AUTHOR NOTE: I just wanted to acknowledge and share – this article is getting out much later than I hoped because, frankly, this configuration is kicking my ass (in a good way, but still, whew!). Not only is “Barbault’s Basket” a strong configuration on its own accord, it combines with my natal chart in such a way that the Basket becomes a Grand Sextile/Star configuration with my natal Pluto in Libra (4°) and natal Neptune in Sagittarius (5°). And at 5:40a PDT on the 19th July (my local time), the transiting Moon was conjunct my natal Pluto at 4° Libra, intensifying the emotional power and impact of this transit configuration. Needless to say, these last few days have been a rollercoaster for me! Ultimately it will be for the better – I can see that clearly. However, there are changes beginning to be made within me and around me that have needed tending to, delaying some of my work here. I apologize for the delays, and hope that this article will still be of value to you in understanding why “Barbault’s Basket” was/is such an important moment in astrology and in humanity’s evolution.
Involving Pluto Retrograde in Aquarius, Neptune Retrograde in Aries, Uranus in Gemini, and Jupiter in Leo, the transit configuration dubbed “Barbault’s Basket” reaches its most exact form from 19th through 22nd July 2026. On the 19th, the four-point configuration adds a fifth with the Libra Moon also at 4°, giving us five of six points for a Grand Sextile or Star configuration.
I admit, I wasn’t very familiar with the work of French astrologer, Andre Barbault, a Silent Generation “king” (b. 1921) who wrote about this transit configuration before his death in 2019, believing it to be a civilizational reset under one of the most beneficial configurations to occur in centuries.
To his point, this very well may be the most significant astrological configuration of the decade, the century, and possibly, the millennium. It has great potential for being a gift to humanity if we recognize and use its energies for such positive and evolutionary change. Yet in order to understand its potential to its fullest, to understand why it’s such a big deal, we need to break it down.
Here are the components:
Pluto Retrograde in Aquarius: Pluto is the “great transformer”, representing power, influence, and the “phoenix” principle (destruction/death à resurrection/rebirth). With Aquarius representing innovation, collaboration (unique individual contributions to a common goal), popular culture/mass communication (group think), rebellion (against popular culture/group think), and evolution, Pluto in Aquarius serves to either empower or breakdown and clear away the social and societal norms that play roles in humanity’s evolution. The last time this Pluto placement occurred was in the late 18th century (1777-1798). In retrograde, it’s giving us second chances to make choices (or to change previous choices) that could determine humanity’s future course. This is definitely an “Are you sure?” moment in human evolution.
Neptune Retrograde in Aries: Neptune is the visionary and idealist, representing artistry, fantasy, and inspiration. When in Aries, the sign of initiation, action, and impulse, Neptune can be inspired to action by ideals or a vision of what is possible. With its last occurrence having been in 1862-1875 and its current occurrence from 2025-2039, Neptune in Aries idealizes action and initiative, and this can sometimes result in acting on idealism or delusion rather than taking realistic action steps that can bring a dream into practical or tangible reality. In retrograde, Neptune in Aries is giving us opportunities to make different choices and take different actions before we commit to paths that may not lead where we’ve been led to believe they will go. It also provides second chances to take an action we may have waited on or passed on before. Neptune Retrograde in Aries provides another “Are you sure?” component in this configuration.
Uranus in Gemini: Uranus, the contemporary ruler of Aquarius, celebrates the innovation and change that is possible through human creativity. It celebrates uniqueness and the role of the individual within a community or collaboration. In Gemini, Uranus represents new or different ways of thinking about and experiencing the collection and communication of information, both on an individual basis and in ways that can reach many people at once (i.e. – internet, television, radio, print media, etc.). In our current day and age, it innovates the way(s) and reason(s) information is distributed using various technologies, redefining society if not humanity-at-large through the sharing of images and words. The last time this placement occurred (1941-1948), radio, print media, and telegraph were being used to rapidly exchange critical wartime information to both the military and the public. However, propaganda – information curated for social manipulation – was also in full bloom to promote certain ideologies in various parts of the world. In this current 2025-2032 version, Uranus in Gemini is, again, looking to innovate the way(s) and means by which we perceive, gather, and share information in the world, for better and worse – it’s just a question of which we choose for ourselves and what will likely prove to be the whole of humanity.
Jupiter in Leo: Jupiter, the ruling planet of Sagittarius, is known for bringing its optimistic energy into matters to make everything bigger and much more fun. In Leo, Jupiter expands our awareness of and capacity for unique and creative self-expression. However, as much as Jupiter’s ability to expand things is often welcomed, there can sometimes be too much of a good thing. With Jupiter in Leo, the need to be acknowledged for one’s individual unique self-expression can lead to more and larger efforts to be seen, heard, and known. With Leo being ruled by the Sun, and Jupiter intensifying Leo’s desire to be known, that spotlight may prove to be both a blessing and a curse as it will be so bright, it will reveal (or expose) truths usually hidden in shadow. That makes this Jupiter position both an attention-seeker’s dream and an egomaniac’s nightmare. The last time Jupiter moved through Leo was 2014. In its current form, we are experiencing an ever-growing awareness of who is seeking attention and what they’re seeking attention for, and who is genuinely and authentically creative, and who is pretending to have and/or is stealing credit for that talent.
On the 19th July only – Moon in Libra: Emotional energies are focused on what maintains the reality (or the appearance) of peace. Many people are eager if not desperate to keep themselves and as many people as possible believing that everything is just fine. For those who aren’t directly affected by anything happening in the world, this illusion (or delusion) is easily maintained. However, for those who are directly experiencing some of the chaos, that ideal is proving more difficult to uphold. There is great emotional investment in making sure things look peaceful by many, yet for some, there is great emotional investment in making sure things actually are as peaceful as they appear. The challenge for the latter is that the imbalances need to be acknowledged for the work to (re-)establish the balances can be done.
