Full Moon in Pisces: the Muses' Moon, Venus-Mars conjunct, and Dancing out our Dreams

In the night sky during August, Saturn has been the shining light in the night sky. Though the faintest of all the bright planets, it has been prominent as all the other brighter planets have been hiding in the glare of the evening or have been visible only in the twilight hours of morning.  The meteor showers have been highlighting the night sky, making bright and active displays throughout the month.

Venus has been disappearing into the sunset, Jupiter too is lost in sunset's glare. Saturn has been easily visible in the evening sky all August. The waxing of the Full Moon in Pisces is visible during through this week. The August Full Moon in Pisces at 6/6 degrees in the Pisces decan. conjunct Neptune in Pisces and Saturn in Virgo conjuncts the Sun in Virgo.

A Full Moon of the Muses, a time to absorb the blend of potent energies. It is also a time when we are ultra sensitive and vulnerable, feeling everything with greater intensity than usual.  We are open to receiving and sensing what others around us and/or close to us are experiencing and feeling. Be alert to absorbing others’ pain and discomfort. Avoid using alcohol or drugs to numb you to what you are feeling and sensing. This Full Moon is revealing to us, that which we have been attracting to us. It also shines its light on that within us, our lives, and our experiences that have been growing, building, and coming to fruition.

With the Moon conjunct Neptune in Pisces at exactly 6 degrees and in opposition to Jupiter in Virgo at 3 degrees conjunct the Sun in Virgo at 6 degrees, this is a very auspicious and powerful full moon. Called the Grain Moon, this moon is referred to in ancient Medieval literature as the Place of Hidden Treasures. The Full Moon peaks at 11:35 A.M. PDT on August 29. Full Moons are always shining their light on whatever is coming to fullness in our lives. This Full Moon sheds light on how we are balancing our need for the patterns and routines of our daily lives, personal health and hygiene, and organization and structure (Virgo-ruled issues) with creative vision, intuitive understanding, and our spiritual health and unconscious energy and connection with the Divine. This Full Moon activates the hidden treasures of our inner being and brings us abundance and blessings from what we have already created and are bringing forth into form and life.

The Sun has just entered Virgo (August 23), and is enabling us to focus on the details and independent parts of our lives. We begin handling our business, our artistic endeavors, our relationships, and our own personal behavior and health (body, mind, spirit, emotions) in a more systematic, direct way. We can now tend to unfinished business or we receive the information, details, or necessary parts to put bigger projects into their final draft, into motion forward, or into the next stage of development. What needed to fall away, has either been taken from you or you have seen fit to give up on whatever is not life-giving in your life. Regardless of how the clearing has taken place, a new realm of freedom, emptiness, and space has been created. Now is the time, during this Full Moon to openly receive the blessings that are meant for you to receive. I recall many years ago learning how to clear space in my life, and then set out a simple request in the form of identifying a desire or stating clearly, a need. And then learning how to release the desire or need, and simply let what is mean to come to me, to come. Often what I desire or need comes to me, but more often than not, in a form that I had not anticipated.

Be open to receiving the blessings coming to you, especially at this Full Moon. Use the mantra, “I am receiving my good, I am receiving what is best for me, and I am grateful for what I am receiving.” With gratitude and openness, receiving blessings on this Full Moon allows you to recognize the hidden treasures that are coming to you at this time.

Mercury has been in Virgo since August 7, and will stay there until Thursday, August 27 at which time Mercury enters Libra. During the Virgo transit we have received numerous types of communication, reminding or revealing to us, what it is that we need and desire, and what it is that is ours to receive. Listen, pay attention to, and open yourself to greater awareness on all levels, of just what the recent communication you have been receiving has taught you about who you are and what is opening up in your life.

On Thursday, just two days prior to the Full Moon in Pisces, Mercury moves into Libra, the planet that rules, love, beauty, and relationships. Along with our own passionate nature, the world within and around us is lighting up sending flames and sparks in all directions. Being receptive at this time will be easier than it might ordinarily be—we can barely budge without receiving the abundant and energizing force of the waxing Full Moon and the building conjunction between Venus and Mars. When the Moon conjuncts Chiron, the Wounded Healer, also in Pisces in a day or so, be prepared for a sudden and shocking change or announcement. Notice how something suddenly appears or disappears, and be ready for surprises related to whatever has manifested during this Full Moon in Pisces. Watch your dreams, and pay attention to the hunches and intuitive nudges that come your way. Allow yourself to be open to the visions of a better and brighter future, and remember all that has led to this moment.

