The Almanac
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August
2026
TODAY is Tuesday, August 18th, the
230th day of 2026, and there are 135 days left in the year. The moon is in Scorpio and the season is Summer (element of fire - peak energy, passion, and illumination).
The next sabbat, the Autumn Equinox, is in 36 days. Today's moon is waxing (5.8 days old) and 34% full. The full moon for this phase is on Friday, August 28th, and the new moon will be on Thursday, September 10th.
In the Native American tradition, the August moon is named the Sturgeon Moon. 
Mercury next goes retrograde from October 24th through November 13th, 2026 (67 days from now). Communication, intellect, and awareness are all within Mercury's domain, as are logic and reasoning, our manner of thinking, and how we create and express our thought processes. So, when Mercury is retrograde, remain flexible, allow extra time for travel, and avoid signing contracts. Review projects and plans at these times, but wait until Mercury is direct again to make any final decisions.
- Today's Correspondences -
- Sun Sign
- Leo (element of fire)
- Color
- red (courage and health, sexual love and lust), black (negativity and banishment), and orange (attraction and encouragement)
- Planet
- Mars (element of fire)
- Incense
- cypress, pine, tobacco, brimstone, and civet
- Herb
- nettle
- Stone
- bloodstone
- Tarot Card
- Eight of Wands
- Gods
- Mars, Ares, and Tiwaz.
- Keywords
- courage, energy, physical strength, and banishing negativity.
- Rune
- ᛈ Perthro - Mystery and fate - the hidden thing revealed, the lot cast in the casting cup.
- Today's Activity -
Your activity is to carry a bloodstone in your pocket or wear garnet-studded jewelry to reinforce your convictions. Wear the fiery colors associated with this day: scarlet, red, black, and orange. Don some of the more daring and bewitching colors of your wardrobe on Tuesdays and turn a few heads. Use Tuesday to assert yourself, make a mark and stake your claims.
- Weather Lore -
When horses and cattle stretch their necks and sniff the air, rain is coming.
- Seek the Cards -
Draw three cards and let the deck speak. Playing Card Divination — free cartomancy readings using a standard deck, with full interpretations and suit progressions.
- Also -
Mercury next goes retrograde from October 24th through November 13th, 2026 (67 days from now). Communication, intellect, and awareness are all within Mercury's domain, as are logic and reasoning, our manner of thinking, and how we create and express our thought processes. So, when Mercury is retrograde, remain flexible, allow extra time for travel, and avoid signing contracts. Review projects and plans at these times, but wait until Mercury is direct again to make any final decisions.