Cancer New Moon 2026: Crop Circles. Barbault’s Basket. Sirius & Freedom. USA 2026 Solar return. Venus in Virgo.
Cancer New Moon 2026
“I build a lighted house and therein dwell”.
(Cancer New Moon July 14, 2026. GMT: 09.43.)
Cancer New Moon Crop Circle (July 3)
Roundway Hill Circle (July 11)
Barbault’s Basket July 15-20
Sirius, Freedom and Our Earth
USA’s Independence Day: 2026 Solar Return
Venus in Virgo (July 9 – August 6)
Cancer New Moon Crop Circle (July 3)
This recent circle at Alfred’s Castle has several interpretations, one of which might be the Cancer new moon on July 14, Bastille Day – with its theme of liberation. At the new moon there is a conjunction of Sun, Moon, Mercury and Vulcan (an intra-Mercurial planet) – with astrological glyphs for the first three incorporated into one another.
In Esoteric Astrology it is said that the Sun, Mercury and Vulcan are “one”, hence the small central circle within the Moon’s embrace could be that trinity. The two circular channels around the central circle could be the respective orbital paths of Vulcan and Mercury around the Sun.
The first circular channel is very close to the central Sun circle, reflecting the esoteric fact that Vulcan’s orbit is said to be extremely close to the Sun. The second circular channel is proportionate to where Mercury would be.
The third outer circle depicts the crescent moon which is always conjunct the sun at the new moon and appears in the night sky a couple of days later. And at the same time, the crescent contributes to the glyph for Mercury.
As Sun, Mercury and Vulcan are “one”, then the entire circle of three rings can be considered as the Sun – while the channel leading to the outer circle depicts a potent transmission of concentrated solar forces to our planet.
The circle looks like a pendulum from one angle, that can swing one way or the other, depending on choices humanity makes. This new moon might represent a rare moment where the pendulum has ceased swinging – where choice can be made through clarity.
The circle also resembles a thermometer and the extreme heat over the northern hemisphere currently – as we enter the “dog days of summer” over July-August. Mercury is retrograde at this time, but in the two weeks after the July 14 new moon, its slows down to turn direct motion – making a station close to Sirius the Dog Star right up to the Leo-Aquarius full moon on July 29.
That annual festival will in the future (if not already) be dedicated to invoking energy from Sirius, the higher self to this solar system and the next evolution for most of liberated Humanity.
Roundway Hill Circle (July 11)
Courtesy of Nick Bull at Crop Circles from Above.)
As the seed of the new moon bears fruit at the full moon, this pattern may also signify 14 days to the full moon in Leo-Aquarius on July 29. The two smaller circles represent the sun and moon opposite one another, but also Jupiter in Leo and Pluto in Aquarius – which fall within the embrace of sun-moon.
Aussie blue cattle dog. Sirius is a blue-white star.
In these “dog days” of summer, the central diamond shape might be the Sun with the greater Sun Sirius behind it, creating a dazzling radiance of 14 emanations.
As noted recently, messenger Mercury retrograde, is heading back toward Sirius, all the way up to the July 29 full moon – within a couple of degrees. It is said that, “Leo, in the cosmic sense (and apart from our solar system altogether) is ruled by Sirius.”
Cancer and Leo are esoterically two of the seven zodiac signs associated with Sirius, hence the bridging from Cancer, building up to the main act in Leo!
Barbault’s Basket July 15-20, 2026
This configuration will be activated one day after the July 14 Cancer new moon – on July 15, when the Moon moves into Leo to conjoin Jupiter.
Barbault’s Basket: Start of the formation on July 15.
At that time, Jupiter is approaching its opposition to Pluto in Aquarius – exact by July 20. Hence, a “half grand sextile” formation will be activated for that entire week, between Pluto in Aquarius sextile to Neptune in Aries, sextile to Uranus in Gemini – sextile to Jupiter in Leo.
