Cosmic Forecast: August 2026
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Illustration by MONICA DIAZ.
The energy shift from July to August feels a bit like when you’re rushing to get to the function—you just make it, your hair is a bit of a wreck, your shirt is a bit wrinkled, but you’re ready! This month is generally good for hashing things out, reconciling and making amends. On August 6, Venus enters its home sign of Libra, bringing sweetness into the last weeks of summer. There will be more compassion between one another, and with Mercury entering Leo on August 9, people will be more confident about expressing their feelings. This is a shift from when Mercury was in Cancer and retrograde, when feelings were so raw that people may have found themselves masking heavily. It’s safe to say that last month was an extremely sensitive time emotionally.
We’re not fully out of the mud yet, however. On August 11, Mars moves into Cancer, bringing with it a “pushing down on the gas before having turned on the engine” energy. While intentions are heart-focused this month, there’s still potential for miscommunication, avoidance, inconsistency, defensiveness, pettiness and laziness. It can be frustrating, dealing with yourself and others when feelings are suppressed, so just like last month, things will feel easier if you let yourself be vulnerable. Through this honesty and hard inner work, we might find ways to deepen our relationships with ourselves and one another.
August 12 marks a solar eclipse in Leo. The Sun, Moon, Jupiter and Mercury all in Leo will form a stellium, illuminating the Leo part of your chart. It’s a good time to be creative and tap into your vitality!
When most folks think of Leo, they think about theatrics and self-centredness, but Leo also has a natural generosity thanks to its endless supply of energy. This solar eclipse focuses on alchemizing all of the emotions we felt last month into deep compassion for ourselves. It takes courage to be honest about the life we want, the person we want to be and the person we truly are. Leos are proud, unashamed and confident, because they know at the end of the day, their heart is in the right place. When your heart is in the right place, everything aligns as it should and you thrive. The Sun doesn't adjust to the world, the world adjusts to the Sun.
From August 22 until the end of the month, the Sun then moves into Virgo, and the energy shifts into a time of regulation. We move away from feeling invincible and confident to checking in with the goals we made at the start of the year, looking at where we might have neglected our routines. Mercury also enters its home sign of Virgo, making communication matters clear and straightforward. It’s a great time to do paperwork, clean the house, organize your life, or even get a massage after these emotionally volatile few months.
Overall, the energy this month is a little wonky, but the spirit is there. It’s a good month to attune to our heart’s desires by cleaning our physical space as well as our spiritual one. Doing this conscious work will make it easier to take advantage of the Lunar Eclipse in Pisces on August 27, which invites unexpected opportunities and ideas related to work, luck and creativity.
Glossary / Legend:
Transit: The ongoing movement of any given planet through the zodiac.
Retrograde: When a planet moves backwards. In astrology, the energy of a retrograde planet turns inwards.
Conjunction: In astrology, a conjunction is when two planets meet and work on a project together. Just like people, the planets may or may not work well together. When a conjunction is exact, it points to a climax of the relationship between the two planets.
House: An astrological chart is divided by 12 houses that each rule different subjects such as the self, home, relationships, and career.
Zodiac:
Aries: A Fire sign ruled by Mars, Aries is known as a natural leader, instinctual, and courageous. This sign naturally rules the 1st house, representing the body, approach to life, and how you came into this world.
Gemini: An air sign ruled by Mercury, Gemini is known for their versatility, curiosity, and need for movement. This sign naturally rules the 3rd house, representing siblings, early education, and intellect.
Cancer: A water sign ruled by the Moon, Cancer is known as being family-oriented, emotional, and nurturing. This sign naturally rules the 4th house, representing fertility, childhood and the home.
Leo: A Fire sign ruled by the Sun, Leo is known for their generosity, pride, and loudness. While they can be self-centered, their intention is to be the most reliable person in the room to show up wholeheartedly.
Aquarius: An Air sign and ruled by Saturn, Aquarius is known for their collective mindset, progressive thinking, and being innovative. The unique dichotomy of this sign is having a natural capacity to pour energy into the collective, while keeping their individualism. Freedom goes both ways.
Planets:
Moon: This planet governs matters related to the home, the mother, childhood, and emotions. It is also the fastest moving planet in astrology, changing signs after about two days, which is why her movements are felt on a more personal level, especially on new moons, full moons, and eclipses.
Mercury: This planet governs the mind, including how we think, speak, write and process. Its placement in one’s astrological chart reveals one’s unique style of communication.
Mars: This planet governs your drive and conflict style. This influences how you assert yourself, how you act when you are angry, and how ambitious you are.
Sun: This planet represents the part of your identity you aim to embody in life and it is most connected with your ego. In contrast to the Moon and Ascendant in your natal chart, whose energies show up more naturally, the Sun shows up in more intentional, effortful expressions of self.
Uranus: This planet governs change and disruption. Like a shock of cold water to the face, this planet is all about unexpected shakeups and creative innovation. It governs revolution, rebellion, and a general sense of breakthrough!
Author Bio:
Carmela (she/they) is a writer, artist and astrologer. She is a second-generation Filipino-Canadian currently settled on "Vancouver, BC." Her interests lie across the intersections of art, technology and astrology. You can check out her website to book an astrology consultation and follow her @ohtheblooming on Substack and many social media platforms.
Artist Bio:
Monica (she/her) is an illustrator and graphic designer born and raised in Vancouver, BC. Her work spans multiple mediums and is rooted in nature and emotional storytelling. By toying with surrealism and realism, she creates imagery that captures mood, feeling and quiet moments of reflection. Follow her on Instagram @moninthemaking and www.monicadiaz.ca
