On Wednesday, July 31, 2019 (8:12 PM PDT and 11:12 PM EDT) the Moon begins a new cycle in the colorful and expressive sign of Leo. The sign that is bold, thrives off of creativity, and needs to express everything without inhibition. She isn’t here to hide and she knows she has something to share with the world. She’s dramatic, she sees life as a stage, does everything with style, and isn’t satisfied without an audience.  She performs not as an act to hide behind, but as a way to show and develop who she is. Some of us feel at home in Leo territory while others may want to run for cover. Leo’s shadow comes out when she becomes overly focused on herself and can only see a “me, me, me” take on life. If she’s consumed with herself then her child like energy turns into childish behavior and well, that’s not fun for anyone. With the New Moon in Leo, the theme for this lunation is EXPRESSION.

So what else can we expect for this New Moon?

Well for starters, we are out of that intense eclipse energy and Mercury is stationing direct. In other words, if these last few weeks have felt a bit “too much” from all the self reflection, misunderstandings, delays, and possible set backs that left you spinning in circles, then feel free to let out a huge sigh of relief knowing that you made it through. Of course everything has its place, and maybe Mercury retrograde also brought resolve to some of your relationships, gave you clarity on your next steps for a project, contract, or event, or maybe it even allowed you to connect with a friend or two from the past. People, things, and situations are rarely all bad or all good, but some can certainly pack more of a punch than others. When that happens, I’m sure we could all use a bit of a break, and guess what- there’s a good chance this New Moon offers us the breather we need.

During this lunation we have the Sun, Moon, Venus and Mars all situated in Leo. So it’s the perfect time to boldly claim who you are without apology, indulge in some play, engage in some fun, wildly create, and express as colorfully and as loudly as you would like. Let all that inner reflection move into a time of visible expression for however you feel this would best suit you. Allow your unique self to step into the spotlight and don’t be afraid to shine as brightly as you would like. Reminder: If you see others boldly shining in their talents and accomplishments, join in the celebration with them and know that their joy and light doesn’t diminish yours, but actually adds to it. I promise that there’s more than enough joy and light for everyone. 

I do need to mention that Uranus, the planet of unpredictability and change, is making a challenging aspect to this New Moon. There’s a chance that something you didn’t see coming might appear in your path. The good news is that even if this does occur there’s likely to be an opportunity for change. If we can remember that Uranus is ultimately here to free us and help us live out our most authentic self then it doesn’t feel as scary. If we can learn to ride the waves when they come instead of feeling overcome by them we are likely to feel free and less attached to an outcome. That sounds good to me. Or maybe Uranus is here to ignite a new creative idea or stir up an attraction to something new or even to someone new. Who knows you might even find an entirely new path opening up for you that is brimming to the surface with possibilities. So with Uranus making itself known during this lunation, ask yourself: What is it that I really want to express? What makes me unique? How have I been following the crowd? What is my true expression? What in my life brings me the most joy? Who or what can I celebrate? What are my gifts? How can I experience more fun in my life? 

Lastly, Chiron, the wounded healer is making a helpful appearance during this lunation. This energy is encouraging you to honor the work you’ve already done in facing your wounds and that if you need more healing to occur that it will easily come through for you right now.  Maybe this comes from a friend or a mentor or even from the kindness and love that you show toward yourself. However it shows up, it’s the perfect opportunity to practice gratitude. 

So allow yourself to fall more deeply in love with life, reconnect with all the things and experiences that bring you joy, and don’t be afraid to shine. Find ways to celebrate yourself and your loved ones. Pay attention to what makes you excited to get up in the morning and maybe you’ll find yourself becoming more enchanted with life. 

While we all might feel pulled during this New Moon to express who we are and celebrate the life we have, we will all experience this lunar energy differently depending on where Leo is located in your chart or if you have a natal planet associated with it. If you would like a more personalized reading, I’d love to set up a session with you.

>>>play on<<<

[*Note* The ABOVE contains a personification of the sign Leo and a few of the planets. Neither the sign nor the planet are gendered and the SHE could just as easily be used as HE.]