Even fans of astrology are apt to get bamboozled when practitioners of the round art start asking things like “What degree is your Aquarius Moon?’ to which most folks understandably have no response.
In the business of prediction, however, what degree of each sign a planet occupies can be crucial. Like all circles, the zodiac has 360 degrees, meaning they work not on decimals – tens – but on duo-decimals – twelves – which is why your watch has twelve hours.
Carve your circle into twelve, like you would a pizza, and each zodiac sign gets 30 degrees. Be born on December 21 and your Capricorn Sun will be at one degree of the Goat’s skies. Be born on June 20 and your Gemini Sun is at the 29th and final degree of the Twins. Simples.
Currently the solar system is making an extraordinary pattern, in which several planets occupy the early degrees of a sign. Rarely, very rarely, do the distant, slow-moving planets change sign in tandem, but here we are with Pluto, Neptune, Prometheus and Saturn all sitting in the early degrees of signs, with Mars and a new Moon joining in during August.
Extraordinary astrology presages extraordinary events, both in personal lives – the microcosm – and world events – the macrocosm. Time to hold tight to your seat, especially if you have Sun (or any other planet) in the early degree of a sign.
Celestial Timetable
- The Sun moves from Leo to Virgo on August 22
- A new Moon in Virgo follows immediately on August 23 at 06.07 GMT
- Full Moon in Aquarius on August 9 at 07.55 GMT
- Mercury is in Leo all month. It turns forward from retrograde on August 11th
- Venus is in Cancer until August 25, when it moves into Leo.
- Mars is in Virgo until August 6 when the red planet moves into Libra.
- Jupiter moves forwards in Cancer all month.
- Saturn is retrograde in Aries and moves back into Pisces on September 1st
- Prometheus is moving forwards in Gemini.
- Neptune is retrograde in Aries.
- Pluto is retrograde in Aquarius.
Leo and Leo rising
Mindfulness and braininess are your first superpower in August, thanks to Mercury in your skies and finally turning from retrograde to normal service on the 11th, after which you should be clearer about your prospects both at work and with relationships. It will help if you dig through all the information available – feel free to do a bit of snooping if necessary – and after the 11th to talk up your situation and perhaps put a flea in one or two ears (politely of course), but don’t pick a fight with anyone wielding power.
Talking of which, events around the weekend of the 9th my get a tad out of hand, thanks to a full Moon opposite you, one that brings a climax in your affairs going back to February.
Much depends on the date you were born. Those of you with birthdays July 23-26 are in the grip of an unusual and powerful planetary configuration (see introduction above) that hurtles you along regardless of your efforts. Which brings us to your second superpower- the resilience that comes with being Leo! There appear to be plenty of friends and colleagues at hand to help you through any crisis, plus once Venus arrives in the Lion’s skies on the 26th charm becomes a third power – turn up the charm to number eleven. By then you will have had a new moon in your adjacent sign of Virgo, which rules your cash zone, a cue to jump to financial action. Happy birthday.
Virgo and Virgo rising
August comes in two distinct phases. The first three weeks have the Sun and ruler Mercury in the twelfth house , the place where mysteries abound, things go bump in the night and where you may also find rest and resuscitation. No need to be a solitary figure; however, with Jupiter and Venus on hand you should not neglect the gang, even if it’s only social action rather than business that’s on offer. There is luck in numbers.
On the 23rd the Sun arrives in Virgo’s skies and immediately with it comes a new Moon, all the more powerful for being in precise aspect to Prometheus – with this combination in play expect the unexpected, the proverbial bolt from the blue, sudden arrivals and departures, unusual people. Prometheus is at the peak of your solar chart, suggesting a change at the top of your profession. This is the beginning of what may turn into an eventful birthday month, with a pair of eclipses heading your way in September. Make sure to get off to a flying start – ruler Mercury arrives early next month. Organisation, brisk manner, elbows off the table please – exhibit your Virgo virtues, which include, lest you forget, a strong streak of glamour. It doesn’t hugely matter when your birthday is, but August birthdays get first dibs.
Libra and Libra rising
Where to start? With Venus, your undisputed ruler, which moves to the peak of your ‘scope on the first of the month and travels across the roof of your ‘scope until the 25th alongside Jupiter. With these two ‘benefics’ in your zone of public recognition, this looks an opportunity to prove to your public, and to the great and good of your profession, that you are as good as your hype. If you deliver professionally, you receive due accolades.
Helping you do so is Mars in your own skies for six weeks, from August 7 onwards. Mars is, of course, partly about derring-do and bravery, but the red planet is also highlighting your partnership house (Aries) where it will clash with Saturn and Neptune around the time of the full Moon on the 9th. This looks a particularly eventful moment for you, especially for September birthdays but by no means only them, given that the full Moon highlights the romantic associations of October Librans. Throwing a curve ball into proceedings is Prometheus, now in Gemini, meaning you can expect sudden changes of temperature. One minute you’re hot stuff, the next you’re alone in the rain – and vice versa. International contacts and places are also highlighted.
