WEEK OF August 12 – 18, 2024
Cleanup on Aisle Capricorn? If you’ve been waiting for a burst of motivation to jump into a home-improvement mission, get ready, because it’s imminent. On Wednesday, August 14, energizer Mars meets up with expansive Jupiter in Gemini, powering up your sixth house of organization, systems and daily routines. Plans for the rest of the weekend may have to be rescheduled as you let your inner Marie Kondo out to play. Start by decluttering so you know what’s most important to deal with next. Discard, recycle or donate anything that’s not serving your immediate lifestyle. (Not to suggest you toss Aunt Bessie’s watercolor if it still “sparks joy.”) File those papers, clear out the pantry, rearrange your books by color. This is your wellness zone, so make time for fitness and other stressbusters. If you have too much on your plate, which is a Capricorn occupational hazard, see what you can realistically delegate. True, you’ll have to train someone in your processes, but if they seem reliable, they should get up to speed and saving—as opposed to “costing”—you time in short order. Consider this an investment in your future efficiency and peace of mind. As for the need for everything to be done “just so,” challenge yourself to loosen your grip and focus on how great it will feel to spend time on what you excel at—and enjoy—most!
Not only has communicator Mercury been retrograde in Virgo, but for you, Cap, that cycle began in your ninth house of candor and spontaneity. While the ninth house can bring refreshing straightforwardness, it also comes with a built-in “blurt alert” warning. And when the messenger planet spun into reverse on August 5, those warnings got elevated to code-red levels. On Wednesday, however, there’s a temporary sea change as Mercury backtracks into Leo and your privacy sector, but you still need to apply strong filters until it corrects course on August 28. On the plus side, with the cosmic messenger slow-jamming through passionate Leo and your eighth house of seduction and intimacy, you could become obsessed with a new love interest—or an extinguished flame (since retrogrades rule the past). There’s a good chance you won’t be thinking at your clearest, so before you take any radical action, talk it out with a confidant who can reel you in if necessary. For couples, this can be a time of deepened connection and heightened passion. Clear your calendar to the extent possible for the next couple weeks and enjoy the sizzle.
But it’s not ALL fun and games this week, Sea Goat. Your ruler, somber Saturn, gets into a tight squeeze with relentless Mars on Friday. You may be tapped to help out a friend or sibling, which could require you to make a personal sacrifice. That’s lovely and generous of you, but know your limits. You’ve got plenty on your plate, and only have so much discretionary time. Burning yourself out to win Best Supporting Castmate won’t do either of you any good. A better tack might be to refer this person to an expert at an affordable price. And tell them you have total confidence in their ability to solve this! On the other hand, someone YOU’VE been counting on for support—a friend or hired help—might suddenly not be available. Do what you can, but don’t work above your paygrade. On the other hand, it might be time for you to upgrade to a more professional source of assistance. Unless you truly can’t afford it, console yourself by knowing that the peace of mind this brings will be well worth the investment.
