Leo New Moon– 2022

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?   Be Big.  Be love.  Be Art.  Be Joy.   Be YOU.  

Leo New Moon

5 Leo 39

July 28, 2022

10:55am PDT 

Welcome to the Leo New Moon.   

Leo is the second fire sign of the zodiac.  In Aries, the first fire sign, the fire is hot like a wild grassfire going up and down the hillside, sparks getting picked up and landing in new underbrush. In Aries the fire is a bit run amuck.      In Leo the fire is more contained.   A roaring fire in a fireplace or a bonfire on a beach, this is Leo.  Leo attracts and draws us in.    Leo’s energy is big.  Even the shyer Leos have a magnetism.    There is a confidence and a strength with Leo that we welcome especially after 29 days of Cancer where our emotions were pulled up and down every day.    Now for 29 days we find out what is important to us and put our focus on our desires.   Leo is love affairs and creative endeavors and it is the blood racing through our heart.   That feeling we get when we see our loved one across the room or maybe when we are sitting in a theater and something wonderful is happening on the stage –this is Leo. 

When the whole world is in a sea of distraction, bumping around with each other, hardly processing anything, Leo will stop and take a moment and show up.  Being brave, putting our heart on our sleeve, stepping up for others, telling someone “You mean something” this is the power of Leo.   A thoughtful tender moment where we put ourselves out there is not just good for the other person but also for our heart.       In Leo we find our passion to move us and by the time we get to the Aquarius full moon two weeks later we bring our specialness and that inner juju to our groups.  

The chart for the New Moon is lovely.  The Sun and the Moon are in a very nice trine with Jupiter.   Jupiter who lives to be big enjoys the play that the Sun and Moon in Leo offers.   “You like big, so do I!”    While the trine colors the 29-day chart and suggests there will be an accent on joy, fun and the abundance of things that make the heart zoom.   There is a bit of caution because Jupiter stations retrograde a few hours after the new moon.    Maybe that thing we feel so good about is good---but we should use moderation on our enthusiasm.    Perhaps it won’t be as good later down the road.   Or it is as good, but we may just need something else.   Jupiter turning retrograde is not a bad thing.  It is just a reminder that we are beginning a journey where we are going to drill down deep on what we need to open avenues that offer us a new level of independence.  Jupiter in Aries is about “big” and “new” and the retrograde is having us re-evaluate goals that may have been kickstarted since May.    It is curious that Jupiter stations retrograde on the Leo New Moon and then on November 23, during the Sagittarius new moon, Jupiter stations direct.   Jupiter, the most massive planet with the ginormous gravity is making these two big moves within hours of two new moons.   It seems Jupiter wants its message to have 29 days of percolation now and then again in November.   Okay, got it.  

Jupiter Station Retrograde 

July 28, 2022

1:37pm PDT

16 Aries 26

Important Jupiter dates: 

May 4 Jupiter enters shadow (28 Pisces 48)

May 11 Jupiter enters Aries 

October 28 Jupiter re-enters Pisces 

November 23 Jupiter stations direct 28 Pisces 48 (Sag new moon)

December 20 Jupiter re-enters Aries 

February 14, Jupiter exits shadow (16 Aries 26)

In May there were two things that happened to Jupiter.   On May 4^th Jupiter crossed into its shadow point and on May 11^th it moved into Aries.     Every planet that retrogrades has two shadow points; at the first shadow point, the planet puts a flag in the ground and says— “I’ll be back”    Then when the planet turns retrograde (which Jupiter will do on July 28), it puts another flag in the ground and says, “When I see you again, I will know a lot more”  and then the planet heads back to flag #1.   By the time the retrograde is done and the planet straightens out and moves forward chugging all the way down the road again until it gets to flag #2 it will have brought more knowledge from everything it learned during the retro period.  With Jupiter, that knowledge is wrapped in new wisdom.  

Jupiter is the teacher planet and pends two months of every year in retrograde motion.   During this time, we learn stuff, we get taught stuff and we sometimesteach others.     Evidently, we are all slow learners because from shadow point to shadow point it is usually a nine-month process.   The last time Jupiter was retrograde in Aries was fall of 1999.    Questions to consider: What were you doing then?   Aries speaks to personal identity; did you make any changes then that set a course for a ‘new’ identity?  How did you take agency in your life for new beginnings? How did you break free for more independence?   How did you become a new student or a new teacher?   How did you expand your world?   Those same themes will come up during this retrograde especially between now and October 28.   Then between October 28 and November 28 Jupiter will leave Aries and return to Pisces and we will be looking at our faith again.  How does our spirituality line up with our philosophies?   If we are lacking faith it may come up or if faith is strong we may lean into it.   Once Jupiter turns direct we have another month of Jupiter in Pisces until it re-enters Aries on December 20^th and then we get our fight for independence and breaking new ground again.    Jupiter is our Friar Tuck ,our Mark Twain or our Sacajawea.   Jupiter can make us laugh, tap our faith, and can show us how to be a bridge, a navigator between groups and worlds.  Jupiter shows a generosity of spirt.    Jupiter can also be righteous and fiery especially in Aries.  However, the power of two months in Pisces should help us tap self-reflection and soften the edge of zealotry.    

