Astrologically speaking, the New Moon is a time of beginnings. A monthly reboot, it gives you a chance for a fresh start. The New Moon always provides opportunities to create something new, to start a new phase, or to start the next phase of an ongoing project. In order to make the most of these moments, always start with the sign you are in, and then look to where you are in the Wheel of the Year. That equation determines what sort of new beginnings you can realistically expect to create. As it’s Leo season, and Lammas (the beginning of harvest season), let’s start there.
The lord of the harvest season, Leo is a fixed, masculine, fire sign. That alone packs a punch. This year, both Mercury and Jupiter are joining the Sun and the Moon in Leo. That’s a lot of Leo. On a good day, these conjunctions are famous for head-heart integration, and the kind of expansion you can create from learning to stand in a more whole and balanced place. On a less good day, there can be a lot of velocity and no direction. Grounding, prioritizing, and pacing yourself are going to be very important now. More so than normal. Do that.
The 2026 harvest season officially began with the Lunar Lammas at the Full Moon on July 29th, and then gained momentum at the Gregorian Lammas, which was August 2nd. Lammas always splits your focus. Part of your focus is on your personal Hero’s Journey and where you are in it. Where are you rocking it? And what do you need to do now in order to more fully understand, activate, and express your soul’s core? And then – as one cannot bring in the harvest alone – another focus is on your community. Where do you fit most powerfully and effectively into it? How can you best use your personal superpowers to help your community live into your shared values and objectives? Let’s find out.
This is where the magic of eclipse season comes in. The New Moon is at roughly 10:37 A.M. Pacific time, and the eclipse is about 10 minutes later at 10:47 A.M. The Sun and New Moon, conjunct at 20° Leo, are sequisquare a retrograde Neptune at 04° Pisces and trine a retrograde Saturn at 14° Pisces. There is also a Grand Trine in the air signs forming a Kite to the Jupiter/Mercury conjunction in Leo. As the eclipses always reveal, this indicates a number of things.
Pay attention to where there is dynamic friction, especially when it is or becomes a persistent irritation. While it can bring stress, tension, and a sense of unease between the aspects of your life ruled by the signs and planets involved, it also shows you where there are opportunities to create change, internally and externally. If handled constructively, this relentless, restless energy pushes you to take action, solve problems, and overcome obstacles that you had previously unwilling or unable to see and address. Especially in regards to creating greater harmony and balance within yourself and within your community. Breathe, and say yes.
If you can ground yourself into and around this process, you will gain a lot of clarity about yourself, about your way of being, and about your karma with yourself. From that place, you will gain a lot of clarity around your karma with friends, family, and community members. From that place, you can then harness the strength and power of Leo to make healthy (or healthier) choices and changes in and around your life and your relationships.
Surrender. Trust that this process – the eclipse and the next one at the full moon – is taking you exactly where you need to go. I cannot say it enough, the eclipses always reveal. They show you what you previously could not see, and the reasons why. While it is always good for you, it is not always pleasant in real time. The eclipses burst your bubble, they penetrate your denial, they show you what you previously had not allowed yourself to see. And why.
Be gentle with yourself. And don’t go it alone. Ask your Gods and Goddesses, your guides, guardians, angels, and ancestors to help you to be your authentic self. Ask them to help you to work with your community to create more of the life you want in the world you want, for the highest good of all involved. Listen deeply to what you hear them say. Follow where they lead. Answer the call of your Hero’s Journey. And if you get stuck, call me.
We'll figure it out.
Calendar
These are the dates when your ability to clarify and redefine your rights and roles in your community, and your responsibilities to it will be the greatest.
August 12
New Moon in Leo
Total Solar Eclipse at the New Moon: The Sun and New Moon are conjunct at 20° Leo, and loosely conjunct Jupiter at 09° Leo and Mercury at 05° Leo. The Sun and Moon are opposing a retrograde Neptune at 04° Pisces.
August 16
Mercury Retrograde Shadow Period ends
August 22
Sun Moves into Virgo
August 25
Mercury moves into Virgo
Women’s Equality Day
August 27
Full Moon in Pisces (the Barley Moon, Chrysanthemum Moon, Corn Moon, and the Harvest Moon)
Partial Lunar Eclipse at the Full Moon: The Sun is at 04° Virgo, conjunct Mercury at 05° Virgo. The pair is opposing the Moon at 04° Pisces and the North Node at the Anorectic and most powerful degree of 29° Aquarius. Both pairs are squaring Uranus at 05 ° Gemini.
September 7
Labor Day
September 10
Eclipse Shadow Period Ends
Mercury moves into Libra
New Moon in Virgo
Uranus Retrogrades at 05° Gemini
Venus moves into Scorpio
Latest News & Events
Here are the latest movements to explore, engage, and go deeper.
Our next Full Moon Webinar will be on Thursday, August 27th from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Just as the New Moon occurs in the same sign as the Sun, the Full Moon occurs in the sign opposite the Sun. On the 27th, the Sun is in Virgo, and the Moon is in Pisces, so we will be spending some time on the watery sign of Pisces, the realms it is said to govern, and the way it impacts our intuition. As that night is also the Partial Lunar Eclipse, we will be talking about that too – so bring your questions. See you then!
