Leo season: August horoscope with movies, podcasts and books worth your time

Feel those leading lady vibes

Roll out the red carpet. Leo season is here. After a month of Mercury being in retrograde, following which Neptune staged its own temper tantrum with a backflip, Mercury will finally shift into Leo to give us all a taste of its infamous yet highly-coveted star power. That means your August horoscope is all about bathing in the the main character energy that accompanies these God’s gifts *cough* Leo *cough* to the world.

“Mercury in Leo will liven things up and come in like a wild burst of new energy, and you may find yourself thinking in far bolder new directions and more interesting possibilities,” says Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer at Keen. “We may feel more confident and determined to get our true feelings across.”

If you’ve been hiding behind the security of the lockdown, or post-pandemic blues, your August horoscope is here to remind you that it’s time to channel the fiery Leo spirit.

Madi Murphy, co-founder of The Cosmic RX and The Cosmic Revolution, tells Refinery29, “Passion is the driving force behind just about everything Leos do. For Leos, there is no option but success, and all of life is their stage. After all, they are ruled by the sun — the planet that literally gives us life.”

Come August 22, the sun will enter Virgo — the mutable Earth sign known for its Mercury-ruled braininess, which can spiral into the vortex of overthinking in a span of seconds. Steady yourself for the ebbs and flows, as we put together all the movies, shows, podcasts, books and Instagram accounts that will keep you inspired and revving to go through the month.

The August horoscope to boost you into being your best, flamboyant self

Aries

As the season of the lion reaches full swing, Aries are primed to be catapulted into stardom. Bold and courageous, you never stray too far from adventurous (read: dangerous) situations. And thanks to the sun’s movement through your romance zone, you can expect a rush of blood to parts south.

Focus your energies on bringing your best to the table, and a game-changing epiphany might dawn on you.

Listen: Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness

This podcast by Queer Eye’s Jonathan — who is an Aries himself — dives deep into a wide variety of subjects, ranging from Kim Kardashian and beauty standards to China and the US Congress. This podcast will satiate your wildly oscillating needs.

Watch: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Give into the unconventional Aries romantic side that is expected to rear its head this month and watch this Oscar-winning feature following ex-couple Joel and Clementine (Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet) as they go through treatments to erase each other from their individual memories.

Read: The Assistants by Camille Perri

Tina Fontana is assistant to media mogul Robert Barlow — think a Texan Rupert Murdoch. Featuring a main character that has the fierce Aries spirit, this entertaining novel penned by Camille Perri will be the perfect read for August.

Follow: Chaka Khan

This legendary, cross-genre musician — who is also the voice behind the 1978 feminist anthem, I’m Every Woman and an Aries herself — will inspire you to become your best self.

Taurus

With the sun in Leo, it’s time for you to step out of your book nook and hone in on being playful and spontaneous. Consider this a nudge to pamper yourself (we see you lusting after your favourite essential oils), after all you’ve worked hard for it.

Listen: The Laverne Cox Show

The ever-so charming Laverne Cox will pull you in with her hypnotic voice in your ear telling you to become a better person in one breath and expanding your mind in the next, while quenching your Taurean thirst for knowledge, all at the same time.

Watch: The Age of Innocence

Indulge your love for all things nostalgia and watch the movie adaptation of this 1920s novel of the same name by Edith Wharton. The film follows Newland Archer, a wealthy New York society attorney, and his marriage to May Welland. Archer then meets and legally represents Countess Olenska, prior to their unanticipated sexual entanglements.

Read: We Are The Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian

Taureans, being the fiercely loyal friends they are, will enjoy reading this compelling story about the strength of female friendships and resilience. In this book, we meet a bunch of fierce female athletes who learn how to work as a team over the course of 24 memorable hours.

Follow: Jessica Woo

Bento box queen Jessica Woo’s Instagram is the epitome of aesthetic-looking food come alive so unless you enjoy salivating for scrumptious sushi in the middle of the night, scroll at your own risk.

Gemini

Truly fitting your twin personalities, August will give Geminis a chance to explore the best of both worlds. Before the Aquarius blue moon falls, your social life is expected to be firing on all cylinders — and then some — just the way you like it. To avoid getting stuck on two boats, strike a balance between your adventurous needs and your gentle self.

Listen: Spectacle: An Unscripted History of Reality TV

For our reality TV-loving Geminis, this podcast will provide the perfect mix of politics and culture with a heavy dollop of reality TV gossip.

