Astrology Landscape August 19 - 27

 

Astrology Landscape August 19–27

The Moon moves into the First Quarter phase in the evening of the 19th (PDT). As always with the First Quarter, we act on the seeds we planted at the New Moon and the information we gathered during the Crescent.

On the 21st and 22nd, we have two oppositions: Venus opposite Saturn and the Sun opposite the North Node. Together they emphasize values, discipline, bold direction and the importance of groups and friends.

Then, on the 22nd, the energy shifts as the Sun moves into grounded Virgo.All of this can impact the actions we take to expand those big ideas from the New Moon.

On the 23rd, the lunar phase turns Gibbous and refinement begins, which is amplified by the Virgo Sun. This phase has a very loud Mercury presence. Mercury opposes the North Node and enters Virgo on the 25th, followed by a trine with Chiron. Then on the 27th, Mercury is cazimi the Sun. With all that Mercury, if you want picky, you’ll get it this phase.

Some crits may be flying, but constructive work can also be accomplished. This feels extra “de-cluttering” of anything getting in the way of our career or our place in the world. It is a good time to remember that the seeds you planted at the Leo New Moon benefit from your inner boss.

 

First Quarter Moon

Aug 19, 2026
7:46pm PDT

First Quarter — Taking Action

Now we act on the information we received. We pursue the idea again. What hurdles have appeared involving the seeds you planted at the New Moon? We make another call, reach out to someone, mail something, or stir the pot again.

Sometimes this phase reveals that the goals we planted require more effort from us. Independence may need to be asserted. Others may resist our growth, even if they believe they have our best interests at heart.

Hero’s Journey: Crossing the threshold and committing to the journey.
Creative/Science Process: Commitment — the work begins.

Focus on: How are the big and bold seeds you planted at the New Moon requiring stronger action now?

What needs to be jettisoned? What needs depth? What needs a bold or extreme move? Or what level of truth needs to be acknowledged so growth can occur?

Planetary Notes:

Aug 21: Venus opposite Saturn (14° AR)
Money and love feel tough. Responsibility is high. Hard work may be called for. What is lonely? What is independence?

Aug 22: Sun opposite N. Node (29° AQ)
How are we working with and uplifting others? What does our group/gang need? What special gifts or skills can we offer?

Aug 22: Sun enters Virgo
The big Leo energy begins to come down to earth. What needs attention, refinement or actual work?

Gibbous Moon

Aug 23, 2026
10:21 pm PDT

Gibbous — Refining the Process

We refine our information. We pick and choose, discriminate and organize. This is the phase where we become a bit “Virgo-like.” We sort through details and ask whether something has been overlooked. Adjustments are made. Plans are refined. The goal is not to abandon the seed but to improve how it is unfolding.

Hero’s Journey: Training and preparation before the major test.
Creative/Science Process: Editing and refinement.

Focus on:

At the New Moon, we activated seeds of creativity, love, passion, bigness and boldness. Now we need to refine all that bigness so that it plays into a bigger picture.

Our creativity needs an executive. Leo said, “I have something.” Virgo says, “Great. Let’s make it good.”

It could be our own inner CEO. What details do we need to address to go from the minor leagues to the major leagues? What needs editing? What needs organizing? And what is simply clutter getting in the way?

Planetary Notes

Aug 23: Sun trine Chiron (00° TA)
Practicality excels. Where have we been stuck and held on too long in the past, and now we are thinking, “Am I here again with something else?” A healing can occur.

Aug 25: Mercury opposite North Node (29° AQ)
What are we thinking and talking about that speaks to community? How do our ideas fit into something larger than ourselves?

Aug 25: Mercury enters Virgo
The mind gets discerning. Details matter. What needs sorting, editing, fixing or simply doing better?

Aug 25: Mercury trine Chiron (00° TA)
There is building something from the ground up, and there is hanging on too long. Today we may be able to see the difference—and perhaps heal something from the past.

Aug 27: Mercury conjunct Sun (4° VI) — Cazimi
Details. Our thoughts and conversations are analytical. Perhaps there is a bit of insecurity. Watch the critical comments. But this can also be an exceptionally useful moment for seeing exactly what needs to be improved. But if something needs fixing, editing or improving, this is a great day to see it.

 

Astrological Landscape: Aug 12 -18

Leo New Phase

New Moon — The Seed

Plant seeds, make calls, activate, start projects. Activate something that will ideally lead to results. This is the phase where intent is critical. Even if the results are not immediate, the intent is there. You may not yet have all the answers or the roadmap, but this is the time to put your intention out into the world.

