August 30 - September 10 - Astro Landscape

 

 

August 29 – September 10

The August 27 Full Moon continues to play through August 31, when Disseminating officially perfects.

Also, on the 31st, Jupiter makes the first of three trines to Saturn that spread out through next spring and summer. We may be galvanizing some important goals with actions that speak to hope and abundance while also bringing in significant practicality and structure.

Note: You can put the fanciest roof on the greatest idea of a house all you want, but that roof comes crashing down if the retaining walls aren't up. Jupiter and Saturn are all about big ideas with strategic architecture. 

Great.  What's on your big to-do list? Consider taking some big actions toward it on August 31. It has merit.

During Disseminating, we are interested in stories of self-agency. How did someone make something big happen even if it started out small? These stories get our attention during Disseminating.

The Last Quarter Moon lands on September 4. We revisit any major ideas and moves we made three weeks ago at the New Moon that tapped into big love. Now we do another round of actions that support that vision.

"What I Did for Love." Cue Patti LuPone.

On September 7, we move into Balsamic and release ego, exaggeration, bragging and all that is unnecessarily big. What we are left with is love and a love of authenticity.

Then on September 10, we are ready for some good old-fashioned Virgo New Moon and a new 29-day lunar month.

In detail.....

Full Moon Phase

Read HERE

8/31: Venus enters shadow (22 LI). Gulp.

Disseminating

August 31, 2026
1:31 pm 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 the power of self-agency with others? Are you hearing from a teacher who understands self-agency? What are you sharing about independence? Self-direction has its place, especially when rooted in creativity and love.

Planetary Notes:

8/31: Jupiter trine Saturn (13 AR)
The first of three trines. Something big is building. We have a sense that hard work may have a payoff that brings joy. (See separate post.)

9/1: Mars square Saturn (13 AR)
Battles that feel defensive. Snippy, snappy emotions up against harsh reality. No one wants to play nice.

9/1: Mercury sextile Mars (13 CA)
Thinking that is practical can lead to actions that are emotionally supportive.

Last Quarter Moon Phase

September 4, 2026
12:51 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 facts on the ground? How are your final actions directly connected to what you are communicating? Actions that Walk Thy Talk will go far now. Siblings and neighbors may be in the mix.

Planetary Notes:

No planetary action.

Balsamic Moon Phase

September 7, 2026
9:58 am 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 ego? How are you releasing "go big or go home"? How are you releasing fake? How are you releasing selfishness?

Planetary Notes:

9/9: Venus trine North Node (29 AQ)
How we relate to others and build partnerships can support the bigger group. Look up the story "Stone Soup."

9/10: Venus enters Scorpio

9/10: Mercury enters Libra

9/10: Venus opposes Chiron (00 TA)
What in holy heck needs to leave our life so something better and more in sync with our values can come in? Release is key.

9/10: Uranus stations retrograde (5 GE 41)
(See separate post.)

New Moon in Virgo: September 10, 8:26 pm PDT

August 31, 2026 Jupiter Trine Saturn (Round 1 of 3)

 

Jupiter Trine Saturn 

 

August 31, 2026 (13° Leo/Aries) (Saturn retrograde)

April 3, 2027 (22° Leo/Aries) (Jupiter retrograde)

July 11, 2027 (2° Virgo/Taurus) (both direct in new signs)

 

 

There are the personal planets, the inner planets: The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars. Then there are the outer planets: Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Sitting between those two groups are Jupiter and Saturn. They aren't as slow as the outer planets, but they don't move as quickly as the personal planets either.

 

Jupiter takes about twelve years to travel around the zodiac. Saturn takes about twenty-nine. They are often called the social planets because they bridge our personal lives with the larger world around us. Jupiter stretches us. It asks us to grow, explore, and expand our horizons. Saturn asks us to mature. It brings structure, boundaries, responsibility, and sometimes a healthy dose of reality.   Big Expansion meet Big Responsibility.    

 

Because both planets spend several months retrograde each year, their dance is a little wonky. They only form a conjunction about once every twenty years.

 

You remember 2020, right?  Bleh, I know.   But going to the end of the year.  On December 21, 2020, Jupiter and Saturn formed a conjunction at 0° Aquarius 29′. It was one of the defining astrological events of the decade. That conjunction launched a brand-new twenty-year Jupiter-Saturn cycle and marked the beginning of a nearly 200-year era in which these conjunctions will occur predominantly in Air signs. I say predominantly because there will be an occasional escape conjunction into another element, but for the most part we have entered an Air era.