All planets are in the 5th degree of their respective signs, hence tight close orbs that enhance the power of the formation. 5 is the number of mind, the 5th (mental) plane (seat of the causal body), the 5th rootrace and Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian man”.
There has been a lot spoken and written about this configuration (Good article here), partly due to the work of French astrologer – the late André Barbault, the reason this formation has been dubbed “Barbault’s Basket”.
The basket shape of the half grand sextile has as its “handle”, the critical opposition of Jupiter to Pluto. According to the linked article above, the exact configuration peaks in a 72-hour period from July 19 to 21, 2026.
Barbault theorised that this alignment marks a significant turning point in world history, potentially ushering in a “splendid relaunch of civilisation” – or a new era of global reconstruction and resource redistribution. This interpretation is a most positive one, taking the themes of Aquarius, Pluto’s regenerating influence and the harmonious nature of the sextile/trine aspects linking all these planets.
Yet, a combination of these factors does not necessarily produce instant utopia – or fatalistically culminate in a planetary event – though it might! Rather, it is certainly a significant milepost during this transition period through which the world is moving.
Jupiter in Leo opposite Pluto in Aquarius, forces a confrontation between Leo’s desire for visibility, recognition and sovereignty – versus Aquarius’s demand for decentralisation, collective evolution and the greater good.
With Uranus in Gemini trine to Pluto in Aquarius, this configuration can also empower and speed up the runaway train of AI data centres – with Jupiter in Leo “lording it over” others.
Or it may enable a restraining influence, via the imposed will of the people who were never consulted in the first place.
As this configuration is occurring during the Sun and Mercury’s passage through Cancer, mother Earth themes will be in high profile: Planetary pollution, harmful effects of 5G/6G, geo-engineering messing up the weather, monoculture degradation, food supply chains, lack of suitable housing etc.
Powerful leaders in politics and industry, steeped in authority or egocentricity – might even absorb some of Jupiter in Leo’s benevolence and develop some humility (what!) – electing to truly serve the people. (Don’t hold your breath!)
Jupiter’s capacity for expansion and exaggeration will stimulate Pluto’s power to reveal what is hidden below the surface, creating greater transparency and truth-telling. Jupiter is the soul ruler of Aquarius and of the 2nd ray of Love-Wisdom, the soul ray of Britain and the USA.
Hence, the opportunity for these two nations to align more closely with their soul purpose, whose mottos are: Britain – “I serve”, USA – “I light the Way”. Other possibilities at this time concern massive financial revelations, corrections or outright collapse of unsustainable business models.
All of us may find ourselves at a pivotal point where old ego patterns are further shattered, opening the way the emergence of a more powerful voice and greater authenticity.
The Jupiter-Pluto opposition provides the dynamic to break old paradigms, particularly with Aquarius-ruler Uranus in ideas-oriented Gemini. Historically, Jupiter-Pluto marks shifts in global power – which the world is already witnessing these past few years.
This basket formation might support a less violent dismantling of outdated structures and make room for what Barbault predicted, a “splendid relaunch”. There is much promise in this configuration that will set its pattern in the etheric body of the planet, bringing a persistent influence.
Neptune’s position in early Aries is also significant, being the esoteric ruler of Cancer through which the Sun is currently travelling, but also of Leo – where Jupiter is placed, and where the Sun will make its ingress on July 22.
Neptune is the esoteric name for The Christ, who may reveal himself while Neptune travels through Aries (the “lamb of God”) – between now and 2039. Neptune the mystic, visionary and intuitive, harmoniously aspected to Uranus – planet of science, are some of the fruits that reside in this picnic basket!
Sirius, Freedom and Our Earth
Sirian Avatar
I come riding from afar
from yonder blue star
the rider on the horse
approaches from the source.
my flame fuses
in descending radiance
its song muses
an unending cadence I come …
to play within your earthly tides.1
While the Sun has been passing through Cancer, it recently conjoined Sirius the Dog Star. Now we are fully immmersed in the “dog days” of northern hemisphere summer. For those of us in Europe or North America, temperatures have been 100° -120° F or 37.7 – 46° C, burning with a particular intensity not experienced by some before.
