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Leo New Moon– 2023

By Tracy Cook

Where should my focus be during this next 29-day cycle? 

When we draft a chart for the new moon, we get a sense of the energy that will be up for processing for the next 29 days.  

Okay what is this cycle about?   There is a gift this Leo cycle of daring enough to want love and joy and being brave enough to go for it.      

Leo New Moon 

August 16, 2023

2:38am PDT

23 Leo 17  

Welcome to the 2023 Leo New Moon. 

Once a year we have an opportunity to launch passion, pleasure, joy, creativity, and self-esteem on the Leo New Moon.   After 29 days where so much of our actions in the Cancer cycle were done based on what felt ‘comfortable’.   With Leo, our actions are bold and are driven by desires so strong that we are willing to get out of our comfort zone and do something.   

Leo is connected to the Sun which is critical to life on our planet.  Leo understands that which is vital and worth protecting and is associated with acts of bravery.   Even when scared, Leo says, “time to be brave.”      This year we have already been circling the power of Leo since July 22 when Venus began its retrograde in Leo.  Every eight years the Leo New Moon is influenced by a Venus Leo retrograde cycle.    During this Venus retrograde we are really centering and answering the questions: “What do I love doing?  What do I love experiencing?  How am I expressing my love through my creativity?   “Am I being appreciated?  Is my value understood?”    

This is all Leo and we have been percolating in it since the end of July and will continue until mid-September.  So, it makes sense that a Leo New Moon launching in this landscape is a bit more juiced up then the usual Leo New moons.   Going back 50 years, you may want to think back what was going on with you around the mid-summer of 2015, 2007, 1999, 1991, 1983, 1975 and 1967.   What do those summers say about creativity, love, joy, being bold, being big, being the center of attention, being valued, being brave?   

It is interesting that in this Venus Leo retrograde (the very day it happened) two movies, Oppenheimer and Barbie came out.  It seemed like the whole world was seeing one or both movies.  They are arguably big hits and are tapping something in the Zeitgeist of the world.  It also may be just a joy at going to movies again which is course Leo industry.    There is in general a sense with this Leo New moon of go big or go home but with one caveat….it must be thoughtful.   

On the Leo New Moon chart, we have a big aspect with Uranus.   At the same time there is an aspect between Mars and Uranus.    The sun and moon are squaring Uranus which will be exact the day after the new moon and Mars will trine Uranus a couple hours after the new moon.     This is curious, on one hand there can be an ouch with the square because the tension to be bold and big (Leo) can conflict with being practical and grounded (Taurus) but at the same time Mars in detailed oriented Virgo brings a level of reassurance to Taurus’s need for measured sensibility.  Mars is a warrior, and he is a happy warrior with Uranus.  There will be actions!     For 29 days of the Leo cycle, we will have an opportunity to get out there and do something but when we do it, we need to NOT BE SLOPPY.    This focus on detail will be the difference between chaos and breakthroughs (Uranus).   If the apparatus is broken in some area of our life and we will certainly see it in mundane news (the Maui fire comes to mind) we need to be very thoughtful and exact with our bold ideas and solutions.    We also will need to mind Mercury because….

As the days click off on the 29-day lunar month, Mercury the planet of thinking and communication will be slowing down and then station retrograde.    

Mercury Retrograde Dates :

Aug 3:        Mercury shadow  8 Virgo 00

Aug 9:        Mercury trine Jupiter 

Aug 23:     Mercury station retrograde 21 Virgo 51

Sep 4:        Mercury trine Jupiter 

Sep 15:      Mercury station direct 8 Virgo 00

Sep 29:      Mercury shadow ends 

Mercury retrogrades in general are a reminder that we all benefit by paying attention to the details.   One overlooked item, missed note, snappy comment, can come back and bite us in the rear during retrograde.   Got it?  Yes of course you got it.   But now consider a Mercury retrograde in Virgo, the MOST detailed sign of the zodiac.   DETAILS matter during the 3-week retrograde.   It is also important to note that the Mercury retrograde impacts this Leo lunar month AND it will be retrograde for the Virgo new moon.  Mercury does not turn direct until the day after next month’s new moon so that means it is doubling down on DETAILS on that 29-day cycle as well.   

