General Daily Insight for August 23, 2023
Acknowledging the limits of our power could be necessary now. As the energetic Sun enters perfectionistic Virgo, we may look at the world around us with an eye toward what needs optimizing. However, the intense Scorpio Moon’s opposition to unpredictable Uranus will remind us that we can’t control everything. After mental Mercury turns retrograde in nervous Virgo at 3:59 pm EDT, we might need to get better at rolling with unexpected events. Sometimes achieving the results we want just takes time and patience!
Aries
March 21 – April 19
You likely have a lot of energy to get stuff done at the moment, but figuring out how to direct it could require some thought. As detail-oriented Mercury turns retrograde in your 6th House of Work, perhaps it’s time to come back to a task you set aside a while ago. Finally addressing this might lead you to other priorities that naturally flow from it. You have to start somewhere — and finding the right somewhere will make all the difference!
Taurus
April 20 – May 20
Having fun and enjoying yourself is a good use of your time now. As clever Mercury turns retrograde in your 5th House of Play, you may rediscover a hobby you haven’t pursued in a while. This could also be an excuse to get back in touch with someone you primarily knew through that pastime. You might have changed since you talked to them last, but that is potentially what you both need to see — don’t try to hide the new you!
Gemini
May 21 – June 20
Getting to know your family better could currently be rewarding. With thoughtful Mercury moving retrograde in your 4th House of Roots, you may notice that you haven’t been told the full story about one of your kin. Dig into the mystery if you want, but keep in mind that you won’t necessarily be able to control what happens next. Although unveiling a difficult truth is likely to ruffle some feathers at first, having the secret out should eventually be a relief.
Cancer
June 21 – July 22
At any moment, you might receive a response to a letter or text you sent long ago and forgot about. This is a good chance to reflect on how your situation has changed since you initially reached out. Are you still interested in whatever you contacted the other person for — and, if not, why? As the attention-getting Sun shifts into your communication zone, keep your eyes open for extra opportunities to connect with others. Knowing your desires will let you relay them accurately.
Leo
July 23 – August 22
Saving money may presently be a high priority for you. As inventive Mercury turns retrograde in your 2nd House of Possessions, repairing or maintaining things you already own could be cheaper than buying new. Discerning how much of this you’re capable of doing yourself might be the hard part. Successfully pulling off a challenging fix is likely to fill you with pride — but, if you’re in too far over your head, you risk making a huge mess. Know your limits.
Virgo
August 23 – September 22
Your efforts to keep your life in order could run into some snags very soon. As logical Mercury, your sign’s ruling planet, turns retrograde in your sign, your carefully formulated plans may not unfold in the way you’d hoped. Thankfully, it’s possible that unpredictable circumstances will ultimately bring you a better outcome than you would have thought to pursue on your own. Try not to unload your frustrations about unwanted change on others — a resilient attitude can help you make the best of it!
Libra
September 23 – October 22
Your present road to knowledge could be circuitous. Due to analytical Mercury shifting retrograde in your intuitive 12th house, you may know things but struggle to define exactly how you learned their details. Journaling your observations and freely associating whatever comes to mind, like you might do to interpret a dream, opens a space for you to articulate what you’re picking up on. This can provide important information about someone you’re considering working closely with — if something seems off, trust that.
Scorpio
October 23 – November 21
An old friend could make a surprising reappearance now. Perhaps a member of your current circle recently met someone you knew a long time ago. You may not want to tell them your honest reaction to this news, but sitting with it alone might be informative. If you’ve shaped the story of your past in a particular way, an eyewitness to that period of your life has the potential to reveal any exaggerations. Fortunately, not everything in the historical record will necessarily be relevant today.
Sagittarius
November 22 – December 21
Taking on new responsibilities could be complicated at this time. As Mercury Retrograde begins in your 10th House of Authority, you may have an opportunity to accept a particular position of power. Unfortunately, whoever is putting you there might not know exactly what they want you to do. They potentially need to see things play out a bit before they can give you consistent guidance or instructions. If you have the patience to deal with this atmosphere of ambiguity, go for it!
Capricorn
December 22 – January 19
Deciding where to travel could take some thought now. As inquisitive Mercury turns retrograde in your adventurous 9th house, perhaps you’d be better off revisiting a past destination you really enjoyed instead of pushing yourself to cover fresh ground. No two trips are ever exactly alike — you’ll see different things when you go to the same place a second time. Your chosen traveling companions can also change your experience, so think carefully about the vibe you’re looking for on that front.
Aquarius
January 20 – February 18
Unresolved financial matters could present themselves for review throughout the day. When observant Mercury turns retrograde in your 8th House of Shared Resources, any transactions that didn’t go quite right the first time are likely to be revisited. You might get a refund if you were overcharged — but, if you owe someone else money, you’ll probably need to pay them the agreed-upon amount ASAP. No matter what side of the equation you’re on, remember that following the rules keeps things fair.
Pisces
February 19 – March 20
Redefining a relationship could presently be necessary. As contemplative Mercury starts moving retrograde in your partnership zone, your dynamic with someone close probably can’t run on autopilot any longer. Whether this is a business or personal connection, each individual’s needs and desires shift over time — and what worked well enough in the past may no longer be suitable. Instead of figuring out who’s to blame for the recent discomfort, focus on what’s going to make everybody happy going forward.
