Eyes on the Stars

Ms M, astrologer; student of astrology since March 18, 1979.

[ms-m-astrologer]

The Week Ahead: July 13-19, 2026

Executive Summary: Mercury is still retrograde; better to tend to routine, domestic matters this week.

Lunar Phases

Tuesday, July 14, 09:44 UTC - New Moon, 21°59’ Cancer

The key phrase for the New Moon lunar phase is “set a new intention for the month” - nothing drastic, just a good habit you think you can establish successfully during the next month. This is another one (grrr) where the Moon goes void of course immediately after the phase matures. On the other hand, a void Cancer Moon “performeth somewhat.” If you have strong Cancer/4th House energy, you can probably work with this one.

Friday, July 17, 17:35 UTC - Crescent Moon, 10°10’ Virgo

The key phrase for the Crescent lunar phase is “gather and mobilize resources.” That should keep us busy for a couple of days! Saturday is especially prime for playing “catch up,” or “tidy up.”

Void of Course Moon

Monday, July 14, 09:44 UTC (Cancer) - 22:35 UTC (Leo)

12 hours, 51 minutes

Wednesday, July 15, 22:27 UTC (Leo) - Friday, July 17, 00:07 UTC (Virgo)

25 hours, 40 minutes

Saturday, July 18, 22:13 UTC (Virgo) - Sunday, July 19, 04:57 UTC (Libra)

6 hours, 44 minutes

Retrograde/Direct/Etc.

Pre-retrograde shadow: Pallas/Aries, Vesta/Aries, Saturn/Aries

Retrograde: Mercury/Cancer, Juno/Aquarius, Neptune/Aries, Pluto/Aquarius

Post-retrograde shadow: nothing until July 24

Et Cetera

There are two Opportunity Periods this week:

Tuesday, July 14, 09:14 UTC - 10:14 UTC. This is one-half hour before and after the New Moon. “If you have something important to start around now, this is a great time to do it.” (Just keep in mind that (1) the Moon goes void of course immediately after the New Moon matures; and (2) Mercury is still retrograde.)

Friday, July 17, 23:22 UTC - Saturday, July 18, 20:13 UTC. “Very productive time, but Mercury is still retrograde, so use it to review and push forward with projects you’ve already started.”

Next week, ugh. Three major planetary stations (Eris Rx on the 22nd, Mercury direct on the 24th, Saturn Rx on the 26th); and the Sun moves into Leo. So many mixed signals! And the week after that, an eye popping Full Moon on July 29, followed a few days later by the August 2 beginning of “the shadow of the eclipse.” I think I’m going to trust the “STOP” and “WAIT” signals for a while.

[ms-m-astrologer]

2026 Libra First Quarter Moon

Tuesday, July 21, 11:06 UTC, 28°43’ Libra

Sabian Symbol: humanity seeking to bridge the span of knowledge

The key phrases for the First Quarter lunar phase are “take action,” and “build new structures to support our intentions.”

And another phase which matures (i.e. becomes exact) smack in the middle of a void Moon. I’m getting so sick of these. (“Too bad,” replies The Cosmos.)

Once the Moon enters Scorpio (13:35 UTC on Tuesday the 21st), we’re still in for some rough sailing, mostly due to power struggles, taking ourselves too seriously, etc. Extra special pompous and throwing our weight around. It’s always a good idea to take note of any objections people may have, and then take action.

We get an Opportunity Period, at least, from 22:49 UTC on Tuesday until 21:48 UTC on Wednesday the 22nd. “This OP is favorable for anything, from the arts to finances to romance.” Just be aware that during this time, Eris stations retrograde (possibilities of Wider World Events that may shake us up, or not). The Sun enters Leo during that OP, which (I hope!) makes it easier to be more authentic and (well) sunny.

(There’s only one more OP in July, next week; and only one in the entire month of August 2026 - if you use these, well, take advantage while you can.)

The Moon is void between 21:48 UTC on Wednesday, July 22; and 01:07 UTC on Friday, July 24. During that stretch of time, Mercury stations direct. We’ll get some kind of “feel” for an idea, though almost certainly not (yet) an ability to articulate it very well. With a couple of important planetary stations happening so closely together - and a third, Saturn Rx, on tap for Sunday the 26th - we’ll still want to sit with the energy for a while before we take any drastic action.

