August 2019 - Onward and Upward

July was intense between the eclipses and Mercury retrograde, leaving us all trying to catch our breath and catch up. Now coming out the other side, we are firmly into Leo energy and that bold, confident Lion helps us to get our groove back.

On the last day of July, the Leo New Moon appeared. We have a few days to ponder this moon before we kick into August’s transits. This Moon is concerned with self-expression, and showing what’s in your heart. You want to open your heart, and make your deepest desires become everything in your life. This is a great time to ask yourself if you’ve truly been doing the things that make you feel the most fulfilled. That same day Mercury turned direct and we all reset. But don’t leave behind the lessons learned!

The power packed day of August 11 begins with Jupiter stationing direct in Sagittarius. After a period of inner growth, we can now begin to expand again, this time bolstered by a better understanding of what we need to do to achieve success. Now that Jupiter moves forward again, so can our plans for expansion. Jupiter is only in Sagittarius until December 2, 2019 and won’t return until 2030. You’ve got four months to use what Jupiter has to offer before he moves on to cautious Capricorn.

Also on August 11, Uranus will power down in Taurus, slipping into a retrograde that lasts until January 10, 2020. The action of Uranus is to change, upgrade, reform and update. Uranus is the Awakener whose ultimate aim is to give us the freedom to discover the unique aspects of ourselves that we’ve held in check. During the retrograde period, as with all retrogrades, the action moves to our internal landscape. Sometimes we can feel like a stranger in a strange land. The retrograde period gives us a chance to realize that it’s us who is changing and we need to move with the times. The more we fight against Uranus, the more chaotic this transit can be. Mercury also re-enters Leo again on the same date, covering the final few degrees of the shadow zone of the last retrograde. It works well with the Jupiter in Sagittarius influence. We may feel more confident now about speaking up, telling our stories and outlining our ideas.

The Full Moon in Aquarius on August 15 occurs when the cooperative Aquarius Moon opposes the individualistic Leo Sun. This cosmic coupling allows us see the difference between satisfying ourselves (Leo) and collaborating with others (Aquarius), and helps us understand the relationship between teamwork and individuality. The community-conscious Aquarius Full Moon reminds us that we are part of something larger than ourselves, and that acting on our ideas and ideals will benefit everyone.

Mars enters Virgo on August 19 starting a domino effect as we move towards a big pile up of planets in this hardworking sign. With Mars here, it’s likely that all our energies are going into the day job, daily routines and appointments. Venus follows on August 21 and love takes a sensible turn. Because Venus represents our relationships and Virgo is an analytical, focused sign, this transit gives us the opportunity to work harder on our partnerships. The downside to this time of going over our relationships with such a fine-tooth comb is that we may end up nitpicking more than usual. It’s possible to keep excess criticism under control by having constructive dialogue rather than just pointing out each and every fault we see.

On August 23 the Sun joins the party and this is a time when we say goodbye to rambunctious Leo so that we can take life a bit more seriously. We'll all still be feeling the carefree summertime vibes, but the Virgo Sun shows us how to focus more on our work, our health, and how to make ourselves useful to society. The Sun’s move into detail-oriented Virgo gives all of us a leg up on polishing our skills, getting organized or doing any activities that require us to pay close attention.

Not to be left behind, Mercury enters Virgo on August 29. This is a strong placement, since Mercury rules Virgo. Mercury in Virgo can strengthen your intellect and give your mind a practical emphasis. All the facts are laid out clearly before you and it's easy to categorize them according to their usefulness. Being more rationally oriented now than at other times can facilitate a love of learning, making this an opportune time to pursue serious studies. You could also be overly critical and skeptical of other people and new ideas. Be easy on the fragile egos of others.

The month ends as it began, with a New Moon on August 30. This New Moon is in Virgo and with 4 other planets in Virgo as well, the emphasis is on work and service. The New Moon is always a time of new beginnings and a time of a new emotional cycle. However, this Virgo New Moon is different in that we don’t necessarily plant new seeds; instead, we try to figure out what to do with what we’ve harvested. The key is figuring out how to use what you’ve been working on to create a different kind of new beginning. Now that you’ve plucked that wheat the Virgo is known for holding, how are you going to use it?

