Astro Magickal

New Moon in Leo is traditionally a playful, high-spirited time. Self-expression, pride, and creativity are crucial to Leo. While this Moon certainly fits the bill for being high spirited, we will see the qualities of Leo in a not-s0-playful way much of the time.

To begin with, the New Moon is sandwiched between Venus opposing Jupiter, and Venus squaring Pluto. This potent energy will resonate throughout the waxing phase. This definitely puts a few bumps in the road relationship-wise (romantic relationships or otherwise). Those deep, painful issues that have been avoided and arguments put aside are likely to put themselves front and center. Some interesting new relationships can be developed under this Moon, but they will carry a certain quality of tension and conflict. This can be exiting, mind opening, and stimulating – all with a dramatic Leo flair. However, the undercurrents run deep, so don’t move too fast.

Beyond relationships and human inter-reaction, Venus relates to values, desires, and loves of any kind. Indulgence will be a common theme this month. While a bit of self-indulgence is a good thing – and probably much needed – beware of the temptation to overindulge. This is especially true as there will be an abundance of situations where you can’t get what you want, and it’s so easy to compensate with an excess of what is available (i.e. comfort food).

The energies of these Venus aspects carry throughout the phase because they occur so close to New Moon. However, they are far from the only potent aspects we will experience this waxing phase.

On August 16th Jupiter opposes Saturn. This is a classic struggle between structure and growth; security and opportunity; caution and enthusiasm. You have no doubt been experiencing these effects, at least off-and-on, throughout the year. Brace yourself for a peak time of it around the 16th.

The grand finale of the waxing phase comes only a few days before Full Moon. On August 20th Mercury goes retrograde, and on the 21st Saturn squares Pluto. The most difficult part of a Mercury retrograde is typically the beginning and end. For a period of 5 or 6 days surrounding the moment he changes direction, extra caution is advisable. With Saturn squaring Pluto, a triple dose of extra caution is advisable this time as Mercury turns retrograde.

Saturn and Pluto are two of the most formidable planets. On an emotional, psychological or spiritual level this square represents the integration of wisdom and power. It’s a time of transformation, accessing the depths of inner strength and rediscovering embers of long-lost (so you thought) inner fire. Notice the common theme of inner. Mercury retrograde turns our attention inward, which is exactly where it needs to be for this kind of work.

Unfortunately, retrograding Mercury isn’t so compatible with things requiring our attention be focused on the outer world of tangible realities and logical practicalities. That is where these aspects really get tough.

The Pluto-Saturn square is responsible for a great deal of the recent large-scale social and political conflicts. It is a time of uncertainty, and major re-structuring. These same themes of conflict, instability, and crumbling of long-standing structures plays out in each of our individual lives in some way. Decisions made and actions taken just as they square can have a much more dramatic impact than expected. Decisions made and actions taken when Mercury is retrograding, especially just as he changes direction, are all to often regretted later.

Throughout this Waxing Moon with it’s ups and downs we continue to feel the fire and zest of Leo. It can provide the needed boost to face the challenges head on, and fearlessly seize the opportunities thrown our way. It can also inspire us to throw caution to the wind and later really wish we had hung on to it. As always, the key is balance. Fear and carelessness are the stumbling blocks most likely to trip one on the twisting, winding path this Moon guides us down. Step over or around these obstacles, and you may find it to be an exciting, rewarding path.