August 2018
Our shared planetary picture –
We have an unusual month ahead with six out of eight planets going retrograde from 7th – 19th and five retrograde for most of the rest of the month. This means it is time for us all to have a big review of many areas of life, both individually and collectively.
Only Venus and Jupiter (the two benefics) are direct all month which allows us to make progress in creating co-operation and harmony and expand our understanding.
Mars especially is in search of something that we should have actioned differently around 11th – 12th May. Mercury too is retrograde until 19th in Leo and the New Moon and solar eclipse take place in Leo too on 11th.
Every eclipse belongs to an eclipse family that reoccurs approximately every 18 years. And our eclipse on 11th is from a family that carries the theme of the collapse of existing structures to make way for a new direction. This will be felt in different areas of life for each sign.
The impact of an eclipse can also be felt for a number of months, sometimes starting before the actual eclipse and sometimes afterwards.
So what will this mean for us all?
Read the horoscope for your Sun sign and your Ascendant sign if you know it.
Aries: Along with everyone else, you will be carrying out big reviews on how you have been operating recently. Your ruling planet Mars is part of this too, taking you back to review during the first half of the month, how you have been dealing with friends, groups, community and organisations.
Then on 13th Mars moves back to review how you dealt with goal-setting, applying your will, assertiveness and the use of physical energy in general, just before mid-May. This applies particularly to actions you did or did not take regarding career, social status and dealings with authority figures. Mars then begins to go forwards on 27th and you can start to put your conclusions into action!
Romance, children and creativity are under review too as the New Moon and solar eclipse on 11th bring matters to your attention which can be felt for some months (both before and/or after the eclipse). This eclipse represents the collapse of existing structures to make way for a new direction. And its effects can be felt for some months, sometimes starting before the actual eclipse. Mercury is retrograde too in this area of your chart until 19th which puts an emphasis on the need to be clear in your communications.
Overall health seems to be looking ok with Venus helping things along until 6th and then the Sun bringing warm energy from 23rd. The Sun forms a lovely dynamic with Saturn and Uranus from 24th – 25th which should help with career and income if you are ready to put the work in.
From 6th Venus glides into your opposite sign of relationships and partnerships helping to create harmony and co-operation. Joint funds, sharing and intimacy have the benefit of forward-moving Jupiter all month too so enjoy these aspects of life while learning more about the others.
Taurus: Career matters and dealings with authority figures start the month on a go-slow or even in reverse as Mars heads backwards to review matters you either did or did not put into action last May. The root of the problem lies in your philosophical outlook in some way. Have you been too passively fatalistic? Or has a lack of faith held you back from taking risks? Have you imposed your beliefs on others in an unhelpful way or allowed others to do that to you? Whether one of these or a different scenario, you can start to put matters right from 27th when Mars goes direct once again.
Mercury is retrograde too in your mother and home zone until 19th. The New Moon and solar eclipse fall here too. This particular eclipse carries the themes of a collapse of existing structures to make way for a new direction. Its impact can be felt for some months, sometimes starting before the eclipse, sometimes after. Other countries or more prestigious homes may feature as part of this.
Your ruling planet Venus glides into your chart sector of work, health and service to others from 6th. This brings pleasure through helping others and your daily rituals can be a source of pleasure too. Relations with colleagues and daily companions go well. And the only danger is over-indulgence. Look for pleasure through attending to your health and daily needs rather than going over the top.
From 24th – 25th there is a Grand Trine, an equilateral triangle of planets in Earth signs. This is fortunate for building a product from your creative ideas. Jupiter, planet of growth, expansion and opportunity remains in the area of your solar chart that rules relationships and partnerships. And this is one of the two planets that stay direct all month. Make hay while the sun shines!
Gemini: Your ruling planet Mercury starts the month retrograde in your communications zone until 19th. If you have any important communications to see to, wait until after then if you can. New Moon and the solar eclipse on 11th fall into this area of your solar chart too. This eclipse carries the themes of the collapse of existing structures to make way for a new direction. This could include old ways of thinking too.