Hero’s Journey: The call to adventure.
Creative/Science Process: Inspiration — the idea appears.

This focus: How are you big? Seriously, how and when are you bold? Is it often? Is it limited? Is it ZERO? Are you judgy on being big?

Planetary notes:

8/12: Mercury sextile Uranus (5 GE)
So creative. So weird. Such great thinking. Breakthroughs in unexpected ways.

8/13: Mercury sextile Venus (6 LI)
Big thoughts support big love. Values inspire boldness.

8/15: Mercury conjunction Jupiter (10 LE)
Big thoughts meet BIG BOLD. Dramatic thinking that is creative, perhaps favors things international.

Crescent Moon Phase

Aug 15, 2026
10:27 pm (PDT)

Crescent — Gathering Information

We begin to receive information. We research a bit more and perhaps get feedback on the seeds we planted at the New Moon. Sometimes we receive clues about something we planted. Even if you think nothing is happening, stop and look again. Who called you? What conversation happened? Even the smallest or most mundane events during this phase can contain a message. A parking ticket. An argument with a spouse. A refund check from the phone company. Pay attention. What information is arriving and how can it help?

Hero’s Journey: The hero begins exploring the unknown and gathering allies.
Creative/Science Process: Research — gathering information and materials.

Focus on: What are you learning about your relationship that suggests the impact of big and boldness? What does creativity look like in your partnerships? What does strength and courage in your partnerships look like?

Planetary notes:

8/17: Mars square Neptune (3 AR)
Actions & Anger meet vagueness and perhaps deceit. Defensive pronounced. Intuition that thinks it is sharp, but is it?

8/17: Mercury trine Saturn (14 AR)
Thinking that lines up with responsible independence. Practicality is highlighted. No matter what pops up.

8/17: Venus sextile Jupiter (10 LE)
Creativity is big. Values get stretched. Opinions that feel uplifting and motivating. Love is strong. Take care to not overindulge.

Leo New Moon - August 12, 2026

 

Image: Encyclopedia Britannica 

August 12, 2026
10:36 a.m. PDT
20° Leo 01′

This week I drafted and wrote the Leo New Moon 29-day lunar report. It looks like a super interesting and vibrant month. Part of that is because this New Moon is a Total Solar Eclipse, which always turns up the volume.

Here's a snippet of my report.......

Meta of Leo 

 

Leo is brave and is good to strengthen willpower.  It is enthusiastic and takes risks.   Leo will follow the heart’s desire, again see Brave.    It loves to have fun and can see the game in in living a full life.     If you have any area of your life that needs bravery and willpower, focus and a strong heart, then this is the new moon to launch some actions.   Maybe there is a letter you need to send that could change your whole trajectory.   Maybe there is a creative endeavor that you have been sitting on because you don’t know if you have the ‘strength’ to do it.   Where do you need more play?   Activate some adventures and go big for a joyous heart.  

 

Of course, this is an eclipse which could bring out the shadow of Leo.   Look for stories in the world or your own circles where someone is insisting on getting something ‘their’ way and or acting like an authority.   Or a story where someone is super needy and stealing attention.   Unawareness of others’ importance.   Perhaps stories of too much pride.  And plain old exaggeration and lies.   

If you bump into any of that you may want to disconnect.    If you must deal with those folks, give as little oxygen to it as possible.   Actually, that might be the best exercise to find a fuller richer bolder heart, disconnect on some level from those who go long on me, me, me stories.   

….Please go to the rest of the report  HERE.

August 3 - August 12

 

We are in the final lunar phases of the Cancer Lunar Month 

During Disseminating we may feel we are catching our breath.  There is a lot to process since July 14 and some of it we may be sharing during the three days of Disseminating.  Some of it uplifting for

sure.   

 

When we move into Last Quarter Moon we feel a need for stability.  Being grounded goes far.   

 

At the Balsamic phase we release our moodiness and childlikeness.   Big emotions get released.  Additionally, during this Balsamic there are big aspects as Venus and Mercury interact with Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.   Values come up, Thinking and Communicating could get loud if not actual loud, loud in that we really hear stuff.      Dots may be connected and if it is janky we can release it, thanks to the Balsamic phase.  

 

The Leo new Moon arrives as a total solar eclipse on August 12 which is a whole other megillah.   We’ll talk about that later.   In the meantime make the most of the end of Cancer lunar month.  