The 19th July – because it included the Libra Moon point – may prove be THE catalyst point for many future events. The entire “basket” configuration will prove to be a catalyst for future events, but the 19th in particular has the emotional energy behind it.
That is the thing about astrological configurations like these. Many people look to these expecting something obviously and outwardly major to occur. However, the reality is that many of these events are asking us to pay attention to what is already happening on these days, because what may seem small or insignificant as these transits are happening may prove to be catalyst points for much larger future events…
… and the fact that Jupiter in Leo is part of this “basket” configuration is a big tell that what’s coming out of this is very, VERY large. And Uranus in Gemini’s presence lets us know that this is something that will affect the way we think and communicate on a collective or large-scale level. Neptune in Aries shows an inclination to action, though whether it shows up as assertive and pro-active action or aggressive and destructive action has yet to be determined and/or revealed. And Pluto in Aquarius reveals the choice point for us in whether we’re choosing to celebrate or fear humanity’s potential (celebrate = allow its freedom of expression; fear = control or deny its freedom of expression).
Whether it’s one event or multiple events, it’s going to be a significant turning point for us as a collective whole – communities, societies, and humanity-at-large. “Barbault’s Basket” marks a major turning point in the evolution of humanity. Whether it’s a turn toward progression or regression in our collective human journey depends on the choices we make now.
On a more personal level, if you have anything at 4° Libra AND especially 4°Sagittarius (+/- 2°), hold on for a particularly powerful personal experience! On the 19th with the Libra Moon within range in particular, whatever you have in/near the Sagittarius 4° position is completing a fire-air Grand Sextile or Star configuration with the focused-upon Basket configuration! This is a VERY powerful placement with this transiting powerhouse. It’s an excellent time to set positive intentions for yourself and your life – for you to take your first steps to move in a direction aligned with your Highest and most positive good. Also, if you have anything at 4° Libra, it will not only be conjuncted by the transiting Libra Moon early on the 19th, it will also tie in with this configuration in similar fashion.
That said, if you have anything in your natal or progressed chart at 4°, hold on for a wild ride! All 4° positions (and really, anything 2-6°) will be activated by the Basket configuration. You will personally/individually feel this energy that will also be felt on the collective/interconnective scale.
For those of you who have been familiar with my work for a while, you know I cannot leave this article without mentioning how this configuration involves the generational planets – Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. This is important context because while Uranus is in the same position as it was at the time the early Baby Boom Generation (born 1941-1958) was entering the world, Neptune and Pluto are currently in the opposite signs from those of the Boomers. This configuration marks a moment of confrontation for this now-elder generation of humanity – a moment when they must come to terms with the world they have created and established for the generations to follow, and the world they are now phasing out of. As much as they may be trying to cling to control, the Boomers are now being forced to release their grip.
It would be wise for us to remember that people are being born into the world during this Basket configuration. Generation Beta (born 2025-2040) is now entering the world to replace the Boomers who are now phasing out in increasing numbers. This means that this early group of Generation Beta is going to have a seriously powerful voice when they come of age (if not well before then), particularly those who are being born during this astrological apex! These young people will be the beneficiaries of the choices and actions of the community and world leaders that are being made right NOW! If the world isn’t to their liking, get ready for them to facilitate the necessary changes…
… and the most important fact of that reality: The majority of the Boomers won’t be alive to stop them from changing it all. Gen Beta will be “The Anti-Boomers”, not in their efforts to control, but in their eventual efforts to correct the course the Boomers have set this world upon.
To that point, the people being born now won’t really be able to do much for a while in regard to the choices being made for humanity’s future. However, they are being born into a world in while those decisions are being made… and they truly are decisions. Choices can be changed, where decisions cannot – once a decision is made, it cuts off all other options. There is no going back.
That is the other side of this wildly optimistic configuration of “Barbault’s Basket.” Though there’s a great deal of encouragement to choose our individual and collective courses right now, we would be wise to remember that many of the choices we’re making now don’t offer second chances. In fact, some of our current choices are the second chances, the opportunities to change our minds. We won’t have this energetic magic again anytime soon.
We will have to live with the choices we make now because many of them are decisions that cannot be undone without major actions which will bring major consequences – consequences many people, especially in the “western world”, will be unwilling to face. Many of these changes are long overdue, and even if they’re for the greater collective good, that doesn’t mean they’ll be any less challenging or painful for those who have to experience them.
In the meantime, use the power of “Barbault’s Basket” to set a new course for your life.
- Who do you want to be in and for the world? Who do you Truly want to be in the world?
- What is currently active in your life that empowers and/or supports who you Truly want to be?
- What is currently active in your life that diminishes or detracts you from who you Truly want to be?
- Which choices can you make now to shift your course – slightly or significantly – to better align your life and lifestyle with who you Truly are?
- Are you willing to make those shifts in your life to have the life you want? Are you now willing to prioritize yourself for yourself?
- And are you willing to work in collaboration with others to make these changes in yourself, in humanity, and in the world?
These are the questions you get to ask yourself as you’re presented with and present to the gift of “Barbault’s Basket”.
The energy of Barbault’s Basket is strongest and most exact from 19-22 July 2026. However, its power and potential will be in effect from 7th July through 1st August 2026.
Thank you for reading and sharing Signs and Numbers. Until next post…
~ Love and Blessings,
Grace
