Leo New Moon

Leo is the fiery home of Helios, the radiant source of light, life, and livelihood. The light bringing nature of the Sun is our most common association with the burning star at the center of our solar system, yet the astrology surrounding the New Moon in Leo emphasizes the other side of Sol: the chthonic, underworld Sun that journeys through the darkness of night only to reappear at the crack of dawn and creation. The inner darkness that sources the illuminating desire, creativity, and focus of Leo is at center stage of the lunation; the darkness that sources the shedding of what needs to be released from the past, that regenerates the remembrance and respect of memories holding essential values and ethics to guide our way forward.

The Leo New Moon on August 16 is an initiation into the second half of the star of Aphrodite’s underworld, retrograde journey, coming three days after the reanimation of Venus in the heart of the Leo Sun. Within the absence of the light of Venus, the Leo New Moon is an opportunity to delve deep into the interior realms of heart and desire, removed from the conditioning influences of culture and external status. Venus is in transition from being visible as an evening star following sunset into her re-emergence as a morning star heralding the rise of the Sun during the waxing half of the forthcoming lunar cycle. While the lunar cycle ahead will be helpful for regaining clarity following any changes that have occurred during the first half of Venus retrograde, the exact square aspect formed between the Leo New Moon with Uranus in Taurus may introduce twists and turns in storylines that will require adjustment.

The Leo Moon is separating from a square with Jupiter in Taurus, a conjunction with Venus retrograde in Leo, and a trine with Chiron in Aries as it forms its stimulating square aspect with Uranus about a half hour before the exact alignment of Sun and Moon. The Moon’s next major aspect will be an opposition with Saturn retrograde in Pisces after the Moon has left Leo to enter Virgo. The catalytic aspect between this lunation and Uranus will bring a liberating and propulsive wave to ride, yet the opposition between the Moon with Saturn on the following day will emphasize the need for being grounded, pragmatic, and realistic regarding whatever exciting plans are underway.

From a wider perspective on time, the Leo New Moon is a reckoning with not only the changes that have been taking place during Venus retrograde in Leo during the past month, but with the major alterations in story that have taken shape since the years of Saturn and Uranus dominating the astrological landscape with their waning square aspect in 2021 and 2022. If there is grief to still process from ways in which our life has been irrevocably changed from the shattering impact of Saturn and Uranus in 2021 and 2022, the combined darkness of the Moon and Venus can facilitate mourning and emotional processing.

At the same time, the combined influence of Uranus and Venus retrograde upon the lunation indicates that exciting new directions and creative avenues are ready to open and be explored. Not only is the Leo New Moon forming a square aspect with Uranus, but Mars in Virgo is also forming a flowing trine with Uranus while Mercury in Virgo is also in range of a trine aspect with Uranus. It will be worth making time and space to contemplate whatever internal shifts of priorities have been occurring during the past month of Venus retrograde in order to realign plans and life structures accordingly. The more you can make space to release what is passing away and integrate what feels most alive, the better you will be able to adapt and center focus on vivifying creative paths to follow.

In the week following the Leo New Moon, Venus will return to visibility as a morning star, heralding the rising of the sun. The return of Venus to the morning skies will catalyze action regarding the internal changes that have been brewing. The heliacal rising of Venus will be unusually potent due to Venus passing through an intensifying square aspect with Jupiter in Taurus on August 22. Not only is Jupiter in the domicile of Venus, amplifying the creative potential of the aspect, but Venus and Jupiter will also form an exact antiscia due to each being at fifteen degrees of Leo and Taurus. Planets in antiscia form midpoints on the cardinal axis and have increased capacity to manifest results in the world with tangible, palpable effect. As Venus passes through her vigorous engagement with Jupiter on 22 August, pay attention to how new forms of attraction and creative inspiration can guide the changes you need to make.