A new Moon in Virgo on the 23rd may calm things down a little, but only a little though. The season of Virgo calls for downtime to think and plot – Librans are good at that.
Scorpio and Scorpio rising
The Sun tops your solar ‘scope, both enhancing but questioning your professional progress. Mercury in retrograde here has likely slowed your progress but resumes normal service on the 11th, following what may be a mighty full Moon weekend, even if it only involves little ol’ you watching drama from the sidelines. Work is the thing just now especially if you have international contacts to pursue. Jupiter plus Venus make vacations special.
It will be good to reach the new Moon of the 23rd, which energises your social life and your commitment to communal, collective causes, with the waxing Moon visiting Scorpio’s skies on the 28th and 29th to put you in the limelight. You might also make space for serious downtime – journey within material rather than recreation, with your totem planet Mars, sunk behind the scenes.
Sagittarius and Sagittarius rising
August and September are where the omens become hard to call. Looking on the sunny side, you currently have the Sun in fellow fire sign Leo to favour big ideas and travel, along with a Mercury that finally moves out of retrograde on August 11 to speed your progress. The waxing Moon reaches your skies on August 3 and 4 to ensure your cheerful personality (it says here) holds sway. Plus, Mars in Libra is all about running with your personal pack, both at work and play.
But – you sensed that coming, eh? – you have major transits that may take your mood somewhere else entirely, especially if you have a birthday circa November 22-24. Saturn-Neptune is no guarantee of an irresistible love affair – though it might seem that way – while Prometheus in opposition is a guaranteed game-changer but as likely to see you waving off a partner as greeting someone new and exciting. Why so hard to call? Because the outer planets are indifferent to our fate – unlike, say, your totem planet Jupiter. The giant planet is mixed up with Venus this month, promising super levels of intimacy for some of you. And more money!
The new Moon of August 23 is a corker and calls for new levels of determination regarding your career over the following month. The weekend of August 30/31, with Luna in your skies, is all yours, and whether you are doing overtime at the office or living it up, be sure to make a mark.
Capricorn and Capricorn rising
First, you must endure Mercury’s go-slow until the 11th. The cosmos is dragging its feet. This may seem unendurable given the excitement elsewhere in your horoscope, where planets are popping , nodding, winking and nay-saying all at the same time. It looks hubba-bubba out there.
The unreservedly positive news if that with the two feel good/do good planets Jupiter and Venus in your complementary sign of Cancer, partnerships are strengthened, true love triumphs and even people you thought you could never forgive come back into your warm embrace. There is, natch, a big ‘however’. With your Saturn ruler hitting the root of your ‘scope along with Neptune, and with Mars opposing the duo, you may be obliged to address the weaknesses of your domestic set-up and/or deal with a career crisis. Christmas time birthdays pay attention!
A full Moon in your cash zone opposite Pluto – August 9 – and a retrograde Mercury would for some signs spell a financial crisis, but as everyone knows, the mountain Goat can simply pop down to the basement and bring up a spare gold ingot. As much may not be necessary; your career looks challenging but rewarding, energised by Mars, and with your ruler, Saturn, sinking to the very root of your solar chart, you may be able to make the necessary adjustments to your domestic set-up without being made penniless. The new Moon of the 23rd, in earthy Virgo, is a cue to get busy and, if you haven’t done enough travelling over summer, to make a booking or two.
Aquarius and Aquarius rising
Whatever you think about the concept of fate and destiny, something like it seems in operation at the annual full Moon in Aquarius on August 9 when the cosmos promises to reveal new plans for coming months. Pluto in your own skies forms a dynamic triangle with Mars and Prometheus in the zodiac’s other two air signs, emphasising the areas of romance and travel, urging you to explore unorthodox areas of learning and unexpected (even clandestine) relationships.
Mental breakthrough may come quicker than practical action as Mercury remains retrograde opposite you until the 11th. Its’ a sensible idea to postpone major decisions until then, not least because of the potentially revelatory full Moon, which has echoes of February 25th.
There is plenty to process here, very much so if you are a January birthday, and the arrival of Venus on the 26th may bring further people and temptations to juggle. Venus will certainly emphasise that, for once, you are absolutely a centre of attention. Really…get out of the damn house!
Pisces and Pisces rising
Stay on the good foot, as a wise soul singer once advised. Your ruling planet, Jupiter, remains in prime – in astro -speak ‘exalted’ – position to do you favours throughout the next several months but especially right now, to introduce you to the right people and/or romantic partners, especially in August when it is joined by Venus in fellow water sign Cancer. There is a bit of foot dragging by others just now – in work matters – but let nothing get in the way of good times and creativity. There are two Fishes in your sign, give both due respect.
