Weekly Horoscope August 12-18, 2024

Week in Overview

This week as we build toward the powerful Full Moon on Monday August 19, there's a strong undercurrent of transformation, wanting us to stay flexible and keep an eye on the bigger picture. It’s a week of opportunities wrapped in difficulties; while it won't be easy, those who can adapt and persevere will find themselves breaking through barriers and moving forward in ways that could be surprising.

Monday, August 12, kicks off with a lot of intensity. We have the first quarter Moon square in Scorpio exact just after 8 am, a heavy hitter, stirring up deep emotions while clashing with that proud Leo Sun. 

We’re diving into the depths of our emotions, and yet trying to keep shining bright, even when it feels tough. 

The morning could feel a bit like an emotional rollercoaster, where we're asked to confront whatever's been bubbling under the surface. And Scorpio doesn't just let things slide; it gets right in there with surgical precision and unearths what's been hidden. 

As the day progresses, that tension doesn’t really let up. With the Moon opposing Uranus later on, there's an electricity in the air, a sense that anything could happen, but more like anxiety than anticipation. 

We might find that emotions are unpredictable, swinging from one extreme to the next, and it's easy to get caught up in that whirlwind. It’s one of those days where patience could be in short supply, so if you feel like snapping, take a deep breath and remember that this too shall pass.

And then there's Mars, almost at that exact conjunction with Jupiter, which just adds fuel to the fire. It’s a potent mix - on one hand, there’s a massive drive to push forward, to expand, to do big things. But with Saturn involved, there’s also a sense of being held back, of needing to check in with reality before we take that leap. A case of two steps forward, one step back, where we might feel this intense desire to move ahead but also face roadblocks or delays that slow us down.

So, Monday is definitely a day to keep our cool, even when things get heated. Know that whatever comes up is there to push you to grow, to face what needs facing, and to do it with a bit of grace.

While we sleep, the Scorpio Moon will trine Neptune in Pisces at 29 degrees, making our dreams potentially very intuitive and full of profound guidance and insights. 

At the same time, the meteor shower will still be lighting up the night sky, adding an extra layer of magic. If you find yourself awake, step outside and soak it in. The combination of the meteor shower and that watery final degree trine creates a moment where the universe feels a little closer. Take a breath, look up, and let yourself be in the moment—maybe even make a wish on one of those falling stars.

Continuing on to Tuesday, August 13th. Overnight, while we sleep, around 3 a.m., the Moon enters Sagittarius and immediately makes a sextile to Pluto in Aquarius. This brings a pretty sweet, insightful energy that lingers into dawn. It's the kind of night where, as I mentioned with the Scorpio Moon trine Neptune, our dreams might feel especially revealing or even prophetic. There's an intuitive depth in the air, and with the Moon now in Sagittarius, this can also bring a sense of optimism and a desire to seek out the truth.

However, once we wake up around 5 a.m., the Sagittarius Moon squares Mercury, which could bring some tension. We might wake up feeling sensitive and still connected to that dreamy, intuitive state, but then find ourselves facing challenging communication or thoughts that throw us off balance. Remember, squares can serve as a catalyst, pushing us to grow and expand beyond our limitations. It might feel a bit uncomfortable, but staying open and adaptable can help us get through the morning.

As Tuesday progresses, Mars and Jupiter will both reach 16 degrees by the evening, just a hop and a skip away from their exact conjunction, which will perfect tomorrow morning. This is an intense, transformative, and mentally stimulating energy, especially with their conjunction in Gemini. 

However, as mentioned earlier this exciting and expansive alignment is being tempered by the square from retrograde Saturn in Pisces at 17 degrees. This could slow things down or force us to re-evaluate the boundaries we’re pushing.

But this afternoon the Sagittarius Moon does make a lovely trine to the North Node and a sextile to the South Node, creating a lot of potential and opening up possibilities on the horizon. If there’s something you want to manifest or set in motion, now is a great time to do it. With this waxing Moon growing more expansive and excited, it’s the perfect moment to start putting your dreams into action, building towards the full Moon.

Meanwhile, Mercury retrograde is now at zero degrees of Virgo, just hours away from slipping back into Leo, which it will do tomorrow. Our minds are in full rehash mode, going backward, picking over details, and trying to make sense of things we thought were settled. This is a day full of potential and excitement, but also one that asks us to be mindful of the lessons and boundaries that life seems to enjoy throwing into the mix.