Mars is also retrograde in your 9th House of travel, religion and philosophy. It has been so since late June and retreats even further from 13th to the root of the problem – your 8th House of joint funds, intimacy and sharing. Steps taken this May will need looking at again. From 27th Mars starts to go direct and you can make the adjustments needed.
Venus glides into your 5th House of romance, children and creativity from 6th, bringing harmony and co-operation. Your creative instincts will be strong and pleasurable (apart from a spot of confusion around 21st – 22nd). Jupiter is direct all month too in your work, health and service to others zone. Enhance your daily routine!
Cancer: We are all facing obstacles this month which are also opportunities for growth. Yours start in the joint funds, intimacy and sharing zone where Mars is taking you back to review the root of the problem which lies in relationships and partnerships.
Just before mid-May a course of action you took (or did not take) has to be looked at again and this time actioned in a more appropriate way. You may not realise until after 27th what this should be but be sure to then put your conclusions into action.
Mercury starts the month retrograde too in your income, security and values zone. This may involve back-tracking on financial decisions, money going temporarily missing or misunderstandings. Try not to sign anything important until after 19th when Mercury goes direct.
The New Moon and eclipse on 11th also fall in this area of your solar chart. This can bring a big change in where and how you find a sense of security in life. The more flexible you can be in your response, the better.
Jupiter continues direct in your romance, children and creativity zone all month. And from 6th Venus glides through your mother and home zone. This is good for beautifying your home, enjoying its pleasures and sharing them with others. If you are in the mood for entertaining, your guests will be well taken care of!
Leo: The Sun ball remains in your court this month until 23rd, radiating warmth, optimism and freer self-expression. New Moon on 11th is also in your sign which marks the beginning of your Personal New Year and interestingly there is a solar eclipse at the same time. New Moon in your sign is usually the best time to make plans and resolutions for what you hope to build in your emotional life in the month and year ahead. And the eclipse adds further depth to this.
Every eclipse belongs to an eclipse family that reoccurs approximately every 18 years. The one on August 11th belongs to a family which carries the theme of an existing structure collapsing to make way for a new direction. These may be significant themes in your month and year ahead.
Mercury starts the month retrograde in your sign too. Up until 19th be extra clear in your communications or you may be misunderstood. Double-check you have got your facts straight and have fully understood others before jumping to conclusions too.
Mars has been retrograde in your opposite sign since late June. This has made it difficult to make headway in relationships and partnerships as a necessary review is taking place. From 13th Mars moves even further back towards the root of the problem which is in your 6th House of work, health, service to others and daily routine. Something you did or did not do around mid-May needs revising and once Mercury goes direct on 27th you can start to put your daily life straight. You should also know by then, what exactly that means…
Virgo: The month before our birthday we are often at low ebb as the Sun has been away from us for the longest time. The good news is the Sun is bringing fresh energy and a sense of renewal to you from 23rd. Your birthday whether this month or next is your personal new year and a more meaningful time to make resolutions for the year ahead than January 1st. It is also the perfect time to explore your planets for the year ahead with a good astrologer.
Mars remains retrograde in your work, health and service to others zone. It has been going in reverse since late June, so it may have been hard to make headway in one or more of these areas. From 13th it moves even further back into your romance, children and creativity zone. Actions taken or not taken around mid-May are at the root of your recent impasse. But when Mars goes direct on 27th you can start to move forwards, correcting your earlier stance as you go.
Your ruling planet Mercury starts the month retrograde too in your 12th House of the unconscious, compassion for others, spirituality and healing. It goes direct again on 19th but the New Moon and solar eclipse fall here too on 11th and can have an impact for some months. This can start before the eclipse or after and the theme involved this time is the collapse of existing structures to make way for a new direction. Pay attention to any self-defeating patterns or negative self-talk that has undermined you. It may be time to let go of these things.
