The Full Moon occurs at 13.29pm BST on August 15th at 22 degrees 24′ Aquarius.
The Leo-Aquarius axis highlights the balance between what is perfect for me compared to what is favourable for everyone else. How do I fit into the group and relate to others.
Leo is a fire sign, ruled by the Sun, showing our individual creativity, our heart. Aquarius is an air sign, ruled by Saturn and Uranus, concerned with friendships, society and politics. Aquarius is intellectual, analytical, our head.
Saturn supports a strong mind and sense of self, but also describes and conforms to the collective rules and laws. Uranus, a free thinker, always looking ahead to the future, likes to make his own rules, shake things up.
The Moon in Aquarius is emotionally independent and feels at home with being different. These natives are comfortable being on the outside looking in. Whilst happy to join in with a group, they will always remain self-sufficient and retain their personal liberty. Be unperturbed about leaving or walking away.
At this Full Moon, the questions could be – do we follow our heart or our head? Follow the crowd or do our own thing? Do we need to be be admired, applauded or are we impervious to public opinion?
We could be pulled one way, then another, before working out our way forwards – either by making or being presented with changes, that eventually lead to progress.
Full Moon Meaning
The Sun is exactly opposite the Moon – Luna is at her brightest, her energy and force are at maximum power.
A Full Moon shows whatever seeds we planted at the New Moon maturing and becoming ripe, being illuminated, so that we can clearly see and understand our course of action and it’s results. The harvest could be abundant, bountiful or be deficient, and not quite what we hoped for. With the Moon at her peak, our emotions and instincts can be increased, the veil between the seen and the unseen realms is also thinnest at this time.
From here the Moon begins to wane, diminish, so it is not an ideal time to start anything new. It is more a time to reflect – and depending on the results of our harvest, either keep and reinforce the beneficial or release and let go of anything that is not working or has become dysfunctional.
Aspects
In Leo there is a stellium – the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars are all there. Venus is conjunct the Sun – exact on August 14th at 21 degrees 11′ Leo. The Sun and Venus will simultaneously quinqunx Pluto.
Sun conjunct Venus, indicates that what we really cherish or desire, in our relationships, materialistically or creatively – is in the spotlight. This conjunction speaks of passion, ambition, ego – there is sizzling energy and motivation here. Not only are 4 planets in fire sign Leo – all the personal planets except the Moon – Jupiter has just turned direct in fire and home sign Sagittarius!
All this fire, could lead to some emotional and verbal explosions. Some shocks and surprises.
Possibly something is being held onto too tightly, or being selfishly pursued. The Sun and Venus quinqunx to Pluto suggests issues around control and obsession – maybe insecurities around if we are truly valued, loved or talented enough, darkness and shadows, that need an adjustment.
The Full Moon in Aquarius, the only planet in an air sign, apart from Pallas in Libra, illuminates, a need to detach, cool off away from all the heat. To stand back, analyse the bigger picture and the future. We need to seek out what is authentic, true and unique about ourselves – and follow that path, stop doing what we think is expected or what others tell us to, stop worrying about outside opinion.
Aquarius also cares deeply about humanity, diversity, social causes and justice – whilst remaining aloof and composed. There could be a need to stand up for something that benefits everybody, or walk away from something that goes against our beliefs. A need to seek equality for all, support and encouragement of our differences.
Having the two feminine significators, the Moon and Venus in opposition means what we need (Moon) may conflict with what we desire (Venus). It speaks of possible clashes between – being the mother and the alluring lover, the stay at home Mum and the career woman, the wife and the seductive mistress, our domestic and social obligations.
The Moon, Sun and Venus are all square Vesta at 22 degrees 38′ Taurus, making Vesta the focal planet of a T-square. Vesta is the goddess of the home and hearth and keeper of the sacred flame. Vesta shows where to focus and direct our inner, spiritual fire – Taurus – where of course Uranus, modern ruler of the Full Moon is also presently residing!
Taurus, an earth sign directs us to be practical, realistic, patient, focus on our security and values, but the T- square adds tension, so with a dash of freshness, ingenuity – change it up! Keep in mind the stellium of planets in Leo will soon, gradually all move into Virgo, another earth sign. Virgo’s influence will emphasise that attention to the details and dedication are needed to achieve results.
At the time of the Full Moon, Mercury at 4 degrees Leo 48′ is back on the degree of the stationary retrograde of July 7th, and now clears the post-shadow zone. Just after the Full Moon, Mercury will trine Chiron, then on August 16th exactly square Uranus.
As I have previously said:
“There could be something that has been brewing in the background for sometime, Mercury trine Chiron suggests becoming aware of how our communications or thoughts may have blocked us, become an obstacle. Mercury square Uranus could prompt us to take a different path, another approach. Essentially we may recognise our own and/or others weaknesses, have to put this into words, speak our truth, and by doing so experience a release, that favourably alters how we value ourselves and increases our self-confidence.”
Tarot ~ 7 of Swords
The Full Moon takes place in the last decan or face of Aquarius, ruled by the Moon (Venus by triplicity). The corresponding tarot card is the 7 of Wands. This card shows the dark side of the Moon, mystery and deception, combined with Aquarius’s independence and analytical mind.
Book T refers to this card as “Unstable Effort.”
The Rider Waite Smith card depicts a man silently and stealthily, creeping away from an encampment. The man carries 5 Swords, while 2 Swords remain stuck upright in the ground. Is the man a thief? Is he the rightful owner of the Swords, sneaking in to reclaim them? Or has he decided it’s time to leave, go it alone and only taking what belongs to him?
All we know for certain is that the man is leaving, with something of value. Swords represent the element of air – thoughts and ideas. Whilst we can’t be sure what preceded the man’s departure, he has planned his actions and is leaving the past, hoping for a brighter future.
“In one sense, the Seven of Swords represents courageous, albeit impulsive, effort, which results in partial or temporary success. Old projects are neglected for the actions of the present moment. This card also warns against using deceit in either business or personal affairs.
Spiritually the card suggests that the figure seeks a change in consciousness. Having selected the spiritual ideas he needs, he now focuses on his goal.”
Spiritual Tarot by Echols, Mueller and Thomson ~ page 158
7 of Swords from The Aquatic Tarot by Andreas Schroter