Life

Your August Horoscopes Are Here

What the stars have in store for you this month

by christie craft

Each of the 12 signs will likely find the early part of August to be an emotionally tender time, compelling many to overextend their heart’s capacity, thanks to a warm, if overly generous, New Moon in Leo on August 2. Passions will run hot—like, molten lava hot—with this bright and shiny lunation, so be selective with where (or who…) you invest your energy. Mars, war god of action and aggression, will throw gasoline on the inferno on that very same day when the Red Planet moves into adventurous Sagittarius, inspiring us to take risks—some good, some not-so-good—and live life on the edge.

The devil’s in the details when it comes to love this month. After August 5, sensuous Venus will be paired with obsessive-compulsive Virgo, highlighting the importance of the small things in our interpersonal relationships, especially when it comes to who we choose as our partner. A floodlight will shine on balance in love relationships, drawing your consciousness to equalizing give and take. August will be a pensive, thoughtful time for many signs when it comes to the "L" word (I’m looking at you, Libra, Gemini, and Taurus, especially), and if you discover grave imbalances between what you’re giving and what your partner brings to the table, be prepared for your relationship to come under intense scrutiny in September, which may lead your partnership to the chopping block (or couples counseling—whatever works!).

Satisfaction in our social lives comes into clear focus near August 18 when a Full Moon, which is also a lunar eclipse, alights in super-congenial, bubbly Aquarius. The latter half of August is perfectly poised for shaking up your social circle, either by joining a new organization, club, sports team, or simply by circulating with a fresh crowd. Either way, sparks will fly on the social scene during the last two weeks of the month, so have your party pants pressed, tailored, and ready to shine, because there will be a flood of events, invitations, and soirées to show face at. Get all your ya-yas out by August 30 when Mercury moves into retrograde in cerebral Virgo, whipping up a wicked brain fog until late September.

Photographed by Ricky Michiels, Beauty Editor: Jade Taylor, Styled by Michael Kozak, Makeup by Lindsey Williams, Hair by Remy Moore, Models: Kayla, Tatiyana and Sara

Leo: Master Planning

August has your name written all over it, Leo, starting with a New Moon in your very own sign on August 2. This lunation is your golden ticket to setting your intentions for the year ahead, so think long and hard about what you truly want to manifest in your life this year. Mars, the planet of action and initiation, will move into fiery Sagittarius on August 2 in your 5th House of Pleasure, as well, helping your dreams lift off and soar. These aspects are exceptionally strong for your love life, too, and you may see a brand-new start when it comes to matters of the heart or your current relationship. You’ll notice that your sex drive is magnified this month, too, much to your delight.

On August 5, Venus will slide into your earned income sector, elevating your financial status and giving you a terrific opportunity to increase your cash flow. This is an optimal time to chat up your boss for a raise or to begin marketing your unique talents more efficiently. Your focus will shift back to love after the Full Moon and lunar eclipse in ultra-compatible air sign Aquarius on August 18 in your partnership sector. Expect to feel super-tight with your sweetheart—or emotionally bonded like concrete to your business partner.

Photographed by Ricky Michiels, Beauty Editor: Jade Taylor, Styled by Michael Kozak, Makeup by Lindsey Williams, Hair by Remy Moore, Models: Kayla, Tatiyana and Sara

Virgo: Cultivating Yourself

Personal time is your priority in the first weeks of August, and you may feel the urge to spend more time alone than usual to recharge, especially after the busy Leo New Moon on August 2. Alternatively, you may use your precious alone time to focus on an expansive creative outlet. Whatever you choose to concentrate on during the first half of the month will be extremely fruitful, maybe even your best work ever, and will likely wrap up with tremendous personal and creative fulfillment by the cerebral Aquarius Full Moon and lunar eclipse on August 18.

Lovely Venus will enter your earthen sign on August 5 where she’ll stay until the 29th, blessing your reserved sign with a giant surge of much-needed confidence. All month, you’ll be feeling yourself—and positively glowing as a result, a major boon after all the emotional self-flagellation you’ve been committing lately. Treat yourself and refresh your look, either by adding some sharp new duds to your wardrobe or with a luxe beauty treatment, after August 5. Others will certainly take notice, making mid-month fertile for romance. By month’s end, though, fluid communication goes out the window when Mercury—your ruling planet—turns retrograde on August 30, causing a staggering tempest of miscommunication and triggering your impatience.

