August Horoscopes by James Christie

There may be plenty going on around you, but it’s all a bit parochial, and there are times this month when you’ll end up feeling rather bored. Exciting visions dance just beyond the horizon, but here you are, having to deal with the same old routines. May be this would be a good time to take up a hobby or find any kind of new interest.

But here there is also a word of warning here, directed towards younger members of the sign. This is NOT a good time to be careless or indulge in any kind of dangerous sports. If you’ve got to get from A to B, go by car, catch a bus, but whatever else you do, avoid travelling on two wheels. Even push bikes could represent an element of danger. 1000cc motor bikes are a thousand times more dangerous!

To be frank, there doesn’t look to be a lot happening in connection with love and romance, so either make the best of what you’ve got or be patient in the pursuit of something better. The fact that there is an element of stability and continuity could, of course, be very good news for some of you.

The dog days of August seem to drag on, and like your Arian neighbour, boredom and lack of incentive may be an ongoing problem. Despite your lack of enthusiasm, you will try to make yourself busy with new work projects, and something useful could fall into place around the 13^th or 14^th. Some financial juggling will be required to maintain you fiscal security, and you may choose to be a little bit devious to keep things on an even keel.

On a much more positive note, as the month unfolds, you will find yourself making substantial progress on a project (even if it is a vanity project) that you’ve picked up and put down again on more than one occasion in the past. Some fresh enthusiasm here propels you forwards and you’ll find yourself looking a couple of years up the road to the fulfilment of an important life ambition. It may not be huge in the great scheme of things, but it will be big enough to provide a target and an incentive.

Older members of the sign (60+) come to terms with who they are, not who they thought they were going to be when they were looking forwards 30 years ago) and they are blessed with a subtle mood of acceptance. As someone once said “most of my future is in my past.”

A lighter and brighter month than some you have known this year, with some upbeat vibes coming from professional as well as personal associations. Travel aspects auger well, coinciding with reunions around the 18^th or 19^th. Health aspects should be improving at this time, providing you monitor energy levels and avoid dangerous sports. If you’re looking for a new job, don’t apply to be a deck hand on a submarine!

There is an annoying niggle in association with younger members of the family who appear to be behaving just a bit selfishly and constantly take you too much for granted. Subtle hints are not going to work here, and while you will obviously want to avoid any kind of confrontation, you do need to let other people know how you feel. If someone is asking you to (a) baby sit (b) do their shopping (c) run an errand (d) do their washing and ironing (e) act as their private taxi service, etc. etc. it is time to give them a firm no, with a short explanation as to why you are saying no. Initially this might not go down all that well, but as long as things remain unsaid, situations will only get worse.

For more senior members of the sign, the accent should be rest and relaxation. Sod the bloody gardening, just go and sit in the garden and enjoy it!

You might regard it as a distraction but there are some interesting (and quite intense) emotional scenarios affecting you at this time and there should be more than one window of romantic opportunity. This is good news if you’re foot loose and fancy free, but down right bloody dangerous if you’re not! In all things, avoid loose ends, acknowledge that over the years you have made a few mistakes, and learn from them.

Cancerian mothers with daughters may experience some concern for their welfare or even be a bit critical of their behaviour, but hang on a minute, they’re only doing what you did a load of years ago, so be fair in your perspective. Parents of boys will also experience their fair share of worry, but it’s the girls who cause the problems.

Career minded Cancerians will probably have a frustrating month when things do not go entirely according to plan and things need to be rescheduled at the last minute. This is extremely pertinent between the 4^th and the 9^th, and again between the 16^th and 21^st. A lot of phone calls, a lot of texts, and a lot more emails.

Quite an intense month in all affairs of the heart, and one in which you will be challenged to define the importance of one key relationship. For a union to progress, it must grow, and for it to grow, you must spend more time watering the garden! (Who said anything about trimming the bush?) You will find there is a very positive response from a lover or potential partner, who is waiting for you to give them the opportunity to prove how important you are to them. As such, this is another important indication of just how high profile the subject of romance and relationships will be at this time. Travel aspects are favourable throughout August, but even if we’re only talking about holidays, where you go is not as important as who you go with, and what new energies are released while you are away. Business and career aspects will tend to be a bit flat, but rather than seeing this as a problem, you should see it as an opportunity. A little more leisure time should most definitely not be wasted! Anything to do with media, arts or drama should begin to acquire special significance from the 26^th onwards. Any health hazards are probably exacerbated by over indulgence in something which isn’t good for you.

An ongoing argument over a trivial but irritating matter could get blown out of all proportion, so forsake the need to have the last word, and just walk away from the confrontation. It’s a work hard/play hard month but any financial gains will be spent rather than saved. Insurance, especially travel insurance, is something you can’t afford to ignore. Travel aspects are strong throughout the month, but with an accent on the period between the 21^st and 29^th. Despite your usual degree of due care and attention, do not walk around with wallets in back pockets, keep handbags closed and close to you, and avoid dodgy drinks in dubious watering holes!

Where romantic associations are concerned, the latter half of the month is most favourable, but you do need to keep relationships light and casual. This is not the time for “heavy” discussions about the future, rather you need to make every effort to enjoy what is on offer today. There will be co-operation from partners and lovers on this one, who also don’t want to get into anything heavy. Nevertheless, you will be in a questioning mood, despite the fact that right now no one has got any of the answers.

