The Interlunar: Full Moon in Aquarius + The Kaleidoscopic Arc of the Waning Phase

Welcome to The Interlunar, your sky forecast for lunations and the major astrological thresholds of the waning and waxing phases of the moon’s cycle.

I’m delighted to be sharing all of what I have to offer today—the sky is lit up in a CRAZY way that feels like we’re actually making progress, finding warmth, and shifting perspectives.

Before we get started, I’d love to invite to explore my upcoming class, Healing the Centaur, a five-part immersion in the myth and astrology of Chiron. Offered in honor of Chiron’s recent shift into Taurus, this course will explore his mythic symbols, the stories of his fellow centaur asteroids, and will be embellished by guided visualization and dream incubation tools. We’re learning about Chiron, and dreaming with him too. Learn all about the course here, and don’t forget to use your subscriber discount if you’re a paid member.

Lastly, my books are open for August readings, come sit for a spell.

On Wednesday July 29th, at 10:36am EST, the Full Moon in Aquarius breaks open over our skies, pivoting a narrative arc that was initiated back on February 17th, 2026, when we had a Solar Eclipse in Aquarius. This Full Moon is the response to that call, back in February.

Our Full Moon is interesting, as it is NOT an eclipse, but it is the LAST non-eclipse we’ll have in Aquarius through 2028. This means it’s the last chance we have as a group to really consciously release from our Aquarian storylines, before the eclipses take over.

Aquarius is symbolized by the human figure who carries a jar of water on his back. Ruled by Saturn, traditionally, and Uranus, in modern astro, Aquarius is concerned with the project of sharing resources and information, and shifting perspectives from micro to macro. He is the visionary who cares about the good of all. Mythologically, Aquarius can be linked to Ganymede, the beautiful young man who was scooped up by a besotted Zeus, and served as his cupbearer for eternity. Holding out the cup to the god of gods, Ganymede as Aquarius holds the cup to the god in each of us, collectively.

This lunation’s got it all: a conjunction with Pluto, an opposition to the Jupiter cazimi, a perfect square between Venus and Mars… there is so much activity here that it’s easy to get carried away exploring just one aspect! What I see, though, with the Sun and Moon opposing on the same axis as Jupiter/Pluto, is an illumination of the Barbault Basket, the much hyped astrological aspect pattern that has been hailed as a “seeding moment” for the betterment of society.

The Jupiter-Pluto opposition seeks to illuminate those who abuse and exploit power and resources of the collective. And so in Aquarian fashion, this Full Moon seems to be pushing us to release, collectively, from these cycles of abuse, rejecting them wholeheartedly.

The Jupiter cazimi is worth exploring on its own, but this is a moment where Jupiter enters the heart of the Sun, and is thus purified, a layer of experience burned off by Sol’s red-gold rays. Our spirituality, our sense of what’s possible, our expansive hearts, all get remade, in the face of this full moon.

And no doubt there will be a powerfully creative, desirous, and feisty energy in the air, as Venus and Mars clash in a square aspect. Tensions in relationships may arise, but if we turn our hearts, bodies, and imaginations to something creative, we can produce unique and exciting results.

Overall, intentionally releasing energy from the Aquarius ruled part of your chart is important now, as it’s the last time we’ll be able to do so till 2028. Set your intentions for renewal, and get ready to surrender to the eclipse wave soon.

In the waning period, we release. The word itself traces back to the Old English verb, wanian, which means to diminish, decline, or lessen. After the maximalist momentum of the waxing moon phase, which culminates in peak lunar brightness, the days immediately following the Full Moon present a lunar face that seems to shrink, melt, or fade from visibility. Our emotional landscapes follow the lead of our nocturnal luminary—as she becomes less visible, we too should turn more inward.

From now through August 12th, we’ll be in the waning phase of the lunar cycle, which culminates in the solar eclipse in Leo. Think of yourself as a traveler, momentarily weary on the path, finding that it’s best to discard things as you go. What are you carrying with you that really, truly is a burden? What are you seeking to make room for by letting go old what no longer serves?

On August 3rd, Chiron, who recently entered Taurus (for the first time since he was discovered in 1977!!!!) will station retrograde at 0° Taurus. This feels so significant, the retrograde station at the 0°—a place of purity, potential, and unlived experience. As happens with all the outer planets when they station retrograde, the themes of Chiron’s time in Taurus may feel magnified at this time, highlighting anxieties we have around resources, embodiment, and values.

Old stories of unworthiness may bubble up. Chiron retrogrades back into Aries on September 19th, and so from now through then, we’re left to ponder the pieces of Chiron’s Taurean journey. (Don’t miss Healing the Centaur if you’re feeling curious about Chiron in your own chart.)

August 6th offers Venus a bright and beautiful homecoming, as she leaves the earthen temple of Virgo, and returns to the airy colonnades of Libra, her home sign. She’ll remain here through September 11th, beautifying and enhancing all of our Libra-ruled houses. Relationships, creativity, and discernment all get a gorgeous boost. HOWEVERRRR by August 31, Venus will be traipsing into the pre-shadow phase of her upcoming retrograde (which will span degrees 22° Libra - 8° Scorpio), so it’s best to keep in mind that the end of this transit could hand us some echoing surprises this fall.

Mercury, bright messenger that he is, enters Leo on August 9th, and shifts all of our communication styles to that of the golden lion. Self-expression, exalted shouting, excitable hearts, all abound here. We’re speaking to be heard whether everyone else likes it or not. Our Leo-ruled houses get very very busy at this time. This will be a great period for us to really speak into being that which we most desire.

And last, but not least, our final inner planet, Mars, enters Cancer on August 11th, shifting our warrior stance from the leonine offensive, to the crab-like, protective, defensive. Mars does not love being in Cancer, but the insight I can offer here is the following: when Mars changes signs, envision him as a soldier, a knight, a gladiator, undergoing a change of armor. From one sign to another, the color, texture, and tone of his armor and weaponry shift.

In Cancer, Mars’s arsenal is that of spiked shell and things that pinch, pierce, and cut. This warrior does not attack directly, but from obscure angles, as the crab moves from side to side. And most importantly, what Mars tries to avenge and protect, here, is the heart.

After this, we’ll meet our solar eclipse in Leo, and our waxing cycle begins. Till then, my friends.