Horoscopes for August 21st to August 28th, 2016

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Overview

The Sun enters Virgo on August 22nd, the same day as Mercury in Virgo conjoins Jupiter. This starts Virgo season off on a positive note. There’s enhanced potential for effective communication, problem solving and upgrades, as logic and intuition unite. This could be a significant upgrade season, as you pinpoint what’s most important, polish it up, and discard the rest. Note that this will be the first of three conjunctions between Mercury and Jupiter, due to Mercury’s upcoming retrograde.

Venus and Mars receive a mixed bag of aspects. August 24th sees the Mars/Saturn conjunction in Sagittarius, and a sensitive opposition between Venus in Virgo and Chiron Rx in Pisces. Venus makes an inconjunct with Uranus Rx in Aries on August 25th and Mars squares Neptune Rx in Pisces on August 26th.  Actions, initiatives and anger (Mars) can take you over the finish line, focus your efforts or trigger obstacles. You may give up or push through to the other side and discover a whole new country. Whether you achieve or let go (maybe letting go is the achievement) this will be an ending that shifts into a beginning. 

Venus’ aspects can trigger sudden, sharp moments of doubt or pain. You could be abruptly reminded of what you’re missing, even if you never knew you wanted it. Relationships, self-esteem or finances could take a hit, but any aspect to Chiron brings healing (although not total erasure of the wound) if you confront what hurts. To the rescue, Venus conjoins Jupiter on August 27th, bringing rewards, new reasons to hope or feel better. Venus/Jupiter can carry you past the Chiron/Uranus challenge, with a major bump in improvement. 

Aries:

The Sun into your sector of routine, and Mercury/Jupiter, encourage you to attend to tasks and details. Work and health issues can improve, due to your efforts and ideas.  Mercury/Jupiter can gift you with more information about upgrading your efficiency, exercise, and diet. Aspects to Venus in this sector can hi-light an area where you feel less capable, less appreciated, or where you’re not getting the help you need. Co-worker relationships can reveal hurt feelings. Fortunately, Venus/Jupiter supplies a boost of optimism, extra assistance or a chance to smooth things over with others. 

Aspects to Mars in your sector of opportunities can clarify one goal while dissolving a vague hope or fantasy. “Wouldn’t it be nice if…” will no longer cut it. It’s time to act on your beliefs, intuition or desire to explore. Long-distance travel, legal matters, education, publishing or mentoring may be areas where you need to apply focused determination. 

Taurus:

The Sun into your sector of self-expression, and Mercury/Jupiter, gift you with opportunities for romance or celebration. New attractions can progress via all forms of communication. Mercury/Jupiter can also bring good news regarding children/pregnancy or artistic work, but this is about more than just letting the good stuff role in. You’re being encouraged to make intelligent choices and expand on the work you have done. Whatever you’re creating, your sense of pride will increase as you improve and refine your talents. Aspects to Venus in this sector can trigger an unhappy surprise or two: doubts about attractiveness or talent can flare up, or there may be a moment where you overindulge/push your luck, and regret it. However, Venus/Jupiter can offer a reprieve, happy distraction, or chance to feel good about yourself again. 

Aspects to Mars in your sector of shared resources can clarify a money or intimacy matter. What you can share, or what someone else wants to share with you, will be issues. Shifting boundaries (should you let them get closer/do they want you to get closer) can make you uneasy, but it’s time to get real about the type of relationship you want. Debts, taxes, loans or your partner’s finances may require your attention: it could be time to pay it off or cut off any areas where money seems to be “leaking” out. 

Gemini:

The Sun into your domestic sector, and Mercury/Jupiter, hi-light family discussions, home repairs/improvements/expansion or relocations. Conversations and solutions can unfold surprisingly well – remain open to new information and focus on how you can make an existing situation better. This is especially true for family issues: now is not the time to stick with what’s always been. Aspects to Venus in this sector can trigger surprising moments of sensitivity, or unexpected financial/career disappointments. But Venus/Jupiter can follow up with reminders of how you’re blessed in other ways. Too, Venus/Jupiter can encourage you to spend more/go bigger on domestic improvements.

Aspects to Mars in your partnership sector can pinpoint a relationship issue that’s ripe for more work. Compromise may be difficult, but keep focusing on the issue while staying open to ideas/developments you haven’t considered. The trick will be finding a balance between total avoidance of the issue (giving up, escaping) versus allowing events to unfold. Commitments, joint goals or responsibilities may be themes. 