The name Sirius comes from the 𝘚𝘦í𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘴 which literally means “scorching” and that heat has extended to the Mother of the Whirled’s freshly baked crop circles in early July.
In ancient Greek and Roman texts, Sirius is portrayed as the scorching bringer of the summer heatwaves, the bright star who intensifies the Sun’s own heat. So the recent heatwave is nothing new – an annual event, perhaps bolstered by some selective geo-engineering here and there!
But the key factor here is that the entire planet is being bombarded by highly refined frequencies emanating from Sirius, which will continue throughout August and Leo – ruled esoterically by Sirius. Now to the discussion about the “little known” theme of freedom:
“…. the significant connection between our unimportant little planet [!] and that vast expression of divinity, the life which is manifesting through Sirius; is an expression which is organised and vital beyond anything man can vision and which is free to a completely unlimited extent, again beyond the power of man to comprehend.
The principle of freedom is a leavening energy which can permeate substance in a unique manner; this divine principle represents an aspect of the influence which Sirius exerts on our solar system and particularly on our planet.
This principle of freedom is one of the attributes of Deity (like will, love and mind) of which humanity knows as yet little. The freedom for which men fight is one of the lowest aspects of this cosmic freedom, which is related to certain great evolutionary developments that enable the life or spirit aspect to free itself from the impact, the contact and the influence of substance.
It is the principle of freedom which enables Sanat Kumara to dwell on the Earth and yet stand free from all contacts, except with Those Who have trodden the Path of Liberation [Masters] and now stand free upon the cosmic physical plane; it is that which enables the initiate to achieve a state of “isolated unity”; it is that which lies behind the Spirit of Death and forms the motivating power of that great releasing Agency …
… it is that which provides a “pathway of power” between our Hierarchy and the distant sun, Sirius, and gives the incentive towards the “culture of freedom” or of liberation which motivates the work of the Masters of the Wisdom; it is that which produced the ferment and the vortex of conflict in far distant ages and which has been recognised in the present through the results of the Law of Evolution in every kingdom in nature; this is that which “substands” or lies under or behind all progress.
“Order of Rigden Djapo” (Lord of the World, Sanat Kumara. Nicholas Roerich.)
This mysteriously “exerted influence,” this “pulling away” from form (as we might simply call it), emanates from Sirius and for it we have no name; it is the law of which the three cosmic laws—the Laws of Synthesis, of Attraction and of Economy—are only aspects.
None of these three subsidiary laws imposes any rule or limitation upon the Lord of the World. The Law of Freedom, however, does impose certain restrictions, if one can use such a paradoxical phrase.
It is responsible for His being known as the “Great Sacrifice,” for (under the control of this law) He created our planetary life and all that is within and upon it, in order to learn to wield this law with full understanding, in full consciousness, and yet at the same time to bring release to the myriad forms of His creation..”2
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This book is a synthesis of H.P. Blavatsky’s The Secret Doctrine, the first six chapters of Genesis and The Book of Enoch – greatly augmented by the writings of Alice A. Bailey. The following subjects are covered in this new and extensively revised book:
– Explains pre-history and the place of Earth– within and beyond the solar system.
– Dating and precise chronology of all the rootraces and subraces since ancient Lemuria.
– Untangles diverse civilisations into their time periods, subraces and branchraces.
– Explains the Hindu Yugas and their application in dating rootraces and civilisations.
– Explores many civilisations and their links to one another.
– Through the 4320 cipher, reveals and confirms the true chronology of Earth’s history.
– Examines the geological key, timing of those eras and the emergence of humanity.
– Compares Hindu and Old Testament dating, revealing them as almost identical.
– Hindu Manu’s are Jewish Patriarchs – their ages are code for subrace durations.
– Reveals the mystery of the origin of the apes through humans mating with animals.
– Explores human individualisation, gaining “spark of mind”, mysteries of sex and birth.
