The New Moon takes place at 03.42am BST on August 19th at 26 degrees 35′ Leo.
The Sun rules Leo, so he is in his domicile at this New Moon. The Sun giving his glorious light and warmth is essential to life. Sol is attuned with creativity, abundance – along with attributes especially favourable as we proceed through the latter months of 2020 – self-determination, courage, wisdom and spiritual illumination.
The New Moon is conjunct fixed star Alphard, a star that can bring an influence of disruption, as well as being entwined with the Moon’s nodes, which without doubt have a potent influence on the affairs of life.
Chart
The New Moon is conjunct Mercury, and just proceeding the New Moon on August 17th, the Superior Conjunction of the Sun and Mercury – Mercury Cazimi – occurred. When mind (Mercury) and self-expression (Sun) align something important may well be clarified or illuminated that leads to a turning point, perhaps motivating a decision or intention for the future. The New Moon continues the focus on our thoughts, ideas and communications, and prompts us to act on our plans.
This is encouraged by Mercury Cazimi and the New Moon both featuring a trine to Mars, in domicile in Aries. The Sun is exalted in Aries, and Sol, Mercurius, and now Luna are all in the face and terms of Mars – seemingly a harmonious blend of vision and dynamism.
But, we have to keep to consider….
A thorny, tricky, Mars retrograde lies ahead, Mars is currently in the shadow zone and will turn retrograde on September 9th at 28 degrees Aries. Mars is making challenging, repeating, squares to the trio of planets currently in Capricorn – Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto – illustrating that the turmoil and pressure of 2020 shows no sign of calming down just yet.
Mars retrograde will bring reflection on our actions – individually and collectively – to facilitate and assist change. It also means a pause to forward momentum is likely, to enable contemplation of our past actions and adjustment to current activity, that in the long run may prove to be beneficial.
Whilst the New Moon is likely to be inspiring and motivating, ahead we may encounter setbacks and frustration. The first squares between Mars and Jupiter (August 4th), Mars and Pluto (August 13th) have already occurred, and Mars square Saturn is already in orb and will be exact on August 24th. The best approach is to be careful and meticulous with our plans, try to use our prior experiences for insight and seek guidance from sources of wisdom, with the intention of enabling us to anticipate and resolve problems.
The Sun, Moon, Mercury and Mars are all in aspect with the nodes of the Moon. Alongside, a retrograde Saturn, in domicile in Capricorn is quincunx the New Moon and the North Node in Gemini – forming a yod, suggesting a fated, necessary adjustment to current global scenarios is on the horizon. It is also interesting to note that Saturn is also in the terms of Mars.
Essentially, the New Moon looks to be about shaping a plan of action for the future that re-views and clears up past issues or mistakes, that embraces the lessons learnt and the wisdom we have discovered. It encompasses facing up to tests and predicaments with discipline, trying to curb any volatile responses along with simultaneously striving to uncover what’s not working and how to overcome it. Align with our authentic, heartfelt beliefs and ideas. Then engaging with this knowledge to fire up faith in the integrity, and determination in the value of our actions as we move forwards.
The days ahead are complex and certainly need navigating cautiously, being alert of the potential for hindrances and hurdles to appear, brings the opportunity to dance around them to the best of our ability. By doing so, we may see the realities of life in a different light and discover attributes that help heal vulnerabilities, opening the way for inner insight and strength to be revealed, empowering us to shine on our way forward.
Assisting us to be organised, disciplined, analyse the details and be precise with plans, Mercury enters Virgo on August 20th the sign which Mercury both rules and is exalted in. The Sun follows Mercury into Virgo on August 22nd.
Fixed Star ~ Alphard
Fixed star Alphard at 27 33′ Leo in the Hydra Constellation, is an orange star in the neck of the watersnake.
