New Moons are for fresh starts — and let’s face it, after the year we’ve been having, you may feel like you need one.

Fortunately, the Aug. 2/3 Leo New Moon is just begging for you to make it your own. What better time to commit to shining your own, special light? The world wants you!

The skies have some suggestions on getting started — check out how astrologers around the web are reading the signs.

Leo New Moon

Leo’s the home of our solar systems star attraction — the Sun! As the Moon meets the Sun in it’s own sign, our passions and needs align with our divine sparkliness.

Says Kathy Biehl of Empowerment Unlimited:

“No matter what you’ve been through recently, your inner spark has not gone out. It’s coming back to life now under the Leo Moon. The New Moon is reviving you, fanning your flame and inviting you to get out of bed and come out and play. It’s recharging vitality, urges for self-expression, generosity of spirit and appetites for attention.”

How do you do this? By tapping into your heart vibe. Clarissa of Viva Combusta! elaborates:

“Leo is the sign that rules the heart, both the physical heart and the spiritual one. This warm and encouraging New Moon in the sign of the heart is indeed a great time to take heart in who you are. Part of taking heart in your endeavors is summoning courage, another Leo theme. And with good reason, writes author Brene Brown, as heart and courage are psychically intertwined:

“‘Courage is a heart word. The root of the word is cor- the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage had a very different definition than it does today. Courage originally meant ‘To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.’

“We are indeed heading into strange territory, so here at this New Moon in Leo commit yourself to honoring whatever nourishes your life force. If it lifts your spirits and sustains your sense of well being, it isn’t trivial, superficial or trite; don’t allow yourself or others to be dismissive of your definition of fun. We need these things to get us through the hard times, otherwise we lose perspective and forget what makes any struggle worthwhile.”

Work and Play: Saturn & Sun

As New Moons go, the message of this one is clear — the main event is a supportive trine from Saturn (still retrograde) in adventurous Sagittarius.

The Sun and Saturn can be an odd-couple pairing, but with both in fire signs, they manage to find a way to make it work for the benefit of both.

“Moon trine Saturn is a great balance of intuition and realism. The sensitive moon and severe Saturn do not usually make easy bedfellows, but the trine warms and soften things here nicely. The over-riding theme is the need to achieve so as to build and boost ones personal security.”

Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology

“Despite Leo’s celebratory vibe, this Moon will have focus, due to a trine with Saturn Rx, at 9 degrees Sagittarius. Saturn will ensure that what begins has the potential to last, and it will give the proceedings an air of authority. Think king or queen, rather than child. This Moon will be about achieving something that generates respect.” 

Nadia Gilchrist, Ruby Slipper Astrology

“The shiny New Moon in Leo is supported by Saturn in Sagittarius. This is a great scenario.

“Leo rules children and creativity.  The sign is associated with ego. Saturn in Sagittarius is a good parent.  It’s optimistic but realistic.  Saturn in Sagittarius is restraining the ego.

“There’s structure and openness. That’s what I call, good design!

Elsa Panizzon, Elsa Elsa

“Saturn is operating as a throttle or governor, keeping us from going out of control, hogging center stage, or dancing with such self-absorbed abandon that we step on people in our ambit. 

“There’s another aspect besides responsible action:  committing to ourselves, to expressing our voice, and to embracing and enjoying life. This Leo New Moon encourages keeping your spirit bright no matter what you have endured or witnessed. 

“Insert a platitude about light shining brighter against the darkness, if that helps grasp what’s on offer. As much as possible, though, focus on the light. Focus on the sun. Focus on the fire inside your being. Allow the flames to grow and spread and send their warmth to the world around you. Bravely. Enthusiastically. And responsibly.”

Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited 

Jamie Partridge of Astrology King also remind us that this is “the final New Moon before the Sept. 1 solar eclipse. This New Moon … lets you tidy up loose ends [and] do the hard work in preparation for some [more] potentially testing times ahead.”

Get Real: Ongoing Saturn-Neptune Square

Astrologers might say the atmosphere of 2016 is set by the ongoing, tense alignment between the slow-moving gas giants Saturn and Neptune. When the New or Full Moon aligns with one of these heavenly actors, their dialog returns to the forefront:

“Saturn square Neptune is the conflict or drama caused by leaving a certain problem to fester. It could be a separation, setback or some disappointment which is made worse by guilt, worry, depression or paranoia. Psychological fears may be so strong that they become debilitating, making it even more difficult to fix the problem. Patience and focusing on the basics is required. You should take a more practical and defensive approach to life and not be too optimistic.”

Jamie Partridge, Astrology King

Get Busy: Mars Returns to Sagittarius

For many, the news that Mars is finally leaving its Scorpionic home evokes a sigh of relief. Confronting one’s shadow may be healing in the long run, but it’s not often an easy or pleasant process.

