Are you ready for some news that may be a bit of a downer? OK, here it is: August is here, and that means summer is nearly done and dusted. Our final weeks of everyone using up their annual leave and going to pub gardens will speed by faster than your ice cream can melt, and soon enough we’ll be in September. 

Now for the good news – if you proceed with care, you can make this August the best it can be. How, you may ask? By learning what to expect via your star sign’s horoscope for the month ahead. This is going to be a month for getting focused – expect plenty of introspective thinking about how to move forward. Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto and Chiron will all be retrograde, and we’ll have a blue moon (two full moons in one month). That means some unexpected twists and turns, and a need to face these challenges head on. 

First up, we’ll have a full moon in Aquarius on 1 August. This might dredge up some memories and emotions, particularly around feeling alienated, alone or misunderstood. Prepare to be in your feelings on this day, basically. Then, mid-month the new moon will be in Leo, which will prompt us to ponder our self-expression: What makes us shine? What do we want to showcase to the world?

On 23 August, two major transits hit: the sun moves out of Leo and into Virgo (meaning a shift in focus to practical, problem-solving thinking), and mercury goes retrograde – brace for roadblocks around the themes of communication and transport. On 27 August, Mars enters Libra, which will bring about a vibe of collaboration and cooperation – it’s a great day to have big meetings and work together on projects that might have been giving you a little trouble.

Two days later, Uranus will go retrograde, adding a feel of spontaneity to the mix, then finally on 31 August we’ll have a full moon in Pisces. Prepare once again for major feelings, but also a nudge to really lean in to our dreams and aspirations. Think big. 

That’s our overall look at the month ahead. Now let’s get into the specifics for each star sign…

21 March to 19 April

Hey, Aries. What’s that itch? What’s making you a bit uncomfortable? There’s been something there, like a particularly irritating label at the neckline of your jumper, for a while now. August is when you’re going to decide to sort it out. The path to do that? Focusing in on what feels good. What brings you joy? What do you really want? Ask these questions and see where the answers lead you. 

Tied into this, you’ll feel a nudge mid-month to reassess your daily routine. No need for stress: yes, some changes are needed, but you’re more than equipped to get them done. 

In the realm of relationships, Aries will face some challenges this month. You’re struggling to juggle fulfilling your desires with making your friends and family happy, too. There’s going to be a surprise occurrence (maybe an ex’s return?) this month, which shakes your stability and urges you to find balance. 

20 April to 20 May

Taurus, we suspect you’re working too hard. Again. We know you’re ambitious, you want to achieve big things, and that’s great – but don’t forget to make time for fun, too. This month, make sure you don’t neglect your need for play, and reflect on how you can fit more joy into your daily routine. 

Here’s your lesson for August: you can get your work done and still have fun. Your to-do list doesn’t need to be all-consuming. You have time. You can take your foot off the gas. Learning this lesson won’t be easy. Work will call your name. You’ll be tempted to make big changes and go full-speed ahead. But take your horoscope as permission to slow down, be kind to yourself, and stop and smell the roses. We repeat: fun is important, too. 

21 May to 20 June

You have such a unique way of seeing the world, Gemini, and a big part of that is your view that it’s so important to expose yourself to different perspectives and experience new things. That’s why this month, you need to get out there and have an adventure. 

Do this and you’ll have a mini awakening, perhaps one that prompts you to look back. Maybe you’ll travel and explore your family’s roots as a result. Perhaps you’ll have a renewed drive to break some generational curses. All this reflection on the past will have you thinking about the future. Be prepared for some questions about what you want out of life, and how you can make this happen. 

21 June to 22 July

As a water sign, you’re incredibly aware of your feelings and who and what affects them. Where you struggle is sharing those feelings. Intimacy can be a bit of a challenge, and you aren’t going to reveal your deepest self to just anyone. This month, however, you’re going to get a push to try to open up – but only with someone deserving of getting to know you on this level. Tune into your intuition to judge who that is. 

With thoughts about closeness this month, you’ll also face a bit of a reevaluation of your communication. Are you overthinking things? Are you getting lost in translation? Something’s going wrong here, but the solution might be as simple as slowing down and taking a read of the situation before you speak.

There’s some tension brewing in the home space for you, Cancer. Remain calm and make sure issues at home don’t spill out into other areas, or you can expect an explosion. Look to self-help tools to navigate your way through this. 

23 July to 22 August

Oh, Leo. Let’s be real: You like to keep one foot out of the door in a relationship. You’ll give a little, but you’re scared to be totally vulnerable. It’s time to be honest with yourself and accept that in order for these bonds to go to the next level, whether romantic or platonic, you need to open up. Be brave and show your true self. You’ll be rewarded with understanding and acceptance. 

To get to the point of being willing to share, you might need to work on your self-confidence. Leos have a rep for being the stars of the show, we know, but that can often be a front for some serious self-doubt. In August, make some time to really dig into this. It won’t always be easy, but the process is well worth it. On a less heavy note, keep an eye out for an exciting career opportunity coming your way this month. Hop on it.

