Astrology By Lauren

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Horoscopes: August 23rd thru the 30th

“Mercury” by Evelyn de Morgan

For Mercury’s direct station for your sign (or natal house placement, if you know it), do be sure to read your Rising Sign as well:

Aries

(5th House) Your ruling planet, Mars, has been in Gemini since July 20th. When Mars is in Gemini you can just feel the energy rising. Things move quickly, as you find yourself running from one thing to the next. There is no time for rest when Mars is in Gemini, and we are constantly on the go. There could be a tendency to spread ourselves too thin when Mars is here, but it is also when we can get a lot done! And as Mercury, the ruling planet of Gemini, is now stationing direct, it will be activating that Mars like crazy. The Mercury retrograde phase which began on August 4th, probably found you having to put out a few fires, and take care of any lingering loose ends that had fallen through the cracks. And if you have been successful at tying up these loose ends, Mercury will soon be giving you the green light to proceed with your life, now that it is stationing direct again. A few days before its station on August 28th, Mercury also makes a sextile to that Mars in Gemini, opening up all sorts of potential. So be prepared to be super energized and motivated. And not only to be motivated but to also see results. The forward momentum proceeds, and you are positioned to make the most of it. Mercury stations direct in the fire sign of Leo, which has been aiming to restore your drive and passion. Once Mercury is direct again after Wednesday, use that momentum. Know what you are good at, and do it. People will stand up and take notice.

Taurus

(4th House) Your ruling planet Venus will be in the last degrees of Virgo for most of the week, which can be a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, you could find yourself on the edge of your seat, just filled with anticipation for the future. On the other, you also stand in trepidation for the same reasons. But when the goddess of happiness enters Libra next Thursday, it will also help to eradicate any doubts and hesitation that might be lingering, especially in these final days of the retrograde phase of Mercury. It is in these last days of the Mercury retrograde that we gradually find ourselves adjusting back to what we would usually associate with normalcy in our lives. And thankfully so, because as Mercury stations and appears to be going direct again after the 28th, you will feel like you can finally move forward with any plans or projects that had been marinating on the back burner of your life. This does not mean that there won’t be some lingering doubts simmering beneath the surface. This would be particularly true for any plans or projects that have to do with home, family and the emotional foundations of your life. Now that Mercury will be direct you are being given the green light to shore up anything that will bring greater security and stability, and to proceed with those well-marinated plans. You were being shown that the stronger your base and roots are, the more secure your foundations will be, and the better able you will be to navigate any uncertainties and doubts moving forward. 

Gemini

(3rd House) The stations of Mercury are always important and significant for Mercury-ruled Gemini. On Wednesday, August 28th, Mercury will station, returning to what appears to be its direct motion. By the same token, you will find your life will also be gradually returning to what you think of as normal.  Clarity is resuming, and within days after the station you will begin to see a plan gradually unfolding before you. At that point you are being given a green light to proceed with greater confidence, allowing you to move forward with any plans and ideas that had been percolating on the back burner of your life for the past several weeks. These retrograde phases of Mercury, such as the one we have been experiencing since August 4th, are actually pretty essential for our own mental health and well-being. Not unusual to find yourself reflecting on the past, processing and making sense of all of the events of your life during these periods. It is also not unusual to find yourself looking at things from a different perspective, which can help you to assimilate, process and learn, so that you can make clearer and more objective decisions moving forward. This station of Mercury was being energized this past week. But one of the benefits that you might want to take advantage of is the possibility of being able to heal hearts and minds. A window of opportunity exists for you to mend bridges that had become broken, as well as to build new and better bridges with others. And doing so could benefit you for months to come. 

Cancer

(2nd House) Many a Cancer could be finding themselves finally recovering after what had been a rather crazy few weeks. Like riding a roller coaster of unexpected events and casualties, it’s all a Cancer could do to weather the storm, and ride the wave of change that came with the Full Moon tide. There is a curious phenomenon that can also occur, and that is when we come to the other side of the Full Moon, and the Moon begins to wane, a sense of normalcy begins to also resume. At least somewhat. Aiding that return to normalcy, Mercury will station for its direct station on Wednesday, August 28th, giving us all a green light to proceed with any plans that had been put on the back burner of our lives these past 3 weeks. And that would be especially so with any issues surrounding finances, investments, creating greater security, and opening your heart, in all of its profundity, to the idea of receiving. The retrograde phase of Mercury was asking you to do precisely this: change your perspective, just enough, to allow the vast cycle of reciprocity to more easily flow in your direction. One of the ways it could have done this was to connect you to your deepest and most important priorities. Doing so is important right now, for it will be these priorities that will serve as a lodestar for the next several months, and will also help you to weather the tides of life moving forward. Know what your priorities are. 

