With Venus, the planet ruling pleasure, attraction and hook ups retrograde for all of August, now is the time for that person to slide into your DMs. If you’ve been paying attention, maybe you’ve had a hunch about their return (especially since 19 June). 

On the other hand, you might be the one suddenly struck by the urge to Google “that person from your past” or go incognito on LinkedIn for a late-night snoop. Either way the deeper medicine of the season is to ask yourself, what that person represents, and how that energy fits (or is perhaps missing) from your life right now.

The reconnection vibes aren’t limited to romance. Stepping back in time with friends and family is also a frequent Venus Retrograde experience. And if all of that just sounds like way too much drama for your liking (Virgo and Capricorn, I’m looking at you), trust that Venus retrograde is the perfect season to do a major overhaul of all your beauty loot. Read the number on the jar to see how long your product is meant to last once its open, and if in doubt, ditch it. Now, if that’s not the very definition of satisfaction, I don’t know what is…

I always recommend reading for your rising sign rather than your sun sign. You can find out your rising sign by casting your chart here. Want to learn more? Check out my new book The Astrology Of You: Finding Love, Creativity and Soul Purpose In Your Birth Chart or find me on Instagram at @emma_vee.

Is the sequel even better than the original? It’s a rhetorical question that could serve you well. Keep your answer close to your heart this month as you face the prospect of your own very own romantic drama getting renewed for a second (or third) season. That situationship you thought was dead and buried may prove itself to be very much alive and kicking. The question is, are you ready to take a starring role again? Enjoy the fun, but hold fire making solid future plans just yet. For now, let things unfold in their own time.

Tip: Experiment with something (or someone) left-of-centre around the 9th. 

After weathering the worst of some seriously intense astro weather, August is your first real chance in a long time to let your hair down. As your ruling planet vogues back through playful, creative, fabulous Leo, this month is perfect for putting pleasure first. Good food, sparkling company, a high thread count–whatever your idea of a good time is (likely a combination of all of the above), make fun, especially at home, your top priority. Finding joy with family will be an especially sweet way to celebrate.

Tip: Put yourself out there and just say “yes!” on 7 August when the skies give you an extra burst of confidence. 

The playful mood of Leo season combined with Venus retrograde brings a levity to August that should soothe your soul. Let yourself get lost in a well of joyful nostalgia, diving deep into old playlists, TV shows or books that bring you joy. For those with siblings, making time to catch up and do something sunny and silly could be the highlight of your month. Once Mercury goes retrograde (24 August), the pace gets even more languid. Why rush when you could take it slow?

Tip: Expect any big decisions made after on or after 4 August to require further discussion before being finalised next month.

Beware the siren song of a ShopBop eDM this month. End of season sales will be calling your name, possibly even louder than ever (blame Leo season) but this is not a month for extravagant purchases. Despite a deep yearning for Proenza sandals (or fluffy slides, because they are, after all, fancy slippers you can wear out), the skies serve a stern warning for Cancerian folk: that which is purchased in August will likely to be returned. If you’re up for doing “the work” meditate on what’s behind your urge to splurge, and reflect on what hole you’re trying to fill with beautiful things. And if you’re still not satisfied, tackle a wardrobe clear out–it’s the perfect use of Venus retrograde energy.

Tip: Surprise a friend on the 9th by sharing the spoils of a wardrobe clear out with them.

Any self-respecting Leo doesn’t need a reason to luxuriate, but nevertheless, if ever there was a month in 2023 to truly lose yourself in the visceral delight of all things beauty and self-care, August is it! Let yourself get lost in a mermaid core rabbit hole on TikTok or start saving new Cherry colour makeovers. Hold fire actually charging ahead with anything just yet (September looks much better for pulling the trigger)… but make August your month to research a big style shakeup.

Tip: Grab the person you love most and do something outrageously spontaneous to celebrate the full moon at the start of the month.