“Mars has just cleared a several-month diving expedition in the dankest, scariest and potentially treasure-filled waters of Scorpio, which dredged up all manner of unpleasantness, unfinished business and psycho-beasties that refused to go back into hiding. His high-energy nature is far more comfortable in fire. His entry into Sagittarius is uncorking relief, exhilaration and the impulse to roam fast, far and free, in both body and mind.”

Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited 

Other considerations

While the plot of the New Moon is carried by the planetary “main characters,” the supporting cast — asteroid, stars, degree meanings and more — add their unique vision to the story.

Asteroids

Astrology King Jamie Partridge finds the asteroid Shiva near the Leo New Moon:

“The asteroid Siva (1170), named after the Hindu god Shiva, the Auspicious One, the patron god of yoga, meditation and arts.”

Jamie goes on to quote astrologer David Sowelu:

“Shiva is said to be the essence of the sacred masculine… There is also an actual Shiva asteroid, which from our experiential astrology work, we’ve found to be an extremely potent point in the chart and significant transits to him and by him, are brilliant times for reaching into the depths of the sacred masculine. “

Lunar Apsides (aka Black Moon Lilith & Priapus)

The ancient Greeks tracked the Lunar apsides — the line between where the Moon is closest to and farthest from the Earth — to predict things like eclipses and extra high tides.

Astrologers today use the lunar apsides — commonly referred to as Black Moon Lilith (lunar apogee) and Priapus (lunar perigee) — to explore lunar extremes. In other words, how we cope with intense or non-conforming psycho-sexual needs and desires.

This New Moon forms a challenging T-square with the Moon’s apogee and perigee points:

“Sun square Black Moon Lilith creates a incredibly strong-willed, feisty New Moon. Those touched by it will take it upon themselves to become spokespeople for those they perceive as being disadvantaged. At this time the some brave folk may be willing to speak out about gritty, dark issues that are disturbing or distasteful to the public in some way.

“The square has so much tension that it is compelled to action. It simmers with unprocessed rage at being exiled and rejected. At this New Moon these edgy qualities could bring out subversive sorcery from activists, agitators and trouble-makers. There is danger of unstable individuals taking the law into their own hands.”

Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology

“The Moon will square Black Moon Lilith, at 8 degrees Scorpio. There will be shadows behind the Sun, as Lilith’s outsider status is illuminated. BML’s destructiveness and fury at being unappreciated may be pronounced, due to her contrast with Leo’s gold. But her power will also be pronounced, as the tension of the square triggers ambition. This could herald the birth of something potent, where uncomfortable truths are displayed and the outsider gains prominence. The power behind the dignified facade will be based in dark, wild energy.”

Nadia Gilchrist, Ruby Slipper Astrology

Leo Decan 2

The New Moon falls in the second Decan of Leo (the second 10-degree range):

“A good word to describe the Moon in Leo Decan 2 is Gracious,” writes Marina Macario. It “can be a great benefactor for the arts and is a protector of children… [But it] can become a problem if we lay on excessive complements, gifts and flattery to those we want to court favor with.”

Sabian Symbols

Individual degrees have been given specific meanings by numerous astrologers over the years. One of the most popular systems of the 20th century are called the Sabian Symbols.

The Sabian Symbol for this Leo New Moon is: “Children at play on a swing hanging form the branches of a huge oak tree.”

Astrologer Dane Rudhyar summarized its theme: “The power of tradition as it shelters the beginnings of individual self expression.” He likened the tree to the supportive framework tradition and ritual can provide, to create safe havens for creativity and innocence to thrive.

Lunar Mansion

In addition to the familiar 12-sign solar Zodiac, there’s also a 28-sign lunar Zodiac, known as the Lunar Mansions.

The Leo New Moon falls in Lunar Mansion 11. Known to the medieval Arab astrologers as Al Zubrah, I called it “The bracelet” for short.

It’s a mansion about just going for it — whatever it is that you want. It’s time to build foundations, seek a raise or promotion, schedule important meetings, or travel to those places on your bucket list. Just don’t go along to get along — speak up for what you want!

Summing It Up

The message of this Leo New Moon is short and sweet: Stardom is within your grasp if you’re willing to work for it. So invest in yourself, you are worth it. But don’t expect a free lunch either.

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Lunaria Datebook

Last Moon Phase: Full Moon in Capricorn

Next Moon Phase: Full Moon in Aquarius

Full Moon July 2016 Dates and Times

San Francisco: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 1:44 p.m. PDT

New York: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 4:44 p.m. EDT

São Paulo Paulo: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 5:44 p.m. BRST

London: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 9:44 p.m. GDT

Istanbul: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 11:44 p.m. EEDT

Mumbai: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2:14 a.m. IST

Tokyo: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 5:44 a.m. JST

Sydney: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 6:44 a.m. AEST

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