AQUARIUS HOROSCOPE

The great irony about Aquarius is that for all of your love of progress, you hate change. It comes from being born under a fixed sign. Fixed signs can't help but think that the way they set things up is the way they should be. Nevertheless you were born under innovative Uranus and the Uranus/Neptune sextile on August 28th shows how both necessity and invention will work hand in hand to unlock a certain puzzle. You've spent a lot of time resisting a move you're being pressured into making – however the solution to your dilemma doesn't lie in mastering your situation, but in reimagining it.

You'll soon face a dilemma where the demands of your job conflict with your higher aims. You will have to choose between selling out for expediency's sake or digging in your heels to ensure that the goals you're shooting for won't be compromised. Thankfully you were born under a zodiac sign that is as inventive as it is innovative. If anyone can come up with an original solution to a classic problem – it's you. Although you will be beset with more challenges along these lines in the weeks to come, you should also remember that what confounds you invariably works to inspire you as well.

A rare sextile between your two Ruling Planets Saturn and Uranus on August 11th shows you reaping the benefits of playing the long game. You've a put a lot of years into paying your dues, honing your skills, and even throwing one or two battles to win a war. This has earned you tremendous respect, trust, and a credibility so that now you're the one people turn to for approval and guidance. This is something you can cash in on as the demand is great. Not only does this move you to the top of the pile, but your hard-won experience ensures you'll stay there.

Mars entering Libra on August 6th is going to give you the boost in confidence that's been missing. Libra is an air sign just like you, and Mars here shows that you've got the recognition and license to finally do the things you want to do. Your hands are no longer tied. Now most people would try to cover as much ground as they could, but you have all the time in the world to work out your next step. Slow moving planets are forming a unique alignment that promises to favor you and they'll back up any endeavor aimed at serving the greater good.

It looks like there's a lot of finger pointing going on at work nowadays and people are searching for a scapegoat. Venus is the planet of attraction in Astrology and in your efforts to alleviate associates’ guilty consciences you could be inadvertently inviting them to lay the blame on you for their shortcomings and failures. This is the sort of thing that often happens during a Venus/Neptune square, so on August 1st when associates say “I feel so bad, this is all my fault” don’t disagree. This sends the message that yes, it is their fault – and without you ever having said a word.

Sun/Pluto oppositions (like the one on July 25th) are famous for either/or dilemmas. It will feel like you have to choose between your own best interests or somebody else's. Now if you were a Leo this would be easy (Leos always come first!) but you're an Aquarius which means you'll naturally want to help out a partner, associate, or collaborator. Thankfully you won't have to fall on your sword. The recent Sun double trine to Saturn and Neptune shows that there are people who can help out – either by lending a hand or providing guidance. Follow their lead and you'll ensure that nobody gets left hanging.

It's going to feel like everything's grinding to a halt when Mercury turns retrograde in your opposite sign of Leo on July 18th. Think of it as Europe in August. If there was ever a time to hit the beach or lounge poolside with a favorite book then this is it because you won't be getting anything done until August 11th. Retrogrades are Astrology's time outs. They're also good for allowing people to catch up. You’ve pitched a lot of brilliant ideas lately – one after the other – and people need time to process what you’ve said so that they don't look dazed and confused.

Ruling Planet Uranus enters Gemini on July 7th. This marks the start of a dynamic period that promises to be both innovative and creative. Usually Uranus is disruptive as you can attest from the past seven years when it was forming a square to your sign, but now that Uranus is trining your sign you can expect to progress by leaps and bounds. In fact you're entering a time when you'll be breaking down old structures and building something new. Think of it as remodeling your life from top to bottom and rest assured that what emerges will be a better version of what came before.

It looks like a loved one or friend has weathered the worst and will survive. As an Aquarius, you'll stand by anyone facing tough times. Others may distance themselves or leave all together, but you are true blue. Now this doesn't always mean you like the person you're loyal to; you may even blame them for having brought about their own misfortune. In any case Venus entering Gemini on July 4th followed by Uranus on July 7th promises dramatic reversals that will redeem your friend. Not only will this person be vindicated, they may even be in a position to prosecute those who caused them harm.

You won't like the barb that comes flying over the net when Mercury opposes Pluto on June 29th. You know that this person isn’t your match; that they're trying to score points by riling you up. In a perfect world you'd avoid having anything to do with this person, but at the same time remaining silent makes them look like they've hurt you and have the upper hand. What you need to do is trust that their actions will make them look foolish in the eyes of others and that if you give them enough rope they'll wind up hoisting themselves by their own petard.