Venus is sweetening your finances from 6th (although beware of the demands of others around 21st – 22nd). The Sun in your sign forms a positive aspect with Saturn and Uranus from 24th – 25th too which is good for getting things done. Jupiter also spends the month direct in your mother and home zone. The themes of ‘a bigger home’ either in size, location, philosophy or emotional dynamics remains a rich area to explore…
Libra: The month starts well as from 6th your ruling planet Venus glides into your sign and stays there until the end of the month and beyond. This makes you darling of the zodiac and adds to your charms. Getting co-operation from others should be easy, except perhaps from children and mother-figures, as these areas of life are still under review.
Mars which has been retrograde in your romance, children and creativity zone since late June, continues to reverse and in fact goes even further back from 13th, into your mother and home zone. Actions taken (or not taken) around the middle of May, need reviewing. Once Mars goes direct on 27th you have a second chance to proceed in matters to do with mother figures or home, in a more forthright way.
Mercury starts the month retrograde too in the friends, groups and community area of your solar chart. Double-check that you have been clear in your communications, to avoid misunderstandings. Mercury goes direct on 19th so things should be more straight forwards from then onwards.
The second solar eclipse of this eclipse season is on 11th and is also in your friends, groups, community and humanitarian ideals zone. This eclipse carries the themes of the collapse of present structures to make way for a new direction. The effects of this can be felt for months, sometimes before or after the eclipse.
Jupiter keeps going direct all month in your finance zone, indicating opportunities for growth in your personal income or in how you achieve a sense of security: and this may not be materially. Faith in life can do the job just as well and is a rich area to explore.
Scorpio: This is a challenging month for us all but Scorpios are resourceful and better equipped than most to ride the waves, however bumpy they may be. The bumps for you come in two main places – your 4th House and 10th House.
Mars has been moving retrograde through your 4th House of mother, home and nurturing since late June. This indicates a review was needed and is taking place in how well you have been applying your energies in these areas.
On 13th Mars goes even further back to the root of the problem: communications and your way of thinking. The period this is rooted in, is just before mid-May when you may have been ‘applying’ your thoughts or words in an unhelpful way. This has been making home life, self-nurturing, personal development or dealings with mother figures unfulfilling in some way.
On 27th however, Mars turns direct and you can begin to put right whatever went wrong, be this actions, words or negative thinking.
Mercury planet of thought and communication also starts the month retrograde and remains so until 19th, in your father, career and social status zone. Try to avoid signing any contracts until after this date if you can.
New Moon and the solar eclipse also fall in this area of your chart. Eclipses can have impact over a number of months, sometimes before and sometimes after the actual eclipse. This one belongs to an eclipse family that is to do with the collapse of existing structures to make way for a new direction.
Jupiter planet of growth, expansion and opportunity remains direct in your sign all month. This happily puts the wind in your sails to stay buoyant amidst all the challenges!
Sagittarius: Communications may continue to be tricky during the first half of the month as Mars remains retrograde. It has been moving backwards in your communications zone since late June, indicating the need for a review of some kind in your way of thinking, speaking or moving. Dealings with neighbours and siblings comes into this too.
On 13th Mars goes even further back into your 2nd House of money, security and values. This suggests that the root of your communication problem lies here somewhere. And actions you took or did not take around mid-May could be the cause of recent frustrations. Once Mars goes direct on 27th you can start to apply your conclusions and proceed in a more helpful way.
Mercury planet of communication is also retrograde at the start of the month. This can cause hiccoughs in travel plans or misunderstandings with people from different countries, cultures or belief systems. Mercury goes direct on 19th but the New Moon and solar eclipse are also in this area of your chart on 11th which can have an impact over some months. This particular eclipse belongs to a series that covers the collapse of existing structures to make way for a new direction. This can include studies, travel, beliefs, ethics and dealings with in-laws, publishers and the legal system.