Read: I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick

Another gem from the genre of mystery-thrillers, this book by Kit Frick will appeal to Gemini’s deeply curious psyche. When Anna Cicconi comes to Herron Mills, a small Hamptons town, for a summer nanny job, she finds a community on edge following the disappearance of local child Zoe Spanos, who has an uncanny likeness to Anna. Anna grows increasingly persuaded that she and Zoe are interconnected, and when Zoe’s corpse is discovered in a lake two months later, Anna admits manslaughter. But, Martina Green, the young host of the Missing Zoe podcast, isn’t convinced with Anna’s confession and goes on a journey to find the truth.

Follow: Kendrick Lamar

A Gemini to his core, Kendrick Lamar’s profoundly creative personality, which has won him laurels —including the highly coveted Pulitzer Prize — will inspire fellow Geminis to push themselves to intellectual greatness. Talk about #goals.

Cancer

As the planet of love enters Cancer’s domestic zone (the sector Cancer rules), you might find yourself curled up in bed, stuffing yourself with good old dal chawal while enjoying your go-to binge watch. The good news, you ask? These days are here to stay. August will give you a chance to embrace your inner sentimentality while spending quality time with your loved ones.

Listen: Oprah’s Supersoul Conversations’

This podcast by Oprah Winfrey will help you nurture your intuitive soul and become your true, joyful self while listening to the life stories of Winfrey’s guests, which include celebrities like Julia Roberts and Tina Turner, among others.

Watch: The Half of It

Owing to their sensitive souls, Cancerians thrive on heartfelt day-to-day moments with their loved ones and this Netflix Original is full of them. The Alice Wu-directorial is about a quiet, introverted girl who helps the school jock in wooing the girl she herself secretly likes.

Read: Anatomy of a Misfit by Andrea Portes

Narrated by the 15-year-old Anika Dragomir, this book reads like the perfect blend of a Sara Zarr book and the film ‘Heathers’ — only on steroids. The story of Anika is not just snort-into-your-palm funny but also has the potential to bust our more sensitive Cancerian friends’ souls to smithereens, so tread with caution.

Follow: Cost_n_mayor

If you need a break from all the doom scrolling, take a look at the addictive feed of this dancer duo. They will have you *attempting* to copy their hypnotic moves in no time.

Leo

Drum rolls, please, it’s Leo’s time to shine. With your birthday season in full swing, bask in the glory of being the centre of attention. Ruled by the sun — the celestial body that gives us life — the wind in your sails are at their highest so relish the electrifying energy as you head into the Blue moon.

Listen: Bitch Sesh

Casy Wilson and Danielle Schneider’s Bitch Sesh has all the makings of a Leo essential — dishy drama, gossip and reality TV. As bingeable as the Real Housewives series, their laugh-out-loud analyses of the fanciest gals of reality TV will have you laughing so hard your stomach hurts.

Watch: She’s Gotta Have It

In true big, bold Leo fashion, Spike Lee revisits his iconic feature of the same name in this Netflix Original that will make you feel like you’re looking in the mirror, with its dynamic, egocentric-but-in-a-good-way leading lady, Nola Darling, a Brooklyn-based artist, who tries to stay true to herself and her goals while juggling her friends, her career, and her lovers – all three of them.

Read: You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

If you thought you had burnt out your cutesy YA romance streak, think again. This Leah Johnson book will give you all things drama and love, with a heavy sprinkle of fancy clothes and hope — everything Leos thrive on. Liz Lighty, the protagonist of the narrative, devises a plot to escape her “small, affluent, prom-obsessed midwestern town” because she feels “too black, too poor, too awkward” to live her best life there.

Follow: Jennifer Lopez

Every astrology fanatic knows that Jenny from the block is a true-blue Leo. Take notes from this multi-hyphenate lioness, with a long list of Fifth House themes running throughout her life, on how to always put yourself first.

Virgo

Heading into August, your earthy nature might be clashing with your earnest need to fulfil your burning desires, but fret not. As the sun enters your sign on August 22, the time to step into the spotlight and own your space will be nigh.

Listen: The Daily

Satiate your hunger for knowledge by listening to this New York Times podcast hosted by Michael Barbaro for your daily 20-minute guide to news and intellectualism.

