Astrology by Lauren

August 17th ~ August 24th

Where you have Leo in your chart is where you can find your joy, your passion, as well as your inner pride.  It is also where you hope to find your ego-gratification and yearn to be noticed or applauded.  Understanding the difference between pride and vanity, and depending on our level of self-confidence, this is where we have the capacity to express ourselves at our purest, most essential level.  Without all those layers of expectations from society, of trying to be respectable for our parents, or our religion, all piled on top of it. Therefore in the New Moon in Leo time let us imbue ourselves with the wonder and trust of the Leonian child filled with wonder, and plant the seeds that will build our self-esteem and personal dignity.

Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously... pride relates more to what we think of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us. ~ Jane Austen (Moon conjunct Saturn in Libra square Mars)

This New Moon is sextile Mars and Saturn in Libra.  And although Mars is not quite comfortable in this sign of appropriate conduct, the sign of Saturn’s exaltation, Mars eventually thrives under Saturn’s direction.  Where Mars is the warrior, Saturn is the able commander, directing and channeling that otherwise implacable energy towards a specific goal, and keeping it focused there.  This can at first bring delays as Saturn tries to control the Martian forward movement.  But ultimately the gift it brings us is dedication, determination and commitment.  This New Moon in Leo allows us to use the Mars/Saturn dynamic to our advantage.  

The partnership of this New Moon to Mars/Saturn can be about being committed to something that may involve a great deal of work, courage and determination, but which will ultimately be very self-satisfying.  Saturn has to do with our goals, priorities, achievements and responsibilities.  Mars gives us the courage to follow through.  What seeds we plant this week, what we set our hearts on, what commitments we make to ourselves, will be worth the time and effort.  It will also have longevity.

With the Retrograde Mercury now behind us, and Mars’ forward motion being funneled by Saturn this past week, some things may have felt like they were put on hold, or promises were delayed.  Venus creating a t-square with Uranus and Pluto has created havoc in some relationships or threatened financial security.  Together they have challenged our confidence in ourselves.  However, this is certainly not the time to give up on yourself!  The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is, “After a heavy storm, a rainbow appears.”  Use the impetus that the New Moon brings to turn something that you’ve been avoiding or that has previously been delayed or going through some sort of crisis, into a new commitment, a new beginning, that will allow you to just glow with renewed pride in yourself.  Flaunt it.  

The only lifelong, reliable motivations are those that come from within, and one of the strongest of those is the joy and pride that grow from knowing that you’ve just done something as well as you can do it.  ~ “Thinking About Quality” by Dobyns & Crawford-Mason  

the photo of "rainbow after a storm" is by photographer, Ian Collins from the UK

For the week of August 17th thru the 24th, be sure to read your rising sign as well:

Aries

This is a week of both courage and stamina.  Courage to tackle those chores and activities that you may have been putting off and avoiding up until now.  Courage to face your adversaries in order to come to the end of a lengthy stalemate that is going nowhere.  And time to seek solutions to frustrating circumstances that have been holding you up.  First up is discovering the resources that you truly have at your disposal and what your options are.  And then making a decision and committing to it.  Use the surge of the New Moon phase to tackle and accomplish your goals.

Taurus

This has been something of a rough week for Taurus, as you come to realize the necessity for making critical changes in your life, or for the sake of society at large.  You’re less likely to be sitting on the side lines.  However, the really critical time to make a difference is actually after this New Moon, when you have the strength and stability to make a commitment that you can truly live with.  It may not be ideal, and it may require some sort of sacrifice, but at least there is a way to see some sort of resolution to a long delayed situation.  

Gemini

It’s time to create some sort of plan... and boy are you ready and excited with all the possibilities that stretch before you.  But the real excitement is right in your own backyard, with neighbors, friends and relatives, as you get together, and start figuring out something that everyone can commit to. You may be the one with the solution, as you are able to think sideways as well as the  usual regular ways.. which always opens up creative ideas in the process.  Welcome newness.

Cancer

A relationship crisis, or perhaps just a new state of awareness, left you feeling that you are not in Kansas any more.  The first step, this week, with the power of the New Moon behind you, is to try to create some sort of stability and order in your life.  It’s kind of like unpacking after a really horrendous move.  The sooner you have everything in its appropriate place, the more equipped you will be to make the adjustment to your new circumstances.  One thing to consider with this New Moon, is making some kind of financial plan that you can honestly live with.

