August is all about money - every development, decision, and initiation you make this month seems to have financial considerations at the core. And why not? It's evident that you are tired of working so hard and having little to show for it. You're ready to stake your claim and get what you deserve and your timing could not be better.

You will have plenty of cosmic support. As the month opens, a very powerful solar eclipse will occur in your house of earned income. If there were ever a time to ask for a raise or to negotiate a salary for a new job, it would be at the new moon eclipse. If you already spoke up recently, then good for you - the extra money will now show up in your paycheck this week or next. It is very clear that the best (and possibly only) time of the year to see a substantial increase is now. Supporting you will be the Sun, new moon, Venus, and Mercury - quite a heavy duty lineup of friendly planets!

There are other aspects that come just after the August 1 eclipse. We first need to look at its twin, the full moon lunar eclipse, August 16, also due to focus you on financial matters. This time your attention will not be on your own personal income, but rather on joint financial funds that you expect to receive or need to pay out. You may receive a commission or signing bonus; hear of an inheritance, scholarship, or grant; or receive another cash one-time payment. Of course, being the house of credit, you also may be paying out a large sum to satisfy a large obligation near August 16. You may be negotiating how to best share household money with a partner or roommate, or have to pay a large bill to a creditor or taxman. You may feel stirred up at this time, as a full moon always affects Cancer more (you are ruled by the moon), but doubly so.

If someone made an error on a credit or tax statement you received (this is very possible, due to Neptune's fuzzy position to Venus at this lunar eclipse), you will need to gather up the documentation in your possession to get it fixed. Be sure all information being presented to you is accurate, for someone may have made a mistake or even tried to withhold the full information.

You may be ready to open talks about a divorce agreement, or actually finalize your divorce settlement. It is also possible that at this eclipse you would see a resolution on a child support case. If these topics come up but are not resolved now, it may go to the end of January into early February 2009 to see a finish, so hang in there.

Think back to the first eclipse in Aquarius - February 6, 2008. Did you take any financial action then, or did you have a conversation at the time that now seems to have advanced to a new phase? It seems to be very possible. All eclipses in a series - like this Leo-Aquarius series (a new one) - are connected to one another in some way and each set of eclipses seem to advance the situation a giant step. That's why thinking back six months might provide you with a clue of what may come up. It's almost as though the universe knows we can only take so much change at once. We need time to assimilate the changes before we are ready to forge forward through the next steps.

Eclipses bring life-altering events, so whatever comes up this month seems to bring an ending. You also seem ready to start a new financial chapter. If you are considering bankruptcy, before you actually do, have a look at your options - you may have many more ways to save things than you suppose. Leave no stone unturned, dear Cancer. Eclipses have a lot of unusual twists, but that very quality of an eclipse could benefit you now. (I am not saying you will go bankrupt or even consider it, but it seems a small percent of Cancers will. For those, I see opportunity to raise money and possibly stave off the creditors.) Often a parent will helps Cancer, but this month they seem to be indecisive or sending mixed messages, possibly because their own financial situation is a bit unclear.

Now let's double back to August 6, when Mars will oppose Uranus. This could bring up quite a heated argument or aggressive act. The houses where these two planets will be based rules close relatives, so the person who gives you a hard time may be a sister, brother, aunt, uncle, cousin, or in-law. If it is not a family member or in-law, then it's possible that your problem would be a neighbor. In a completely different interpretation of this aspect, you may see a deal fall though that you had pinned so many hopes. It seems to involve someone on foreign shores, or who is involved in broadcasting or publishing, in any form.

Treat others as though they were just released from the mental institution - highly volatile, wild-eyed, and a bit unpredictable. Of course I am just kidding, but it is true however that when an aspect this hot hits, it may seem as though it comes out of left field. If you provoke this person (or even if you don't) you will get a strong, weird, off the grid, and possibly unimaginable response. Let the tiger sleep - do nothing to awaken him.

The tricky part is that when Mars opposes Uranus, the period you have to be careful is wide - it won't necessarily hit on August 6. News can hit as soon as four days prior to the date these two meet in apex (August 6) and up to ten day afterward. It is clear you will be tiptoeing around quite a bit. It may help to know that everyone you know will be on edge at this time, so you won't be alone.

If you ask a sister or brother for help, the answer - near August 15 - will be "I am sorry, I can't." (Mercury, which rules news and also in your case siblings and cousins, will be conjunct Saturn, a depressing aspect.) August 15 won't be anyone's happy-go-lucky day. Since the following day brings a financial full moon eclipse, this is likely to be an emotional time.

