Welcome to Indy Maven’s astrology column coming by way of Kelli Jenkins, better known around Indy as one of the Spellsisters. Check out their website and Instagram feed for even more info from the world of horoscopes and tarot, or to book a private reading.
August 2024 Overview
Special things are bound to happen this month! Leo season is fully underway, and the planets will work together to activate playfulness, motivation, and inspiration. Don’t be surprised if your social life is revived and you suddenly feel inspired to breathe new life into long-forgotten ideas.
From now until the 22nd, the sun stays in Leo, celebrating boldness and creativity. We’re all bound to feel more inspired and comfortable showing up as our fully authentic selves, standing in our power, and sharing our unique gifts and talents. What’s been stopping you from doing it up until now? This month is the perfect time to examine insecurities and face them head-on.
This month’s New Moon in Leo on the 4th is a soothing balm to any frazzled, overstretched vibes you’ve been surrounded by. We begin August feeling more nurturing, calm, and playful toward ourselves. This same day, Venus moves into Virgo, welcoming a more grounded and harmonious energy.
Our planet of action, determination, and motivation also gives us a boost this month. Mars is moving through straightforward, playful Gemini until September 4th, encouraging action and follow-through. This should make inspiration come naturally and make it easier to act on the ideas that arise. We’re responding to curiosity with action. It never hurts to take a chance!
However, on the 5th, Mercury will retrograde in Virgo, stirring up the possibility of old ideas coming back to life… and also potentially dramatize any misunderstandings. Mars in Gemini is capable of stirring up drama, and when paired with Mercury’s retrograde motion, getting involved in unnecessary disputes is a hazardous risk. It’s best to stay in your own lane and mind your own business because TBH you have much better things to do than stir the pot.
Mercury retrograde has a horrible reputation, but it can be awesome for showing any blindspots or blocks to growth. This time, Mercury begins its retrograde in its ruling sign, Virgo, emphasizing (or overemphasizing) its messages. Virgo can have a tendency to be critical or a perfectionist, which could contribute to self-criticism or shame. The important thing here is to recognize that there is no such thing as perfect when it comes to people.
Watch for the Lion’s Gate Portal on 8/8, symbolizing rebirth and offering the opportunity to build a deeper connection between our inner and outer worlds. Go stargazing and look for Sirius in the sky!
Other important dates this month:
- August 13: Mars conjuncts Jupiter in Gemini
- Jupiter’s expansive energy combined with Mars’ determination can inspire fearlessness and provide motivation to get shit done. Watch for impulsiveness and be careful what you commit to, though, since Mercury is retro and Mars can have a tendency to be impulsive.
- August 13-20: T-Square (Mars conjunct Jupiter square Venus and Saturn)
- T-Squares can force a slow simmer to boil over, causing a tension point to erupt and create chaos. What this means is that powerful and dramatic endings could be forced on situations that need to end. You can no longer ignore or decline to react to things that are so deeply wrong. In short: T-Squares can force action and underscore power struggles. Idk about you, but I’m thinking about politics. 😇
- August 14: Mercury Retrograde enters Leo
- This could make the effects of Mercury Retrograde less severe and intense. Reflect on how you could be living a more joyful life and what’s stopping you.
- August 19: Full Moon in Aquarius
- Siri, play Yosemite by Lana Del Rey. This Full Moon stretches and forces us to reach for an uplevel. While it might feel uncomfortable, it’s the right thing at the right time.
- August 22: Sun in Virgo
- Pick up healthy habits, focus on what makes you feel good, and cultivate a positive inner landscape.
- August 27: Venus Trine Uranus
- Softness! Freedom! Self-expression! Share who you really are with the people who deserve to see it.
- August 28: Mercury Direct
- Clarity is coming. Practice restraint and be patient.
BIRTHDAY ROYALTY <3 Leo Placements (Birthday between July 23 – August 22):
What could possibly be stopping you from shining as bright as you really are? Banish it from your life! In any given year, August is likely to make you feel activated, and this year is no different. This month is all about believing in yourself and believing in your dreams. Take a chance on yourself. Be bold and go after what you really want because everything is aligned for success to come your way. Just be careful to avoid stepping on toes and forcing your will on others. With Mercury Retrograde and Mars moving into Gemini, you could risk being misunderstood or coming off as pushy. Remember to let others shine in the spotlight, too. You can get everything you want without being overbearing—keep this in mind, especially in your close relationships and at work. You have the ability to be unforgettable, and what you’re remembered for is entirely up to you. Let yourself be remembered for something you’re proud of.
