Solar Eclipse August 21 — Visible in most of North America

Mercury Retrograde Aug. 12 to Sept. 4

Photo by Tamu Miles

All Signs

Even though Mercury went retrograde on Aug. 12, and will continue to effect our lives until Sept. 4, the end of August is set to be a beautiful time in our lives. Not only are those of us in the Northern Hemisphere at the height of summer, but there is something beautiful moving within the deep, quiet places within us all.

Change is taking place; a shift of perception. This change brings with it excitement and passion. It’s like we’re all charged up on the connection we have with the universe, the earth, and our own Soul or Source. Instead of facing this life with cynicism and anger, we are being shown that much more can be accomplished through playfulness, innocence, and loyalty. We are becoming bored with old ways of doing things, of fighting against the “other” instead of embracing their pain and intending for healing for all.

However, if this excitement translates into major and traumatic upheaval in your life, please listen closer. There is great potential here, and your Soul (or your psyche and subconscious) are trying to fast forward your ability to step into the next phase of your life. You haven’t done anything wrong, but if the shit is hitting the fan you are in denial about something. You have decided that the easy route is more appealing that sticking to your convictions and doing what is right and what will see you through in the long-haul. You have closed yourself off to loved ones, or you have denied inner healing that needs to take place.

So, everyone, go see that counsellor, open up to your loved ones about what you are going through, face ALL the issues head on! See your inner being, however you define it, as the most beautiful and pure and knowing and creative part of yourself, and learn to honour that Self by really listening to it. This Self is weaving or moulding your life from a wider perspective, and it/you has a beautiful vision for what this should look like.

Aries – Mar. 21 to Apr. 19

By not allowing yourself to be deceived by others, and by facing all of your dark little secrets, you will lift that burden off your shoulders. You think you have to carry it all, but you don’t. That thought process comes from a lifetime of being let down and having to be independent. There is opportunity right now to work with others in a joyful manner. To find that space within yourself that knows that greatness comes through joy. I’m not saying you should trust every Tom, Dick, and Harry that walks down the street. What I am saying is that you can use your own discerning powers to gauge who to let in and who to pass by. Learn from past experience and read the signs.

Taurus – Apr. 20 to May 20

Your still in a time of introspection, so even though that fire is starting to once again smoulder in your belly, don’t yet fan it into a flame. Instead, you would do better to contemplate those coals and discover a little about yourself in the process. The compromise that you are having to make is really for your own good. You and the other party can’t see that right now, you’re both sort of begrudging of this whole ordeal, but you will in time. To feed yourself the energy and connection to spirit that you need, look to bodies of water. It doesn’t matter how you do it—boat, swim, catch a fish—just get yourself some water time. You need to drink the soul food that water and nature can provide.

Gemini – May 21 to Jun. 20

OK, back away. What’s going on is not your fault, but you don’t need to engage. Don’t worry, you’re not running away, you are merely giving space and protecting yourself until it’s time to take action once again. Take this opportunity to continue to work on breaking down old parts of yourself—old beliefs, prejudices, and judgements—to make room for the new and improved you. You hold so much more knowing and beauty than you realize. Please embrace that you have no idea what’s going on and you must learn all over again. You are truly dealing with the conundrum of your sign: amalgamating the twin Selves of your being. So anything that you feel strongly opposed to, or strongly in support of, look at your motives. Why do you feel so strongly about these things? Are you in opposition to an aspect of your own longing? Or are you in opposition to another person because of an emotionally triggered reaction? In both cases common ground will need to be found.

Cancer – Jun. 21 to Jul. 22

From your solar plexus down, stretching way down to the core of the earth, you are in alignment. All you have to do is work on bringing your heart, throat, third eye, and higher self centres into this alignment as well. If you can surrender to this, if you can get your will to communicate with your heart and your head, things will flow and come together. And as a bonus, you will receive a much needed boost to your self-esteem. So, take this opportunity to get creative with how you want things to unfold. Project your dreams out into the world. See life for the canvas that it is. Through this act, see that you are cleansing out many dark places that only needed a touch of vitality and light to transform and heal. Sing your song, dance your dance, laugh at the moon! And think outside the box, cause that’s where the magic really is.

Leo – Jul. 23 to Aug. 22

At this time your superpower is the art of deception. You will use this superpower to navigate through the completion of a project or relationship or certain phase of your life. This superpower cannot be used for evil, for if you do try to take advantage of others you’ll be slapped upside the head by the universe. However, you will need this superpower to navigate through the many multi-faceted layers presenting themselves to you right now. There are a lot of details and all of them need to be scrutinized. For strength and guidance, look to the moon. Pay attention to your emotions; don’t dismiss them. Let feeling move when it has to and learn from what it tries to teach you. You might want to take note of the fact that your superpower will not let you deceive yourself. It will force you to deal with your own inner demons head on. So if things start going haywire, remember that it’s just your superpower telling you to wake up.

