Your August 2023 Horoscope: Retrograde High Season

Will August be a quiet month? Not in the stars! The cosmic calendar is busy. With four retrograde planets all month, tallying six by the end, there’s a whole lot to navigate in your August 2023 horoscope.

Full moons that are supermoons, and a blue moon!

We’ll have not one, but two, full moons bookending the month, both of them supermoons!
• The first full moon, on August 1, is in Aquarius
• The second full moon, on August 30, is in Pisces. And because it’s the second full moon in a single calendar month, it is a blue moon!

Astro facts: A supermoon occurs when the moon is at its closest proximity to the earth, no matter what phase it’s in. A supermoon amplifies the astrological traits of the sign that it’s in. And since full moons pull the tides and impact our moods (to name a few things), having an extra full moon/blue moon can bring an extra wave of changes and surprising events.

Themes for August 2023’s full moons

Aquarius: collaborations take flight! An activist or community project could make a powerful impact. Seek out kindred spirits and people who think outside the box, then put your heads together for a common cause.
Pisces: a rosy glow is cast over all your interactions. Subconscious thoughts are illuminated. Get ready for divine downloads! Capture messages from your higher mind (and possibly a few ancestors and guides) when you’re in a meditative state.

August is retrograde high season, too

By the end of this month, SIX planets and one comet will be in their powered-down repose, a heavy step on the brakes if there ever was one.

To open your August 2023 horoscope, four of the five outer planets (Saturn, Neptune and Pluto) are retrograde, and inner planet Venus, is retrograde in Leo for the summer. On August 23, communication planet Mercury joins the retrograde brigade, followed by Uranus on August 28.

Wounded healer comet Chiron is also retrograde all month until December 6. Whew! We can do hard things…or at least, we’re gonna learn how.

Cosmic “bad bitch” Lilith rides with the Leo new moon

Midway through your August 2023 horoscope, a dramatic Leo new moon arrives in an exact 90-degree square with volatile Uranus, dialing up the dramatic antics more than they already are with Leo on stage AND Venus retrograde in this sign. Black moon Lilith, the cosmic “bad bitch” of the asteroid world, is riding shotgun with the new moon.

Spiritual willpower and emotional support will be needed

The cosmic memo? We’ll all be tested this month and will probably need extra support to keep calm and August on. Can we keep our fiery, knee-jerk reactions in check, even when our buttons are pushed? Staying cool in the August heat will take spiritual willpower and discipline—and lots of emotional support.

But with all these retrogrades and illuminating full moons, it’s a great time to dip under the radar and perfect any plans for an autumn debut. Go off the grid and go out into nature. Deactivate your accounts temporarily (or forever if you’re over the drama of Twitter, or X). Try a digital detox. Head into your personal laboratory to experiment and explore, away from the watchful eye of nosy neighbors, fake friends and social media pressure.

Leo season is bold and bawdy ’til tidy Virgo takes over

But don’t hide completely, unless it’s an air conditioned theater for Barbenheimer (a double-feature viewing of the Barbie and Oppenheimer movies). It is still Leo season, after all. All the world’s a Barbie fashion show while the Sun struts through glamorous Leo until August 23.

When it slides into Virgo, though, life becomes four-week efficiency mission. After the glitz and glam of Leo season, Virgo’s “keep it simple” ethos is a breath of Mrs. Meyer’s scented air.

Squeeze some al fresco exercise into these last weeks of summer: bike rides to the beach, yoga in the park, lap swims in the saltwater pool. Then, bring some order to your court. From your storage systems to your project management software, give everything a proper review.

Don’t forget the Lion’s Gate opens 8-8!

A layer of energetic opportunity peaks every year called the Lion’s Gate. This is when the Sun is in Leo and the star Sirius moves closer to Earth and aligns with Orion’s belt. This portal opens every year between July 28 and August 12 but its official activation day is August 8. Read more about the Lion’s Gate portal here.

Mercury retrograde in Virgo also begins August 23

Mercury hits its third retrograde of 2023, backing up through its home sign of Virgo, as we mentioned earlier. While the finicky planet is retrograde until September 15, review everything on the finest setting possible. Enlist a third and fourth pair of eyes to edit documents before you hit send or submit. You know the drill. If you need a refresher, check out our classic article: Mercury Retrograde: How to Survive A Three-Week Communication Crisis.

Lusty Mars in Libra on August 27 ushers cuffing season

When Mars blazes into Libra, the zodiac’s partnership sign, the urge to merge will be crazy strong! But don’t let the impatient red planet get you locked into a serious situation before you’re truly ready.

