Leo NEW MOON & Solar Eclipse 2018   

By Tracy Cook

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

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

Okay what is this cycle about?  How are you brave?  How are you true?  How is that thing beating in your chest that looks like a heart speaking to you?  Let’s get this party started. 

Sabian symbol:   Houseboat Party 

https://cafeastrology.com/sabiansymbols_degreemeanings.html

Leo New Moon

Solar Eclipse

August 11, 2018

5:58am EDT   

18 Leo 41

This has been one long hot summer for those of us in the northern hemisphere and one cold mother below the equator and we’re not just talking weather.    Six planets retrograde make it difficult to get anything done.  Add the fact that Mars the warrior HATES going backwards means getting a straight path to anything has been difficult.   Then of course this is the season of three eclipses with aspects to outer planets Pluto and Uranus that can only be akin to a diving coach telling us to climb thirty feet up and jump into the pool of revolution and evolution.   Can we do it?  In some cases the Universe doesn’t wait for an answer and just screams “Trust” and then pushes us off the diving board.   Yeah, it is THAT season.   And now we are experiencing a Leo New Moon and the last solar eclipse.  Perhaps it is what the doctor ordered to help us get our energy back.  

Leo is the second fire sign of the zodiac.  When we get to Leo the fire is roaring hot. It is not fire starter Aries and it is not hot embers Sag—Leo is right in the middle and he is ready to warm up everyone with strength, courage, boldness and the power of being true.   

During the next twenty- nine days many of us will experience generosity and graciousness, drama and creativity.  Our inner hero will show up for others and heroes will show up for us.   We may try to hide in the shadows (it is an eclipse after all) but that could be troublesome.  Shadowy Leo is resentful, jealous, insecure, stubborn and egotistical.    If we find these characteristics popping up we should stop down and ask our heart, “How am I not being true to me?  How am I covering my insecurities with ego?  And more important ‘why am I doing it?”    

Leo is brave because he knows there is only one of us.  Each one of us has a unique gift and a POV that is only our own.   Hiding that POV or gifts is misguided during Leo cycle.   There are few lunar cycles where we get to celebrate our talents.   Don’t screw up and marginalize your talents and skills and creativity.    You don’t serve anyone and you sure don’t serve the world by being ‘small’ for twenty-nine days.   

On this new moon chart the Sun and Moon are in conjunction with Mercury and they square Jupiter.   Also Sun &Moon quincunx Neptune & Pluto creating a yod.   This is a lot of energy.  Expect some big noise, big actions and a lot of parties.   It could feel like a wall- to -wall circus but under it all you should feel ALIVE.   That’s critical to the Leo cycle because being alive means the blood is flowing and the heart is beating.   Leo means engaging the path to our heart.   

The Sun and Moon in Leo right next to retrograde Mercury suggests that we have bold thinking and dynamic ideas but we may not feel comfortable communicating them.  If we do share them it could be a lot of bang for our bucks.    For some of us, just thinking big will feel different or weird (Neptune) but it is still very important that we access this so called weird feeling.   Neptune is our intuition and it is also fantasy.  There are gifts in accessing both but you can’t get there unless you check in with your heart. 

The tension between the Sun/Moon/Mercury with Jupiter is an interesting challenge.   Jupiter can bring great optimism but he also can be a big ol’ blow hard.   He can do a number on bank accounts by over spending and being too indulgent.  In super stealthy Scorpio Jupiter does wears a harness and is a bit more  ‘under wraps’. But the tension is strong this cycle.   For twenty-nine days we should take note of braggarts.  We also should note who is be super quiet and consider what they are sitting on?  Of course Jupiter in Scorpio can bring out the paranoid. Sigh.   For the most part we will be aware of the tensions between players who are loud and players who are quiet.  During this cycle your heart will guide you through any power struggles all you need to do is get quiet and listen to the beat.   

The yod between the Sun & Moon with Neptune and Pluto reminds us that being brave and true and acknowledging our gifts will be supported by faith and spirituality while at the same time help shed that which no longer serves us.    What happens when you receive a compliment?  Do you blow it off?  Do you disconnect from the part of you that makes you special?   What do you leave when you walk away from that which others see as your star qualities?   

