Launchscopes
AUGUST 2008
by Tali & Ophira Edut, The AstroTwins
Turn your focus to marketing and promotion this August. With two eclipses lighting up your fame sector (on the 1st and 16th), this is a critical time to make a name for your brand. Create a buzz with press releases, launch/pre-launch cocktail hours, or by lending your name as a sponsor to a local event with lots of media coverage. Public speaking will bring favorable results. Look for panel discussions or industry events where you can lend your expertise. On August 20, your ruling planet Mars moves into Libra—your partnership sign. Time for creative collaborations, Aries! Joint ventures formed on a project-by-project basis are ideal. That way, you can still retain ownership of your company while sharing resources with other people. The Virgo influence of the month cautions you to watch your budget in all that you do. You can still make a splash without breaking the bank.
Time to crunch the numbers, Taurus. If your brand isn’t bringing in the cash flow you require, you’ll have to make some changes. The good news is that we’re talking tweaks here rather than a major overhaul. Do some research and see what your competitors are doing. Changing a small aspect of your business plan can make all the difference. You may need to “brag” a bit more. Being overly modest is not going to win you customers. Get the word out about your company: People will be excited to hear what you’re up to. An eclipse on August 1 brings support from family or powerful women. Don’t be stubborn about accepting their help. You won’t lose control of the helm if you allow other people to advise you. Spend time on the human resources aspect of your career too. Bringing home-like touches to the office can make it more compelling to go in and work during the lazy summer days. If you have employees, creating incentives for them (even summer Fridays or treating them to lunch once a week) will do wonders to keep them happy and loyal.
Lesson of the month: Sometimes the most talented people can be the flakiest. Though you may be excited to collaborate with a company or individual, their reliability is as important as their skill set. Say buh-bye to the chronic cancellers and repeat reschedulers. You have a business to run and this behavior will only stall your plans. Open yourself up to new people: This is an ideal month for networking, especially near the eclipses on August 1 and 16. The right people for you to hire or join forces with may be closer at hand than you realize. Siblings, local friends, or even neighbors could come out of the woodwork as the perfect collaborators now. The energy of your office space may be feeling heavy and could use a little clearing. Spend some dedicated decluttering time early in the month. Applying the principles of Feng Shui can also do wonders to shift the atmosphere.
Two eclipses in your financial sector bring an exciting wave of financial flow to your company. The first, on August 1, could come in the form of a stable (but low-key) client who wants to work with you on an ongoing basis. On August 16, a contract you’ve been vying for could come to fruition. Conversely, one contractual arrangement could end, clearing the space for you to work with new partners. If you do find yourself flush with cash—a distinct possibility—you’ll have to monitor your urge to splurge. Eclipses bring bountiful results, but they don’t come along every day. You’re going to have to stretch these funds a bit so be frugal. Expand your online presence after the 23rd. Marketing through the Web can do wonders to get your name out there. Explore the possibility of having your company’s site search-engine optimized.
LEO
Independent efforts could pay off in a big way this month for you, Leo. Two eclipses light up your sign. The first, on August 1, could bring sudden bursts of starpower your way. Your business could be applauded publicly, and attracting the attention of the press will be easier than ever. This eclipse also pushes you to take on greater leadership. No more waiting for the “right time” to make a bold move. Launching to the next level requires you to take the helm and to do so NOW. Not that you’ll be running your business all alone. The lunar eclipse on August 16 brings a new wave of partnerships your way. One joint venture could draw to a close as another opens up. This is for the best, even if it seems to happen suddenly. Embrace any changes in your team, as you are ready to draw a new type of collaborator your way. Be willing to let go of a few administrative tasks this month as well. Though you love being hands-on, this approach will interfere with the more executive duties that need your attention.
You’re large and in charge this month, thanks to five planets touching through your sign. While Virgo tends to be allergic to risk, you may feel uncharacteristically fired up and ready to take some chances. Go for it! Bold actions bring big rewards this month, provided you operate from a clear-cut budget. A solar eclipse on August 1 could bring a powerful mentor your way who helps push you through to the next level. Help is available from experienced people in your industry. It’s up to you, however, to enlist their support. Be open about where you have room for growth. People will find your candor refreshing and will naturally be drawn to lend a hand. Watch your tendency to gossip, especially near the lunar eclipse on August 16. This can be highly disruptive to the climate in your company. Note that gossip can sometimes masquerade as well-intentioned sharing about someone else’s troubles or personal life. In general, try to draw a clearer line between business and personal relationships. Getting too involved in your colleagues’ lives is simply a distraction from more important matters now.
