On August 27, the Earth’s shadow will slowly creep across the Moon’s face, starting about 7:33 pm US/Pacific. Then, nearly all of the Moon’s disc will be shaded copper red at 9:12 pm US/Pacific, until the shadow fully recedes around 11:15 pm US/Pacific. As the Sturgeon Full Moon evolves into a partial lunar eclipse, it also enters the sign of Pisces. A dynamic T-square pattern between Sun, Moon, Mercury and Uranus during this eclipse suggests a kind of pressure release, perhaps in the form of insights or communications that break up tension.
At the same time, we’re still getting wound tight by Mars square Saturn (exact September 1), an influence that produces frustrations and a feeling of blocked energy. Deal-making Mercury could come to the rescue while in diplomatic Libra (from September 10-30), helping us bridge divides and meaningfully broaden the conversation. Concurrently, relational Venus enters the vulnerability of Scorpio on September 10, igniting issues of trust, betrayal, and control.
Sun-Mercury Opposite Moon, Square Uranus
This is the final eclipse of 2026, bringing a blood moon to the skies of North and South America, and parts of Europe and Africa. The Sun and Mercury are in the analytical sign of Virgo, and we may be challenged to take in a broad enough perspective on matters, as thoughts, ideas, and communications dominate this lunation.
The dreamy Pisces Moon reflects all of this back to us, which could mean emotional overwhelm from too many details, or longing for more concrete, actionable information than this Moon is willing to provide. We could try letting go of the need for full control and trusting our intuition to guide us in the right direction, even if it’s a meandering path.
Eclipses both conceal and unveil information, marking turning points of varying significance, and this eclipse points to the tension between our creative inner visions and an external reality. Too much “reality” in the form of crushing critique or an overly pessimistic outlook could crowd out the reality of a much more appealing and even revolutionary disclosure or choice we could make. If we remain open to it, epiphany and insight could arrive like a lightning bolt from the blue or from unknown sources. We might watch for significant synchronicities in waking life as well as important guidance in our dream life.
Mars Square Saturn
Whereas the eclipsed Full Moon could provide some of us with a tension release, warrior Mars’ tightening square with strict Saturn (exact September 1) is ratcheting tension up in the world. This influence could show up as frustrations and conflicts with others, as well as access to sheer will and determination to overcome adversities. Mars-Saturn at its best has great staying power, but it emerges out of the need for discipline, focus and pushing against obstacles. Some of us may feel like we’re in a fight (Mars) with father time (Saturn), whether that looks like a deadline, a closing window of opportunity, or wrestling with cultural and personal patterns that we have outgrown… but which stubbornly persist.
Mercury Trine Uranus, Opposite Neptune, Trine Pluto
Mercury in Libra
Ready of not, the impetus to recognize changed conditions and to evolve continues to pour through the cosmic triad formed by the heavy-hitting outer planets: Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. This formation will be triggered by Mercury (exact September 12-13), who is moving swiftly through harmonizing Libra. At this time we may receive more concrete information on what was disclosed in the August 27 lunar eclipse, and we may also begin to consider other perspectives that were previously excluded or unknown. Mercury in Libra (September 10-30) assists with diplomatic thinking, seeking to understand and dialogue with others. This influence could help us to make more sense of or move through any rifts or unresolved tensions that emerged earlier under Mars square Saturn.
Jupiter Trine Saturn
Such rifts or tensions reflect how the world around us is redefining its allegiances, partnerships and security agreements. On a smaller scale, many individuals and families are also amidst such transitions. Future-orientated Jupiter makes an easeful trine to its apparent opposite, the past history of Saturn, from July 2026 to August 2027, making an exact aspect around the Pisces lunar eclipse and twice more on April 3 and July 11, 2027. It could be quite helpful to reflect on the period from July 2024 to July 2025, when Jupiter made a stressful square with Saturn. If at that time we were experiencing problematic transitions from what once brought stability, structure or work, the current Jupiter trine Saturn indicates greater ease with those adjustments. Perhaps we are really settled into a new groove and able to reach out even further, or we are poised to receive some truly deep insight into what all the friction and abrupt changes of 2024-25 means for us.
