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 The
Sun and Moon join together at 8 degrees Leo on July 30 at 7:25 pm PDT.
This New Moon is also a partial solar eclipse, as the Sun and Moon will
be 14 degrees away from the North Node. Eclipses are times of intensified
energy where experiences can have a longer lasting effect. This New Moon
is near the traditional celebration of Lughnasadh (often celebrated on
August 1 or 2), the midpoint between the Summer Solstice and Fall Equinox
in the Northern Hemisphere. This New Moon signifies the waning of the
summer months and the preparation for the fall. The first harvest of the
year begins, and this is a good time to honor Lughnasadh by baking bread
and collecting blackberries and salmonberries.
The
Heart of Leo
In medical
astrology, Leo is linked to the heart. The heart is not only the organ
that pumps and helps circulate blood throughout the body; it is also
a spiritual vessel for the emotions of love, compassion and warmth.
Leo is also a fire sign, and is connected to passion, romance, flirtation
and play. In Chinese medicine, the heart is seen as the king of all
the organs. It is said that when the king is sitting properly on his
throne, all other organs can function properly. What this means is
that without a grounded center of love and compassion, we are left
lifeless and cold and our health and our organs become diseased and
lifeless.
This
New Moon is a perfect time to rekindle the embers of our heart energy.
In our modern stressful world, many of us shut down our feelings so
we can seem professional, grounded and in control. We may act coolly
in public and avoid eye contact for fear of being too vulnerable and
unsafe. We tighten our facial expressions and stiffen our posture
to avoid attack. Eventually, these postures and stances lead to headaches,
tension and anxiety. Even if we eat the best diet in the world and
exercise three hours a day, our attitudes and the state of our heart
are most important to our emotional and spiritual health.
Let
It Shine, Be a Fool
In this
Leo time, we can begin to make choices that help strengthen our hearts.
One of the easiest ways I know how to do this is to spend some time
with children. Their simple, spontaneous expression can help loosen
our rigidity and help us to be more playful. When we can begin to
see the humor and joy in everyday life, we can relax our shoulders,
take the strain off of our eyes and begin to laugh. Go out for a drink
with a couple of friends, go swimming at midnight or walk backward
for two blocks. Now is the time to be a fool, to not take things so
seriously. Now is the time to take a risk: Ask that girl or boy you
admire out on a date. Enter the yodeling contest you’ve heard about.
Start banjo lessons—anything that helps you rekindle your love of
life and joy in being alive.
Neptune’s
Nectar
Neptune
opposes the New Moon on July 30 and acts as a channel for the expression
of these leonine energies. Neptune alters our consciousness, puts us in
touch with the transcendent and shifts us away from the mundane. In our
desire for play and expanding our hearts, we need to be careful not to
lose our boundaries and give ourselves away. This could happen in numerous
ways. Sex can be used as a way to make a connection and find intimacy,
but if it is done with the wrong partner it can be disastrous. The use
of drugs and alcohol can blur us so that we make poor choices at this
time. We may also desire connection so badly that we limit and stifle
ourselves for the sake of love and partnership. Eventually this will also
be destructive, as we are not letting the full heart shine. At the highest
level, Neptune can put us in touch with beautiful spiritual truths and
open our hearts to shine ecstatically. Yoga, dancing, painting, making
and listening to music as well as being involved with a spiritual group
can all help to draw down the divine.
The
Healing Leo Sun
About
five years ago I was very sick emotionally and physically. I decided I
needed to leave the Pacific Northwest and be somewhere sunnier for a while.
I lived in southern Mexico for a few months and spent considerable time
on the beach south of Cancun. While on the beach I often meditated under
the hot Sun on the white coral sand. I felt the
Sun’s rays warmly embrace and nourish me, gently melting my sadness and
anxiety as it healed my heart and rejuvenated my soul. The ruling planet
of Leo is the Sun, and I encourage everyone to bask in its warm glow this
lunation (use plenty of sunblock, though). The fire and heat of the Sun
is the source for all life on the Earth. Watch
plants as they bend and twist toward the yellow disc. Watch your pets
as they sleep in the Sun’s midafternoon glow. They know a good thing when
they feel one. The Sun is the source of life and love. Let its fires strengthen
and nourish you. Good health to you!
Editor’s
note: The health information given in this article is not meant as
a substitute for care from a qualified physician. This information is
given for educational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or
prescribe. StarIQ.com is not responsible for any mishaps that occur as
a result of using this information.
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