The Journal
Current Energies
Here we talk about New Moons, Full Moons, eclipses, retrogrades and other shifts in planetary energies that influence each of us.
New Moon in Libra 10*10*26
Saturday morning is the Libra New Moon, when the Sun and Moon meet at 17 degrees of Libra. Libra is the cardinal air sign. Air signs are focused on the mental realm. Their world is experienced through ideas and thoughts. For Libra, close relationships are the vehicle through which it best experiences its energy. They act as mirrors for Libra so it can better know itself. Libra prioritizes beauty, balance, and fairness, and relationships are well suited to explore these concepts. Libra energy wants everyone to feel heard and seen. And because it is so focused on its important others, it learns to be a master at compromise, negotiation, and diplomacy. Things need to look attractive for Libra to feel comfortable. Messy environments or clashing colors are disconcerting for Libra energy. They care about how things look. This isn't a superficial thing. It is part of creating the vibe of harmony and beauty that nourishes Libra's nervous system.
The shadow of Libra is self abandonment in the quest to have harmonious relationships.
Venus Retrograde in Scorpio/Libra Fall 2026
…Back to retrograde energy. When a planet appears to be moving backwards, it affects how we interact with that planet's energy. It is redirected inwards allowing us to review how we experience that planet's energy. All celestial bodies will appear to be retrograde from the point of Earth. The two exceptions are the Sun and Moon - our outer expression of who we came here to be and experience ourselves as, and our way of navigating our inner emotional landscapes, parts of which we usually are not fully aware of. The outer planets, Jupiter through Pluto, each spend months retrograde. That is why it takes them so long to move through a sign. They move forward, then retrace their steps, allowing for review and revision of whatever part of the longer term changes were put in motion. They tend to influence the larger currents we all swim in collectively.
The personal planets, Mercury, Venus and Mars, are more strongly felt when they retrograde because they are "personal" planets. Their energy is expressed more individually by us. And because they move faster than the outer planets, they are retrograde for shorter periods of time.
Full Moon in Aries 9.26.26
This year has been very active, astrologically speaking, and this Full Moon does not dial down the energy. Mostly because it is in Aries, a sign not known for patience and calm. But also, it is interacting with a lot of planets so there are a lot of moving parts influencing how it lands.
Aries Full Moons are always in autumn after the equinox when the Sun has moved into Libra.
September 2026
One of the benefits of astrology is it serves as a map of how the energies are flowing. Since we all live in these energetic currents, it can be helpful to have a sense of the ebbs and flows we are experiencing. These currents, like all flowing energies, ask us to sense and respond to how we are being affected, because each of us has a different experience depending on what is being activated in our birth charts.
Lunar Eclipse in Pisces 8*28*26
When something is "eclipsed", it is hidden from view. In a lunar eclipse like the one we have on Friday morning just after midnight ET, the earth is between the Sun and Moon. This is an important aspect of how lunar eclipses influence us. Our reality (Earth) filters the enlightenment coming from the Sun which is illuminating the Moon. Despite the name, this eclipse is here to reveal what has been hidden under the surface…The elegance of a lunar eclipse along the Pisces - Virgo axis is that Earth, our reality, is the landing spot for the Virgo Sun's light shining on the Pisces Moon's emotions and emotional needs. Whatever we realize must be applied to our reality. Otherwise it stays just outside of our lived experience.
Solar Eclipse in Leo 8*12*26
This is the first solar eclipse in Leo since August 11, 2018. That one was a North Node eclipse, meaning the emphasis was on planting a seed that addressed the positive aspects of Leo - sovereignty, personal power, dignity, leadership, graciousness, self-worth, inclusion, playfulness. Themes that surfaced for you then will likely be coming up again under this eclipse but from the other side. This is a South Node eclipse; the perspective is different. The South Node in the context of eclipses shows where we are being called to be done with a particular expression of the energy it is inhabiting. The South Node just moved into Leo the end of July. It will make its way through Leo for the next 18 months, so we will be offered opportunities to refine the way we "do" leadership and personal power. Anticipate an increase in dysfunctional leadership on display in the macro. When it shows up, it is an opportunity to review your own personal expression of your Leo. Looking for ongoing validation, attempting to dominate instead of inspire, or demanding to be the center of attention in every relationship are all shadow patterns of Leo. So is shrinking down rather than shining your light. (Check out the post for the End of July if you want more details.) This eclipse is asking us to stop pretending and acting "as if". It is asking us to come from our heart. Leo rules the heart, and it is ruled by the Sun. The Sun shines no matter what. Leo asks us to shine in our own way. Confidently, honorably, and courageously. New Moons are about new beginnings but not all are initiatory. South node eclipses are about releasing old patterns that have taken you as far as you can go, and preparing for the next stage in your creation of your life.
