Leo New Moon 23rd July 2017
The New Moon is on July 23rd at 10:45 (BST).
“I roar loudly at the approach of the lion energy that arrives with this New Moon in Leo. I am fierce in the protection of all that I hold dear and I will hunt tirelessly in order to feed my family and myself on every level. Don’t try to make me change for I am firm in my convictions. This is how things are in my world. I demand respect and will give respect and care to those who treat me as the dignified being that I am.”
The New Moon pads purposefully into our lives on 23rd July at 10.45am and Leo’s energy gives strength to our lunar intentions, firing up the fulfilment of our hopes, wishes and needs. We anticipate the seventh New Moon of the year with the energy of the Sun beaming strongly around us. Creativity burgeons within the plant and animal kingdoms and within ourselves. We desire a strong and stable life, not to be found outside of ourselves in the pretences and dogma of others (or of any dubious political concepts) – but deep within our own dignified being.
Leo is a fixed Fire sign. Fire is creative and full of action and strength. Fixed signs tend to avoid change but, perhaps because the first four signs (since the beginning of Aries when the Sun passed over the Equator on its way northwards again) were about growth, this New Moon allows us a well-deserved pause in the intensity of energy. We have space to enjoy who and what we are at this moment. Here we are at the beginning of the sign of Leo (Sun entered Leo less than 24 hours ago) standing with one hand held by the Moon and the other, by the Sun. We are beginning the second half of the calendar year with strong astrological activity in Leo and with Uranus in Aries. There will be a Total Solar Eclipse at the end of this Lunar Cycle on 21st August.
We have, to lesser or greater extents, reached a peak of self exploration and understanding. Leo is wild, playful and loving – both strong and laid back at the same time. We can play and honour the energy of children and the child within us. We can surround ourselves with colour and music, express our emotions freely and forgive ourselves, for a while, moments of indulgence or excess. We can afford ourselves a little egocentricity and spread some love outwards at the same time.
The image is of a Lion – or a ‘Lion amongst men’ – a mane of long hair, tall, strong and dignified, standing in full sun. His partner, children and his whole tribe stand safely around him. He protects them with both fierceness and gentleness. Every pore of his skin speaks of power, virility and vitality. He demands our attention and glows in the spotlight of attention. He speaks eloquently, he prances, he roars, he reflects the colours of reds and oranges onto the landscape around us. We feel honoured if he glances in our direction. He is a match for anyone and, because of his confidence and charisma, no one feels the urge to challenge him..
There is a part of all of us that understands this energy and, whether or not we are in the habit of accessing it in all areas of our lives, the New Moon in Leo gives us a chance to do so. So let’s make our intentions and wishes confidently and creatively this month:
- At this point in my life, where do I feel most confident? How can I ‘spread’ that feeling to other areas of my life where I might need to exercise more assertiveness.
- How can I improve the quality of my ‘playtime’? What pass times give me tension-reducing frivolity, harmless enjoyment and indulgent ‘me time’?
- Am I making the most of my family and friends to enrich my life? To whom might I give more attention, protection and care?
- Can I find time to interact more with children (my own or others’)?
- Creatively and artistically, what more can I create and manifest in the coming lunar month (exciting and enjoyable projects, improving the comfort of my surroundings etc)?
- How can I broaden the scope of how I share and communicate my talents and strengths to others? Can I become a stronger and more dynamic presence?
- Do I appreciate what I already have? Can I improve the quality of my state of ‘being’ – as opposed to ‘becoming’? Can I be more comfortable with myself in my own silence?
- When I need to ‘hunt’ for things that will satisfy my (and my ‘pack’s’) needs, can I be more fearless, spontaneous and courageous?
- What does my passion need in order to satisfy itself?
- Are there times when I might still I express myself in inappropriately childish ways – through aggression, self centredness and control or not accepting full responsibility for myself?
- Do I sometimes try to control circumstances and people in order to feed my own ego and fear? How can I ‘let go’ in a dignified way?
- How can I remain tuned in and ‘open-hearted’ while retaining self-disciplined within the power, energy and spontaneity of this Lunar Month?
IN A MUNDANE KIND OF WAY
We may become super aware of people whose ‘default mode’ is control and self centeredness at this time. Mars is conjunct this New Moon. This cycle only recurs every two years. There is a boost in the assertion of ‘maleness’ – and the human qualities that we associate with this. We can become erratic, forceful, over bold. We can roar a lot! In terms of world politics, the implications are obvious. Passionate declarations of power and position are an obvious possibility. The square of the New Moon to Uranus (Aries) might also spark off spontaneous rebellions and unusual and surprising ways of dealing with the various stand offs surrounding us at the moment. There could be a lot of grand gestures, posturing, straight talking and aggression – even spontaneous rebellions and violent outbursts. All this might lead to a sense of ‘rebirth’ of some kind (North Node conjunct Mercury in Leo). As in birth, the buildup to the event can be painful and involve ‘birth complications’. However, there’s potential for new beginnings and for healing too (trine Chiron and sesquiquadrate Neptune in Pisces).
There is intense emotional strength in a Leo New Moon conjunct Mars – along with a tendency to ‘over do’ passion and uncontrolled outpourings of energy. We might tend to be over quick to react to defending our family, our rights and our opinions. We probably need to remember to exercise self-control and to pay close attention to the true nature of each new ‘threat’ – if that is what it actually is – and take a moment of self control to assess the degree and quality of danger – otherwise all that energy could get us into trouble with negative consequences!
Let’s channel all that beautiful energy into positive manifestations, thereby and creating calm and balance – rather than add to the chaos already around us by involving ourselves in confrontations with others! No unnecessary attacks! Let’s have fun and make like a lion, centering ourselves in the heart of our communities and our tribes, washing a paw or two, emanating strength and love and telling it directly how it is from our centre of calm. Creativity is the key!
“Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.”
Ho!
Jaki Miles-Windmill D.F.Astrol.S