Astrology Forecast for August 2024

by Daria Rowe July 27, 2024

August is a challenging month astrologically. Mercury is retrograde pretty much for the entire month, and a difficult Jupiter-Saturn square is active in the skies.

The silver lining is that Pluto and Neptune are supporting each other in a sextile, and by mid-August Uranus joins the party, and starts to form a positive aspect both to Pluto (trine) and Neptune (Sextile). There is a harmonious energy building, showing that there will be some fundamental agreements coming up in the collective, bringing some positivity into the global landscape between mid-August and mid-November.

August 14-24 is the most challenging part of the month. A strong energy of tension is building up. There may be disruptions and upheavals on both a large (global) and small scale. Read the week-by-week forecast below to get all the details.

The best dates of the month are August 5-8 - yes, even with Mercury freshly retrograde. The Sun and Jupiter will be supporting one another, and it brings a measure of luck and opportunities.

Venus is poorly positioned this month. Don't schedule a big cosmetic surgery or an expensive beauty treatment. You may be disappointed with the results.

Two overall themes of the month are (1) Mercury Retrograde, and (2) the first of three Jupiter-Saturn squares we're going to experience over the next 12 months.

1 - Mercury Retrograde: Aug. 4-28

Mercury will turn retrograde at 4° Virgo and will retrace its steps through the Zodiac to 21° Leo, before turning direct again.

Check your natal chart for the House (=area of your life) that these degrees of the Zodiac fall into. Something might come up for a review in that area, and you will have an opportunity to clean up some loose ends. Someone- or something - from your past might pop back into your life.

Mercury is retrograde pretty much for the entire month, between Aug. 4 -28. But, it's the days right before and after it changes direction that can be most challenging, so August is not a good month for starting new important undertakings that you want to succeed. There is just too high a chance that your project, started under Mercury retrograde, will be plagued with communication problems.

While Mercury turns direct on Aug. 28, it stays in its Storm (moving super slowly) until Sept 3. And after, we're out of the dicey zone when Mercury Rx-related mishaps can happen.

We can't put our life on hold when Mercury is retrograde, and I would never suggest it! After all, Mercury Rx happens 3-4 times a year. But, to be on the safe side, practice some caution through the month of August:

Check fluids in the car and air in the tires
Double-check your travel plans; give yourself some extra time to get to your destination
Back up data on your phone and computer
Remember to charge your phone
Review important e-mails, including the distribution list, before you click “Send”! Sending sensitive info to the wrong recipient can easily happen during Mercury Retrograde ☹
If you must sign any important documents, read the fine print
If buying electronic devices or gadgets, save your warranty. Better yet, comparison-shop for big ticket items (electronics or vehicles) during Mercury Retrograde, and purchase after Mercury goes direct
And (borrowed from the art of feng shui), clean all windows and mirrors for clarity of thought and communication.

And, there is always a silver lining! The start of the retrograde is great for all of you writers out there. Mercury Rx is helpful for revising or revisiting your work, and that includes editing!

It's also a great time to declutter your digital files and work on unhelpful thought patterns.

2 - Jupiter-Saturn Square #1

If you're watching the stock market, you've probably noticed the ups and downs over the last few days. And if you attended my webinar "Navigating 2024", then you know why! It's the Jupiter-Saturn square.

While the square doesn't become exact until Aug. 19, we're already feeling it now and will feel it until mid to late September. With Jupiter (expansion) and Saturn (contraction) battling one another, it stunts growth. It's like one step forward, one step back. This energy will stay with us, on and off, until June 2025. It's not just about the stock market. A similar pattern can be playing out in the economy.

For example, the Canadian economy is showing many signs of weakness, with unemployment rising and household spending slowing. You'd think, signs of recession (contraction = Saturn). But, these signs are masked by population growth via immigration (expansion = Jupiter). Royal Bank of Canada recently addressed this apparent paradox in a report titled "Canada's economy might not be in recession but it feels like one". This, to me, is a typical manifestation of a Jupiter-Saturn square.

And, if the upcoming Jupiter-Saturn squares connect with YOUR natal chart, this energy will be affecting you on a personal level.

We experienced the last set of Jupiter-Saturn squares in 2016.

Here are the dates:

August 19 at 17° Pisces (Saturn) and Gemini (Jupiter)
December 24 at 14° Pisces (Saturn) and Gemini (Jupiter)
June 15 2025 at 1° Aries (Saturn) and Cancer (Jupiter)

If your Sun, personal planets or the angles (Ascendant, Descendant, IC or MC) fall within 5 degrees of what I've indicated here, these squares will affect you on a personal level. It could be a good time to book a reading.

Now, let’s look at each week in detail.

Note that all the dates I mention are for Pacific to Eastern time. The energies I mention peak on those dates, but we’ll feel them for 24-72 hours in advance.

I don't provide the times the Moon is void of course in my week-by-week forecast, except when it's a particularly long one. But, I've provided the table below, for the month of August (Pacific Time).

And, if you like this post so far, don't forget to sign up for my free weekly astro-newsletter. You will also receive a free gift!

