August 2008 forecast

Switch off a little, burn the oil only to 6pm (not midnight) and try to relax. The Sun is in your solar twelfth house of secrets until the 23rd, preceded by Venus until the 7th and Mercury until the 11th which means it is your time of the year to gear down a little. While this doesn’t come naturally to you, you really do need this time to think and plan ahead as life is going to really going to gear up next month when both Jupiter and Pluto go direct.  Use this super-Zen time to self-analyse (which is not as belly-button-contemplating as you think) on the New Moon of the 1st, 5th, 9th and 21st but try to avoid making decisions on the 6th, 15th and Full Moon of the 16th.

While you’re not allowed to steal thunder from Leo (they get very upset, you see), from the second half of the month you’ll discover you can’t maintain your wallflower status anymore! You’ve got Mars in your solar first house of personality until the 20th, joined by Venus from the 7th, Mercury from the 11th, the Sun from the 23rd plus Saturn here until October 2009! Such an incredible focus (called a stellium) in your first house means it is your rightful time to check how you’re coming across to others, to take leadership action, and plan your moves for the next 12 months.

This early birthday focus means you can safely and happily update your grooming and appearance – and strangely, with Saturn here, you’ll actually attract criticism and disapproval if you don’t! I know you usually can’t bear attracting unnecessary attention to yourself but it’ll be a mistake to keep in the background. Go on, don’t think of it as vanity, but as your annual beauty and fashion check-up. Book beauty appointments and, if you’ve got the funds and inclination, a stylist to help you update yourself on the 13th, 15th, 17th (in the morning) 18th, 21st and New Moon of the 31st but don’t come on strong (or schedule your haircut etc) on the 6th, 17th (from lunchtime), 23rd, 28th or 29th.

If people owe you money, wait until after the 20th when Mars enters your solar second house of income to give you extra courage and energy going after what’s rightfully yours. Normally Clark Kent in business, you’ll be a regular Rambo if you’re after a refund, bonus, raise or other financial reward then.