by Susan DeRyder | Aug 6, 2026 |
The New Moon at 20°01’ Leo, is a Total Solar Eclipse, exact August 12 at 1:37pm ET/10:37am PT. The path of totality for this eclipse sweeps down through Greenland, across the Atlantic Ocean and over Spain. Europe, North Asia, North/West Africa, much of North America, Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic will see at least a partial eclipse. Here is the chart.
Since eclipses can only occur when the Sun/Moon are aligned with the nodal axis at the time of a New or Full Moon, we gain insight into the nature of an Eclipse through the lens of which Lunar Node it is close to. More on this in a moment …
Lunar Nodes
A Lunar Node is one of the two points where the Moon’s orbit intersects the ecliptic and, astrologically speaking, can be seen as an ‘arrow of intent’ for the collective. It takes about 18 months for the Lunar Nodes to move through one axis. The zodiacal axis they are moving through at any given time can be considered as the archetypal themes we are working with as an ‘arrow of intent’ for us all here on Earth.
On July 27 the Lunar Nodes shifted, for the first time in 18 months, into a new axis: Leo and Aquarius. Recently Daniel Giamario and myself offered a 2-hour Highlight Seminar discussing this topic and reflecting on the themes of the possible intent.
With the North Node in Aquarius and the South Node in Leo the arrow is pointing at the sign of Aquarius, while the tail of the arrow is in Leo. During these 18 months we might be asking, as a collective, what it means to set our intention on discovering the highest,most undistorted expression of Aquarius for the leading edge of our growth and expansion, while releasing and shedding what needs to be let go of in and around the expression of Leo. Ultimately, the entire axis is in question.
Jupiter and Pluto Highlighting This Axis
As we look ahead to what remains of 2026 and into 2027, this theme echoes over and over in different ways. The outer planets offer processes, challenges, initiations and opportunities to work with the signs that they are transiting. Jupiter entered Leo on June 29 and will remain there until July 25 2027. Meanwhile Pluto began its long transit through Aquarius March 23 2023 and will remain in this sign until March 8 2043. Interestingly, the next time the North Node will be in Aquarius and the South Node in Leo, will be from April 18 2045 until Oct 18 2046, meaning that this Nodal transit is pretty close to framing the entire journey of Pluto through Aquarius.
What does it mean to have these two potent planetary bodies activating the Aquarius/Leo axis while the Lunar Nodes transit the same area of the sky at this time? I believe this New Moon and Total Solar Eclipse will (and perhaps has already started) to reveal the core themes that are on the table for us all right now.
Pluto, the revealer of shadow, in the sign of Aquarius marks a collective era of transformation in social systems, technology, and humanitarian ideals. This transit is associated with exposing corruption, dismantling outdated structures, and fostering deep societal change.
Jupiter in Leo, places an expanded emphasis on self-love, self-acceptance and what it means to be centered in our sovereignty and to express ourselves from there. We are called to creatively express ourselves from this place. This transit will highlight where these themes have been repressed or oppressed while also revealing our motives behind how we show up and shine in the world.
Ultimately we can use these times to set our intention on discovering the highest expression of what this axis means. Yet, it might not be comfortable, pretty or easy learning.
All that has been shared here thus far, sets (part of!) the astrological scene for this New Moon and Total Solar Eclipse. Since the New Moon is in the sign of Leo, this Eclipse is specifically connected to the aforementioned South Node of the Moon at 29°47’ Leo.
From here let us consider some other themes coming through in the chart (sky) of this potent astrological event that you might weave into your personal inquiry.
