Does anyone else feel as thought they blinked and July was gone? I turned around one, it seems, and here we are at New Moon in Leo (Saturday the 30th of July). This month we have two new moons, one at the beginning and one at the end.
Leo is the sign of the lion. The lion knows how to be a leader in the hunt for food. But it also knows when to lie down and play with the kids.
In the northern hemisphere, Leo fall in our summer, the time we generally take for vacation and relaxation. In the southern hemisphere, tit falls in the winter, the time of going within. For all of us, this is a time of re-membering, re-sourcing, recuperating and replenishing ( the “r’s” from Gaia Speaks by Pepper Lewis).
Everything is moving so quickly now, we are being bombarded by so much information and energy. We need to take time off once in a while. Think of the photos you’ve seen of the lion. A lot of the time, they are relaxed, reclined somewhere looking quite regal. They know how to take time off.
However, when the lion moves, there is total involvement, a sense of power, of self-confidence. It has intense focus, stamina, follow-through and strength of purpose. If it didn’t, it would starve.
That is one of the lessons that I take from Leo-when it’s time to work-bring everything you’ve got-passion, awareness, focus, follow-through. But when it is time to play or relax, focus on that, and make sure there is time to play!
There are other qualities that Leo expresses that we might want to bring into our lives. Leo is very heart centred: romance, dating, making heart to heart connections. It also rules generosity, encouragement and kindness.
Creativity is also a big part of Leo energy, so let go and get creative! You need the space to do this, not physically, but energetically. This is where taking time out comes in. Slow down, change gears, and see what happens.
In matters of health, Leo rules the back and spine, heart, inflammation, exhaustion and heat exhaustion.
This month also sees the return of Mercury Retrograde. Although we have been in it’s shadow for a while now, it actually starts on August 2nd and lasts until August 26th, although we will feel its effects for a week or so after that. This is our opportunity to revisit decisions, rethink plans and re-assess whatever is going on in our lives. Look at it as a good thing, and use those Leo qualities to be creative and playful, and to take a leadership role in your life.
I regularly check a website called www.HeyAllie.com for information as to what is going on. She has a newsletter that you can sign up for. She has some interesting ideas about what we’re going through right now, so check her out.
If you are setting intent for this lunar month, here are some examples:
I am enjoying having the focus and persistence necessary to carry out my tasks to their completion.
I am joyfully taking advantage of summer to walk slower, take more time for myself.
I am recognizing those times I am prideful or arrogant, or feeling inferior, taking a deep breathe, and rephrasing what I am saying or doing.
I am opening myself to experiencing pleasure and joy in my life, without guilt.