Your parent may finally get into the act from August 19 to October 4, the date Mars will enter your family sector. Be careful though, as Mars often stirs the pot a little too much and could start a bit of a family squabble. Remember, other zodiac signs will be feeling a little raw too this month and it won't take much to tip the delicate balance of a relationship the wrong way. If you want to move, this same phase would be a really good time to browse, as you would find an interesting space. Next month, in late September, Mercury will go retrograde, not a time to make big decisions. Do yourself a favor and focus on your home from August 19 onward.

Travel is not going to go easily during the first three weeks, so you may want to temporarily put off a trip if you had one scheduled for that time. Your picture will change dramatically in the last day of the month, at the new moon, August 30, when you get a fresh chance to redo all your schedules. This time the pieces of your plan will fall effortlessly in place.

This new moon will offer you a much better time to sign a contract, agreement, lease, or other type of important paper. Saturn will be very prominent, so whatever you agree to will be a part of your life a very long time. If this is something you want, this will make you happy! If you are not sure, then take your time and think things through more carefully.

Romantically, even that seems to be tinged with the notion that money seems to either rule the day or come in between all that you need to do. With everyone's nerves tense this month due to planets in cranky, angry moods, it would be wise to take a diplomatic approach. I am sorry to have to report this, but it is true that everyone will be easy to incite.

You have Jupiter in your house of partners, which can mean a few different things. The traditional interpretation is that your partner is very good for you - that could be a romantic or business partner, and it is impossible for me to know which is which - but you would. If you have an agent, lawyer, or other person who represents you, it appears this person is worth his or her weight in gold. It MIGHT be your romantic partner, but as said, it could be another person you deal with in a business way. These areas are not mutually exclusive - you may have help on both levels, from both a business and a personal partner. Now that would be lucky!

If single, late October into November will be when your social life moves into full swing. This month brings so much discussion about money, I am not sure if you will be able to let go and enjoy yourself fully. Then again, maybe it's only when you are with your significant other do you truly have fun. You would know the answer to that as you read this. Even if the latter is true, single or attached, late October will be sure to thrill.

Although this is not an outstanding month for romance, try these nights for fun and love: August 18, 21, 22, and 25-26

Summary

It's time to restructure your finances, and even if you don't feel ready, the total solar eclipse on August 1 will do it for you if you don't. Eclipses are the most powerful tools the universe uses to affect change, and this month you'll train your attention on how you earn, spend, save, and invest.

A solar eclipse usually portends the end of one situation and the start of another. If you have not been properly compensated, the universe will sweep away your present job to help you find a new, better paying one. If you're self-employed, a trusted client may end the relationship, forcing you to pitch another more lucrative client. Later you'll be glad for this - a solar eclipse doesn't just end things, but opens a new path, too.

In this highly financial month, two weeks later, on the lunar eclipse August 16, you will need to look at debt and how you manage it, as well as money owed to you and whether you are receiving those payments. If you have been in the process of a divorce or wrangling with an insurance company over a payout, things are likely to get settled at this lunar eclipse August 16 plus approximately seven days. If you don't get a resolution now, you will in early February 2009.

Still, before you sign any contract or agreement, make sure certain information is forthcoming and not being withheld to change your perception of the picture being presented. Neptune will be active, and Neptune is notorious about obscuring information. This will be a more emotional point in the month, as lunar eclipses are always full moons. You'll need to stay objective and rational to sort out all that is being discussed and decided, as hard as it may be to do.

A partner or middleman appears to be influential in helping you find workable financial solutions. If you do need to sign a contract, do so after the month's second new moon, August 30. Be sure of what you are signing at this time, for whatever you agree to will stay in place a very long time. This agreement would represent a serious commitment.

This month won't be just about calculator tape, statements, and receipts (although, admittedly, it might feel that way in the first three weeks with two eclipses emphasizing this part of your chart). There's plenty of evidence that you will be able to flee town in late August to enjoy quick weekends away in the countryside with friends or family. The diversion will do you good.

You also seem interested in changing your home space, perhaps in big or little ways. If, after you analyze your income and outgo, it becomes clear that your rent is too burdensome, you may now move. If you can afford it, you will start to make important changes to make it more personal and cheery. If you don't finish things, you'll get another opportunity in late September and through October to continue your plan. It would be fun to window shop at the very least, to decide among your decorating options. Mars will help you find wonderful ideas.

Romantically, with so many serious subjects on your plate, you may not feel as amorous as you usually do. Bide your time - late October through November will not disappoint you.