On Tuesday night, just around midnight, the Sagittarius Moon will square Venus in Virgo. This might bring some tension in relationships or how we feel about our values and what we desire. Sagittarius' expansive, freedom-loving nature could clash with Venus in Virgo's need for order and precision. We might feel a bit torn between wanting to explore and experience versus focusing on the finer details. 

This could cause some restlessness or dissatisfaction. Just remember, squares can push us to address issues and find a new perspective, so use this to explore what truly matters to you.

Wednesday, August 14th is shaping up to be an incredibly intense day. The morning starts with the exact conjunction between Mars and Jupiter in Gemini, just before 8:30 a.m. This powerful combination is all about action, expansion, and bold ideas. Mars adds fuel to the fire, pushing us to take risks and go after what we want, while Jupiter magnifies everything it touches, making this conjunction highly charged and full of potential.

However, it is being squared by Saturn retrograde in Pisces, which adds tension and restriction. While Mars and Jupiter want to forge ahead, Saturn in Pisces is pulling the reins, reminding us that there are limits, consequences, and responsibilities we need to consider. 

It could lead to frustration, as we might feel held back just when we’re ready to leap forward.

By 10:30 a.m., the Sagittarius Moon steps in, ramping everything up even more, by locking Jupiter and Mars in a T-square with that Saturn retrograde in Pisces. 

The Sagittarius Moon, which typically craves freedom, adventure, and philosophical exploration, may feel particularly constrained by Saturn’s heavy hand. 

The clash between our desires for expansion (Mars and Jupiter) and the sobering reality checks imposed by Saturn could create a feeling of restlessness, with no clear way forward.

Use the drive from Mars and Jupiter to push through challenges, but don’t forget to heed Saturn’s warnings about pacing yourself and considering the long-term implications of your actions. Pause to analyze, look at alternatives and stay flexible. If we can be mindful, we might find a way to turn challenges into opportunities.

Not quite done, Wednesday keeps it going as Mercury retrograde slips back into Leo at 5:15 p.m. This adds more fuel to an already complex day, drawing our attention to past conversations or situations that need closure or re-evaluation. 

With Mercury retrograde in a fire sign like Leo, our minds may become more focused on self-expression, reconsidering how we present ourselves, our creative projects, or even how we manage our pride and ego. It could get loud on this day that’s ruled by mercury with the planet not just retrograde, in the big sign but also at the critical 29 degrees. 

Despite the day’s earlier tension, Wednesday evening and into the night brings a truly beautiful moment when the Sagittarius Moon forms a grand fire trine with Chiron in Aries and the Leo Sun. 

This is like a breath of fresh air, offering opportunities for healing, growth, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. It’s a reminder not to lose sight of the bigger picture. The energy here supports us in embracing our wounds, learning from them, and using that wisdom to move forward. Nobody is perfect and if they were what a dull world it would be. 

Thursday, August 15th in the morning we have three key players - Neptune in Pisces, Mercury in Leo, and the Sagittarius Moon - all sitting at the critical 29 degrees. This creates a kind of pressure cooker environment, with the Sagittarius Moon forming a trine to retrograde Mercury in Leo, which could spark some insightful, and perhaps loud conversations. However, at the same time, the Moon will be squaring Neptune in Pisces, pulling in a layer of confusion or dreaminess that might make it hard to discern reality from illusion. 

This combination of influences could make the morning feel scattered or chaotic. Maybe don’t sign on the dotted line… 

The Moon goes void, of course, just before 11 a.m. when it enters Capricorn, helping to ground the energy somewhat.

Mercury retrograde at 29 degrees of Leo is also beginning to apply in a square to Uranus in Taurus at 27 degrees. As Mercury moves backward, it edges closer to this square, potentially bringing unexpected disruptions or flashes of insight that shake up our usual way of thinking or communicating. 

At the same time, there’s a slow but steady sextile forming between Neptune in Pisces and Uranus in Taurus. This connection between these two distant, visionary planets adds a subtle wave of creativity and innovation. 

Like a soft whisper in the background, encouraging us to dream big and think outside the box, even as we try to go about our day to day lives. 

The combination of these aspects - Mercury squaring Uranus and the developing sextile between Uranus and Neptune - creates a dynamic push-pull between the desire for stability and the need for change, with plenty of opportunities for breakthroughs if we're willing to embrace the unexpected.

