Aries

March 21 – April 20

Go easy on family members this month, as disagreements with those you’re closest to are likely to get personal. Misunderstandings abound: feathers can get ruffled and feelings can get hurt, especially around the 10th and 11th. Your ruler in hard aspect to Pluto during that time can set you on edge and make you more irritable and impatient than ever. You’ll make great strides in healing any rifts if you put yourself in someone else’s shoes and try to see things from their perspective. On the 16th, with the Moon in your sign and the Sun, Venus and Mercury moving through your romance sector, you can expect your love life to start heating up. You may rush headlong into a new relationship or fan the flames in an existing involvement. Just be careful not to neglect those who need your attention most.

Moon in Aries: Aug 16, 17, 18, 19

Taurus

April 21 – May 21

Gemini

May 22 – June 21

Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, Mercury retrograde comes along and smacks you upside the head. This particular Mercury retrograde promises to be a doozy, as it’s dignified (in its own sign, Mercury’s co-ruler Virgo) but opposite to Neptune, the planet that wreaks the most zodiacal havoc. Be sure to mind your p’s and q’s, from the 4th through the 27th, when the influences are strongest. Mars is also in your sign at the beginning of the month, but moves into Cancer and then opposes Pluto in your money sector on the 11th. Watch your spending around that time and keep your opinions about the spending habits of others to yourself. The latter part of the month promises to be much smoother sailing as Mercury crosses the Sun and Venus in Leo and brings romance to the forefront.

Moon in Gemini: Aug 21, 22, 23 and 24

Cancer

June 22 – July 22

You may have to count to ten more times than you normal this month just to keep your temper in check. With Mars moving through your sign and in hard aspect to both Uranus and Pluto, emotions are likely to be more volatile than usual. You’ve probably already got a reputation for being moody, but these aspects intensify that tendency and can make you more irritable, temperamental and reactionary. It’s a difficult energy to contain and is likely to manifest as minor accidents (bumping into furniture, careless cuts or burns, etc.) if you don’t find a way to expend it. Any kind of intense physical exertion — exercise, kickboxing, martial arts, and so on — will help to satisfy this transit. Things are looking up for you on the financial front, so put your excess energy and aggression to good use in that area.

Moon in Cancer: August 24, 25 and 26

July 23 – August 23

Love is in the air for you this month with the New Moon in your sign and with Venus, the Sun and Mercury moving through Leo as well. All is not perfect however — your relationship ruler is involved in some intense planetary drama which can translate as conflicts and emotional turbulence in the romance department. It’s going to be up to you to keep your sanity during this time, as relationship partners can be irrational and combative. The good news is that this means more time together, and more time to work out whatever kinks you’re experiencing in your relationship. The bad news — just how bad depends on how willing (or unwilling) you are to acknowledge your own shortcomings — is that problems in your relationship may be exaggerated. Things smooth out again after the 14th, so put your best negotiating skills to use then.

Moon in Leo: Aug 1, 26, 27 and 28

Virgo

August 24 – September 22

You may be pulling your hair out over repeated problems with miscommunications this month as Mercury starts out retrograding in the earliest degrees of your sign. On the one hand this is a good placement for Mercury — as it co-rules your sign (along with Gemini). But on the other hand it’s debilitated by an opposition to Neptune and its backwards motion through your solar 12th house. The Moon is in your sign twice this month (for a total of six days). That should help to bring some clarity to your otherwise cloudy and uncertain ideas. But it’s the New Moon on the 28th that you want to pay the most attention to. This marks the onset of a new planetary cycle for you, in which you can get a lot accomplished on your own. It’s full speed ahead for you then as Mercury turns direct at roughly the same time.

Moon in Virgo Aug 1, 2, 3, 29 and 30

Libra

September 23 – October 23

You’ll probably prefer the company of friends over lovers this month, much to the dismay of your loved ones. With Uranus moving through your relationship sector — in hard aspect to both Pluto and Mars — relationships are likely to be combative, especially between the 8th and 13th. As much as you dislike conflict, this is not the time to run away or confront your problems indirectly. Avoidance will only make things worse, and anything that still needs resolving will take on a more acrimonious tone in the coming weeks. Saturn in your sign can come in handy. Draw on your inner strength and sense of fairness to resolve whatever problems you’re having now, rather than trying to push them aside. You got positive allies amongst your dearest friends; just make sure you don’t sacrifice your loved ones in the spirit of pursuing social connections.