The Moon is in Sagittarius starting at 01:07 UTC on Friday, July 24. Recklessness, preachiness, and intolerance - all of which seem to double down when challenged - building up to the Gibbous phase (Saturday, July 25, 12:40 UTC). It’s a better idea to work harder on cultivating our more generous, optomistic feelings

[seafoamreadings]

moon into libra

even if you feel inwardly tumultuous, try not to show it or talk about it much for a few days (there will be time for that later) except perhaps with your absolutely most trusted confidantes. the image of poise goes incredibly far right now.

[boredomleadstoinsanity3]

Lucky Color of the Day

Lucky color of July 18, 2026

Lavender symbolizes purity, devotion, love, vigor, vitality, youth, tranquility, peace, self-reflection, and meditation. It is known to assist with spiritual healing, the easing of tension, and purification.

[unhelpfultarot]

Nine of Pentacles and Queen of Wands

Local young ladies keep sneaking into your garden to eat your rampion.

[ms-m-astrologer]

Cosmic Events: August 2026

Executive Summary: practically the entire month (from August 2 through August 31) is spent in the shadow of the Eclipse. Grrr.

Lunar Phases

Sunday, August 2, 11:46 UTC - Disseminating Moon, 25°13’ Pisces

Thursday, August 6, 02:21 UTC - Last Quarter Moon, 13°40’ Taurus

Sunday, August 9, 10:50 UTC - Balsamic Moon, 1°53’ Cancer

Wednesday, August 12, 17:37 UTC - New Moon/Solar Eclipse, 20°02’ Leo

Not only is it an eclipse, but it’s another one where the Moon goes void of course immediately after the phase matures. Hmph.

Sunday, August 16, 05:28 UTC - Crescent Moon, 8°23’ Libra

Wednesday, August 19, 02:46 UTC - First Quarter Moon, 27°08’ Scorpio

Monday, August 24, 05:22 UTC - Gibbous Moon, 16°05’ Capricorn

Friday, August 28, 04:18 UTC - Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse, 4°54’ Pisces

A very volatile one even before we consider that it’s a lunar eclipse. Hang in there.

Monday, August 31, 20:32 UTC - Disseminating Moon, 23°27’ Aries

Void of Course Moon

Sunday, August 2, 12:33 UTC (Pisces) - 20:37 UTC (Aries)

8 hours, 4 minutes

Tuesday, August 4, 18:52 UTC (Aries) - Wednesday, August 5, 02:35 UTC (Taurus)

7 hours, 43 minutes

Thursday, August 6, 23:25 UTC (Taurus) - Friday, August 7, 06:08 UTC (Gemini)

6 hours, 43 minutes

Sunday, August 9, 05:27 UTC (Gemini) - 07:46 UTC (Cancer)

2 hours, 19 minutes

Monday, August 10, 07:30 UTC (Cancer) - Tuesday, August 11, 08:38 UTC (Leo)

25 hours, 8 minutes

Wednesday, August 12, 17:37 UTC (Leo) - Thursday, August 13, 10:18 UTC (Virgo)

16 hours, 41 minutes

Thursday, August 13, 19:24 UTC (Virgo) - Saturday, August 15, 14:20 UTC (Libra)

42 hours, 56 minutes (🤬🤬)

Monday, August 17, 11:31 UTC (Libra) - 21:46 UTC (Scorpio)

10 hours, 15 minutes

Thursday, August 20, 02:46 UTC (Scorpio) - 08:30 UTC (Sagittarius)

5 hours, 44 minutes

Saturday, August 22, 20:31 UTC (Sagittarius) - 20:59 UTC (Capricorn)

28 minutes

Monday, August 24, 06:30 UTC (Capricorn) - Tuesday, August 25, 09:02 UTC (Aquarius)

26 hours, 32 minutes

Wednesday, August 26, 21:59 UTC (Aquarius) - Thursday, August 27, 19:04 UTC (Pisces)

21 hours, 5 minutes

Friday, August 28, 16:14 UTC (Pisces) - Sunday, August 30, 02:38 UTC (Aries)

34 hours, 22 minutes

Monday, August 31, 19:47 UTC (Aries) - Tuesday, September 1, 08:01 UTC (Taurus)

12 hours, 14 minutes

Retrograde/Direct/Erc.

