AUGUST 2026
There’s a NEW MOON in Leo on the 12th August ... not just any old New Moon but a Total Eclipse of the Sun. How exciting .. particularly for those in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, Russia, and Spain ... if you are there you will be able to see the full show - if the sky is clear of clouds. The New Moon peaks at 17:36:33 UT(GMT) and the Total Eclipse peaks at 17:45:46 UT(GMT). Western Europe, Northern Asia, North/West Africa, much of North America, Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic might be able to see a partial eclipse. Even if you can’t watch this amazing event the effects are still felt astrologically. New Moon’s create new beginnings in the affairs of man and this New Moon coincides with a Grand Trine between PLUTO, URANUS and VENUS, and triple Alliances from all the outer planets ... for a day with high feel good factors and celebrations. MARS, the Mighty Warrior is the only planet off on his own, sulking in Cancer and feeling very disconnected and moody!! (Remember to dig out your eclipse glasses, or welding shield glass ... don’t even think about watching without protecting your eyes.)
The second eclipse of the month arrives with the FULL MOON on the 28th August in the early morning, flowing into Pisces and peaking at 04:18:20 am UT (GMT). The shadow of the Earth will pass slowly over the face of the Moon, strongest at 04:12:45 am UT (GMT) turning the Moon a darker reddish colour. This is a partial Lunar Eclipse but with the MOON involved the effect on the emotions is stronger. MERCURY the Messenger sits right by the Virgo SUN hosting a Hand of Destiny across the Heavens, reaching over to PLUTO in Aquarius .. and over to NEPTUNE in Aries. There are likely confessions and revelations from MERCURY and the SUN in Virgo, spilling the truth out into the global community – Authenticity is the focus, with NEPTUNE oozing compassion and connection and PLUTO creating transformation in our social interactions and what’s important for humanity.
VENUS, the Goddess of Love and Success, is in Virgo at the beginning of the month, skipping over the border into her own sign of Libra the 7th August. The Love Goddess changes her personality, shifting from self-absorption, worries and a need for reassurance to being focused and sensitive to the needs of others in her relationships. Here in Libra the Goddess is focused on restoring balance between the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine. MARS and VENUS have been bickering and fighting for the last few months. VENUS is fed up with the endless chatter from MARS, with all his ideas and schemes in Gemini, and the Love Goddess demands grounded actions and stability. MARS is in Gemini until the 12th August, slipping over the border into Cancer shortly after the Total Solar Eclipse, bringing energy, motivation, and a desire for security and home comforts. But MARS will be a little moody and disconnected, defensive and fiery for a few days.
By the time the Sun shifts into Virgo on 22nd August, the Barbault Cradle, that has been holding in the Heavens for so many months, starts to dissolve as JUPITER leads the way forward in Leo, slowly leaving the influence of those outer planets behind. But of course we are provided with a beautiful Grand Trine between the Sagittarius MOON, JUPITER in family centred Leo, and SATURN acting as chief cook and bottle washer organising gatherings and events. After all the excitement the focus on Virgo says “calm down now and pay attention to the details to bring changes into being”, turning our attention toward organising, de-cluttering, and practicalities.
PLUTO, the planet of deep transformation, is now retrograde in Aquarius until mid-October, inviting a slower, more reflective kind of change. This is a time to observe, reassess, and reconnect with our sense of purpose and power. On a wider level, there is a growing sense of collective awareness — people coming together, sharing ideas, and seeking better ways forward. It is a reminder that meaningful change does not have to be rushed; it unfolds steadily, with intention.
URANUS, the planet of independence and self-awareness, has moved into Gemini. For the next couple of years, PLUTO and URANUS will dance with each other, creating peak moments of intensity. PLUTO locks power into "the people", transforming society, the way we relate to each other, governments, and human rights. URANUS is the planet of upheaval, rebellion, sudden changes, identity, and self-expression — and he will now flow through Gemini for the next seven years. Expect developments in technology, communication, and governance, alongside new discoveries in medicine, health, and healing that support humanity.
NEPTUNE, the Mystic Muse, is in Aries for the next 14 years. His ideological compassion is already busy oozing across the world. Elements of the 1960s musical revolution are returning, heavily focused on the mind-body connection. This energy opens fresh channels of communication, brings charismatic leaders to the global stage, and fuels spiritual gurus and religious fervour. Throughout August, NEPTUNE, PLUTO and URANUS are still locked into a harmonious Alliance – all those subtle connections and behind the scenes negotiations!. While these links between three powerful outer planets lasts a few more months, it permanently imprints its energy of hope and artistic vision onto larger, decade-defining collective shifts — drawing us all toward the arts, interconnected networks, and opening the heart of compassion. So, hold onto your hats while these cosmic shifts take place. It is going to be an exciting and interesting few months. NEPTUNE is slowly meandering backwards, slowing down his spiritual questing with a little confusion bending reality until he turns around in December later this year.
There are challenges coming through the opposition between PLUTO and JUPITER, beginning to dissolve by the third week of August. JUPITER is now in Leo until next 27th July 2027, which is great for family affairs, leadership, and creative expression, with expansion and travel highlighted. However, that challenging conflict with PLUTO puts a damper on plans and slows down progressive changes for the next few weeks.
With so many intense and exciting moments this month you might need pay attention to your own energy levels. Stay grounded, spend time in nature ... avoid over stimulating your mind, switch off your thoughts and be playful!
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