 

 

 

 

Disseminating

Aug 3, 2026

5:53pm PDT – 

   

Disseminating — Sharing Insight

Reflect on what has transpired during the month and even earlier. What have you learned? How can you share some of your knowledge? What past experiences are you drawing upon? Sometimes we feel the need to teach. Other times we recognize that it is time to seek a teacher. A mentor, therapist, rabbi, minister, or guide may offer perspective that helps us understand the experience more fully.

Hero’s Journey: The hero shares the wisdom gained.
Creative/Science Process: Publication, presentation, or exhibition.

 

 

Focus on:   Are you sharing your faith with friends and groups?  Are you sharing your spirituality with these folks?  How is your intuition in the mix with your emotions and how are you sharing it?  

 

 

 

Planetary Notes:

Aug 3:  Chiron retrograde 00 TA 52.  Watch money stories in the news.  

 

 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

August 5, 2026

7:21 pm (PDT)  

 

Last Quarter — Practical Adjustments

Now we make the final adjustments to the seeds planted at the New Moon. We make the final call, send the final letters, and follow the trails that still make sense. Other paths are allowed to fall away. This phase favors wise action and thoughtful decision-making.

It is a time for living the spirit of the Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Hero’s Journey: Rebuilding life after the transformation.
Creative/Science Process: Critique and evaluation.

 

 

Focus on:

What actions are you taking that are informed by practical needs? How do your emotions connect to your concrete needs?  How do you use your emotions to build something from the ground up?  How can you hang on to your emotions when you must just get through something?  

 

Planetary Notes: 

 

August 6: Venus enters Libra.  Note Venus will retrograde in fall in Libra.  Shadow Aug 31 until Dec 10 exit Shadow. 

August 6:   Sun trine Saturn (14 AR) Wake up, feel good, tackle anything that needs leadership and a sense of responsibility.  There will be successes.  
August 6 : Mercury leaves shadow (14 AR) 

 

 

Balsamic Moon Phase

 

August 9, 2026 

3:50am  (PDT) 

 

Balsamic — Release

This phase closes the lunar cycle. We release what has run its course so the next cycle can begin. By letting go we clear space for the next New Moon. Reflection, rest, and closure allow the mind and spirit to reset before the next intention emerges.

Hero’s Journey: The return and completion of the journey.
Creative/Science Process: Rest and incubation before the next idea.

 

Focus on:  How are you releasing emotions and feelings?  What benefit can you calculate from releasing the emotions that just seem out of step with some situations?  

 

Planetary Notes:

August 9:  Mercury enters Leo

August 9: Mercury square Chiron (00 TA) The mind may be hyper focused on wounds.  

August 10: Venus trine Pluto (3 AQ) Values and money and love receive good juice.  Friends feel loving and empowering.  
August 10: Venus oppose Neptune (4 AR) Fuzzy, feeling lost, values feel difficult to grasp.  Money and love feels off. 
August 11:  Mars enters Cancer
August 11:  Mercury oppose Pluto (3 AQ) Thoughts are intense. Communication can be succinct and tough.  Thinking that is transformative will be challenging. 
August 11:  Mercury trine Neptune (4 AR).  Joyful thoughts, creative conversations, learning new stuff that may be inspiring.  
August 11:  Venus trine Uranus (5 GE) Creativity that is unique, love that may feel different. Values get a boost of ‘uniqueness’ 

August 12: Mars sextile Chiron (00 TA) Actions that are practical and super healing.  

 

 

 

New Moon Total Solar Eclipse (Leo) August 12, 10:36am PDT 

 

Spitball on YouTube

 I got the YouTube for our ESPN segment.   

I hope you like it.  

Spitball. ESPN. Sunday August 2.

 

A Little Off Topic... But Also Not

I don't often post personal stories on this blog. Most of the time this space is about astrology, the cycles we're all moving through, and trying to make a little more sense of the world. But tomorrow, a piece of my own story will be on ESPN, and I thought I'd share it.

Thirty years ago, I was working at The Tonight Show with Jay Leno when I got an assignment.

"Go in a Winnebago with five guys who are visiting every Major League Baseball park in the country."

I was a 38 year old producer and comedy writer who had been to exactly one baseball game in my life. I didn't know those guys. I didn't even keep their names straight until somewhere around New Mexico.

One of them was Charlie Cook.

The rest is history.

ESPN has turned that crazy road trip into a nine minute SC Featured piece called SpitBall, which airs on SportsCenterthroughout the day on Sunday, August 2.

As someone who spends a great deal of time thinking about cycles, timing, and crossroads, I can't help but notice the astrology.