Nothing has come about simply due to chance; what is manifesting now has taken time, hard work, necessary changes and alterations, and sacrifice of what is worn out and unnecessary. Embrace the life-affirming essence of your life, and drink in the sense of freedom and openness. Be discerning, as a matter of principle, in all relationships, and trust your inner knowing and own sense of truth to guide you. Be mindful of how the Divine infuses within us, an awareness of our strength, power, clarity, and own knowledge, so that we have what we need to enter the next stage of life. Let go, and release the need to control, figure out why, or second guess yourself. Be at peace with who you are, where you are, and know how capable you are to do what needs to be done. Be mindful of how supported and loved you are, and take off the burden of needing to be ‘right’, accepted, or understood in order to function. We each define ourselves, and in so far as we allow others to control or define us, we hold back on our own power and we abuse ourselves unnecessarily.

Be kind, to yourself, as you are to others. Be gentle and understanding, to yourself, as you do with others. Be loving and tolerant of who you are now and where you are now, just as you are with others. Sometimes we are nicer and more understanding to others than we are to ourselves. Now is the time to honor ourselves as the perfect reflection of the Divine, and know that what your job is it to be that perfect self, growing, learning, and courageously being.

Letting go or surrendering to the Divine will of the Creator is all about trusting the pervasive power of the Sacred that permeates everything; every atom, every core fiber of our being. That Sacred has been working in and through you from time immemorial, and continues to do so in each and every moment. Breathe in, and receive the blessings. Release and let go of whatever needs to go on the breath of love, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding.

Another powerful aspect is the conjunction forming with Venus and Mars in Leo. At the Full Moon in Pisces on August 29, Venus will be at 15/32 Leo and Mars in a building conjunction to Venus will be at 13/21 Leo. Venus the planet that rules receptivity and opens us to the nature of love and beauty in our lives and Mars, the planet that rules action and passion. Both Venus and Mars in the sign of Leo, create a firestorm of inspiration and energy fueled by these two planets. Coupled with the energy of the Full Moon and the opposition of the Moon to Jupiter and Sun in Virgo, makes this one of the most dramatic and deeply profound Full Moons of the year.

Neptune is in its ruling sign, Pisces, and has been preparing us on a deep, emotional, intuitive level for receiving some very positive and uplifting results, news, or benefits. This Full Moon in Pisces conjunct  Neptune  also opposes the Sun in Virgo which is conjunct Jupiter. The Pisces Sun called the Full Sturgeon Moon and the Full Grain Moon, symbolizes the coming to fruition of plans, dreams, and whatever has been building up in the area of artistic energy, romance, beauty, and creativity. A major step toward peace and fulfillment is certain to become manifest during this Full Moon time. Wi

This is indeed a powerful time. Let all your beliefs, practices, and actions reflect the sublime energy that is coursing through our lives at this time. Allow yourself to forgive yourself and others, as a step toward greater freedom. Allow yourself to honor that which is being born and borne in you and your life. Whatever is happening now is helping free you to be you.
Divine Love is within you, and guides, guards, and unfolds for you, all that is needed, desired, and revealed for your greatest good and highest wisdom.

Leo-Virgo energies growing: shifts and transitions and lunar aspects shake things up

As we near the end of the first week of the new lunar month, we approach the first quarter square between the Sun in Leo in its anaretic degree, 29/23  and the Moon at 29/23 degrees of Scorpio. Being that this square at this particular degree signals a crisis of some type, you might be noticing a building up of energy that is calling up some basic issues and needs from within you. As first quarter squares often reveal areas where blocks, challenges, or delays occur, this might be a time when you are beginning to see how you may need to make some adjustments.  Notice where 27-30 degrees of the fixed planets (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius)  fall in your chart. These areas will give you an indication of where your life is facing the challenges of the lunar cycle. On Saturday, August 22, the First Quarter square occurs. Also notice where 0-1 degrees of the the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) fall, for this is where changes are manifesting for the future. Seeking perspective is the name of the game at this time. Avoid getting overly upset or emotionally distraught about the little details and temporary set backs. Look instead at the bigger picture, and appreciate how whatever is falling apart is making room for a new shape, path, or form to begin.