Virgo – Aug. 23 to Sept. 22

I know you want to put your head in your hands and cry because the issue or situation just keeps going on and on and on. But please, don’t give up. Pay attention to your dreams, they’re trying to show you ways to access the synthesis that already exists in the situation and remind you that you are in a state of gradual progress. Things will improve over time, and really, they’re not as bad as you’re making them out to be. You’re just a little tired. So give yourself the self-care that you need. Talk things through with friends and listen to their advice. See your goal as a beautiful creation of your own design, one that is being woven in the depths of your belly. You’ll note that this dream is not quite ready to be born into the world, and when it is the energy will shift it will just happen.

Libra – Sept. 23 to Oct. 22

You’re distilling, that’s what you’re doing. You’re boiling yourself down to your pure essence. This feels a little scary, for sure. It seems like you have to keep letting things go. However, if you only focus on what you think you’re loosing and let that freak you out, then you’ll miss the opportunity that is being presented to you. You’ve planted some seeds and they’re germinating and starting to send out roots and pretty soon, if you have patience and breathe through your fear, they’ll send out little green shoots. Protect these seedlings. Be Mother Earth and send yourself the right conditions to grow. You need love and sunshine and lots of water and sometimes that deep, dark night where the Self just exists under the moon.

Scorpio – Oct. 23 to Nov. 21

Break through that hard, cold ice that sits atop your ability to flower and grow. Shrug off the oppressing forces that stifle your voice and restrict your actions. Make space for yourself out there in the world. Use your shapeshifting abilities to move through different social spheres, to connect with the right people, to be at the right place at the right time. There is a powerful shaman within you, one who always seems to see right to the heart of anyone or anything. Don’t be afraid to let this shaman in from the cold. The first thing that he/she will tell you is that you are not alone. You think you are, and you like to perpetuate this illusion, but you’re not. People care more than you think they do, and they, too, have suffered and wear the scars of life.

Sagittarius – Nov. 22 to Dec. 21

So if you want to complete this cycle in a whole, true, and satisfying manner, listen up. It all depends on you. How you conduct yourself, how you respond to others, the choices that you make (even the small ones), are all very important. Move with grace and integrity. Accept what the universe has thrown your way and deal with it one step at a time. Look at all angles and keep your perspective wide. Caution and careful consideration are advised in all your actions. None of this means that this time is inherently negative. It is, at its heart, powerful and full of potential. You will walk away with a greater sense of Self, you will feel more completely YOU. Try to think positive and work toward opening communication with others.

Capricorn – Dec. 22 to Jan. 19

Remember that Mercury is Retrograde right now, so things are going to be a little wonky. I know that emotions are running high and it seems like your heart has taken this opportunity to explore and examine all the things that have caused you sorrow in your life, but through this sorrow the universe is trying to teach you something. First it’s trying to show you that all those tears you feel like shedding are there to water the fertile soil of your future endeavours. Second, it’s teaching you that all those beliefs you have about yourself that tell you you’re not good enough and you’ll never reach your goals, are just illusions. They’re stories you’ve told yourself over and over and over, and now they’ve become toxic to you and they need to be composted. So let yourself feel whatever it is you need to feel. Don’t apologize to yourself or to others for the tears you have to shed. Look toward the future with hope and an open heart.

Aquarius – Jan. 20 to Feb. 18

You want to give back, you want to show your appreciation for friends and family. This is awesome. Just be aware that spending money isn’t the way to go. There are other ways to show your love and besides that, you need to be careful with your finances right now. Allow connection through one-on-one, open hearted interaction with others; through striving to create true harmony. Learn to bite your tongue when you have to and don’t engage with the political aspects of your social sphere. You don’t need to involve yourself in the affairs of others. However, if you are caught in the middle of conflict (by your own doing or someone else’s) you must seek harmony at all times. See the good in others and work to build their self-esteem and self-love. By doing so you will also receive a much needed boost to your own sense of self-worth.

Pisces – Feb. 19 to Mar. 20

Some people don’t want you to be doing things the way you’re doing them. They feel you are a threat and will try to make you feel morally incorrect. Whatever you do, don’t cower and retreat. No. You need to keep believing in yourself. You need to keep doing what you are doing, and moving in the direction that causes these reactions, for they indicate that you are doing something right. Not only that, but you are also moving closer and closer to your future Self, toward realizing your dreams. Trust in the universe, it has not steered you wrong before and it won’t begin now. Gather the knowledge you are gaining and store it away for later use. Believe me, all of it will come in handy on some future rainy day.