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By Lilly Roddy

This month’s headline is that Mercury is retrograde—a great time for going back and completing projects or reviewing work that you thought you had finished. It’s best not to start any new projects, relationships, etc., until after the 30th. • The stress levels that we have been contending with since the end of June finally come to an end after the 12th—but not before we have some intense energies from the 8th through the 12th as we combine Mars (fiery volatility) with Uranus (the rebel) and Pluto (volcanic activity). This could be a replay of some of the same energies we saw earlier this year, when Egypt and other Arab countries were trying to overthrow their evil governments. • We will all be much edgier in our personal lives this month, so find some healthy outlets for this energy such as exercise or projects that require physical activity. Otherwise, this could be a stressful time with very explosive results. And all of this occurs with the backdrop of a Mercury retrograde while Neptune sneaks back into Aquarius! • Good days this month are the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 16th, 18th, and 28th. Days to stay under the bed are the 2nd, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th, and 26th.

ARIES (March 21–April 19). The first half of the month is a very stressful time, especially the 9th through the 11th. That stress could be coming from family issues, or just from things around the house. You are focused on getting your life in order this month. Romantic relationships could take a hit here as well, if you are not clear about what’s really bugging you. You can also expect to feel pressure at work. Be sure that you are responding to life based on what you want, rather than on what is expected of you. It will be helpful to take some time to get away, if you can.

TAURUS (April 20–May 20). Creature comforts are really what you are interested in this month. With Jupiter in your sign, this is a good month for you to have the gang over. Mercury’s retrograde is in an area that influences your home and family. You will be thinking back about your past a lot. Watch your driving from the 9th through the 11th. You are in a more assertive time for communication and transportation, so you’re certain to make your point this month. You don’t have to push as hard as you think.

GEMINI (May 21–June 21). With your ruler, Mercury, retrograde throughout August, you’ll be recalling your youth. You certainly want to be more playful this month, and less stressed about life in general. Watch your spending—you will be feeling impulsive. This is a great month to keep your schedule light and fun. Go out to lunch, visit with friends, and get caught up on what’s been going on with the people in your life. This will really recharge you. You can get back to the grind at the end of the month.

CANCER (June 22–July 22). Mars, planet of action and confrontation, moves into your sign to stay until September 18. Mars will be demanding that you take action. If you have been avoiding a problem, the pot boils over this month. This is a good time to get back on your exercise and diet program. You have to be on your toes from August 7 through the 12th. You may feel that you are under attack and have to protect yourself. Don’t overreact, especially on the 10th and 11th. Things are much calmer at the end of the month.

LEO (July 23–August 22). You are definitely in a nostalgic time with Mercury retrograding through your sign this month. Pay attention to your past—you may hear from old friends or a past relationship during this retrograde. And with this being your birthday month, you are already in a reflective time. You will want to avoid starting any new projects until after the 30th. This is a great time to go back and take care of old issues. Social and career energies continue to improve.

VIRGO (August 23–September 22). With the current planetary positions, this is a time of incubation for you. You have a lot of internal activity going on, but it hasn’t broken through the surface just yet. And with your ruler, Mercury, in retrograde, this is a time to really rethink your plans. Look for friends to be supportive and very helpful. Money issues are as strong as they have been, and especially tense from the 7th through the 12th. Be prepared to make some decisions about things you have been avoiding.

LIBRA (September 23–October 23). As with the rest of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, and Capricorn), the first half of August is tense. You have been feeling a lot of pressure. You want to break out of your old identity that has you feeling limited. And yet, you long for the safety of the familiar. Mars moves through your career area during the next 45 days. This can be a time when you are much more zealous at work, and that may prove inspirational to some and really irritating to others. The most intense days this month are the 7th through the 12th. Let go of what you really don’t want.

SCORPIO (October 24–November 21). With Mercury retrograde in your career sector, you can just bet you’ll be reviewing your business or place of work this month. Your main issue to review should be efficiency. If you have new ideas, be sure to put them on hold until September when Mercury is direct. Relationships are in a positive place during August, and you are getting along easier with your business and personal partners. Keep your dance card open for social activities.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21). This is a smoother month for you. With most of the planets in the fire signs, you are in your element. You are feeling busy and active, and just ready to chat with everyone you meet. This is a great month to get back to some fun things that you haven’t done in a while. Don’t let your job override your personal schedule. You might overload your schedule because you feel that you can do it all. By the end of the month, you are feeling more focused.

CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19). This is an important month for you. Mars enters the area of your chart that represents relationships. Since Mars is good at heating things up, this would be a good month for you to get away to your favorite romantic spot and spend some time with your partner. You’ll need to put energy into your relationships this month. If you don’t, those people will be angry and try to get your attention in strange ways. As with the other cardinal signs, the 7th through the 12th are very intense. Work can also be a source of tension this month. You will demand the respect that you need.

AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18). Relationships are highlighted for you during August. First, the planets are in your relationship sector, and that always brings light or focus to this area of your life. And with Mercury also retrograde there, it’s time for a much deeper and more intense look at current and past relationship patterns. This can be a great time to really have a heart-to-heart with your partner. You will both want to be clear. If there are any problems, this is a good time to deal with them. If your relationship is not doing well, this could be the beginning of the end.

PISCES (February 19–March 20).  Health and work routines are important during August. This is a super month to get back on a diet or health regimen that you were on before. At work, you will be going through files or boxes, getting all of that muck cleaned up. This is also a good month for creative activities, especially writing or publishing. I would avoid sending something to a publisher for the first time, but if you are working on something that needs a rewrite, this is a good time for that. Stay away from the drama at work.

Read Lilly Roddy’s forecast for all of 2011 at OutSmartMagazine.com. For more astro-insight, log on to lillyroddy.com.