Leo

This is a week of transition for Leo.  All the more reason to make those positive intentions in the wake of the New Moon.  Use the energy to sow seeds for reinvigorating the joy and happiness in your life.  Create a plan that also includes time to play as well as work, or perhaps to allow play to creep into your work.  Use the resources at your disposal to tackle those issues that you have either been avoiding, or have had you frustrated with delays.  It’s amazing what a little courage and determination will accomplish.  But also take time to be kind to yourself.  As the Leo ruler, the Sun, moves into Virgo this week, it can accompany a sense of loss, and even helplessness.  At times like this it helps to remember the serenity prayer: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.”

Virgo

If you are feeling positive and excited about the future, then you probably should be, but with a few caveats.  Your world is opening up in some really wonderful and positive ways.  Perhaps an opportunity to travel, see the world, or negotiate a promising deal is in the offing.  Although last week was fraught with stalemates and frustration, these are being resolved as you realize that you can now make a commitment that you hadn’t felt that sure about before.  However, what does not feel comfortable are your relationships with others, or perhaps a sense of weakness and maybe even a little despair.  As the Sun enters your sign of Virgo on Wednesday it will oppose the planet Neptune which will highlight those areas of our lives where we feel like we have so little control.  The best way to handle this is to realize that the only one you can truly control is yourself.  Prioritize what is important to you, and let go of those things over which you really have no control.

Libra

You’ve been stretched and challenged all week to be in many places at once, and made to feel like you were having to make Sophie’s choices all over the place.  Work?  Partnership?  Friends?  Family?  It’s very difficult to be in many places all at once.  Libra does it with patience and diplomacy.  This week is about focusing on those seeds that you have been planting over the past few years.  Even though they may not be reaping fruit as yet (it’s much too early!), there is the realization that it’s time to make a commitment.  This New Moon is a strong wishing Moon for Libra, made all the more available by the longevity and determination inherent with Mars and Saturn in your sign at the time of the New Moon.  

Scorpio

With Saturn behind you, you are at the very end of a lengthy cycle.  You are at a time of finishing and completing the loose ends that trail like smokey tendrils from a life once lived.  You are preparing the garden for a new cycle to come, tilling the soil and allowing the rich loam of experience to rise to the surface.  As with all gardens, there is a time to plant... it’s not quite yet, but there is however a lot of background activity taking place.  With the New Moon falling in Leo, this is a good time to test the soil for possibility, and start making plans, marking out what and where everything is to be planted.  Once that plan is set, there will be little to stand in your way, now that your ruler Mars is entering its own sign of Scorpio on Thursday.

Sagittarius

It feels like the sky is the limit this week.  Whether traveling, studying or seeking a new adventure, your world is opening up in some sort of wonderful and exciting way.  And although there may be some issues at home that make you feel a bit like the rug is being pulled out from under you... the possibilities for the future are just too exciting to give up, and in the long run are going to open up all sorts of doors.  You are optimistic and hopeful for good reason.  Plus it will be easier to see connections and find solutions that you may have overlooked before.  Share your dreams and plans... you will find that you are pretty much on the same page.

Capricorn

Cause and effect.  That which ye sow ye reap.  That is the simple explanation of how the law of Karma works.  And you are currently in the reaping phase, where the events of your life have reached a point of culmination and expression.  However, there are still junctures where you can still plant seeds that can and will affect your future.  And this New Moon in Leo is one of those times when it will be worth your while to step up to the plate, and take the mantle of responsibility upon your shoulders.  Have both courage and pride.  After all you built it.  You should flaunt it as well.  If you do so, people will stand up and take notice.

Aquarius

Coming to know what you want, and who you want to be known as, is the first step here.  You are gradually approaching a time of your life which can be seen as a peak of achievement.  When all your efforts and work will bear fruit, according to where you have put all of your effort.  However, you are still in the preparatory period.  And there is still so much to learn first.  But isn’t it exciting to learn something new? However, once you have a plan, a plan that really feels comfortable to you, it’s time to start thinking about making a real commitment.  

Pisces

You do have every reason to feel optimistic.  This is a good week to make plans, negotiate, and think about the future.  Everything will eventually fall into place in a good way.  However, as the Sun enters Virgo on Wednesday, it will oppose Pisces ruler, Neptune.  This will show you where you are going to be needing some healing in your life, or in the lives of your loved ones.  If you are feeling scattered or overwhelmed, realize what things are truly the most important, and let go of those things you really don’t have any control over any how.