re up for just about anything now, Sag, and this is how your optimistic sign loves to do life.
But…before you go full-throttle on the freedom express, you may need to step on the brakes a smidge. All month, magnetic Venus is retrograde in Leo, slowing your roll a bit. The planet of love and beauty will be doing backstrokes until September 3, disrupting your ninth house of personal liberation and truth-telling. Honesty is usually the best policy, but brutal honesty…not so much. Got something to get off your chest? Being reflective, not reactive, will serve you best.
The skies will serve up not one, but two, illuminating full moons, both of them supermoons! They’ll bookend the month at the start and close of August, moving the needle on anything that’s felt stalled in your life—which, given how many retrograde planets we have, could be a lengthy list
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The August 1 Aquarius full moon brightens your communication sector, which is an ideal day for those must-have conversations. Book the Zoom calls, the pitch meetings and the important talks. News you’ve been waiting for since as far back as January could come through today. Got questions? Ask them all before you move forward with a project. Due diligence is definitely recommended this August!
It’s not just Venus that’s retrograde, either. All month long, structured Saturn, hazy Neptune and shadowy Pluto are also making reverse commutes through the zodiac. Issues related to home, family and money might demand more attention than you expected, which could divert you from ambitious goals. Rather than fast-track a big idea, slow down and make sure you have everything in order at Chateau Sagittarius. Building a firm foundation will help your goals soar later in the year. NOW is the time to pull back and do that work.
Speaking of goals, go-getter Mars is in Virgo and your ambitious tenth house until August 27, firing up your career zone. You may have short hours and long deadlines, making life feel stressful but successful. On August 23, the Sun moves into Virgo for a month of professional power. However, communication and technology planet Mercury turns retrograde in Virgo that same day, throwing static on the line until September 15.
On August 28, innovative Uranus starts its annual five-month retrograde, bringing the total count of retrograde planets to SIX. Uranus will reverse through Taurus and your sixth house of wellbeing and organization. Translation: Make sure Team Sagittarius is TIGHT. Cut the slackers and make sure you have good systems in place to stay on top of all the moving pieces of your life.
At the end of the month, a little downtime arrives just when yoclass="body-el-link standard-body-el-link" u need it most. The second full moon, a rare blue moon, arrives in Pisces and your domestic fourth house on August 30. There could be news of a move or events that involve a female relative, your mother or a child.
Haven’t gotten the family bonding time you’ve been craving? With Saturn and Neptune retrograde in Pisces all summer, you could be longing for a reunion—and this could be an ideal moment.
Just make sure you have enough personal space if you visit family or travel with anyone. With so many retrograde planets at play, tension can flare. You may need to step away for some cooldown breaks when a relative pushes your buttons and triggers an old wound. Or, if you feel frustrated by work demands, you’ll need some quiet time to unwind and focus. Take those proactive precautions to make sure you get what you need.
Leo season inspires you to go big until August 23
With the Sun in bold Leo and your ninth house of travel, exploration and inspiration until August 23, the month kicks off with you feeling ready, willing and able to come back out and explore the wider world. Have you been aching to get out of city limits—or for any kind of novelty? Pack your bags and go!
Caveat: Venus retrograde can disrupt the harmony of your plans. From bickering travel companions to bedbugs at the hotel (read ALL the reviews and check the cancellation policies before booking) to an Airbnb that looks nothing like the photos. Proceed with extra due diligence and clear communication agreements in place!
If you can’t leave city limits yet, you can still cultivate meaningful connections with people from afar. Take courses, work on an indie business idea, inhale a good book or a podcast that inspires personal growth (one of your favorite topics). Stretch to your full wingspan this month—think day trips, adventures and expanded possibilities. As the natural ruler of this zodiac zone, you’re in your element for three more weeks.
The Aquarius full supermoon is on August 1
Start spreading the news again, Sag! On August 1, you could make an announcement, or you may get a long-awaited updatclass="body-el-link standard-body-el-link" e on a project you’ve been working on since earlier this year. Today brings a full supermoon in Aquarius, which will activate your communication and kindred spirits zone.
Since your projects and ideas are the focus of this silvery lunar light, this is the perfect day to drop a new product or launch one of your genius ideas. Innovative Aquarius has a big impact on all things technological, so tap into the digital domain to get the word out farther. Whatever the message, it likely relates to something that’s been brewing since the January 21 Aquarius new moon.
Siblings, neighbors and friends are all represented by the third house. If you’ve been meaning to rally the squad for a proper catch-up, invite your favorite members to meet for rooftop drinks or a day at the beach. Tell them to bring THEIR friends, and you could expand your crew and possibly even serendipitously meet a new collaborator.
