“It is the most beneficial configuration of the century and its interplanetary partnership will work for the best in a splendid relaunch of civilisation.” Andre’ Barbault

You may have seen online astrologers buzzing about something called “Barbault’s Basket.” Some are heralding it as the beginning of a Golden Age. Others dismiss it as just another astrological fad. The excitement centers on the work of the late French mundane astrologer and author André Barbault, whose reputation rests on an impressive record of forecasting major world events. Among the developments often associated with his work are the collapse of the Soviet Union, the reunification of Germany and a predicted turbulent global period which turned out to be the Covid pandemic. Because of his track record many have been paying close attention to another of his long-range forecasts: that around 2026 the world would enter a period of profound reorganization and renewal.

The reason for this prediction is based on a rare planetary configuration which reaches its peak this month. Although Barbault himself did not give it the popular name “Barbault’s Basket,” he may have been the first to recognize it and thus the name has stuck. The rarity of this pattern is the result of the convergence of several very long planetary cycles. Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Jupiter all have very different, slow, long cycles so that to come together in 3 sextiles and two trines (beneficial) and an opposition (tension but not necessarily an outright challenge), all in 04 degrees would take a geometer a while to work out! The result is a shape something like a basket and everyone knows that baskets are meant to hold good things.

Because sextiles and trines are considered positive and oppositions provide a tension which induces action the idea of a global reset on a positive level is not unfounded. However, the esoteric sciences working with other cycles agree that 2026 could be a time when the long-ago predicted turbulence of this time would peak and at last a re-structuring of society, politics and global cooperation could begin. We esoteric astrologers look more at progressions than transits since they offer more patterns and dynamics. Transits are, by definition, transitory so even this rare configuration will last only a couple of days. On an esoteric level this is the blink of an eye. Yet, we could view this less as a prediction or a guarantee as so many are saying, but rather as an invitation to participate in changing the world. These transiting currents as a result of many, many years of aiming for this particular configuration may indeed strengthen the energy behind the desire to create healthier foundations as a species. But it won’t be the basket that causes this; it will be us, agreeing that it’s time, using this time well.

Since this configuration unfolds during the transition from Cancer into Leo, a sign long associated with the heart, we each have an opportunity to contribute to whatever new chapter is emerging, from the heart. If the Basket represents the possibility of healthier foundations worldwide, then perhaps the simplest way to participate is also the most timeless: to choose courage, generosity and unconditional love. The planets can weave the basket, but only humanity can decide what it will carry.

Everyone: July 20 – 22 are the days when you could hold your baskets high to both give and receive positive energy from above! Keep that cycle flowing.