Mercury Direct 

On August 18 Mercury will station direct at 11 Leo 31.   As always we will get down on our hands and knees and thank the universe for ending that s-show.  Perhaps it was magnified this summer given all the retrograde planets and eclipses but we will all welcome Mercury straightening out and flying straight.  What have we learned since July 26 about our thinking?  How does our thinking match our inner truths?  Are we stuck on dramatic thinking like ‘life is hard and then you die”?  Or have we found brave thoughts that speak more to who we are at this time?   Have we moved into a new headspace that welcomes our creativity? Have we learned to have more fun? Have we supported others in being leaders?  Who has backed us up and how does that change our thinking? What has your heart told you about your thinking for the last three weeks?  Take time when Mercury turns direct to appraise your own thinking and communication.  Ask yourself, “Was I brave, bold and authentic?”  

Mars Station Direct 

August 27 

10:04am EDT 

28 Cap 36

Starting May 12^thwhen Mars entered its shadow, messages may have appeared that our actions towards the greater good and actions that help our career could be ‘off’.   Were there blinking red lights?   Perhaps but then on June 26 Mars retrograded and we all had to slow down because grumpy Mars hates going backwards.   Obstacles appeared in our path and people seemed to block us.   How we handle these blocks has been a learning curve and probably a lot of us got snippy snappy.   Now on August 27 Mars turns direct.   We should feel relief immediately.   A breakthrough or a connection may appear and we finally feel like we are moving forward. Because this Mars retrograde involves Aquarius andCapricorn a lot of the blocks involve our place in the world.   Our friends, our groups, our career, our government, our systems which may have been off or just a ton of work.   Now as Mars unwinds we see our place in the whole process.  Remember it is turning direct in the Leo Lunar Cycle so we are served to ask ourselves, “How was I strong when I hit an obstacle?”  “How was I brave and honest with my community” “How was I a leader even when it was hard?”   Some of you may do a victory lap others may need to take time and process the last eight weeks of Mars retrograde.  After Mars turns direct on August 28^thwe will again do actions that will support our career and how we are seen in the public.   Then between September 11^thand October 8^th(Mars leaves shadow) we will revisit friends, groups and associations and take actions that put us in sync with like -minded folks who bring out our best.   And like a big old cat we may purr again. 

Saturn stations Direct 

September 6

7:08am EDT 

2 Cap 32 

Saturn went into Capricorn in December and of course Saturn loved the move into its home sign.    Capricorn is all about career and for some people when Saturn began its transit in Capricorn they looked around at their career and thought, “Man this is not fitting me anymore.”    It is not easy just switching from dentist to Yellowstone Tour Guide and not everyone is capable of doing a big left or right turn in his or her career.  But when Saturn turned retrograde on April 17 we began the process of wondering if the land underneath our career is stable.  Maybe it no longer matches whatever is going on internally with us.  Perhaps we have matured into a new person and that place we go five days a week is not fitting this new person.    And if our career continues to be a fine fit maybe we are looking at other areas of our life that don’t feel like they are on stable ground.  Saturn retrograde in Capricorn goes in deep with our insecurities.  Not to give us an excuse to freak out but more about doing the hard work of fixing the things that need repair.  Astrologer Steven Forrest has a funny catchphrase about Saturn transits he says, “You have two choices you can be depressed or you can be exhausted.”    Of course that sounds like unpleasant choices but it really is fitting because if you are depressed it means you need to do the hard work of fixing something, which can be exhausting.  However, it is a good exhaustion that comes from the feeling of being focused and responsible for doing the work come hell or high water.   At the end of this retrograde we may have some accomplishments that we can take a moment and say, “Great”.   For many others we may know that we still have work in front of us and perhaps Saturn stationing direct will give us the push we need to go back to our goals. There is also the possibility that Saturn turning direct will tell us to cut our losses and not look back.   Not to be harsh but more as being prudent and practical and mature.  

In conclusion: 

This twenty- nine day cycle should have fun and play but don’t get confused this is not just a time of frivolity.   Underneath the joy is an understanding that connecting to our authentic self is an act of bravery.   Every day consider your brave heart and respond as prompted it won’t disappoint you or your world. 

