MONTH OF August
Moving through August with grace and ease is going to take a little extra effort, Taurus. Start with self-care! Your ruling planet Venus is retrograde in Leo—your fourth house of home, family and nourishment. This Leo season might not be as heartwarming and cozy as usual. Or, plans to spend time with loved ones could be interrupted.
The silver lining is: You’re busy AF anyway! Expansive Jupiter is in Taurus this summer—and it’s one of the only planets that’s either not already retrograde or not turning retrograde this August. (Seriously, stars?) You can sway in a hammock or escape to the shore another time. Right now, you’ve got the most bountiful and enterprising planet in YOUR corner, and this only happens every 12 years. So lean into Jupiter this month and put the other stuff on hold if you can.
Your career can sizzle on both ends of August! This month’s skies feature are a rare TWO full moons—both supermoons — one at the kickoff and one at the end of August. The first, on August 1, is in Aquarius and your tenth house of professional acclass="body-el-link standard-body-el-link" hievement. And on August 30, the Pisces “blue moon” activates your collaborative eleventh house. You could be toasting a team victory before back-to-school season officially begins!
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Although romantic Venus’ retrograde could sour summer love a bit, you’ll have time to make up for it next month, when Venus resumes direct motion on September 3. Until then, keep calm. On August 23, the Sun moves into Virgo and your passionate fifth house for a month. But since Mercury, the planet of communication, ALSO turns retrograde in Virgo until September 15. Two words for your love and social life: fall equinox. Keep your head down and stay out of trouble until then!
One last warning on that topic: On August 28, changemaker Uranus will join the retrograde brigade, making a five-month U-turn in your sign and bringing the total retrograde planet count to SIX. Retrogrades rule the past, and you may be processing quite a lot from yours now. But hey, maybe there are parts you’re hanging onto that are no longer serving you. This month offers you a huge opportunity to release those. If a person or situation is meant to be in your life, sometimes you need a “hard reset” before you can bring it back. Find the courage to let go and trust. What’s meant to be yours, will be yours—in divine timing.
It’s Leo season until August 23
With the Sun in warm-hearted Leo activating your fourth house of home and family until August 23, domestic bliss is the top item on your August agenda. Focus on self-care, family matters and your emotional foundation. After a social July, you may savor this annual sentimental and sensitive downtime to connect to more tender feelings. Slip off to the beach with a book and spend time with people who know how to just “be” together.
Show your most loyal people how grateful you are for their love and support by making them a priority. But try to keep expectations realistic. This year, harmonious Venus will be retrograde in Leo from July 22 to September 3, which could disrupt your domain if you’re not careful. Since Venus is your ruling planet, you’re especially affected by its six-week reversal, which unfortunately collides with Leo season this year.
Be extra cautious and discerning about shared space. Think twice before opening your pullout sofa and playing host. Rent a place instead of staying with relatives if you’re traveling to see family. Going in on an Airbnb with friends? Hash out everyone’s needs (sleep needs, quiet time, etc.) well in advance. This is a time when over-communicating could actually be a saving grace.
One privacy-loving Taurus friend of ours recently moved to a condo complex where the neighbors are a bit too…neighborly. They knock on her door unannounced, give unsolicited advice on her patio garden and keep a watchful (gossipy) eye on everything that happens on the property. Like her, you may find yourself wanting firmer boundaries with neighbors so you can safeguard your personal space.
The Aquarius full supermoon is on August 1
Bring on the accolades! This year has been taking a turn for the better (at last!), thanks to lucky Jupiter moving through your sign since May 16. And as August begins, you might see the first fruits of your efforts materialize—or at least get a flash of clarity on what you want to manifest for class="body-el-link standard-body-el-link" this next chapter.
For this you can thank the August 1 Aquarius full moon, a potent supermoon that will land in your tenth house of career, achievement and long-term goals. The full moon could deliver a major professional breakthrough or shift. With Venus retrograde in your fourth house of home and family, you might welcome a chance to step away from domestic discord or fired-up feelings. We’re not suggesting you ignore your emotions, Taurus, but shifting your attention to something proactive can help you consider things with a calmer POV.
Ready to go to the next level on your path? Look back to the Aquarius new moon on January 21, which planted the seeds for what could manifest now. Those early 2023 resolutions are about to seriously pay off in the coming four weeks. What can you do to help move things forward? Get proactive and make sure you’re putting your best face forward. Not sure how you’re coming across? Talk to an expert or a mentor and polish up your public profiles—and your professional wardrobe while you’re at it. With Venus retrograde, it’s a great time for a closet edit. And since retrogrades favor the past, don’t be surprised if “shopping your closet” turns up some gems!
