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The beginning of the month is full of activity. The first weekend in August has so much going on that it may be a bit edgy. And for the astro-linguist, Pluto goes direct on the 23rd. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22nd. Mercury slips into Virgo on the 14th. Venus begins the month in Cancer and rushes into Leo on the evening of the 26th. All the rest of the planets are happy where they are. Days to keep a low profile are the August 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 21, and the 28th. Days for wearing that new hat are August 4, 7, 18, and the 23rd.

Leo (July 23—Aug. 22) Time to focus on yourself this month with this being your birthday month. You and Joycelyn Elders (August 13) , Billy Bob Thornton (August 4) , and Lisa Kudrow (July 30) are born under the sign of creativity, a desire to be on the stage and narcissism. And this birthday is especially important as you are really reconsidering your entire life path. You are confused and every path seems foggy. You have to follow your heart, not what will make people like you. This is your key to fulfillment. Make yourself happy and then you will make others happy without resentment.

Virgo (Aug. 23—Sept. 22) You are still in your incubation period, just about to hatch out of your shell. Make sure you have all of your plans in order because by the end of the month, you are ready to act. You are judging things now to make sure that they have a place in your future. And you need some grounded proof, otherwise they are out on the curb. This can be a tense time for any decisions that have a long-term decision associated with them. You are looking for those assurance policies. You don’t have to act until the 22nd.

Libra (Sept. 23—Oct. 23) This is a rather public period for you. You seem to be out in front even if you don’t want to. And friends, they are coming out of the woodwork. They are really drawing on your strength this month. Be careful that they don’t suck the life out of you. And you will feel their pain–just wear your protective underwear. This is a great time to promote your career. If you would like to switch positions or you are looking for a promotion, this is the time to go for it. Your charm factor is very high this month.

Scorpio (Oct. 24—Nov. 21) Work offers you a place to retreat to this month. Family, both past and present, are really pulling on you. You want to be treated like a queen, but you feel as though you have to be the despot. Find a way to get away from your routines. Work may seem the easiest but you need some rest; a short break from your predictability would do wonders for you. Your stress level is over the top on the 4th and 5th. Even relationships have this undertone of responsibility. Have you considered August as your vacation month?

Sagittarius (Nov. 22—Dec. 21) Relationships still continue to dominate your life themes. Fortunately, this is the last month for this theme. You are breaking out of your crystalline ruts that you have been stuck in. You won’t even be able to use the word "routine" in a sentence. You want things in your life that promote adventure, excitement, challenge, joi de vie. As we move to the end of the month, this "time of change" will focus on your career sector. Get ready for a roller-coaster ride there.

Capricorn (Dec. 22—Jan. 19) You are in a rather calm place this month, even though everyone around you may seem like they forgot to take their Prozac. Work routines may be a bit unsettled, but you are impervious. You are feeling upbeat and optimistic about the future. This is a wonderful month for relationships both business and personal. Be careful: Because you look so stable, people will want to tie their boat to your pier. And they may not want to pay rent.

Aquarius (Jan. 20— Feb. 18) Has your life been feeling a bit lost or purposeless? Or have you been feeling trapped by the paths and routines that you have established for yourself? This has been part of your life transformation that has been going on for the last couple of years. This month, the universe turns up the volume on this theme. So, what shall you do? Follow your instincts and your desires, even if they don’t seem like they will produce safety and freedom. They will.

Pisces (Feb. 19—March 20) Put on those galoshes and raincoats. The water is going to be deep this month. Your career directions compass will be broken. You don’t know what to do with your desire to help the people around you. You have plenty of energy and desire, but you are adrift at sea. Relationships and friends could be your only place of solace. But they won’t need your help–they are there to help you. Rescue your inner damsel and you will be ready to help others again.

Aries (March 21—April 19) Lots of activity taking place for you in your home this month and for the rest of the year. And you are certainly in a creative mood as well. Work is boring your socks off–you just want to play. Children can certainly help you increase the play in your life. Creative avoidance will be your watchword. By the end of the month, you are feeling pulled back into the routine rut and there is no escape!

Taurus (April 20—May 20) You certainly have a lot to say. And you seem to have a lot of information on any subject that is brought up. Home is a very unsettled place as old family issues resurface. You need a place to escape to. Travel might help if you don’t have too many responsibilities at the end of the journey. Relationships are not as easy to navigate. There are coral reefs from your very early past that are making you pay attention to your course. Open seas are ahead at the end of the month.

Gemini (May 21—June 21) This is relationship confrontation month. You have things to say and they must be said. You have been holding back on how you feel, searching for the right words. Be careful that your views don’t come out as ultimatums (even though they are). You will vacillate between this and a strong desire to escape from your current routines. Don’t put yourself in situations in which you feel trapped. Rationality and diplomacy are not on your side this month, but direct action and addressing problems are.

Cancer (June 22—July 22) You are dancing between wanting to indulge all your senses and financial responsibilities. You are very hungry for affection. Don’t confuse that with eating, or your neuroses will show up as larger dress and pant sizes. You have been trying to solve all of that through work and work relationships. Now it is time to focus on that special person (or persons for the polyamourous). And get a handle on those money problems. That is really the road to freedom.

Lilly Roddy is a Houston-based astrologer. She can be reached at lillycath@aol.com or http://communities.msn.com/LillysAstrologicalPad.