New Moon in Leo Monday August 9th
Update August 9th
Leo by Eric Williams
The Moon moves rather quickly and so only stays in a zodiac sign for about 2 1/2 days. A New Moon isn’t just when the Sun and Moon are in the same zodiac sign, it’s when they are in the same degree of the sign, in other words, really, really close (known in Astrology as an exact conjunction ). The Sun, since it stands still, is very regular in its appearance in the different zodiac signs, which is why you know what sign the Sun is in each year by the date. The Sun is in Leo from July 22st to August 22nd. So that means that this New Moon occurs in Leo. At 7:23 pm EDT on Sunday August 8th the Moon moved into the sign of Leo. On Monday at 11:08 pm EDT the Moon reaches 17 degrees of Leo, bringing it to the exact conjunction with the Sun. Each zodiac sign has 30 degrees, so this New Moon occurs pretty much right in the middle of the Sun’s Leo journey.
New Moons are times of new beginnings. A new birth of energy that is expressed in the zodiac sign where the conjunction occurs. This month is all about Leo. I discussed Leo in my last Moon Letter. In it I said that Leo is symbolized by the Lion – powerful, ferocious, fearless. At it’s best Leo is represented as a King/Queen, a ruler who uses her power for the good of all. She is confident, strong, smart, creative, and persistent is her unwavering action for what is right for her community. At its worst, Leo is power-hungry and self absorbed, and uses its power for personal gain with little regard for the consequences of its actions on others.
It is up to each person to direct her personal energy in life. We are not helpless, passive beings, certainly not when the Sun and Moon are in Leo, one of the most powerful signs in the zodiac. We need to live a life of conscious decision and wise choice. During a Leo New Moon it reminds us that it is with our full power that we can use our energy to start something good and creative, and generous. Or we can use our power to push our personal agenda with greed and dominance. I can only hope that the light and bright energy of Leo moves you towards the creation of something new that will be fun, playful, and enlivening. Feel the power of Ego, and then direct it towards something good, that benefits more than just yourself.