Back then, Uranus was on my Venus, Pluto was sextile my Venus, and Saturn was on my Ascendant.

Now, thirty years later, the outer planets have gathered around those same parts of my chart again. Pluto is wrapping up its conjunction to my Venus, Saturn is crossing my Ascendant and moving through my first house, and Uranus is trining my Venus.

Did I predict ESPN? No.

But I do recognize a pattern.

Life has a funny way of circling back. We almost never know, in the moment, which assignment, invitation, or random turn in the road will quietly change the course of our lives.

This one certainly changed mine.

If you're around tomorrow and happen to catch it, I hope you enjoy it.

Now...back to our regularly scheduled astrology. :)

Astro Landscape July 25 - Aug 2

 

Astrology Landscape for July 25 – August 2

 

We have a solid week of astro action in front of us.  We start with the Gibbous Moon that launches on July 25 and focuses on expanding our world but at the same time, use tremendous discretion.  “Hmm, should I reach out to So&So?  Maybe.  Maybe not.” 

  

Question--How has the grump been for the last few days?   I ask because Saturn has been stationary for the last week as it prepares to retrograde on the 26^th.    I found it a bit soul depleting but at the same time I also felt ‘let’s – galvanize-a-new-plan’ beeping within me.    This is the first Saturn retrograde that will take place entirely in Aries and it will circle the idea of new leadership.   Who is leading?  Who is not leading?  And what is going on with our own leadership?  

 

Also, on the 26^th we launch a whole 18-month cycle when North Node enter Aquarius   I think this is not for the faint of heart because we already have Pluto in Aquarius.   Must every day be a TechBro day?  Probably.   But we all are here so I guess we all signed up for this cycle. 

 

One more thing…. also on the 26^th, the Sun opposes Pluto.   It is a once-a-year aspect, but we are still in the early era of Pluto in Aquarius so watch this space.  

 

On the 27^th the Sun gets some joy out Uranus and Neptune via sextile and trine, to which I say, ‘sure sign me up.’  

Then on the 29^th Venus and Mars, the two zodiac lovers are having a battle royale.   It could be very “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” . Try to stay out of the fray.  

 

A couple hours later The Aquarius Full moon perfects and we do that for three days.   

 

Bottom line, lot going on this week. 

 

 

 

 

Gibbous Moon

July 25, 2026

5:40am PDT  

 

 

Gibbous — Refining the Process

We refine our information. We pick and choose, discriminate, and organize. This is the phase where we become a bit “Virgo-like.” We sort through details and ask whether something has been overlooked. Adjustments are made. Plans are refined. The goal is not to abandon the seed but to improve how it is unfolding.

Hero’s Journey: Training and preparation before the major test.
Creative/Science Process: Editing and refinement.

 

Focus on:

On the new moon we activated seeds where we tap our emotions and glean logic and knowledge from those emotions.  Now on Gibbous we get a 10,000 view.  How are emotions helping or hurting our ability to expand?  How can our emotions and feelings assist in bringing in a ‘foreign’ idea?  What new details do we find or logic when we actually step back?  

 

 

Planetary Notes:  

 

July 26: Saturn retrograde (14 AR) (see separate post)

July 26: North Node enter Aquarius – (see separate post) We’ll be doing this for a while. 
July 26: Sun oppose Pluto (4 AQ)  Power of ego and ego of power tussle.   Common good meets the man behind the current (😉).  

July 27: Sun trine Neptune (4 AR)  Joy and strength, creativity are juiced up by faith and intuition. 
July 27: Sun sextile Uranus (4 GE) Boldness, unique creativity, joy and strength can be found by going the different way. 

July 29: Venus square Mars (21 GE) Oh, brother.   Money, love, anger, actions, speed, micro crits all come together in a miserable way. 

July 29: Sun conjunct Jupiter (6 LE).  Big Fire.  Big oxygen. Big play. Big joy.  Ego may need to be separated from self-esteem. 

 

Full Moon – Aquarius 

July 29, 2026

7:35am PDT

(6 Aquarius 30) 

 

Full Moon — Illumination

The Full Moon reveals what has been building. Emotions tend to run high because something becomes visible that we may not have seen clearly before now. For those who have been working with the cycle, this can be a moment of realization or progress. For those who have not, emotions can spill over simply to bring awareness back to the situation. The Moon is bright and there is little room for shadows. What is reflecting to you?

Hero’s Journey: The revelation or moment of truth.
Creative/Science Process: Breakthrough — the insight appears.

 

Read Full Moon in separate post.  

 

 

Planetary Notes:  

 No aspects