Leo New Moon

July 28, 10:53 AM (Pacific Time)

It’s time to roll out the red carpet for Leo the Lion, as the Moon joins the Sun at 5 degrees of this fixed, fire sign. Perched on his throne, ready for a rousing romp, there will be plenty to foment over the next lunar month. Once the Moon waxes revealing a sliver of light at 18 degrees, she will shake, rattle and roll with the exact conjunction of Mars, Uranus, and the North Node in Taurus by square.

Perhaps you already know about this triple conjunction—a rare celestial event not seen since BC. Even if you aren’t tracking the planets, you can tell from the headlines and perhaps from the rumblings in your own life. Change is petitioning the royal court and will likely present too swiftly for fixed signs who don’t always know how to flex. Attachments may fall to the fire only to be transformed.

How auspicious for the King of the Jungle to bless this time with his unique firebrand of strength, courage, and bravado, joyfully making child’s play of the challenges laid at his feet. Leadership is needed. Loyalty oozes from every ray of light. Tenacity and determination come naturally from this life-giving, heart-centered energy field.

The Sun-Moon applies to trine a powerful Jupiter stationing retrograde in Aries, also on July 28. Our inner fire can be fueled by trust, hope, and confidence. The cosmic omens encourage magnificent possibilities to initiate new endeavors and realign with the unique tone that is ours to express. There will be plenty of opportunities to roar and take risks, but it may require a leap of faith and a pioneering new approach. With Jupiter fanning the flames, belief is foundational, but belief alone won’t address every challenge.

Mercury, co-present in Leo, offers a quieter perspective, even in the brilliance of this big cat’s sign. Too much Sun and we get burned. Mercury is square to the trio of troublemakers in Taurus, hidden under the beams of the Sun and besieged by Mars and Saturn. The oracle reflects a more cautious communication from the get-go. Boastful, egoic pronouncements, even well-meaning diatribes may not get us where we want to go. Intention and impact may differ. Once Mercury leaves Leo on August 4 for his domicile (and exaltation) in Virgo, perceptual obstacles subside and we can make necessary adjustments from a logical place. 

As the fixed signs continue to ignite throughout this lunation cycle, including a powerful Full Moon in Aquarius on August 11, reality may step in to challenge blissful ignorance or willful denial. Revelations wanted and unwanted take center stage as we grapple with a fast-changing world. 

This month, Leo teaches us to shine our light even in the darkest places by tapping into our core essence, our solar power, ready and able to play the royal part we were born to enact. It may take courage to meet the moment, but when we lean on the Sun’s life-giving, heart-centered fire and Jupiter’s blessings, breakthroughs abound, and love wins.

If you enjoy engaging the New Moon with a ceremony, link here for a few ideas. It’s great to engage the start of a lunar cycle with intention, either as a solo endeavor or in a group.