​Capricorn, August 2015

Your ruling planet, Saturn, turns direct on August 2. Capricorn, you have a reputation for loving old things, history, and tradition, but that doesn't mean you like working and thinking about the same old shit day in and day out. Saturn went retrograde on March 14 of this year, giving you a chance to restructure your life and rethink themes that deal with Saturn--such as your fears, boundaries, and challenges. Now that it's direct again, you're done with the old and ready for the new.

So, what's coming up next? Saturn has been in Scorpio since October 5, 2012, so you've been figuring out who belongs to your posse. You've also been thinking a lot about how to make the big dreams you've had for your future real. Saturn is the taskmaster of the zodiac, so working with his energy can be hard--especially when Saturn is in Scorpio, one of the more mystical, intense signs--but this chapter of your life is coming to a close (at least, for an other 29 years or so, until Saturn reenters Scorpio next!).

Saturn will enter Sagittarius on September 17, encouraging you (or forcing you, as it often is with tough guy Saturn) to confront your anxieties and to deeply examine why you behave the way you do. Now is a good time to sign up for therapy; why go through this process alone? Sagittarius is the sign that falls behind you on the zodiac wheel, which means that it brings up unconscious, confusing, or unclear issues for you. We can't always see how we're fucking up our own lives--sometimes someone else can spot our mistakes immediately, while it might take us years to figure the same problem on our own. You've spent the last two or so years figuring out where you fit in: Now, with Saturn reentering Sag, you might feel the need to experience some time alone for introspection. It's likely that all the unconscious ways you screw up will become unavoidable.

August 3 should be an interesting day, Capricorn. Jupiter will square your ruling planet, Saturn; when these two clash, it's intense. Jupiter has a generous, optimistic vibe. When it's in Leo--a sign probably best known for its ego--Jupiter is regal, royal, and no one tells it what to do. Saturn, however, has a different idea: The planet of responsibility, Saturn hates to see someone think they're owed respect just because there's a crown on their head. The thing is, both of these planets see themselves as authorities--Saturn because he worked for it, and Jupiter in Leo because, well, the queen of the jungle was just born this way; it's her divine right. In your life, is there any area in which you're falsely claiming authority? The shit will hit the fan today, Capricorn. Remain respectful, honest, and responsible, and I'm sure all will be well. You may watch people around you bickering about who's in charge, or you may find yourself in a power struggle. Pay attention to who is playing the Saturn I worked for it! role and who's playing the Jupiter I'm glorious! role. I don't know who will win--I'm an astrologer and not a psychic--but the lesson learned should be valuable, my dear goat.

Venus is having an interesting time this summer, having gone retrograde in Virgo on July 25 and then reentering Leo on July 31. Venus has a seductive, flirty vibe, but when retrograde, she wants to get real and figure out what's truly valuable and important. Venus retrograde in Virgo was ultra picky (and ultra bitchy), asking us to get logical about whom and what we're trying to attract. Venus retrograde in Leo asks those very important Leo questions: Am I special? Do they love me? What am I meant to do? Venus turns direct on September 6, so you have some time to contemplate these issues. On August 5, Venus will square your ruling planet Saturn. Saturn represents obstacles and challenges, and so a tense aspect with Venus usually isn't very comfortable or easy. This is an important day for setting boundaries, especially around Venusian themes (love, money, harmony, you get the picture). Be prepared to say--and hear-- lots of no's and not now's, or even a few never's.

August 6 should be a super interesting day, with some stop/go energy. Warrior god Mars, in your opposing sign Cancer, trines your ruling planet Saturn. A trine is an easy, favorable aspect, so this should be a great day for working with others--they'll have plenty of stamina. The same day, Mercury in Leo squares Saturn, and, again, Saturn can cause some blocks. Mercury wants to collect info, chat, and learn, but when blocked by Saturn, communication can be a little iffy. My advice for August 6: Appreciate and work with those around you, but save deep conversations, constructive criticism, or important emails for another day.

Speaking of thinking and communication, Mercury enters Virgo on August 7. Virgo is a fellow Earth sign--you're both so practical and grounded. Mercury loves to be in logical Virgo; being the ruler of communication, precision is something that Mercury truly loves and something that Virgo can provide. I suspect your smarts will boost as well, and I wouldn't be surprised if you decided to attend some lectures or expand your mind in some other interesting and fun ways.

Mars enters fiery Leo on August 8. This is a super confident combination that highlights the portion of the sky that for you, Capricorn, rules other people's resources, all the stuff you share, and also intimacy. We have a New Moon in Leo shortly after on August 14--perhaps this will bring a fresh start around some debts? If you've been walking around feeling like someone owes you, now could also be a good time to let it go. In fact, letting go of anything and everything under this warm, generous New Moon in Leo is a fantastic way to work with this transformative energy. Again, intimacy is also in the air, so if you're looking to plant some new seeds in this area of your life, go for it!

Jupiter enters Virgo on August 11, as does the Sun on August 23. In fact, the Sun and Jupiter even meet each other in Virgo on August 26. Virgo is located in a part of the heavens that encourages you to expand your horizons, take adventures, and think deeply. Jupiter is a generous and expansive energy, and it will be in Virgo for about a year. I expect you'll be doing a lot of exploring and getting out of your element starting this summer. The last time Jupiter was in Virgo was 2003 through 2004--what new journeys did you take back then? Now you get to partake in an older, wiser version. When the Sun and Jupiter get together, we feel bright and optimistic, so I think you'll enjoy the 26. It's a great day for you to get out of town or, at least, try that weird restaurant in your hood that you've previously been too unadventurous to try.

Before entering charming Libra on August 27, Mercury in Virgo will sextile Saturn in Scorpio on August 26. We love sextiles: They're friendly, helpful, and creative aspects. Those blocks around communication you experienced early in the month (remember the Mercury Saturn square on August 6) will clear up, and you may have a few friends around helping you. If you're hoping to work on something collaborative, talk to a lover, or do some negotiating, today will be a constructive day to do all that stuff.

The month wraps up with a Full Moon in dreamy Pisces on August 29. Earlier in the month, you experienced a shift around whom you call your friends and what your vision for the future is. This Full Moon will again bring some kind of feeling of completion or closure around whom you talk to, how you talk to them, what you think, and how you express yourself. People tend to misunderstand Capricorns, thinking you're all cold workaholics who don't care much for fun, but we know that's not true. Your sign has strong associations with Pan, who loved nymphs and music and debauchery. Through August, I hope you get plenty of opportunities to enjoy the Summer sun and to do what I think your heart has been calling for: make some new friends, learn some new things, and find effective ways to ask for what you want.