Leo

(1st House) When Mercury stationed for its retrograde phase on August 4th, it was dipping its toes into the idea of getting down to the business of creating greater security and stability in your life. Plans were brewing. But before you could proceed, you were needing to get back to essentials. And that included connecting with yourself, and what you know to be true in your heart of hearts. For in order to know what you want, you first have to know who you are. And betwixt and between any distractions, chaos and/or other mayhem that had been brewing this past month, what have you learned about yourself over the past 3 weeks that Mercury has been in its retrograde phase? What might have changed in your perspective as a result? It is not unusual to find yourself reflecting and thinking about the past and all of the events that have led you here to this place in time. There was a rhyme and reason for this. These periodic retrograde phases of Mercury allow us to make sense of and process all that had happened up until now, in a way that can help you to make better decisions moving forward. When you connect with your heart center in this way, it reminds you about the things that you are truly most passionate about. And knowing this, allow that to inspire you, and be your guiding light over the months ahead. Then, when Mercury is direct again after August 28th, you can get back to the business of creating a more realistic and sustainable plan for the future. 

Virgo

(12th House) No sooner had Mercury entered your sign at the end of July (Mercury’s home sign as well!), then it slowed for its retrograde station on August 4th. Mercury they made its way back to the sign of Leo. Just as you were thinking that you had all your plans laid out, and you were finally able to get down to business, organize your life and sort things out, Mercury went full retrograde. So much for sorting things out and getting back on track! But there are reasons for these periodic retrograde phases of Mercury. And in this case, you were needing to sort some things out in your natal or solar 12th House, before you can proceed. Usually when we think of the 12th House we think of those things that we need to finish, perhaps once and for all. But it is also where we go to connect with our own spiritual center. And while Mercury has been in this leg of its retrograde journey, you were tasked with revisiting and making peace with the past. This probably required you having to let go, to release, and yes, tie up some important loose ends from the past that had never been resolved. Doing this good work will allow you to then finally get back on track when Mercury enters Virgo in a few weeks. But even now, as we are approaching Mercury’s direct station, you could already be feeling like your life is returning to normal. Mercury does not station direct until August 28th. In the mean time, use this week to heal whatever needs mending, and restore your mental health and well-being by creating a space for sanctuary and recuperation. You will need this rest and respite, in order to conserve your energy for later on, when Mercury will enter Virgo.  

Libra

(11th House) Your ruling planet, Venus, has been in the sign of Virgo since August 4th, and with mixed blessings. Even this week, there is a melange of excitement mixed with a bit of trepidation, about what the future can and will bring. And in order to greet the future, it was understood that certain things needed first to be sorted out, and put to bed, perhaps once and for all.  You can see all the possibilities that the future can hold, but in some ways all those possibilities are riddled with doubt. This is what can happen when we can’t see the outcomes, and the future remains somewhat uncertain. However, once Venus enters your home territory (and hers as well) on August 29th, you are going to feel the shift. Venus entering Libra next week not only strengthens and empowers your ruling planet, but you as well by default. Venus is our happiness quotient, and while in your sign, she aims to please. And now that Mercury will also be stationing on August 28th in the sign of Leo, you may even see at least one of your cherished dreams being realized. At the very least, it could feel as if you are given permission to formulate a plan that will allow you to do so. Mercury direct in the sign of Leo, combined with Venus returning home to Libra, is a glorious combination for all Libra-kind, opening all sorts of doors that you might not have even thought possible, including opportunities to mend bridges with others, and perhaps even create new ones in the process. 

