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August 2002

The month opens with a rocky start. Mostly you will wish you were taking it easy somewhere and not worrying about anything. If you can get a break from your routines, it will be better. Life gets back to abnormal, but there are a few days to watch out for. Pluto, planet of the ultimate clean-out, goes direct at the end of August, producing a new level of intensity and life alterations for the mutable signs, Gemini, Virgo, Sag, and Pisces. Days to wear flats are August 1, 2, 4, 15, 19, and especially 23. Days for high heels are August 6, 7, 8, 10 (a good day to kick someone), 21, and 22.

Aries (March 21-April 19). You are certainly a creative devil this month. Ideas and solutions are just flowing from your brain. The first half of the month you are more content to just live and enjoy life. Relationships enter the picture after the 7th. You will be thinking of others. You will need someone to share all those ideas with. In business, you can sell yourself and conceptions to almost anyone because you are so in touch with the flow. As the month progresses, you are more interested in putting your ideas into practical application. Effort will have to have result.

Taurus (April 20-May 20). Family fun and fireworks continue for you this month. Trying to be close to family members may produce some combative nurturing. Nevertheless, you may still want to go home for a visit. Stay somewhere you can have your privacy. This is true if you just stay at home with your own nuclear family. You will not want people to tell you "No" this month. Especially volatile days are the 4th and the 10th. You are continuing to work to get your money and resources in order. You were really up against the wall in May and June; now you are finally making some progress. Keep your workload and schedule light.

Gemini (May 21-June 21). Your mental capacities are excellent this month. You have views and ideas, and you are ready to share them with anyone who will listen. In business, you can really convince others that your ideas are best. This is an especially good thing for business, networking, or working with organizations. The only area in which this doesn't work too well is in relationships. There is a lot of tension and apprehension on your part; the results don't seem to justify the efforts. That area will begin to improve by September, but you may not see any difference until October.

Cancer (June 22-July 22). Money and personal resources are your focus for this month. You are really going to work on making money this year. You just have to be careful that you don't spend it as fast as you earn it. Your communications skills seem to be really working well this month‹even if you are pushy with your views. You are secretly looking for a jousting partner who you can push and pull with. In romantic relationships, this can produce some sparks and fireworks or some out-and-out battles. This sounds better for sex than for Scrabble.

Leo (July 23-August 22). Happy birthday to all the Leos out there. It is your month to shine even more than usual. Jupiter, planet of travel, education, and optimism, has been moving into your sign to stay for the next year. You are ready to embark on new directions without the normal precautions that you have about taking action and embracing change. Mars, planet of action, is moving through your sign now as well. You are ready for adventure and definitely something new and exciting in your life. This is a great month for planning ahead for the next year. Take some time for yourself to consider what great things you are going to accomplish this month.

Virgo (August 23-September 22). You are in a rest-and-retreat mode this month. You are plenty busy, but you seem to be doing most of your work behind the scenes. You are more sensitive than usual this month, and negative energy and negative people will take their toll on your delicate nature. You are rather unsettled at work. Your work environment is in change, and you don't feel the routines that you associate with stability. And this irritability could cause you some physical problems. Bodywork and exercise would be really, really, really good for you.

Libra (September 23-October 23). You are feeling wonderfully social this month. You are making new friends and renewing old ones. This is a great month for business and convivial activities. And if you play your dance card just right, you can do both at the same time. And groups and friends can really be an inspiration to you during this month‹they will invigorate your fecundity. Body condoms are not necessary for protection. You may not want to give anyone else stage time. So, despite your good nature, some sightless parasites may see you as selfish. A good shot of eau de DDT will help.

Scorpio (October 24-November 21). Career activity is jumping this month. Jupiter, planet of growth and expansion, has entered your career sector for the next year. And with Mars there, you are ready to take some action. This would be a great time to look for a new position if you are bored with your old one‹or to even start your own business. But you can anticipate something new and exciting coming down the pike for you this month. This will take you away from your home environment, and this may take a toll on your family life. But you are so security-conscious and so motivated to make this part of your life more stable that you are willing to sacrifice this part of your life at this time to create a solid future.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21). The universe has turned down the intensity level a notch or two for you. You have been operating on the highest setting for the last three months, and this is really making you tired. And you won't be able to function at your best. An important thing to do is to prioritize and only do the things that are the most important . . . and wait until next month to get to everything else. You are reviewing the commitment you have to others in relationships. And if you are not getting back enough from your investment, you will be renegotiating a new arrangement‹or finding someone new to fill in that slot.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19). It is normal for you to look at the use that people and things have in your life. You are able to help people focus the talents that they have and may not use for their best. This month, you are looking at the deeper values of people. Their emotional value may come into conflict with your view of practicality. In romantic and business partnerships, it becomes all too obvious that you both have to have a common underlying substance and meaning. This is the month to bring that to the surface and chat about it. If these aren't found, some of you may seek others to fill this void. You want satisfaction and a future with people. And you won't get involved without both.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18). I hope you are able to take some time for yourself and your personal projects this month. You need time away from predictable habits and the crowds of people that have been in your life over the last few months. And you also need more time to yourself, in part to recharge for the busy time ahead. You are reflecting on your place in the universe. And this is no simple process for the Water Bearers. Relationships can be very helpful now, as they can be mirrors to the depths that you are plummeting. And if there isn't depth in your existing relationships, you will be out looking for it. The worse thing is to be lonely when someone is around.

Pisces (February 19-March 20). Your habits and routines are up for discussion this month. And your relationships with co-workers are in the process of change. This could be a time when you are looking for a new place to work or expecting a promotion. You certainly need a change in your customary occupation. And this includes an opportunity to expose others to your imaginative talents. You are not much into settling for the sake of security. And you are much more willing to take risks that you would not have taken in the past. And the person you have to rescue the most is you.

Lilly Roddy is a Houston-based astrologer. She can be reached at lillycath@aol.com or www.hermesfoot.com.