Photographed by Ricky Michiels, Beauty Editor: Jade Taylor, Styled by Michael Kozak, Makeup by Lindsey Williams, Hair by Remy Moore, Models: Kayla, Tatiyana and Sara

Libra: Never a Dull Moment

Feeling bored in your social life? August is here to spark up your playtime and introduce you to new pools of people, beginning with the magnanimous Leo New Moon on August 2. There’s a chance you could decide to join a new club or organization, take up a new hobby, or start playing team sports, just for the fun of meeting new people. Whatever you decide, you’ll be swimming with a fascinating crowd that likely leans toward the eccentric—never a dull moment. Expect to circulate at parties and events more this month, and come equipped to mix and mingle with some influential new additions to your professional network, too.

If you’ve been struggling with tension in your relationship, this month offers the best aspects for reigniting your passion and tending to your love’s flame. Privacy is key now, so schedule plenty of time alone to connect intimately. Another possibility is becoming mired in unrequited love or developing an obsessive crush on someone you know is unattainable (think: married or otherwise emotionally unavailable). You’ll need to make peace with the fact that this forbidden fruit is a dead end and drop the dead weight with the mind-expanding Aquarius Full Moon and lunar eclipse in your romance sector on August 18.

Photographed by Ricky Michiels, Beauty Editor: Jade Taylor, Styled by Michael Kozak, Makeup by Lindsey Williams, Hair by Remy Moore, Models: Kayla, Tatiyana and Sara

Scorpio: Rainbow’s End

August holds the keys to enhancing your career beyond your loftiest expectations. In fact, August could be the “make it or break it” month for your professional life. The charged-up Leo New Moon on August 2 will fall into your 10th House of Social Status, catapulting you into a powerfully ambitious mindset that will have you running headlong toward achieving your goals. This will be an incredible feeling of personal progress, one you haven’t felt in months. Go for exactly what you want—the odds are absolutely in your favor for a prestigious promotion, new position, or the launch of a fabulous new business venture.

Lovey-dovey Venus will glide into harmonious earth sign Virgo, ripening the odds that single Scorps will likely meet someone new, interesting, and sexy after August 5. Alternatively, a mutual crush between platonic friends may be revealed, compelling you to become an item. Regardless of what manifests in matters of the heart, you’ll definitely relish a lot more social time this month.

The Aquarius Full Moon and lunar eclipse on August 18 will fall in your domestic sector, which may indicate the arrival of charged news about a family member which may rattle you and require your presence. Mercury, which will turn retrograde on August 30, will demand that you reassess a precious dream. You won’t have to give up on working towards achieving your goal, but you may have to rejigger your plan a bit. Luckily, you got this—no sweat.

Photographed by Ricky Michiels, Beauty Editor: Jade Taylor, Styled by Michael Kozak, Makeup by Lindsey Williams, Hair by Remy Moore, Models: Kayla, Tatiyana and Sara

Sagittarius: Strength + Stamina

You’re a glowing, bouncing ball of pure energy, strength, and stamina this month, thanks to Mars whipping into your fiery sign on August 2, granting you the opportunity to harness all of this planet’s ambitious, focused energy. When Mars is in your sign, it’s an ideal time to concentrate on career-oriented goals and getting entrepreneurial enterprises off the ground. Even better, congenial Venus will sit at the top of your chart all month, keeping you on the razor’s edge of soaking in praise from VIPs who recognize your hard work, drive, and skill at work.

A New Moon in bold Leo on August 2 will support your career further, especially when it comes to pursuing higher education or going after a professional certification or license. Two weeks later, a chatty Full Moon (and lunar eclipse!) in intellectual Aquarius will help seal the deal on important negotiations near or after August 18. Make sure everything is wrapped up by August 30, though, because Mercury retrograde will tangle everything up until late September.

Photographed by Ricky Michiels, Beauty Editor: Jade Taylor, Styled by Michael Kozak, Makeup by Lindsey Williams, Hair by Remy Moore, Models: Kayla, Tatiyana and Sara

Capricorn: Assessing Value

Optimizing your money is in the foreground of your thoughts this month and if your play your cards right, you may walk away with a wildly lucrative long-term investment. Consult with a financial advisor, accountant, or investment banker after August 2’s bold Leo New Moon. You could also apply for a mortgage this month, too, and if so, you’re bound to be successful—especially with pennywise Venus in detail-focused Virgo all month.

