The August 2023 horoscope coincides with peak holiday season. In much of the northern hemisphere, August is crossed out in the work calendar; no one shows up and even fewer people care. Our minds – and bodies – are elsewhere. Not so the universe. The heavens never take a break – so the question we need to ask this coming month is, will the universe be giving us a break? The answer, as usual, is ‘yes and no’; it depends where you ‘re sitting on the celestial beach.
The August 2023 horoscope suggests that some of us will get sun and some of us will get shade – and it’s due to where the clouds are floating in the heavens. Horoscopes need to assess all the astrological factors in order to balance the rough with the smooth. This month, the rough sees Mercury turn retrograde in Virgo and Venus is retrograde in Leo. That makes a total of seven retrograde planets by the end of this month – surely an epic retrograde season. Those planetary movements set up a few challenges – especially with that slow travelling Mercury jogging close to Mars during most of the month.
Other influences evident in the August 2023 horoscope include close connections between retrograde Mercury and Jupiter and retrograde Venus and Jupiter. Could they appear on the positive side of the balance sheet? Let’s hope so. We also have a major month for lunations, as August is ‘bookended’ by two supermoons, in Aquarius and Pisces. There is also a New Moon conjunct Venus retrograde in Leo right in the middle of the month. If that doesn’t tug on your heartstrings, nothing will. It’s a ‘once in a blue moon’ kind of month…
August 2023 Horoscope: Aries
This month begins with culmination – how weird is that? If you’ve been pushing to get ahead, your friends and acquaintances will come up with the goods as the month begins. But is it plain sailing from there? The holiday season may not work out quite as you expect it to. Lingering work commitments may be aggravating – and even it you manage to take a break, it may be difficult to switch off the work button that seems stuck in the ‘on’ position in your head. That shows you really need a time-out, so when the New Moon arrives mid-month, embrace the darkness and use the Venus retrograde energy to re-focus on the things you love.
Venus will be influential thus month and it’s going to be difficult to avoid overindulgence of all kinds. Your head is saying, ‘do the sensible thing’, but your heart is in a different place. You need – and want – an injection of pleasure and fun in your life – and you don’t care how much it costs. Of course, there’s going to be some inner (and outer) debate about whether you should go ahead or refrain from what could be some significant expenditure. If you’ve thought about it, worked hard for it (and the signs are that you have), then go right ahead. You’re an impulsive soul, so anyone trying to dissuade you otherwise had better watch out.
August 2023 Horoscope: Taurus
The month opens with the Full Moon shining on your career. The beginning of the holiday season may seem like the wrong time for this to be happening, but sometimes a break from your normal routine prompts a review of life’s circumstances – and a review is likely with so many planets retrograde. Mercury is in its shadow period for much of the month. That’s prompting a few questions about things like confidence and personal fulfilment. It also involves argumentative Mars; if you feel stifled and unable to express yourself in a creative or pleasurable sense, that’s going to spark an argument some time soon. You may also feel its time to move on.
Venus retrograde is also focused on your home life, so it’s likely you’re reviewing the domestic situation too. The two things – work and home / family – may be connected, as the New Moon mid-month suggests a fresh start of some kind. It’s unlikely that you’ll relocate this month, but more likely that you’ll be be estimating the cost of doing so. Any domestic changes will be subject to the state of your bank account – and you may decide to save in order to pay for some longed for improvements further down the line. You may feel the pressure is on you to make things happen – just don’t lose track of the difference between what you want – and what you can achieve.
August 2023 Horoscope: Gemini
You’re in luck, the month opens with the Full Moon shining on your long distance travel sector, so you can go ahead and book those tickets after all. Life at home has been busy, especially if you’re one of the growing army of people who work from home. Some of you may have been overburdened with family matters too. Whatever the reason, you have a deep need to get away from it all – and this month the opportunity arrives to do so. The problem is, much as you need a break, you may be resistant to taking one. The world won’t stop without you, so stop making excuses. If you don’t go now, when will you go?
Venus retrograde will come to your aid, as you need to start thinking hard about the things you really value. Events around the time of the New Moon will focus your attention on setting some new and improved priorities, and taking care of your mental health is maybe one of them. That means recognising when you’ve been under stress and reconsidering the ways you cling to habits that are not serving your best interests. The Full Moon at the end of the month is a signal that you may have to let go of a few things that seem important to you. Let them go – and start thinking about making a new and better future.
