Perhaps you’ve already noticed in recent days that certain situations, relationships or beliefs no longer feel as natural as they used to. The new moon on August 12 will intensify that feeling. Or as Jetteke van Lexmond of the Moonsisters goes on to describe it: “It’s as if something inside you has begun to whisper that it’s time to honestly analyse what truly still aligns with your deepest self. Where are you still holding back? Where might you still be living out of old habits or out of the need to be seen and appreciated? And where does your soul long for more freedom and authenticity?”
In addition to the new moon, the major astrological shifts of the past few months are becoming increasingly noticeable: “Chiron has turned retrograde, Venus has returned to its own sign, Libra, Mercury is changing signs twice this month, Mars is entering the deep and sensitive waters of Cancer, and we’re experiencing two eclipses this month—all energy that together creates a powerful gateway for reflection, transformation and growth.” One energetic shift follows another. The energy invites you to gently close an old chapter and step into a new space with an open heart.
On August 12, a new moon coincides with a solar eclipse in the sign of Leo
One of the most remarkable and powerful moments of the month will take place on August 12: a new moon and a total solar eclipse in the sign of Leo. According to the Moonsisters, this is a time when life gently—or sometimes quite forcefully—invites you to take a different path. One that brings you closer to your true self. Eclipses often bring movement to areas where energy has been stagnant for quite some time. “They can bring unexpected insights, meaningful encounters or changes that help you move closer to your soul’s path. Above all, this energy requires trust: trust that everything that is now disappearing from your life is making room for something that better suits the person you are becoming,” says Lexmond.
Leo is the sign of the heart. It reminds you that true strength doesn’t come from control or perfection, but from love, courage and authenticity. For many people, this total solar eclipse may feel like an ‘eclipse of the heart’ or, as the Moonsisters describe it, “At a time when the world sometimes seems harsh, divided and uncertain, we now feel more strongly than ever called to return to the power of love. To love for ourselves, for one another and for life itself. Not as something gentle or fragile, but as one of the most powerful forces we possess. From an open heart, we make decisions that not only serve ourselves but also contribute to the common good.”
Make a wholehearted resolution for the new moon
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves directly between the Earth and the sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light. “It’s a remarkable moment when the sky seems to stand still for a brief instant. Only a small part of the world will experience a total solar eclipse, while a much larger area will witness a partial solar eclipse,” Lexmond says.
The solar eclipse on August 12 is considered particularly spectacular. The moon expert explains, “The path of totality will only be visible along a narrow corridor spanning Iceland and parts of Spain. Iceland will experience a total solar eclipse—an exceptionally rare event that won’t occur there again until the year 2196.” In the early evening of August 12, the moon will slowly begin to move across the sun’s surface, and later that night, the Perseid meteor shower will also reach its peak—the perfect conclusion to this “extraordinary cosmic celebration.”