Mercury in Virgo from Aug. 7-27 provides some clarity and groundedness to all forms of communication. Ways open, doors appear where there seemed to be no opening, and information flows more freely now. In one of its ruling signs, Mercury is comfortable in Virgo, and as such we feel more centered, in tune, and clear about many areas of our lives. Projects, communication, and details that seemed overwhelming prior to this time, now flow more easily. You are able to wrap up the pieces that have been hanging on, weighing down, or getting in the way of clear communication. Move on with projects that need tending to. Be wary of becoming too critical or aloof. Clarity of thought needs to be tempered in conversation so as not to come across in too harsh a manner.

Early Thursday morning (August 20) Mercury  Virgo opposed  Chiron, the Wounded Healer in Pisces. My male tomcat woke me up, bringing  a curtain and several items on a shelf above my bed, down onto me. The items that fell included an angel and a sea shell. Symbols of Venus and a message from Mercury.  Last night in meditation, I suggested we each listen for a question to rise up—a question that is of importance to us at this time in our lives. And then to watch for, listen for, and notice what kinds of symbols, signs, messages, and guidance showed up in the next few days. My sweet tom cat woke me to play, and has been wanting to lead me on a chase all morning. The angels, symbolizes God’s messages, Divine guidance, and the seashell, the life force, the ocean, and the depths of consciousness. Mercury opposing Chiron allows for us to get stronger than ever messages and signs as well as the guidance or knowledge we need for discerning what is calling us to do, be, or understand. I also had a dream that I was serving the Queen of England a cup of hot tea, and that there was a spice scattered all over the table beneath her cup. I was concerned about the spice but thought it would be rude to blow the spice away, so I served her tea and ignored the spice. Now that’s going to take some time to figure out, but obviously something about protocol, serving a higher power, and the spices of life. I think that gives me a lot to think about…all that and it’s not even noon.  A bit later, Mercury also made a stress aspect to Uranus in Taurus. This aspect brings about some sudden news, information, or a bit of enlightenment, an ‘aha’ moment that puts things into perspective. Notice what occurs to you or happens around this time.

The Moon shifts from Libra to Scorpio on Thursday, and then makes some heavy aspects with some of the major players throughout the day. This should trigger deep emotional stirrings. A stress aspect to Chiron, signals some deep grieving, mourning, or other type of repressed emotional need. We may feel weepy for no apparent reason, become melancholy or giddy for much the same reason. Just notice what kinds of feelings rise up during the day. These feelings may help indicate where healing is needed or is taking place. Tonight, the Moon in Scorpio square Mars in Leo. That can signal a pretty signigicant upset or encounter with male energy. Honor your personal sense of space and guard yourself, protecting yourself from any harsh or negative energy attacks. Avoid going overboard emotionally at this time. Seek a sense of safety and serenity, and avoid using anything that will lower your protective barriers. Practice meditation, read uplifting material, listen to uplifting music, and seek to make your evening as  peaceful and relaxing  as possible. A bit later the Moon will make a stress aspect with Uranus, so allow yourself to notice how your own emotions, perspctive, and practices can change and direct your own energy and healing.  Focus on healing, health, and wholeness.

Venus in Leo (July 31-Oct.8) is a key influence in our lives right now. Retrograde until September 6th, Venus is making some beneficial and benevolent aspects in our lives/charts right now. Today, August 20, for instance, Venus in Leo trines Uranus in Aries, a powerful and potent aspect bringing with it unexpected and shocking news, encounters, and opportunities. Whatever is happening at this time is full of fiery, rich, abundant expressions—expressions highlighted in our romantic lives, in the development of relationships, and in our understanding and growth in all things related to Venus—love, beauty, pride, and passion. At this time, we seek and need validation for who we are and how we are able to both give and receive love. Any gaps in our love life, missing pieces of our search for beauty and creative outlets, will now become more and more important. The spotlight is shining on the areas in our lives where we have identified lack, need, and desire. Whatever we have been needing or craving, can appear in some form that may upset our traditional views. We find love coming to us in strange and new disguises, and from places we might have forgotten even existed in our lives. Release any negative thoughts, stereotypes, or patterns that keep you from receiving the highest and healthiest forms of love and artistic inspiration. Let things go a bit, and see what is standing in front of you at this time.

Venus focuses our attention more on the romance and idealism of love and relationships, and in some ways, this is where we get stuck in our idea of what a loving relationship entails. We get drawn into giving up part of ourselves to please another, or get drawn into accepting what someone else wants rather than honoring our own needs. Now is a good time to observe just what drives and compulsions are operating in your life. How are relationships affected by unhealed, undeveloped, or misguided perceptions? During the Venus-Uranus trine (Aug. 18-20), we began to see how we might step out of our familiar patterns and be more open to approaching love in a different way. We may begin to see how our own needs have changed, and how our ideal relationship may have changed as well. What we once sought, is no longer intereting. In some ways we may have outgrown or grown through a certain phase of life. What we needed to learn, develop, or discover has changed. Be aware of what feeds and nourishes your desires at this point. What inspires and drives your dreams and visions?

