August 18–24 Horoscope: Some Assembly (and Subtraction) Required

On Friday, August 22, the Sun exits Leo and enters Virgo, shifting the vibe from “make it big” to “make it work.”

About ten hours later, we have a Virgo New Moon, the first of two this season (rare). The second, on September 21, will be a solar eclipse. Both are joined by the South Node, so every fresh start here comes with a side of subtraction. Maybe you’re moving into a gorgeous new place, but chances are, you will find yourself leaving half of your belongings on the curb.

The ruler of these lunations, Mercury, is still in its post-retrograde shadow this week, lounging in Leo. Whatever you start now appears to be a prototype: bold and inspired, but far from the final cut. By the second New Moon, Mercury will have finished its shadow period, swept through Virgo, and entered Libra. You’ll have sharp edits, broad perspective, and a clearer sense of direction.

This week’s directive? Get started, but stay flexible. Plant the seed, but don’t set anything in stone just yet. The South Node promises pruning ahead, and by the eclipse, you’ll know exactly what to trim so what’s left can thrive.

Curious exactly what it all means for you? Check your sun, moon and rising signs, and take what resonates! (Don’t know your moon or rising sign? Celeste can help.)

Aries

This New Moon is basically a laboratory for your daily life. All of it is up for revision: your routines, your habits, your “this is how I do mornings” script. Try on new systems, even the ones that seem silly, because you never know which experiment becomes the thing that makes everything click. Some trials will fizzle, but one might just change the whole rhythm of your days.

Taurus

A temptation is calling: a fling, a project, a pleasure you half-suspect is bad for you. But isn’t that part of the fun? Dive in without needing to know whether this is true love or just a late-summer romance with a hobby. You’ll be able to tell soon enough which indulgences are worth building a life around and which were just the most charming detour.

Gemini

Your home is restless. Maybe it’s you, maybe it’s the furniture, maybe it’s the entire idea of where you live. Shift things around, invite in a new energy, or dream about a bigger leap. But hold off on paint colors and long leases for now. Think of it as an extended rehearsal for the life you might want to stage later.

Cancer

The words are bubbling up, and people actually want to hear them. Start the conversation, the pitch, the project, or even the apology. You’ll feel the difference between the ideas that deserve their own series and the ones that were really just a good one-liner. Either way, say it.

Leo

Money is asking for your attention, but not in a grim spreadsheet way. More like: How do you want your resources to feel? Where does generosity light you up? Where does discipline make you feel stronger? Experiment with the balance. You’re not fixing your finances in a week, but you are learning which moves feel powerful instead of punishing.

Virgo

Your season arrives like a software update. Fresh start, new face, cleaner interface. Step into the look, the attitude, or the path that feels the most like you, even if it’s still loading. Glitches will appear, but you’ll patch them as you go. The point isn’t perfection; it’s momentum.

Libra

Your inner world is asking for space and quiet. That doesn’t mean boredom; it means building a private corner where you can let something new grow. Begin quietly, with no audience and no pressure. What’s meant to last will, and the rest will fade without you needing to push it away.

Scorpio

Your social world is buzzing with possibilities, but don’t treat every invitation like a binding contract. Show up, test the vibe, pass your ideas around the table. You’ll know quickly which collaborations feed you and which ones don’t deserve a second meeting. Not every cookie is worth keeping.

Sagittarius

This is the opening chapter of your next professional storyline. Say yes to the role that excites you, even if it feels unformed. Pitch the bold idea, even if it sounds reckless. Step a little closer to the spotlight. You’re not committing to the ending yet, but you are establishing the plot.

Capricorn

Adventure is restless inside you. Maybe it’s a subject to study, a city to explore, or a plan that feels too big to hold. Say yes with curiosity, not commitment. Pack lightly (both your bag and your expectations). You’ll figure out what’s worth carrying once you’re on the road.

Aquarius

This New Moon shines on your entanglements. Money, intimacy, secrets, and all the things you share with other people. Notice which bonds deepen you and which ones quietly drain. Lean in where the exchange feels alive. Step away where it doesn’t. The right ties will strengthen; the wrong ones will dissolve.

Pisces

Partnership is turning a page, and you’re invited to write the first line. Step toward the project, the relationship, or the maybe-more-than-friend that’s been hovering. If it’s the real thing, you’ll feel the story opening up in your hands. If it’s not, it will close itself gently, no fuss required.