New Moon in Leo ⋆ 8.16.23
Early Wednesday morning the Moon and Sun will meet at 23 degrees of Leo, forming a New Moon. New Moons are chances for new beginnings. Seeds are planted. Things started under the New Moon will not show immediate results. The cycle requires some time for these seeds to take root. Full Moons are when outcomes start to be seen. If you find you are harvesting more of the same, here's your opportunity to seed something new.
Leo is the fixed fire sign. It is ruled by the Sun. Fire signs are enthusiastic and inspired by beliefs and ideals. Leo energy is leadership energy. Balanced Leo energy is anchored by a sense of ethics. Concepts like fairness, honesty, and accountability are important guides for how Leo expresses. Leo energy is charismatic and playful. Leo season is the time to have fun and socialize. Leo wants to be seen. The Sun shines no matter what. It can't help it. We can put all the obstructions in front of it we want, and it might dim what others see, but the Sun shines with the same brightness. So do you. Your Leo energy can be dialed down or be under layers of self doubt and excuses, but it's there and it's shining. It's like a beacon calling you back from your stories of why you can't possibly do what you really want to do. This New Moon is offering seeds of courage to plant to amp up your light.
This cycle has so many energies contributing to you recognizing your inner light. Venus retrograde in Leo is one of them; we are in the second half of the Venus retrograde cycle, a time of integrating the insights received about your values and the way you relate to your important others since Venus started her retrograde in July. The purpose is to allow you to navigate relationships authentically. What have you been shown in the past three weeks?
Uranus at 23 degrees Taurus is exactly squaring the Sun/Moon. Squares are challenging aspects showing where two goals are out of synch and often at cross purposes. In order to ease the frustration caused by these competing desires, something must change. Uranus in Taurus has been challenging us to reimagine how we view our belongings and how we use our resources. It forces us to declare what really matters and commit to investing resources in those things. Anything not aligned to your personal priorities needs to go. Uranus will use unexpected events to help you see where current situations are actually burdens that can be released. Ultimately, your sense of groundedness and security is within yourself instead of requiring your environment to be a certain way in order to feel comfortable.
New Moon in Leo is asking you to accept your power and honor it. This square highlights the conflict that growth can pose. Some may be called to minimize or simplify, but this is not always needed. What this square will emphasize is the need for authenticity. Are you spending your time and talents in support of your beliefs? Are you distracted from tending to the things that are important by demands of others that are insistent, but not aligned with your priorities? Does your life allow you to show up as your best self and shine? Where are you compromising your power and why? Both Leo and Taurus are fixed signs, so change doesn't come easily. That is why the square can feel extra tense. Becoming curious and taking the attitude of "I wonder what will happen if I..." can open the door to moving forward. You are creating your life with every choice. These energies simply ask you to be deliberate in your focus.
Pluto at 28 degrees Capricorn is forming a square to the North Node at 27 degrees Aries. The desire to move forward into new expressions of authentic self (North Node in Aries) is being challenged by old patterns that can show up in obsessive ways (Pluto in Capricorn). Again, consistently demonstrating the qualities of your best self is the ultimate goal here. This is your permission slip to do so.
Both these squares are contributing to the desire to change how you own and express your personal power and show up as your best self (pure Leo expression). Don't dismiss out of the box approaches under these energies. They are the ticket to the transformation you are aiming for, whether you are conscious of it or not. Leo energy favors the bold.
"Act the way you'd like to be and soon you'll be the way you'd like to act." ~Bob Dylan