August brings a welcome mood of emotional harmony and stability and you should do all that you can to keep things this way. Partners seem to be making a special effort to please and impress, especially if there are important anniversaries in the wind. The 9^th and 10^th are key dates for long distance communications, and a small financial splurge occurs on the 23^rd or 24^th. Money spent on personal appearance could be described as a worthwhile investment, especially if it makes you feel more attractive and self assertive.

Single career girls may have to do some juggling between their personal and professional lives, especially if there are new romantic interests knocking on their door. Self employed males should make the most of any short cuts which are offered, especially around the 16^th or 17^th. Reckless gambles need to be avoided, but a calculated risk could bring some unexpected reward. Libran parents would benefit from finding some quiet time for themselves without the distraction of over demanding children. This may be a good time to start teaching some basic good manners, rather than allowing yourselves to be run ragged.

It may be time to review the worth of some of your same sex friendships, and if someone is not behaving like a friend, you might as well let them go and concentrate on people you know you can trust. Among ladies of the sign there is an undercurrent of jealousy, and although we men can frequently have our bitchy moments, we are amateurs compared with the women, especially those who have refined bitchiness into a fine art.

Work routines get heavy during the last week, but you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re at the top of your game, and the financial rewards speak for themselves. Indeed, this would be a very good time to do a few long term projections with regard to career pathways, job prospects and salaries. You may be content to remain in your present position for the moment, but only if it leads to something more worthwhile later on.

With regard to romance and affairs of the heart, there is an element of excitement in the wind, coupled with a sense of danger. If you want something (or someone) then a direct approach should pay dividends and you mustn’t be afraid of breaking a few rules of concention.

Sagittarians are not the world’s worst worriers but there seems to be a constant concern simmering beneath the surface, that try as you might, you can’t do anything about. Maybe, if you can’t let it go, you’ve got to learn to live with it until time sorts it out for you. Time and tide wait for no man, but time travels at its own speed.

If there has been worry and anxiety in connection with family affairs, especially anything associated with care of the elderly, then there is a distinct lightening of the load at this time, with gathers momentum as the month unfolds. Links with family and friends in distant places, including overseas, should acquire greater strength and significance, but this is also a time to work at improving your local social life. In short, you need to get out more!

Finances are relatively stable, especially if some long standing financial drain seems to be coming to an end, but this is not a time for splashing out, either in the High Street or down at the travel agency. Reserve and conserve should be your order of the day.

You’ve got some catching up to do, some belts to tighten, some pounds to lose. It’s a tough month on the work scene, but domestic routines are livened up a bit with the arrival of kittens, puppies or new babies… or just an unexpected guest! Any emotional tensions will be caused by an inability to see eye to eye with a partner over financial priorities, although couples will agree that some belt tightening is required.

Changes of work routines leave you feeling just a little bit wobbly, and while you are safe in your current occupation, you may still feel inclined to have a look around and see what else is out there. Things like commuter routes may be just as important as salaries. You are the dog that can be taught new tricks, but there is no need to roll over if you don’t have to. Also, on this subject, it is an old and self evident truth that who you know can be just as important as what you can do.

Health profiles should be improving at this time, but God helps those who help themselves, and you need to stick to new health regimes, eg. diets and work outs in the gym. Presented with the choice between giving up wine or potatoes, why not give up both?

I wouldn’t describe August as being boring, but it’s a pretty low key and predictable month. On the plus side there is some stability, but if its adventure that you’re looking for, you’re going to have to work damned hard to find it. Career-wise it looks like you’re living to work, and you know in your heart of hearts that this cannot be right. So, the question is, what are you going to do about it?

You may feel that in many respects your hands are tied, but there will be an opportunity presented, probably mid-month, to make some extra money from some kind of home based endeavour. Initially you might pooh pooh the idea, but don’t be too dismissive; after all, this is an opportunity which comes to you and you don’t have to go looking for it. Almost certainly it will involve a new way of utilising old and existing skills and if an extra five hours work in your living room or bedroom office can bring in an extra fifty quid a week, then that’s got to be worth having – especially if it leads to something more lucrative in the long term. Gutty hunch feeling suggests that this might have something to do with sales or IT. Or both.

A few of you will have egg on your face as you wonder why you’ve been so stupid, but by and large the majority of Piscesians can look forward to quite a nice month of social and emotional harmony. There are some “ups” around the 8^th and 9^th and a couple of “downs” around the 22^nd, but while the ups are not very high, neither are the lows very low.

It doesn’t help much when a partner (or potential partner) seems to be blowing hot one minute and cold the next, so maybe you should take the initiative and act with a greater degree of assertive independence. Find your own words for your mission statement, but you need to be saying something like “this is what I’m going to do, and I’d love you to do it with me, but if you don’t want to, I fully understand, but I’m still going to do it, even if it means doing it on my own.” At least other people will know where you’re coming from and what your intentions are and they can make their own decisions accordingly. If nothing else, it clears the air.

For older members of the sign (50+) there will be some unexpected business opportunity being presented during the latter days of the month. You will recognise the fact that there will be some hard work required to make this idea work, but you will also come to the conclusion that it could also be an awful lot of fun.