The cosmos is shining on all Pisceans just now but one does wonder about birthdays 19-21 February , who are juggling with the newly arrived and always radical planet Prometheus, a visitation that may carry echoes of early 2001, when many Piscean lives took an unexpected (and positive) turn. The new Moon of August 23 returns you to those times (if you have the years!) and calls on all of you to stay on tip-toe where relationships, career and domestic set-up are concerned; big calls on one or all three are coming in during an eclipse-laden September.
Aries and Aries rising
The month is studded with significant and less significant others, one challenge being to decide who is important to you and who is a minor player. You will need to have your wits about you since with your ruling planet, Mars, in opposition for the next six weeks, you will be subject to a mix of provocation and attraction, so good to respond to romantic overtures with gusto, but inadvisable to let the red mist descends when someone rubs you up the wrong way.
As much applies to all Rams, but those born around the spring solstice may be the most under pressure. Full information is required with both Neptune and a retrograde Mercury involved.
That said, the season of fellow fire sign Leo is customarily a fine thing for Aries, and the full Moon of August 9 promises a swell weekend if you can keep your temper under control. You also have the brilliant duo of Venus and Jupiter at work in your home zone, great for home entertainment, a party or a tasteful overhaul of Aries Mansions.
The new moon of the 23rd may come like a cold shower- abrupt and demanding you get your pen and pencils ready for a new term,
Taurus and Taurus rising
In some ways you are better off being out of the firing line of the major planetary configurations in play; all the better to enjoy the simpler, less challenging things in life. Those include your home and family life, where the Sun shines (metaphorically at least ) and here you should breathe a sigh of relief once Mercury quits retrograding on August 11. The kitchen refit finally happens!
The full Moon of the 9th combines your domestic world with your professional realm, facilitating public appearances and enhancing your reputation, and with Mercury finally doing you a favour, keeping a powerful figure on side, although, as always with full Moons, matters can turn ‘loony’.
The new Moon of the 23rd heralds an upbeat month for the Bull, since it ushers in the season of Virgo, a fellow earth sign (and your lucky fifth house). Set to work on your social life with due alacrity. With Mars as your motor you should already be in harness for real work, the stuff you undertake to keep body and soul in shape, and with both the new Moon and Mars making strong aspects with Prometheus in your cash zone, there appears to be money in it.
Gemini and Gemini rising
Your horoscope looks a truly dynamic thing at present, the arrival of planet Prometheus in your skies supercharging planets elsewhere. An air sign triangle with Mars in Libra and Pluto in Aquarius for example, not to mention sextiles to Saturn/Neptune and ruler Mercury. What does this pile-on mean in practical terms? Firstly, that social relations can be reset, cobwebs blown away, stale and sour associations discarded in favour of surprising new developments, whether with people you already know or complete newcomers. Seize the initiative.
If romance is a priority, the full Moon weekend of August 9 looks promising, while once your Mercury ruler turns to forwards motion on the 11th, you are in the realm of second chances.
The Virgo new Moon of August 23 also aligns precisely with Prometheus to promise bold new developments on the home front. Given that there is a second new Moon in Virgo in September – and an eclipse at that – plans of where you live and with whom are subject to revision!
Cancer and Cancer rising
Venus cruising through your sign until August 28 is an annual occurrence but it being alongside Jupiter is not. These are the two ‘benefics’, lucky, optimistic and romantic and loaded with cash. Grab those attributes and you will be doing well. You can, of course, simply see what the post and providence bring, but better to put some energy into realising what you most want.
The full Moon of August 9 looks especially eventful, in part because with Saturn, Neptune and Mars all in play, it’s a moment when reality triumphs over fancy. Don’t linger with any disillusion, as the blessings of your transits roll on.
As your astrologer said last month, the lunar cycle is extra important to Cancerians. The new moon of the 23rd in Virgo, directs your attention to practical, and pragmatic matters. A new computer for the new term for example, especially with Mercury Retrograde out the way after the 11th. There are two new moons in Virgo this year, another in September and if there is anything rocking your horoscope between August 23 and September 21 it’s people, not necessarily your nearest and dearest but lots of people and lots of talk. If you say you will call someone, do so!
Astrology Consultations from Pam Carruthers
Readers often ask if I give personal readings. I don’t. My primary jobs remain journalist and writer. By contrast, Pam Carruthers, webmaster, fellow astrologer and long time friend, is a professional astrologer who uses both western and vedic systems for individual clients.
Pam, who is now based in Eastbourne in the UK, has an international clientele. She is a gifted astrologer and teacher and offers Astrology Life Coaching based on your birth chart. One service she offers is ‘Launch with the Stars’ Business Astrology helping clients choose the most auspicious dates to start a new project, get married or relaunch a website.
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Her website is www.healingstars.com
Want to know the Key Astrology Dates 2025 to help you plan ahead?
Pam Carruthers has compiled 2 FREE REPORTS. The New and Full Moons in 2025, followed by the Mercury Retrograde and Eclipses Report.
The most important days in the entire year to avoid launching any new projects are the days of the Solar and Lunar eclipses and the days when Mercury goes Retrograde.