by Lady Deane
A New Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon form a conjunction in the sky, and come together in the same sign of the zodiac. This occurs approximately once per month or every 28 days.
This is a time of new beginnings, and represents a special opportunity each month to begin again and get a fresh perspective on things. The power of the new moon is purely instinctual and people tend to go with their intuition. The New Moon is dark, there is little light for illumination, so people must use senses other than their sight. Yet this special time holds all possibilities within it. So we have the ability once a month to set a new course for ourselves. For 2 weeks afterwards the moon will be slowly waxing or increasing in light. And at the Full Moon, the light is once again bright and things become fully illuminated. But before we can “see” with our eyes, we have to activate our “sight” through our hopes and dreams. Set your intentions at the New Moon, and then chart your progress at the Full Moon.
The August New Moon is in the sign of Leo and occurs on or around August 14th. Leo is the sign of the children, creativity, and being in the spotlight, so an area of life where you can 'begin again' this month would be around creative self-expression.
In addition to the meaning that the New Moon has in each sign, it also has meaning in each specific degree. These are called Sabian Symbols. For many years now I have been working with Sabian Symbols and their possible use as a predictive tool in astrology. For those of you not familiar with them, they are brief 'psychic vignettes.' These symbols were first conceived of in 1925 by the spiritualist Elsie Wheeler and the astrologer Marc Edmund Jones. Working together they channeled meanings for every degree of the zodiac (the zodiac is a circle containing 360 degrees).
Each channeled phrase represents an individual psychic image or theme for each degree in all 12 signs. Quite an undertaking. I have previously used them with solar returns and eclipses with amazing results, and have begun using them for the monthly New Moon as well. In this usage, the Sabian Symbols represent a collective theme that we are all processing as a society or group. And as the New Moon is a time of “resetting” our emotional clock, these themes can also play out individually in our personal lives. Sometimes you'll notice them as a metaphor operating in the background, and sometimes they can be quite literal and in your face. If you know your own natal chart, you can make each month’s reading even more personal by seeing where the New Moon impacts your individual horoscope. And if you don’t know your chart, guess who can help you with that? : 0 )
August 14th, New Moon in Leo
21 Degrees Leo: “Intoxicated chickens dizzily flap their wings trying to fly.” Oh my goodness! This one feels like a Wild Polka! Hang onto your hats.
And—need I say it??? Don’t drink and drive—or text and drive, or (fill in the blank) and drive…..oh for heaven’s sake, does no one just enjoy the drive anymore? Are we all multitasking every minute of every day? If you are, you may want to consider that the dizzy chicken dance will never truly get you off the ground (no, you’re not Spiderman, so knock it off). Because the only real downside of this fiery New Moon is attempting to do it all, and all in one day. Pace yourself. Enjoy that wonderful feeling of just being alive and fully present in each and every moment.
And for those of you who spent the last few weeks celebrating (or crying over?) the (family?) ties that bind, this Leo New Moon may just be the breath of fresh air you’ve been waiting for. Because for now, you take center stage. Finally, it actually IS all about you! Leo rules where we most want to shine in life, so shine away. And with Venus (think: sociable) joining this New Moon, you’ll want to share what you’re good at. It’s no fun being on stage without an audience, right? So get out there! Network, see old friends, make new friends, “hold court” and generally have a good time. Let no social invitation pass you by. For some of you, romance may even be in the air. So let your laughter be unrestrained and give your enthusiasm free reign. Enjoyment (not productivity) is the name of the game now. But do so without escaping into drugs and alcohol. Otherwise you risk becoming a bore to your friends, and no one wants that.
Leo also rules creative self-expression and with Mercury (the mind, communication) trine Pluto (intense transformation) on the New Moon day, you may have some very powerful ideas for developing creatively. But that’s a mixed bag, because Mercury is also opposing Neptune. This may mean that some of your ideas may need further testing or clarification, once the initial excitement wears off. Uranus (sudden inspiration) is closely trine the New Moon, so some of your brilliant ideas may be quite spontaneous, unexpected or just plain odd. Eccentricities right, left and center.
Or, you could quite serendipitously meet interesting new people by simply being open and/or in the right place at the right time. If you are unattached, you may just fall head over heels for someone. And, if there are any children in your life, you may notice that they have a burst of creativity all their own. So help them explore where they can shine, too. Because right now it’s playtime for all of us.
Yup, the New Moon in Leo—it’s like a big old happy dance up in the sky! So dance the night away and enjoy your own personal sunshine.
Last, but not least, Leo rules Courage (think: Leo the Lionhearted), so step with confidence now. Believe in yourself. It’s a brave new month.
Next month, the September New Moon is also an Eclipse! So be sure to tune in then for a special edition of the New Moon Ballroom and a quick spin around the Cosmic Dance floor. Til then—remember to play, smile and be kind. Then look up and thank your lucky stars.