Eclipse Season August 2026 - Part One
We’ve got lots to talk about but first, what are the lunar nodes and what do they have to do with eclipses?
What are the lunar nodes?
All planets have a nodal axis, but the Lunar nodes are the ones we hear about most often, as they are directly related to the eclipse cycle.
The Lunar Nodes are not planets, but points. The nodes are the points of intersection between the Sun, Moon, and Earth planes, and when aligned, they cast shadows upon the luminaries, causing eclipses. The generally used orb is 18°, so when we have either a New Moon or a Full Moon within 18° of the Nodes, we get a solar or lunar eclipse. The tighter the orb, the closer it is to a total eclipse. Eclipses also occur in pairs, so each eclipse window is two weeks, but its effects are sometimes felt before and after depending on what else is happening in the sky.
You’ll hear the lunar nodes described by astrologers in a variety of ways, but here are some quick ways to tell them apart:
Ascending Lunar Node / North Node / Rahu
Head of the Dragon
Caput Draconis ☊ (glyph open at bottom)
Extreme wax: found to be materially benefic, spiritually maleficDescending Lunar Node / South Node / Ketu
Tail of the Dragon
Cauda Draconis ☋ (glyph open at top)
Extreme wane: found to be materially malefic, spiritually benefic
The nodal axis moved from Virgo-Pisces to Leo-Aquarius on July 26th, but as mentioned, they are shadows occupying a sign border at the moment, so the sign that the Sun and Moon occupy determines where it occurs. So that’s why at the end of August we have a Lunar Eclipse in the early degrees of Pisces, even though the nodes have changed signs.
The Eclipse Portal Opens
Just after midnight Pacific Time on Tuesday, August 11th, Mars entered Cancer, the sign of its fall, for the first time since late 2024-early 2025 when it retrograded through the sign of the crab. A planet in fall or detriment doesn’t act as one would expect, and in watery Cancer, Mars takes leave to be less direct. We may relax into a slower pace, like walking through the shallow end of the pool where the water creates resistance and it is challenging to move at our regular pace. Mars will be here until the end of September when it enters Leo, following Jupiter and Mercury and adding what it has to offer to the configuration of the outer planets.
Also on Tuesday, the Moon entered Leo, where she’ll make plenty of aspects before the main event on Wednesday:
First up, the Moon will cojoin Mercury in Leo before opposing retrograde Pluto in Aquarius, and making a harmonious ray to retrograde Neptune in Aries. This brings us full circle back to events beginning in mid-July, but notice where you have new insight and clarity of what you’re being called forward to next. She’ll then sextile both Venus in Libra and Uranus in Gemini, all before 10 AM PT, and we may be feeling socially adventurous or inspired to flirt with desire.
Late in the day, the Moon conjoins Jupiter in Leo, and we feel optimistic and a bit self-congratulatory (hey now—someone’s got to do it), while Mercury traces the Moon’s steps through the same aspects with the outer planets (retrograde Pluto and Neptune), and just before bedtime, Venus in Libra casts a sweet ray to Uranus in Gemini. And things get a little weirder and stranger, but no less beautiful. We’re given perspective on what’s most important to us, and what really matters most in the end.
New Moon in Leo | South Node Solar Eclipse
Next, on Wednesday, August 12th, in the early hours, the Moon in Leo makes a trine to retrograde Saturn in Aries. Then, at 10:36 AM PT, the Moon conjoins the Sun in Leo under the shadow of the South Node, Ketu, a point of release.
Coupled with yesterday’s clarity, we have permission to let something go. What have you kept alive, long past its due date? It’s time to divert that energy somewhere else, but first comes the release; allow yourself a moment to witness the beauty at the end. What once was will be repurposed and born again another time, but for now it's time to rest. Allow the eclipse portal to relieve you of this burden.
In the early afternoon, Mercury in Leo and Uranus in Gemini help us receive insight, which may come in unexpected ways. Eclipses are considered fated events by traditional astrologers, meaning they bring sudden endings and beginnings.
Some people recommend ‘utilizing the energy’ through intentional workings or spell casting, but I find staying present, hydrated, and available to clear what comes up emotionally and energetically is enough. Overall, the conditions are unstable, and I like to quietly go about my business and let the eclipse do the work for me.
This eclipse is more likely to impact you if:
you have nodal luminaries
were born during an eclipse
are in a Leo or Cancer period with the Sun or Moon as your Time Lord, especially if your natal Moon is a Leo Moon
have personal planets or angles at 20° of Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius, or Taurus.
Even if you don’t have any of those signatures listed above, you still may feel tired, out of sorts, or slightly ill. This eclipse has both luminaries joining the South Node, which is particularly hard on the physical body. You may need more sleep, or feel like you don’t have enough energy to do anything extra. Give yourself time and space if you need it.
Want to talk about it? Book your in-person or online consultation here.
What Happens Next?
In the small hours of Thursday, August 13th, the Moon conjoins the South Node before leaving Leo at 3:18 AM PT and entering earthy Virgo, completing the first part of this eclipse window. Later in the morning, Mercury in Leo catches up to sextile Venus in Libra, and it's a good time to debrief with a trusted friend or write about your experience in your book of gnosis. When in doubt, write it out.
That’s all for now; rest easy, friend. We’ve got a little farther to go still, so stay tuned for part two.