Once Venus moves out of the trine aspect with Uranus, the two planets become parallel to one another. A parallel aspect allows for more openness, as well as a more accepting and tolerant attitude about love, relationships, and creative expression. We may also notice that along with more openness comes a bit of insecurity. We may feel more vulnerable and hesitant now as well. Focus on developing friendships now, and let love grow. Focus on taking small steps toward trying new styles of art, expression, and creativity, allowing for growth, learning, and discernment. It’s time to dabble. Put your toes in the water, and take your sweet time moving into anything very deeply. Wait until you feel less hesitant, less fragile, and more healed before jumping full force into any new intense relationships. Avid overcommiting until you have determine where you truly want to go and how you want to travel in any new venture.

On Friday, August 21, the Sun in Leo forms a seisquiquadrant to Pluto the Great Transformer in Capricorn. We may feel like we need to protect, control, and otherwise manipulate things and people, and even our own ideas, in order to maintain balance in our lives. This is exactly the wrong approach now—this aspect may rock our boats in such a way as to force us to rely on heretofore undiscovered resources within ourselves. Notice how your first inclination to act or react is hampered or challenged, and seek direction for accessing deeper, more powerful elements within. We may be forced to fight back in some way or to take a new path in the direction of that which we are seeking. The path before us changes abruptly, and we have to be able to adjust to the changes and move on.

And as if that weren’t enough, the Sun in Leo squares Saturn in retrograde Scorpio. We are challenged in a deep and profound way right now. We meet something within that is the root of what is blocking up. Until September 17, Saturn, the  Great Teacher, continues its retrospective retrograde transit through the depths of Scorpio—the unconscious, inner depths of our being. The energy of the Sun in the anaretic degree of Leo (last, critical degree of a sign), is now focusing our attention on that which stands to challenge or block our way. At the same time, we are discovering the resources we have for combating and overcoming obstacles in our way. At this time we become more and more aware of how we have fought the good fight, risen to the occasion, and discovered the aplomb and tenacity to surmount challenges to our progress towards our goals. We may come to a sobering awareness, that we are truly responsible for what unfolds on our path, and that no one and no thing can walk the path we are on for us. We may awaken to a deeper, more profound sense of identity awareness, or we may slip into old patterns and feel thwarted on every level . The choice is yours. Sooner or later, we face the person in the mirror and identify who that really is.

Mars in Leo also forms a quincunx wtih Neptune in Pisces on Saturday. This aspect may lead to some lazy thinking or inappropriate actions. Avoid slipping into negative patterns. Avoid mishaps and protect yourself from accidents and missteps in movement, decision making, or timing.

At 1:42 PDT the Sun enters Virgo, ushering in a period of serious interest and focus on work, health, and service. A time when we bring ideals and visions into focus and seek to manifest them in their very real, every day, practical application in our lives.  This is the time when we take our big dreams and our expansive visions and plot out a course, step by step of bringing them into reality. Pragmatic, organized, hardworking, and a stickler for details, the Virgo Sun helps us get down to earth and to work on making dreams come true. Take small steps and begin doing now.

New Moon in Leo: Let Your Light Shine

As we move closer to the August New Moon in Leo on August 14, we find the Sun also in Leo. On Tuesday the Leo Sun is at 19/7 degrees. The Moon is in Cancer, and will be in Leo by Friday. Mercury is at 7/25 Virgo, and Venus is in her retrograde phase in Leo at 24/53 degrees. Mars is in 2/2 degrees of Leo. Jupiter entered Virgo on Tuesday, August 11, and is at 0/8 degrees of Virgo at the time of this writing. Saturn in at 28/21 degrees of Scorpio, Uranus is at 20/23 degrees retrograde Aries. Neptune is in retrograde motion at 8/56 degrees of Pisces. Pluto is at 13/25 degrees of Capricorn, also retrograde, the North Node is retrograde a 1/47 Libra, and Chiron is retrograde at 21/33 degrees of Pisces.