August 2023 Horoscope: Cancer
If a big decision to be made then it will be made just as the month begins. You’re at the stage when you feel you need to leave some things behind in order to make progress. That’s something you’re going to have to deal with straight away. Venus represents both love and money and, when retrograde, you need to look again at both of those things. The amount you spend on your social life may give you cause for concern – especially if you need to save for something else. Mercury retrograde close to Mars suggests there may be some ‘energetic’ discussions around that subject too.
Mercury retrograde also suggests you may be going over old ground Sometimes its a good idea to retrace your steps before moving in a new direction and you will certainly be focusing your mental energy on getting a few things straightened out. Taking control of your future direction is important to you and fortunately there will be opportunities for you to open your mind to some potentials you had previously been unaware of. One thing that is likely to concern you is money – dreams will remain exactly that unless you have the resources to make them real. A new perspective on life may be required.
August 2023 Horoscope: Leo
As the month begins, the focus is on partnerships and contracts of all kinds. The Full Moon in Aquarius is shining on that sector and suggests a revolution is about to take place. Venus is the goddess of love and relationships and when she’s retrograde you tend to look closely at all she represents. This month, what’s needed is to make your relationships work for you. Take care, however, that you don’t become too demanding; focus on togetherness and sharing if you want to move your relationships onto the next level. The New Moon suggests a new phase in your partnerships is about to occur.
Mercury retrograde suggests that resources and money may be an issue for you this month – in fact it may be one of the issues that you and your partner need to discuss. There may be some vigorous debates, but you need to get things out in the open before you can move on. One of the things that will concern you both is how your partnership in perceived in public – events may bring you together and force you to show a united front. Career interests may also be an issue for one or both of you – particularly if you’re presented with a new career opportunity. Something could lead to a big decision by the end of the month.
August 2023 Horoscope: Virgo
It’s all work and no play for you at the beginning of the month – or that’s how it feels. With so many planets retrograde, you may feel as if you’re constantly going over old ground, but your ruler, Mercury, is slowing up for most of the month and that is really influencing your outlook on life. Mercury turns retrograde late in August and, as that marks the run up to your birthday, you may be feeling as if another year has come around and what have you got to show for it? You need to start focusing on your own needs – set some new priorities geared towards making you feel more fulfilled.
Venus retrograde is making that summer holiday seem a long way distant. Whether you get the chance to escape or not, Venus retrograde is making it harder to hit the sweet spot that makes life feel good. Whether you’re feeling the distance in your relationships, or whether you and your partner would benefit from some time out – together – something has to give. The urge to dig into your bank account and take a long holiday may be overwhelming as the month goes on. Planning is your superpower, so make time in your schedule to take that break – your relationship will be all the better for it by the end of the month.
August 2023 Horoscope: Libra
As Mercury slows down, it’s going to cause some frustration for you. There is so much you want to say, but you’re going to have to hold your tongue as now is not the time to make waves. It’s never good to bottle up your feelings but sometimes it’s the best thing to do – particularly if you’re not in control of events. The month will begin with the Full Moon shining on your pleasure zone. It’s also going to be highlighting some issues with confidence – and that may be something for you to deal with over the course of the month. Something may have reached the end of the road – and anger is not the most positive response.
So what can you do? Your ruler, Venus is also retrograde – and that’s a sign you need to focus your attention on the things that matter to you. Venus represents our values – and when retrograde, you’re being asked what really matters to you. This time around, the context for that question involves your friends and associates and your social affiliations. If they aren’t taking you in the right direction, then you’re going to have to make some sweeping changes. That’s also true when it comes to love and/or money. If it’s not working, it needs to go. The opportunity for a fresh start will come, but you’re going to have to work for it.
August 2023 Horoscope: Scorpio
Home is where the heart is and, as August begins, you may be glad you have a place of comfort. Hold onto that, as the retrogrades are going to affect how you plan your next move. Venus is already in reverse gear – and sometimes that’s no bad thing. Love and money are both important to you – and this month, you’re hearing that message loud and clear. Venus is retrograde at the top of your chart and this means working out what’s really important to you. Is money everything or do you want some creative satisfaction from your career? Only you can answer that one – but it will occupy a lot of bandwidth this month.
