Solar Eclipse in Leo: Two-Week Astrology Guide + Lunar Messages
On August 12 at 1:36 pm ET, the New Moon arrives at 20 degrees of Leo. And soon after, it is eclipsed, marking one of two eclipses this August—the last eclipse duo for this year.
Solar Eclipses mark beginnings, and accelerate change, unlike any other lunation. If you have prominent placements in the sign of Leo (or Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio), this one is speaking to you.
This eclipsed lunation comes as a turning point around identity, creativity, courage, and self-expression. The South Node has recently entered Leo, reminding us that eclipses start new chapters by asking us to release what no longer belongs in them.
This eclipse series between Leo and Aquarius (lasting until 2027) are building on a story from 18/19 years ago when the same eclipse series happened with the lunar nodes in the same signs. Something about this story is asking for growth and evolution from that time. See where your Leo and Aquarius placements are in your chart for more details on the themes coming up.
From this Solar Eclipse onwards over the coming 6 months, we are invited to loosen our grip on the shadow expressions of Leo: the need to be validated, the pressure to perform, the attachment to old identities, or the belief that our worth depends on what we achieve or how we're perceived. Only then can we embody the heart of Leo in its highest expression—creating, leading, and shining from a place of authenticity rather than approval.
The eclipse also occurs in the company of Mercury and Jupiter both in Leo offering us wisdom around old stories and definitions of success and expansion. While nearby, Nearby, the ancient royal star Tishtar (Aldebaran) quietly reminds us that integrity matters more than recognition.
Not every path that receives applause is your path.
Sometimes the truest path is simply the one that allows you to sleep peacefully at night.
Uranus also chimes in on this eclipse, bringing an unexpected conversation, realization or idea. Maybe even a different way of seeing yourself.
Sometimes all it takes is one moment of honesty for an entirely different future to become imaginable to us.
Ask yourself:
Where have I been waiting for someone else's permission to live my own life?
For many of us moving through midlife, this question runs deep right now.
There comes a point when we realize that no one is coming to hand us the life we've been quietly hoping for.
We become the ones who choose it.
And perhaps, that's what this eclipse series are really illuminating.
Sending good energy as you move through this Solar Eclipse portal. You can find your two-week guide below along with the New Moon messages.
with care,
Shadi
2-Week Astrology Guide: Aug 12 - Aug 27
Before getting into the specifics of these next two weeks, it's worth acknowledging that eclipse seasons rarely unfold in predictable ways. Eclipses themselves are not energies to work with, in my humble opinion. They are portals. We simply surrender to what’s on the other side, open to what is being asked of us when we do.
Unlike an ordinary New Moon, a Solar Eclipse marks the beginning of a chapter whose full significance becomes clear over the coming 6-12 months. Looking back, you may realize that a conversation, a decision, or a subtle shift in perspective during this time altered the course of what came next. But only in hindsight.
This eclipse arrives in Leo, inviting greater courage, creativity, authenticity and the pursuit of a heart-centered path. Yet because it occurs alongside the South Node, it also asks us to release the parts of ourselves that have been shaped by approval or the need to perform.
The astrology that follows supports this unfolding beautifully.
Mercury in Leo becomes the messenger, helping us find new perspectives, articulate what we've been discovering, and eventually gain remarkable clarity through its Cazimi with the Sun. Venus in Libra reminds us that our relationships often reveal how much we've grown, while Mars in Cancer asks us to be mindful of acting from emotional reactivity rather than conscious intention.
This lunar cycle is about how honest you are being with yourself.
The more truthfully you live, the less energy you'll spend maintaining identities and behaviour you've already outgrown.
Let's get into how all this unfolds over the next two week, until the eclipsed Full Moon in Pisces—the Lunar Eclipse which marks the ending of the Virgo-Pisces eclipse series (more on that in two weeks).
The Courage to Begin (August 12–15)
A new story emerges. The Solar Eclipse opens a doorway into a new chapter, while Mercury's supportive aspects to Uranus and Venus encourage fresh ideas, meaningful conversations, and unexpected insights. By August 14, Mercury joins Jupiter in Leo, expanding your perspective and helping you see possibilities that may have felt just out of reach.
You may notice unexpected ideas or conversations that shift your perspective, a renewed confidence in something you've been considering or greater clarity around your gifts and creative expression. This moment may bring both excitement mixed with uncertainty
Work with this energy by:
paying attention to ideas that continue returning
writing down your thoughts before dismissing them
allowing curiosity to lead rather than certainty
saying yes to conversations that inspire growth
Moving with Discernment (August 16–20)
This part of the new lunar cycle asks for discernment.
Mars in Cancer squares retrograde Neptune, making it easier to act from confusion, assumption, or emotional overwhelm. At the same time, Mercury in Leo forms a stabilizing trine to retrograde Saturn, offering the patience and clarity needed to slow down and think things through. Venus in Libra sextile Jupiter brings warmth, generosity, and opportunities for meaningful connection.
You may notice uncertainty about your next step or heightened emotional sensitivity. But there will also be moments of inspiration and encouragement along with the doubt. Focus on the growing desire to build something that lasts. This is an opportune time to focus your energy in this way, even if you don’t have all the answers.
Work with this part of the lunar cycle by:
pausing before reacting
choosing thoughtful action over impulsive movement
seeking advice from people whose wisdom you trust
remembering that not every emotion requires immediate action
Returning to What Matters (August 21–24)
The next few days are about refinement. Venus opposes retrograde Saturn before the Sun enters Virgo on Aug 22.
Relationships may demand greater honesty and clearer boundaries. Or even a willingness to acknowledge what feels sustainable and what doesn't. As the Sun shifts into Virgo, attention naturally turns toward caring for the practical aspects of life. We are being pulled towards deliberate care and attention to what matters.
You may have greater awareness of where your energy is being depleted. This may lead you to create healthier boundaries or to simplify your routines, including that which others expect from you. This is a good time to have important conversations about commitment or expectations. Especially as it pertains to over-accommodating others.
Work with this phase by:
honoring your limits without guilt
choosing quality over quantity
tending to the small details that support your well-being
remembering that boundaries create healthier relationships
Confidence through Wisdom (August 25–27)
During this time, Mercury enters Virgo before joining the Sun in a Mercury Cazimi.
After two weeks of reflection, conversation, and adjustment, something begins to click into place. You may not have every answer, but you'll likely understand yourself, and your next step, with greater confidence than you did at the beginning of this cycle.
There is likely some form of grounded clarity about something important. The kind of clarity that settles into your body rather than just your mind.
You may notice greater confidence in recent decisions or solutions appearing where there once felt like obstacles. Your may see improved focus or a desire to move forward with intention rather than urgency.
Work with the energies of these few days by:
reviewing what you've learned over the past two weeks
trusting the wisdom you've gained through experience
making practical plans for what comes next
allowing simplicity to become your guide
The insights you gather now will become an important foundation as we move toward the Lunar Eclipse in Pisces on August 28.
Closing Orientation
This Solar Eclipse begins a story that will continue unfolding long after these two weeks have passed. There is no need to plant any seeds with this potent eclipsed New Moon.
Simply enter the eclipse portal with intention to receive the growth, blessings and evolution being asked of you by the Universe.
Remember that growth isn't always measured by how much you've accomplished or how much you’re recognized for what you do.
It’s also about how much less permission you need to be truly yourself and to pursue what’s in your heart.
New Moon Eclipse blessings,
Shadi
Solar Eclipse in Leo Lunar Messages
Aries Rising & Sun
This Solar Eclipse invites you to reclaim your joy. Over time, responsibilities tend to replace curiosity, leaving little room for creativity, play, or the things that make you feel most alive. This eclipse asks you to reconnect with the parts of yourself that create simply because they love to create. If you've been waiting until life settles down before making space for your passions, consider that your passions may be part of what helps life feel meaningful. Let yourself pursue what lights you up. Not because it leads somewhere, but because it reminds you who you are.
Card Pulled: The Sun
Taurus Rising & Sun
Home is changing, and that doesn't necessarily mean your physical home. This eclipse shines a light on your emotional foundations, your family dynamics, and the places where you seek comfort and belonging. You may realize that you've outgrown old definitions of security or inherited expectations that no longer fit your life. Rather than trying to recreate the past, ask yourself what would genuinely help you feel supported today. You're building a foundation for the next chapter, not preserving the last one.
Card Pulled: Ten of Cups
Gemini Rising & Sun
Conversations become catalysts under this eclipse. Something you hear, or finally choose to say, has the potential to shift your perspective in lasting ways. Your voice carries more influence than you may realize, but this cycle also encourages you to listen deeply. Stay curious. The right information often comes when we're willing to release the need to already know. A new story is beginning, and your words will help shape it.
Card Pulled: Ace of Swords
Cancer Rising & Sun
Your relationship with money, self-worth, and personal values enters a new chapter. This eclipse encourages you to consider not only how you earn your resources, but how you measure your worth. If you've been tying your value to productivity or achievement, this is an opportunity to loosen that pattern. Lasting security begins with recognizing that who you are will always matter more than what you accomplish.
Card Pulled: Queen of Pentacles
Leo Rising & Sun
You are standing at the threshold of a new cycle of personal growth, even if the full picture hasn't revealed itself yet. As the South Node moves through your sign, you're also being asked to release old identities that no longer reflect who you've become. You don't have to keep proving yourself. You don't have to perform confidence in order to be worthy of being seen. Let this eclipse become your commitment to living more honestly, not for praise and recognition, but because authenticity feels more aligned than expectation.
Card Pulled: Strength
Virgo Rising & Sun
Not every beginning comes through action. Some begin through reflection and release. This eclipse unfolds behind the scenes, encouraging you to let go of emotional patterns, fears, or habits that have shaped your past choices. You may need more solitude than usual, and that's okay. Give yourself permission to slow down. The clarity you're seeking is more likely to emerge in moments of stillness than constant activity.
Card Pulled: Four of Swords
Libra Rising & Sun
Friendships, communities, and long-term dreams will begin shifting in meaningful ways during this eclipse cycle. You may find yourself drawn toward new people who reflect who you're becoming and where you’re heading, while naturally creating distance from relationships that belong to another chapter of your life. Trust these changes as your sense of belonging is evolving alongside you. There is a synergy between who you surround yourself with and how your future unfolds.
Card Pulled: The Star
Scorpio Rising & Sun
A new chapter is unfolding around your career, purpose, legacy, or public life. This eclipse asks you to consider how you want to contribute, not simply what you want to accomplish. Recognition may come, but it shouldn't be the goal. Instead, focus on creating work that feels deeply aligned with your values. Success that grows from authenticity tends to last far longer than success built on expectation.
Card Pulled: Eight of Pentacles
Sagittarius Rising & Sun
This eclipse encourages you to expand your world. Whether through study, travel, spirituality, or a shift in perspective, you're being invited beyond familiar territory. Growth often begins when we're willing to question beliefs we've held onto for years. Stay open to new teachers, new experiences, and new ways of understanding yourself. The path ahead may not look like the one you originally imagined, and that will be the greatest gift of this lunar cycle, along with what unfolds during this eclipse season.
Card Pulled: Wheel of Fortune
Capricorn Rising & Sun
Something deeper is transforming. This eclipse shines a light on trust, vulnerability, shared resources, and your emotional entanglements with not just people, but also ideas and mindset. You may find yourself releasing old fears around relying on others or allowing yourself to be fully seen. Real strength isn't built by carrying everything alone. It grows through honesty, mutual support, and the willingness to soften where you've become overly guarded.
Card Pulled: Six of Cups
Aquarius Rising & Sun
Relationships enter a new chapter with this lunar cycle. This eclipse asks you to look honestly at how you show up in partnership, whether romantic, professional, or platonic. Notice where you've been compromising too much, or perhaps protecting your independence so fiercely that genuine closeness has become difficult. Be mindful of not losing yourself in your relationships. Healthy relationships ask you to bring your whole self into the connection, shadows and all. It’s not about perfection but authenticity. And nothing feels better to a Aquarius than living true to who you are.
Card Pulled: Justice
Pisces Rising & Sun
This eclipse begins a new chapter in your everyday life and what you devote yourself to. Your routines, daily tasks, work, and overall well-being are ready for thoughtful refinement. Rather than trying to overhaul everything at once, focus on the habits that shape your days. Small, consistent choices will have a greater impact than rushed and forced resolutions. The life you're creating is built one ordinary day at a time. Consistency and commitment are part of the path towards a long-lasting change that feels right.
Card Pulled: Knight of Pentacles