SOLAR ECLIPSE – SECOND LEO NEW MOON 2017
The solar eclipse is now upon us- made even more interesting by the fact that we are having the second Leo New Moon. The first was at 0 degrees on July 23 and now we have the second on August 21 at 28 degrees Leo. We are being given an opportunity to experience anew our creative fire. The drive that says, “I must express myself in my own unique way. It feels like I came to planet earth at just this time to express this thing!!!”
As I reminded you at the Full Moon two weeks ago, the polarity of Leo is Aquarius. This polarity can express itself in unification of shared or dovetailing purpose. It can express itself in explosive, rebellious alienation.
Well, there it is…
We have seen what has been going on inside and out since that full moon on August 7.
With all of the outer planets in retrograde motion, historical issues that may have been. Bubbling under the surface for generations are now up for reexamination, for review, release and all of the other “re” words that retrogrades bring up. Pick your favorite.
Work on yours. We have an as above so below situation. We always do! But this is a biggie as eclipses serve to highlight the energy of the moon cycle.
Today the Moon Earth and Sun align and the Sun is the one that appears blocked. The corona still peaks out.
Our group emotional experience of the eclipse and of our daily shared emotional experience of life on earth is pronounced—for a few minutes.
So it’s time to ask – is my lion’s roar helping or is it just noise. We want to be heard and we need to be willing hear others, as well.
Mercury is still retrograde in Virgo, going back into Leo before it resumes forward motion on September 5.
Is it time for you to speak or to listen. Words create an energy. Words have resonance. Vibrations can be cleared and if there are things we’ve said in the past that are no longer an expression that is true for us, then clear the air in whatever way you see fit. Make amends, have another look at what you value, what you believe and what you say. Do they mesh?
Is it time to rest under the tree and regroup? I might say yes, for now. As, at least where I live, the eclipse Moon starts out in late degrees of Leo, and by the time it is over about 2 hours later, the Moon will have moved into Virgo – the sign of reflection and clearing and letting go of that which does not serve.
The New Moon is officially in Leo, but the eclipse brings mercurial, thoughtful, analytical Virgo into the picture.
It is time to remember we all contribute out creative energy to the group experience. We do it in many ways – quietly, loudly, in secret, on the street in the classroom on the mountaintop.
We contribute even when we aren’t seeming to do or say anything.
So, when we have the big Leo opportunity, we can check in with ourselves and can consciously decide, with our personal and collective history right there in us and In front of us, what is it that
I, fill in your name here, want and need and yearn to contribute, create and express? It’s a big chance to make a new decision, because this new Moon will have an enhanced effect for at least the next six months.
Consider wisely, and creatively, because with the polarity to Aquarius and the collective, it will affect us all. 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁
You are the only lion over whom you have control. But it’s a big pride and you’re not the only lion out there.
Love, Lydia
www.soulastro.com

AQUARIUS FULL MOON 2017
With Partial Lunar Eclipse

The full Aquarius Moon is at 15 degrees of Aquarius on 7 August. It is the first of the two eclipses we have this August.
The total Solar Eclipse on the New Moon is on August 21 at 28 degrees Leo.
I don't usually get into degrees on new and full Moons, but when there is an eclipse involved… you can look at your chart and see if you have any planets at that degree that would be aspecting the moon/eclipse. For you people, the Eclipse may affect those areas of your life for six months to come- until the next Eclipse cycle.
Eclipses magnify and enlighten. They make some things take on epic proportion. By epic, I mean they illuminate where you are in the great story of your life -- it's journey and unfoldment.
Eclipses often signified, in olden times, events surrounding royalty. As this Eclipse cycle involves the Leo/Aquarius axis, even more so – Leo being the king/queen.
With Leo, we look at, and feel we must act on, the need for creative self expression. It is personal, it is at the forefront, and we may put that impulse ahead of all things.
With the Aquarius full Moon, we see that we, AND others around us, all have some sense of special purpose that we must express.
We can adapt to that idea and make room for the ideas and genius of others.
Or we can scrap and jostle and disregard the wisdom and creativity of our earthly cohabitants.
We will see both energies in the coming months.
Uranus is the ruler of Aquarius. It went retrograde in Aries (29degree) on August 3rd and will remain so until January 2, 2018.
So, this retrograde will be in effect nearly until the next Eclipse cycle begins.
Uranus is the planet of genius, the higher mind, the zeitgeist, ideas that come like a bolt from the blue, electricity.
In Evolutionary Astrology, Uranus is the planet of mental trauma, and wherever he appears in the chart and aspects other planets, one can find, to varying degrees in each individual, the type and level of mental trauma on brought into this life.
With Uranus retrograde in Aries, this new Aquarius Moon brings in a time when we are reminded, instinctually, of past mental trauma and we have an opportunity to see it, feel it examine it question it and gets some understanding, healing and wisdom from it.
As all of the outer planets are retrograde at the moment, Saturn Neptune and Pluto, too, we are experiencing a lot of emotional and physical feelings that are echoing into the now but are not necessarily OF the now.

Feelings of a rebellion not experienced since teenagerhood along with the accompanying “no one understands me” mope may arise. If a right-minded rebellion is called for, then by all means go for it. But be sure it comes from the now. Some say “if it is hysterical, it is historical.” This phrase could hold some of us in good stead over the coming weeks and months.
Often it is not exclusively of the now. Take the TIME to tease things out and understand them to avoid unnecessary rows and stompings off to pout.
Some pouting may be called for. 😊
We may feel things we thought we were over and done with long ago – up for “another round.” It is a new layer of the onion, though, so take your time, peel it away, cry a few more tears and the way forward will be made more clear.
Also, Mercury will go retrograde in Virgo and back in to late degrees of Aries on August 12. It resumes forward motion on September 5. Virgo is ruled by Mercury and wants to examine and evaluate area of the ego, psyche and day to day life—deciding what is useful, what is ours to keep and not imposed conditioning from family and culture. Perfect assistance and timing for this Mercury retrograde.
We may see this extrapolate to a familial and global level – old enmities and alliances coming up and at it once more.
Stay grounded. Eat nice foods, get enough sleep, touch the trees and grass. Reach out to your friends.
Here's where it can be super helpful to use the Uranus-ruled internet.
Connect with old friends/relatives/teachers/colleagues who knew you when some of these old experiences occurred. They may be able to help clarify and reframe what went on.
Aquarius rules both friends and ostracism and alienation.
If you can choose the friends option at the moment it will optimize the benefit of this cycle.
Alienation is easy but not always beneficial, especially when we are bathed in so many planetary vibrations from our pasts.
Community – even in short bursts, chats with friends – on FaceTime or in person, can be a lifesaver.
Remembering what year it is, what day, what season, and grounding ourselves in the present time will help.
Look back but don't stare is an appropriate adage at present.
Being increasingly healed in the present, relieving the self of past wounds and memories is the benefit of this cycle. It will take a bit of courage to heal and willingness to see oneself as one who can see all experiences and raise the face to the light of the present. Walk in alignment with the present moment, if not unencumbered, then less tangled in past beliefs and fears.
Allow yourself to have compassion for the person you have been thus far in life – along with all of the bumps and bruises and insults and let downs that are part of the journey. While healing and acknowledging old wounds, remember the fun and the beauty and the laughs to counterbalance the deep inner work you are doing.
Take a spontaneous dance/hike. Join a laughter meditation class. Read something totally different. Eat something totally different. Spark the psyche and the body into something new to allow fresh grooves to be etched into your experience and your being.
Look at where your feet are and start walking from there.
Much love, Lydia
www.soulastro.com
lydia@soulastro.com