Muddying Up the Space 

So, we have this extraordinary Leo New Moon with all the bigness of Jupiter which can bring opportunities in the 29-day lunar cycle but this new moon is landing in the middle of a three-day window that is a tough landscape.   It is not itty bitty tough it’s very potent.  

On the 28^th, Mercury tussles with Uranus and the north node in Taurus.   Our big thoughts and big goals and big fun may hit a wall.    The North Node in Taurus wants things to work and wants to build stuff up from the ground.   However, our thinking may be grander than our skills set.  Look in the news for someone or something falling short.    Then on the 30th, Mercury opposes Saturn, and our thinking gets serious.   There is tension between a focus on self and what our heart wants-versus our responsibility to others (in particular, groups).   

On July 31 we have a big aspect, the north node in conjunction with Uranus.    This aspect happens about every 15 years.   The last time the two of them joined up was in March 2007.   Back then the conjunction took place in Pisces.   Pisces can be weird and unworldly, aspirational, and illusionary.  Looking at the timeline near that 2007 aspect, there was unseasonable tornado that hit Alabama in Feb (weird) and Barack Obama announced his run for president (aspirational) then a month later there was a fantasy high, when the Dow Jones reached 1300 for the first time in history only to have one year later the housing bubble crash taking the stock market with it and setting off the Great Recession.   Astrologer Kelly Surtees points out that the last time Uranus and North Node conjunction in the sign Taurus was 1855.   Obviously, that year was part of the run up for the Civil War where citizens and those people they elect had to decide if USA would continue to be a slave nation or not.  Earlier than that date, 1458 had a North Node/Uranus conjunction in Taurus (with Mars) which per astrologer Dani Fankhauser was a year where Earth was recovering from a severe cooling caused by volcanic ash from a previous epic volcanic explosion.   As we head to these dates now, extreme heat is causing chaos around the world.  There does appear to be a theme.    On August 1 Mars enters the melee with a conjunction to North node in the morning, followed by a conjunction with Uranus in late afternoon (PDT).   This is big energy.  Big actions.  Big disruptions.   Issues around money and resources get a shock.   Aviation, Internet, electrical grids, anything ‘modern’ could be tested.   Any failures speak to where we need practical changes (Taurus).    At the same time the changes may not be something we should fear.  They could be bumpy, for sure, but there could be a gift that makes sense later.   We also need to remember Saturn is in Aquarius and heading towards a revisit of the 2021 square with Uranus (see below) in the fall.    Having Taurus, Aquarius and Leo impacted in a fixed sign T square puts our attention to Scorpio.   The south node in Scorpio reminds us that there is power we gain when we let go.    Micromanagers will be tested.   Those who have a strong instinct and understand the power of pivoting and releasing will have an easier go of any bumps. 

Obviously, those people who know their natal charts should take note of any planets that form any aspect with 18-20 degrees of Taurus for additional insight.     

Adding to the 29-day cycle is Saturn retrograde in Aquarius which is heading towards the 2021 square with Uranus again who is stationing retrograde this lunar month. 

Uranus Station Retrograde 

August 24, 2022

6:53am 

18 Taurus 55

And here we go.  Earlier this year, between Feb and the end of April, we had NO outer and inner planets that were retrograde.   Since that time the outer planets have been turning retrograde one after another each month and now the final outer planet to join fray is Uranus.  

Since these outer planets are retrograde every year it is on one hand no big deal.  But on another level, there is a revisit of tension with Uranus retrograde.    In 2021 Saturn square Uranus three times.   Covid, economic hurdles, inventory problems and distribution issues spoke to the planetary tension.   Of course, the January 6 insurrection was in the run up to the first aspect hit in February of  2021.   Once the final aspect happened in December of 2021 Saturn and Uranus went on their merry way and got some distance from each other.  In fact, in April and May, both planets had a nice healthy 10 degrees away from the square.   However, once Saturn turned retrograde in June and now Uranus turning retrograde, both planets will get close to that square again.  They will not form an exact square, but they will be within onedegree of each other.  We should not be surprised if we see an event in the news around August 24^th that is a call back to 2021.   Issues around tech and certainly Crypto currency could be in the news.   Grid issues.    Uranus in Taurus can highlight climate change issues.  Perhaps people on the move looking for security due to monster weather events.   Whatever it is, the tension will be thick until September 23 then Saturn turns direct and leaves that 1-degree orb and tells Uranus, ‘eat my smoke’.    