Adding to the mix, the Sun will be exactly trine to Chiron on Thursday morning, ushering in a powerful opportunity for healing. It’s easier to embrace our vulnerabilities and find strength in our wounds. While the day starts with a lot of intensity and perhaps some confusion, there’s a strong undercurrent of potential for growth and healing.

As Thursday night carries on, the Capricorn Moon will square the North Node in Aries and the South Node in Libra. This could be very tense indeed, bringing pressure on partnerships and career decisions. 

We might find ourselves questioning our direction and purpose - what are we doing, where are we going, and is this really working? This square could highlight the tension between our individual goals and the needs of our relationships, making it a crucial time to reassess and find a balance. 

As we head into Friday August 16, Venus Day, there’s a stabilizing energy coming in. Venus in Virgo will trine the Capricorn Moon, dropping off a dose of stability and rationality. 

This helps us see more clearly what’s going on and figure out where we’re headed. 

However, if we take a closer look at the chart, Venus is also starting to apply in a square to Jupiter in Gemini and an opposition to Saturn in Pisces, creating a T-square with Jupiter at the apex. 

This setup can stir up tension around our values, relationships, and ambitions, with Jupiter in Gemini magnifying the situation. Who are we committing to and is it really for the long haul?

Thankfully, the Capricorn Moon brings a bit of relief, with the sextile to Saturn and trine to Venus. Suggesting that while the tension between Venus and Saturn might be strong, we shouldn’t lose sight of the big picture. Some level of detachment might serve us well here too. 

Mercury is starting to retrograde very close to an exact square with Uranus in Taurus. By Friday, Mercury in Leo will be at 28 degrees, while Uranus is at 27 degrees. This can be a challenging influence, on communication, technology and our own thoughts. There could be breakdowns but it also opens the door for sudden breakthroughs. 

It’s also important not to get too aggressive or dogmatic right now. 

The Sun is also at 24 degrees, so Mercury and the Sun are drawing closer together each day, which might cloud our thinking. While Mercury was happier in Virgo, providing more clarity, its move back into Leo makes clear-headedness harder to achieve. 

Instead, at the moment truth might come from less rational sources - such as gut feelings. Emotions could also feel a bit dry or cold on Friday, but there’s an underlying sense of something guiding us, leading to unexpected insights. The key is to stay calm and not overreact, trusting that intuition might just lead us in the right direction.

Saturday, August 17th, in the morning there’s a fascinating configuration: the Capricorn Moon forms a sextile triangle with Neptune in Pisces and Uranus in Taurus. 

Neptune sits at the apex of this minor grand trine, which brings a sense of inspiration, intuition, and divine guidance. We might feel more connected to our inner wisdom and the universal flow. Make the most of it, write out your thoughts, spend a quiet morning reflecting or just take in the sunrise. It might be the balm to help get you through the end of the week. 

At the same time, Uranus in Taurus is squaring Mercury in Leo, both sitting at 27 degrees. This square is building up to its exact point overnight, creating a lot of mental tension and potential for unexpected shifts. Technology, transportation and infrastructure could all be challenged so take your time to get where you need and double check everything. 

Mercury, which is retrograde, is moving closer to its conjunction with the Sun, making our thoughts feel clouded and confused. We may be grappling with issues from the past few weeks, rethinking commitments, and trying to make sense of what we need to revise or release.

Adding to this, Venus in Virgo is applying in the opposition to Saturn in Pisces, forming a T-square with the Mars-Jupiter conjunction in Gemini. While this conjunction is separating, the tension is being reignited by Venus and Saturn, creating challenges in our finances, relationships, and sense of security. 

The key to releasing this tension likely lies in focusing on the big picture and not getting lost in the details, but that’s easier said than done on a day like this. 

Saturday, then takes a significant turn just before 3pm when the Moon enters Aquarius after a brief void-of-course period. The Moon then immediately conjuncts Pluto at 0 degrees of Aquarius. 

This is a monumental moment, as it's the final Aquarius Moon-Pluto conjunction we'll experience before Pluto retrogrades back into Capricorn in the first week of September. The energy at 0 degrees of Aquarius is incredibly potent - this degree symbolizes new beginnings, visionary thinking, and deep transformation.

This conjunction is not just a routine aspect. Pluto retrograde in Aquarius at 0 degrees invites us to look deeply into the future and the past, to tap into the collective consciousness, and to embrace change on a fundamental level. 

We might find ourselves confronted with powerful revelations, breakthroughs, or even a sense of destiny unfolding. This is a time to pay attention to what emerges, as it can reveal hidden truths and guide us toward new paths. Who is coming with you, into the future especially after November 19 when Pluto enters Aquarius for the long haul?

