Something big seems to be shaping up in your social life. Venus, Mercury, and the Sun have already arrived for a party in your romantic fifth house, to be joined by a new moon on August 1. That new moon won't be any old new moon but a total eclipse of the Sun, and that's like having three new moons in one! Eclipses are the most powerful tools the universe uses to affect change, so it looks like you are about to see a big shift in status during this month. If you are single and wondering when (if ever) you'd meet someone who could get your pulse racing, the answer is: this month!

New moons always open doors, although at a total eclipse of the Sun you may be asked create a space for that new meeting or opportunity. If you are already dating someone who you aren't crazy about, but doing so simply for arm candy, well, it may finally occur to you that you are wasting your time.

Eclipses always create news in ways you'd never expect, so as events unfold, if something strikes you as odd or unusual, just go with it. If you've been seeing someone halfheartedly, something may occur in early August to make you realize you need to break things off. As an Aries, you are always up for an adventure, so you may be looking forward to this month with a sense of real excitement and for good reason. You have four planets, including the planet of love (Venus), in your most romantic part of your chart.

As eclipses go, this one is NOT a wild one. The solar eclipse will oppose Neptune, and you may find a situation confusing, so it would not be a good idea to make big decisions near August 1, that is all. You will need time to sort out what's real and "what's Memorex" (not real) and that will take time. Still, Neptune is quite a glamorous planet, full of glitter and razzle-dazzle, so you may enjoy this period very much - just don't run off to Las Vegas to the Elvis chapel to get married one night after you've had a few too many Margaritas. Also, don't sign any important papers by the light of neon either! In other words, be sensible, enjoy the romance that comes (if it comes - and it looks like it will), and take things slow and easy.

Here's a good rule of thumb for eclipse time (any eclipse): Don't initiate - let others come to you with ideas instead. As I always like to say, open the window, sit back, and watch to see what flies in. You may react to events, just don't initiate them. If you do, you are not likely to like the results, even if you've been anxious to do so. The environment is under huge shifts now, so until the dust has settled, you won't have an accurate picture of all the dynamics happening around you.

This August 1 eclipse is different from the others you've seen over the past two years. The series of eclipses in Virgo-Pisces that so strongly affected your work environment and possibly even your health are over. Now the universe will have a look at your private romantic and platonic relationships. These eclipses will help you to decide what's strong enough to stand the test of time - and what is not.

If you are seriously dating a special person, you may hear that you both will be in different places, because your partner needs to study or work in another part of the country. If you've taken your partner for granted, or if you feel you have been taken for granted, the eclipse will set up a situation to make one of you appreciate the other much more (or you'll leave). Eclipses do whatever they have to do to make you see the situation for what it is - the eclipse may bring a rival or competitor, force a separation, or throw in an unexpected obstacle. You may come away from events this month asking: What does this person mean to me? If you feel the answer is a lot, you may even get engaged.

Eclipses are nonnegotiable and usually quite final, so if you do break up, there won't likely be an easy road back. Since this is a total eclipse of the Sun, your romantic significant other may be "eclipsed out" of your life now forever, or at least for a very long time, but only if things have been deteriorating for a long time leading to this month.

The Sun is always read as "male" in a chart, so if you have a boyfriend, you are more likely to feel this solar eclipse dramatically. Remember, however, that eclipses change the status of things, so if you are single and have not been dating, you can benefit from this August 1 date, doubly so if you were born on March 30, or within five days of this date.

If you do break up, and as the weeks progress, you are upset and feel you need to see or talk to your partner again, don't try to initiate immediate contact. You can try to do so in exactly four months (120 degrees - count four months on the calendar), but not before that. Neptune's presence may indicate you are not thinking very clearly anyway, so give yourself a little time alone to think about things. A truer picture will emerge in time. Keep in mind that the universe is on your side on this eclipse because it is in a fire sign like yours and will work hard to protect you in any way possible.

If you are married or committed in a very serious and stable way, the house where this planet falls - your fifth house - will not affect your relationship in the way it would if you were single. Your current alliance would fall in the seventh house of contractual partnerships.

Still, its possible you may hear of a surprise pregnancy or there may be another matter regarding a child that may come up. Your child may be going off to college or moving out for other reasons (say, to live with your ex in a shared custody situation) - if so, you will feel the difference at home. Eclipses often mark a rite of passage, so you may need to get used to what's happening, but it will work for good, dear Aries.

Before we move on to other aspects, I should mention that the August 1 total eclipse of the Sun might highlight a creative endeavor. You may get the green light to begin a project, and if so, there will be something very big and important about this particular endeavor, a vital stepping-stone for your future. If a big creative project does come up, give it all you've got.

Eclipses always come in pairs, two weeks apart, so the second one - this time a lunar eclipse - will come by on August 16. This one will arrive on a full moon, and as such is likely to be a bit emotional.