Cancer:  

The Sun into your communication sector, and Mercury/Jupiter, have you primed to speak up, promote yourself, or have that crucial conversation. You’re got the juice to say it just right, or (if you need more information) you’re also lined up to discover effective solutions. Everything you need to know is coming at you – your task is to use this new intel to improve your situation. However, aspects to Venus in this sector can deliver a brief shock as you hear/discover something that wasn’t quite what you hoped for. Venus/Jupiter can offer consolation/encouragement with supportive words or a pleasantly distracting flirtation. Venus/Jupiter can help you bounce back from unpleasant news, while encouraging you to keep looking towards the future. 

Aspects to Mars in your sector of routine will confront you with a work or health necessity. Doing what needs to be done may be a bit of a struggle, but know that after you turn that corner/get the results, you can relax. Applying your energy only where it’s absoltuely needed can help with distractions and anxiety. 

Leo:

The Sun into your sector of personal resources, and Mercury/Jupiter, can push you to spend more/ask for more. Too, you could catch wind of a new source of income or way to increase your revenue. Discussions about salary could also be featured. In all cases, know that increasing your security depends on upgrading your skills and ability to intelligently communicate your expectations. This applies to finances and relationships. Aspects to Venus in this sector can bring sharp reminders about one thing you can’t have/aren’t ready for, but Venus/Jupiter can present something else to look forward to. 

Aspects to Mars in your sector of self-expression bring you to a turning point in a creative or romantic issue. You’re about to make a breakthrough, and you’ll either succeed at what you’ve been working towards, or you’ll have to turn your attention to something more viable. Either way, this is a peak moment of effort that’s been building for awhile. If something doesn’t happen, you can’t force it, and you can’t squeeze recognition/appreciation out of someone. If you’ve done all you can, let it go and accept the results, enjoy the rewards, or turn your eyes to the next target. 

Virgo:

The Sun and Mercury/Jupiter in your sign increase your ability to figure it out, make it better or communicate your intentions with positive impact. The spotlight is on you now – it’s your chance to shine. You could also receive a confidence boost as you get a handle on a stressful situation. The key is having faith in your abilities. Aspects to Venus in your sign can stir up some relationship tensions. Watch for abrupt moments of insecurity or less-than-pleasant financial issues. Fortunately, Venus/Jupiter gifts you with help, reassurance, or a lucky break. Venus/Jupiter can also bring you a very sweet surge of happiness and hope for the future. 

Aspects to Mars in your domestic sector will draw your attention to shifting family/domestic priorities. The rules and focus for repairs, domestic relationships or relocation can change, as you’re confronted with a past/childhood issue. This is the time to work through it, and let go. Too, there may be domestic/relationship work that must be attended to, even as you’re dealing with mixed messages from a partner, or unstable ground in your love life. Focus on what’s right in front of you – your foundation. You can’t control what another wants or thinks, so allow them to go through their own process.   

Libra:

The Sun and Mercury/Jupiter in your sector of secrets can illuminate the unexpected, a background potential or flash of insight. Your intuition is bang on at the moment, so pay attention to what you suspect. If you think there’s more to the story, you’re correct, and it’s starting to unfold. Aspects to Venus in this sector can stir up painful moments ofinsecurity or sensitivity around a relationship or attraction. You may not have known this was an issue, but suddenly it stings. Venus/Jupiter suggests background assistance or a surprising discovery of something that can benefit you. Again, trust your intuition. Too, Venus/Jupiter can offer a hard-to-define but growing feeling that everything is going to be ok. 

Aspects to Mars in your communication sector urge you to work through a discussion/argument, official document or agreement. A sticky issue (where compromise seems impossible) can be overcome, but the key will be actions aligning with words. If intent and actions are on the same page, there can be a breakthrough. Some of the details may be difficult to pin down, but rather than attempting to organize everything, focus on the core issue. You may find that other concerns take care of themselves, or simply dissipate. 

Discussions with siblings, work tasks or medical issues could be themes. 

Scorpio:

The Sun and Mercury/Jupiter in your social sector put you in a prime spot to make an excellent impression, boost your public image, or promote your work. If you need to connect with others who can help you, this is your moment. However, aspects to Venus in this sector suggest you may stumble across surprising social friction, or make a faux pas. New attractions may hit a rough spot. Take it in stride and move on, because Venus/Jupiter helps you rebound with a second wind, increased charm and better social opportunities. 