Venus
Venus entered Libra on August 6 and will reach Libra 05°53’ in time for the New Moon Eclipse. She will oppose Neptune, square Mars and be in trine with both Pluto and Uranus. On her journey to the 7th gate/crown chakra which is exact August 16, these aspects weave the Sacred Feminine into the bigger conversation going on between the outer planets. Venus has been climbing in the sky on her ascending journey in the Pisces Overstory since February this year. At this point in her journey all of the rebuilding and empowering integration of her underworld journey can be accessed and offered through clearer visioning and in wise collaboration with higher power. Simply put, there is no reason for the Inner Sacred Feminine not to step forward now and offer her guidance during these potent cycles. We must source from this clear vision as she is in harmony with Uranus and Pluto and from here join with the Inner Sacred Masculine (Mars) to bring the vision forth…
Mars
On August 11 Mars re-enters cancer, the sign of the Overstory he has been journeying through. This marks the beginning of ‘Phase 5; Maturity & Elder Knowledge’. This phase continues through November 25 2026. At the time of the New Moon Eclipse, Mars will be in square to Venus and Neptune. While squares are popularly seen as ‘challenging’, let Dane Rudhyar’s interpretation of the square aspect, A “Crisis in Action” or “Crisis in Consciousness” be a clear call to action. Let us source further guidance from Dane Rudhyar’s deeper explanation of these calls to action; that external events will require some kind of reaction as well as inner awareness and expanded consciousness also bringing us forward into action.
Again, my feeling is that we cannot wait for a better time to work with the Inner Sacred Masculine and Feminine as they reach this point in their respective Overstories, both in water signs, both able to access empathy, care and compassion. Indeed it might not be ‘pretty’ and as has been offered previously in earlier musings, the time is now.
Mercury
Perhaps this call to action will require conversation, communication, bringing to the table with yourself or those closest to you that which is no longer in alignment. Mercury at 05°06’ Leo, in the early stages of this current Overstory cycle, will be in opposition to Pluto and trining Neptune. In this phase of Mercury’s cycle, I feel it’s energy to be younger or more vulnerable. Since Mercury is now in its Cancer Overstory. While we may feel more sensitive and tender, perhaps Mars and Venus will stand as pillars of support during this time so that we can bring forth these deeper parts of ourselves to be seen, held and ultimately transformed.
The Larger Context
This is a lot of detail and information to hold, so, to come full circle, a reminder that all of this is in service to the larger context that is the Leo/Aquarius axis. Can we trust in the support of the Inner Planets, their current placements, and the outer planets as teachers, guides, and initiators, designed to assist us in growing and evolving?
From here, we might ask ourselves:
- Where do I hold or reinforce a distortion of the essence and teachings of Aquarius?
“Having the courage to expand consciousness as far as possible for its own sake” and Leo: “Having the courage to create for its own sake” (Quotes from Daniel Giamario)
- At The Turning of The Ages, how can I contribute to a deeper and clearer alignment with the essence of the Leo/Aquarius axis?
- Aquarius: Aquarius seeks freedom from the known and an awareness of the cosmic perspective. It is the fair non-evaluative witness. It has spiritual or intellectual objective detachment, higher truth, love, egalitarian ideals and unique eccentricity. Aquarius thinks thoughts not thought before. It may start revolutions but is not the soldier. Aquarius has a detached big picture overview, cosmic consciousness, and lives in the higher chakras. Aquarius is associated with the fairy realm, other dimensions and planets. It is the eccentric visionary, the grand experimenter, the free electron, the change agent.
- Leo: Leo knows radical, radiant self-love, self-acceptance, self-approval and self-respect. Leo is a creator making it up as they go. Leo is about being seen and showing up big, developing a strong will and self-confidence to be a leading player on the stage of life. Leo seeks the full-on experience of personal divine nature, learning they are divine and don’t have to prove themselves. Leo wants to know the nature of its divinity and how it can show up and shine like the Sun, as a radiant divine being inspiring others.
- What is my work to do? (i.e. what does ‘action’ look like for me without the ‘shoulds’ I impose on myself from past learnings, cultural and societal influences?)
Releasing, Shedding and Letting Go
South Node eclipses create the perfect conditions for releasing, shedding and letting go. The eclipse window itself (find your local Eclipse window time here) can be worked with ceremonially.
The time leading up to totality is an opportunity for deep meditation where we can allow the shadow and that which needs to be released to reveal itself to us. This is often a time of real, raw realization. This is not a time to create the new, but to honor the gifts of the shadow realm. It is recommended that we thank and bless whatever comes to the surface so that it can be fully and completely released.
After the eclipse ends we enter into a space for welcoming something new, perhaps a more aligned way of navigating or sometimes it is simply to bask in the space that has been created and there is no need to rush filling that space until we feel truly ready. Eclipses have been worked with ceremonially in many cultures for time immemorial – we all have the ability and birthright to do so now, no matter where we come from or what our beliefs are today.
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