After August 5, love may take an exciting turn for single Caps with the introduction of a new prospect. This person may come from a background completely different from yours, like a foreign country, which you’ll find sexy and intriguing. Committed Capricorns might decide to take a pleasure trip with bae to an exotic locale to spend some Q.T., especially near the Full Moon and lunar eclipse in bubbly Aquarius on August 18. Be sure to be back from holiday by August 29, though: Venus will be at the top of your chart, compelling you to immerse yourself in work.

Photographed by Ricky Michiels, Beauty Editor: Jade Taylor, Styled by Michael Kozak, Makeup by Lindsey Williams, Hair by Remy Moore, Models: Kayla, Tatiyana and Sara

Aquarius: Sparks Fly

Excitement waits around every corner this month, Aquarius! You’re in one of the most enviable positions in August, especially when it comes to revving up your social life. On August 2, a brilliant New Moon in fiery, flashy Leo will deliver a can’t-miss opportunity to embark on a fresh start with your love. It’s possible that you’ll launch a business together or begin working on a passion project as a team. Regardless, you’ll be concentrating your dual energies on manifesting a shared goal and deepening your bonds at once.

Mars, which enters your friendship sector on August 2, will ignite your social life and compel you to focus on working with a group or team to champion a humanitarian issue you’re deeply passionate about. After August 5, your shared income and joint finances (with a mate or business partner) will brighten up considerably, thanks to your partner receiving a raise or an unexpected inheritance. Be sure to make the most of your money—and sock away as much as you can—before Mercury goes retrograde on August 30.

Have you been casually dating someone for a while? If so, the first half of the month is poised for forging an exclusive “thing.” Otherwise, Aquarians in the dating game will easily transition their connections to the next step, like cohabitation or even an engagement. The Full Moon and lunar eclipse in your sign on August 18 will add fuel to the emotional fire, overwhelming you with joy.

Photographed by Ricky Michiels, Beauty Editor: Jade Taylor, Styled by Michael Kozak, Makeup by Lindsey Williams, Hair by Remy Moore, Models: Kayla, Tatiyana and Sara

Pisces: Positive Alliances

When it comes to making broad strides in your career, August is gangbusters, beginning with an audacious Leo New Moon in your work sector, ensuring you’ll be blessed with fun assignments that highlight your unique talents in the eyes of your superiors. This New Moon is exceptionally supportive to helping you land your dream job if you seek a change. On the same day, Mars, planet of progress and action, will perch at the very top of your chart—your career sector. When Mars is hanging out in this area of your chart, you’re virtually unstoppable. If you’ve been waiting for the optimal time to launch a new business venture or stick your neck out for a promotion, there couldn’t be a more perfect time than the first two weeks of August. Still, you’ll have the upper hand with Mars in this part of your chart until late September. Go you!

After August 5—when sweet Venus in compatible Virgo glides into your Seventh House of Partnerships—cultivating essential business partnerships, expanding your professional network, and growing your clientele will flow easily. You’ll be able to see by the brilliant light of the Aquarius Full Moon (and lunar eclipse) on August 18 how stellar these new connections are. Don’t squander this opportunity to make some money before the Mercury retrograde on August 30.

Photographed by Ricky Michiels, Beauty Editor: Jade Taylor, Styled by Michael Kozak, Makeup by Lindsey Williams, Hair by Remy Moore, Models: Kayla, Tatiyana and Sara

Aries: All Fired Up

August blazes onto the scene with a magnanimous New Moon in fellow fire sign Leo on August 2, the same day your ruling planet Mars moves into yet another powerful fire sign, Sagittarius. The cosmic support beamed to you during the first weeks of the month is nothing short of exceptional, brightening your spirits and firing up your confidence.

Single Aries, expect some debonair romantic intrigue, particularly when it comes to meeting new love interests spontaneously in unlikely locales. Those already committed might feel inspired by the Leo New Moon to progress the relationship to the next logical step, like getting engaged or moving in together, ultimately expanding the warm world you’ve built together. This lunation is especially prolific for you, Aries, making it a brilliant period for creativity and initiating passion projects. Whatever you create will directly communicate your philosophical outlook, illustrating your innermost thoughts.

