SOLAR ECLIPSE [20 Leo 01]
London – August 12, 2026 (18:37 GMT+1)
New York – August 12, 2026 (13:37 GMT-4)
Sydney – August 13, 2026 (04:37 GMT+10)
Total Solar Eclipse
Eclipse season continues this month with a powerful Solar Eclipse in Leo on August 12. Leo is the heart of the Sun and, since big planet Jupiter moved into Leo at the end of June, temperatures have rocketed around the world.
This Solar Eclipse feels hot, hot, hot whether you’re enjoying the summer sunshine or the sun has become an enemy and you’re in a part of the world that’s been devastated by fire and you’re praying for rain.
This powerful Solar Eclipse is part of the Leo/Aquarius eclipse cycle which began in February 2026 and will complete in January 2028.
It’s likely to be one of the most powerful of the eclipse cycle as Leo is the Sun’s star sign of rulership and there only two eclipses in Leo, one this month on August 12, 2026 and one next year on August 2, 2027.
Plus, this is a total Solar Eclipse when the Moon completely covers the surface of the Sun creating a blackout and loss of sunlight. Total solar eclipses happen approximately every 18 months and they are spectacular to witness.
This time, the Solar Eclipse will be total in the Arctic, Iceland, Greenland and northern parts of Spain & Portugal. It will be a partial eclipse in many parts of Western Europe, i.e. the ball of the Sun won’t be covered entirely by shadow. If you’re in the path of the eclipse, grab yourself a pair of eclipse glasses and go and witness this extraordinary sight.
It’s not the longest eclipse of the cycle and totality will only last for just over 2 minutes. Next year’s eclipse is going to be way longer and over 6 minutes totality.
Eclipses come with a bad reputation. You can understand the fear in years gone by when little was known about eclipses and the sky would turn dark in the middle of the day. Our ancestors must have thought the world was coming to an end.
Yet there are between four to six eclipses every year and so far we’ve survived them all. If we’ve learnt anything from eclipses, it’s that they can be times of change and accelerated growth.
Sometimes, leaders fall or rise during an eclipse. If you’re born on an eclipse, this may be especially relevant for you.
Eclipse Lore
To understand eclipses, the language and symbolism of the eclipse can act as a guide. When the lights, the Sun and Moon, are eclipsed, you are effectively ‘in the dark’ and things become hidden or shadowy. Secrets can emerge as what’s unknown comes to light and a new landscape is revealed.
A Solar Eclipse acts like a turbo-powered New Moon igniting you into action as you move into a new stage or phase in life. Yet, at any eclipse, one door may have to close before a new door can be opened.
This eclipse will be most powerful for you if you have key planets/angles close to 20° Leo. A 2° orb is most powerful but you can allow up to a 5° orb.
Yet, wherever you find the star sign Leo in your horoscope, this is where you have a powerful beam of energy. Sometimes, Solar Eclipses coincide with change when the wheel of fortune kicks in moving you in a new direction.
Eclipses are not by their own nature good or bad. Yes, they can sweep in to move things forward in life, sometimes at a fast rate and they often bring what’s hidden to light.
Sometimes change happens close to the eclipse date or seeds are sown and events build towards a major turning point. Remember that each eclipse cycle focuses on opposite signs of the zodiac and one cycle lasts for a couple of years.
It can be hard to plan for eclipses other than recognise that they often coincide with life’s highs and lows. They symbolise a time when the pendulum of fate swings dramatically and that can be both exhilarating and scary.
Traditionally, you’re wise to wait a few days after an eclipse before taking action. And, this time, there’s a significant pointer leading the way.
Good News – Mercury/Jupiter
It’s always helpful and potentially lucky when bounteous Jupiter sits next to one of the personal planets. This takes place three days after the Solar Eclipse when there’s a Mercury/Jupiter conjunction at 10° Leo on August 15. It’s not close to the eclipse degree but it’s important because it’s in the same star sign.
Mercury rules the mind, correspondence, the written and spoken word, schooling and education. Jupiter rules new opportunity, growth and expansion, foreign connections, publishing, the Law, higher education.
As Mercury rules communication and Jupiter’s the planet of good fortune, this combination can coincide with good news. And Leo is a star sign that loves to party and is linked to celebration. An ideal symbol for festivals and social get-togethers.
Put the two planets together and it’s an excellent date for:
- meetings/interviews
- being true to your word
- having faith/thinking big
- an important conversation
- teamwork/group events
- going global/travelling
- learning/gaining new qualifications
Consider how or why this conjunction may be important for you following on from the eclipse.
It’s a big week of astrology as both Mercury in Leo and Venus in Libra are reactivating the Big Pattern which dominated the skies on July 20/21.
Both planets connect with all three modern planets, Uranus in Gemini, Neptune in Aries & Pluto in Aquarius. Therefore, events which began a few weeks ago may be reverberating or continuing to ripple in your life.
Solar Eclipses – Power Points
Here are the dates and degrees of the current Leo/Aquarius eclipse cycle:
- Solar Eclipse [28 Aquarius 50] – February 17 2026
- Solar Eclipse [20 Leo 02] – August 12 2026
- Solar Eclipse [17 Aquarius 38] – February 6 2027
- Solar Eclipse [9 Leo 55] – August 2 2027
- Lunar Eclipse [24 Aquarius 12] – August 17 2027
- Solar Eclipse [6 Aquarius 11] – January 26 2028
What’s immediately noticeable is that nearly all the eclipses in this cycle are Solar or New Moon eclipses. A Solar Eclipse is a symbol of accelerated growth and things happening fast. It could be that life steps in to move you in a new direction this week.
Are you ready to shine brightly, share your natural talents with the world and make a difference? This is an important time to consider the groups you belong to, your friendships and associations.
If you have planets or angles that are close to the eclipse degree, 20° Leo, more likely than not change is on the way. Or at least, an opportunity to reorient your compass as you move forward.
Eclipses can swing both ways – they can coincide with miracles and synchronicities, also crisis and the unexpected. There’s real potential, however, for this eclipse to bring something new and remarkable into your life.
What Does It Mean For You
If you know your horoscope, it’s helpful to consider where the eclipse falls. Read both your Sun sign and your Ascendant sign:
- Leo: Self-oriented goals, image and profile, physical body
- Virgo: Retreat and inner work, caring for others, sacrifice
- Libra: Friends, groups, social networks, politics
- Scorpio: Career and vocation, status and reputation, your future path
- Sagittarius: Travel, education, beliefs, religion
- Capricorn: Finances and taboo issues, e.g. sex, power, money & corruption
- Aquarius: Relationships, partnerships, contracts, enemies
- Pisces: Work and volunteering, lifestyle and health
- Aries: Self-expression, creativity, children, love affairs, luck
- Taurus: Home and family, your past and legacy
- Gemini: Communication, community, neighbours, siblings
- Cancer: Money, assets and possessions, values and self-worth
Inner Star Circle
If you would like to receive weekly horoscopes so you know what to expect and keep up-to-date with the latest astrology, you can join my subscription service here: Inner Star Circle. Be in the flow and get one step ahead. I also write about star-gazing and add more information about the eclipses in my weekly newsletter.