‘The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for the rest of your life. And the most important thing is, it must be something you cannot possibly do.’
Henry Moore, Leo
Period July 22 – August 23, 2020
All dates and times according to Eastern Daylight Time
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEO!
July 22, 4:36 am EDT: The Sun moves into the sign of Leo, the Lion, and we begin a new solar cycle. Many happy returns, Leo!!
UNDERSTANDING THE SIGN LEO
Leo is a fixed, fire sign and is ruled by the Sun. Leo energy is known for its gift of prophecy – in modern times we may call it intuition. The Leo archetype is linked to warm-hearted generosity, kingliness and faith in humanity. We are reminded of the god of the Sun, Phoebus Apollo, who was sent down from Mount Olympus to earth by his father Zeus to shine his light and tend the flocks of Admetus.
Through the Sun, Leo is associated closely with the father/ king/ president, and many people with a Leo Sun, Leo Moon, Leo Ascendant or Leo Midheaven, love to head corporations, small businesses and projects of their creation; they are excellent at delegation for they trust others to get on with the job. Leos also command the stage with their presence, whether in front of an audience or in various other aesthetic and artistic guises.
An unmistakably solid physical presence with a tendency to speak with deliberation, an innate desire to earn recognition and respect, and the ability to forgive almost anything (except shame or ridicule), are all linked to the Leo archetype.
LEO SEASON
During the Leo season, we are able to tune into frequencies of increased relaxation and creativity. While many of us continue working during the season, perhaps we can all make time for child-like play, poetry, and parties with beautiful music. Apollo, after all, was the god of music and perfected Mercury’s lyre!
July 22, 2020: Sun moves into Leo, beginning the fixed phase of summer in the northern hemisphere and the fixed phase of winter in the southern hemisphere.
LETTING REACTIONS GO
July 25-30, 2020: Wonderful days for getting on a bike or hiking on a nature trail. There’s also plenty of energy available for writing or giving a presentation. Avoid arguments or hot, fast talk that may lead to confrontations, especially at home, courtesy of Mercury squaring Mars (exact July 27). Staying close to our centers, we may imagine words flowing through us, as if we are a cool river. This may work to counter-act the instinctive, impulsive energy around.
FULL MOON IN AQUARIUS
August 3, 2020: Full Moon at 11° Aquarius at 11:58am EDT. The Moon, Sun and Uranus form a T-square in fixed signs. Fixed signs often point to immovable situations, or the determination of those in control to preserve the status quo. Yet the focal point of release from the opposition tension between the Sun and Moon is rebellious and change-loving Uranus, suggesting that we may try to let off a little steam between August 2-5. Do this in a positive way by going off the beaten path and having your own adventure. You may decide to combine a solo experience (Leo) within that of a group (Aquarius). On its highest level, Uranus is the awakener and can act as a spiritual catalyst for change. If possible, avoid large crowded gatherings at this time, as the potential for volatility is more pronounced than usual.
GRATITUDE AND CONVICTION
August 4-14, 2020: Watch cravings for MORE which may lead to feelings of dissatisfaction with the Sun semi-square Venus (exact August 12). How to be content with what we have? How not to over-indulge? We also have the final Venus-Neptune square (exact on July 27, 2020), which we dealt with in May 2020. Coming into the present moment may offer both delight and gratitude during this time. At its highest expression, these planetary alignments call us to maintain an optimistic outlook NO MATTER WHAT and to shine the light of compassion on all we interact with during the day.
With Mars squaring Jupiter (August 4) and Pluto (August 13), it’ll be easy to exaggerate and proclaim, but just as easy to state our truth with inner strength and conviction. These squares take place in cardinal (action-based) signs, suggesting the possibility of impulsive or over-the-top actions. Used consciously, these energies can be harnessed for an enormous effort – to clear the air, perhaps, or to get your life to wherever it needs to be. Intentional force can move mountains.
Those of you born April 10-14, July 13-16, October 13-16 and January 10-14 will be most sensitive to these energies, or those of you with 19° – 23° cardinal sign placements (Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn) active in your charts. The mutable signs Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces will also receive these energies, a little less intensely, especially those born around May 26-29, August 29-September 1, November 28-30, and February 25-29, or those of you who have planets or points at 6° – 8° of mutable signs. Please email me if you don’t have a copy of your chart yet!
MARS IN ARIES RECAP
Recall that Mars, planet of action is now moving through Aries since June 29 and will be spending a lot of extra time in the sign that he rules. Mars in Aries suggests that there will be a lot of available energy to initiate things! To read how the Mars transit will affect your sign and rising sign from July to December 2020, I’ve written a 12-sign article on Making the Most of Mars in Aries. There is also a timestamped video if you prefer to listen while on the go – enjoy! And please post your comments either here or on YouTube – I read every one and enjoy hearing how you are experiencing astrology in your life.
August 15, 2020: Uranus stations retrograde at 10° Taurus. Those of you born a few days on either side of the beginning of May, August, November and February are going to be most affected, as will all fixed signs in general (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius) or those of you who have a planet or point around 10° of fixed signs. It’s a time to slow down and gather yourself again after a lot of recent activity. Take a few moments to yourself this week to consciously breathe, nourishing your nervous system. Get some extra sleep and perhaps take some epsom salt baths.
August 17, 2020: Sun conjunct Mercury at 25° Leo
NEW MOON IN LEO
August 18, 10:41pm EDT: New Moon at 26° Leo. Leos, this is your New Moon and no matter when your birthday is in July or August, this is an opportune time for you to set your intentions for your solar year ahead! For all of us, we have an opening now for clear and inspired thought and action. Take this time to feel renewed hope, and jot down your inspirations for the month ahead.
“What was before is left behind; what never was is now;
And every passing moment is renewed.” –Ovid
TENSION CAN BE A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
August 17-25, 2020: Although Mars only perfects its square with Saturn on August 24, we’ll begin to feel this transit as early as August 17, in the 24°-26° cardinal range. This is a stop-go energy, and, together with the squares to Jupiter and Pluto, we may not be sure if we’re moving forward (towards a mask-free world?) or backward (towards continued regulations surrounding the coronavirus pandemic). Many of us may feel unsure which way the wind is blowing in our lives and how to prepare for the future. Will our children return to school? Will our businesses open? What attitude should we take towards the frustrating lack of answers?
We could all use some advice from the great sculpture Henry Moore (1898-1986) and apply it to our own endeavors:
“It is a mistake for a sculptor or a painter to speak or write very often about his job.
It releases tension needed for his work.”
During these uncertain times we may wish to practice holding our tension in a productive way and using it to create something beautiful. Astrology illustrates time and again that without tension (square and opposition aspects, for example), there is no growth and no forward movement in our lives. Spilling our tensions outwards can rob us of important energy needed to keep our equilibrium during these unique times… as we birth a new world.
August 22, 2020: The Sun enters the sign of Virgo at 11:44 am! Look out for next month’s Virgo season Astrology Update.
Love and light,
Catherine
| HOT DEGREES FOR 2020 |
| 21° – 29° of cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra & Capricorn) |
| 0° – 2° of fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio & Aquarius) |
| 13° – 18° of mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius & Pisces) |
For fresh perspectives, musings and cosmic food for thought follow @goshenastrology on Instagram. For updates that you can listen to while exercising or driving to work, subscribe to my YouTube channel.
I’ve used Isabelle Pagan’s ‘From Pioneer to Poet’ for inspiration when writing about Leo this month. Find yourself a copy in a second-hand book store!
One thought on “Astro-planner for Leo Season 2020”