August 2021

There is a lot to celebrate in August. This is a list of pretty much everything that goes on during the eighth month of the year. Many of these dates change from year to year. The days that change are marked with this » symbol.

August Lore and General Info

• August Rituals and More
• August Moon Names

Astronomical Events

• August 8 » New Moon
• July 3 thru August 11: Dog Days of Summer
• August 22 » Full Moon – Corn Moon, Blue Moon
• July 12 thru August 23: Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower
• July 17 thru August 24: Perseids Meteor Shower

Astrological Events

Depending on which astrological system you adhere to, these are the signs that show up in August of 2021. Be aware that some of these dates will vary from year to year. Unlike the Sun signs which might just shift by 1 or 2 days, the dates of the various Moon signs will vary widely from year to year. The same holds true for the Chinese Zodiac. The Celtic Tree Signs are based on an arbitrary system and stay the same from year to year.

The August Sun begins in Leo and finishes up in Virgo:

• Jul 22 thru Aug 22  » Sun in Leo
• Aug 22  thru Sep 22 » Sun in Virgo

The moon cycles through the signs as follows:

• Jul 30 – Aug 2 » Moon in Taurus
• Aug 2 – Aug 4 » Moon in Gemini
• Aug 4 – Aug 7 » Moon in Cancer
• Aug 7 – Aug 9 » Moon in Leo
• Aug 9 – Aug 11 » Moon in Virgo
• Aug 11 – Aug 14 » Moon in Libra
• Aug 14 – Aug 16 » Moon in Scorpio
• Aug 16 – Aug 18 » Moon in Sagittarius
• Aug 18 – Aug 20 » Moon in Capricorn
• Aug 20 – Aug 22 » Moon in Aquarius
• Aug 22 – Aug 24 » Moon in Pisces
• Aug 24 – Aug 27 » Moon in Aries
• Aug 27 – Aug 27 » Moon in Taurus
• Aug 29 – Sep 1 » Moon in Gemini

You will notice that the Moon might begin the day in one sign and by the end of the day may have moved into another sign, so timing matters if you are wanting to be precise.

The Celtic Tree Signs in August:

• Jul 8 – Aug 4: Month of the Holly Tree
• Aug 5 – Sep 1: Month of the Hazel Tree

The Alternative Celtic Zodiac is as follows:

• Cypress: Jul 25 – Aug 4
• Poplar: Aug 5 – Aug 14
• Larch: Aug 15 – Aug 24
• Pine: Aug 25 – Sep 3

The Chinese Calendar and Zodiac

We are currently in the year of the Ox (sometimes referred to as the Cow).  Each Month is also assigned a specific animal. Here’s what shows up in August 2021.

• Sheep: Jul 7 – Aug 6 (Chinese Zodiac – Stem Branch Calendar)
• Sheep: Jul 10 – Aug 7  (Lunar Calendar – 6th Month)
• Monkey: Aug 7 – Sep 6 (Chinese Zodiac – Stem Branch Calendar)
• Monkey: Aug 8 – Sep 6  (Lunar Calendar – 7th Month)

Note: The traditional Chinese Astrology birth chart is built by the Chinese Stem Branch Calendar, not the Chinese Lunar Calendar, which I think is really confusing.  Because of a difference in time zones, the lunar months will have different pattern between China and the USA.

Lucky and Unlucky Days

You might want to plan moving, traveling, major purchases, court dates, and weddings around these dates, avoiding the unlucky days and utilizing the lucky ones.

• These are the lucky days in August:
  6, 7, 10, 11, 19 and 25.
• These are the unlucky days in August:
  15, 20 and 21. 

Fatal Days

The first kills strong ones at a blow.
The second lays a cohort low.

Holidays and Holy Days

Many of the holidays begin on the eve of the night before and end on the eve of the day of. It’s also important to remember that the dates of archaic festivals and feast days may vary widely depending on the source.

August 1

• 1: Lammas or Lughnasadh
• 1: Festival of Lugh – the Celtic hero god.
• 1: Imbolc (Southern Hemisphere)
• 1 » Blessing of the Sea – first Sunday in August
• 1: Freyfaxi – dates vary widely from place to place
• 1: Wipe The Slate Clean Day
• 1: Fast in Honor of Holy Mother of Jesus
• 1: Wipe The Slate Clean Day

August 3

• 3 » Dakini Day (Tibetan)

August 4

• 4 » Day of Ekadashi (Hindu)

August 6

• 6: Festival of Thoth
• 6: Feast of the Transfiguration
• 6 thru 15 : Festival of the Tooth

August 7

• 7 » Night of Hekate Suppers

August 8

• 8 thru Sept 7 » Ghost Month

August 9

• 9: Festival of Sol Indigis – the Roman sun god
• 9 » The Noumenia

August 10

• 10 » Celebrating The Agathos Daimon
• 10: Opalia
• 10 » Al-Hijra – Muharram

August 11

• 11: Dog Days come to an end

August 13

• 13: Nemoralia
• 13: Pomona’s Day see also Nov 1
• 13: The Vertumnalia – the festival of Vertumnus
• 13 » Friday the 13th
• 13: Day of Hecate
• 13 thru 15: Obon Festival (see also Jul 13 thru 15)

August 14

• 14 » Chinese Valentine’s Day

August 15

• 15: Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary
• 15: Festival of Torches
• 15: Herbal Holy Day
• 15: Krishna Janmashtami

August 17

• 17: The Portunalia – the festival of Portunes, the Roman god of gates, doors and harbors.
• 17: Cat Nights begin

August 18

• 18 » Day of Ekadashi (Hindu)

August 19

• 19: The Vinalia Rustica

August 21

• 21: Festival of Consus – the Roman god of good council.

August 22

• 22 » Ghost Festival

August 23

• 23: The Nemesia
• 23: The Volcanalia – the festival of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire

August 24

• 24: Mundus

August 25

• 25: The Opiconsivia – the first harvest festival of Ops, Roman goddess of harvest.
• 25 » La Tomatina

August 26

• 26: Women’s Equality Day
• 26: Feast day of Illmatar

August 27

• 27: Volturnalia

Saint Days

There is a surprising amount of magick associated with Saint days. This is a very short list of the Saint days in August, there are many many more. As time goes by I may end up listing them all, but for now, this is what I have.

• 10: St Lawrence Day
• 15: Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary

Recipes For August

• Lammas Bread – Lammas and Lughnasadh
• Whole Grain Bread for Lughnasadh – Lammas and Lughnasadh

Many more seasonal recipes, including recipes for new and full moon ceremonies, ancient Greek and Roman holidays, Asian festivals and etc. can be found here: Seasonal Recipes.

Notes:

Any August lore, almanac, astrological, and celebration dates that have been shared after this post was published can be found by searching the August posts to see what’s new.

A lot of work went into this post. It was compiled from various sources by Shirley Twofeathers for The Pagan Calendar, you may repost and share without karmic repercussions, but only if you give me credit and a link back to this website. Blessed be.