Lunar Living Astrology

The Sun and Moon unite today in Leo starting us on a new path that brings out feelings of loyalty, courage, and renewing our unique talents. We are more willing to take risks in search of the potential rewards. The Sun and Moon are moving out of a conjunction to Venus retrograde. Venus is forcing us to rethink how we interact and how we deal with our finances. It can be difficult to find the right strategy while Venus is moving retrograde. But it sure can't hurt to explore a little.

The new moon is forming a square to Uranus in Taurus. Are we feeling like it must be "my way" or no way? If so, we might be in for a rude awakening. We should try to open up our heart during this new moon try to find where we have common ground. It may feel like we are compromising our values, but have faith that this has nothing to do with letting go of values. We need to find some new connections in order to make the most out of this new moon's best features.

Speaking of best features, Mercury, at home in Virgo (not yet retrograde motion), is trine to Jupiter in Taurus. We are likely to find opportunities where travel and logic are comingled. This might even involve finding work remotely, where you don't actually need to travel, but are working from afar. For, example, Online Tutoring seems like a natural option for those who have the skill and degrees to help students who can't find the help they might need locally. There are many ways that Mercury and Jupiter can work together to enhance our situations.

Mercury, conjunct to Mars in Virgo, is also forming a trine to Uranus in Taurus. The extra boost of energy can have both positive and negative outcomes. The key is to temper our feelings of fear and anxiety. That might involve finding some physical outlets; walking, jogging, riding a bike or a horse, or unwinding with yoga. We need to pace ourselves in the process, being very aware of our environments, so that we don't end up with an injury or accidently hurting someone else. The physical outlets will allow our minds to think outside the box and explore other intellectual options. Let's not forget to wrap up any Mercury related events soon. Mercury will station retrograde on August 23, lasting until September 15.

Venus retrograde, in Leo, is moving into a square to Jupiter in Taurus while moving out of a square to Uranus. Now is not a good time to brag about abilities. Boasting one's own achievements is likely to cause others to assume we are lying. Opportunities will open back up soon. Instead, now is the best time to build on skills. Reach out to others to help by using our skills to help develop and improve on our reference resources when we need to use it at a later time. Venus will end the retrograde motion on September 4.

The influences of Mars in Virgo can feel a bit uncomfortable for some of us. This is a good time to adapt and readjust, rather than push. Today, Mars is trine to Uranus and is moving into an opposition with Neptune retrograde in Pisces. We may be expected to make quick decisions and hope that we made the right one, while, at the same time, life simply feels messy. It feels like our choices are being taken away before we even get to consider the best option. Virgo is not one of the most trusting of signs in the zodiac. But, have faith that this is going to eventually turn into something that will benefit us. The Mars tendency is to push for change. The Virgo tendency is to organize, locate perfection, and criticize in frustration when perfection is not found. The key to Mars' transit through Virgo is to "let it be." Let the other aspects to Mars set in the background as mere distractions du jour because they are not something that can manifest overnight.

Be aware that Uranus will station into retrograde motion on August 29, just before the "Super Blue Moon" of August.

The sextiles from Neptune retrograde in Pisces to Pluto retrograde in Capricorn and Uranus in Taurus are going to be with us for an extended period of time. Don't expect to see the lessons right away. This is working towards changing societal attitudes and perspectives. We may feel some personal twinges from these three planets, especially if we have natal planets located near their positions. Let's give it a couple of weeks to help us see where to set our focus.

The overall influences of this new moon may cause us to feel stuck in the moment with so many planets in the Earth Element and Fixed Mode. But, we are not stuck. We need to be intuitive to find the right direction to move forward. We have plenty of options opening up for us. We need to stop trying to force ourselves into situations that simply are not the best options. We need to stop believing that we CAN do anything, at least for the moment. We don't need to let go of the dreams, but do need to become realistic about our abilities in the current moment. Explore the areas that we know we have deficits, and begin building on those. Leo is one of the best signs for shining the light on our abilities and talents. Leo's new moon is urging us to find happiness, not in materials of life, but in our personal abilities.