August begins with a Mars square Saturn that can impede progress in what we want to get done and where we want to go. Make sure your car is tuned and the water in the radiator is at the appropriate level. The Sun is in Leo, be open to receiving instructions from your higher self that speaks to your heart. The new moon on the 4th is time to visualize what you want to create in your life with respect to your hobbies and activities that bring fun. Mercury is retrograde until the 15th therefore it is not the best time to buy a computer even though many returning students will. Mercury retrograde usually gets a bad rap. However it is a time that the universe gives us to catch up. We get this break three times a year, so use it. Make a list of all the things you started that didn't get finished and zip through them, then when mercury moves direct you start the next phase without unfinished business hanging over your head. Venus enters into her sign of Libra on the 16th, bringing the desire for balance and peace to relationships. The full moon on Friday the 19th is a great day to get together with friends and have fun. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22nd bringing focus back to work and school.

Aries: (March 21 - April 19)
Friends, fun, and romance light up your month. There can be an invitation to a birthday party that will be a great time to reconnect with those you haven't seen in awhile. You will take the stage with the birthday boy/girl and egg each other on to see who will be the most daring. Your flirtatious activities can get you into hot water but you have a knack for getting out of the corner you painted yourself into. Have fun and embrace life full force. The universe is on your side to confront fears and take a leap of faith. Venus will be shining on you from the 16th forward, if you are looking to connect in a new romantic relationship or heat up the one you have now is the time to fan the flame.

Taurus: (April 20 - May 20)
Continue to let go of problems and situations that are tying you up in knots. Focus on what you have the power to change and let go of the past. You can be quick to pull out your credit card on an outrageous purchase youn've just got to have. Look to see what you are trying to fulfill with the spending of money.  It may be a deeper need than the material product. Mars has entered your sign and will stay there until February 2006, get ready to draw appropriate boundaries in areas of life that you value most. You will be more confrontational than normal; anyone in your life that you feel has been taking advantage of you will be put on notice. It is a great time to start a new exercise routine or take up a sport that you can challenge yourself to go above and beyond what you think is your limit.

Gemini: (May 21 - June 21)
You may be bored with the same old same old and need something new to talk about. This is a time that your mind will be over active. An answer to a question that has been eluding you will be revealed. The flirtatious bug gets a hold of you and you are sensing the power you have from engaging others in conversation. You need freedom from conformity and want to follow where your ideas take you. The old ways of communicating may no longer work; try listening in a whole new manner. New people enter into your life bringing fresh ideas and viewpoints. Pay attention to undercurrents at work, there may be someone who will undermine your best efforts.

Cancer: (June 22 - July 22)
It is time to let go of acquaintances and friends that take too much of your energy. New friends are on the horizon.  With Saturn finally out of your sign a huge burden has been lifted and you are free to start fresh. Letting go is one of your life lessons and the realization that in order to draw to you what you want in your life you need an empty hand to reach out and grab it. Take a careful look at your finances before saying yes to all the goodies there are to spend your money on. Step back from your lover and give them a little space: they will come back home happier and more attentive. With Venus moving into your solar 4th house you can find some beautiful purchases for you home. Take some time in your home and create the harmony and comfort you want.

Leo: (July 23 - August 22)
It is the month that the king and queens of the zodiac get to strut their stuff. Put on those party clothes and have a good time. The new moon in Leo on August 4th is your official collective birthday. With Saturn having moved into your sign for the next 2 Þ years this new moon is extra important to get out your treasure map and visualize what you want to create for your new life. Take the time you need to look over your life and acknowledge and give gratitude for what you want to keep, let go of what no longer fits, and see what you need to do to make the changes you want. If you don't want to make changes Saturn in Leo may kick your butt, so make an agreement with yourself to put in the effort and then you will reap the rewards.

