New Moon in Leo - August 16, 2023, 5:38 AM, EDT

During Leo season when the Sun aligns with its own sign, solar power rules and like the mighty lion whose presence is commanding, we are fired up to shine our light! Bringing in more of this Leo energy is the New Moon in Leo, where big emotions inspire us to reflect, and re-imagine how we see ourselves, how we show up and what we have to give. Awakening us, this New Moon asks that we embrace our potential for greater leadership, creativity and genuine self-expression. To envision an authentic fresh start where we feel stronger, more vital and alive!

Leo is fixed fire, ruled by the Sun and represents the child, the performer and royalty. Playful and dramatic, loyal and dignified Leo’s charismatic, creative and self-expressive inner radiance needs to be seen and appreciated. With this natural desire for attention, Leo’s shadow is failing to take that chance on honest personal expression and instead resort to excessive drama to put themselves on center stage.

Sitting close to the Moon is Venus in Leo currently retrograde. With Venus retrograde intertwined with this lunar phase of new beginnings, there is the need to deeply and thoughtfully reflect upon the authenticity of your heartfelt desires and relationships. On what or who you enjoy and resonate with, including creative endeavors, money making skills and personal aesthetics in considering new intentions for your future.

It’s also important to note that sometimes during Venus retrograde, previous partners, lovers or friends and opportunities from the past can reappear which may be appealing, confusing or difficult. Allow your heart to dream and envision, but as much as possible during this retrograde phase, wait until it’s over on September 3, 2023 before making any final decisions or commitments, especially around significant relationships.

Continuing to shake up the status quo is Uranus conjunct Jupiter in Taurus in a compelling square with the New Moon that creates tension and conflict between the need to take a risk and express our desires for something new or different, or remaining consistent to what is known.

Although both Taurus and Leo are stubborn fixed signs that can at times hold on for too long, Uranus requires change. This challenging two-fold aspect pushes us out of our comfort zone and offers an opportunity for personal growth, motivating us to make meaningful changes to keep our light strong and our life authentic.

Additionally, the Moon provides stimulating awareness of the Nodes of the Moon by stirring up the evolutionary potential of individual needs, interdependence and courageous boundary setting with the Aries North Node and the familiar karmic patterns of co-dependency, people pleasing and avoiding conflict with the Libra South Node. This aspect affects the energy of relationships which underlines the effect of Venus retrograde in Leo during this Moon phase. 

This New Moon in Leo reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by Howard Thurman who was an American author, philosopher, theologian, mystic, educator, and civil rights leader.  “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

So what makes you come alive? What lights you up and increases your vitality and desire to actively pursue your biggest dreams? This isn’t the time to play small, it’s the time to boldly create from your heart and soul! This New Moon phase is the reset and recharge that can open new doors and exciting possibilities moving forward and that will culminate astrologically during the Full Moon in Leo in February 2024.

During this New Moon in Leo we are invited to release any fear of judgment, to take a risk and with honest self-expression, creatively or otherwise, leave some tangible evidence of ourselves in the world; to embrace new measures of joy and boldly shine our light, with personal power and confidence in our unique gifts that the world is ready to receive.

If you are interested in knowing where the New Moon in Leo occurs in your personal birthchart, please send me your birth information. I need mm/dd/yyyy, time of birth, am/pm (as exact as possible, birth certificate is best) and city and state of birth.

Be Well ~ Be Love 

Many Blessings, 

Deborah