Find out what the stars have in store for you this month
Earlier this year, we had two full moons in the same sign. This was most unusual, but August's cosmic calendar is even more auspicious. It brings us a new moon on the first day of the month and another at the very end. This is what some people call a blue moon. So if you are looking for the kind of luck that turns up only once in a month of Sundays, you may just find it! Don't expect it to come via a racetrack or lottery card. But act as if you expect the impossible to prove possible, because if you think positively enough, you could make it happen.
Leo
(July 24-Aug. 23)
Set it straight. Sort it out. Put it right. Give it the attention it needs. What will this take? A phone call? A tricky conversation? A little bit of time and effort? Look at what you could gain. Think about how much better you will feel once you have done the dreaded deed. Naturally, you are reluctant to focus attention on this topic. You rather hope it will go away. It won't, though. It will go only if you come to grips with it and take some control over the matter. Venus and Mercury leave your sign this month. Midway through the month, you will find it even easier to charm your way into (and out of) delicate situations.
See what's in the stars for the other signs:
Virgo
(Aug. 24-Sept. 23)
You need to try to get the balance right. Mars, as it overtakes Saturn in your sign this month, is followed by Venus and Mercury, also in Virgo. This suggests that you have the ingredients you require for success, but you need to put them together in the right order and proportion. There is, unfortunately, no definitive cookbook. You will have to rely on your experience, intelligence and instincts. You can't do any of this successfully if you're nervous about making a mistake. Simply resolve to do your best. If it works, you'll be laughing. And if it doesn't? You will have an opportunity to try again and succeed the next time.
Libra
(Sept. 24-Oct. 23)
Dealing with a certain someone has been hard going lately. You have not found it easy to talk to, work with or understand this individual. He or she seems to have been feeling similarly frustrated with you. Somehow, though, you are both bound together by an inescapable commitment. I would love to be able to predict a major change for you, a chance to move on in a new direction and spend more time with those you can more easily interact with. But for now I can at least tell you that this burden will soon become much easier to share. Somehow you two will be able to unite against a common enemy.
Scorpio
(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
During August, Mars will form a powerful opposition to Uranus. Then, a couple of weeks later, Venus will form a sharp alignment with Pluto. Something will be making you feel both excited and nervous. You will find it hard to think about anything other than this burning issue. This is not too surprising considering that it has been smoldering for weeks. I can't realistically advise you not to give it any more attention, but I must urge you not to act with too much haste. No matter what suddenly changes, or how much pressure you encounter, remember that time is on your side.
Sagittarius
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Jupiter now reaches an awkward point in its journey through the zodiac. During August, various astrological challenges may cause you to question your involvement with a certain person or group of people. You don't need to make a clean break, but you must make a clear distinction between what you need and what is somehow expected of you in a particular situation. It's important for you to assert your identity and remind yourself you belong to a wider community. If you can do this with sufficient strength, you will find that you earn respect and cooperation, not disapproval.
Capricorn
(Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
You've had about as much as you can take. You're on the edge, at the limit, near the point of collapse. You could also say, though, that you are standing on some glorious balcony, overlooking a steep ravine. It looks very much as if you might fall over the side. You are certainly very close to that great abyss, but there is a safety rail. You are not going to jump, nor are you going to be pushed. Learn what you need to learn from this vantage point. But don't feel afraid of what you are being shown. Soon, you will see something else: a clear route to a safe destination.
Aquarius
(Jan. 21-Feb. 19)
Have you heard of the legendary Problem Volcano? It hides in some secret land, spewing forth endless new reasons to worry. Nor is it the only hidden geological mystery. We must not forget the infamous Fountains of Fear or the mythical Marshes of Myopia. Are any of these places really located on Earth? Most definitely, for they are located within us, and we are most certainly on this planet! To be sure of staying in safe territory now, exploit other aspects of the inner landscape that you do know. Head straight for the Rock of Realism and steer clear of the Valley of Vulnerability.
Pisces
(Feb. 20-March 20)
Stop it at once! It's a horrible habit. Better to bite your nails--even your toenails--or fiddle with the fluff in your belly button or dry your hands on your shirt. At least those activities are only a little antisocial. Really, though. I mean, honestly, imagine feeling sorry for yourself! You should be thoroughly ashamed of allowing even the remotest tinge of such a mood into your mind. August holds out exceptional opportunities for you at every level. Emotionally and materially, it's a time when wonderful progress can be made. You simply need to overcome your tendency toward pessimism.
Aries
(March 21-April 20)
Some things matter more than money, status or even pleasure. During most of August, Mars moves through the part of your chart that governs duty, commitment, compassion and a sense of belonging. You will think deep thoughts, pursue noble aims and explore wise ideas. You will want to make sure justice is done. If an unsatisfactory matter isn't put right, it will be on your conscience a long time. The fact that the tough situation is not your fault is neither here nor there. You know you are in a position to make a positive contribution. And the more you help, the more you will help yourself!
Taurus
(April 21-May 21)
Once, we expected the holders of high office to be living examples of honor and honesty. It never occurred to us that they might lie through their teeth whenever it suited their purposes to mislead us. We never suspected that their charm might be a superficial sign of some deep self-centeredness. These days, politicians may be discredited, but there are still some truly good folks left in the world, as you are about to discover. This month someone reaches out to help you for no reason other than kindness. That should undo a lot of recent harm that's been done.
Gemini
(May 22-June 22)
There are some things we do not need to supply or create. They occur naturally in abundance. Pressure, for example, is self-generating and self-replenishing. No matter how much pressure is on us, there can always be a bit more. No matter how little there seems to be, we can rest assured that some will come along before too long. Your life now contains vast amounts of dynamic tension. Do your best not to add to it. Mercury, as it conjoins with Venus and Saturn during August, describes a journey that gradually leads from tricky territory to profitable terrain. Try not to worry. Just relax.
Cancer
(June 23-July 23)
How broad are your shoulders? How much of someone else's emotional baggage can you take on right now? We all want to be sympathetic to others, to forgive them their shortcomings, to be tolerant, supportive and understanding--or at least we all say we want to. Some of us are far too quick to judge, and some (I think you know what I mean) are too slow. We put up with more than we should. There is now something or someone you need to let go of. Take a rest. Stand back. Develop a fresh perspective. Then, if you still really want to, you can pick it all back up again.
Learn more about Jonathan Cainer
Our horoscope columnist has his own Website and offers special star-reading services.
Jonathan Cainer is already a well-known name in Britain (where he writes a popular daily newspaper column), Australia and Japan. His astrological interpretations and predictions have been described as "spookily accurate," as well as positive and practical.
To learn more about Jonathan, visit www.cainer.com. The Website offers several free services, including Jonathan's "thought for the day" and daily, weekly and monthly astrological forecasts for all 12 signs of the zodiac. You can also find information about the characteristics associated with your astrological sign (look under "Your Sign -- The Truth").
Jonathan will also provide extensive personal astrological reports or tarot card readings for a fee. For a personal horoscope and to learn more about how your date of birth makes you behave in certain ways, you'll need to provide the time, date and place of your birth.
Jonathan's book Cosmic Ordering ($13, Harper Collins) shows individuals how to call on the cosmos to change their lives and realize their dreams.