New Moon in Leo

The new moon in Leo this month (on August 16, 2023 at 2:38AM PDT/5:38AM EDT/ 10:38AM BST/7:38PM AEST) provides us with a new injection of energy to express ourselves creatively, delight in hobbies and activities that bring us joy, and maybe even find the courage to be more visible, stepping onto the path of greater influence to our community.

It’s a great time to notice what creative and pleasurable endeavors your heart is calling you toward.

With the new moon’s square to practical but awakening Uranus in Taurus, you may feel drawn to grounded hobbies like cooking, gardening, or sewing.

Or…you may get swept up in the magnetic, full-on passion of Leo. That may look like joining a theatre group, taking voice lessons, falling in love with someone, or creating art that you dream up in your imagination. Leo doesn’t do something because it is necessary, but because it wants to.

Uranus in Taurus, and retrograding Pluto in its last few degrees of Capricorn want to lend a dose of practicality to showy Leo. Take advantage of one last chance to drop old habits in favor of new ones to support you on new-moon-in-Leo’s journey to unleash your creativity and joy.

Maybe replace some of your video-streaming time with an hour at the painting easel or piano, sign up for a class that offers you weekly creative space, or join a group of creatives to feed your inner child’s desire for play time. Not a natural artist? No worries. Play for the sake of play is good!

Do you perpetually struggle to take time for you? The new moon’s benevolent trine to North Node in Aries makes it a little bit easier for us right now to meet our own needs before we take care of those we care about and love. Take a deep breath, borrow some of Aries’ courage to feed yourself first, and make time for you.

Regardless of the creative or playful outlet you choose, don’t underestimate the power of connecting to your joy and creativity. Time reconnecting to pleasure for pleasure’s sake may have unexpected benefits.

Leo playtime allows your spirit to refresh and reset, so that by the time the new moon in Virgo arises next month, you may easily receive new ideas that you are ready to implement to achieve your personal or professional goals. In the meantime, go ahead, laugh, love, and have some fun.

Journal Prompts

• If you had all the time in the world, what creative or pleasurable activity would you enjoy doing?
• When you give yourself time to engage in pleasurable, joyful, or creative activities, how does this tend to positively impact you?
• What is one routine, habit, class, structure, program, or group you are interested in adopting or joining to help you start dabbling in this enjoyable activity?
• Bonus: Add a to-do item to your calendar to make this happen.

Suzanne Bellavista is an astrologer and meditation teacher who provides do-it-yourself astrology and meditation tools to help women find their life purpose and cultivate inner peace. Visit www.soulfullivingproject.com to get your free Soul Mission Starter Kit or Circle of Love Meditation, follow Suzanne on Instagram @soulfullivingproject, or listen to the Soulful Living Project podcast on all major podcast platforms.