Plant new roots at the August 16 Leo new moon
A fresh start is coming to the most personal part of your life this month, Taurus. This August 16, the year’s only Leo new moon beams into your domestic and emotional fourth house. From house-hunting to doctoring your decor to enriching your bonds, la luna adds a special heartfelt glow to everything.
Your natural creativity is also sparked: Honor your urge to beautify and nurture by inviting a small group over for a home-cooked meal or a night of crafts (and craft cocktails). Break out the art supplies and fun projects! (Just keep the divas and troublemakers off the guest list, especially with Venus retrograde!)
Is your abode in need of a refresh or renovation? Get plans underway for any home-related endeavors and work toward manifesting them completely by the Leo full moon in six months. If you need to repair a relationship with a relative, particularly your mom or a female family member, this new moon is ideal for extending an olive branch or just booking some quality time.
Where could YOU use more self-care, nurturing and emotional centeredness, Taurus? Don’t sacrifice that essential R&R for everyone else. If you do, you could reach a breaking point. The new moon will make an exact 90-degreclass="body-el-link standard-body-el-link" e square with volatile and authentic Uranus in Taurus and your assertive first house. La luna is also a mere degree away from Lilith, the “dark moon” point known for revealing anger, outrage and resentment.
Got some of that bottled up? If Venus retrograde didn’t uncork it, this new moon could. If you’ve been letting turbulent emotions brew to a boiling point, this clash could find them all spilling out in unceremonious and disruptive ways. Don’t do anything to exacerbate that, Bull. Watch your alcohol intake and make sure to stay fed and hydrated. The answer is not unloading on someone you’re pissed at but in taking exquisite care of yourself.
Virgo season begins on August 23 and brings back the fun
When Virgo season kicks off on August 23, the Sun enters your passionate and fun-loving fifth house for a month of summertime pleasure, play and self-expression. Whether it’s a few sun-kissed romantic interludes or a burst of creative inspiration, Virgo season can deliver heart-opening moments aplenty.
Of course, Venus is still retrograde until September 3, but you’ll have nearly three weeks of Virgo season left after that—so don’t rush into back-to-school season without having a little belated frisky fun. Summer ain’t over till the equinox arrives on September 23, so soak up every drop of it until then. Lead with your adventurous side now.
But…Mercury turns retrograde from August 23 to Septeclass="body-el-link standard-body-el-link" mber 15
Even after Venus corrects course, you’ll still have to be mindful where you aim those amorous arrows! From August 23 to September 15, expressive Mercury will be retrograde in Virgo and that feisty fifth house of your chart. In addition to scrambling signals with communication, travel and technology, Mercury retrograde is notorious for bringing people and unresolved issues back from the past.
With the messenger planet reversing through your house of love, an ex-flame could reappear on the scene with tempting promises or a repentant mea culpa. Paired with Venus retrograde, the odds are further multiplied. (We swear everyone will get a break soon!)
Proceed with the utmost caution before you rekindle any sparks. Remember, Taurus: There’s a reason it didn’t work out the first time. You need solid proof that you won’t have to go through the same chaotic drama again.
Sun-Saturn opposition on August 27
Has life dealt you a decidedly non-LOL hand? They say laughter is the best medicine, and this August 27, you could use a megadose, Taurus. As the Sun and sobering Saturn make their once-a-year opposition, look for the humor in a stressful situation instead of letting the struggle take you down.
Can’t quite muster a chuckle for this one? Today, it’s time to lean in to your patient side, Taurus. Trust that some things just need time to work out. Or if you’ve been letting a vague situation drag on longer than feels good, maybe it’s time to bless and release it.
Another perfectly acceptable option: Take the day off from trying to solve the problem and distract yourself with a massage or retail therapy. Tonight, a cozy movie night at home with a classic rom-com could be just what the doctor ordered.
Uranus turns retrograde in Taurus on August 28
For the rest of the year, Uranus will backslide through your first house of individuality, fresh starts and passion projects. The rapid changes could slow down a bit, giving you a chance to integrate it all, especially the big career and lifestyle changes that have been ushered in by expansive Jupiter’s move into your sign on May 16.
For many Bulls, the more measured pace between now and January 27, 2024, could be a relief. Jupiter will also be turning retrograde in Taurus from September 4 to December 30, giving you an even better opportunity to slow down and evaluate your options.
Pause on any extreme makeovers of yourself, a business or your life. Take it all in and correct course as needed. You’ve seen so many new paths and possibilities: Which ones have any kind of staying power? If you’ve struggled to gain traction on a big idea, Uranus retrograde could finally help it take root.
