Aries, August 2016

The new moon in Leo arrives on August 2, and Aries, you're always happy for a fresh start, which is what new moons are all about! This new moon in fellow Fire sign Leo activates the sector of your chart that rules creativity, fun, and romance. Exciting! If you need to do some more partying, now's the time. Later this month, you will have a lot of responsibilities and chores to deal with, so take advantage of the new moon to have as much fun as possible.

Your ruling planet Mars enters Sagittarius, also on August 2, and it will ignite the part of your chart that rules school and travel. Even if you have no trips planned, and aren't thinking about going back to school, warrior Mars, in fellow Fire sign Sagittarius, will help you seek ways to expand your mind. You're ready for a change of scenery and to learn new things!

Sexy Venus enters grounded Earth sign Virgo, on August 5, which will be a wonderful time for you to tidy up. Getting your home or work space organized and beautified is a great thing to do now. Venus not only rules love but also beauty. This is a great time to go to a spa or do other things to support your health.

Venus wants you to be refreshed and healthy, so kick your bad habits and catch up on beauty rest! Don't be the Aries hungover in a pile of dirty laundry; be the Aries who got enough rest on some beautiful clean sheets!

Getting your shit together is huge this month. Mercury and Venus are in Virgo, lighting up the sector of your chart that rules daily routines. Later this month, August 22, the Sun will enter Virgo too! Virgo is an Earth sign, analytical and hardworking. These planets in Virgo will make you look at your daily schedule: Is it time for a new job? Are you taking care of your health? Do you have too many responsibilities on your plate, or are you being lazy and suffering from it? The end of this month will highlight chores and responsibilities, but we have a lot to discuss before we get there.

August 6 brings stress thanks to chatty Mercury clashing with serious Saturn in Sagittarius. Watch out for arguments and misunderstandings. Don't expect people to be cooperative. Saturn's favorite word is no. Venus also challenges Mars on this day, which will create the perfect vibe for temper tantrums.

Speaking of Saturn, it will end its retrograde on August 13, in Sagittarius, which will help push you forward, Aries, especially concerning school and travel—and even involving your spiritual quests (this is a great time to get active in astrology, yoga, or your church) as well as publishing. That sounds random, I know, but Sagittarius is the scholar of the zodiac, and Saturn is lingering in the sector of your chart that rules long-distance travel and communication. So people far and wide could be acquainted with your work!

One of the most dramatic days this month is August 18: the lunar eclipse in intellectual Air sign Aquarius! Eclipses flush things out of our lives that are no longer serving us (even if we really, really wanted to hang onto them) and give us new information, and opportunities, both usually unexpected. These things will have a fated, destined feeling to them. I hate saying that things happen for a reason, but an eclipse is certainly a time to believe in fate (if such a thing exists).

So what does fate have in store for you during this eclipse in cool Aquarius? It will have to do with your friends and social circle, the communities you belong to, and your hopes and dreams for the future. Expect drama, and for things to take an unexpected, but necessary, turn. Pay attention to the people you meet during this eclipse. A new social circle could form around you, or one you've been in could transform.

Your focus shifts to your duties later this month thanks to a slew of planets connecting in earthy Virgo: Mercury meets Jupiter in Virgo on August 22, Venus meets Jupiter on August 27, and Mercury meets Venus on August 29.

What will this mean? Well—it's all pretty good! Chores can suck, but you'll be slashing your to-do list and getting a lot done. Mercury rules communication, and since it will connect with charming Venus and lucky Jupiter, you can expect that the dialogue at work, and concerning your daily responsibilities, will be cooperative and easy. If you're applying for a new day job, picking up a new health regimen, or simply getting organized, the stars are on your side.

Your ruling planet Mars also gets some action at the end of the month: It meets Saturn, on August 24, and clashes with Neptune, in Pisces, on August 26. Saturn and Neptune are totally different: Saturn is all about boundaries, while nebulous Neptune has no idea where it ends and you begin. Neptune's confused AF; Saturn has the rules memorized. During this time, you, Aries, will be clear about what your rules are, and you will likely cut off a few people, projects, or even trips; however, mixed messages will be coming your way, as well as the need to catch up on sleep.

Don't make important decisions when you're half awake! And don't make important deals with anyone who seems like they could be shady. Get a second opinion from someone who has been there and done that, who may notice something off that you can't see. And most important, trust your intuition—you will be fighting it at this time, which is unlike you, but the tension that's in the air will make you second-guess yourself.

Seductive Venus enters lovely Libra on August 29, and it will light up the relationship sector of your chart. Awesome! This is great for both your romantic relationships and your platonic partnerships. Charismatic Venus will make getting along super easy. You can be confrontational, Aries, but Venus will find a way to soften you as it goes through the sign of balance, Libra. You've been hard at work this month due to all the planets hanging out in Virgo, and when Venus enters Libra, you'll have some awesome people to keep you company!

August 30 marks the beginning of Mercury retrograde in Virgo! Mercury retrograde is a total pain. Do your best not to make new commitments or sign contracts. Miscommunication happens during Mercury retrograde, and people are forgetful. Double-check that you have your keys, cell phone, and wallet whenever you leave a place. Now's not the time to travel or buy anything important; however, now is the perfect time to stop and reflect on your conversations and decisions, especially ones that have gone down since August 10. A responsibility or job you committed to could get reworked or tossed out during this time.

August is a busy month, so make sure to party as hard as possible during that Leo new moon. See you next month, Aries!