– Turns the key of Greek Mythology, revealing and confirming rootraces and subraces.
– Gives an esoteric historical interpretation of the Book of Enoch.
– Gives an occult history of the Jewish people – from the first solar system to Israel.
USA’s Independence Day: 2026 Solar Return
As the USA arrived at its landmark 250 years since founded in 1776, the solar return for the coming year is a prelude for USA’s third Uranus return – from July 2027 to May 2028.
Given that Uranus was discovered around the time of the American and French revolutions, it is regarded as the planet of radical change and revolution. Uranus is also the traditional ruler of USA’s Aquarian soul.
USA’s Solar Return 2026.
The actual solar return for USA fell on July 5 and has a prominent conjunction between Uranus and Mars in Gemini. (Exact on July 4 at 02.04 LMT.) The martial point of least resistance can be feisty and unpredictabe, impulsive, rash or reckless.
Something like barreling down the highway at 130 mph in a 427 Chevy Camaro – with the stereo blaring Billy Idol’s “steal a car and go to Las Vegas”. Or the head-banging chorus of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody!
Mars-red!
Uranus-Aquarius is the unconventional “bohemian” that seeks freedom from society’s boring old strictures and structures. Uranus brings innovative ideas and the urge to break out of routines. Its electric spark is highly combustible with volatile Mars – but also delivers the bolt of lightning that brings new light and enlightenment.
President Trump carries somewhat of these erratic and unpredictable forces, as he has a Sun-Uranus conjunction in Gemini. USA’s horoscope has Mars in Gemini – so Mars is also approaching its two-yearly return – exact on the July 29 Leo-Aquarius full moon.
Mars in Gemini is only 1° away from Trump’s Sun-in-Trickster-Gemini, making him an easy vessel to continue USA’s forever wars.
The author has copious commentaries on Mars in Gemini in USA’s horoscope – identifying as its major personality integration problem – and the source of constant aggression to foreign nations. (Natal Mars is in the 7th house of “open enemies” square Neptune in the 9th house of other countries.)
Hence, when considering all these factors, it appears that the point of least resistance might be further aggression for the next 12 months – toward Iran (in the latest reckless re-escalation) – and toward Russia.
Some observers speculated that there might have been a “false flag” or “black swan” event on July 4 – as severe and shocking as 9/11. A supposed “UFO invasion” or some such. It never came to pass. In the solar return chart, Mars and Uranus tenant the 12th house of “hidden enemies”.
Nevertheless, planned events like this are never off the table, social engineering connivances – for which Uranus-ruled Big Tech is adept, attempting to manipulate the masses through fear and trepidation.
But the public is much more savvy since it lost its innocence in 2001 – 25 years ago; it might easily see through any attempt at exploitation, consolidating their growing power to “rescue the earth from fools”.
What does Indpendence Day mean, 250 years on from USA’s break with mother Britain? How truly independent is USA today, practically “owned” by a certain vampiristic state – and the many corporations that dominate America’s landscape?
The latter for which Abraham Lincoln issued a dire warning during the USA’s second Uranus return – around the time of the American Civil War: With corporations “enthroned”, he predicted an era of corruption where wealth aggregates into the hands of a few.
This prediction has now become so obvious to the general public, that the solar return Mars-Uranus conjunction in Gemini may well fan the flames of rising discontent, rebellion and public disobedience – already noticeable within the nation.
The solar return chart for Washington is Gemini rising, the personality expression of USA’s Aquarian soul. The rising degree is only 1° away from Trump’s Uranus! So the mantram for 2026-27 may well be, “expect the unexpected”!
The great irony of Trumpanyahu’s attack on Iran has been to reveal to the world the lying machinations of government, coercion and manipulation; the absolute redundancy of Zionist ideology that has brainwashed most of Israel and the rest of the world. In the future history archives, this time will be seen as a major turning point in the world.
Gemini is the main sign of communications and dialogue, hence the “soul purpose” for this coming year is to hone those skills, so woefully lacking in USA’ international relations – through the continuous treachery of broken promises and agreements with other nations.