See you at Virgo New Moon. 

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and blog 

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The 8 phases

Leo New Moon

Aug 11, 2018 

5:57am PDT  

18 Leo 41  

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:  How are you celebrating the part of you that is special?  How are you accessing joy and creativity?  How are you acknowledging it is okay to be big?  How are you listening to your heart?   How are you brave?  

Special focus 

8/12: Mars enters Capricorn

Crescent Moon Phase

August 14, 2018 

12:28pm EDT  

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 information are you receiving that speaks to your courage in your relationships? How are you being brave by asking “what is fair”?  What strength are bringing to your partnership?  What strength are you asking from your partners? 

First Quarter Moon 

Aug 18

3:48pm EDT 

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: What actions are you taking that speak to debt?  What actions are you taking that speak to sex?  And taxes?  And going down deep and investigations?   How are you accessing your strength to let something die so something new can be born? 

Special focus

8/19 12:24am: Mercury direct 11 Leo 32 –get down on your knees and thank the universe that is over! (see above) 

8/19: Jupiter trine Neptune:  Sometimes we need to be reminded by the universe that our resources are more vast than we realize.  

Gibbous Moon

Aug 22, 2018 

4:48am EDT 

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 and relying upon your inner CEO?  How are you using your strength to refine your path that moves you higher up the food chain?  How are you being brave as you move up?  

Special focus: 

8/22: Sun enter Virgo 

8/25: Sun Trine Uranus  Accent on brilliance as if gotten struck by a lightening bolt.  Ideas and breakthroughs surround us.  And for some maybe internal as well. 

8/25: Sun Trine Saturn.  Today we see that success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines practiced every day.  

Full Moon Phase

Full Moon 

August 26 2018

7:56am EDT

3 Pisces 12

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?  

Go to blog for full moon report. 

http://tracyastrosalon.blogspot.com/

8/27  10:04am EDT: Mars station direct 28 Cap 36 (see above)

Focus on:   Finding strength through  faith is not the easiest work but it can be at times the only work.   Understanding humanity is not the easiest of work but it can be at times the only work. Understanding creativity is not the easiest of work but it can be at times the only work.  Understanding our gut is not the easiest of work but it can be at times the only work.   Do you see a theme?  

Special focus 

8/27: Mercury square Jupiter.  Big mouths try to suck up all the oxygen.  But usually the quieter person has the power.  Slow and measured versus loud and brash.   Where is the balance? 

Disseminating

August 30, 2018 

6:34am pm EDT

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:  How are you sharing your Independence?  How are you sharing your leadership?  How are you sharing your directness?  How are you sharing you visionary abilities?  How are you sharing your warriorness? 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

September 2 2018 

10:37pm  EDT

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:

What actions are you taking that speak to your brave communication?  What actions are you taking that involve strength with siblings or neighbors? What actions are you taking that are honest and connect others?  

9/5:  Mercury enters Virgo 

Balsamic Moon Phase

September 6, 2018 

8:01 am EDT 

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

Focus on How are you releasing your emotions?  How are you releasing your hard shell of protection? How are releasing your need to over nurture others?  How are you releasing your crabbiness?  

Special Focus:

9/6:  Saturn stations direct 7:08am EDT  2 Cap 32 (see above) 

9/7:  Mercury trine Uranus – another day of brilliance and breakthroughs.   Sometimes our brain gets there before our reality—either way support the energy.  

9/7: Mercury trine Saturn.  Structured thinking and daily work can change any hard reality—consider how this is showcased today. 

9/7: Sun oppose Neptune.  Spirituality is not just airy fairy sometimes it is in your face reality.  Like today are you seeing the forest from the trees regarding your faith? 

9/8: Venus square Mars.  Relationships are in conflict with career.  Balance is in conflict with goals.   Passive aggressiveness against changing the status quo. Money and love feel dismissed.  

8/9: Venus square Saturn values like love and money feel tight.  How are they out of sync with your outer appearance?  

8/9: Venus enters Scorpio

September 9, 2018   2:01pm EDT  New Virgo Moon