Falling in Aquarius, it will highlight either a friendship or a role you're playing within a group or charity. Again Neptune will be the most prominent planet by making a conjunction to the moon, so again, you will need to try to keep reminding yourself to stay realistic. Saturn will conjoin Mercury and orbit very close to Venus, so news may be intense or possibly (and forgive me for saying this) a bit depressing.

A very close friend may move away or do something that changes the very nature of your friendship. The possibilities are broad here - your friend may show a lack of loyalty to you - as in a betrayal - or may simply be moving into a new phase of her life, say by getting married or having a baby. Either way, it doesn't seem like the two of you will have the same kind of friendship that you've had, and realizing this may make you a bit sad. There is one other way to read this, and that would be to say that this eclipse may bring news that a dear friend is in a crisis and she needs you. In that case, you'll be there for her, and you would want it no other way.

If you were born on or within five days of April 12 you will notice the effects of this eclipse most - but you will benefit from it the most, too.

At work, you have one extremely positive aspect, and one that will make you want to pull your hair out. The latter comes first, so let's look at it.

On August 6, Mars will oppose Uranus, setting the stage for a possibly hot, angry confrontation with a co-worker. This could be because everyone in the department is overworked and cranky, or because this one person in the next cubicle has been grating on your nerves for months and you'll finally tell this person off. It would be better to try to be diplomatic, but alas, you're only human and sometimes it really does feel good to clear the air. If you are sick of hearing her complain about her boyfriend to her friends all day on the phone, or if she refuses to wear earphones and you hate the Mexican hat music she plays so loudly - well, enough is enough.

This opposition between two very hot planets won't be just for a day, even though they will reach mathematical apex on August 6. I have found we usually have to watch this aspect for a good ten days after it peaks, and a little time before, too, as it builds. For all practical purposes, you'll have to count to ten when you're around this person for much of the month.

Alternatively, there may be some political intrigue behind the scenes that comes out involving you, and if so, you are not likely to take things sitting down. Who would blame you for that? It may be comforting to know that Jupiter, the great benefic planet, is protecting your reputation and professional standing in your industry all year, so there is no need to worry that this person could do any damage - it's just an annoying time, that's all.

Sometimes a Mars-Uranus aspect does not manifest as anger but as a mishap. In that case, it would be smart to go out of your way to make safety a priority - no hang gliding this month, jet skiing, or doing any other wild and crazy sport that as an Aries you are prone to do! Know your limits! If you are weightlifting, do so with a trainer, using proper form. You know the drill.

Ok, I need to tell you to watch where you walk too, lest you turn your foot in a pothole. (Uranus is in Pisces, so a lot of people have been having foot problems.) Don't become distracted while carrying heavy things, while operating machinery, or while driving. If you get a cell phone call while driving, it can wait. Actually, experts say most accidents happen at home, like when you're hanging wallpaper in the bedroom and forget there is one more step on the bottom of the ladder when you come down. However, in this case, I feel you have to be more careful in the workplace. I am going out of my way to flag this aspect because your ruler, Mars, is involved.

Now we can talk about the really sweet aspect that's coming up involving your career, for if you recall, I said you had two very opposite aspects in your work sector this month, with the sweet one coming August 16. This one involves a lovely interplay between Venus and Jupiter that will happen coincidentally on the same date as the eclipse. That will be a Saturday, so you may feel things earlier, on Friday, August 15 or later, on Monday, August 18. With Jupiter - planet of reward - shining in your house of honors, awards, achievement, and fame, something you do in mid-August should catch the eye of a VIP, and praise should follow.

With all you have going on this month, the weekend of August 16-17 would be a good time to take a drive out of town to enjoy a change of scene. How about it, dear Aries? Mercury - the planet that governs travel and news - will be in fine angle to Jupiter, so if you decide to go, you'd have a great time. Go with a friend (or a bunch of friends) or even with your sibling.

Mars is about to change signs when it moves into your opposite sign of Libra on August 19, so from then until October 4, you'll be dealing more with partners. Yes, they may be a bit more demanding or needy from then on, but you might as well be good-natured about it and baby them a little. One person in particular who is very close to you seems to crave your attention, so when you think about it, it could be a rather flattering indication of affection. If the person is a business partner or associate, of course, you might not feel as patient. Still, by August 30, Venus will join Mars in Libra, a very light and lively time of smoother, sweeter, and happier days to come, and that holds true for any alliance.

Speaking of work, this month has a second new moon that is set to arrive August 30. This new moon will open a portal in two distinct areas. The first will relate to everyday assignments - it looks like a new project is about to head your way. Take special notice of what's involved - this one will involve a lot of detail and concentration because Saturn will conjoin this new moon. It may be a complex project, with many phases, so you may have to make a chart of how you'll proceed lest you forget one of the elements. You may have to work in a team situation too, but that's fine as long as everyone knows what they are supposed to do.

