The New Moon in Leo occurs on Wednesday, August 12, at 10:37 a.m. (PDT)/1:37 p.m. (EDT).  It is also a solar eclipse, a harbinger of change.  There is a lot going on this chart.  The Sun is the ruler of the sign Leo, so it feels right at home here.  Leo is about sovereignty, leadership, creativity, generosity, and self-love. 

As you will recall in the Barbault Basket planetary configuration (highlighting the signs of Aries, Gemini, Leo, and Aquarius), the planets involved have moved a degree or two, but the configuration is still very much in play.  The opposition between Jupiter in Leo and Pluto and Aquarius continues to hold the tension in the configuration.  

Mercury just arrived in Leo on August 9 and is conjunct Jupiter here; we may be learning new information.  In addition, Mercury is in exact sextile to Uranus, so the new information may be quite surprising.  

Venus entered Libra (one of the signs she rules) on August 6 and is making a Grand Trine with Uranus and Pluto.  Venus is strong in this chart, so we could see changes in the financial markets, as well as women being prominent in the news.  Venus is opposite Neptune in this chart and counsels us to pause and look at all sides of an issue when contemplating our actions.  Neptune also rules oil; with Venus in Libra, will negotiations move to end the conflict in the Middle East?  During an eclipse, it can be hard to tell, so we’ll see.

Mars moved into Cancer on August 11 and is squaring Venus and Neptune.  Once again, make sure the information you’re getting is accurate, and pay attention to what is going on around you. 

There is so much energy in this chart.  Sun and Moon are at the South Node, so if anything needs releasing, let it go now.  With all the aspects between the planets (multiple trines, sextiles, conjunctions) look for new opportunities – there could be a number of them!  Eclipse energy is kind of squirrel-y, so you may want to wait a bit until things settle to finalize any decisions.