Gemini ruler Mercury, is retrograde in Cancer – bringing the opportunity to review the promise to “make America great again”, in terms of withdrawing from foreign interference, channelling funds back into much-needed civil infrastructure – for the people, not the billionaire parasite class.
USA has the Sun in Cancer exoterically, and Washington is ruled by Cancer at the soul level – esoterically, hence the power of this 2026 solar return.
(Senator Lindsey Graham passed on July 11, two days after his birthday. A very watery chart with a stellium in Cancer. Moon in Pisces, same as USA’s solar return.)
Mercury is conjunct Jupiter in Leo, close to USA’s north node, which could go two ways: Further self-aggrandisement and dictatorial attitudes, or generous support of the nation.
The July 29 full moon falls right on USA’s north node, embraced by a potent Jupiter-Pluto opposition from Leo to Aquarius. Jupiter is the esoteric ruler of USA’s Aquarian soul, and of its 2nd ray soul – Love-Wisdom. (More on this in the forthcoming full moon newsletter.)
The 2026 solar return Moon in Pisces, supports emotional sensitivity and the collective intuition; it is squaring the Gemini ascendant, bringing the challenge to integrate those values with Gemini’s constant generation of ideas and making connections. Pisces is the best listener of the zodiac, Gemini the worst! People make yourself heard, leaders listen!
Moon in Pisces square a Gemini ascendant is also the worst combination for deception and manipulation, so watch out USA – its own worst enemy! The moon also makes an harmonious trine to the Cancer Sun, further amplifying the theme of “bringing it all back home to the people”.
The Gemini personality of the USA is scattered and fragmented, broken and bent out of shape. The “Twins” of Gemini are divided, in dire need of urgent reconciliation and achieving unity and synthesis.
With Pluto transiting through USA’s soul sign Aquarius, there is the promise for the Phoenix of this great nation to rise once more and fullfil its dharma.
Venus in Virgo (July 9 – August 6)
The following contains some musings on Venus in Virgo – from the exoteric perspective, but mainly from the esoteric perspective which requires some Virgoan detailed analysis!
Venus in Virgo exoterically
Emotionally over-analytical, critical of loved ones, seek partners that share work or intellectual interests. More unmarried people than any other Venus position (“Virginal” Virgo.) Mental healers, good nurturers – doctors, healers, nurses.
Fastidious about manners, cleanliness and order. Cooks, dieticians, dressmakers, design. Scholarly and mentally disciplined. Highly critical standards. Social propriety can cover for feelings of social/sexual inferiority.
Cold exterior can stand in way of romance. Retreat into work and intellectual pursuits. Sexual conquests to prove desirability. Can be over-reaction to social propriety, producing promiscuity – also related to the Pisces polarity.
Venus in Virgo from the esoteric perspective
Botticelli’s Birth of Venus.
“Venus, pure love-wisdom, falls into generation in this sign and occultly “descends to earth” and stands (as The Secret Doctrine has so carefully pointed out) – for the gift of mind and of divinity, embodied in the Son of Mind and thus for the descent of the Christ principle [soul] into generation or into matter.
Virgo and Venus are together two aspects of intelligence. The symbolism of the descent of Spirit into the womb of the virgin mother is preserved for us in the astrological fact that Venus falls in this sign; esoterically, she disappears from view and vanishes into the darkness.”3
Newton’s colour wheel.
This deeply symbolic passage requires some unpacking, due to its occult terminology, revealing how Esoteric Astrology is intimately related to the Science of the Seven Rays psychology:
1. “Venus, pure love-wisdom”. Venus is regarded traditionally as the goddess of love, but esoterically is masculine, ruling the 5th ray of knowledge or science.
Yet, the 5th ray has a close relation to the 2nd ray of love-wisdom, due to the fact that both rays are inextricably entwined in the mind-heart consciousness evolution of Humanity. The colours of these rays, orange and indigo, stand opposite one another on the sevenfold colour wheel.