At the same time Venus is returning to visibility, Mercury will be slowing down in speed while descending in elevation each night following sunset as the star of Hermes prepares to station retrograde on 23 August. Mercury retrograde in Virgo can be helpful for analyzing the visions of change brought by Venus retrograde, and for considering which of these can be brought practically to fruition. In particular, consider any habitual patterns and routines no longer serving your best interest, as Mercury’s retrograde passage through Virgo will be ideal for making adjustments to daily routines in order to support the larger changes taking shape.

Leo 3 Decan

The New Moon in Leo will regenerate the third decan of Leo associated with the Seven of Wands arcanum illustrated above by Pamela Colman Smith. In the image a warrior is bravely fighting for their life, using their wand to fight off the onslaught of six attacking wands. They are standing on a cliff in a precarious position, yet their stance and face suggest someone putting their whole being into their struggle with extraordinary determination.  We can further connect this image with the struggle of the individual in asserting their personal truth in the face of an angry mob or judgment from the dominant opinions of culture. Fittingly, Mars is the ruler of the third face of Leo, suggesting the indomitable spirit present in the warriors who reside here. The martial figure in the Seven of Wands further relates to the asymmetrical significations of Mars in astrology through standing his ground in footwear that does not match. T. Susan Chang in her book 36 Secrets wrote that the Seven of Wands in a reading can signify facing a “daunting challenge” requiring discernment of whether or not it’s a situation or position worth fighting for. Chang described that while the Seven of Wands “shows a human capacity to persevere,” it still requires facing “whether persevering through the difficulty will be the making of us the building of our character- or whether it is simply not meant to be.”

Austin Coppock in his book on the decans 36 Faces ascribed the image of “The Banner” to the third face of Leo, writing that it signifies “the tenacity to fight for the place one has gained, to struggle and be victorious over contrary forces within and without” through “the power of the utterly steadfast heart, which never fails to rise to the challenges present.”  For Coppock, it is the “unconquerable heart” which is the source of the power found in the third decan of Leo, as “what resides in the heart is untouchable, invincible” and most radiant when enlivened with passionate spirit. Coppock described its symbol of “The Banner” as revealing a principle of “Truth, Justice, or Beauty” that “must be invoked” to fully rouse the fiery spirit found here, “for it is only to such flags that the heart truly salutes.” With Venus retrograde in Leo not quite visible within the darkness of the Leo New Moon, it is an ideal time to contemplate the imagery of your heart’s banner and ways in which it may need to be changed to match the changes taking place in your heart.

There is an interesting connection in the Hellenistic text 36 Airs to the third decan of Leo with the Greco-Egyptian deity Serapis. Similar to how a banner can unite a populace behind a common cause, Serapis developed as a divinity who could unify Greeks and Egyptians living within the same Hellenistic realm. Serapis is an underworld deity similar to Osiris who bears both solar and serpent symbolism, and who also became associated with the agathos daimon, or Good Spirit. Just as Jupiter has its joy in the 11th house of Good Spirit associated with fellowship and the hopes we aspire to achieve, so can we connect “The Banner” of the third face of Leo with the essential desires rooted in our higher self that bring out the best in us and motivate us to take action or make a stand as needed. Austin Coppock in 36 Faces described the link between the third face of Leo with the underworld aspects of Serapis as revealing “the important decisions that those who walk this decan face- when to give up and let go, for even the Sun surrenders the earth to darkness.”

Venus retrograde periods coincide with changes of heart as well as deepening of our heart’s desires for particular directions. The darkness of the Leo New Moon can assist you in recognizing what needs to be let go, as well as what needs to be prioritized. Since the New Moon is occurring just after the full descent of Venus, there is much more of the regenerative process to come. May the lunar cycle ahead help connect you with the essential values and creativity in need of emerging and embracing.

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References

Chang, T. Susan. (2021). 36 Secrets: A Decanic Journey through the Minor Arcana of the Tarot. Anima Mundi Press.

Coppock, Austin. (2014). 36 Faces: The History, Astrology and Magic of the Decans. Three Hands Press.