Transiting Mercury begins August in its post-retrograde shadow; it has its greatest western elongation on Sunday, August 2; and it exits this retrograde zone on Friday, August 7. The “superior conjunction” (halfway point of the Mercury-Sun cycle) occurs on Thursday, August 27.

Transiting Venus has its greatest eastern elongation on Saturday, August 15; and enters its pre-retrograde shadow on Monday, August 31.

Transiting Pallas begins August in its pre-retrograde shadow; it stations retrograde on Friday, August 14, and remains retrograde for the rest of the month.

Transiting Vesta begins August in its pre-retrograde shadow; it stations retrograde on Tuesday, August 25, and remains retrograde for the rest of the month.

Transiting Juno is retrograde all month.

Transiting Saturn is retrograde all month.

Transiting Chiron stations retrograde on Monday, August 3, and remains retrograde all month.

Transiting Neptune is retrograde all month.

Transiting Pluto is retrograde all month.

Transiting Eris is retrograde all month.

Ingresses

Thursday, August 6 - transiting Venus enters Libra

Sunday, August 9 - transiting Mercury enters Leo

Tuesday, August 11 - transiting Mars enters Cancer

Tuesday, August 11 - transiting Juno retrogrades back into Capricorn

Tuesday, August 18 - transiting Mean Nodes enter Aquarius/Leo

Sunday, August 23 - transiting Sun enters Virgo

Tuesday, August 25 - transiting Mercury enters Virgo

Opportunity Period

Thursday, August 20, 19:33 UTC - Saturday, August 22, 20:59 UTC. “A long, versatile OP suitable for work or play, but be open to changes, as we are between eclipses.”

(Yes, just one. Surprised to see there are any at all, since it’s eclipse season.)

Et Cetera

The Leo Cross-Quarter Day (when the Sun reaches 15°00’00” Leo) is on Friday, August 7, at 11:43 UTC.

It’s not only eclipse season, but there are so many retrograde things going on - we all know the drill by now. Ground and center; hydrate; take your vitamins; eat your fruit and vegetables. (Though thanks to all the cycloporiasis in the US, we may want to opt for the frozen varieties for a while.)

[unhelpfultarot]

Six of Pentacles and Judgement

As a matter of fact, people will judge you based on how kind and generous you are.

[boredomleadstoinsanity3]

Lucky Color of the Day

Lucky color of July 17, 2026

Seashell stimulates intuition, sensitivity, imagination and adaptability. It helps to enhance mental clarity and provides insight while promoting cooperation between oneself and others.

[seafoamreadings]

moon into virgo

declutter your home or tidy it up or both. it's highly auspicious currently to donate any unwanted items that somebody else might love.

[ms-m-astrologer]

Don’t know about anyone else, but this 24+ hour void Moon stuff, with a side of Mercury Rx/Cancer, has been just brutal….

[ms-m-astrologer]

August 2026 Good Days

These are the days in August during which (1) the Moon is in a particular sign, and (2) making a flowing aspect to the ruler of that sign. (Almost always a trine or sextile, sometimes a conjunction).

But before we get going, I want to put a big fat caveat here: August is going to be tricky. We go into the Shadow of the Eclipse on Sunday, August 2; and we exit the Shadow of the Eclipse on Monday, August 31. That’s almost the entire bleeping month.

Venus: Saturday, August 15, 14:20 UTC - Sunday, August 16, 07:11 UTC

The emphasis is more on Venus’ social and aesthetic sides; but if you have some wardrobe matters to attend to, like back-to-school adjustments, this is also a good time for that. Pleasant and bland otherwise.

Mars:

Sunday, August 2, 20:37 UTC - Tuesday, August 4, 18:52 UTC

This first swath of time has a lot of active energy. Coming (as it does) at the beginning of the Shadow of the Eclipse, it’s also good for prepatory work: clearing the decks and getting our ducks in a row.

