MONTH OF August
Money’s on your mind as August opens up. With the Sun in Leo until August 22 and Mercury retrograde in the lion’s den through the 11th, continue to fine-tune financial plans as you streamline and simplify your life. Increased earnings could come through a past colleague. If it’s time to raise your rates or refresh your offerings, get all your ducks in a row for a mid-month reveal.
Sultry love planet Venus struts through your sign from July 30 to August 25, blessing you with irresistible, It-sign status. Start by romancing yourself. Book massages, head to the salon, create more spaciousness in your schedule so you can luxuriate instead of rushing. Relaxing helps you be more receptive to a partner. Don’t be afraid to show some edge in relationships now by playfully asking for exactly what you want.
Go-getter Mars lands in peaceful, aesthetic Libra on August 6, harmonizing your home and family life until September 22. How can you make the Crab Castle feel like a sanctuary? Decorate and set up zones for relaxing, working and entertaining.
Your mind is hungry for new data once Virgo season begins on August 22. One day later, the first of two back-to-back new moons in Virgo arrives, which could lead you to a fall workshop or kick off a media project like writing a screenplay or recording a podcast. Random socializing has never been your style. Look for intentional gatherings like book clubs, salons and mastermind groups where you can share ideas and feed your intellect.
Get grounded: It’s Leo season until August 22
Weigh anchor, Crab. Your birthday season was an active time last month, and now there’s some rooting energy coming in. Until August 22, the Sun is in Leo and your second house of work, daily routines and security. Keep your schedule lean and stick to the basics.
With Mercury retrograde in Leo until August 11, it’s especially important to prioritize and not spread yourself too thin. An old expense could come due or you might be tied up with a work project that’s hit a recent pothole. Slow down and don’t get scattered. Better to finish up lingering projects than start anything new now.
Remember, Cancer: It’s okay to say no and not give a reason. You don’t have to be at every family barbecue or accept that bridal party invite for someone who’s not an absolute ride-or-die friend. Who matters most to you? What makes your life feel meaningful? Save the lion’s share of Leo season for these people and projects.
The August 8 Lion’s Gate opens as Mars and Uranus align
Keep your emotions in check, Crab. Things could get a bit tricky at home on August 8, as fiery Mars and reckless Uranus form an energizing and electrifying 120-degree trine. Passions will be dialed up to eleven, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Bond with loved ones by diving deep into intimate conversations. Just watch that all this intense energy doesn’t bubble over into conflict. With everyone’s feelings so close to the surface, you’ll need to be extra sensitive when dealing with your nearest and dearest.
August 8 is also the activation date of the Lion’s Gate portal, the period between July 28 and August 12, when Sirius, the Earth and Orion’s Belt align. As Sirius—known as our “spiritual Sun”—rises in the summer sky, its energy opens opportunities for new beginnings. Collectively, the portal opening is a time when new levels of consciousness are infused into the planet and also into each of us individually.
New spiritual awakenings or lifestyle changes could be on the horizon. If you’re thinking of moving or changing your living situation, today could reveal possibilities you never considered.
The August 9 Aquarius full moon: wealth, intimacy, emotional deep dives
Privacy, secrets, seduction! Life could feel spicier than the thriller series in your streaming queue on August 9, Crab. That day, the year’s only Aquarius full moon spotlights your eighth house of intimacy, mysteries and shared finances. As the zodiac’s moon child, you’re always impacted by the phases of la luna. This one invites you to take a deep dive into your emotions, really processing how you feel about the rapid and powerful changes that 2025 has served up for you.
Warning: Feelings you’ve been holding back could come surging up all at once, flooding you and whoever’s in your line of fire. As the “HALT” saying goes, don’t get too hungry, angry, lonely or tired under this full moon. Because whatever comes out will be 100 times magnified! With Mercury still retrograde for a couple more days—and supersizer Jupiter in your sign all summer—you’ve already been navigating the extremes of leaping forward while simultaneously processing your past.
One special person could figure into events under these merger-minded moonbeams. With your erotic eighth house on fire, a sizzling connection could consummate. Some Crabs might decide to make things official with an engagement, plans to move in together or a joint property purchase.
This full moon also spotlights wealth and joint ventures. You might hear word on a real estate transaction, a legal settlement or an investment. If you’ve been dealing with debt, a tax bill or looming credit card costs, this full moon can help you regain control.
During this Aquarius full moon, several other planets will be busy, too. We’re in the midst of a Grand Trine between three planets in air signs: Uranus in Gemini, Pluto in Aquarius and Mars in Libra. Additionally, Uranus and Gemini will be forming what’s called a Minor Grand Trine to Saturn and Neptune in Aries, with all five planets creating a “kite” formation.
Translation? This will be a moment of powerful spiritual and emotional downloads, creative breakthroughs and intuition—on steroids. Stay anchored to your values to avoid getting totally swept up in the currents, though. A mentor or stabilizing figure in your life can help you make sense of the feelings and visions you could have at this full moon.