Just don’t get TOO settled! Disruptor Uranus is the planet of change and progress. This retrograde is an excellent time to really look at yourself, your habits and any internal changes you need to shift. Admit it: Your sign’s rep as stubborn isn’t entirely undeserved. What are you clinging to that no longer serves you? If you back-burnered a change that seemed too daunting last year, the latter part of 2023 could turn out to be the perfect time for a scaled-down versioclass="body-el-link standard-body-el-link" n.
The Pisces full supermoon on August 30 ignites collaborations
Two-for-one lunar special: incoming! This August 30 features a rare bonus full moon, aka a blue moon. This one will bloom in your eleventh house of collaborations and technology, bringing a group project to a peak or turning point. If you’ve been on the fence about whether to get more involved with this crew or to pull back, you could figure out the right role for yourself.
Launching a digital venture? The Pisces full moon would normally be your perfect day to roll it out as these moonbeams turn you into cosmic clickbait (the good kind!). However, with the two tech planets, Mercury and Uranus, both retrograde, the celestial server is down. Use this moment for a soft launch or to test your product with a small focus group instead.
This full moon can definitely inspire you to get working on your innovative ideas—which you should do behind the scenes. Do all the “research and development” your heart desires! Just wait until late September before you send out an email blast, debut your podcast or hire a developer to help you scope out that brilliant app idea.
Your love outlook gets mixed reviews this August, Taurus. As you’ve already heard, your ruling planet, Venus, has turned on her autoresponder and gone retrograde, leaving us all to fend for ourselves from July 23 to September 3. Summer love could get complicated, with an ex or two washing up with the beachy tides. The August 9 clash between Venus and volatile Uranus in your sign could churn up some heated feelings.
Are you finding yourself unusually weepy, thin-skinned and emotional? Venus is retrograde in Leo and your sensitive, domestic fourth house. Let your sentimental side out and try to spend some quality time with your loved ones. But bear in mind that when harmonizer Venus is off-duty, tension can build quickly. If you’re thinking of introducing someone to your family or visiting your hometown, you might want to wait until mid-September.
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. And if you do, the August 22 Venus-Jupiter square might help you get really honest about some feelings you’ve been holding in.
The other love planet, Mars, is campaigning hard to get some summer sexytime on the agenda though (with a possible side of drama if you let things get TOO heated). The red planet is cruising through earthy Virgo and your fifth house of passion and bliss until August 27, which only happens every two years!
With Mars stirring things up in this emotionally charged zone (and Venus retrograde throwing wood on the fire), there might be some drama, or your need for attention could get a little intense. But you can also look forward to some seriously sexy moments. This is also a fertile cycle, so be sure to take that into account if you’re of the childbearing set.
This biannual visit from the red planet makes you quite the head turner. Bask in the attention that effortlessly streams your way, whether you’re drawing buzz for your talents, holding court with admirers or debuting an over-the-top summer look. Again, just a reminder to temper the flames a bit to avoid a Venus retrograde “fashion don’t” moment.
How’s it going there, Taurus? Although your ruling planet, Venus, is retrograde, you’ve got some extra wind in your sails courtesy of lucky Jupiter, which is powering full-throttle through YOUR sign all year, as of this May 16. New ideas, opportunities and helpful people have been surfacing ever since, and you should be feeling an exciting energy of renewal. Stay in motion, Taurus. This new chapter is just getting started!
Back up your data and devices before August 23, when Mercury, the planet of communication, turns retrograde in Virgo and your expressive fifth house. You’ll want to bite your tongue a bit more between now and September 15 as some of your unfiltered comments could get you into unnecessary hot water. When rebellious Uranus turns retrograde in Taurus this August 28, you’ve got even more reason to put a gag order on those in-your-face remarks that tend to fly out of your mouth at times. You may not care about making friends with everyone, Bull, but you certainly don’t need to make enemies!
Speaking of friends, on August 30, the Pisces full supermoon illuminates your eleventh house of compadres and networking. Head to an industry mixer, host a gathering or sign up for an online class. It’s a good time for a “soft launch” or a test debut of one of your great ideas, but wait until the second half of September for a full-scale unveiling since Mercury and Venus will no longer be retrograde.
Of course, Uranus and Jupiter WILL both be retrograde in Taurus next month—but you can’t win ‘em all. These slower-moving outer planets will have less of a detrimental effect than Mercury and Venus in reverse. Pick your poison and, most importantly, keep believing in yourself and your ideas.
Love Days: 17, 22
Money Days: 10, 1
Luck Days: 8, 26
Off Days: 5, 20, 24
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.