Sunday, August 19th, has a lot of significant astrological activity going on. While we slept, the visionary almost full Aquarius Moon reinforced the idea of heading into the future, asking us where we are going and what path we’re on, as it sextiled the North Node in Aries and trined the South Node in Libra. Pay close attention to any dreams or visions that may have surfaced during the night, as they could offer valuable clues.

However, the night was anything but restful. Mercury squared Uranus exactly around the same time, likely making for a restless sleep for many. 

This tension lingers into Sunday, with both Mercury and Uranus at 27 degrees, pushing us to confront sudden shifts in communication, technology, transportation as well as delivering unexpected insights. 

At the same time, we’re feeling the weight of Venus opposing Saturn, a transit that demands we face serious questions about our relationships and finances. 

The T-square involving Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter is nearly exact, bringing down immense pressure. Jupiter at 17 degrees Gemini is still somewhat conjunct Mars, re-triggering the themes of expansion, action, and challenge, as it sits at the apex of this T-square. We really need to do our best not to lose sight of the big picture amidst chaos. What do you believe in? What sets your heart on fire and what practical steps are necessary to make it reality rather than just a slippery illusions or idea. And then once you identify what the first steps are, do those things, don’t just talk about them. 

Tonight the exact conjunction between the Sun and retrograde Mercury occurs just before 7 PM, a powerful Cazimi that shines a light on our thoughts and communication, delivering lots of truths. 

However, with both the Sun and Mercury squaring Uranus, these revelations might come with a jolt, bringing both brilliance but also instability. A sort of, “why did I have to realize that?” feeling. 

But there’s a silver lining in the evening. The Aquarius Moon will trine Jupiter, offering a bit of relief and a more expansive, optimistic energy. 

This trine enables us to broaden our perspectives, detach a bit, and perhaps find some joy in the midst of the day’s intensity. While the tension is still palpable, this is a moment to breathe, to tap into a higher vision, and to find hope in the future.

This is all, of course, building up to the full Moon, which will be exact just before 11:30 AM on Monday, August 19th. I did already mention it in my outro in last week's forecast, just because it's such an incredibly intense day. 

There will be a lot going on, so really buckle up and prepare yourselves. The ones who might come out relatively unscathed are the cardinal signs - Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, and Libra - which is a nice change for them. 

But for those with late-degree fixed sign placements - Leo, Scorpio, Taurus, and Aquarius - there are likely challenges ahead. The same goes for mutable signs, especially if you have placements around 17-18 degrees in Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, or Pisces.

If you know your chart, you’ll probably have an idea of what to look out for. If you have questions I do offer popular mini readings, which are ideal for finding out what to expect personally during an intense Full Moon transit like this one. Check out my website, the link is in the caption! 

Monday, August 19, is going to be an incredibly tense day with two potent T-squares focused on relationships and self-worth. 

The Aquarius Full Moon will be opposing the Sun and Mercury in Leo, while forming a T-square with Uranus in Taurus, creating an electric atmosphere that continues the tense energy we felt on Sunday. 

This is compounded by the ongoing Venus-Saturn-Mars-Jupiter T-square, adding extra pressure and intensity. 

Get ready for intense emotions and where sudden shifts and disruptions could force us to reassess our values, relationships, and sense of stability. It could be a breakdown and break up day. 

It will be important to stay grounded, avoid making impulsive decisions, and remain flexible, because the tension between wanting freedom and dealing with responsibilities will be high.

COMING UP…

Next week, Thursday, August 22nd, is a day packed with transitions. With the Sun entering Virgo, we start to sense the subtle shift from the carefree days of summer towards the more reflective energy of fall, a time to begin gathering our proverbial harvest and taking stock. 

On the same day Mercury retrograde will form a supportive trine to Chiron, delivering opportunities for healing and reassessing old wounds or unresolved issues, especially from the summer, with a new perspective. Important conversations might be had. Where did we perhaps stay quiet and now feel ready to speak up?

The Aries Moon conjunct the North Node that day will add a layer of destiny and forward momentum, reminding us that we can’t move into the future until we've dealt with our past, but we can't dwell in the past for too long, or the future will run away from us. 

Meanwhile, Venus in Virgo will exactly square Mars in Gemini stirring up some tension in relationships or around our desires. 

Unfortunately, summer can’t last forever, and some things need to change as we prepare for what’s ahead.