If you are self-employed, this project will likely stem from a new client. If you work for others, it may be a freelance job, or new assignment that is very high profile. No matter what, with this new moon so beautifully angled to Jupiter, the work you do could easily turn out to be a jewel in your crown, allowing you to show what you can do. It can open up a new path for you, so take this assignment seriously, even if you aren't even sure you even want it when it is first presented to you!

This same new moon will be excellent for advancing your overall health and fitness. Since it will hold hands with Saturn, you'll have plenty of discipline, so if you want to recommit to a fitness plan, seize the day on August 30 or the days that closely follow that new moon. Exercise surely beats stress, so coming at this time, when you'll be working so hard, the new moon seems to be the way the universe is saying, "Take care of yourself, dear Aries - I will send you the right new moon to make sure you do!"

If your stomach or intestines have been troubling you, this would be a good time to have a test or confer with your doctor, as the new moon is in Virgo, ruling this part of your body.

Saturn rules teeth too, so you might want to have some X-rays taken, schedule a cleaning, or have a procedure done. (Scared of the dentist? They have new techniques now to keep your comfortable - times have changed a lot!)

As you see, there's lots going on! Before I go, here is a list of your most important social days. Keep in mind that this month brings a wild card into play and you won't know where you stand until both of these eclipses are over!

Try these nights for enjoying love: August 1 (let's hope), 9, 16, 17, 28, and 29.

Summary

This will be a big month for your personal life. A total solar eclipse (new moon) in Leo is due on August 1, and will join Venus and Mercury to light your sector of true love. The job of an eclipse is to shake things up, so if you've become complacent, you will awaken from that sleep to a whole new reality. Often an eclipse will cause a shift, so in your case, you may leave one relationship for another or simply leave someone you've been dating casually when you learn things that trouble you. On the other hand, if you are in a good, strong relationship, it may be time to move it into a much more serious phase. If you have no relationship, this month will bring you a sensational chance to meet someone new and special. The meeting would occur in a sudden, surprising way. Venus' presence in this house suggests you'd have instant rapport, too.

If you are in an established relationship, a pregnancy may suddenly trigger discussions. Eclipses speed up timetables, so if you planned to have a child a year or two from now, you may instead decide to welcome a baby sooner. If you are married or committed in a long-term relationship, you have a good outlook, as you appear to be already bonding closer, thanks to Mars and Venus, the "celestial lovers," orbiting in close proximity in your seventh house of commitment - they will make an exact alignment in mid-September. If you are attached, you may be planning a wedding soon or renewing your vows in a celebration of your love for each other.

Another lunar eclipse is due August 16. That full moon eclipse will occur in your house of friendship, marking an ending. A friend may be moving away or getting married, and it seems that you will feel sad to see her go. This day, falling on a Saturday, also brings a lovely interplay between Venus and Jupiter, so it seems you will attend a festive, luxurious event such as a wedding or baby shower. Yet this weekend seems to mark the last chapter of your present relationship. You can both promise to write, to call, or to hang out together in the future, but in your heart you know it won't be quite the same. New conditions are coming into the picture now that will change your interests. You seem to realize that nothing ever remains the same in life, but knowing this doesn't make it any easier.

Eclipses are always very revealing, bringing truths to the surface with great urgency. On one or both of these eclipses you may have serious concerns about character of a friend or partner. It's always better to have truth than not, although certainly getting these truths as rapidly as you will in August will require an extensive adjustment. This is not to say you will necessarily learn things about a friend that make you upset, but if a friend has concealed anything form you, it will come out now.

This month will be more emotionally trying than most. The first half of the month will be fraught with tension at work, as Mars will make a very hard aspect to Uranus on August 6 - and this aspect is operative for ten days after. This is a very explosive aspect that could bring on angry outbursts or even a mishap. A co-worker appears to be overworked and any comment from you could send her over the edge. Be diplomatic, mindful she won't need much to ignite into a bonfire. If you drive, make sure your car is in good working order, too.

In a month that seems to have everything, there will a second new moon on August 30. This new moon will likely begin a new assignment at work or a freelance project you can do in your free time.

This job seems to have plenty of room to strut your stuff because planets in Virgo will send a beautiful vibration to Jupiter in your career status sector. Do a good job, and this project will take you places. Be aware however, that this new moon conjoins Saturn, so you'll have to oversee a great deal of detail, requiring arduous concentration. If you are changing jobs in late month, it's likely to be a lateral move, not a step up. If you want a mainstay job, change at the end of December or in the first week of January. On the other hand, what comes now could represent a lovely side job. The compensation won't thrill you, but you will enjoy doing the assignment, and that counts for a lot!

Best romantic evenings: August 1 (wild card, could go either way)

August 16 (with sentimental feelings about a friend), 23, 28, and 29

Be careful not to rile a co-worker: August 6

A friend may leave your life soon: August 16

A new assignment is coming up: August 30