 

Now we arrive at the first waxing trine of that twenty-year cycle.

On August 31, April 3, and July 11, Jupiter and Saturn will form three exact trines. This waxing trine ties directly back to the conjunction of December 2020 and the Aquarian themes that were planted back then.

 

On a global level, I expect there will be plenty of technology stories. Some will no doubt sound like a Ridley Scott movie where technology destroys humanity. Fine. We've got those stories covered. But there will also be genuine innovation with the potential to improve our lives.

The more interesting question, however, is the Aquarian one.  Who does this technology serve? Is it available to everyone, or does it mainly benefit a small group that already seems to have all the goodies?    

 

Aquarius is certainly about technology, but it is also about humanity. It is about communities, cooperation, grassroots efforts, and people coming together to solve problems. I think there will be plenty of those stories that perhaps activate even more people to get energized for others.  

 

The first two trines occur while Jupiter is in Leo and Saturn is in Aries, so I expect those periods to be loud. "Hey everybody, look at this!"    Watch the end of August. It could get dramatic. 

 

By the final trine in July 2027, Jupiter has moved into Virgo and Saturn into Taurus. The tone becomes more practical. Instead of announcing the big idea, the conversation shifts toward, “Okay, now let’s figure out how to make this work.”

 

The last Jupiter-Saturn trine cycle unfolded between 2013 and 2014. If you'd like an excellent discussion of that period, I recommend Gray Crawford's essay on the cycle. Looking back at what was emerging then may provide clues about what this new trine will ask of us.

 

Finally, take a look at your own chart. If you have personal planets or angles around 13°, 22°, or 2° of the Fire and Earth signs, these three passages of Jupiter and Saturn are likely to speak to you more directly.

 

Uranus (slows down and) retrograde September 10

 

Uranus  Retrograde 

 

 

Sept 10, 2026 11:27am PDT – Uranus retrograde (5° Gemini 42′)

February 8, 2027 – Uranus stations direct (1° Gemini 41′)

 

 

Let me state this as clearly as possible. I believe the biggest wildcard in the back half of this decade is Uranus.

 

There have been other decades where I felt that way about another outer planet. Pluto's sixteen-year trek through Capricorn comes to mind. You could make a strong argument that, like Rome, all roads eventually led back to Pluto during that period. Institutions, governments, corporations, banking, authority, it was Pluto's show.

 

Now? I think Uranus is demanding our attention. I say that because Uranus has friends in high places. First, Pluto is in Uranus' home sign of Aquarius, and we all know Pluto punches above its weight. Then there are the eclipses moving through Aquarius and Leo over the next couple of years, stirring the pot even more. On top of that, Uranus is in long-running aspects with both Neptune and Pluto.

Just for sport, here are those dates again and yes, I know I keep bringing them up.

 

Uranus trine Pluto

•       July 18, 2026 – 4°29′ Gemini / Aquarius 

•       November 29, 2026 – 3°32′ Gemini / Aquarius 

•       June 15, 2027 – 6°50′ Gemini / Aquarius 

•       January 13, 2028 – 6°20′ Gemini / Aquarius 

•       May 9, 2028 – 8°49′ Gemini / Aquarius 

 

Uranus sextile Neptune

•       August 28, 2025 – 1°26′ Gemini / Aries 

•       November 20, 2025 – 29°29′ Taurus / Pisces 

•       July 15, 2026 – 4°24′ Gemini / Aries 

•       January 15, 2027 – 1°56′ Gemini / Aries 

•       June 6, 2027 – 6°21′ Gemini / Aries 

 

 

So, I look at all of that and think, "Uranus keeps showing up." Now what does it mean for Uranus to retrograde from 5 degrees back to 1 degree of Gemini?

 

Last year Uranus dipped back into Taurus, but this is the first retrograde that takes place entirely in Gemini. Of course, I like to look back at the last time this happened: 

 

That was September 5, 1941 through February 3, 1942. Stating the obvious, that was the middle of World War II. If you look at what was unfolding during that period, I think you can feel Uranus in Gemini.