Where should we focus our detail-oriented brain?   Great place to start is when any insecurities pop up.   If you are feeling less than on any topic, bring some measured discipline.    Watch the details.  If you get it right, it could make a solid impression.   Also look at your calendar.   Who are you seeing or making connections with and why?  Does this bring you joy?   Or is it based on insecurity?    “If I don’t do this then ____ will happen” is of course fear.  It is fine if some of the things on the to-do list are based in obligation but figure out a way to make it joyful or reframe your motivation out of love.   And if it is still only an obligation, then what can you do to shift the paradigm?  Is it a conversation that clears the air?   Just be thoughtful.    There is no reason to be yelling at anyone this Mercury retrograde, we all benefit by taking responsibility for any confusion we bring to the story.   As always be thoughtful about any email or text you send out.   Sharp tones may need to be soften.   Watch the snark.   Above all --- take a breath before responding to anything that has got your anger up too high.   The anger may be justified but the communication needs to be …here it that word comes again, “thoughtful.”        

Uranus Retrograde 

May 7 – Uranus shadow 14 Taurus 56

Aug 24 – Uranus station retrograde 18 Taurus 55

Jan 22 – Uranus station direct 14 Taurus 56

May 9 – Uranus shadow ends 18 Taurus 55 

Ding, ding, ding.   Uranus stations retrograde on August 28 brings the retrograde planets to a total of seven.    Venus will turn direct on September 3 but the very next day Jupiter stations retrograde, continuing the number to seven.    Just to be clear the personal planet retrogrades which are Mercury and Venus (in this case), always create more sturm and drang in our lives than the outer planets, however there is still a certain amount of unrest with all these planets in retrograde.   You will be forgiven if it feels like there is movement or anxiety in areas that normally seem staid.  

Uranus in Taurus on a global level speaks to all the artificial intelligence discussions and the fight many workers are forging through their unions.   Workers, food, real estate, money, local banks are all Taurus.   Uranus may disrupt but it also brings innovation.    

People with personal planets at 14-18 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius are well aware of Uranus as it is forming tough aspects.   It can be a shakeup.  But it is important to remember that any disruption that Uranus brings may serve a purpose far later down the road after it has left Taurus.    

Venus Retrograde dates 

June 5:               Venus enter Leo 

June 5 :              Venus oppose Pluto 00 degrees 05 

June 8 :              Venus square nodes  3 degrees 05

June 11 :            Venus square Jupiter 5 degrees 38 

June 19 :            Venus enter shadow 

July 2 :               Venus square Uranus 21 degrees 46

July 22               Venus retrograde 28 Leo 36

Aug 9:                 Venus square Uranus 22 degrees 55

Aug 13:              Sun Venus conjunction 20 degrees 28 

Aug 22 :             Venus square Jupiter 15 degrees 18 

Sept 3                PDT  Venus direct  12 degrees 12 

Sept 16 :             Venus square Jupiter 15 degrees 19

Sept 29 :             Venus square Uranus 22 degrees 40

Oct 7                   Venus exits shadow 

The Venus retrograde will wrap up about halfway through the Leo Lunar Month on September 3, but the shadow continues until Oct 7.   During this Leo cycle we will have, the second out of three, Venus square Jupiter.    Astrology 101 with Venus and Jupiter squares is: Watch the money spending, eating, socializing and partying.   Both Venus and Jupiter (depending on signs) can tap bacchanalia.  When they are pushing on each other there can be an environment of too much – too much.   It may be good to ask what has come up since June 11^th when we had the first square?   Where have we been or tapped ‘too much’?   The August 22^nd round, right in the middle of the Venus retrograde and, on the Leo waxing moon, may be a good reminder that there is a way to be authentic with your appreciation and express love to others, or self, without going over the top.   The final round of this aspect will be on September 16.  By then we will have learned a lot about love and appreciation and what we are supposed to do about it.  

