The 20th of August brings us a lovely New Moon in Leo. This is the beginning of a new Lunar Cycle, the first cycle following the series of eclipses. Eclipses bring about change, they represent the culmination and rebirth of a longer cycle (see my posts eclipse posts for more info). As we now find ourselves, in some way, going a new direction this is the time to take the first steps that way.
The cycle has begun again, Moon is now waxing. In the sign of Leo, she brings fire, creativity, ant the urge for self expression. This brings to mind arts and crafts, music, dreams, dance… Although these things are a fine expression of Leo energy, there is much more to it than that. Maybe you aren’t an artist, or a ‘creative type’. Creative self expression does not have to relate to artistic realms at all.
We all have a need to express ourselves in some way. Whether it be by speaking your mind, or putting your feelings on canvas – there are things inside that need to come out. There is a drive to change the world, change our lives, build something, form networks, nurture life, paint… in some way, transform the vision/idea/emotion inside to fruition or manifestation in some way. We need to create something, an expression of something we are, think, or feel.
This New Moon occurs just past opposition to Neptune, Jupiter, and Chiron. There is an element of release, a sense of a ‘clean slate’. This is a healing Moon, a healer of spiritual, and psychological wounds. The conjunction of these three planets is a long term, highly spiritual and healing aspect. With the recent Eclipses interacting with them, there has been a great deal of stress and turbulence produced. This series of eclipses held potential for clearing spiritual, as well as psychological, blockages. That in itself is not an easy process, and a rather intense period.
On the day of, and a few days following the actual New Moon (through Aug 23, 9:41 pm) we are in the New Moon phase of the 8 phase Lunar cycle. This is a time of beginnings, visions, hope, inspiration and dreams.
Ask yourself what new direction is your life taking, and what part of yourself do you need to project into it? What part of your inner self is not reflected in your life? What do you envision down your path, that you need to make an effort to create?
The New Moon phase itself is not about hard and fast plans, it’s about the vision. Let yourself explore the possibilities. Eclipses tend to open and close doors – we never have one without the other. Most often, when changes occur in our lives there are some elements out of our control – but also some possibilities opening up, opportunities to shape our path.
In the New Moon Phase, we often begin things with more enthusiasm than thought. Things began during this phase often progress rapidly, with a great deal of evolution along the way. This is the increase of light, yet we cannot see the light. Like the newly planted seed, growth comes quickly, and there are many, rapid changes along the way. The structure of the plant has not been determined. The possibilities are endless, there is no way of knowing from the seed where its main branches will be, if it will be tall or bushy. You have opportunity to nurture and shape it, yet there will be some developments in its growth you neither anticipated nor intended. A transplant, you can see what you’re getting, the basic structure is there. You may help or harm it with good or bad care, pruning or lighting may alter the structure a bit. However, it’s basic growth pattern and branch structure are set. It’s more certain, yet more limited than a seed.
Although the actual New Moon phase only lasts for a few days, the entire waxing phase from New Moon until a day or two before Full Moon is favorable for beginning projects. The influences change with aspects and specific Moon Phases, but the entire period is inclined toward growth. This is particularly important to keep in mind with this waxing Moon, because Mercury is going retrograde next month. The Mercury Retrograde begins 2 days after Full Moon, therefore it will already be getting strong the last day or two of the waxing phase. It is not advisable to begin things under a Mercury Retrograde, as they are often plagued by communication difficulties, and ‘backslide’ in some way. If you have important things you plan to begin before the end of September, it’s advisable to do it within the next two weeks.
