We are going for gold. It is the alchemical moment of high summer in its’ archetypal expression. Everything is possible as our hearts are filled with passion and courage. Pain and disappointment are binned, at least for now. It is the New Moon that takes place on 4 August 2024, at 11:12 GMT, and at 12 degrees and 33 minutes of Leo. A new moon characterised by a surge of masculine energy – as above so bellow – that is reflected in our spread here with The Magician, initiating and setting the scene for a new creative cycle of joy and adventure. It is empowered by The Queen of Swords, a strong intellectually dominated energy of logic and mental clarity. Finally, Temperance is telling us to every-now-and-then step back, reconsider, measure our confidence, keep track of our passions mental or otherwise, not be tempted by loud voices in our heads to go all out and to refrain from going into hubris, or excessive pride.

One way or another, we are making history and we are making magic. Once we’ve left behind heavy family baggage and rooted karma of worldly matter (the Capricorn-Cancer axis), we are headed for the apex of personal glory and communal spirit (the Aquarius-Leo axis), as the ancestors themselves are spurring us into forward action. Pluto is finishing off his sojourn in Capricorn and preparing his final entry into Aquarius. At the same time he sits opposite this new moon filling it with deep rooted meaning, quite different to Leo-Sun urges of glamour and sparkling light. While he oversees a transformative period in our lives, tensions are prevalent.

For this is the time to use all the elements at our disposal to create the new. There is abundance of resources due to our own making. We are not standing idle and we must act fast. This is not the time for repetition or the mundane. We are using creative energy from above to produce and inspire something absolutely new for ourselves and our community. This is an action packed new moon. Leo energy trines the north node in Aries as it sextiles Gemini placements of Mars and Jupiter. This is the unstoppably masculine elements of fire and air, and they are super inflated, enhanced and intensified, energising our every sphere of activity. Our hopes of a mediating Venus to calm the blood surging in our veins for a more peaceful approach to life are fairly low or unrealisable at any rate. Venus is in exile and detriment in earthy Virgo, yet another Mercury sign.

This is reflected in The Queen of Swords. The character is feminine but the expression is mental. Venus in Virgo is critical and is interested in the finer details of planning and organising. For this reason we might be feeling that the fun is taken out of our tasks with the compulsive drive to perfection taking over. And this is exactly in conflict with the whole masculine aspect of this lunation that wants quick action and quick results, fast dealing and happy outcomes. It can lead to a sense of frustration. Things appear not be turning out according to plan. That’s not how we imagined things when we were rushing to argue and compete with others, wanting to come first and dominate the scene. Compounding our irritation and exasperation is the Mercury retrograde that happens throughout August. The retrograde takes place at the early degrees of Virgo and then Mercury goes back into Leo. So unfinished business in Leo due to overwhelming speed of how we operate will get another chance to make sure we reach a desired outcome. Our focus of thought and action changes, fragmenting our sense of purpose, while Mercury changes signs and changes back again. It’s inevitable and probably helps us in the long run. It does not feel comfortable at the time but it’s a good way to minimise future regrets. It’s the bitter medicine, in a way, pouring from one cup to another as Temperance is guiding us towards ways of creating future health and happiness. While we want to drive forward regardless, our reality does not allow for that.

We want to break free from rules and regulations in order to shine but Temperance is saying: not so fast. Our passions are at the wheel. The impetus is with aggressive drive, yet, Saturn squaring the Sun says; no. ‘Hubris comes before the fall’ and we want to avoid a fall at all costs, no matter how uncomfortable or unglamorous that might look. In the Leo season, how things look takes over everything else. So applying some risk assessment is very wise. All indications are that Temperance here is urging us to moderate our appetites for word battles, intoxicating language, and indulgent attitudes. It is a force for self restraint in the way that we express our views and opinions. But, predictably, we are not finding it an easy task. Perhaps some other time but not now. We have Mars conjunct Jupiter in August which happens in Gemini. Our nerves are tested to the maximum. All our physical urges are directed from the inside out. Emotional pride and ambition runs high. Using that inner courage we have to create a new reality for ourselves and others requires channelling and direction.

Creating magic is the name of the game in August. We are at the apex of our powers, resourceful and full of heart. And we are going for gold. It is a fast paced energy. Optimism and expansive hope are activated. We have all the tools for manifesting our purpose, creative flare for producing new opportunities, and the courage to fight for what we want. Even Venus in Virgo and the retrograde energy of Mercury in Leo work to our advantage. They are making sure that our actions do not become too eccentric or outrageous, that our emotions do not overtake our mental clarity and that our sense of self is saved from becoming overinflated. At the outcome of this seeding lunation we want to find ourselves more joyful and more abundant, seen for all our worth.

Flavia