Jupiter Retrograde  

June 11:  Shadow begins (5 Taurus 35) 

Sep 4:  Jupiter station retrograde Taurus 34 (15 Taurus 35)

Dec 30 : Jupiter station direct (5 Taurus 35) 

Mar 23 :  Shadow ends (15 Taurus 35) 

The day after Venus stops being retrograde, Jupiter begins its annual retrograde.   It takes Jupiter about a year to get through a sign and about 12 years to get through the zodiac.  Right now, we are revisiting the period between June 2011 and June 2012 when we last had Jupiter in Taurus.   Before that period, it was (roughly) June 1999 to June 2000.    Jupiter is the planet of big.   It is the largest planet in our solar system and so where Jupiter is in your chart you will see some “big”.   Transiting Jupiter through the natal chart will bring “big” temporarily to the house and any natal planets that it contacts.   Where was your big in 2012 and 2000?   Are you repeating themes now?      

On some level we are learning the gravity that comes with focused practicality (Taurus).  There is power of being measured and taking everything step by step.   Taurus understands foundations and building something from the ground up.   Ironically Uranus who can disrupt anything that is not working has been going through Taurus as well and will be wrapping up its period in 2026.   During Jupiter retrograde we may slow down and figure out what works and what needs patience.  This could be the perfect antidote and follow up to anything Uranus changed or broke since it entered Taurus in 2018.   

Where are you rebuilding?   If you are unclear what needs rebuilding the Jupiter retrograde may get your attention.   A lot with Jupiter is about philosophy and there may need to be some philosophies that benefit by being rethought.   Are your big opinions working for you and your goals of building something from the ground up?  Consider what comes up between now and December 30^th and if your opinions change and or become more practically aligned with your values.  

In conclusion: 

How we find love and appreciation are very much on our to-do list during this 29-day Leo cycle.  Even if we do not have it on our daily list –it is there.   Venus has been informing us for a while that we need to love and be loved.  We need to tap something that gives us a feeling of appreciation.  Not just in our hearts but also in eyes of others.  Do they appreciate us?   We all have gifts and creativity.  What are we bringing out for the world to see?    How can we be brave and get our love out?   This Leo New Moon in the summer of Venus retrograde in Leo deserves all our efforts.   Yes, we are mindful of Mercury retrograde but seriously we can love big and real and authentic.  You got this.   

See you in Virgo. 

The 8 phases

Leo New Moon 

23 Leo 17

August 16, 2023 

2:38am PDT

New moon: Plant seeds, make calls, activate, start projects.   Activate something that will ideally lead you to more.  This is the phase where INTENT is critical.  Even if the results are not immediate, the intent is there.  You may not have all the answers or road map, but you should put out your Intent.

This focus:     Where do you need to express love?  How is your creativity?  How are you being big?  How is small no longer working for you?  What are you learning about appreciation?  Who do you appreciate?  Who appreciates you?   Where do you need to be brave even if it is scary?  

Special note:

8/16: Mars trine Uranus (see above) 

8/19: Sun trine North Node.  Where is our energy getting tapped to help us find our self-agency?   Where are we not letting others take control of our path?  

Crescent Moon Phase

August 20, 2023

5:23am PDT  

Crescent:  We will receive information, we will research a bit more, perhaps get feedback on stuff that we planted on new.  Perhaps get some information that will help down the road on a seed we planted a while ago.  We can collect some data now.  Even if you think you are not getting information, stop, and re-look at everything.  Who called you?  Even the silliest things when they come up during Crescent are note worthy.  A parking ticket.  An argument with a spouse?  A refund check from the phone company?  All of it needs to be considered a message from the universe.  How can this information help you?

Focus on: What are you learning about your relationships?  What are you learning about partnerships?  What are you learning about the power of negotiations?  What are you learning about the importance of balance? 

Special Focus

8/22: Venus square Jupiter.  Watch the overspending, overeating, over big opinions.  

8/22: Mars opposite Neptune.  Actions may not be based on accurate truth.   Meditate before doing any big action.   How is trust working in your life before you act?  