It’s almost too easy to romanticize when Mars blasts into this “love and marriage” zone every other year. If it’s longevity you’re after, aim for a balanced view. Can you accept people “for better” and “for worse?” (But please, no rushing to the altar while Venus is retrograde in Leo until September 3!)

Mars in Libra adds a dash of spice, but it can also stir up passive-aggressive bickering, especially if one of you is pulling an unequal share of the load in a relationship. Mars is in “detriment” in Libra, meaning it’s an uncomfortable place. And it makes sense: Mars is the god of war, while Libra is all about peace, love and harmony. It will take extra effort to keep your emotional equilibrium now.

For sign-specific advice for all of these astrology events mentioned, read your August 2023 horoscope below!

Your August 2023 horoscope

You can read your August 2023 horoscope today for your Sun sign or your rising sign (ascendant). Visit our Cosmic Calculator section if you want to calculate your Rising sign or discover more about your personal astrology.

Aries (March 21-April 19) monthly horoscope for August 2023

August, which is normally a passionate and playful month  for you, has some plot twists this year, Aries. With the Sun in Leo and your fun, flirty fifth house, summer lovin’ could still be on the agenda. But with romantic Venus also retrograde the whole month… Keep reading your Monthly Aries Horoscope

Taurus (April 20-May 20) monthly horoscope for August 2023

Moving through August with grace and ease is going to take a little extra effort, Taurus. Start with self-care! Your ruling planet Venus is retrograde in Leo—your fourth house of home, family and nourishment. This Leo season might not be as heartwarming and … Keep reading your Monthly Taurus Horoscope

Gemini (May 21-June 20) monthly horoscope for August 2023

Your Gemini tendencies could be your saving grace or the fast track to trouble this August. We’re walking into retrograde high season, a time when intentions can be easily misread. As a sign that favors double entendres and sarcastic humor… Keep reading your Monthly Gemini Horoscope

Cancer (June 21-July 22) monthly horoscope for August 2023

Security is on your mind this month—not an unfamiliar topic for the comfort-loving Crab. With the Sun in Leo and your productive, practical second house until August 23, your finances want some attention. Maybe you’ll be looking at new revenue streams… Keep reading your Monthly Cancer Horoscope

Leo (July 23-August 22) monthly horoscope for August 2023

First, let us issue an apology on behalf of the stars, Leo. This summer, your birthday season will be disrupted by a bit of cosmic chaos overhead. And while nothing can stand in the fierce Lion’s way when you want to celebrate… Keep reading your Monthly Leo Horoscope

Virgo (August 23-September 22) monthly horoscope for August 2023

Wired or tired? You could feel a bit of both this month, Virgo. It’s languid Leo season until August 23, and the Sun resting in your healing and escapist twelfth house. Like a big jungle cat stretched on a hot savannah rock ledge, you may want to … Keep reading your Monthly Virgo Horoscope

Libra (September 23-October 22) monthly horoscope for August 2023

Libra, take every opportunity this August to power down if you can. The cosmic forecast will range from daydreamy to denial—and we won’t judge if you choose the latter! Your ruling planet Venus is retrograde the entire month, along with… Keep reading your Monthly Libra Horoscope

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) monthly horoscope for August 2023

Inside-out August, anyone? While the rest of the world might be unplugging, you’re chugging—steadily toward your goals, that is. The Sun is in Leo and your tenth house of career and long-term success, a time when you feel most… Keep reading your Monthly Scorpio Horoscope

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) monthly horoscope for August 2023

The most wonderful time of the year for Sagittarians has arrived! The Sun is in fiery Leo and your ninth house of growth, travel and opportunity, ushering you into a season of positivity and possibility. It’s time to come out and spread your wings… Keep reading your Monthly Sagittarius Horoscope

Capricorn (December 22-January 18) monthly horoscope for August 2023

Slow it down, Capricorn. August is already primed to be a time when you slip away for an off-the-grid summer escape or tuck yourself into your cocoon. The Sun is making its annual trip to Leo and your intimate, private eighth house until August 23… Keep reading your Monthly Capricorn Horoscope

Aquarius (January 20-February 18) monthly horoscope for August 2023

This month is especially charged for you, Aquarius, and it opens with your sign in the spotlight! On August 1, the night skies are painted with the annual Aquarius full moon, illuminating your first house of visibility, action and solo desires… Keep reading your Monthly Aquarius Horoscope

Pisces (February 19-March 20) monthly horoscope for August 2023

Wrap up the revelry and focus on brass tacks. We know, we know…that does NOT sound like the summer fun you were looking for, Pisces. But you’ll be glad you rolled up your sleeves and took care of all the details because frankly… Keep reading your Monthly Pisces Horoscope