Virgo: (August 23 - September 22)
Step back from the bustle of your life and ease into a relaxed mode. You can find yourself being the caretaker of your crazy party hardy friends. Life is good and you are about to embark on a new adventure. Spirituality and new opportunities for expanding awareness start exploding in your life. Listen to where your inner voice wants to take you. New groups of spiritual friends, classes and workshops will become a major part of your life focus now. Your true job will turn towards self growth and spiritual development. Although you may not feel deserving to spend money and time on spiritual pursuits that don't derive immediate practical value, it is necessary for your ultimate purpose.

Libra: (September - October 23)
There will be plenty of opportunity to get out and be with friends this month, but part of you may just not feel like hanging out with the same old crowd. Saturn will be nudging you to consider expanding your circle of friends and wanting you to join a new group or organization. It is time to check out new spiritual groups. Try visiting a new group a week for the rest of the month. You will find people you can relate to and even the possibility of starting a new and sweet romantic adventure. Stay on top of your finances, with all the credit card fraud abound, Libra's and Taurus's will be hit the hardest. With Venus moving into your sign on the 16th you may ask for what you want and be pleasantly surprised at the response. Shopping for beautiful clothes and objects is fruitful when Venus is in Libra.

Scorpio: (October 24 - November 21)
Step back from drama, self created or created by others, and life will be more rewarding. Individuals may start to challenge you, get ready to shift your focus and energy to what you want instead of what you don't want. It is a subtle difference but internally and esoterically it is a huge difference. Your power to draw into your life what you are thinking about is magnified this month, so pay attention.  You may start to feel disillusioned about your career, rethink what you want to create for yourself then take action. Take time this new moon on the 4th to visualize your ideal life especially in regards to career. You may be attracted to a co-worker; a clandestine relationship may sound intriguing but may get out of control.

Sagittarius: (November 22 - December 21)
Your desire to experience more is heightened this month. Check out a university or training program that can support your future goals. Getting the money to finance your ventures can be tricky but possible. You are not in the mood to be restricted and an insecure friend will get an earful if they start to cling to you or act jealous of your outgoing nature that naturally connects with others. It is a great time to get back to your diet and exercise routine; clear out the mess in your living space and create room for a fresh new start. Debt from past travel excursions can come back to haunt you, you need to get away but keep it within your budget.

Capricorn: (December 22 - January 19)
Check out your finances, pay down your credit cards and outstanding balances so you can have a secure foundation to embark on a new goal. Spend quality time with your lover to get a sense of where the relationship is going. Don't rush into anything quicker than what you are comfortable with.  It is time to dump the restrictions of inner voice telling you what you should do, what you have to do, and what you are supposed to be accomplishing.  Whose voice is that anyway?  Starting in the middle of the month you can be the hero at work, stepping in and taking the responsibility to get the job done.

Aquarius: (January 20 - February 18)
Just when you thought you had a handle on everything life throws you a curve ball to change it all. It can be so frustrating when you expect to have all of the answers, all of the time, and all of them being correct. Give yourself a break: step back to analyze the situation then jump back in and make the changes you want. The fastest solution is letting go of the need to know how it is going to turn out and trust that something great will come out of it. Your lover can be going through changes that will alter the dynamic of your relationship. There is much energy shifting between what you want versus what others want. So the question is how can you have what you want in life and still be in relationship with others who are on different paths and think different?

Pisces: (February 19 - March 20)
Pay extra attention to your health and routine this month. Where have you procrastinated getting your life in order? Now is the time to take action on all those little things that hang around in the back of your mind saying I really need to get that taken care of sometime soon. Create a list of everything you have been putting off then get a buddy who is in the same dilemma and support each other to just whiz through your list and get it out of your life. Your brother or sister may be going through some problems and looking to you to lend a hand (or money) remember it isn’t your job to save them, help them from love and compassion, not obligation.

Donna Page is a Atlanta area astrologer. She may be contacted at 404-892-8986 or donna@lovinglightastrologer.com