When the lights briefly go out and the stage changes
- Barbara Kissling
- Aug 12
- 9 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026
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What a summer!
Over the past few weeks, we've been honed on several levels, and the entire collective has felt like it's reached a new level. Looking back to the beginning of 2026: in my opinion, we're now at a completely different point in our development.
And now we are at the entrance to the next intensive phase: Today, August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will take place at 20 degrees Leo.
But first, a brief look at this remarkable summer.
Heat, heat — a mirror of the astrological climate
The heat waves this summer fit surprisingly well with the astrological quality of the time:
The theme and element of fire is generally emphasized in the Year of the Fire Horse (Chinese astrology).
Several slow-moving signs changed from water or earth signs to fiery fire signs and dry air signs.
However, one of the most important indicators for me is Jupiter: Shortly after a full moon at the beginning of summer, the fire planet Jupiter moved into the fire sign Leo on June 30, 2026. Astrologically, Jupiter represents growth, expansion, and magnification. In Leo, it amplifies themes such as vitality, expression, creativity, and—of course—fire.
I admit: I initially didn't want to believe the possible connection to a hot summer. Or perhaps I successfully repressed it. 😉
The eclipses are here
With today's solar eclipse, we enter the second eclipse phase of this year:
Solar eclipse in Leo = intensified new moon with a fateful note
August 12, 2026 at 7:36 PM for Zurich
Lunar eclipse in Pisces = a potent full moon with a fateful note.
August 28, 2026 at 6:18 AM for Zurich
The most intense period is between August 12th and 28th .
The eclipse can be perceived as early as about a week before and for a while afterward. Major developments triggered by an eclipse can unfold over several months.
Eclipses condense time. Something can shift, sometimes externally – sometimes initially only within us.
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What happens during a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs in principle like a new moon: the sun and moon meet at the same point in the zodiac. However, during an eclipse, this happens near the lunar nodes.
The Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned in such a way that the small moon – tiny at least compared to the sun – can cover the sun for a moment.
A wow moment!: The Earth's satellite, this symbolic carrier of emotions, this memorial of the past – the moon – momentarily obscures the radiant star, life-giver, the center of our system – the sun. Wow! ✧༺♥༻✧
In earlier times, eclipses were feared – and even today, some of that reputation still lingers. Astrologically, they can indeed reveal things that were previously hidden. Or accelerate developments that have been brewing beneath the surface for some time.
Eclipses are understood as life-correcting moments and periods .
The lights go out briefly. The set is changed. The lights come back on – and we find ourselves in a new act.
This doesn't necessarily have to be dramatic. We usually experience an eclipse most clearly when it closely touches a personal planet, the ascendant, MC, or another important point in our birth chart.
Would you like to know how these eclipses activate your horoscope? Check out my introductory reading (for new clients) or astrological reading (for existing clients) on the homepage. There are still spaces available, and I look forward to guiding you into the world of your stars – for greater self-knowledge, self-empowerment, and self-awareness!
Press less, observe more
In my opinion, it is advisable to push things less during eclipses.
Paradoxically, many things seem doubly urgent right now. As if we absolutely had to act, decide, conclude, or set something in motion.
Therefore, if it is not absolutely necessary, it can be helpful:
sleep on it for a night,
not to completely fill appointments and days,
to consciously plan breaks,
First, observe the changes.
and only act once the situation has calmed down somewhat.
Because circumstances can change surprisingly quickly during eclipses. And then our original plan suddenly no longer works anyway.
The shift doesn't even have to be outwardly visible. Perhaps something changes within us first: an attitude, a desire, an ideal, or the image of what our life should actually look like.
This Leo eclipse: Letting go for more vitality
Today's solar eclipse is taking place near the descending lunar node .
And that makes them particularly interesting.
An eclipse new moon generally carries the quality of a powerful new beginning. However, the descending lunar node represents the past, familiar patterns, and things whose time may have run out.
This new beginning therefore arises not only from the addition of something new, but also from the letting go of something old, so that the lion's energy can emerge cleansed and renewed.
This is where the lion comes into play.
The lion symbolizes, among other things:
Creativity and creative expression
Joy of life and play
Warmth and generosity
Courage and self-confidence
Visibility and one's own charisma
but in the shadows it also represents excessive pride, exaggerated self-promotion, or the insatiable need for recognition
Perhaps this eclipse "clips" something out of our lives or our inner selves that stands in the way of the independent, creative, joyful, playful, warm and vibrant version of ourselves . Something connected to these Leo qualities is being set in motion – an inner or outer shift may take place.
Of course, this is a strong generalization. What's crucial is always where 20 degrees Leo is located in your personal horoscope and which planets or axes it affects.
The eclipse can be particularly pronounced if you have personal planets or important axes located approximately between 15 and 25 degrees in Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, or Scorpio .
Where does the solar eclipse affect your horoscope?
👉 First, read the interpretation for your Ascendant sign . You can also read the interpretation for your Sun sign .
♈ Aries Ascendant and Aries
Creativity, joy of life & self-realization
For you, this solar eclipse falls in the 5th house: self-realization, creativity, children, love and sexuality, leisure and pleasure – but also your own projects, your heart's business and the stage on which you show your talents.
Something that has been hindering your joy and creative expression could be released or shifted.
What can you let go of so that you can create and live more fully from your heart again?
A fresh start centered around self-realization or a passion project may be on the horizon.
♉ Taurus ascendant and Taurus
Home, family & inner roots
For you, this solar eclipse falls in the 4th house: family, home, origin, emotional world and your inner roots.