Moon in Libra: Aug 3, 4, 5, 30 and 31

Scorpio

October 24 – November 22

You may find yourself in the middle of a heated debate amongst co-workers this month, starting around the 8th. It’s likely a no-win situation, where lines are drawn and egos are involved — and where the potential for losing sight of the original discussion is inevitable. With Mercury retrograding through your professional sector through the better part of the month, and with Uranus involved in a tight t-square to Pluto and Mars, you can count on things getting intense. Your challenge should be to see where you can afford to assert your opinion and where you need to just butt out. You have good career transits for most of the month, so focus on establishing your position rather than getting involved in petty squabbles. The 16th – 18th are especially fortuitous dates for you, so put your best foot forward and show them what you’re really made of.

Moon in Scorpio: August 5, 6 and 7

Sagittarius

November 23 – December 21

Mercury is going retrograde this month in hard aspect to Neptune. This can be especially problematic for you as these two planets rule both your relationship and your personal / professional axes. This can manifest as problems getting on the same page as those you’re working with, suspicions of sabotage and concerns about others attempting to undermine your authority. While these are all valid concerns, there’s a strong potential for paranoia (on your part) too, so try not to jump to conclusions without corroborating evidence. Your strategy should be to stay focused on what’s important and ignore anything that threatens to divert you from your goals. There’s strong potential for you to take a journey this month as well. As long as you’re willing to roll with the punches and to expect the unexpected, this can be a most welcome diversion.

Moon in Sagittarius: Aug 7, 8 and 9

Capricorn

December 22 – January 20

You’re good at meeting obstacles head-on and at overcoming whatever hardships come your way. And it’s a good thing, too — as you’re about to be given the opportunity to prove it. Your reputation is solid: no one can doubt your persistence, perseverance or fortitude. But there are those who may seek to question your character, and it will be up to you to maintain your position. Fortunately for you, you’ll know exactly where you stand and with whom. Your allies are evident, as are your opponents. Don’t allocate power to those who do not have your best interests at heart: surround yourself instead with those who support your efforts. You’re being rewarded now for all of your efforts, so enjoy the recognition. Your ruler is elevated and dignified, and moving forward through your professional sector. This puts you at a professional high-point which continues for the next few years.

Moon in Capricorn: Aug 9, 10 and 11

Aquarius

January 21 – February 18

This month the emphasis is on “unequal relationships.” This means that your interactions with authority figures or with those you answer to in the workplace are in danger of being strained. If you’re in a position of power yourself, you may be disappointed in those who answer to you. Either way, the imbalances in your relationships — be they casual, personal or professional — are all going to be highlighted this month. There’s an undercurrent of anger that can manifest as confrontations or power struggles if you’re not careful. Your greatest weapon is your intellect, but it can also be your greatest weakness. Your reputation can take a serious hit if you’re seen by others as condescending or superior. Even if untrue, this is the vibe that’s likely to be broadcast others. If it’s not consistent with your world view, it may be time to reinvent yourself.

Moon in Aquarius: Aug 11, 12, 13 and 14

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

You’re on the verge of tremendous changes in both the personal and professional arenas, whether you’re prepared for them or not. With your ruler retrograding back through the earliest degrees of your sign — and into the latest degrees of Aquarius — it may feel like you’re backpedaling and losing momentum. But in truth this is a necessary process, wherein you’ll be presented with deja vu experiences and given the opportunity to retrace your steps. This can be a daunting experience if you’re resistant to change. But it can be equally empowering — as long as you’re open to embracing the opportunities come your way. Venus moves into your relationship sector on the 22nd, bringing your focus to romance, relationship and love. As long as you keep both feet on the ground, this can be a very productive time.

Moon in Pisces: Aug 14, 15 and 16

By Melodie Sheppard