The Sun, traveling through Leo this month, illuminates the fundamental need in each of us to exist here in our totality — until it enters Virgo on the 23rd, and we draw back into ourselves for deeper introspection. Leo energy inspires us to find ways to experience our own exaltation here. We can not know our collective potential until we are all fully expressing in this world. Despite what we are told, there must be room for each of us to shine here. The new moon in Leo on the 12th nudges us forward. We feel new courage now to risk coming out a little more than we have before. The full moon/total lunar eclipse on the 28th in Pisces reminds us to let our feelings guide us and lead us to a place of greater peace and harmony.
Mercury, traveling direct, enters Leo on the 4th and moves into Virgo on the 19th. We show up more strongly in our exchanges with others and are more discerning when it comes to what we are willing to take in. Venus, traveling retrograde, enters Leo on the 9th. The time is now for reevaluation. Is self-abandonment a valid path? Is there any real value in repressing ourselves? Mars enters Gemini on the 7th and opposes Jupiter in Sagittarius on the 23rd. Being open is key to gaining knowledge. Saturn winds down its long journey through Leo this month. We are all clearer now about the need for freedom and for the room be more present within the structures we find ourselves inside. Uranus in Pisces, Neptune in Aquarius, Chiron in Aquarius and Pluto in Sagittarius all travel retrograde this month — the time is perfect for spiritual and philosophical contemplation.
Famous Leos: Madonna, Karl Jung, Jacqueline Kennedy
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Happy Birthday, Leo! Your way of life is an inspiration to us all. Be sure to remind yourself that it's OK to drop the ball every once in a while and let others pick up the slack. You don't have to be the strongest one all the time. In fact, it seems that everyone benefits when you step out of that role and relax into a more discreet position now.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — This is the perfect time for you to ground your vision more concretely. What do you want, Virgo? What would feel sustaining? These are important questions to ask now. You have the power to bring into reality a stronger foundation on which you can build a more desirable destiny just for you. Dream strong dreams and draw strength from the purity of your motives.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — You are able to disconnect and disengage, Libra. You can relax into the here and now as you feel your center. There is nothing that can pull you away from yourself now. You are at the center point and you hold that place. Let others pass you by and keep your energy for yourself. You need to be there for you.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — You move out of the cosmic and into the pragmatic now, Scorpio. You are here to apply larger truths to the smaller world that you are living in. How can you take something great and place it here? You find success when you narrow your vision and start with accepting that things are where they are. With that as your starting point, you can affect changes you desire to bring about.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — The positive fallout of surviving challenges is that we appreciate and enjoy the calm that follows. You feel a confidence for having mastered difficulties successfully. You have a great well to draw from, Sag. Remind yourself that this resource is there for you to reach into when you need it.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You find the greatest sense of fulfillment when you are there for others, Capricorn. As you look around you, there are people who need the nurturing that you yearn to give. Everyone wins when you open your heart and show up for others. There is success to be had in all areas of life. You expand yourself in love.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Life is a series of cycles. As one stage comes to completion, we gain insight into the nature and outcome of the choices we have made. This time is good for reflection and contemplation. Where did earlier choices lead you? Now you have perspective, and by taking the time to consider these things, you make even wiser choices when the time comes.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — You work now to stabilize your life on a higher level, Pisces. You can find footing and you focus your concentration there now. Too much freedom can be overwhelming and draining. You find tremendous calm in the strength of the structures that ground you.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) — You need free reign for your creativity, Aries. Clear everyone out of your way and give yourself as much uninterrupted space as you can. You have great passion and need to release this energy in high art. Don't ask yourself to accept anything less than room for self-expression.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — You are ready for a new world, Taurus. Anything unhealthy is most intolerable to you. As you move through situations, you leave a trail of illumination in your wake. Change happens wherever you go. Just be who you are, and the world shifts to hold a space for you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — You have the nourishment you need to be in harmony, Gemini. When you are fed, you can expand without risk. You enter into life with a generosity that is born of self-satisfaction. You spread the goodness within you as you step out and share yourself with others.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) — You can take what you learn
from what has not worked and use it to build something that will, Cancer.
It is well worth considering past outcomes that might seem to be failures
and turn them into resources. There is a wealth of information to draw
upon and it is valuable. As you use this knowledge, you begin to see the
great value there and how what seems like a failure in one moment, can
be a great asset in another.
Motavenda Melchizedek is a glass artist, writer and astrologer living in Silver City. She is available for private astrological consultations. She specializes in the areas of personal empowerment, family-of-origin issues, personal dreams and destiny, and the human potential. She can be reached at 534-1024 or moti@innerworlddesigns.com. She has just released her new book, The Edge of the World. . . the metaphysics of survival and the evolution of humanity; see www.innerworlddesigns.com for more information.