One reason for that, is your mind is fixed on the future. As Mercury slows before turning retrograde, you may feel there are some questions about your future that need addressing with some urgency. Being satisfied with your prospects – career or otherwise – is a big issue, but it needs to be put into context. That’s what you’re concerned with now, particularly as you may be presented with the opportunity to commit to a new enterprise, or take a particular course of action that may impact on your partner or other relationships. Don’t worry; the signs are that you’ll have a much needed confidence boost at the end of the month.
August 2023 Horoscope: Sagittarius
As the month begins, you may receive some news about an issue that’s been on your mind for some time. Things come to a head under a Full Moon and the culmination at the beginning of the month sets you up for a period of reviewing where you are now – and where you want to go. Mercury is slowing down at the top of your chart, and that brings all things career related into sharp focus. Mars is also occupying the same space, so your ambitions will have a sense of urgency. If you’re not feeling fulfilled it may cause you some frustration and you may initiate some discussions about your future prospects – or think about doing so.
Mid-month, the New Moon tunes into the Venus retrograde that’s causing some uncertainty in your relationships – or for your partner. What happens to them affects you too. You may be concerned that there is a growing distance between you or that you are developing a different perspective on life. It’s time to bring that out in the open; if a new phase is about to begin that means you need to be elsewhere, then embrace the prospect. Sometimes we need to take a deep breath before travelling into the great unknown, but if you do so together, it may be less of a daunting prospect – and it may be fun or materially rewarding.
August 2023 Horoscope: Capricorn
There is an emphasis on he material world this month and it begins with the Full Moon on day one. You may have been thinking about money or even your deeper value system for some time. You may have been doing something and asking yourself, ‘Is this worth my time and effort?’ and the Full Moon shows you may have reached a conclusion. Mercury is slowing down and enabling you to obtain a deeper understanding of a certain situation. Events may have prompted you to change your perspective on something rather rapidly – and you may need time to adjust: Mercury retrograde will give you that time.
The New Moon mid-month may prompt you to look at your investments, and that can be interpreted in the broadest sense. It’s not just about money, it’s about how invested you are in certain situations or how much you feel you can invest in yourself. Are you getting as much out of life compared to the amount of effort you seem put in? If the answer is no, you may want to think about redressing the balance to ensure you have your fair share of fun. It may not seem right that you do so much for other people’s benefit; a little reciprocity would go a long way. By the end of the month, feel free to say so.
August 2023 Horoscope: Aquarius
As the month begins, you may have reached the conclusion that you need to start putting yourself first. That’s not selfish; you may need to safeguard your own interests, particularly if you’re about to start a new phase in your life. Mercury is slowing down and is focusing your mind on the prospect of irrevocable change – and Mercury’s conjunction with Mars means that you may not have long to think about that change before it arrives. And there will be some debate; be prepared for some feisty exchanges about what can be left behind – and what needs a radical re-think. Try not to say anything you will later regret.
The approaching issue may (or may not) have an impact on your relationships of all kinds – but most likely it will be your primary partnership. Venus is currently retrograde and affecting your partnership sector; you may be required to pay more attention to your partner – or relationships in general – until this retrograde eases. Events mid-month will demonstrate that there is the potential for a new feeling of togetherness and sense of balance in the relationship. Financially, you may benefit from your partners efforts too – but remember, it’s better to give than to receive – and giving love is best of all.
August 2023 Horoscope: Pisces
If there was something you needed to let go of, the Full Moon on the first day of the month will confirm whether or not you’ve been successful. The Full Moon is in Aquarius and it’s a revolutionary sign – you may feel empowered by leaving the past behind and more than ready to strike out – but not necessarily on your own. You mind is occupied by partnerships of all kinds – and maybe your romantic partner in particular. Pisces is a romantic soul – and you’re not too good at facing reality, so dealing with this month’s ‘robust’ lines of communication may prove hard for you.
Mercury’s station and retrograde in your partnerships sector is accompanied by Mars – so there may be something you feel needs to be said – and holding back maybe an issue you come to learn the hard way. Venus retrograde is making the point that relationships need to be worked on – and that’s something you may resolve to do better from the middle of the month. Re-organising your finances would also be a job well done around that time – particularly if money has been the cause of friction in your relationship. If the big conversation needs to take place, be the one who initiates it – and sets the rules.
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© Sara Shipman 2023
Picture Credit: Image by นิธิ วีระสันติ from Pixabay
