New Moon in Leo

play to your strengths not your weaknesses

The Moon is new at 23º17 Leo tomorrow August 16th. The Moon and Sun are square Uranus and semi-sextile Mars in Virgo. Mercury, exalted and at home in Virgo is conjunct Mars and they are trine Uranus in Taurus.

When Mercury meets up with Mars there is a tendency to wound others with words. You’ve probably already noticed that you/others are more critical than usual or certainly less sympathetic. People and events may be falling short of your expectations. 

This Mercury-Mars combo serves assessors and critics (Venus Rx bestows her many graces at this time on art critics) but is not great for ordinary folk going about their business…

Mercury in Virgo excels at experimenting and since life is an experiment (thank you, Ralph Waldo Emerson) you can choose better experiments.

(Ralph Waldo Emerson’s natal Jupiter in Virgo is ruled by his Mercury in Gemini. So you can bet that Ralph knew many things about many things…)

So the question presented by these celestial beings is this:

Are you choosing criticism or experimentation?

If you’re choosing experimentation how are these experiments helping you build a life where you get to shine and thrive (Sun and New Moon in Leo)? 

Perhaps you should consider different foods or maybe you should experiment by eating at different times of the day? Maybe you should experiment with new ways of interacting with others?

Look at your VIRGO house for clues on the life areas that would benefit from experiments at this time. The fact that Mercury-Mars are in a trine with Uranus indicates that you will be pleasantly surprised by the outcomes. 

The Sun-Moon are square Uranus and you are probably already in possession of some insight that will help illuminate your path forward or you are about to learn something revelatory. For example, today I received some unexpected (and super helpful) feedback from a teacher. 

The Sun-Moon semi-sextile Mars gives you the push you need to assert your authentic Self.

Now let’s focus on the Sun and Moon in Leo.

Leo is a fixed sign and as with all fixed signs is interested in making things real.

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you.” - The Velveteen Bunny by Margery Williams

If you want to be known as compassionate and kind then this New Moon is the green light to put those character traits into practice. Remember you are what you consistently do. 

Play to your strengths and not your weaknesses.

Look to your LEO house for clues on what to focus on when setting intentions. For example, if Leo is your 1st House you will want to set intentions around appearance and health. 

Reflection seeds for the New Moon:

You can defy your past and shine in the present by focusing on your strengths.

Don’t waste time trying to get people to see you a certain way. Choose instead to become that way in real time.

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