Turning Toward the Light: The Leo–Aquarius Shift
It’s been some time since my last post. In late May we closed on our house and moved into our new apartment overlooking the Stone Arch Bridge and the park below. From my office window, I’ve been watching the moon move through its phases and the steady rhythm of people walking, biking, and gathering along the river. There’s something about that vantage point, seeing both the sky and the everyday movement below, that has felt comforting and helped me settle into our new home.
After a season of transition, I’m settled at Mill & Main and back into a steady rhythm of work. I’m offering in-person astrology readings in the conference room here in Minneapolis, along with virtual sessions. I’ll also be out in the community over the next few months — offering readings at local events, teaching classes on relationship astrology, and participating in a retreat at Mt. Olivet Retreat Center in October (registration is now open). You’ll find the upcoming events listed on my events page. It feels good to be rooted again. If it’s the right time for you, my calendar is open.
Along with returning to that rhythm, I’m also returning to something I haven’t done in a while: sharing reflections on what’s happening in the sky. It feels like the right moment to begin my blog again. Jupiter moved into Leo today, and later this month, on July 26, 2026, the lunar nodes will shift into Leo and Aquarius — the start of broader cycles that will shape the year ahead.
Jupiter will remain in Leo for roughly one year, until late summer 2027. The nodal shift on July 26 places the South Node in Leo and the North Node in Aquarius. Together, these movements bring steady focus to the Leo–Aquarius axis. The nodes will remain there for about eighteen months, until early 2028.
Jupiter is associated with expansion, growth, faith, optimism, abundance, and opportunity. It often correlates with increased confidence and a broader sense of possibility. At its best, Jupiter brings generosity, wisdom, and a belief that things can improve. At its excess, it can tip into inflation or hubris, taking on too much, overextending, or assuming everything will simply work out without discernment.
Leo is a fire sign ruled by the Sun. In our solar system, all of the visible planets revolve around the Sun. It is the center, radiant, life giving, unmistakable. Leo carries that quality of centrality and creative vitality. It wants to express, to lead, to shine. It is here to inspire. It is here to create warmth. It is playful, generous, theatrical, and willing to take a risk in order to bring something joyful into the room.
Leo energy wants to be seen not just for validation, but because it knows that when it shines, it gives others permission to shine too. It has the energy of “Hey, look at me! I’m AMAZING!!!” In a healthy form, that’s confidence, creative courage, and heart centered leadership. The shadow side of Leo can show up as performing for validation, comparing oneself to others, or leaning too heavily on applause for reassurance. At its best, though, Leo reminds us that life is meant to be lived visibly and with warmth, and that joy itself can be an act of leadership.
In late July, the South Node joins Jupiter in Leo and the North Node moves into Aquarius as the nodes shift into the Leo–Aquarius axis. When I think of this energy, I’m reminded of a field of sunflowers in the late afternoon light. Earlier in the day, the Sun is high and direct. But as it lowers, the light softens and stretches across everything. You begin to notice the field itself, bloom after bloom turned toward the same source of warmth, each one catching the light a little differently. It’s not just about the Sun anymore. It’s about the relationship between the light and the many faces turning toward it.
That feels close to this moment. Jupiter in Leo can lift you into greater visibility or creative confidence, like the Sun rising higher in the sky. And yet, with the South Node there too, something begins to loosen. The light is still strong, but it doesn’t need to dominate. At the same time, the North Node in Aquarius draws attention to the field — to the network, the shared vision, the many points of participation. You may still step forward, but without the same need to be the only one in focus. The radiance becomes something communal rather than singular.
Ketu, the South Node, is associated with release, detachment, and completion. In traditional symbolism it is known as the dragon’s tail, the part of the serpent that trails behind. The tail does not grasp or consume, it lets go. It represents what has already been experienced, what is familiar, what may even be overdeveloped. Ketu can reduce, drain, or simplify the area it touches. It often brings a sense of “been there, done that,” or a subtle disinterest in continuing to chase what once felt important. When Ketu moves through a sign, it can strip away ego attachments and excess so that something more essential remains. It is less about acquisition and more about release, creating space by loosening our grip.
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Rahu, the North Node, has the opposite quality. In traditional symbolism it is known as the dragon’s head, the part that consumes and reaches forward. The head is hungry. It seeks. It wants experience. Rahu amplifies desire and creates hunger for what feels new, unfamiliar, or just out of reach. It draws us forward into territory we have not yet mastered. It can feel restless and future oriented, sometimes even obsessive, because it is not satisfied with what is known. Where Rahu is placed, we often feel compelled to experiment, expand, stretch beyond our comfort zone, or pursue something we haven’t fully explored before. It can bring growth through appetite, through curiosity, and sometimes through overreaching, but it ultimately pushes us toward development.
Aquarius, opposite Leo, is an air sign traditionally ruled by Saturn, the last planet visible to the naked eye. Saturn marks a boundary and brings structure, realism, and perspective. Aquarius carries that quality of stepping back and looking at the system rather than the individual. It is concerned with networks, collaboration, and collective patterns. Where Leo centers itself, Aquarius decenters itself. It asks, “How does this fit into the bigger picture?”
So, over the next year, the Leo part of your chart is being expanded by Jupiter and refined by Ketu at the same time, while Rahu in Aquarius begins increasing your appetite for collaboration and new perspectives. You may experience growth in visibility or creative output, but also a diminishing interest in ego driven recognition. You may step into leadership while simultaneously letting go of the need to be at the center. At the same time, you may feel a stronger pull toward community, shared goals, or innovative directions.
For example, if you are Leo rising, this activity falls in your first house. Jupiter can increase confidence, visibility, and personal opportunity. Ketu may strip away an old identity that no longer fits. Rahu in your seventh house may bring new partnerships or collaborations that challenge you to relate differently.
If you are Scorpio rising, Leo activates your tenth house of career and public life. Professional visibility may increase, or you may take on a leadership role. At the same time, Ketu may help you detach from a public image that feels inflated or outdated. Rahu in your fourth house could create a desire to reshape your home life or living situation.
If you are Taurus rising, Leo activates your fourth house. There may be growth around home, property, or family dynamics. Jupiter can bring expansion there, while Ketu may help you release old emotional patterns tied to your foundations. Rahu in your tenth house may simultaneously awaken ambition or curiosity about new professional directions.
If you are Aquarius rising, Leo activates your seventh house. Partnerships may become more prominent or visible. Jupiter can bring opportunity through others. Ketu may dissolve a relationship pattern that no longer works. Rahu in your first house can increase your drive to experiment with your identity and direction.
Even if you don’t know your rising sign, pay attention to where themes of visibility, pride, creativity, and leadership are increasing, and where you are simultaneously being asked to let go of ego attachment or outdated expression. Notice as well where you feel restless for new experiences, new communities, or broader horizons. That is likely where Aquarius is calling you forward.
If you’d like to explore how these transits show up specifically in your chart, I’d be glad to work with you.