Leo New Moon 8/8- The sun isn’t selfish

I am reminded of the quote by Deepak Chopra, “All great changes are preceded by chaos”.

I don’t need to tell you things might be a bit chaotic out there. If you are alive, you are living it.

Things might be turbulent as wind currents collide in the gap between the known and not yet known. Within that gap, we find the harsh reality of change. And change can’t happen in our comfort zone.

What does astrology offer as we navigate the current tempest?

Get technical. Truth is a massive theme of late. One we are challenged to redefine over and over again. We tend to get comfortable in our ‘truth’, attaching to ideas, thoughts, behaviors, and habits that agree with our personal narrative- regardless of the actual validity. Technical truths, which are the flavor of truths currently arising, have a way of getting our attention when nothing else can, however. The Aquarian and Uranian themes we are living offer opportunities for scientific insight, critical thinking, and methodology. Another word for technical truth is consequence. We will likely be living the consequences of long-standing decisions and actions. It is time to update and fact-check our lives to pierce the veil of any conspiracy or disinformation in our inner and outer worlds. In the words of Robert Louis Stevenson, “Sooner or later, everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences.“ ( To learn more about that, check out Storms of Consequence).

Another highlighted theme is the concept of freedom. This principle is cemented into the bedrock of our society, and if we are honest (and right now that is required), historically, we haven’t always got it right. Freedom has been and can be convenient to justify some horrific actions and ideas. History (and present time) shows us that too. With freedom comes great responsibility. We need to honor that fact. We also need to acknowledge others do know more about certain things than we do. We cannot be an expert on everything, regardless of what current consensus tells us. Discernment is a required skill so we can decide when and who to follow and when to lead.

To truly optimize the revolution and innovation this time requires, we must get both technical truth and freedom right. How? Enter the New Moon in Leo.

Leo, out of all signs, is most connected to the heart. A fire sign, it requires the heart-based kindling of integrity, honor, honesty, and humility. Ask the heart what it needs to shine authentically, and it will always respond through a force of altruism rather than self-centeredness. This is why Leo is most associated with joy. Contributing is the birthplace of that dynamic force.

The shadow, of course, is diametrically opposite that. Here control, domination, and tyranny can ensue, lighting an inferno to hide any tendrils of wounded esteem. But it isn’t always so blatant. Much current wellness thought centers around things like vision boarding, manifesting, and Law of Attraction principles. While subtly expressed, there is selfish sovereignty to ideas that propose a “chosen” reality bypassing the truth of what is. There is a stark difference between the mindsets of what I want versus what is being asked of me. What I can have versus what I can offer. No doubt desire is vital and should be honored, but we must get truly clear on which part of us is animating it.

This New Moon, we can expect a deep dive into our intentions and plenty of brick walls of reality based on technical truth. So, if what you desire isn’t showing up, if you find yourself in a familiar dysfunctional habitual pattern, if you notice your shadow layers arising via triggers and upset, pay close attention. There will be wisdom afoot. We can conclude any places that require reassessment will be blatantly obvious but challengingly inconvenient. If you feel your freedom is challenged, it is a call to discern and redefine your definition of it. If you find your truth challenged, do the same. This type of reflection may not be easy, but it is entirely worth it.

Remember, Leo times awaken a hero’s spirit in all of us along with those hallowed leadership principles of sacrifice, maturity, gratitude, wonder, and discipline. It is a reminder to connect to something bigger than our self-centered reality. A true hero’s fire is meant to encourage, motivate, and galvanize, not scorch the soul it is meant to defend. Like the Sun Leo represents, the shine is meant to give light to others. The Sun holds the gravity of an entire solar system. There is nothing selfish in that.

Which is what the word sacrifice is all about. It means to give up something for something else. The root of the word literally means to “make sacred”. What happens when we make the greater good more or as important than our personal wants? Where what is good for all must be considered over any selfish principles? We enter sacred territory for sure. Where actions are aligned with words. Where principles become more important than popularity. Because sovereignty can only be truly healthy when it cooperates, not controls. When it links empathy with leadership. When what is right overshadows what is easy.

Leo does represent the light in us all. Often though, we focus on the shiny parts, the accolades, the likes, the wins, the praise, and the measurable accomplishments. None of this is wrong, of course. It is important to celebrate our successes. But it is not the most important part of shining. Our eyes may seek the shine, but we must always keep our gaze on the foundation, the intentions behind our blaze. Every flame requires the good kindling to sustain itself found in the heart-centered humility of simply being an extension of grace in the world.

That is the real Leo. That is the light leading us forward. It is up to each of us to shine in that way.

“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his own weight, this is a frightening prospect.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt

Want to better understand what this time is revealing in you? Contact me for more info.

*Photo credit Joe Yates on Unsplash.