The month of August is a veritable whirlwind of activity—a reflection of the Whiplash Effect of the Saturn-Uranus tension that dominates the astrology of 2021, demanding we make radical changes to the structure of our lives without losing our minds in the process.

We’ll feel the whiplash in August when the need to take care of the basics while trying have a little Summer relaxation time conflicts with the need to simultaneously make big-picture, life-altering changes.

Though the “new” vs. the “tried-and-true” is the predominant theme of 2021, it’s particularly challenging to prioritize in August, torn between meeting responsibilities and the equally important need to take a much-needed break from the entrapment of stale routines. 

Not so easy to do, particularly when Mercury moves into its home sign of meticulous, analytical Virgo on August 11, and day-to-day life rapidly picks up speed. Along with Mercury’s rapid motion through Virgo, August is filled with a slew of itchy inconjunct aspects this month, increasing discontent with the specious status quo.

The upbeat pace of August can be both exhilarating and stressful, opening up new doors and ramping up the collective sense of urgency when it comes to making major moves. In fact, August is like the plot of the movie Jerry Maguire—and yes, all of us are Jerry in this metaphor. 

In case you haven’t seen the film, Tom Cruise (Jerry) is a successful agent at a top Sports Management firm who, in a moment of epiphany, realizes the corruption of his company, ultimately leading him to write a manifesto in hopes of changing company practices to be more ethical in its dealings with their athletes.

Well, let’s just say the manifesto doesn’t go over so well with his bosses, who pretty much tell him to retract his idealism and get back to business as usual. Jerry, naturally, is filled with incredulity when faced with the callousness of his trusted colleagues, and leaves the company in a dramatic display, with only one loyal employee (Renee Zellweger) and one loyal client (Cuba Gooding Jr.) willing to join him.

I won’t bore you with the details of the subsequent plot, but there’s excitement in escaping situations we know aren’t right for us yet a powerful sense of urgency to take care of all those stubborn practicalities. This is the central thesis of the movie, and is pretty much the thesis of August (if not all) of 2021.

Much like Jerry Maguire, as soon as we get moving again, it’s as if our efforts to get out of personal and professional ruts completely eclipse whatever plans we may’ve had. As soon as we lean into some sultry Summer fun, the problem re: needing to break free from restrictive jobs, relationships and other untenable life circumstances without jeopardizing our sense of hard-won stability in doing so comes back to rear its ugly head.

New Moon in Leo: Fast-balls & Curveballs

The Leo New Moon on August 8 symbolizes the need to make big changes in our love lives and social worlds (Sun-Moon in Leo)—a need that competes with our less conscious desire to cling to the Status Quo (Uranus in Taurus). Whatever the scenario, finding ways to integrate more fun and friendliness into our day-to-day lives is far easier said than done this month. 

Decisions feel imminent and plans seem to move at the speed of light in August, with unruly Uranus throwing us all kinds of astrological curveballs at us, especially when it forms tense alignments to the Leo Sun and Moon on August 6 - 10.

Post-New Moon, it’s as if everything seems to go according to plan, only to be thrown wildly off track: right as we’re ready to socialize and get back to Work/School again, COVID cases all over the U.S. are suddenly (back) on the rise; right as we’re ready to start dating again, we’re faced with the fact that, after being out of the game for so long, we’re not even sure what (or who) we want; or, right when thought we’d budgeted for the next month, next quarter, or next year, a big, fat unexpected expense crops up.

Examples abound, but somehow life feels exciting yet untethered this month, abruptly shifting from easy breezy one minute to impossibly stressful the next. 

Romantically, this New Moon chart is not without contradictions, with Venus in practical Virgo opposing Neptune in dreamy Pisces on August 9, clouding our vision of relationships with inflated expectations. Whatever person or relationship situation that seems too good to be true may prove to be just that: a vision, a dream, a fantasy.

Whether we indulge such wishful thinking when it comes to relationship dynamics is ultimately up to us; yet, nonetheless, we all need some form of escapism to get us through the scorching end of Summer. 

Mercury-Mars in Virgo + Uranus in Taurus: Hasty Pudding

By mid-August, anxiety is at its highest, as Mercury forms a tense conjunction to Mars at 12° Virgo on August 18, followed immediately by Uranus’ meet-up with Mercury and Mars in Virgo on August 19th and 21st, respectively, causing volcanic disruptions whenever we seem to find an answer to our problems (or even just a quiet moment to relax).

Virgo is a Mutable Earth sign: perfectionistic, detail-oriented and focused on establishing order at all costs, so this astrological aspect can make us something of a “fuss-pot” come mid-month. Yet as fussy (read: indecisive) as we may be, Mars-Mercury-Uranus combinations in Earth signs indicate one thing: Speed.

Mars-Uranus alignments are especially volatile in nature, indicating impulsive, hasty and selfish impulses stemming from a restlessness that’s, well, difficult to quell—whether we experience such feelings within ourselves and/or at the hands of potentially helpful others. 

One point is critical to recognize, however: with Mars in Virgo trine Uranus in Taurus, we have to be a little selfish this month. Compelled to cling to what we know, at the same time we know that if we don’t rebel in some form or another we’ll likely be jeopardizing our own survival and long-term sense of security in doing so.   

Aquarius Full Moon: Clearing the Air

Finding a balance between getting stagnant projects back on track vs. leaning in and kicking back is the challenge of this whirling dervish of a month—a fact that’s highlighted as we approach the second (yes, second) Full Moon in ethereal Aquarius on August 22, when all truths will be revealed.

While the Aquarius Full Moon on the 22nd is the culmination of several back-to-back weeks of heightened stress, the last week of August is far more buoyant and humorous in tone than the weeks prior, as its alignment to Jupiter brings our need for Love and Happiness back into the picture—and, in doing so, relieves at least some of the pressure of responsibilities unmet.

Romantically and financially, we’re no longer subject to the delusion of the Venus-Neptune opposition in effect at the Leo New Moon earlier in the month. In fact, it'll be easier than ever to prioritize important relationships and financial decisions.

Why? Because Venus in Libra forms a peaceful, stabilizing alignment to Saturn in Aquarius on August 23, bringing much-needed clarity to both financial and relationship matters in the last week of the month. 

The 2nd Full Moon in Aquarius of 2021 represents a rare opportunity to atone, make amends and move forward gracefully into our futures, even if there’s some stress involved in the process.

It’s imperative not to let desperation get the best of us as we approach the Full Moon on the 22nd, as jovial Jupiter is sure to bring fresh opportunities to those of us able to maintain some level of self-awareness re: what it is we (truly) want/need in 2021.

So throw a penny (or two) in a wishing well and try your hardest to think good thoughts, as positivity is the key to self-protection (and opportunity) in the hasty rat race that characterizes the crazy-lazy month of August.