The August 16 Leo new moon supersizes your inspiration
An extra push to explore arrives with the year’s only Leo new moon on Thursday, August 16, which plants seeds for growth and optimistic risk-taking between now and the Leo full moon on January 25, 2024.
Close your eyes, set an intention and prepare to spread your magic far and wide! This expansive new moon inspires you to think (and travel) beyond your current limits. A startup business or an educational endeavor could take off. Connect to far-flung followers and see what you can co-create. If you’re a media-maker or teacher, start cooking up a new project that you can launch over the coming six months.
But before you go blasting off into the stratosphere, heed one caveat: The new moon forms a challenging 90-degree square to disruptive Uranus in Taurus and your sixth house of service and systems. Travel plans could get thwarted by the million things on your to-do list or even a curveball assignment that HAS to be done over the weekend. You may further feed the problem by getting all in your head about it. Slow down, prioritize and don’t try to doclass="body-el-link standard-body-el-link" everything at once!
Got some frustration to blow off? Complicating matters, this new moon is making close contact with Lilith, the “dark moon” point. As a fire sign, when you get really mad, you can burn bridges as well as everything else in sight. The lunar-Lilith meetup COULD very well bring up some primal anger and emotions. Rather than lash out at anyone, lean in to your arsenal of coping mechanisms: getting out in nature, vigorous physical activity, the wisdom of every metaphysical tool you’ve ever learned. Don’t swallow your righteous rage; just channel it into something where it can be metabolized properly, with minimum collateral damage.
Virgo season begins on August 23 and fires up your career
On August 23, the Sun enters meticulous Virgo and your professional, ambitious tenth house, kicking off a month of career focus and success. Set goals, stick to structures and prioritize.
You’ve had a whole month of blue-sky dreaming—now it’s time to sift through the bounty and see which of those ideas are worth developing. Do any have long-term potential? Map out a few rough ideas or take a decisive step forward. Let’s see where this goes!
But…Mercury turns retrograde from August 23 to September 15class="body-el-link standard-body-el-link"
Careful not to rush, Sagittarius, as you’re prone to doing. From August 23 to September 15, Mercury, the planet of communication, technology and travel, will be retrograde in Virgo, which can scramble signals and cause technological mayhem, especially at work.
Clients and managers may be royal pains, changing their minds or delaying decisions and blaming “bureaucracy.” If you’re thinking of investing in a new laptop or website host, wait until after the retrograde. If you can’t, spend the few extra bucks for the insurance and full warranty. Back up all your files and always review before hitting “send” or “publish.”
Retrogrades ARE favorable for connecting with your past, so if you’re job-hunting, talk to an old boss or client who could have valuable leads, if not an actual position to offer. Since the tenth house rules your public image, this is a great time to work on a branding refresh—just unveil it in September or October, when retrograde high season has passed.
Sun-Saturn opposition on August 27
Struggling to balance your personal and professional parts of your life? It wouldn’t be the first time, but on August 27, the annual Sun-Saturn opposition could be a day when everything feels a bit heavy or pessimistic. Be careful not to get down on yourself about your progress in either area, even if you aren’t thrilled with what you see when you take an unflinching look.
With these planets in the “parent” parts of your chart, you might look at your family of origin. Maybe you’ll visit your ancestral hometown, research your roots or find new branches in your family tree. If one part of your life—either your career or your family—is getting the lion’s share of your attention, you may also decide to make a dedicated effort to balance that out a bit. Or, if you’re working hard and skimping on self-care, this Sun-Saturn face-off sounds an important (and harsh, if that’s what it takes to get your attention) warning to stop neglecting numero uno!
Uranus turns retrograde in your wellness house on August 28
Slow down a little there, Sag! Changemaker Uranus turns retrograde in resolute Taurus this August 28, its annual five-month reversal that will last until January 27, 2024. The side-spinning planet is moonwalking through your sixth house of health, fitness and organization for the rest of the year, sounding the call for less stress and more balance!
Revolutionary Uranus started a seven-year trek through Taurus on March 6, 2019, sending seismic waves through all things “business as usual.” For the past few years, Uranus has been bringing necessary upheaval to your habits and systems, and shaking up anything stagnant.
Tech-savvy Uranus has also demanded that you level up your digital game, from your online presence to becoming proficient with helpful apps and electronics to stay organized. The solution to your stress levels is NOT been doing it all yourself, but learning the art of delegating, training and managing other people, whether paid employees or members of your household.
If your life feels like a puzzle with a million pieces scattered all around (and no photographic box top to follow), the retrograde will give you a chance to catch up. Uranus is the planet of rebellion and freedom, so hosting it in this orderly zone of your chart may feel paradoxical. But if you can structure a way to set you free—to create hacks that GIVE you more time instead of miring you in processes—you’ll tap into the gift of this retrograde.