Tarotscopes | Queen of Cups: You are in flow intuitively. Harness and lean into that with confidence.
Local Leo: Leslie Dolin, Owner of Monon Coffee Co., July 30
Famous Leo: Madonna, August 16
NOW FOR THE REST OF YOU...
Virgo Placements (Birthday between August 23 – September 22):
Your sign is seeing a lot of action this month! Your ruling planet, Mercury, retrogrades in your sign for a few weeks, making this an especially good time for you to focus on how you show up in the world and what you want on a deeper level. How much do you share, and how much do you keep to yourself? It may be time to break out of your current mold. So much is in harmony for you this month. Take this exciting opportunity to build momentum and focus on your sense of self. What’s important to you is more important than anything, and this month gives you the chance to assess where your energy is going.
Tarotscopes | The Magician: Take inspired action to reach your goals
Libra Placements (Birthday between September 23 – October 22):
Did you ever see “A Midsummer Night’s Dream?” “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “Ever After,” “or Marie Antoinette?”These are the most dreamy, ethereal movies I can think of, and this is the vibe for you this month. Your dreams have the power to fuel creative ideas that have legs. This month, you are seeing the real potential behind dreams and ideas that may typically seem ethereal and enigmatic, and things are lined up perfectly for you to make these come to life. You already understand the power of dreams; now you’re learning how to integrate and act on them. Be careful not to let your tendency to waffle and flip-flop keep you from making bold decisions.
Tarotscopes | The High Priestess: You have the necessary foresight to bring what’s in your subconscious mind to reality.
Scorpio Placements (October 23 – November 21):
August is inspiring you to zoom in on your life and bring the focus to the things that are most intimate and dear to your soul. You are investing more into what might make your inner circle happiest because, ultimately, what makes you happy is to see your loved ones happy. You couldn’t really be bothered to care about the outsiders right now, and that’s okay. People pleasing and catering to the needs of people who don’t really matter to you are out this month. You’re reciprocating where energy is given to you, and my advice is to go all in on those relationships. You may tend to hold back sometimes, but this month, you can trust your intuition. You know who you can really give 100% to, and you know without a doubt where to pull back, as well.
Tarotscopes | 4 of Wands: You know where to be vulnerable. Relax into it.
Sagittarius Placements (Birthday between November 22 – December 21):
Your ruler, Jupiter, is having some intense interactions with Saturn this month, my dude. Jupiter is the planet of luck, expansion, and learning new things. Saturn deals with family and home life, as well as limitations. I’m not sure exactly what this will mean for you because I think it’s dependent on your situation, but it could help you to consider how your foundational relationships are affecting other areas of your life. Ultimately, this consideration feels like a constantly evolving journey–it may be a recurring theme that you keep exploring. Whatever comes your way, think of it as part of your quest. Your life might feel like an archaeological dig right now, but that’s kind of awesome, right? You don’t have the answers, but you’re working on discovering them. For extra credit, read Capricorn’s horoscope, too.
Tarotscopes | The Hermit: Being alone helps you tap into and listen to your intuition. However, going at it alone can feel isolating. You don’t have to do everything that’s hard alone, just so you can hear your inner voice.
Capricorn Placements (Birthday between December 22 – January 19):
Since you are ruled by Saturn, you, like Sagittarius, are being heavily impacted by this month’s Jupiter-Saturn square. Read their horoscope, too! You are used to Saturn’s sometimes brutal realism, but that doesn’t mean it ever stops surprising you. For you, this square is encouraging you to examine how you live your daily life. This month is a good time to push yourself to try new things that could make life easier. You might balk at changes to your routine, but with Jupiter in Gemini, it’s the little things that add up for you. All the little rituals and tasks you complete each day ultimately fill up each day–whether they are efficient or beneficial for you or not, they are taking up time and energy. Tiny changes have the potential to amount to huge transformations. Read Atomic Habits if you haven’t already! The little, tiny things all add up.
Tarotscopes | 7 of Pentacles: Investment in yourself always adds up, and long-term perseverance usually pays off.