With a number of planets in fire signs (4 including the Sun and Moon), three in water signs, and planets are slowly moving into the earthy energy of Virgo (Jupiter and Mercury). By August 15 the Moon will be in Virgo and  by August 23, the Sun will enter Virgo. The New Moon in Leo is at 21 degrees in Leo’s third decan. This decan and aspect signifies the Divine Right of Kings, and rules Mars. In Greco-Egyptian mythology, this aspect represents the Resurrection of God; the Divine coming to life within the material world.

This New Moon in Leo demands that we acknowledge the authority of your emotional truth. Any attempt to avoid your own emotional and spiritual truth is a betrayal of the worst kind. It is vital that you use the energy of this New Moon in Leo to honor your own gifts, take pride and care of your gifts, talents, and desires, and defend your right to live according to your own values, beliefs, and inner truth. This is one time when honoring your emotional truth is necessary and crucial, especially in terms of your leadership position.


Earlier this month, on August 2, Saturn stationed direct in Scorpio, and will be working its way back into Virgo next month. Now, in the late degrees of Scorpio, we continue our review of whatever lessons we have been processing over the last few years. There was some tension and stress caused by a yod between the Sun in Leo as it aspected Neptune in Pisces and Pluto in Capricorn. On August 4, Jupiter formed a conjunction with Venus bringing up events of the earlier part of summer. Mercury was also part of a stellium of fire signs until it made its way into Virgo on August 7. As Jupiter enters Virgo (August 11), we enter a period of about 13 months when our perspective will change. We will see our dreams and desires manifest in more concrete forms—opportunities, enjoyment, abundance, and a greater fullness of enjoying what life rewards us with.

On August 12 Mercury in Virgo, Neptune in Pisces, and Pluto in Capricorn will form a wedge pattern that will last four days and will be in place on the New Moon on August 14. This may create some tension, that carries over until the full moon in Pisces on August 29. On August 26, Jupiter in Virgo will conjunct the Sun in Virgo, bringing positive opportunities that will carry us into the next lunar month. Mid-month in September there will be a solar eclipse in Virgo. Be sure to notice the dreams, visions, and intuitive messages you receive during the period leading up to that time.
It’s another new moon: when the magically minded make wishes and astrologers attempt to divine this cycle’s intentions. The wishes you make now may indeed be super-powered, but if you don’t have a strong relationship with the archetypes, don’t expect special favors. If you rarely play your cello, don’t expect a starring role in the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra.


The energy of Leo that is alive at this time, carries with it the element of star power. This can be really nice or really annoying, depending how healed a Leo is. For Leo, life is a party, a play toy, and is meant to be enjoyed—every element, whether good or bad. For unhealed Leos, life is a stage where any unhealed issues show up as acting out, demanding attention, and playing out the roles that represent whatever needs to be repaired, healed, acknowledged, or attended to.
The joy of Leo is seeing all of life as a place to play and have fun. There always has to be an element of fun and enjoyment, to even the worst experiences. The simplest acts can be a source of pleasure, and whatever is going on needs to be beautiful and thoughtfully arranged. And of course Leo wants the attention that go along with the parade, the show, or the performance.

We all have Leo somewhere in our chart/life. Notice where in your life you love attention and seek to be the star of whatever show you are in. Who and what are you attracted to? Who do you look to as a model for behavior, flare, or dress? Notice what attracts you—that is most likely the area of your life where Leo is demanding some extra special attention at this time. What do you want to add to your life to make things prettier, more fun, and more enjoyable? Let yourself enjoy life in a very special way. Let yourself roar and let loose. Do something to show your flair and enjoy the spice of life. Add some bright, fire colors to your wardrobe, and celebrate around a fire. Release whatever needs to leave your experience in some form of fire. Let go of whatever keeps you down. Get rid of the wet blankets, the negative thinking, and the imaginative obstacles that keep you down.

Let yourself love yourself with great joy and happiness. Appreciate yourself, and be glad for all your blessings. Let yourself play with your own creativity. On the New Moon in Leo at 7:53 A.M. PDT on August 14, take time out to celebrate, love, and lighten up. Take yourself less seriously, and enjoy the variety of life that welcomes our individual and collective diversity. Live and let live. Think less of yourself, and more of someone who needs a hug, a smile, or a second chance. Pay it forward by giving more than you get in some way, and let yourself enjoy life, in its fullness. Set your intentions for what you would really like to see manifest in your life. The energy of the Leo New Moon, fires up your intentions, and sets things in motion so that during the earthy Virgo times ahead, you will be receiving what you desire as well as what you need.