Monday, August 17, 21:46 UTC - Tuesday, August 18, 06:29 UTC

During this swath of time, the Moon and Mars are in mutual reception - i.e. in each other’s signs. It’s also between the solar eclipse (August 12) and the lunar eclipse (August 28), giving us a little time/space to emotionally process what’s going on.

Jupiter: Thursday, August 20, 08:30 UTC - Friday, August 21, 07:26 UTC

Also between eclipses, it’s almost a full 24-hour day to focus on making the most of the changes and choices before us.

Saturn: Tuesday, August 25, 09:02 UTC - Wednesday, August 26, 12:22 UTC

Good for working on longer-term societal goals, for being able to work productively alone, and the more "scientific method" side of Saturn and Aquarius.

Uranus: Tuesday, August 25, 09:02 UTC - 20:01 UTC

A shorter amount of time to spend on the more Uranian pieces of Aquarius - individuality, innovation, rebellion.

[boredomleadstoinsanity3]

Lucky Color of the Day

Lucky color of July 16, 2026

Teal is a revitalizing and rejuvenating color that represents open communication, clarity of thought, faith, truth and is symbolic of the infinity of the sea and sky. If it’s an individual’s favorite color, it is usually indicative of their optimism, trust, faith and hope in others.

[unhelpfultarot]

Justice and Wheel of Fortune

What do we want?

Appropriate consequences!

When do we want them?

Whenever we get around to it!

[ms-m-astrologer]

2026 Virgo Crescent Moon

Friday, July 17, 17:35 UTC, 10°10’ Virgo

Sabian Symbol: a boy molded in his mother’s aspiration for him

The key phrase for the Crescent lunar phase is “gather and mobilize resources.”

I’m very leery of that Sabian Symbol - “FFS leave the kid alone, Mom!” - it has a lot to do with heredity according to Dr. Jones (in his book The Sabian Symbols in Astrology, pg 310), but my Mommy-senses are telling me “this may not end well.”

And motherly (uh) interference may just be a factor in this phase. Transiting Mars/Gemini is closing in on a conjunction with transiting Ceres/Gemini, and the anxious Virgo Moon will eventually square both of them. Watch out for nagging, criticism, &/or distraction, no matter how well-intentioned it’s (allegedly) meant.

Helping us out is an Opportunity Period (yay!) beginning at 23:22 UTC on Friday the 17th, and lasting until 22:13 UTC on Saturday the 18th. Especially if we can hang in there until after noon UTC on the 18th (with the Moon past its square to Ceres), we can use this OP to “review and push forward with projects you’ve already started.”

The Virgo Moon is void of course between 22:13 UTC on Saturday, July 18th; and 04:57 UTC on Sunday, July 19. Once it enters Libra - well - there’s a BFD of a “Cradle” pattern up in the sky right now, spanning:

Juno Rx and Pluto Rx/Aquarius sextile Neptune Rx/Aries

Neptune Rx/Aries sextile Uranus/Gemini

Uranus/Gemini sextile Jupiter/Leo

Juno Rx and Pluto Rx/Aquarius trine Uranus/Gemini

Neptune Rx/Aries trine Jupiter/Leo

Juno Rx and Pluto Rx/Aquarius opposite Jupiter/Leo

…which the Libra Moon will trigger. We may have the usual Libra reactions to it (everything from “sweeping it all under the carpet” to “negotiate wisely”). And there are some supportive aspects we also can use - Mars/Gemini sextile Saturn/Aries, and Ceres/Gemini sextile Pallas/Aries - to navigate. Avoid glossing things over, or trying to manipulate the outcome.

[boredomleadstoinsanity3]

Lucky Color of the Day

Lucky color of July 15, 2026

Flamingo Pink is a very positive color. It is associated with celebrating beauty, romance, and fun. Flamingo Pink reminds us not get too caught up in life’s day-to-day responsibilities, and to recognize and appreciate both joy, and the finer things in life.

[unhelpfultarot]

The Hanged Man and Page of Cups

They are helpfully making sure you stay hydrated during the ordeal.

[seafoamreadings]

moon into leo

this waxing moon gives a little reassurance after what has likely been a time of feeling unstable or at least uncertain. we are still building up that security, but it is more tangible.