Aquarius Placements (Birthday between January 20 – February 18):
Relationships are in the spotlight for you throughout August, Aqua, in a good way. Things are heating up–whether that means you’re reigniting a flame, making a new love connection, or focusing on your bestie. This month, you’re able to dream big, and you’re receiving a permission slip to unapologetically, in all your weirdness and quirky glory, be yourself with someone who deserves to see it. You are absolutely magnetic, especially when you allow yourself to believe in your own brilliance. Your closest relationships are a reflection of how you view yourself. Let them in on your dream.
Tarotscopes | The Empress: When you go all in on who you are, it’s irresistible to the right people.
RELATED: SUMMER MINDFULNESS TO REDUCE STRESS
Pisces Placements (Birthday between February 19 – March 20):
The way you spend your time is a reflection of how you’re feeling about yourself. So if you’ve been laying on the couch watching Love Island 24/7 (like I have), it’s time to get up and do something different. Prioritize things that make you feel creative and empowered, strong and energized. You will feel most like yourself when you are putting more energy into what feels most affirming for you. Now, don’t get me wrong! I’m not saying that watching Love Island is a bad use of your time. But have you noticed that the more you invest in yourself, the more motivation you end up having to invest more? It’s like the snowball effect. I kinda hate it, but there is a time and a place to rot, and it’s not 24/7.
Tarotscopes | Strength: Ugh, unfortunately, when you exercise, it makes you stronger. The more you work toward getting stronger, the easier it is.
Aries Placements (Birthday between March 21 – April 19):
Play big and hard, and be bold this month, Aries. Be creative and imaginative, especially in pursuit of romance. There is something special that sets you apart–you just have to allow it to be seen. Luckily, your imagination is especially active this month, and you can see all sorts of little ways to make things more fun and exciting. What would it look like if you infused a little extra joy and playfulness into everything you do? What if you prioritize happiness, even when you’re stressed? Especially when you’re stressed! Idk, something to think about. Just see what happens when you try to make things fun.
Tarotscopes | Ace of Wands: Let yourself be inspired and see the potential in everything. Give yourself permission to be creative and have fun.
Taurus Placements (Birthday between April 20 – May 20):
Your heart is like a treasure chest with so many gems just waiting to be discovered. There is something metaphysical in the air for you this month as you connect with your roots and foundation. Your ruling planet, Venus, is opening portals to new information and helping you be more intentional about how you prioritize joy and pleasure in your life. Home and family are likely to be your main focus this month, and there is amazing potential to excavate some of those hidden gems–there could be deep, enriching connections with distant family members, transformative projects at home, reinvigorated closeness with your inner family, or even newly discovered ancestral stories and knowledge. Let what is excavated guide you.
Tarotscopes | Page of Wands: There is limitless potential in what you could discover about yourself.
Gemini Placements (Birthday between May 21 – June 20):
You have a knack for charming everyone around you just by sharing your opinions. Even if you disagree with others, discourse enlivens you, and you know how to oppose someone without debasing or disrespecting them. You take it with a grain of salt and see dissent as a necessary, lighthearted aspect of every relationship, but that’s not always true for everyone else. It can be easy for you to be misunderstood because in the same conversation, you can still feel amiable while others get riled up and heated. Exchanging opinions is a major motivator for you, and you should be confident in expressing your beliefs. Approaching situations with friendliness and positivity can make enough of an impression that any misunderstandings are likely to be forgiven. Read the room and take the cues, but don’t be afraid to be yourself. You can rock the boat without stirring the pot.
Tarotscopes | The Fool: You approach situations with innocence and lightness. Be sure to also include warmth and empathy.
Cancer Placements (Birthday between June 21 – July 22):
Don’t be hasty this month. Follow instructions to a T, avoid big impulse purchases, and stay calm in disagreements. You may have moments throughout this month where you recognize your own power and you may find satisfaction in uncharacteristic places. You have the gift of fearlessness this month, which can help catapult you to new levels in your career and relationships. Avoid recklessness, but have the audacity to believe in yourself and take advantage of your own talents. You have what it takes. Go after what you want! This month, you’re encouraged to make decisions that put you on the path of the future you want.
Tarotscopes | The Chariot: You’re in control here and that’s because you’ve demonstrated that you can handle it. Pursue your deepest desires.
Photo of the Spellsisters by Schwebach Photography.
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