LEO HOROSCOPE

It’s wonderful to be surrounded by people who believe in you; who praise your victories and forgive your fumbles. As a Leo, you revel in it, but sometimes it can be too much – like on September 12th when the Sun squares Jupiter. This might be a good time to explain to an overenthusiastic coach, superior, or patron that you love how they think that you can do no wrong, but their insistence that you’re better than you are is stressing you out. Given time, you may go on to achieve great things, but for now they need to accept that you’re still just a work-in-progress.

The nice thing about Mars entering the zodiac sign of Cancer is that you'll no longer be in the dark about who's been badmouthing you or trying to undermine your efforts. You'll know exactly who they are. It's a mixed bag seeing who's on your side and who isn't, but better to be in the loop than out in the cold. The other nice thing about Mars in Cancer is it gives you sharp elbows and a tough skin. You'll need these if you want to take command of your situation and send opponents running. Mars will be in Cancer from September 4th to November 3rd.

Mercury comes out of retrograde on August 28th and so do you. For 2 ½ weeks, the planet of spinning plates has put you through your paces as you fielded crises while negotiating backslides and unanticipated delays. Your life has been a three-ring circus, and you'll only be too happy for things to return to normal. One wonderful thing to emerge from all this craziness will be a new friend. Maybe you met sitting next to each other on the plane, at the gym, or some neighborhood hot spot. In any case, there's a very real and lasting connection, as you'll see in the weeks ahead.

There are three ways to interpret the Sun/Uranus square followed by an opposition to the Moon on August 19th. This creates a T-square and could result in a parting of the ways in a relationship or business association. If so, then this would be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Yet, a crisis can also revitalize a bond that's been allowed to lapse, so the square could bring you two closer together. Finally, this planetary configuration may signal the return of someone from your past who has—to your great surprise—cleaned up their act. They could be looking to get back together.

We're all guilty of saying things are OK when they're not. Maybe it's to keep the peace, avoid confronting a difficult situation, or put off bringing up a contentious issue in hopes that a certain someone will come to their senses. Retrograde Mercury square Uranus on August 18th promises to blow the lid off all that. To say you'll be “losing it” is an understatement. You'll be shocked as much as anyone else by your outburst, but you'll also be relieved to finally express the resentment that's been building. However, the bigger surprise may be the other party asking, “What took you so long?”

You're an unapologetic optimist. Your Ruling Planet is the Sun and the Sun always rises on a new day. You never give up hope. On August 7th the Sun sextiles Jupiter. This is the “everything's going to be all right” transit in astrology and you'll see it go to work right away on clearing up misunderstandings, uncrossing crossed arms, and restocking empty shelves with golden opportunities. Moreover, customers will buy, superiors will smile, and your romantic life couldn't be better. So should all this good fortune make you worried? Not with Jupiter around. Jupiter confers cosmic protection and benediction, so enjoy this time in the Sun.

It's not all about you. You're going to think it is when there's a New Moon in Leo on August 4th because New Moons create emotional blind spots where it's hard to “see” ourselves, but the truth is it isn't. Clearly, you're the subject of embattled conversations – a prize to be fought over or someone to pin the blame on – but the reality is it's for others to take responsibility for their actions. The best thing to do is to remove yourself until they've hashed out their differences. Once done, you can reappear and answer for the things that truly have to do with you.

It isn’t easy to trust the decisions you’re making – especially when you don’t have the clearest idea of where you’re going. Just about everything you're doing nowadays seems to fly in the face of people’s expectations, as they are quick to point out. Yet the wonderful thing about being a Leo is that deep down, you know that you’re on the right track. And this feeling inside will only get stronger over the next four weeks. There’s a reason why astrologers call you the lion-hearted sign of the zodiac, and that’s because you have the courage it takes to be true to yourself no matter what.

What would you do if you had to choose between love and career? It's a question nobody wants to think about, but it's one you'll have to face this week as Mars forms a conjunction to Uranus in Taurus. The easiest solution is to go with the stronger prospect. For instance if your relationships sucks then it's a no-brainer. But what if both are equally appealing and uncompromising in the demands that they make? Then it's up to you find a way to make them dovetail. Remember that you are valued by both sides. That's the key to turning an “either/or” situation into an “and”.

Venus enters Leo this week. This is spectacular news for romantics everywhere because Venus is at her most resplendent when she is traveling through the zodiac sign of the lion. Love saves the day – literally – from July 11th to August 4th. This is when you'll see all of your dark fears, noxious anxieties, and nagging neuroses dissolve in the warm light of day. That's because Venus has zero tolerance for anything that takes the fun out of love. Instead, broken hearts will be mended, chivalrous acts will be rewarded, and even the most jaded of misanthropes will find good reason to give romance another try.