Dialling back the productivity doesn’t come easily but if you’re up for honouring your birth chart, that’s exactly what August is asking you to do. With the Sun moving through the shadiest part of your chart, laying low (at least until your home season begins on 23 August) is the best way to work with the energy. Reconnecting with a practice that helps you slow down and get out of your head (think: acupuncture, sound baths or Kahuna massage) is a great way to embrace Venus retrograde.

Tip: Keep big decisions as “pending” as possible after 4 August, when things will need several rounds of review before getting off the ground.

If you only do one thing this month, make it a dinner with friends who have seen your natural hair colour. Whether it’s an unofficial school reunion or a reigniting that group chat that somehow went crickets, August’s skies are all about reconnecting. Don’t underestimate the healing power of an embarrassing throwback photo if you’re feeling bashful about breaking the ice. Nothing helps pick up where you left off like a Libran sharing a truly embarrassing pic of themselves.

Tip: Plan a singles potluck (or a group date if you’re coupled up) on the 9th when the sky encourages some random-but-delightful mingling.

What’s that one little accoutrement that never fails to give you Main Character Energy? Maybe it’s a lipstick, maybe it’s a pair of shoes, maybe it’s a fragrance. If you’re drawing a blank, your only mission his month is to figure out what it is…and work it every damn day! Scorpy gets her groove month big time this month and the catalyst can be as simple as a few sequins. The key is to let yourself truly connect to that Big Goddess Energy and enjoy the spotlight just for the sake of it. Even the shadiest Scorps enjoy attention, some of the time. Let your (black)light shine.

Tip: Put yourself out there on the 22nd when you’re blessed with a little extra dash of serendipity.

If last minute trips are an option, this month is a cracker for getting out of town. The dream would be a quick dash to Ubud, or some other luxe destination that makes you feel like a queen (because #leoseason). But if a 5-star escape isn’t an option, returning to somewhere more low-key, even just for a weekend will do the trick. A road trip to a kitschy family holiday haunt from deep in your history will make the most of the sunshiny, slightly silly vibes in store in August.  

Tip: Don’t take a change of plans (especially after the 23rd) too seriously–laughter is the best medicine for delays.

While the rest of the zodiac may be revelling in the frivolity of Leo season, for sea goats, it’s all about work. Before you get too excited, it’s not the work you’re thinking. This Venus retrograde is all about doing “The Work”–the excavating deep into the recesses of your emotional junk drawer/cupboard/room kind of work. But before you baulk, consider this: this is not a mountain you need to hike solo. Now is the time to find that therapist, life coach or mentor and start unpacking. All you need to bring is the courage, and a heart open to going there. I guarantee the reward will be more satisfying than your most glowing performance review. 

Tip: Dip your toe into shadow work and pick up a copy of Existential Kink–the perfect book to get you started on the road.

August is a time to fall in love again. Fall in love with laughing, fall in love with fashion, fall in love with the people who make you laugh until your sides hurt. The past 18 months have been rough on Aquarians, but this month you’re getting a free kick to lighten up and reconnect with things that feel like sunshine. Push back on making big decisions, hold off on making major plans and allow yourself to just take a moment of gratitude for the people in your life and the little pockets of fun that exist even when things are challenging.

Tip: Celebrate the full moon (2 August AEST) by surprising someone you hold dear with a spontaneous-but-opulent date night.

Beyond your makeup bag, this Venus retrograde is a time to reflect on the role of rituals in your life. Rediscovering a practice or even a person that makes you feel magnificent should be top of your to-do list. Look back through photos to find times where you feel truly beautiful, then take time to remember what was going on for you when the shot was taken. How were you nourishing your body? What skincare were you using? What colourist were you seeing? Let your intuition guide you and experiment with a habit or connection long forgotten but once, much-loved.

Tip: Believe the best in people and accept invitations (even if they seem a little random) when Venus and Jupiter bring abundance on 22 August.