“It gives wisdom, musical and artistic appreciation, knowledge of human nature, strong passions, lack of self control, immorality, revolting deeds and a sudden death by drowning, poison or asphyxiation.” ~ Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson
Hydra Constellation ~ “It is said to give an emotional and passionate nature, threatened by great troubles, and to cause some interest in shipping” ~ Robson
Hydra, is an ancient constellation considered to be a female watersnake. Perhaps the best known tale identified with the Hydra is the nine-headed watersnake with poisonous venom killed by Hercules in his second labour. As soon as one head was cut off, two new ones would appear, so to defeat the Hydra Hercules used fire to sear the wounds thus preventing new heads forming.
Tiamat
Hydra – as well as the constellation Draco, the dragon – has also been associated with the dragon Tiamat the Mother Goddess of the Sumerian-Babylonian creation story. “Hydra is supposed to be the snake shown on a uranographic stone from the Euphrates, of 1200 BC, ‘identified with the source of the fountains of the great deep’ and one of several sky symbols of the great dragon Tiamat.” ~ Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning, Richard H. Allen
Tiamat was defeated and killed by Marduk during the great war between the gods – the patriarchal transition. Marduk then split Tiamat’s remains in half, from one he made the sky, from the other the earth. Tiamat was the mother of all that exists, she symbolises female wisdom and pure, creative power, that sparks passionate focus on desired outcomes which can materialise through a sense of injustice, as well as give rise to chaos and turmoil when the traditional way clashes with new approaches.
The Moon’s Nodes
Notably, both Hydra and Draco have been connected to the Moon’s Nodes – The Dragon’s Head (North Node) and the Dragon’s Tail (South Node) – “For an unknown period its winding course symbolised that of the Moon; hence the latter’s nodes are called the Dragon’s Head and Tail. When a comet was in them poison was thought to be scattered by it over the world; but these fanciful ideas are now associated with Draco.” ~ Allen
The New Moon is connected with the Moon’s Nodes, and the symbology of creation, wisdom and chaos associated with Tiamat seems to tie in with our current collective experience. 2020 is a year of monumental breakdown, a potent, driving force of unavoidable change.
Alphard indicates formidable emotions, that can be obsessive and erupt uncontrollably. The connection with poison means this can lead to unscrupulous actions that bring trouble. On the positive side, these same strong passions can be engaged purposefully, to give the possibility of attaining wisdom, success, through experience.
TAROT ~ 7 of WANDS
The New Moon takes place in the 3rd decan of Leo ruled by Mars.
Leo Decan III ~ “In the third face ascendeth a young man in whose hand is a whip, and a man very sad, and of an ill aspect; they signifie love and society, and the loss of ones right for avoiding strife.” ~ Three Books of Occult Philosophy,
Leo is the Strength card in the tarot, and relates to harnessing inner strength and courage to overcome fears and doubts, to ultimately have self-control. Spiritual knowledge is hinted at by the lemniscate on this card.
Agrippa’s image of this decan describes this potent inner (spiritual) force inside that can be ignited to stand up for something bigger than the individual self – principals or ideals – despite any outer vulnerabilities or personal wishes to avoid confrontation.
Mars is the warrior – assertive and brave – determined to defend or fight for something whenever the necessity arises.
Book T calls this card “Valour”
The Rider Waite Smith card depicts a man brandishing a wand, he is on the higher ground, the remaining 6 wands surround and are directed at him.
The Man looks ready for battle, confident in his ability to hold his ground. However the man is wearing two different shoes suggesting the confrontation was unexpected – he was not anticipating having to defend himself. The sky is blue, showing his intentions stem from clarity of thought and belief in the value and integrity of his actions.
“My determination to face future challenges, whether they come from within or without, has earned me my key phrase: having the courage of my convictions ~ Spiritual Tarot, Echols, Mueller and Thomson, page 217
Top Image by Domencio Gentile on Unsplash
7 of Wands from the Aquatic Tarot by Andreas Schroter
References – www.constellationsofwords.com