What basic assumptions from your childhood or family still stay with you? Perhaps some of them even go back generations.
Something can shift here so that your current home and family life more closely reflects what truly feels right and vibrant to you.
♊ Gemini Ascendant and Gemini
Communication, Thinking & Exchange
This solar eclipse activates your 3rd house: communication, thinking, learning, siblings, neighborhood, short trips and your daily exchange with the world.
Perhaps the way you see something – or the way you talk about it – will change.
Old patterns of thinking or communication can lose their importance. At the same time, more space can open up for curiosity, playful thinking, and your own unique way of expressing yourself.
What story do you no longer want to tell about yourself or your life?
♋ Cancer Ascendant and Cancer
Values, self-worth & material security
For you, this solar eclipse falls in your 2nd house: money, possessions, resources, talents – and above all, your sense of self-worth.
Perhaps it's less about owning or achieving more , but more about recognizing more accurately what is truly valuable to you.
Outdated ideas about security or self-worth can dissolve.
How do you measure your worth – and is this standard even valid today?
♌ Leo ascendant and Leo
Me, Identity & Visibility
This solar eclipse is taking place in your 1st house – and therefore directly in the area of your identity and the way you present yourself to the world.
A version of yourself you've had so far might gradually become too limiting. Perhaps your self-image or your sense of who you are today and how you want to present yourself is changing.
Not necessarily louder. But more authentic.
Precisely because the eclipse takes place at the descending lunar node, it can also be about a role or identity that you have slowly outgrown.
♍ Virgo Ascendant and Virgo
Withdrawal, subconscious mind & letting go
This solar eclipse falls in your 12th house – a quieter area of the horoscope.
This is about retreat, regeneration, the subconscious, and things that operate in the background. Old patterns can resurface, especially if you allow yourself not to feel the need to find an immediate solution.
This time does not have to be "productive".
Perhaps its quality lies precisely in allowing things to fade away and giving more space to your inner experience. Old issues or patterns that have long been operating in the background might resurface – perhaps not so that you have to "resolve" them, but so that they can gradually lose their power.
♎ Libra Ascendant and Libra
Friendships, Community & Future
For you, this solar eclipse activates the 11th house: friendships, groups, networks, visions and future plans.
Your relationship with a community or with people with whom you have previously walked a certain path may change.
Even ideals and visions of the future can shift.
Which people and visions still fit the person you are today?
It's not necessarily about ending connections – sometimes their meaning simply changes.
♏ Scorpio Ascendant and Scorpio
Career, vocation & visibility
For you, this solar eclipse activates your 10th house: profession, vocation, social role and public visibility.
Something about your previous path or your idea of success might change here.
Perhaps you want to be seen differently. Perhaps a career goal is losing its importance. Or something that has been in the background wants to come more to the forefront.
The Leo energy also asks:
Where would you like to become more visible with what is truly yours?
♐ Sagittarius Ascendant and Sagittarius
Broadening horizons, convictions & meaning
This solar eclipse activates your 9th house: travel, further education, worldview, questions of meaning, spirituality and the big picture of life.
A previously held belief could change or prove to be too narrow.
Perhaps it's less about finding a final truth now, and more about becoming curious again.
New experiences, knowledge, or encounters can broaden your perspective on the world. Perhaps something will also change regarding travel, going abroad, further education, or the question of which beliefs still give your life meaning and direction today.
♑ Capricorn Ascendant and Capricorn
Deep bonds, shared resources & transformation
For you, this solar eclipse falls in the 8th house: shared finances, obligations, trust, intimacy, and deep emotional bonds.
Financial, emotional, or intimate entanglements may now come more sharply into focus.
Where does genuine connection exist – and where are you perhaps clinging on out of habit, responsibility, or a need for security?
New developments may also be on the horizon in the case of shared resources or financial interdependencies.
♒ Aquarius Ascendant and Aquarius
Relationships & Encounters
This solar eclipse falls in your 7th house: partnerships, close relationships, contracts and important counterparts.
This shifts the focus away from the question "Who am I?" and towards:
Who am I in relation to others – and what form of connection still suits me today?
Relationship dynamics can change. Some connections take on a new quality, others may require a more honest examination.
Since the darkness opposes your Aquarius energy, this issue may be particularly noticeable.
♓ Pisces Ascendant and Pisces
Everyday life, work & well-being
For you, this solar eclipse activates the 6th house: everyday life, work, routines, obligations, and the way you manage your energy.
Perhaps it will become clearer which habits are good for you – and which ones are now costing you energy.
It doesn't have to mean completely restructuring your life.
Sometimes a big change begins surprisingly unspectacularly: with a different rhythm, a new routine, or a clearer "no" to what is permanently too much.
☆。 。☆ 。 。☆。*。☆☆ 。 。☆。 。☆。*。☆☆ 。 。☆。 。☆。 。☆。*。☆
And then comes the lunar eclipse…
The partial lunar eclipse will occur on August 28th at 4.54 degrees Pisces .
This shifts the focus significantly once again: from the fiery lion and the question of expression, joy of life and our own light to the Pisces-Virgo axis – trust and control, devotion and order, intuition and reason.
I'll write to you about that separately. 🌙✨
✨ Do you want to know which area of your personal horoscope these eclipses activate and how this relates to your current life situation?
In a personal reading, we will look together at where the eclipses are located in your birth chart, which planets or axes they touch, and what themes arise for you as a result.
With love ༺ ✦ ༻
Barbara
Kissing the Stars
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