August 2nd ~ 9th
“Sun” by Dmitry Denisov
Mercury stations Retrograde
Fasten your Seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night. ~ spoken by Bette Davis in “All About Eve”
On August 4th (or 5th, depending on where you are) Mercury appears to station at 4º Virgo for its retrograde phase, which will last until August 28th. This is when all things seem to be put on hold at the most inconvenient of times, when the mail gets lost, messages are misconstrued, the grid melts down, and transportation come to a halt. This may or may not technically be more so than at other times, but we certainly seem to be more aware of it. And it does feel very much like our lives are that much more chaotic and undependable as a result. Makes it a chore just trying to get things done.
Mercury has so much to do with the functioning of our everyday lives: getting to work on time, making sure the bills get paid, getting the job done. So when Mercury appears to make this abrupt turn in the skies, our lives feel unfettered, detoured and delayed. But perhaps more importantly, Mercury has domain over the rational functioning of our minds. And just as we need to take time out each day to sleep, rest, and nourish ourselves, these periodic retrograde phases of Mercury are times in which we are processing and assimilating information from the past, in order to learn, and make sense of the present. And as we enter the retrograde phase, we are also at the point of ending the previous Mercury cycle, in preparation for the next Mercury cycle which will begin just before the Full Moon on August 19th.
The reason why we are cautioned not to make major commitments or decisions during these retrograde phases of Mercury, is that we are being asked to ‘reconsider’ our lives from many perspectives, which can lead to us changing our minds, perhaps more than once. And although something may seem like a really good idea while Mercury is in its retrograde phase, this could be a very different case when Mercury returns to its direct phase in September. We are processing, reevaluating, reconsidering, and adjusting. However, sometimes it simply cannot be helped. We often have to make important decisions whether Mercury is retrograde or direct. And sometimes we just have to go on faith.
Some of the things that we are processing during this time are any recent news, changes or information that occurred in the recent past. On July 21st, at the previous Full Moon, Mercury was square the planet Uranus, the planet of chaos and change. When Mercury is in its retrograde phase, it will return to this same degree, and square Uranus once again at the Full Moon on August 18-19th, along with the Sun and Full Moon itself. Therefore be prepared for some more shifts, twists and turns with the upcoming Full Moon! Be open to the new. Welcome possibility. For resisting it will be futile.
There will be an additional square to the planet of chaos on September 7th, so we are in for something of a ride before everything is said and done. So strap on those seat belts everyone, and mark those dates on your calendar. We could be in for something of a bumpy night!
Jupiter sesquare Pluto
In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same. ~ Albert Einstein
The Jupiter/Pluto sesquiquadrates of 2024-25 may seem like minor and inconsequential aspects. But when tied up with all else that is going on there is almost an imperative to stand up and pay attention to the events unfolding, both in the world, as well as in our personal lives. Perhaps even more so in our personal lives. Sesquiquadrates often bring to our attention things that we had been ignoring, had grown accustomed to, and so didn’t think they were of consequence. Until they are.
We will be speaking more to this transit next week, when Mars and Saturn come into the picture as well. But know that this not-so-minor transit combined with the Jupiter/Saturn square will compel many to stand back and question their own moral fortitude. This means getting back to what you truly believe in your heart of hearts to be morally right or wrong. And to be willing to stand up for that.
On August 7th we have the first of these Jupiter/Pluto sesquares, a transit that we’ve already been navigating in our lives… pushing us to consider the question: What does it mean to stand up and do the RIGHT thing?
The New Moon in Leo
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world. ~ Jack Layton
As you can see, this is not your usual New Moon in Leo, with all of this activity occurring simultaneously. The New Moon at 12º Leo 34’ on August 4th is also sextile Mars and Jupiter in Gemini. Mars and Jupiter are approaching their conjunction on the 14th, but in the mean time this New Moon seems to be already drawing the attention to the upcoming conjunction, by asking us: How can we make our actions, and what we do, more righteous?
Mars in Gemini is quick witted, fast, agile and adaptable. In the right circumstances it can turn on a dime. It gives us the courage to speak up and use our voices. Jupiter has this capacity to expand and exaggerate all that it touches, and in Gemini that can include things like the News, Social Media, the Internet, and conversations in general. How we use our words and language will be key over the next few weeks. With Mercury also in its retrograde phase, this can be something of a cautionary tale, for words can have the effect of just spilling out all over the place, unheeded, and unrestrained when Mars is conjunct Jupiter in Gemini. Therefore we would all be wise to THINK before we speak, for what we say could end up being our undoing.
That being said, the New Moon in Leo is a joyful Moon, filled with optimism and potential for the future. Leo is a sign of Joy, Love and Confidence. The sort of Joy that a child feels when they are playing. The sort of Joy that an artist feels at the completion of a project. The Joy that comes with uninhibited laughter and self-expression. And because of this the Leo New Moon can give us a reboot. A reboot in confidence that can restore our hope no matter what obstacles may be placed in our path. If you choose to do intentions with this Moon, use it to re-instill hope, and to have the daring and courage to reclaim it.
Hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists,, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. ~ Barack Obama
The New Moon in Leo is a good time to:
Laugh out loud. Find your inner joy. Connect with that heart center, and let it roar.
Be proud. Show the world what you can do. This is not a time to be shy. Conjure up your confidence from the depths of your heart and soul, and give it full rein. This is your time to shine!
Dress the way that makes you happy, dance in your own style, speak your own truth.
Begin a new creative endeavor. Take an art class. Redecorate your home. Express yourself in whichever way feels right for you.
Take part in creative events, going to the theater, attending a show, or going to a nightclub.
This is a time to play, and who knows better how to play, than children. Make time for the children in your life (young and old).
New Moons are times of New Beginnings. And the New Moon in Leo is prime for all things Leo. If you intend to do intentions with the New Moon, do so after the New Moon on August 4th (7:13 AM Eastern Time, 4:13 AM Pacific Time; and 12:13 pm in Great Britain); but before the Crescent Moon on August 8th.
In addition, if you have a favorite piece of gold jewelry, wear it while you do this month’s intentions. By doing so, you can invest that piece of jewelry with special meaning. If you don’t have something made of gold, it can be something that is colored gold, gold paper, a gold pen, or gold ink to write with. This is Leo’s color, and you will want that hopeful energy permeating all of your intentions and affirmations this month.
Some intentions for this Moon might be:
When I believe in myself, I walk with both radiance and confidence.
May I allow the vital force of the Solar God fill me with energy and life sustaining power.
I want to see all obstacles and resistance to love and happiness lifted from me.
May I speak from the heart, and with the courage of a lion.
May I be a channel for the creative intelligence of the Universe.
I wish to remember what it feels like to wonder, and look at the world through the eyes of a child.
May I invest every day with Joyous Enthusiasm, Laughter and a Happy Heart.
I am the Sun around which all else revolves, therefore like the Sun, may I bring inspiration and light to all.
For the New Moon in Leo for your natal sign or house, click below: