This week's astrology: The transformational dance continues, and the Sun enters Leo 🌞
Astrological update for the week of July 20-27, 2026
Dear friends,
There’s a lot of buzz right now in pop astrology about André Barbault and the planetary configuration he supposedly named. Barbault accurated predicted the possibility of a pandemic in 2021, but he was not the only astrologer to do so. The confluence of Neptune in Pisces, which is associated with viruses, and the Jupiter/Saturn/Pluto conjunction in December 2020 caused most of us astrologers to suspect that the end of the world, or at least the world we lived in, was at hand.
However, while Barbault never actually called the current configuration a basket. But he did look forward to this time period with all three outer planets in the very early days of new signs, at the same time and the same degree, as a time of “technological magic.” SJ Anderson provides context from the text of Barbault’s work, which looks ahead to the next five years with great optimism. I encourage you to watch SJ’s short video here.
Societal change rarely happens with grace and ease. As the old order falls away there is a wailing of resistance, and a great deal of adaptation that is required. (Astrologer Lynn Bell knew Barbault and there is a very interesting interview here in which Barbault predicts a great climactic war in 2080 when Uranus, Saturn and Jupiter are all conjunct in Aquarius, so something to look forward to 🤓).
At any rate, with Jupiter involved with the basket formation this week, we can expect a great deal of hype around July’s astrology and plenty of other things too. Under Jupiter’s influence we all want to be gods, especially since Jupiter is opposite Pluto (“who do you think you are??”) in fixed signs where no one wants to yield. Already there is, and will be, lots of chest-thumping and jockeying for position (see also, the Trump administration and Iran, Pete Hegseth’s love for testosterone, political firings in Ukraine, the ascendance of China over the U.S. in global popularity.
On a more personal level, I feel that there is a reintegration in this configuration which can help to rewire us for better adaptation to this unique energetic landscape. The trine from Uranus to Pluto enhances the mechanisms through which soul energy is transferred through the body. Neptune elevates this process to a higher, more divine perspective with a harmonious sextile to Pluto for a power infusion. And Jupiter can provide us with the confidence and enthusiasm to take on a new adventure.
And lest we forget, the Sun enters Leo on July 22nd! Leo demands and inspires that we find joy in our lives - the kind of exhilaration that comes from pure bliss rather than fleeting events. I wrote about that here a few years ago and while an experience of joy is certainly not limited to the sign of Leo, under the influence of Leo season we are certainly more aware of the contrast between the negatives and the things that bring us into that place of light. (After all, is it an accident that sunflowers bloom when the Sun is in Leo?)
The Sun entering Leo will illuminate this basket formation, and Chiron is in there too. This is a potent formation with a lot of different energies, trines for harmonious support, squares and oppositions for tension and conflict. This may be a troubled time, but hidden in the disarray is the clue to revolution and evolution. Remember that if you have planets between 0º and 5º (ish) degrees of any sign you will be affected by these energies, and be ready for personal transformation!
Mercury turns direct on July 23rd. I think we are all a little more comfortable now with Mercury retrograde periods, and while it will take a week or so for Mercury’s speed to get back to normal, progress is possible.
And finally, Saturn turns retrograde July 26. Saturn, the planet that teaches endurance and the value of discipline and hard work, is stationary in the sky right now as it prepares to change direction. When a planet appears to “station” before a change of direction its influence intensifies, especially if you have sensitive planets between 10 and 20 degrees of the cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn). Saturn will barely move between now and mid-September, meaning this wise teacher will dominate the planetary energies for some time.
Saturn retrograde periods like this one are good times to focus on the hard things that need to be done, but are not the best times for speculation and over-idealistic thinking.
One more thing! The lunar nodes change signs on Sunday, traveling retrograde back into Aquarius. More on that later …
And now … on to the forecast for this week.
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Dates and times are for the Eastern time zone, here is a time zone converter to adjust for your locality.) You can download the transit details with the degrees here.
Lunar influences are not as strong this week because of the other planetary alignments, those will prevail through the week. These are difficult to break down - just know that there is an unbinding and realignment of events, circumstances, personalities, and soul purpose right now.