August 1 - 4:

The star of the celestial show this week is a well-positioned New Moon in Leo. But, Mercury is about to turn retrograde on August 4, so be as diligent as you can proofreading important documents you're about to send out. If you need to sign a legal document, read the fine print. Double-check for errors. Back up important documents. Better safe than sorry!

From experience, many Mercury Rx-related mishaps happen in the few days before and after it changes direction.

✨ Aug. 1 4:13 a.m. to August 4 4:13 a.m.: Balsamic Moon

This is one of those times in the Lunar Cycle when starting something new is not to your advantage. Tie up loose ends instead. Clean and smudge your place. Wash the floors with rosemary water (boil a few twigs of rosemary and add that water to your cleaning bucket). Rosemary takes away unwanted energy as well as sage does.

Get an extra hour of rest if you can. Declutter your Inbox. Cancel the subscriptions you never use, like that gym membership that you've been meaning to use for months. Your soul and your wallet will thank you.

⛔ Aug. 2: Venus square Uranus

NOT a good day for a first date or for a big financial investment. If you're hitched, you or your partner may be craving some personal space today.

✨ Aug. 4: New Moon in Leo, Venus enters Virgo, Mercury turns retrograde.

Mercury will be turning retrograde several hours after the New Moon, so it's still safe to set your intentions. What I would suggest is setting intentions for a "second chance" or a "re-do", such as another chance to improve a relationship with your child, or another chance for romance.

The New Moon will be happening at 4:13 a.m. PDT, at 12° Leo. It's well positioned, making a sextile to Mars and Jupiter.

Read my full post, including recommended intention setting, here.

Now, a few words about Venus in Virgo. It's your cosmic reminder to clean up your love matters and finances (if you need to), and to make sure you don't undervalue yourself!

Venus will stay in Virgo until August 29.

August 5 - 11:

Mercury is now retrograde, ushering in a period of potential confusion and setbacks. But, this week brings a silver lining. If you long to reach out to the one who got away, Monday to Wednesday bring supportive energies.

The planets don't make many major aspects, so this week is all about the past - making amends with estranged friends and family, reconnecting with lost loves, and clearing out old projects and duties before taking on new ones.

✨ Aug. 6-7: Waxing Moon in Virgo

A great couple of days to make health-oriented changes to your diet, or to your daily routine.

✨ Aug. 7: the Sun sextile Jupiter; Mercury Rx conjunct Venus

If you need to reconnect with someone from your past, today is a good day to reach out.

✨ Aug. 8-9: the Moon in Libra forms a Grand Trine with Pluto, Mars and Jupiter

A fantastic day for socializing and networking.

⛔ Aug. 9 2:45 p.m. to Aug. 10 3:34 p.m. Moon Void of Course

NOT a good timeframe to initiate anything that you want to bring results, such as sending out a resume, going on a first date, opening a savings account that you want to grow, or launching a new product.

August 12 - 18:

This is not the easiest week. The best day is Monday, when you can get a lot done. After, there may be tempers that flare up, aggressive behaviours that come out - and some of that anger might be fueled by your own feeling that you're running into obstacles and delays.

Ride it all out, because the astro-weather will change soon, as it always does. The weekend may bring surprising news plus it's NOT a good weekend to go on a first date.

✨ Aug. 14: Mars conjunct Jupiter at 16° Gemini, Mercury enters Leo.

On the plus side, this conjunction boosts stamina, so you can get a lot accomplished early in the week, but it's better to do so on Monday or Tuesday, because by Wednesday we will start feeling the dampening effects of the Mars-Saturn square.

On the downside, it can also bring out the competitive or combative spirit in people. Burn off the extra energy at the gym if you can.

Check which House this very energetic conjunction falls in your natal chart. You may be expending a lot of energy in that area about a week before and after the conjunction.

Later the same day, Mercury Rx retrogrades into Leo. Beware of the communication pitfall when you're too busy thinking what you're going to say next, instead of listening to the other person.

⛔ Aug. 15: Mars square Saturn.

This frustrating and challenging energy can make you feel like you're driving with your brakes on. You just can't get any traction! Obstacles and roadblocks can crop up. Wait for a few days, and astro-weather will improve again.

✨ Aug. 18: Mercury square Uranus; the Sun conjunct Mercury; and Venus square Jupiter

Not the easiest day. There may be unexpected news prompted by the events that transpired between July 19-21. That's when we had a global IT outage across many parts of the world, and Biden announced stepping down.

It's also NOT a good day for a first date. Your romantic interest may turn out too good to be true.

August 19-25:

The week kicks off with a true powerhouse of a Full Moon. There is a T-square in the skies, between Venus, Jupiter and Saturn. They are all butting heads. Issues in relationships can surface early in the week, and if they do, they can come to a head in a dramatic fashion. The Full Moon is also in a T-Square with Uranus, the Sun, and Mercury Rx. You may be tempted to make rash decisions. Just keep that in mind!

