Horoscope: August 16, 2017

Your Stars Today

Aries | March 20 – April 18



The time has come to lighten your load of certain longstanding arrangements. While you took on some unthinkingly, others were uncomplicated when they first arose and have become increasingly demanding. Yet you’re reluctant to walk away. In that case, you’ll need to reduce your commitment, and do it both substantially and soon.

Taurus | April 19 – May 19



Only days ago, the plans you’d invested a great deal of time organising, seemed to be going wrong. This is no surprise, since August’s two eclipses are bound to trigger shakeups in a range of situations and settings. While some will require no more than a rethink, others may not survive.

Gemini | May 20 – June 20



While most people are able to deal deftly with even dramatic changes, some regard them as irritation if not an insult. While, ordinarily, this wouldn’t be a problem, they’re bound to be upset by the range of unexpected events triggered by the current dramatic planetary activity. Knowing that, if you can, diplomatically avoid them.

Cancer | June 21 – July 21



This is one of those strange periods during which seemingly unwelcome events could lead to exciting developments if not breakthroughs. Of course, you won’t always recognise these as being promising at the time. That being the case, explore everything that comes your way, including situations that seem nothing short of a disaster.

Leo | July 22 – August 21



It’s not until you encounter a period as unsettled as this that you realise how adaptable you are. While you’re usually able to ride out even tricky changes, those triggered by the pair of Leo New Moons could seem overwhelming. The secret? Take things slowly. You’ll settle on plans, but not until in early September.

Virgo | August 22 – September 21



No sign works harder to ensure that plans, arrangements and commitments proceed as they were first intended. Still, despite your efforts, things are unlikely to work out as you hoped. This has nothing to do with how well these were organised and everything to do with the rather tricky week’s twists and turns.

Libra | September 22 – October 22



True, your instincts about what to say and, equally, what not to mention make you a superb diplomat. However, the individual you’re discussing these matters with will do anything to avoid dealing with them, especially in one particular matter. This gives you little choice but to be forthright, if not just plain blunt.

Scorpio | October 23 – November 21



Being forgiving may be a virtue. However, it can be challenging. This is especially the case when others were clearly in the wrong but are unwilling to acknowledge that and, still, less, apologise. But then, that’s what true forgiveness is about. Letting go and firmly placing such matters in the past.

Sagittarius | November 22 – December 20



As a fire sign, if life’s too predictable, you can become bored. That certainly won’t be the case during August, with its two eclipses, on the 7th and in a few days’ time, on the 21st, triggering exciting shakeups. Be aware, however, not everybody will welcome them as enthusiastically as you will.

Capricorn | December 21 – January 18



Although you’re not as painstaking as your fellow earth sign, Virgo, you prefer to get things right first time around, simply because it means avoiding time-consuming errors. However, with the communication planet Mercury retrograde, you’re urged to adopt a more relaxed approach. Not only are those errors inevitable, they could be informative.

Aquarius | January 19 – February 17



Watching familiar elements of your life slip away may not be easy. Yet, at the same time, their departure is creating space for something new and, perhaps, very different. This could prove welcome, especially because things have been a little too predictable. At minimum, explore these. You’ll be glad you did.

Pisces | February 18 – March 19



Changeable periods, such as this, can put certain individuals on edge. So much you’ll worry something’s gone wrong. It’s really more about their struggles with exploring and, even more, undertaking changes. Tempting as it is to reassure them, back off. They’ll need to do this their way and in their own time.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2017.