23 August to 22 September

You haven’t been feeling your best, and you’re looking into your daily habits to see if there is anything you can change. It could be as simple as picking up a new hobby or going to bed a little earlier. Whatever it is, if you feel off, don’t just ignore it. Tackle the issue and seek out support if you need it. 

With the sun in your sign later this month, you’re ready to celebrate your solar return in style. As your planet is stationing retrograde the same day the sun enters your sign, planning around this time has the potential to be frustrating. Don’t panic, this doesn’t mean your birthday is doomed – but it might be a good idea to have a back-up plan. There might be some little annoyances, but you can handle them as they arise. Going with the flow and being open-minded will make your birthday – and the rest of the month – successful.

August may also prompt some thoughts about your values and what really matters to you. There might be a belief you’re holding on to that no longer serves you. Don’t be afraid to give it the axe. 

23 September to 22 October

Is there something you’re hiding, Libra? A special talent, a hobby, a secret vice? The stars say you’re holding your cards close to your chest, but you don’t need to. If you speak up, you might find like-minded people who get you completely. 

The question is: why would you want to hold that part of you back? Libras tend to be very conscious of how they’re perceived by others. We get that. But in August, try to reduce how much other people’s views matter to you. Enjoy what you enjoy freely, without fear of judgment. 

Be warned: you’re likely to feel a bit stressed and snappy towards the end of the month. Don’t take it out on other people– or on yourself. You just need to find a way to express this energy. Going for a grumpy-girl stomp could be a great shout. 

23 October to 21 November

When Scorpios are devoted, they are devoted. Recently, you’ve been all about your loved ones and home space. This month, you’ll learn that you can’t hold everyone’s hand through every little step they take. Allow your birds to leave the nest, or you risk missing out on big opportunities for yourself. 

Your long-term goals and aspirations have been on your mind. You may be wondering why they aren’t flowing into place as you want them to. This will be the perfect time to review your plans to make sure they still make sense at this moment. Disrupting this will be appearances from ex-friends who will pop up and want to bring up the past. Don’t let them derail you – keep those boundaries clear. 

You’ll see this month that you can’t give your all to everyone and everything all at once. You have a tendency to be all or nothing, Scorpio, and that needs to change. You can show your appreciation without giving away all your energy. Work on this and you’ll see some nice surprises towards the end of August.

22 November to 21 December

There are certain mindsets you have that are not serving you as they once did. Perhaps it’s time for a new perspective? You feel like you’re in a rut this month, and you want out. Travel, taking up a hobby or learning something new could be the remedy. Get out there and explore. 

You’ll also feel a drive to review the trajectory of your career. Are you on the right track? Don’t be afraid to ask your managers and mentors for their guidance. The very fact you’re thinking about the future will be seen as a positive. It might feel like work is moving slowly, but people are watching, and opportunities could be on the way soon. 

Make some time for fun with friends this month, too. All work and no play makes for a poor end to the summer. 

22 December to 19 January

We say this because we care: you have a real issue with wanting to do everything by yourself. You refuse to ask for help, even when you need it. August is the time to sort this pattern out, Capricorn. It’s OK to lean on other people – sometimes teamwork really is better. Let people help. 

To get deep for a moment, the root of this might be a fear of being let down – perhaps because you have been in the past. Fact-check that worry: just because this happened before doesn’t mean you’re destined to be let down by everyone in your life. Make space to believe in people.

Once you let people in, you could experience wonderful things in your career and personal life. There’s potential for a great partnership this month, or the discovery of a new and exciting interest. Lean in and let yourself relax into your loved ones’ support. They’re there for you. Trust them. 

20 January to 18 February

The beginning of the month is going to be emotional. Brace yourself for big reflections on where you are in life. This could prompt a desire to make changes and get stuck into the healing process. One of the first areas to focus on? How you relate to others. 

This will mean you need to open up more to the people around you. You’re always there to support your friends when they need it, but are you allowing them to do the same for you? Think about how you can make yourself more emotionally available to the people you trust. Don’t worry, you can take it slow. But try to stay open. 

Small irritations at home will test your patience this month. Little things can trigger past pains, causing what might seem like overreactions. The key here is to acknowledge your feelings while addressing the problems objectively. Being able to let go of negative stuff you’re holding onto will make room for something beautiful. Just don’t let these minor gripes make you clam up. Vulnerability is your mantra this month.  

19 February to 20 March 

Ooooh. There’s something big rumbling away inside you. An energy of transformation. Throughout the month, your metamorphosis will be in full swing. You’ll start to notice little tweaks you want to make and opportunities you need to grasp. Keep your eyes open and allow your intuition to guide you through the process. 

One big change might land in the relationship department. Have you been a touch critical towards people you love? It’s all well and good communicating how you feel, but be careful you’re not trying to change people – that tends to end in disaster. 

At the end of the month, the full moon will be in your sign, leading you to feel your emotions more intensely. People from the past may come into your life to have a conversation about what once was. As annoying as this may be, this could be a great chance for you to express how you feel to the people who have directly hurt you. If you feel safe and comfortable enough to do so, have that conversation. If you’d rather not, you could still get those feelings out in other ways all by yourself. Always remember that you don’t need anyone else to be the best version of you.

Images: Getty; Stylist