Today, Sunday August 8, is the New Moon in Leo. This morning (9:50 a.m.EDT/6:50 a.m.PDT) the new moon ushers in a new lunar cycle. We all have Leo somewhere in our chart/life, and this is where you want to look to see what kinds of energy is moving in your life at this time.
At its peak, the Leo New Moon is at 16 degrees, in the 2nd decan of Leo, a very Leo Moon.
This placement of Leo for the Moon emphasizes our desire to shine in whatever area our organizational and entertaining skills reside. We may feel energized to make some strategic plans that involve others, hosting a party, or organizing some kind of event to bring people in harmony and to entertain them. The New Moon in Leo moves us to express our gratitude or to seek ways to show our gratitude or perhaps to plan some kind of gathering to show our appreciation for those who mean so much to us. A good time for dreaming up plans and making initial steps, but not necessarily to carry the plans out right away.
It may be better to move a bit more slowly in carrying out any plans right now. The New Moon in Leo is squaring Uranus in 14 degrees of Taurus. This tends to make us a bit overly optimistic, and Taurus always reminds us to stick to the facts and only act when the time is right. Because the Moon energizes our emotional temperment, we can feel more deeply, long more soulfully, and crave change more strongly than we otherwise do. Feelings need to be tempered with patience and good sense. The Leo New Moon, in her majesty, acts as the Queen of the Realm, and in our personal lives, as the power and energy of our own lives.
We may long for change, movement, and new opportunities, and that’s all very well indeed. However, like any good monarch, we must have our players and backers prepared, trained, and fully aware of what obstacles and challenges might be faced, given any choices we make. This is definitely a time when we will be inspired and moved to create, change, and engage, however, we must make sure we also move at a pace that is right for us and in synch with the world around us. No time to paddle our canoes out into the open sea, with no support or the necessary tools for our survival. Impatience is not a virtue at this time.
It is definitely a time when we want to do all we can to protect children, and to use the arts to help in the healing process, for ourselves and others. We are still in the middle of a life-altering pandemic, and despite our desire to ‘get back to normal’, we cannot be foolhardy and irresponsible as we begin to make changes. Too much is at stake, and our personal choices have a very real and potentially life-altering impact on the lives and health of others. This is the time the Great Mother Bear (Ursa Major) reminds us to be protective of our young as we begin to emerge from our long isolation and start to interact with others again. The dangers have not gone away, and so despite what we may feel we want to do, we must be prepared to adjust to fit the real needs of the world we live in. Allow your inner Mother Bear to help remind you of what’s best for you, is usually also what’s best for those in your care. Avoid abrupt or premature acts or decisions. The wise monarch waits, observes, takes counsel, and discerns both the timing and decisions, and then acts. By the time plans are put into place, the risks have been considered and the decision to act is done by one ready to meet and cope with the consequences.
With Uranus in Taurus having such a strong impact on this New Moon in Leo, we can expect some unexpected and perhaps, pleasantly surprising events. People may surprise us with their responses or decisions, and we may find that sitting back for a bit, helps push others to make moves that show you clearly what needs to be done.
Look to the houses where Leo, Sagittarius, and Aries rule in your chart/life. These are the areas and the aspects of your life that now are being energized. So for example, if your 10th house is Leo, that means (generally) your 6th house (work, physical body, daily life) is Aries, and 2nd house (personal resources, identity development) are the areas that are most affected. Look to where Uranus is transiting Taurus in your chart, and that is where you can expect surprising, out-of-the-blue events/circumstances to also have an impact during this lunar cycle, especially in the next two weeks. After that, you’ll be coping with whatever has happened between now and then (that’s normal, for after the full moon, we begin the cycle of completing and completion). Noticing where in your life your strengths can be found, means you’re better able to appreciate and feel energized by whatever is moving you to resist, act, or hide out.
Mercury is still in Leo, and is approaching its transit through Virgo (August 11). This is completion time. Making lists, setting out plans, organizing and generating ideas. Once Mercury moves into Virgo, it will be all about putting plans in motion, so this is the time to think things through, talk it out, and discern within, what is best.
Venus and Mars are both already in Virgo, so you may be finding yourself more active, creative, and energized. Getting things done may be the key word for this lunar cycle. Finishing up what you’ve already begun so that when the new road opens, you’re ready.
Jupiter is in Aquarius this week...back over old territory, bring more good fortune and abundance into your life. And reminding you the cost of decisions and good fortune that rained down on you earlier. This will be a period to rethink and review how you’ve handled some decision/choices. And may also be a good period to amplify the good and remove that which is unworkable or outdated/outmoded, or clearly not working. Jupiter stays in Aquarius until December 28 so this is a good period for receiving an abundance of opportunities, options, and new information. Look back to how you were benefited last year, and watch to see what unfolds when you tweak those schedules, assignments, projects, or decisions now.
Saturn is also in Aquarius, affecting the cycles in your personal and the collective charts. Saturn, the Great Teacher, reminds us that we always have something to learn, to give, and to do to affect our lives and the world around us. And usually that requires recognizing something about ourselves that needs adjusting. Whatever areas in your lives that seem to feel stuck or in a rut, are the areas that you might need to examine and determine how you might be getting in your own way? What about how you’re doing things or making decisions, is working and what is not? And why are you insisting on doing the same thing over and over only to find it still doesn’t work? Those are the areas where you might want to look within and see what you’re afraid of? What are you avoiding? What are you holding onto that you might want to let go of? How could a slight adjustment make a big improvement? Saturn is usually pretty good at showing us these areas. In Aquarius it’s going to have a lot to do with how our actions affect others and contribute to society as a whole. We do best when we factor others and the common good into whatever choices and leadership decisions we have the privilege of making. Be your own best teacher now, and let Saturn nudge you along and then, I promise, Jupiter will reward your good sense.
The biggest changes and where most of the energy around this New Moon in Leo has an impact is in how we navigate ourselves through the rapids of change, and the surprises that Uranus in Taurus are bound to bring us. Hold onto your hats, and enjoy the ride.