Close your eyes and visualize. This August, two eclipses light up your future-forward eleventh house. Set aside practicality for a moment and allow yourself to dream. Where would you like to be two years from now, five years from now, 10 years from now? Having a clear picture helps guide you along your path. Spend time this month gathering images that capture the feeling of what you are trying to create with your company. Start attaching them to a large posterboard and keep it in a prominent place in your office. You may be surprised by what you discover, a happy twist along your path to success. Motivator Mars powers into Libra from August 20 through October 5, firing up your inner go-getter. This is a powerful time for locking in meetings with executives, pitching and landing accounts, and generally pushing through any perceived barriers. Your unstoppable nature will come to the fore, making you more assertive than usual. Charge ahead. It’s better to make a mistake and apologize than to be “polite” and miss an opportunity.
Break out your goal sheet. A solar eclipse on August 1 instructs you to set your sights higher than you have before. What is the overarching milestone you’d like to achieve before the end of 2008? Streamline your intense, Scorpio energy to concentrate on one or two missions. A family member or powerful female mentor could come to your aid near the lunar eclipse on August 16. Their support could come out of the blue: a very happy surprise. Overall, you are being pushed to take on greater leadership around your business. That means learning to delegate and outsource. Expect to spend less time tucked behind your computer and more time managing other people’s workflow and productivity. If drama breaks out at your office, keep directing people’s attention to the big-picture vision. Do you have a company mission statement? Post it in plain sight for all your workers to see. If you haven’t written one, do so before the 23rd. This will help keep you and your team inspired about the future: a great motivation for the here and now.
Global expansion is in the cards for you this month. On August 1, a total solar eclipse brings exciting opportunities to work with people in another part of the world. Outsourcing overseas could increase profitability, provided you work with reputable partners. You may travel for your business, perhaps even to lecture or teach about what you know. Sagittarius rules publishing, and this eclipse may also bring a book deal or column-writing opportunity your way. Blogging would be an excellent way to get the word out about your brand and attract a new round of customers. With five planets touring your ambitious tenth house, it’s time to connect with some larger accounts. Think department stores rather than mom-and-pop shops. Though it may seem more “under control” to work with smaller businesses, the hands-on attention they require could be draining your resources. Allow yourself to think bigger. Mapping out your company policies clearly will maximize efficiency with all clients, big or small.
Keep your suitcase packed and ready. With five planets touring your ninth house, you may need to hop a train or plane at a moment’s notice. There’s a bit of a gambler’s energy in the air this month. You may not feel 100 percent certain that these trips will benefit your business; however you simply won’t know unless you try. Relationship building is a key component now, but you’ll need to look beyond the usual players. Joining forces with companies overseas or in another part of the country could be the best way for you to trim production costs and maximize profits. A total solar eclipse on August 1 brings the promise of an exciting new contract. Eclipses bring results fast, and you may need to scramble to fill an order or hand in a proposal. Keep yourself energized with healthy food and lots of sleep. You’ll need to be in prime form to land this exciting opportunity. A second eclipse on August 16 may bring a round of investment capital your way, or the approval of a loan. Don’t take out more money than you truly need. With hungry Jupiter touring Capricorn this year, you will be tempted to spend the maximum amount you can, but that kind of debt is just not worth it.
Focus on the visuals this month. Do your company’s logo, Web site, and packaging really sizzle the way you want them to? Work with a branding expert or graphic designer who can help you develop a stylish new look. Keep the artwork consistent throughout your materials. Everything from your cards to PDF presentations should match. This creates familiarity, helping your customers to recognize your brand quickly. An eclipse on August 1 brings a new wave of partnerships your way. An exciting joint venture could be in store, which helps you attract more prominent clientele. The old “opposites attract” rule holds true here, so this person or company may be quite unlike you. One of you brings the sizzle, the other brings the steak—together you are a dynamic duo. A move to a new office may also be in the cards for you. With the real estate market’s downturn, you may even have luck purchasing space at an incredible price. Be open to miraculous opportunities—and “For Sale” signs—as you’re out and about.
Five planets tour Virgo—your partnership sign—making two your magic number this August. Let go of that independent spirit a bit, and ask others to team up with you. This may require an internal shift, as you are usually the one playing the supportive role. Allow yourself to be open about where you may feel stuck. Support is all around you, and you may find that the right partners appear quickly once you start verbalizing your needs. Be sure to create contracts for any joint ventures you engage in. Having agreements clearly spelled out in writing will spare you from conflicts later on. An eclipse on August 1 brings an opportunity to write or teach about what you know. Look for ways to position yourself as an expert—possibly as a panelist or columnist. This is excellent marketing for your company, as it builds instant credibility. A second eclipse on August 16 pushes you to get your books in order. Do so, as it can save you money in taxes and fees as the year progresses. You may be asked to give out financial information about your company. Check with a lawyer before doing so, as you may not be legally required to comply.
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