Simplify, streamline and use technology where it helps. Make sure to get AWAY from the screen and out into nature during this time, too. A digital detox, even for one day every week (or month if that’s all you’ve got), can be more restorative than you realiclass="body-el-link standard-body-el-link" ze!
The Pisces full supermoon on August 30 spotlights home and family
Another helping of lunar light? This August 30 features a rare bonus full moon, aka a blue moon. This one, also a supermoon, is in Pisces and your domestic, emotional fourth house.
If there’s one day this month that you SHOULD prioritize your loved ones or take a timeout for self-care, this is it. You’ve been burning multiple candles at both ends, and it’s time for a nurturing escape. Stop and replenish! These illuminating moonbeams could reveal deeper feelings you’ve brushed aside, helping you find the words to express some heartfelt sentiment.
A move or change to your home is possible near this date. The fourth house rules female relatives, mothers in particular, so events involving a maternal figure could become more significant. There could also be news related to a child or a pregnancy.
So much for “spontaneous Sag”! With motivated Mars marching through Virgo and your future-focused tenth house until August 27, you’ve got 20-20 long-range vision when it comes to love and relationships. No-string summer flings probably won’t be your cup of matcha now. If anything, you’re probably thinking about MORE commitment.
But don’t go rushing into anything now, Archer. Venus, the planet of romance and harmony, is snared in a six-week retrograde traffic jam from July 22 to September 3. In Leo and your expansive, visionary ninth house, Venus retrograde could disrupt your dynamic and dreams.
Only temporarily though, Sagittarius! This planetary “pause button” snaps you out of your reveries. Sure it would be amazing to travel the world with your soulmate or live your best lives as a power couple. And we have no doubt that you will. But this month, come down from that cloud a little and make sure that you have the nuts and bolts of your life in place too.
From August 13 to 18, Venus is making its “inferior conjunction” with the Sun, meaning it will disappear from our view. This is THE window of opportunity to finally put old patterns to bed. On August 22, Venus will form a breakthrough angle with your ruler, Jupiter, a day to talk about the “boring” but necessary things that help your life run smoothly. From health to finances to getting enough support for your daily duties, this Venus-Jupiter square (and really, the whole retrograde) is a reminder that if you want to revel in the high of limitless potential together, you have to take care of mundane matters, too.
During this retrograde, Mars in Virgo will set your sights on the future and what you really want. In a relationship? This is an auspicious time to talk about your shared dreams for—if not the rest of your lives, certainly the next several months or years. You want to know that there’s a ROI on everything you’re putting into this. And if not? You might be ready to cut bait and fish in richer waters.
For some Archers, work and responsibilities could interrupt your romantic reverie, an unfortunate but unavoidable reality. Single? With your professional sphere highlighted, you could meet someone through career pursuits, perhaps at a conference or industry networking event. One thing’s for sure: You’ll be attracted to people who have their financial act together. Your motto this month: No romance without finance!
Make your power moves, Sagittarius! Motivator Mars is making is biannual visit to Virgo and your ambitious tenth house until August 27, setting your career zone ablaze! All month long, the red planet will activate your professional sector, turning up the heat AND the pressure. You may need to strike while the iron is blazing, and there won’t be time to “think it over.”
Mars in Virgo can bring long hours and short deadlines—along with all the attendant stress. Prepare to keep your desk lamp on until the wee hours at least a few nights this month. A leadership position or promotion could be yours for the taking if you play your cards right. But you’ll have to be disciplined—especially in the face of distractions. Be especially careful when Mercury turns retrograde in Virgo from August 23 to September 15, and aim to have all your launches and loose ends tied up before this chaotic cycle begins.
How can you accomplish your visionary goals and avoid burnout? Curb your Sagittarius habit of saying yes to everything and put that FOMO in the parking lot. The key is to prioritize: Where should you spend your energy and resources for maximum return on investment? And while duty WILL call, not every responsibility needs to fall on your shoulders. You’ll need to be unshakably firm about delegating, time management and boundaries.
Love Days: 5, 10
Money Days: 17, 26
Luck Days: 16, 24
Off Days: 8, 12, 22
Identical twin sisters Ophira and Tali Edut (a.k.a. The AstroTwins) are ELLE.com’s resident astrologers. They have written several astrology books, including Momstrology and Supercouple, and star as the astrological matchmakers for Prime Video’s Cosmic Love. The Eduts have read charts for celebrities the likes of Beyoncé, Karlie Kloss, and Emma Roberts. For their spot-on predictions, books, and online courses, check out our horoscopes coverage or visit astrostyle.com.