 

Radar was becoming operational on a wide scale. In May 1941, while Uranus was moving through the degrees it would later retrace, the German submarine U-110 was captured. The British secretly recovered the Enigma machine along with code books and signal books before allowing the submarine to sink. The Germans never realized their codes had been compromised. Those materials were sent to Bletchley Park, where the codebreakers went to work. If you've never watched a film or documentary about Bletchley Park, it is well worth your time.

 

Then, right in the middle of the retrograde, came Pearl Harbor. The Japanese attack had been planned for months and carried out under extraordinary secrecy. There is plenty more that happened during that period, but these are the themes that stand out to me.

 

Radar matured. Codebreaking accelerated. Aviation and intelligence became inseparable. Information itself became a strategic weapon.

That was then. Now we are in a completely different world.

Gemini already rules communication, information, transportation, stories, language, and codes. Add Uranus, and everything speeds up. Technology evolves faster. Information moves faster. Stories spread faster. Narratives compete faster. Truth and fiction both travel at lightning speed.

 

Would I describe it as scary? I don't know. I think I would describe it as fast. It already feels difficult to keep up. I suspect that challenge only grows between now and February.

 

The good news is that Gemini always carries one remarkable gift. It knows how to pivot. My advice is not to spend the next five months trying to figure everything out. Take what is in front of you. Tell your story. Listen carefully to the stories other people are telling. Compare notes.

 

We are entering an era where stories themselves may become our newest form of radar.

PISCES Full Moon: August 27, 2026 (9:18pm PDT) Eclipse

  

Pisces Full Moon between a toaster & blender.  

Full Moon – Pisces 

Partial Lunar Eclipse 

Aug 27, 2026

9:18 pm PDT

(4 Pisces 54) 

 

When we look at the chart for this Pisces Full Moon, it looks loaded for bear. Make that cuckoo bear.

 

A few hours before the Full Moon perfects, Mercury conjuncts the Sun in Virgo, known as a cazimi. This is a juicy conjunction because Mercury rules Virgo, so it says, "Wait, the Sun in Virgo is going to give me even more Virgo? Sign me up."

 

Mercury and the Sun in Virgo love to go long on the details. This data point here. That document there. This fabulous fact. That amazing record. A finding under here. Evidence up there.

 

All of this Virgo is so...Virgo. That's where our brains are sharpening. We want to gather the facts, organize the information, compare notes, and make sense of what we're seeing.

 

There is just one small problem.

 

A Pisces Full Moon opposes all that Mercury. It softens those nice, hard facts like pouring water on a sugar cube. They melt.

Of course they do.

 

Pisces is the final water sign. Instead of asking, "What do the facts say?" it asks, "What does your gut tell you?" "What are you feeling?" "How are you being guided?"

 

Adding to this whole megillah is our good friend Uranus in Gemini. The Full Moon forms a square to Uranus, and Gemini, also ruled by Mercury, tosses some unexpected, out-of-the-blue, and possibly very weird information into the sugar water.

 

Now what do we do?

This watery Full Moon is asking our brains to do a lot. Things may not make immediate sense. We may not have enough information yet to connect all the dots. Even so, we still must process what is in front of us and hope that some of these surprising developments are exactly the missing pieces we've been looking for.

Not just for our minds.

 

For our psyche, too. This partial lunar eclipse is tied to the total solar eclipse in Leo two weeks ago, when we agreed it was time to go big on joy, play and love, including self-love. How has that rolled out for us? What thrills and spills were born from that New Moon? Now, at the Full Moon, consider paying attention to your dreams during these few days. Pisces has a way of communicating through symbols, feelings and images rather than bullet points and spreadsheets. There may be something worth writing down when you wake up.

 

One last note, the August full moon is the Sturgeon Moon.  The name comes from Algonquian peoples in the northeastern US and Canada, where sturgeon were plentiful in lakes during August and were an important source of food.   Other traditional names for the August full moon, including Black Cherries Moon, Plum Moon, Corn Moon and Grain Moon, reflect the abundance and approaching harvest of late summer.   Mental floss also notes that the ancient sturgeon spends much of its life deep underwater, but as summer wanes it comes closer to the surface to breach and feed, sometimes leaping out of the water toward the late summer sky.  

 

For the last few years, the August Sturgeon moon has been in Aquarius.  This year the fish jumps into the fish sign Pisces.   Our minds and hearts are swimming up to the moonlight.    Nice.  

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.