The Almanac
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August
2026
TODAY is Wednesday, August 5th, the
217th day of 2026, and there are 148 days left in the year. The moon is in Taurus and the season is Summer (element of fire - peak energy, passion, and illumination).
The next sabbat, the Autumn Equinox, is in 49 days. Today's moon is waning (21.9 days old) and 53% full. The full moon for this phase is on Friday, August 28th, and the new moon will be on Wednesday, August 12th.
In the Native American tradition, the August moon is named the Sturgeon Moon. 
Mercury next goes retrograde from October 24th through November 13th, 2026 (80 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
- orange (attraction and encouragement)
- Planet
- Mercury (element of air)
- Incense
- storax, mace, and sandalwood
- Herb
- lavender
- Stone
- agate
- Tarot Card
- Four of Swords
- Gods
- Mercury, Hermes, and Woden.
- Keywords
- divination, communications, knowledge, wisdom, and study.
- Rune
- ᚷ Gebo - Gift and exchange, balanced partnership, and the sacred act of giving freely.
- Today's Activity -
Your activity is to fan out a Tarot spell to increase your creativity. Also, work with magical plants such as the fern for protection. This plant will also boost the power of any other magical plants with which it is arranged. This is a good day to do a working to open up lines of communication - especially if your own actions are preventing you from being an effective speaker or listener.
- Weather Lore -
Crickets chirp faster when its warm and slower when its cold.
- 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 (80 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.