Venus in Libra & Scorpio
Venus Opposite Chiron, Square Pluto
We are fortunate for Mercury in Libra’s help with dialog and bridge-building for such reflections, but also for Venus’ departure from Libra to enter the hidden depths of Scorpio. Venus is in Scorpio from September 10 to October 25 and again in December 4, 2026 to January 7, 2027 due to her incoming retrograde period. Her time in Scorpio will ask us to establish or reconfirm the basis of our trust in some relationships. With Venus’ lingering opposition to Chiron (exact September 10, October 28, and November 28), we may revisit deep pain concerning our own sense of being beautiful or attractive. Venus also makes a simultaneous square to Pluto (exact September 15, October 19, and December 9) suggesting we could actually release harmful beliefs if we get to the roots of misperceptions and re-commit to our well-being.
We may realize how much influence those we identify with (especially social circles, friends, lovers, and colleagues) have on our sense of attractiveness, whether positive or negative. As if to highlight awareness of our beauty and attractiveness, Venus gifts us her greatest brilliance in mid-September, sparkling impossibly bright in western skies. Though undoubtedly painful at times, Venus’ incoming retrograde may ultimately free us from diseases of the heart, such as sticky sentimentality that would trap us in old versions of ourselves and relationships. Venus may be playing the sage, to paraphrase the Persian mystic poet Hafiz, who keeps dropping keys the whole night long, for the heart’s wild and beautiful prisoners who long to be free.
The Moon describes your most profound capacity to connect with others. It also reveals much about your soul’s shape. We’ll be using the symbolic system of tropical astrology to see how the current Full Moon in Pisces energizes your own Moon placement. Full Moons amplify energy and emotions. Here’s what might be in store for you this lunation!
♈ Aries Moon
It may be tempting to not follow through, Aries Moon, to not bring something to completion before leaping to a more pleasurable pursuit. The Pisces Full Moon eclipse could help you see the consequences of leaving threads dangling.
♉ Taurus Moon
The eclipsed Pisces Full Moon may ask you to drastically change your point of view, Taurus Moon, when it comes to financial opportunities. A luminous, thriving, and desirable future asks you to redefine your attitudes towards material wealth and possessions.
♊ Gemini Moon
A sentimental look back at the past may bring fresh inspiration, Gemini Moon. The Pisces Full Moon lunar eclipse suggests new twists to old plot lines.
♋ Cancer Moon
This lunation may bring some tests of faith in yourself, Cancer Moon. The eclipsed Pisces Full Moon highlights the burdens you could give over to greater powers, which enables you to bear the load that’s rightly placed on your shoulders.
♌ Leo Moon
The Pisces Full Moon lunar eclipse seems to shed new light on recent revelations, calling you to account for your power. Whether your influence has been positive or negative, Leo Moon, acknowledging your own power frees you to move forward.
♍ Virgo Moon
“A friend is a loved one who awakens your life in order to free the wild possibilities within you,” according to poet John O’Donohue. The lunar eclipse of the Pisces Full Moon could bring greater appreciation of deep friendships, Virgo Moon, perhaps by contrasting your attachment to material comforts or possessions.
♎ Libra Moon
The battles you choose may feel a bit chosen for you, Libra Moon, as if fated. The Pisces Full Moon eclipse suggests a strategy update, maybe even a complete change of mind concerning your battle.
♏ Scorpio Moon
You may discover some hidden inner resistances to material success under this eclipse, Scorpio Moon. Let the eclipsed light of the Pisces Full Moon guide you towards generosity of heart, mind, body, and spirit. You’ve already earned it.
♐ Sagittarius Moon
It may be a rather sobering eclipse, Sagittarius Moon, as you may feel quite hemmed in and wanting to rebel. But the eclipse of the Pisces Full Moon encourages you to let go of distractions to bring the finish line into view.
♑ Capricorn Moon
This eclipse of the Pisces Full Moon could bring the energy to follow through despite the obstacles in your path. Don’t let your detractors, the peanut gallery, sidetrack your momentum, Capricorn Moon.
♒ Aquarius Moon
A choice between staying the course and breaking with tradition seems to be the main dish of your eclipse, Aquarius Moon. The eclipsed Pisces Full Moon suggests questioning your fears and experimenting with seeing beyond simple black-and-white choices.
♓ Pisces Moon
This is your Full Moon of 2026, Pisces Moon, and it’s the final lunar eclipse of the year! Fresh emotional inspiration washes ashore as you test a new firmness in your boundaries with others. This illuminating eclipse could help you understand when being hard with someone is supportive, and when being soft with someone fosters weakness.
