The New Moon takes place on August 8th 14.50 BST at 16° 14′ Leo.
The Sun rules Leo the Lion, so he is in his domicile at this New Moon. Lions are courageous and protective, fierce and gentle, strong and proud leaders – evoke the energy of Leo. Sol is attuned with creativity, pleasure, self-determination, wisdom and spiritual illumination.
An inspiring moment that sparks our creative vision of the future. Leading us to ask what do we wish to create? – or – feel motivated to protect and defend?
Chart
The New Moon creates a T-Square of Sun-Moon opposite Saturn Rx all square Uranus.
The influence of Saturn square Uranus all year is pushing for, and unleashing change. The T-Square speaks of our resistance to change or desire to achieve it, creating difficulties for us leading up to the New Moon (Saturn Rx).
This is a fixed T-Square – stubborn and uncompromising – so it may seem like there is no way round what or who is presenting us with challenges.
But, the closest aspect to the New Moon is the square to Uranus. Meaning breakthroughs are possible, along with surprises and shocks. Uranus also suggests the potential for accidents – so try and avoid any unnecessary risks ( – this is on my mind as last night a car crashed through a friends garden fence, continued on through the hedge on the other side, before coming to a halt in the field beyond. It’s caused quite a mess, but luckily the driver is fine. My friend is still a bit stunned as it was obviously completely unexpected – Uranus!).
The New Moon may well reveal something important we can learn from the past (Saturn Rx) that gives us fresh insight (Uranus) into what we wish to create and pursue in life. Adding to this influence Mercury (mind/ideas) is the focal planet of a Yod that is formed with Neptune and Pluto.
Mars in Virgo is square the nodal axis, creating another T-Square. Bringing us more encouragement to think through and plan out how we are best to assert ourselves and take action ahead. To look at the past (South Node) to help plan the future (North Node). What to hold onto and what to release from the past – a turning point of significance.
The New Moon bestows courage to act decisively, to try a new approach – find solutions – that bring us the potential for more joy, freedom and independence.
“Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care
Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are!” ~ William Shakespeare, Macbeth
Fixed Star ~ Dubhe
Fixed star Dubhe is the main star in Ursa Major – The Great Bear – currently at 15° 29′ Leo. According to Ptolemy, Dubhe is like Mars.
“(Dubhe) is credited with the destructive power of Mars, working itself out particularly in mundane maps, in a nasty way, if this fixed star is in conjunction with Saturn. Dubhe is positioned in conjunction with the Moon in the natal chart of Mao Tse Tung, and with Saturn in the chart of Hitler.” ~ Fixed Stars and their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin
“Dubhe the Arabic for Bear. It is on the creature’s back and, on The Plough or the Big Dipper. It is on the lip of the pan end, pointing the way to polaris. We get no help from Ptolemy here, but the function of Dubhe in pointing us to our chief guiding star tells us that those gifted with it, while they may not have all the expertise themselves, will certainly know where to send others for help, and will delight in doing so. A Mercury-Venus simile is not far amiss.” ~ The Living Stars, Dr Eric Morse
Bernadette Brady says Dubhe “is concerned with insight, persistence, endurance and passive strength.”
Tarot ~ 6 of Wands
The New Moon takes place in the 2nd Decan/Face of Leo ruled by Jupiter in both rulership systems.
Book T calls this card “Victory”.
Leo II
“A man who wears a crown of white myrtle on his head, and he has a bow in his hand. This is a face of beauty, riding, and the ascension of a man who is ignorant and base, and this is a face of war and naked swords.” ~ PICATRIX
The Rider-Waite-Smith card depicts a man riding a horse wearing a laurel wreath of victory and carrying a wand with a second wreath attached to it.
The 6 of Wands symbolises success, admiration, praise, applause, a place in the spotlight. A highly positive and optimistic card.
But, the Picatrix describes “the ascension of a man who is ignorant and base” so while there is victory here, there is no assurance of actions or characteristics being honourable. Success may be momentary rather than lasting.
“This card shows satisfaction with the present situation, optimism for the future, and belief in oneself. The rider sits easily balanced, and in harmony with his surroundings. The card also reflect the dichotomy between higher truths and human instincts (represented by the horse). Each of us is a spiritual warrior on a quest to discover hidden aspects of ourselves.” ~ Spiritual Tarot, Echols, Mueller and Thomson
Images
Top Image from Unsplash by Matthew Kerslake
6 of Wands from The Aquatic Tarot
References
Star and Planet Combinations ~ Bernadette Brady
The Complete Picatrix ~ Translated by John Michael Greer & Christopher Warnock