8/23: Sun enters Virgo 

8/23: Mercury station retrograde (21 Virgo 51)  (see above) 

First Quarter Moon 

August 24, 2023

2:57am PDT 

First quarter: We do more actions based on the information that we just received. Or we feel our instincts guide us on something.  We pursue again.  We make another call, or we see someone. We mail something.  We stir the pot again.  This can be a time when we realize that the goals, we planted on new need more action from us, perhaps actions that involve breaking away.   Are there people who say they have our best interest in heart but fear us growing away from them?  Maybe we need to get help from others not the usual suspects.  Some independence may need to be exerted. 

Focus on:  How are you taking action that broadens your world?  What are you doing to get a higher perspective?  What are you doing to connect with others that have a wild different approach?  What actions are you taking that help you learn something new?  

Special Note

8/24: Mars trine Pluto.  Great aspect to act and have a big evolution.   

Gibbous Moon

August 27, 2023  

2:18pm PDT  

Gibbous:

We refine our information.  We pick and choose, we discriminate, and we organize to be ‘Virgo’ like.  We sort through details.  Have we missed something?  How are we sifting through the information?  Go back and make sure something hasn’t been neglected.  Refine our actions.  

Focus on:  How are you refining your executive abilities?  How are you refining your inner CEO?  How are you sorting through your place in the world?   

Special focus

8/27: Sun opposite Saturn.  Low energy, details matter but they can feel overwhelming.   Finding prayer and faith may help.   Truth may be fuzzy.   

8/28: Uranus station retrograde (23 Taurus 05) (See above) 

August 30, 2023

6:35pm PDT 

Full Moon

7 Pisces 25 

The Blue Moon

Full Moon:  We make the needed adjustments on the things we planted. Usually, emotions are up and running and for those people who perhaps did not utilize the new moon and the rest of the waxing moon, this is when emotions can get the better of us.  There can often be a big emotional break, for no other reason than to get back on track.   Some partnership will offer up some balance.  The moon is bright and full and there is no room for shadows, what is reflecting on you?  

Focus on:     How are your tapping your faith?  How are you finding your humanitarianism?  Where is the fuzzy in your life?  Is it helping you or hindering you?   How do you tap a higher power?  

Special focus 

Disseminating

September 3, 2023

12:27am PDT       

Disseminating: Share information; find a teacher or someone who has more knowledge. Perhaps there was a big ol’ blow out on the full and one feels in need of support and help, this is the phase to reach out to one who knows more. This is when we find a rabbi or a minister or therapist who gives us more insight.   And of course, you too may be ready to teach and share your own information.  

Focus on:   What advice are you offering that speaks to independence?   Where are you seeking advice on independence?  How are you sharing the power of self-agency?   Where are you seeking information on new paths? 

Special focus:

9/3: Venus station direct (12 Leo 12)  (see above) 

9/4: Mercury trine Jupiter.  Very clever, new ideas, things that seem ‘foreign’ may be clever answers. 

9/4: Jupiter station retrograde (15 Taurus 36) (see above)

9/6: Sun conjunction Mercury thoughts and communication a bit more clear but not totally transparent.

Last Quarter Moon Phase

September 6, 2023 

3:21pm PDT    

Last Quarter moon:  Now we do the final adjustments to the seeds we planted on new. The final call, the final letters to send, we follow all the trails that came up that still make sense.  And we let the other parts lay fallow. It is a time of action but wise action.  It is a time for living “The serenity prayer” 

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change Courage to change the
things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

Focus on:

How are you gathering info?  How are you stepping up your communication abilities?   How are you taking action that connects with siblings?  What actions are you taking that impact your neighborhood?  

Special focus 

9/8: Sun trine Jupiter.  Joy can be found if we slow down and look at the details as to what brings us happiness? 

. 

Balsamic Moon Phase

September 10, 2023 

3:33pm PDT 

Balsamic:   We let go.  By releasing we can prepare for the new.  

Focus on:  How are you releasing ego?  How are you releasing a need to ‘be big’? How are you releasing ‘being the hero’?  How are you releasing any desire to suck up all the oxygen in the room?  

Special focus:

September 14 6:39pm PDT  (21 Virgo 59)