In conclusion, 

There is a lot of good and fun and joy that can be found in this 29 Leo lunar cycle.   Even if there is some hurdles there is something for us to love.   How we show up for others will make our heart zing.   Giving ourselves permission to be big even if it is just for one moment, that is the gift of Leo.   Purr.   

The 8 phases

Leo New Moon

5 Leo 39

July 28, 2022

10:55am 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:     Tapping our heart and being big is a gift.  How is our creativity manifesting?  How are we letting others know that we care about them?  How are we being generous?  How are we allowing ourselves to shine?  How are we sharing our strength?     

Special note:

7/28: Mercury square Uranus abrupt language.  Thinking and talking that is energizing, maybe shocking.  

7/28: Mercury square North node.   Truth in the heart versus an immovable object.   Some thinking may break.  

7/30: Mercury opposition Saturn.  The brain full of big ideas goes on a thinking diet.   Creativity that is too big may be a problem.  

7/31: Venus square Chiron.   Love, joy and money feel pinched by a need of independence.  

7/31: North node conjunct Uranus.   Brilliance and breakthroughs, excitability leads to new growth even if it does not feel that way at first.  

7/31:  Sun trine Jupiter.   Actions are big, new paths that speak to the heart opening  

Crescent Moon Phase

August 1, 2022

10:32 am 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 details?  What rae you learning about perfection?  What information are you receiving that ties up lose ends?   What info are you learning that supports health matters and protocols?  

Special Focus

8/1: Mars conjunction North node.  Smoldering tension.  Up rooted.  Ground shaking.  

8/1 Mars conjunction Uranus Disruptions to status quo.  That which looks grounded –is not.  

8/2 Venus sextile Uranus new maybe even odd energy inspires love, money & values 

8/2  Venus sextile Mars.  Helpful actions that support love, money and values.  

First Quarter Moon 

August 5, 2022

4:06am 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:  What actions are you taking that tap power?  What actions are you taking that cut out dead ends?  What actions are taking that flush out debris?  What actions are you taking that need you ‘all in”?  

Special Note

8/7: Venus trine Neptune.  Gentle persuasion.  Values feel supported.  Humanitarian issues may be pronounced.  

8/7: Mars square Saturn.  Thwarted actions.   Practicality versus lofty ideals.  

8/8: Sun trine Chiron.  Dynamic creativity breaks new ground. 

8/8: Venus opposition Pluto.  Creativity and values are tested for their power.   

Gibbous Moon

August 8, 2022 

1:44pm 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:  What is going on with your executive abilities?   How are fine tuning your inner boss?  How are you looking at the details of what makes you a solid leader?   

Special focus

8/11: Sun square Uranus.   Bold creativity that does not make sense is challenged.  

8/11: Venus enter Leo

8/11: Mars sextile Neptune.   Actions inspired by faith.  

Full Moon Phase 

19 Aquarius 21  

August 11, 2022  

6:35pm PDT  

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:  

What is community?   How do friends play in your world?   Are they connected to a bigger meaningful path in your life/

Special focus 

8/14: Sun opposes Saturn.  A yearly event.  Groups and social circles that feel disconnected to heart will get our attention. 

8/14: Mars trine Pluto.   Actions of power.  Power of actions.  

.   

Disseminating

August 15, 2022    

2:51am 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:  How are you sharing your independence?  How are you sharing your leadership?   How are you sharing the importances of leading your path?  

Special focus:

8/15:  Mercury trine North node.  Thoughts and communication have roots in practicality. 

8/16: Mercury trine Uranus.  Thoughts that are breakthrough.  Communication that is brilliant.  

8/18: Venus trine Jupiter.  Creativity with bold energy.   Philosophical beliefs in line with values. 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

August 18, 2022

9:36pm 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:

What actions are you taking that are grounded in practicality?  What actions are you taking that reinforce building something from the ground up?  

Special focus 

8/20:  Mars enters Gemini

8/21:  Mercury opposition Neptune.  Cloudy, muted thinking.  

8/22: Mercury trine Pluto.  Powerful thinking and communication.  

8/22: Sun enters Virgo 

Balsamic Moon Phase

August 23, 2022 

12:14am PDT  

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

Focus on How are you releasing your emotions?  How are you releasing family?  How are you releasing childhood?  

Special focus:

8/24: Uranus station retrograde 18 Taurus 55 (see above) 

8/24: Venus trine  Chiron.  Values in sync with healing actions

8/25: Venus square North node.  Values smacked down by rigidity.  Practicality pushes back on values. 

8/26: Venus square Uranus.   Values challenged by dynamic changes.   

8/26: Sun square Mars.   Explosive tension.  Drama not helpful.  

New Moon August 27, 1:17am 4 Virgo 04