Monday July 20. Against this bigger backdrop, we have strong Jupiter aspects on Monday and Tuesday which tend to amplify everything else going on at the moment. Jupiter energies can expand the ego, so keeping mine in check will be a focus this week. Everyone loves Jupiter as the bringer of good fortune, but the expansive nature of Jupiter can amplify all of the other challenges and realignments. There is a tremendous impetus for change this week with Jupiter harmonizing with Uranus, so if you’ve been wanting to shake things up, this is your week.
The Moon is in Libra on Monday, needing to try to maintain balance in a rocky sea. Most of the lunar energies occur in the morning EDT, so by afternoon there will be a quiet period for restoration. (Jupiter trine Neptune 3:23 am, Moon opposite Saturn 4:16 am, trine Mars 5:03 am, square Mercury 8:18 am, Jupiter opposite Pluto 10:44 am, Moon trine Ceres 4:51 pm.)
Tuesday July 21. Tuesday brings more Jupiterian expansion, and then the Moon enters Scorpio Tuesday morning EDT and things get real. Under the influence of Scorpio we don’t pussyfoot around - communication is more direct, and challenges are met head on. The Moon will challenge Chiron, Pluto and Jupiter on Tuesday, so expect intensity and drive. There is a good chance of arguments and power struggles, but these are how we grow. (Moon square Sun 7:05 am, Jupiter sextile Uranus 7:10 am, Moon enters Scorpio 9:34 am, opposite Chiron 11:06 am, square Pluto 6:11 pm, square Jupiter 6:49 pm.)
Wednesday July 22. There’s little change in the astrological weather on Wednesday, but the Sun enters Leo in the afternoon and immediately becomes part of the basket formation. The Sun represents consciousness and the conscious mind, so the introduction of the Sun into this larger dynamic is likely to illuminate areas of dysfunction of which we may have been unaware. With the Moon still in Scorpio and in harmonious relations with Venus and Mercury, the courage to confront these dysfunctions will dominate the landscape. Difficult issues in personal situations could arise to be healed and released.. (Moon sextile Venus 1:37 pm, Sun enters Leo 3:13 pm, Moon trine Mercury 5:48 pm.)
Thursday July 23. Mercury turns direct on Thursday - don’t expect an immediate change but if you’re in a situation which is stuck in some way the resolution is likely close at hand. The personal challenges from Wednesday continue into Thursday as part of the basket formation, so the adjustments required earlier in the week could come to a resolution at this time.
Meanwhile the Moon enters Sagittarius in the evening, always a breath of fresh air after the emotional processing of Scorpio. The Sagittarius Moon encourages broad minded optimistic adventures, and we can use those right now! After Thursday, pressures begin to ease as the Sagittarius Moon and harmonious basket formations do their magic. (Sun square Chiron 11:453 am, Mercury turns direct 6:57 pm, Moon enters Sagittarius 9:06 pm, squares North Node 9:32 pm, trine Sun 11:43 pm.)
Friday July 24. If the early part of the week brought pressure and adjustments, the latter part of the week brings reintegration and new imaginings from which to create and blossom. Let your imagination run wild on Friday with the conclusion of something that may have held your energies in check. (Moon trine Neptune 5:52 am, sextile Pluto 5:53 am, opposite Uranus 6:40 am, trine Jupiter 7:48 am, Mercury sextile Venus 12:12 pm.)
Saturday July 25 and Sunday July 26. Saturday is Saturn’s day, and Saturn is at a standstill while preparing to turn retrograde on Sunday. That’s a lot of Saturn, which makes this the perfect day to get things done. Under the influence of Saturn we are better planners and organizers, and we don’t put off til tomorrow things that can be done today, but if you do it’s ok because the Moon will enter Capricorn on Sunday morning and help us to refocus. (Saturday: Neptune sextile Pluto 1:26 am, Moon trine Saturn 2:54 am, square Venus 7:53 am, opposite Mars 10:58 am, opposite Ceres 8:16 pm. Sunday: Moon enters Capricorn 9:44 am, trine Chiron 11:25 am, Saturn turns retrograde 3:56 pm, Moon square Neptune 6:26 pm.
I hope you have a transformative week! Thank you for subscribing. 💖
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I love your balanced perspective. I am always a little suspicious when too many people predict that something is going to immediately bring you a pot of gold or send you into the pits of hell. Either is unlikely although possible obviously. I have just been taking life one day at a time until the energy settles down.
I’m feeling all of it!!! Thanks for your words. They help so much!