Solar eclipse New Moon at 20 degrees of Leo on August 12, 2026

Before I get into the eclipse season, I wanted to address a question I've been getting from clients. It has to do with recognizing that we, as a collective, are all "in it". There are no places to "hide" per se, because the outer planets are lighting up all the signs by conjunction, square, opposition, and at least by house for everyone. Meaning, you may not have a planet or angle at the early degrees of Aquarius, where Pluto is, but you do have something at later degrees, and you may already be feeling the energy of Pluto. You may not be able to pinpoint what needs to transform, but there may be a growing stench in some area of your life, and no lysol can make it go away. And, if you do have something at early degrees of any of the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) then you're feeling this energy more intensely. We can say the same for the mutable signs who has Uranus activating the signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces and for the cardinal signs who have Neptune (with the added bonus of Saturn for the next year-ish) making things foggy in the signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.

So you can see, every sign is being lit up in some way, and you may be finishing one transit that is hitting a particular part of your chart, only to have another one begin in another place. So, the resounding question from my clients have been: "What do I do?" Well, the answer may not make you too happy, especially if you have a Saturn signature in your chart. It's to recognize you are a part of a process. Something is unfolding, and the best thing is not to try to logically figure it out, but to stay present and aware. Notice where you are fighting change or ignoring the need for one. Are you constantly fighting for control? Aren't you exhausted? Where do you feel the tension and pressure. Those are the areas to focus on. Awareness and presence are probably the best "tools" for the next few years as something continues to develop, shift, and change.

Having said that, welcome to another eclipse season. We are at an interesting juncture this year when it comes to the eclipses. We have one cycle (Virgo/Pisces axis) wrapping up, and another cycle (Leo/Aquarius axis) beginning. Back in February we had the new Moon Solar eclipse at 28 degrees of Aquarius on February 17th, followed by Full Moon Lunar eclipse at 12 degrees of Virgo on March 3rd. Something new happening in the Aquarius parts of your chart and something ending in your Virgo house. As we enter in August, we have the opposite signs being lit up in some way. We are starting with the solar eclipse in Leo (which has the South Node in this sign) and ending with a lunar eclipse in Pisces. I think it's important to note that we are at a threshold space in many layers--the changing of the nodes as well as entering eclipse season.

So, this New Moon Solar eclipse has a lot of energy in Leo. We have the South Node at 29 degrees of Leo, the Sun and Moon conjunct at 20 degrees, as well as Jupiter at 9 Leo and Mercury at 5 degrees. That's a pretty large spread, essentially any angle or planet you have in Leo is being lit up somehow. The South Node may point to where something is depleted or isn't getting some diminished return for the energy expended. What house is your Leo house? What planets or angles do you have here? Do those planets/angles make aspects with any of the other fixed signs? Look at Taurus, Scorpio, and Aquarius for some clues. The eclipse from February may also provide some clues, because at that time your Aquarius house was being lit up. As I said above, it's about being present. Astrology isn't about control and prediction, we just know that based on the time of your chart, you know certain areas of life are under "construction" in a way. Some roads may have caved, maybe others have potholes, while others you're on a detour. Whatever the metaphor you want to use, astrology helps you understand where to focus so you can make more conscious choices in your life.

If you have a lot in Leo, then start looking at where you can work with the energy of releasing and letting go. Further, since it's in Leo, where do you need to step back in a leadership role? Or where could you take a more global world view if your vision has narrowed in some way? This area of life could feel has a little more spice and flare. So, what would lower the drama factor? I am noticing that Mercury is getting a sextile from Uranus, a trine from Neptune, and an opposition from Pluto. I don't think there will be any mixed messages. Things should be fairly loud, so you won't have to second guess anything. But, these are just potential ways to work with the energy. I'd love to hear how you experience the eclipses and how you consciously worked with what you encountered.

Dates of this eclipse cycle: (these will include the out of sign eclipses as well. Solar is a new moon eclipse and lunar is a full moon eclipse)

• February 17, 2026: 28 degrees of Aquarius (solar)

• March 3, 2026: 12 degrees of Virgo (lunar)

• August 12, 2026: 20 degrees of Leo (solar)

• August 28, 2026: 4 degrees of Pisces (lunar)

• February 6, 2027: 17 degrees of Aquarius (solar)

• February 20, 2027: 2 degrees of Virgo (lunar)

• July 18, 2027: 25 degrees of Capricorn (lunar)

• August 2, 2027: 9 degrees of Leo (solar)

• August 17, 2027: 24 degrees of Aquarius (lunar)

• (new eclipse cycle starts in Cancer/Capricorn axis on January 11, 2028 at 21 degrees of Cancer and that's a lunar eclipse)

• January 26, 2028: 6 degrees of Aquarius (lunar)