August 1, 2023 — As we begin August, an Aquarius Full Moon forms while Venus continues to retrograde through Leo. Venus retrograde crosses the Sun and squares Uranus mid-month, sparking epic epiphanies around what we need to adjust. We’re learning to embody more authenticity while reorienting our self-worth, values, creativity, and relational patterns. 

We might experience karmic run-ins with people who are important to our evolution, revealing where we have unfinished business. Profound breakthroughs are possible that can help us liberate from long-standing ruts and destructive cycles that have plagued us for too long.

By the end of the month, clarity may feel harder to grasp. Mercury begins to retrograde in Virgo on August 23, challenging our logic, but also unhealthy cycles around communication, overthinking, and the tendency to torture ourselves mentally. Meanwhile, assertive Mars moves into passive Libra on August 27, right after opposing murky Neptune. The silver lining is that we’re learning to surrender, trusting the uncertainty, chaos, and excitement of change.

The more we embrace inner work this month, staying focused on the beauty of the present moment, the more power we’ll feel next month. As we bound into new patterns with greater momentum, we are learning to express our genuine hearts more freely. We’re establishing greater flow relationally while relishing in true pleasure and confidence that delve well beyond the surface. Sinking into ourselves, we can remember why we love the world. We’re finding joy and fulfillment in resetting our courses and connecting with the freedom that comes when we shed cocoons of self-denigration, co-dependence, and the fear of vulnerability.

AUGUST 2023 TRANSITS

AQUARIUS FULL MOON

An Aquarius Full Moon arrives on August 1, squaring expansive Jupiter. This is the first Aquarius lunation without Saturn in same sign since 2020. We can feel the unshackling of our inner freedom as the Leo Sun warms and brightens our hearts and melts away the residue of Saturn’s brittleness. In the background, Venus, planet of love and values, is retrograding. Old themes, dynamics, relational patterns, and doubts may be showing up for the sake of recalibration. We are in the process of softening into deeper intimacy, allowing ourselves to be seen for who we really are. The message of this Full Moon is that we are okay as we are–safe to express our genuine hearts. We no longer need to base our self-worth to another person’s behaviors, responses, or projections.

URANUS SQUARE VENUS RETROGRADE

Uranus squares Venus retrograde on August 9, offering a shocking lightning bolt of change and realization. Where have we been going astray with our relationships and self-worth? Where do we need to find fresh approaches to our old ruts? It’s time to experiment with new ways of being and relating—artistically, financially, interpersonally, and even sexually. We can redefine beauty and desirability, finding deeper orientations to intimacy and more powerful expressions of our dignity and truth.

VENUS CAZIMI

A Venus cazimi forms on August 13, furthering the clarity of the Uranus-square-Venus transit. As Venus enters the heart of the Sun, we’re ready for insights to pour into us around what this retrograde is all about. What has been blocking us from true confidence and pleasure? What has been obstructing our paths to abundance, boldness, and more meaningful, functional relationships? We can pay attention to whatever messages stream in today.

LEO NEW MOON

A Leo New Moon forms on August 16, conjunct Venus retrograde. Insights continue to abound, and Venus is now emerging from the underworld into the daytime sky. If we’ve been feeling sticky energy around love, we are now ready to break free. Uranus forms an exact square to the Sun and Moon, continuing themes from the week before when he squared Venus retrograde. Staying stuck feels impossible this month. We are healing and finding new trajectories that can lead us out of the quicksand into new versions of how we relate to ourselves, our creativity, values, relationships, and resources. New orientations to the arts are also possible personally and collectively. This is a good time for artistic pursuits, either as creators or audience members. We can dance, paint, watch movies, make or listen to music—all of which can offer us powerful shifts in perspective. 

MARS OPPOSITE NEPTUNE

After so many wild epiphanies, Mars opposite Neptune on August 22 may deflate our sails. The feeling is, not so fast. We may notice a little insecurity or paranoia as the horizon becomes foggy and imperceptible. The best approach for this transit is to relax and trust ourselves and our unfoldment. Meditate, pray, connect to the divine, take a bath, float in the ocean, dance or play music without a plan. We can just be while remaining humble. The universe is reminding us that she has a much better direction for us than anything we could bulldoze or figure out for ourselves. We only need to still our minds, clear our perception, and surrender to all that is, even grief and sadness.

MERCURY RETROGRADE IN VIRGO

Mercury retrograde begins in Virgo on August 23, ending in the same sign on September 15. Conjunct Mars, and forming a grand trine with Pluto and Uranus, this Mercury retrograde begins with fireworks, offering the potential for awakening and transformation. What do we need to adjust in our minds and communication so that we can become more wildly authentic? We are learning to become more diligent and humble while still celebrating our gifts. With the Scorpio Moon opposite Uranus, we are also dislodging from trauma and unconscious shadows that have ensnared us in obsession, fixation, or stubbornness. We can be vigilant with mental patterns—journaling, entering therapy, having thorough but possibly tedious conversations that can lead to greater wisdom and awareness. We are maturing as a collective, and it begins with healing our minds and relationships.

PISCES FULL MOON

On August 30, a Pisces Full Moon forms conjunct heavy Saturn. The Virgo Sun is calling us to mind the details and remain diligent in our self-improvement and self-care. Meanwhile Saturn on the Pisces Moon is helping us undergo the hard work necessary to end addictive and escapist tendencies. We are laying a sturdy foundation for next month, when Venus and Mercury station direct. Until then, the planets are ensuring that our integrity is in tact and our visions are grounded and realistic.

August 2023 Aspiration

In the heat of summer, may we dive into cool lakes of clarity and wisdom, allowing the shock to shift our minds and directions. May we take pleasure in the day-to-day, as we untether from old versions of our selves, relationships, and patterns, finding fresh wings of freedom and fearless authenticity.

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