Sun Sign Horoscopes for the Sun in Virgo

Aries

The Ram bristles when being reined in, but take advantage of earthy Virgo's capacity to ground your impulsive nature while in your 6th House of Work and Health. Make positive changes in your daily routine. Stop talking and finally implement that healthy lifestyle plan. Organize those parts of your life that you have been meaning to do forever. Apply your analytical skills to determine what is truly good for you.

Taurus

All work and no play make a bull dull. With Virgo in your 5th House of Creativity, take time to leave work aside and get serious about bringing more fun, pleasure and creativity into your life. Make a list of the activities that make you happy and then schedule time for at least one of these items every week. The more fun you're having, the more confident you'll feel.

Gemini

Time to get organized as Virgo transits your 4th House of Family. The Virgo Sun is calling for housecleaning on a fundamental level both in your home and in your emotional life. Start with one small area of your home, a drawer, shelf or cabinet and give it a thorough cleaning. While you create order on a physical level, consider that you're also clearing out what you want to release from the past, preparing to bring in the new.

Cancer

In your 3rd House of Intellect and Communication, the Virgo Sun brings an infusion of new ideas and fresh perspectives. This is an ideal time for taking classes or attending lectures, especially ones with a pragmatic, work-oriented focus. Enhance opportunities for making new connections and improve existing relationships. Sharpen those communication skills and making a habit of expressing yourself more clearly.

Leo

Watch your wallet, Leo with Virgo in your 2nd House of Money and Possessions. Money matters invite your attention. Carefully analyze the details of your personal budget and identify places where you could be more frugal without feeling deprived. The small changes you make now can result in significant long-term gains.

Virgo

Happy birthday, Virgo! As you start this new cycle, consider how you can apply your skills in a bigger way and serve at a higher level. What duties do you need to let go of in order to fulfill your true purpose? The Sun in your own sign can intensify your perfectionist tendencies. Be gentle with yourself and others. Make time to celebrate in the midst of your industrious activity.

Libra

Time to look inside as you concentrate on the internal level, as the Virgo Sun activates your spiritual life and dream world in your 12th House of the Subconscious. It's time to clean out the contents of your unconscious, in search of your highest vision for yourself. Pay close attention to your dreams, which can offer valuable insight into your true path of service. You might need more rest than usual, and time for engaging your imagination.

Scorpio

In your 11th House of Hopes and Dreams, the Virgo Sun energizes your hopes and wishes, calling for a pragmatic approach to bringing dreams into reality. Take stock of your abilities, map out your vision for your future and break down long-term goals into bite-size pieces. Networking now pays off in the long run.

Sagittarius

The Virgo Sun helps you clarify and get realistic about your long-range professional plans while it transits your 10th House of Career and Public Standing. If you want to achieve recognition, you may need to perfect your skills or find a mentor. The best approach now is contrary to your nature: slow down, simplify, be patient and attend to the nit-picky details.

Capricorn

Virgo's work ethic is rivaled only by your own, so you feel right at home this month. You can harness this industrious energy for significant growth, both personally and professionally with Virgo in your 9th House of Higher Learning. Taking work-related trips and classes supports this expansion process. You may also find yourself exploring spiritual values, and analyzing how your work is or is not in sync with your beliefs.

Aquarius

The mysterious realm of your subconscious is lit up by the Virgo Sun in your 8th House of Sex and Rebirth, inviting you to sort through emotional depths to uncover the essence of your power. The most practical thing you can do is express your irrational feelings, rather than trying to explain them away with logic. Showing vulnerability, just a little at a time helps build trust in relationships and plants seeds for deeper intimacy.

Pisces

With Virgo in your 7th House partnerships are in the spotlight and it's time to perfect your skills and build confidence in this department. Practice active listening and conflict resolution. Get clear about the gifts you have to offer others and the kinds of support you would like to receive in return. Finding balance is the key.