It’s August, and wouldn’t you know it, we’re entering the dreaded retrograde season.
Even if you’re a normie who pays little attention to astrology, you’ve surely heard of the dreaded Mercury retrograde. Well, that’s nothing compared to Venus, Neptune, Saturn, and Pluto all retrograding at the same time. And in a few short weeks, Mercury joins them. Then Jupiter, several weeks after that.
Venus, the planet of art, beauty, love, and relationships, also has an ugly side. Or at least a side that is not quite as perfect as she’d like you to believe. Things you’ve been ignoring may come to the surface. If you suspect your partner or friends are unhappy with your behavior, brace yourself: they will make their feelings known.
The Saturn and Venus retrograde will, meantime, have us questioning the stability of our relationships and testing the strength of their bonds.
Retrogrades get a bad rap for throwing wrenches in our astrological gears. But I think of them more as barometers, revealing the pressure caused by underlying issues. If you think your relationships are steady, this period will put that theory to the test. If they’re not, they may come crashing down — but it’s better to know the truth than to live in an illusion, right?
Keep an eye on your Pisces, Leo, and Taurus friends, in that order. These alignments are most difficult for them, though Aquarius and Capricorn will be feeling it, too.
ARIES
March 21 – April 19
It may feel like things are slowing down for you, but it’s just because you need to be a little more methodical about the actions you’re taking.
TAURUS
April 20 – May 20
The work you’ve done up until now should be able to carry you for a while. Let it speak for itself. You can’t always be in a production mindset.
GEMINI
May 21 – June 20
Healthy communication is the foundation of any good relationship. Are you communicating with your loved ones? Maybe it’s time for a check-in.
CANCER
June 21 – July 22
Your emotions may be in overdrive this week, so take care not to overdo it. Hold back and give yourself some space to process things.
LEO
July 23 – Aug. 22
This being your season, it’s a good time to make sure you’re showing up as your authentic self. Do you know when to put on and take off your public persona?
VIRGO
Aug. 23 – Sept. 22
You feel a sense of excitement and movement. Keep a growth mindset and don’t let obstacles get you down.
LIBRA
Sept. 23 – Oct. 22
Are you being honest with yourself? If not, now’s a great time to question why you think you can’t be.
SCORPIO
Oct. 23 – Nov. 21
It’s truly terrifying to see a Scorpio whose mind and body are working in tandem. You’re on a path towards success; keep at it.
SAGITTARIUS
Nov. 22 – Dec. 21
Hard work and diligence have been paying off. Just make sure it’s not to the detriment of other parts of your life, like your relationships.
CAPRICORN
Dec. 22 – Jan. 19
If you’re going through a rough spot, remember you’ve been through worse. You’re capable of taking on a lot of stress.
AQUARIUS
Jan. 20 – Feb. 18
You’re dealing with your own personal revolution right now, challenging your old self-limiting beliefs. Break that glass ceiling, baby!
PISCES
Feb. 19 – March 20
Pisces, you’re not one for direct confrontation. It may feel like a difficult task to speak up when you need to, but remember, you’re made stronger by it.
