We are in the thick of it — worldwide change, political extinction burst, restructuring of communities and ultimately a scarcely-seen rebirth.
There is near daily exposure of unbalanced power and egregious abuse as the oligarchs extend themselves, forcing an economic model that is rapidly becoming obsolete. After 250 years of a nation opposed to monarchy that has touted democracy as a core value, we are with a head of state who believes he is supreme, irreverent to precedent, balance of structure and civil order. The American empire is crumbling. The obsession with drilling comes from economic downturn, a Hail Mary to endless growth fueled by extraction.
Something oppositional is also happening. Working class people are re-establishing community connections. Food sourcing and industry are back in the vernacular, as are other systemic problems that have plagued our country through its history — racism, police brutality, wealth distribution.
You may be wondering what this has to do with astrology. Stay with me. If you’ve been following any pop astrology on the internet, you’ve heard of “Barbault’s Basket.” Named for a French astrologer who also predicted the pandemic, this year’s headliner astrological formation aligns with the longer cycles of civilization and forces outside of our control. Jupiter and Pluto make the open rim of the basket, the threshold into collaborating planetary energies. Neptune and Uranus make the foot of the basket, weaving it together. These four planets are co-working on a number of restructuring plans (Pluto) with support from our ideals (Neptune) and our most radical ideas (Uranus). You could also say that Uranus is innovating us towards new Neptunian dreams of Pluto’s future. There are many broad stroke analogies to make from these planets’ significations, and with Jupiter in Leo joining the party, the flames of stamina are enhanced.
It’s difficult to articulate specifics from our point of view, because from within it is near impossible to see the outcomes of a broad-scale, decades-long realignment of civilization. In ten years, we’ll look back and understand what is happening right now. This is no reason to dissociate, but rather an opportunity to engage with the visions of a better world you want to see, to find people who are aligned with you and join them in action. We are steeped in work-to-do.
By mid-August, Jupiter separates from the chaos crew, leaving Uranus, Neptune and Pluto to their epochal shifts. Saturn turns back to sober up the crew from Jupiter’s indulgences. August is a lot of nitty gritty, grounded labor focused on enacting dreams in order to stave off the shadow and uncertainty of eclipse season. On Aug. 12,
we get a solar eclipse in Leo, a product of the shift of the lunar nodes to the Leo-Aquarius axis where they will remain until 2028. This is a prompt to examine our egos, our showmanship and our entitlement, and release them for increased humility, collective liberation and gratitude in action.
The lunar eclipse on Aug. 28 is visible throughout the Americas. It is the last in Virgo with North Node characteristics of hunger, increase and new karmic lessons we need to learn. Since the first in 2024, we’ve been making real practices of oneness and finding daily rituals to connect us to the divine. This is prime time for journaling in reflection, especially if you have planets in Virgo. The Virgo eclipse lands just a day after Mercury meets the Sun — a moment that our minds align with our highest purpose. Here opportunities to integrate with service, find sufficiency in spirituality and understand the spirit-body relationship may be revealed.
In the last days of August, Jupiter and Saturn come into trine aspect, an end to Jupiter’s pomp and circumstance in Leo, trines being supportive so long as they are balanced. Mars and Saturn also square, with neither in a strong position. Watch out for conflict and drama, power struggles and anger. September is muddled energetically, still propelled forward by Pluto’s world rebuilding efforts in Aquarius, Neptune’s dissolution and idealism in Aries, and Uranus’ revolutionizing in Gemini.
Venus moves through pre-retrograde shadow in September, where the social group or lover imbalance arises. Pay attention to themes of exchange, to the give and take of relating that drives you. Venus stations retrograde in Scorpio on Oct. 3, bringing themes of the underworld to our personal relationships. Like Inanna, we shed what’s material to get to the heart of what’s worthy. This is a time of disconnection from loved ones, distance and examination of our values, and finally resolution towards clarity in better balance of engagement. Venus stations direct on Nov. 11, when we’re tasked to integrate what we learned through the retrograde period.
I can’t lie — the second half of 2026 ain’t easy. There are bright spots amid the chaos, but they are few and far between. Look to Venus in Libra in the first two weeks of August for sweetness and indulgence, though in opposition to Saturn there is a counter energy of rigidity and discipline. The reward here is longevity and success. The Moon in late Taurus on Sept. 29 is unbothered by the state of the world, a time to enjoy the season’s harvest.
As always, this astrological outlook is meant for insight, not fear. For more, follow Crystal City Astrology on Substack or book a personalized astrology reading at crystalcityastrology.com