Watch: The Perfection

This psychological horror thriller about two female musicians is meticulously crafted with  high-concept melodrama and maddeningly unpredictable crescendos — Virgo’s soul food.

Read: Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

The plot of this book by Morgan Matson begins with friends Emily and Sloane planning an incredible summer, only for Sloane to vanish without a trace shortly before it starts. This is the perfect book to read if you’re looking to let loose this month, Virgo, or just want to live vicariously through somebody else.

Follow: Blake Lively

Make Virgo queen Blake Lively your August inspiration to enhance your inherent dedication and resourcefulness.  “I’m passionate about anything I align myself with. You want to talk about chocolate chip cookies? I’m not going to open a chocolate chip cookie store, but I will talk your ear off about it,” she once told Vogue in a sit-down.

Libra

It is time you ditch the side character energy following you like the plague and come into your own as Leo season rounds up. Squeeze in all those self-care routines that make you feel like Stormi and let your inner Jenner shine through.

Listen: You Must Remember This

Listening to Karina Longworth’s podcast, which investigates the “hidden and/or forgotten” history of Hollywood in the 20th century, is like listening to a secret. Her perfectly dramatic narrative voice will work to satisfy your thrill-seeking nature, which is expected to creep up this month.

Watch: The Dig

Libra’s love for symmetry and harmony will be evident in this feature film based on the excavation of Sutton Hoo — the location of two early medieval cemeteries from the sixth to seventh century near Woodbridge, Suffolk, England — in 1939. A job well done and the power of discovery are at the heart of this film, everything Libras thrive on.

Read: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

Libras are a little image-focused, to say the least. Their houses and offices are cleaner than those of the ordinary person. In this book, you’ll learn how to establish significant changes in the way you interact with tangible objects.

Follow: Kate Dehler

The aesthetically pleasing feed of Kate Dehler, filled with daily life’s imagery shown in vivid colours, will draw you in considering Virgo’s abundant energy in symmetry and balance.

Scorpio

With the game-changer Uranus invited to the party, August will kick-off in razor-sharp focus for you. And with the romantic Venus in your spiritual sector later this month, get ready to curl up with your special someone, or just your fur baby and go to town with your best impression of a hermit.

Listen: Dr. Death

Listening to true-crime podcasts is Scorpio’s second-favourite pastimes after plotting the untimely demise of their frenemy. The newest thing to get behind? Dr. Death, a podcast about neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch, who botched 32 of his patients’ spinal surgeries in Dallas between January 2012 and June 2013.

Watch: Pan’s Labyrinth

Scorpio will appreciate this film, which is as brooding, intriguing, and interesting as themselves. Ofelia, a little girl in war-torn Spain, is drawn into a realm of myth and legend in this beautiful but haunting film.

Read: Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos

Scorpios are fiery and mercurial, and they typically have a magnetic charisma that makes them irresistible. Seduction is the key to gaining the upper hand in Laclos’ famous 1782 epistolary tale about two rivals who are also former lovers. Even if you have never been cruel in your intentions, you may recognise some of your own industriousness in the characters’ strategies.

Follow: Dave Danzara

The neo-retro psychedelic aesthetic of Dave Danzara’s art page on Instagram will satiate your appetite for the bizarre and the classical simultaneously.

Sagittarius

Fuelled by wanderlust, the pandemic has been like a wet blanket for the last fire sign of the zodiac. But two weeks into Leo season, we’re sure you have found ways to shake things up — be it a lobotomy of your own psyche or sensual regions down south.

As the full moon approaches on 22, your unfiltered personality might take centre stage so remember to keep your sharp tongues firmly in cheek.

Listen: Spontaneanation

The podcast begins with a special guest interview. It then shifts into an improv set, with the visitor and a pair of improvisers, based on specific absurd locations picked by the guest. Travel-loving Sags will love the podcast’s location-based humour, after all Sagittarius are known for their sense of humour and adventurous spirit.

Watch: The Old Guard

Are you on the hunt for new experiences and new information? Ancient vigilante justice is carried out by the Old Guard, a group of centuries-old soldiers unable to die. What would you do if you could travel anywhere and learn anything for hundreds of years? The stuff of dreams for a Sag!

Read: The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody

On the anniversary of her best friend’s death, Ryn finds herself stranded at the Denver International Airport on New Year’s Eve due to a never-ending blizzard but fate literally runs into her, in the form of Xander. If you’re born under the sign of Sagittarius, you’ll be touched by this narrative about the life-changing obstacles we face, and how unexpected strangers may come to our rescue.