Mercury retrograde ends August 11, restores clarity and cash flows
Cooperation and compromise…what’s that? With Mercury retrograde since July 18, agreeing on even the smallest details has been an exercise in frustration. And with the messenger planet in your money house, budgets may have been blown, perhaps thanks to a few unexpected expenses. Tension and miscommunications with clients and coworkers may also have flared during this tricky transit. On August 11, Mercury corrects course, restoring clarity to your cash flow and conversations. Go forth and make that deal! A stalled job application or client negotiation will get in motion again, too.
Virgo season begins August 22—Get out of that shell!
Get out and mingle when the Sun moves into Virgo and your third house of communication, community and curiosity from August 22 to September 22. You’ve been working hard for the past four weeks. Give your sensible side a rest and let your social butterfly wings unfold!
This media-savvy month urges you to connect with kindred spirits. Pump up your digital presence. Dive into new books, hobbies and podcasts. Put together a course to teach your passion to others. Been working hard on a genius project? Bring it to market or start spreading the news. With the Sun heating up your kindred spirit sector, you should attract collaborators and like-minded people with no trouble.
The Virgo new moon on August 23 sparks ideas and convos
Ground control to Major Crab! You’ll get a burst of inspiration on August 23, when the Virgo new moon activates your third house of communication and community. Better still? This is the first of a rare back-to-back duo of Virgo new moons (the next one is on September 21).
These fresh-start moonbeams put you in the path of kindred spirits, some of whom could become important players in your life between now and the March 3, 2026, Virgo full moon, a total lunar eclipse.
As la luna lights up your zone of interactivity, conversations that start now could develop into something much bigger. The third house rules local action, so events close to home could turn up an exciting new connection or project. Writing, teaching and media ventures get a boost.
But first: Is there something you need to let go of or finish? As the Virgo new moon locks into a tense 90-degree square to disruptor Uranus in your twelfth house of closure, an abrupt ending could occur. You could be the one promptly cutting off someone who’s been holding you back, gaslighting you or siphoning your resources for their own gain. Energy vampires will be sent scurrying back to their crypts at this new moon, and it will be interesting to see who’s more surprised by your sudden departure—them or you!
Deluged by your feelings? (More than usual, that is, Cancer.) With Mercury retrograde until August 11 and Venus locking horns with Mars from August 6 to 25, the sea of love could be a little choppy this month. But before you strap on your lifeguard gear and paddle out for the rescue, slow down. This is a moment for getting back in touch with yourself—your body, your boundaries, your emotional truth.
Venus has been drifting through your sign since July 30, a soulful homecoming that can awaken both tenderness and longing. While the love planet graces your first house of identity until August 25, you’re a magnet for attention—but also more sensitive than usual. If every glance or comment feels loaded, ask yourself: are you truly being seen, or just bending to be loved? With Venus here, the vibe you radiate sets the tone in every interaction. The more grounded you are in your own skin, the more aligned your romantic experiences will be.
That said, you may need a reset. Enter Mars, who blazes into Libra and your emotionally driven fourth house (AKA the Cancer house) on August 6. Through September 22, the red planet urges you to clean up your energetic space. That could mean addressing family dynamics, redefining emotional labor in your relationship, or simply creating more room for intimacy on your terms. Mars here doesn’t rush—but it does insist you stop avoiding the hard stuff.
Mark August 12 for something truly heart-expanding. For the first time in over a decade, Venus forms a rare conjunction to generous Jupiter in YOUR sign. A love revelation could open your heart in ways you didn’t see coming. Since this activates your self-sovereign first house remember this: it’s not just about connection—it’s about confidence. Someone may mirror back just how radiant you’ve become, or you might finally feel safe enough to express what you need without fear of losing love in the process.
Just don’t get caught up in proving your worth. Mars in Libra can stir codependent tendencies or make you over-accommodate to avoid conflict. If you’re always the one holding space, who’s going to hold it for you? Rebalancing the emotional scales will make everything—flirtation, commitment, even sex—feel lighter and more fulfilling.
By August 25, Venus settles into Leo and your second house of sensuality, stability and self-worth. This late-summer phase, lasting until September 19, brings a more grounded, luxurious quality to your love life. Think: slow-burn passion, love notes tucked in drawers, shared plans that actually stick. Physical chemistry could deepen, especially with someone who values the full package—heart, mind and presence. That’s a trifecta you could swoon for, Crab.
Money’s on your mind this month, but clarity takes its sweet time arriving. With Mercury retrograde in Leo until August 11—camped out in your second house of income—you may be rethinking your rates, negotiating a job offer or chasing down a delayed payment.
Double-check your math before sending an invoice, and hold off on major purchases until mid-month if you can. A former client or collaborator could resurface with a promising lead, but the terms may need tweaking.
Financial progress picks up speed once Mercury resumes direct motion on August 11. Then on August 23, the Virgo new moon beams into your third house of communication and commerce. It’s the first of two back-to-back new moons in this zone, so conversations you start now could lead to contracts, side hustles or even freelance gigs this fall. Just watch out for a tricky Uranus square to the new moon that could stir up chaos. If someone’s pushing you to sign too fast, ask more questions. Not every “friendly favor” comes with amicable terms.
Love Days: 28, 6
Money Days: 13, 21
Luck Days: 19, 11
Off Days: 17, 4, 9