Your ruling planet Jupiter remains on course and moving forwards all month. It is helping to bring unconscious matters to light and is helpful in compassionate acts and creativity behind the scenes. Be open to messages that your dreams or creative work are trying to tell you!
Capricorn: Making headway feels harder than usual this month as six planets are moving retrograde and from 13th, three of them are in your sign! Mars starts the month retrograde in your money, security and values zone and then retreats back to the source of the problem… you!
Just before mid-May decisions you took around your identity and actions you did or did not take around self-expression, need to be re-visited as this has had an unhelpful effect on your income, sense of security or values. From 27th onwards you can start to put things right, if you have done your inner homework.
Mercury starts the month retrograde too in your joint funds, intimacy and sharing zone. Try not to sign joint agreements until after 19th when the chance of misunderstandings lessens. The New Moon and solar eclipse also fall in this area of your solar chart on 11th which carries an impact for some months. This can sometimes be felt before the eclipse, after or both!
This eclipse belongs to an eclipse family that is to do with the collapse of existing structures to make way for a new direction. Be aware of self-imposed limitations and try to free yourself of them.
Aquarius: Mars starts the month retrograde in your sign this month, continuing the review that started late June about how you have (or not) been asserting yourself, especially around mid-May. On 13th Mars reverses even further into your 12th House to get to where the root of the problem lies: your unconscious, time spent alone and undermining self-talk. Once Mars goes direct on 27th you can start to put your best foot forward in correcting whatever went wrong earlier on.
Mercury starts the month retrograde too in your relationships and partnerships zone. Be extra clear in your communications and make sure you have fully-understood others to avoid misunderstandings until 19th when Mercury goes direct.
On 11th the New Moon and solar eclipse is also in your opposite sign of relationships and partnerships and marks a possible collapse of existing structures, to make way for a new direction. This can unfold over a number of months sometimes before or after the actual eclipse.
Venus glides into your exploration zone from 6th. This brings pleasure through travel, different cultures and people who hold different beliefs to your own. This is also good for dealings with in-laws, publishers and the legal system.
Your ruling planet Uranus goes retrograde on 7th, taking you back to review any compromises you may have made to do with mother and home, self-nurture and personal development. Earlier ways of thinking or compromised communications are at the root of this and you have until early January to get to the bottom of the reasons this review is needed.
Meanwhile Jupiter continues to steer forwards in your father, career and social status zone all month. Keep an eye open for new opportunities. At least the path is clear here!
Pisces: Jupiter is in good aspect to your ruling planet Neptune all month which creates the sort of intuitive current you thrive on. You would do well to swim in these waters as there are many challenges for us all to tackle out on dry land.
Mars continues to be retrograde in your unconscious. It has been here since late June and you may have stumbled upon some unconscious anger that has been lurking undetected from long ago. On 13th Mars moves even further back into your friends, groups and community zone. Your recent turmoil may hark back to events around mid-May. From 27th Mars goes direct and you have a second chance to resolve matters and move forwards.
Mercury starts the month retrograde too in your work, health and service to others zone which can cause misunderstandings with colleagues or daily companions or trigger health irritations. It goes direct once again on 19th but New Moon and the solar eclipse on 11th fall in this area of your solar chart too. This eclipse belongs to an eclipse family that carries the theme of the collapse of existing structures to make way for a new direction. Be open to changes in your daily routine, be pro-active in fact and be alert to new opportunities in work and well-being.
The Sun enters your relationships and partnerships zone from 23rd and Venus softens your joint funds, intimacy and sharing zone from 6th. This can be helpful regarding ‘the money of others’ including tax rebates, loans and inheritances. Jupiter is keeping your travel, studies, culture and ethics zone buoyant all month. Whether you choose to go physical or meta-physical – explore!
To find out what this means for you as an individual, get in touch and we can explore your birth chart together by phone – diane@positive-elements.com or 07929 261231 (++ 44 7929 261231 if calling from outside UK).
To find out more get in touch. To view more horoscopes, please go to the Horoscopes page.