✨ Aug. 19: Full Moon in Aquarius; Venus opposite Saturn; the Sun square Uranus; Jupiter square Saturn

My oh my it's a verrry big day in the skies! On the plus side, this Full Moon is a great time to let go of your fears of forming strong attachments (which can be detrimental in love matters). If you're a contrarian and you love to rebel for the sake of being rebellious, this is a good Full Moon to ask for this quality to be lifted from you.

Now, Venus opposite Saturn is another aspect that is not good for your love life, so wait for another day or two before scheduling that first date.

The Sun square Uranus can bring unexpected surprises and a great desire to break free from what you feel is tying you down.

But, the biggest news is the Jupiter-Saturn square, the impacts of which I've described in the intro to this post.

✨ Aug. 19 3:52 p.m. to Aug, 21 4:02 p.m. PDT: Waning Moon in Pisces

Imagination and intuition are high, especially when the Moon aligns with Neptune on August 21. It's a good couple of days for spiritual pursuits and emotional healing.

Book a Tarot reading. Work with crystals. Meditate. Or just relax and get an extra hour of sleep if you can! 💤 Your body and soul may need some more rest when the Moon is in Pisces. Listen to it.

Neptune is now at 29 degrees Pisces, finishing its stay in the sign it rules and where its powers are amplified. We won't experience Neptune in Pisces again in our lifetime.

So take full advantage of the times the Moon is in Pisces and conjunct Neptune. There is only a handful left of these incredible opportunities to connect with the Divine.

✨ Aug. 22: the Sun enters Virgo; Venus square Mars

Happy Birthday to my Virgo readers!

Venus square Mars is not the happiest energy. It can bring disagreements or fights in relationships. If your argument get heated, agree to disagree for now, and revisit the topic after Mercury turns direct.

✨ Aug. 23: Mercury Rx sextile Mars, Moon Void of Course from 5:44 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PDT.

If you need to rework anything, such as editing or restructuring your manuscript, revising that important presentation, or re-communicating a decision, today is a good day.

But, don't initiate anything new, that you want to "bear fruit". The Moon is Void of Course for the most part of the day.

August 26 - 31:

Mercury goes direct this week, on August 28! But, what it means is that this week is a heightened "danger zone" for communication gone awry, missed appointments, delayed travel plans, and decisions that need to be revisited later. Not to say all these things WILL happen to you, but forewarned is forearmed as they say.

Mercury will stay in its Storm, moving slowly, until Sept. 3.

✨ Aug. 26:-27: Moon in Gemini; Venus trine Uranus

Romantic relationships started on these dates can be magnetic and exciting, but not long-lasting. For those in a long-term relationship, it’s a great day to do something new and exciting as a couple, to break out of the routine.

And, the Moon in Gemini is restless, and it can be difficult to get a good night's sleep. Turn off your electronic devices at least a couple of hours before bedtime. Take a bath with lavender bath salts. Do some calming yoga.

✨ Aug. 28: Venus opposite Neptune; Mercury turns direct

NOT a good day for a first date or major financial decisions. Venus opposite Neptune is a very romantic energy, but you might not see things clearly in love or finances.

And, Mercury turns direct! Halleluiah! 🙌🙌🙌 Just remember that it will still be moving very slowly until September 3, and the chance of Mercury Rx-related mishaps is still high in the next few days.

✨ Aug. 29: Venus enters Libra; Venus trine Pluto

Relationships started on this day (think a first date or a significant first contact) can be deeply passionate. If you’re looking for a soulmate relationship, pay attention to new romantic prospects who come into your life around this date.

And, Venus in Libra is our celestial reminder to balance and nurture personal and professional relationships. Venus will stay in Libra until September 22.

✨ Aug. 30 6:56 p.m. to Sept. 2 6:56 p.m. PDT: Balsamic Moon

This is one of those times in the Lunar Cycle when starting anything new is not to your advantage. Try to find some time to rest and recharge. If you're attuned to the Lunar Cycle, you might notice that your energy is low on these days.

And, if sitting still is not for you, declutter! Even if it's one drawer or one shelf. Emotional deculttering counts, too. Chuck out that old picture of your ex that drags you down every time you look at it.

Create some space for new energies and beginnings to come in, on the upcoming New Moon in Virgo, on September 2 at 6:56 p.m. PDT.

✨ Aug. 30: start date for my online course, "MoonManifest"

This course is for you if you’re working on bringing something into your life, and would like to learn new, powerful tools to help you on your journey. This “something” can be your love life, finances, career, or simply more peace and tranquility. If you feel that your progress has stalled, this course is for you!

What sets it apart from other manifestation courses is that we work with the power of astrological timing (and no, you don’t need an in-depth knowledge of astrology). You will be doing practical activities to help you get results, and the lessons are laid out to follow the Lunar Cycle.

You can register at any time and watch the intro, but I recommend you start Lesson 1 on specific dates, if you can. The dates are for Pacific to Eastern time, so if you are in Australia, NZ, or Asia, add a day.

Learn more here.

So there you have it! Have a wonderful August.

If you have any comments or would like to report a typo or an omission, please leave a comment below (your email address won't be published).