2. “Falls into generation”. Venus “falls” in Virgo, an old astrological term, contrary to that of Venus’ exaltation in the opposite sign of Pisces. Virgo is an earth sign and Venus “falls into generation or matter”, “descends to earth”. The “soil” of Virgo receives the seed of the “Christ priniple”or soul consciousness.
“Falls into generation” also refers to the Third Rootrace, Lemuria – when Humanity “received the spark of mind” and began evolving consciousness. At that time, Earth’s “sister planet” Venus facilitated that event in a powerful triangle with Mercury and the Earth. HPB refers to this in The Secret Doctrine:
“… the third humanity [Lemurians] —those who ***fell into generation***, or from androgynes became separate entities, one male and the other female—are said to be under the direct influence of Venus, “the little sun in which the solar orb stores his light.”4
The process of “individualisation” at that time, coincided with the separation of the hitherto hermaphrodite humanity into separate male and female. (Virgo can sometimes appear androgynous.)
3. “Gift of mind and of divinity”. Venus is esoterically a “mental” planet – ruling the 5th ray of knowledge, harmonising the pairs of opposites upon the mental plane, creating harmony and beauty. This in turn, precipitates onto the astral plane where Venus is known as the goddess of love, sex, money, art and relationships.
Mercury-ruled Virgo is a sign of intellect and mental discrimination (viveka), hence the position of Venus is considerably enhanced in Virgo. As the above passage says, “Virgo and Venus are together two aspects of intelligence.“
Mind (Alex Grey)
Yet, as the 2nd ray of love-wisdom is said to find its most powerful expression through Virgo “in this cycle” – and because Venus is alternately love-wisdom and mind, Venus in Virgo is the “gift of mind and of divinity”.
4. “Son of Mind” is the soul which mediates between the lower concrete mind and the higher, abstract or intuitional mind. Upon the subplanes of the latter, resides the causal body of the soul.
5. “The descent of Spirit into the womb of the virgin mother”. Here the seed of Spirit (even of the Monad), gestates within the womb of time and space.
6. “Esoterically, she disappears from view and vanishes into the darkness.” Note the use of the feminine “she” for which Venus is traditionally depicted. A seeming contradiction to the earlier mentioned masculine.
Venus “disappearing from view and vanishing into the darkness” is the most enigmatic and mysterious part of this passage. It partly concerns the world of causes and how Venus in Virgo works behind the scenes – a well-known trait of Virgo.
This is also related to the earlier phrase “occultly descends to earth”. Occultism, the study of “that which lays concealed or hidden”, concerns the world of causes – unseen to most, but the vital living essence that substands all outer manifestation. Hence, Virgo gives birth to the “Christ child” or soul upon the physical plane.
“Venus is the queen among our planets, the crown jewel of our solar system. She is the inspirer of the poet, the guardian and companion of the lonely shepherd, the lovely morning and the evening star. As on earth below, so in the heavens above, and Venus, the sister planet of our Earth.”5
Phillip Lindsay © 2026.
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“Humans are divided into different clans and tribes, and belong to countries and towns.
But I find myself a stranger to all communities and belong to no settlement.
The universe is my country and the human family is my tribe.” (Khalil Gibran)
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- Poem from, “Songs to Varuna: Musings of a Mortal from his Boat on the Ocean”. Sonnets and poems about Sirius and Varuna – written on the author’s third Jupiter return, 1989. [↩]
- The Rays and the Inititiations, Alice A. Bailey. p.416-17. [↩]
- Esoteric Astrology, Alice A. Bailey. p.281. [↩]
- The Secret Doctrine II, H. P. Blavatsky. p.24. [↩]
- Collected Writings VIII, H.P. Blavatsky. p.14. [↩]
Dear Phillip, thank you for all your wonderful newsletters, a wonderful support in these challenging times times
Thank you Phillip, your efforts make for wonderful reading and are greatly valued.
Thank you dear Phillip for the deep nutrition that your writings provide. Julia Tarnawsky