Follow: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has demonstrated her passion for transparency and honesty, like any average Sagittarius, through her most successful songs, the majority of which relate stories of real-life heartbreaks and even her political views that anyone from the last fire sign of the zodiac will be able to relate to.

Capricorn

The most workaholic of all signs, Capricorns are known for their unwavering focus and dedication but beware, your life is not limited to your resume. You might want to scale the steepest mountains but remember those who came before you — they were motivated too but perished all the same.

Listen: Planet Money

A Capricorn who is both intelligent and determined wants answers to practical questions—as well as suggestions on how to best attain their personal goals. We learn about the economy through dialogue and narrative in Planet Money, which follows a no-nonsense approach that is surprisingly interesting.

Watch: Industry

You know what it takes to reach the top, just like the characters of HBO’s Industry, which follows a group of young bankers who are competing for exclusive jobs at a major company in London.

Read: The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Andie is the protagonist of the book and like all Caps, is a hard-working individual. A type-A girl, she has a plan and adheres to it no matter what. For the Capricorn who is always on the go and can’t seem to let go, this book is for you!

Follow: Michelle Obama

Capricorns are renowned as the zodiac’s leaders and bosses, so it’s no surprise that former First Lady Michelle Obama is one. Channel her leadership energies this August to succeed in achieving all your goals.

Aquarius

With the emotional expression of a desi dad from the 70s, Aquarians are more reticent than most. But the sun’s trip through Leo will push your one-one-one interactions and build partnerships, dear Water Bearer.

Ruled by the rebellious Uranus, Aquarians are prone to having a stubborn streak, but be careful not to let this become your Achilles’ heel — lest you risk your relationships with your loved ones.

Listen: How did this get made?

How did this get made? Even you, Aquarius, are sure to have asked yourself that question after seeing a particularly cringy movie.Your equal in quirkiness, imagination and the sheer unexpected, this podcast hosted by Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael and Jason Mantzoukas hilariously breaks down these films for you.

Watch: Kiki’s Delivery Service

If you want to give up everything and become a “cat lady,” take some pointers from the Japanese anime Kiki’s Delivery Service. In this anime feature, 13-year-old Kiki goes to a coastal town with her talking cat, Jiji, to spend a year alone, as is customary for witches in training in her community.

It’s a month when you’re likely to be working long hours and pushing yourself to reach your goals, so learn with Kiki some valuable lessons about overworking, coping with bad feedback and preserving your energy.

Read: Period Power by Nadya Okamoto

Books that provide Aquarius something to ponder about appeal to this sign. Jam-packed with more information than a Mumbai local at peak hours, Period Power is an entire year’s worth of thinking material at your fingertips.

Follow: Sara Kubric

Aquarians are big thinkers that often lose sight of their surroundings. Kubric’s feed will help you keep your feet on the ground and understand that change always begins on a micro level, while also encouraging showing empathy and compassion whenever needed.

Pisces

Ah. We’ve finally reached our fish friends of Neptune — the last sign of the zodiac. As August kicks off, the sun in your routine might become the big, buzzing fly in your post-Cancer day-dreamy self. Gear up for the tedious to hit you full-force, almost like your primary Games teacher’s slap in the face. To drum up more headscape for doing what you love, toss out anything that no longer serves you this month and shore up your energy for the coming weeks.

Listen: My Dad wrote a Porno

Being a Pisces, you’re very creative, so you need a podcast that’s a touch out of the box to match your personality. My Dad Wrote a Porno combines your amorous side with your innovative side (in a lighthearted manner, of course).

Watch: My Brilliant Friend

In the wake of her best friend’s disappearance, an elderly woman tries to piece together the tale of their relationship, from elementary school to the present. My Brilliant Friend, an HBO Original in Italian, will be a therapeutic outlet for your darker, nostalgic feelings.

Read: Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

Who doesn’t enjoy a hate-to-love romance that begins with you being abandoned in the middle of a forest, only to discover that the only person with you who knows how to get out of this alive is the one who shattered your heart? Need I say more?

Follow: Catana Comics

Should you ever need to get yourself out of a funk, scroll through the extremely fulfilling feed of Catana Comics. Her cute illustrations depicting how she’s found love in doing mundane things with her fiancé will also serve to satisfy your romantic side.