Scorpio

(10th House) As we approach the upcoming Mercury station on August 28th, it will be preceded by moments of clarity about yourself, your role in the world, and your future. It is in the days leading up to the station that we begin to feel as if our lives are returning to what we usually associate with normalcy. But with an added twist. That is because during the retrograde phase of Mercury you were being given an opportunity to reflect and review your life and life’s choices. And in the process you were being given a different perspective. For some this could literally mean taking some time out from your usual responsibilities and duties in order to make sense of all of the events that have brought you to this place in time. Now you are being asked to consider what a grown up might do in your current situation. And once Mercury appears to resume its direct motion again after August 28th, know that you’ve got this. You are ready for the decisions that are being placed in your lap. That can include decisions about your future, and the roles you will be playing. Mercury in its direct phase will be giving you the green light to proceed, armed with the knowledge that you have thought this through from all angles. Therefore look forward to the future, armed with the knowledge about the possibilities that await you. And over the weeks ahead, boldly move in the direction of progress and the fulfillment of your ideals. 

Sagittarius

(9th House) On Wednesday, August 28th, Mercury will make its direct station, ending its retrograde phase. But it is in the days leading up to the station, that we will already see a shift in our perceptions, as we become reoriented towards that which we usually perceive to be normal. And with that could even arise a resurgence of hope for the future and the possibilities that it contains. During the retrograde phase, perhaps you had the opportunity to reconnect with some people from the past. People who may even live far away. Reestablishing these connections were not just about catching up with one another. It also opened the door to the possibility of mending some old bridges, as well as the opportunity to build some new ones with others. These periodic retrograde phases allow us to process and make sense of past events, and sometimes that is make all that much more possible by looking at a situation from a whole new perspective. And now that Mercury will appear to be moving direct once again, you are being give a green light to proceed with any new ideas, new plans, or itineraries that have been brewing these past 3 weeks. And with these also come opportunities to make some important connections and reconcile any differences with others that were standing in the way of progress.   

Capricorn

(8th House) During the retrograde phase of Mercury you may have found yourself wanting to sort through some of the more practical considerations of your life. That can include things like making sure the bills are all paid and accounted for, your insurance is in order, and that you’ve read all of the fine print in any agreements with others, as well as your expectations of each other. There have also been a few wild cards tossed into the process, that could have resulted in some unexpected detours here and there. And the last thing a Capricorn needs are sudden and unexpected surprises coming out of left field. Thankfully, now that the Moon is waning, and Mercury will now appear to resume its direct motion once again, so may we also resume our normal lives. In the days leading up to the direct station on August 28th, you will notice a shift in your perspective, that feels like you are able to adjust to what you usually associate with your regular life. And now you are being give the green light to sort through those expectations, agreements and accountability with others in a way that everyone gets it. Anything that had been lost in translation during the retrograde, can be restated with clarity and facts once Mercury is direct again after the 28th of August. Even if this means having to make a few changes. Just make sure these are changes that you know you can live with. 

Aquarius

(7th House) It can often feel as if we are not being heard when Mercury is in its retrograde phase, as it has been since August 4th. So why waste your breath? Our laments and proclamations are just falling on deaf ears any way, so why bother? However, what you may not have realized is that everyone has been waiting very patiently for you to reemerge from out of your Mercury retrograde shell, so that they can hear what it is that you have to say. They’ve been waiting for your wisdom, your unique point of view and perspective before they can proceed. We’ve all been a little distracted these past few weeks, so do not take it personally. And although some messages may have been waylaid in the process, once Mercury makes its direct station on August 28th, your messages are going to be given new life. Therefore don’t hesitate to reach out, or look for ways to connect. Or to have that heartfelt discussion that you’ve been wanting to have. The station of Mercury also affords opportunities to mend old bridges, and make new ones. Your audience is waiting patiently in the wings. And all you have to do is step back out on to the stage of life. Even if that simply means picking up the phone, and making a phone call once and for all. 

Pisces

(6th House) Since August 4th, Mercury has been in its retrograde phase, upending our lives, and leading us down all sorts of strange avenues. Throw in another crazy Full Moon on the 21st, and it was all any of us could do to stay the course, and keep ourselves from being driven to madness and distraction. However the Moon is now waning, and on Wednesday, August 28th, Mercury will finally make its direct station ending its retrograde phase. And as it does so, you will begin to feel like your life is returning to its regularly scheduled programming. This will allow you to recreate some sort of order in your life, reestablishing routines and reorganizing your schedule. If you feel like you are left with a mountain of rubble after all is said and done, work through the chaos one task at a time. And before you know it, you will find that you will finally be able to untangle the disparate parts of your life. We still have another 5 days to reorient ourselves to what will soon feel like normal again. But once you do, you’ll be able to set up those important appointments, take care of your health and well-being, organize your calendar and get your life back on track once again.