Aspects to Mars in your sector of personal resources can increase your determination/ambition to achieve an emotional or financial goal. If there’s something that you’ve been working towards (a raise, emotional security, new source of income) you could get it, but it won’t fall into your lap. This will be the result of months of hard work, discipline and your insistence on personal boundaries. After the achievement, you can relax and enjoy the results (just don’t get carried away and spend all your hard- earned rewards). If something slips through your fingers, don’t chase it. 

Sagittarius:

The Sun and Mercury/Jupiter in your career sector urge you to keep exploring future options, regarding a new business, career ambitions or how you express your authority. Mercury/Jupiter can present a promising idea, but it will need more development. In general, you’re being asked to keep upgrading your skills, education or professional image. Aspects to Venus in this sector can cause moments of doubt about your talents/skills, as you put yourself out there. Too, there may be questions about appropriate behaviour or relationships. But Venus/Jupiter offers you a way to turn it around or jump into the next, more favourable, option. Venus/Jupiter can gift you with professional optimism and the ability to sell.

Aspects to Mars in your sign bring you to a turning point regarding family, career or personal goals. A point of struggle or excessive responsibility will peak, and can be overcome. Much will depend on how you’ve handled the increased need for work, focus and restraint over the past months. Correct actions are key: focusing on future gains and personal improvement will carry you forward, but frittering away your energy on anxieties or avoidance of the real issue will undermine your progress. 

Capricorn:

The Sun and Mercury/Jupiter in your sector of opportunities can tune you in to valuable information/developments around long distance travel, education, legal matters or publishing. The first stage of a journey or knowledge upgrade could begin. Or, you could receive some positive news about future developments. Aspects to Venus in this sector can trigger moments where you lose faith or are caught off guard by the pace of new developments. But Venus/Jupiter says keep growing and reaching for the future. Venus/Jupiter can also bring you face to face with a distant hope or ideal. 

Aspects to Mars in your hidden sector can pinpoint a background issue, goodbye or drawn out ending. There may be a struggle to let go or redefine yourself. Direct actionwon’t be easy, so rather than trying to force the issue, do what you can while keeping your primary intent in mind. What you’re attempting to do may be interpreted differently, by different people. But if you know what you want, you’ll be ok. Communication can be tricky – unacknowledged anger/frustration can distort your words, so keep tabs on what’s really driving you.  

Aquarius:

The Sun and Mercury/Jupiter in your sector of shared resources continue to insist that it’s time to get closer or dig deeper. A financial or intimacy issue has more to reveal if you ask the right questions and open your mind to what’s possible. Trust can be good for you. So can making smart choices about how much and where you’ve been spending. Aspects to Venus in this sector can trigger some touchy moments as you feel suddenly exposed/unsure, or you discover a shortfall. But Venus/Jupiter can restore your comfort and boost your faith, with financial assistance, reasons to love/be loved, or even a small financial windfall. You may also be hit by the urge to spend big – make sure it’s worth it (quality) and not just a temporary fix. 

Aspects to Mars in your social sector can bring you to the finish line regarding a friendships/group association, while shifting your must-haves. What used to be so important may not matter anymore. Too, there could be an official, public result to a project or goal you’ve been pouring your energy into. Afterwards, you may wonder if it was worth it, due to a feeling of deflation or loss of energy. Check your expectations: what were you really trying to accomplish? Your actions reflect your public ideals and efforts to change things on a larger scale. If you changed one thing, mission accomplished. 

Pisces:

The Sun and Mercury/Jupiter in your partnership sector can spotlight a crucial relationship discussion, or meeting with someone new and intriguing. It will be easier to approach all partnership matters with an open mind and a sense that new things are possible, including improvements to your love life in general. However, aspects to Venus in this sector can stir up some unexpected moments of insecurity, as a relationship fear is triggered. Venus/Jupiter insists there’s room to move beyond those fears. Look at them, accept them, and then enjoy the energy of romantic opportunity and fun. There’s more and better to come. 

Aspects to Mars in your career sector can clarify a career goal, establish your authority, mark the results of what you’ve been working towards, or bring you to the end of the road. The square to Neptune in your sign suggests this is about fighting for the dream, or activating your ideals. You could take an inspired leap forward, or be deflated, depending on how viable those dreams were. The key will be how you’ve been handling Saturn’s rules, responsibility and demands that you confront authority issues in your professional life. 

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