The Aquarius Full Moon, which falls on August 18, is also a lunar eclipse, urging you to rethink your role in your social circle, leading you to strengthen your bonds or cut ties completely, depending on how much energy you truly have within you to contribute. Be mindful of making glaring errors at work near August 30 when Mercury moves retrograde, and whatever you do, do not touch office politics or gossip with a 10-foot pole.

Photographed by Ricky Michiels, Beauty Editor: Jade Taylor, Styled by Michael Kozak, Makeup by Lindsey Williams, Hair by Remy Moore, Models: Kayla, Tatiyana and Sara

Taurus: Doing the Damn Thing

The month begins with domestic bliss as the harmonizing Leo New Moon blesses your sign with a fresh start in home matters on August 2. If you’ve been itching to redecorate or renovate, there’s a big chance you’ll tackle this task with passion and ease after August 2, especially near August 5 when your aesthetically conscious ruling planet Venus moves into detail-oriented sister earth sign Virgo. Feathering your nest is always therapeutic for you, Taurus, but any changes you make to your home this month will bring overwhelming joy and cheer to your smashing space. Expect to hear exciting, potentially life-changing news from a family member in the first weeks of August, too. Think along the lines of an engagement, pregnancy announcement, or the birth of a child.

The Aquarius Full Moon on August 18—which is also a lunar eclipse—will fix the career spotlight squarely on you, promising fulfillment of one of your loftiest professional aspirations. Your superiors are sure to notice your originality and innovative ideas since striking out on your own isn’t usually your style. This month, you’ll learn the virtues of independent leadership and self-management. At month’s end, your chemistry with coworkers and colleagues will shift into high gear—a definite plus for creative collaboration and doing the damn thing at work. Mercury will begin travelling retrograde on August 30 in your true love sector, forcing you to take a hard look at reevaluating your love life.

Photographed by Ricky Michiels, Beauty Editor: Jade Taylor, Styled by Michael Kozak, Makeup by Lindsey Williams, Hair by Remy Moore, Models: Kayla, Tatiyana and Sara

Gemini: Smooth Sailing

Your trademark charm and energy will receive a heaping double dose early in the month, thanks to the congenial Leo New Moon on August 2, the same day that action-packed Mars moves into adventurous Sagittarius. Geminis in sales will find the early part of the month to be especially lucrative, putting their gift of gab to good use. Your creativity will be in tip-top shape, too, which may spark your inspiration.

Thinking long term comes naturally near the brainy Aquarius Full Moon and lunar eclipse on August 18, supporting your future plans, especially for those going back to school to finish a degree or test for a license. Looking for a job? A big opportunity in publishing, advertising, communications, or media may materialize around the Full Moon, so be ready.

All the smooth sailing you’ve been enjoying at home will rub off on your work life by August 29, easing any stress or drama with your coworkers and colleagues. Mercury, your chatty ruling planet, will go retrograde on August 30 throwing a major monkey wrench into your domestic life. Watch out for turning molehills into mountains when communicating with your relatives.

Photographed by Ricky Michiels, Beauty Editor: Jade Taylor, Styled by Michael Kozak, Makeup by Lindsey Williams, Hair by Remy Moore, Models: Kayla, Tatiyana and Sara

Cancer: Fortune Favors the Bold

You’re itching to give your income a serious shot in the arm as the month begins, and after the bold New Moon in Leo on August 2, you’ll be able to start putting your master plan to work. The first half of August is prime for launching new entrepreneurial enterprises, and thanks to congenial Venus moving through your communication sector in compatible earth sign Virgo, you’ll be able to talk your way into a raise. You’ve got the stamina and energy to conquer your financial goals, now you will need to muster the audacity to put yourself forward.

Around the time of the Aquarius Full Moon and lunar eclipse on August 18, you’ll have the funds to finally pay off a major debt, like a student loan or credit card bill. After August 29, smoothing out your domestic life will become priority, especially if you’re butting heads with a family member. Mercury will go retrograde on the 30th, allowing you plenty of time and space to revisit and solve any family feuds or disagreements.