Full Moon in Aquarius 7*29*26
Hoo Boy. July has been a month, and that is saying something given this year. But here we are. Mercury is now direct so there's that. Also, Jupiter has started its year long move through Leo, moving on after its year in Cancer. Oh, and the outer planets (Pluto, Neptune and Uranus) made exact connections at 4 degrees of their respective signs, forming the "Basket" that pretty much every astrologer has at least mentioned. And we have made it through all of it, so let's take a moment to acknowledge that. No matter how the first part of 2026 affected you, whatever was started or ended, lost or gained, reorganized or transformed, you are here now. The end of July and August are continuing to bring things up for review. We all have choices to make about what to do with the information that is surfacing.
Astrology is often described as "weather", operating in the background, establishing an environment that affects everything. I consider it more like currents in the ocean that we are all swimming in. Sometimes the current is flowing easily, gently moving you along like a lazy river. Sometimes the swells are daunting. Sometimes the rip tide is pulling you from where you want to go. Always, though, we are served by knowing how the currents are running so we can decide how to navigate them.
New Moon in Cancer 7*14*26
…On Tuesday July 14, right after sunrise, the Sun and Moon meet at 22 degrees of Cancer and the questions change to "What do you want to seed for yourself moving forward? How do you want to use the insight of the first half of this retrograde to create something more authentic for yourself in the weeks to come? How will you change your story?"
Because this New Moon in Cancer is asking for you to address these Cancer themes more authentically…
Sun Conjunct Pluto in Aquarius 1*20*25
The Sun travels around the wheel of the zodiac throughout a year, moving through each sign and touching each planet. When the Sun connects with a planet, its light warms up that planet’s energy. It is a brief merging of consciousness (the Sun) with whatever aspect of life that planet represents. On January 20, 2025 the Sun will conjunct Pluto at 0° Aquarius…Pluto deals with personal power. In its lower expression, it shows up as a near obsessive desire to try to control external conditions. This is a response to feeling disempowered. We all know how that strategy backfires eventually.
Full Moon in Cancer 1*13*25
Monday afternoon we have the first Full Moon of the year as the Sun at 24 degrees of Capricorn is opposite the Moon at 24 degrees in her home sign of Cancer. The Capricorn - Cancer axis deals with public persona/ambition/reputation (Capricorn) and personal matters/inner circle/self-care (Cancer). Capricorn is the flowering of the potential rooted in Cancer. Cancer is how we nourish and care for our foundation, so it can support our "out there" activities. A strong foundation allows us to reach the greatest heights available. Full Moons are oppositions between the Sun and Moon. Oppositions require balancing of two complementary energies, here, Capricorn and Cancer. Consider if you have been overly focused on one or the other.
New Moon in Capricorn 12*30*24
We wrap up 2024 with a New Moon in Capricorn on December 30 at about 5:30 pm (EST). Capricorn is the cardinal earth sign and its New Moon is a time to clarify what "matters" (see what I did there? Earth sign - matter...)
In astrology, everything is part of a cycle…[W]e have had opportunities to redefine ourselves in terms of important relationships and clarify how the world works. With this New Moon in Capricorn, we embody these understandings as we express our purpose; we bring the awareness "down to earth". Capricorn is the sign of ambition, patience, maturity, discipline, and strategic advancement towards a goal. It expects nothing less than your best. It is the energy that pushes you to be the best version of you. Like all signs, its energy can express in a variety of ways.