In the stars

Leo Jul 24 - Aug 23

Happy birthday, majesties! August’s stage curtains open on the sun and Mercury taking a glamorous sashay down the astral catwalk in your royal sign. With diva Venus in Leo restoring your roar, taking second place won’t appeal – but ego is not your amigo this month, so set your thermostat to simmer and engage others simply by being your warm, authentic self. While razzle-dazzle Jupiter in a fellow fire sign has you thinking big and planning plenty, six planets retrograde suggest inevitable setbacks. But don’t let these delays diminish your enthusiasm – celebrate each small victory.

Virgo Aug 24 - Sep 23

Mental-as-anything Mercury in Virgo for much of this month can be a recipe for stress, so keep things simple. Steer clear of social situations that ramp up anxiety. Monitor screen time. Limit the digital deluge of electronic beeps and bleeps cannibalising your time and attention. Focus instead on upstyling your profile, brand and presentation, putting your talents on display and dressing for success. When the sun and new moon align in your sign on August 27, your love language of service is likely to be lavishly rewarded with an abundance of love and appreciation.

Libra Sep 24 - Oct 23

With glamazon Venus entering the celestial fire circle, you’ll make quite an impression as August issues a director’s call to start drawing on fresh avenues of inspiration. While it’s no secret Librans are suckers for a great presentation, the secret of your success this month is not getting too dazzled by attractive packaging. In wild times like these, it’s more important than ever to nurture strong connections you can rely on. Mercury’s arrival in your sign during August’s final days helps you ask the questions that direct group conversations towards mutually beneficial solutions.

Scorpio Oct 24 - Nov 22

This is the zodiac’s gold-star month for creative brainstorming and marketing. With August’s stellar emphasis in Scorpio’s professional sector, approach whatever you’re planning as an artwork – not only will you have more fun, you’ll also attract other interesting people to come along for the ride. Do conditions apply? Yes. For maximum benefit, you will need to maintain a flexible mindset. With vixen Venus at her most theatrical in the confident spotlight of the Lion, this month sees you relishing performances from hot and spicy to cool and icy, as well as entertaining everyone with racy repartee.