Mercury in Libra/The Virgo New Moon

 Espace (space) by Antoine Chintreuil (1869)

 

There are several little quirks indicated by September 16th’s New Moon (at 23 Virgo) occurring on the same Sunday that Mercury enters Libra.

Probably the quirkiest of these quirks is the fact that Virgo and Libra are signs which are adjacent to each other on the zodiac wheel.

This ‘sign next door’ quality gives us what’s technically known as a Greek Whole Sign aspect known as a semi-sextile…which at a more metaphysical level we’d probably liken more to ‘that’s too close for comfort.’ It’s sort of as if the neighbors have heard a debate between you and your Significant Other which was supposed to be private. Or how in relationships, someone who knows you really well will make an observation you could really do without.

(I know you’ll be shocked, but I tend to do that more than some.)

In any case, this 30-degree semi-sextile generally comes off as being ‘too personal.’ Or ‘hitting a little too close to the mark’ for our comfort. Often times the input (and trust me, with Mercury moving into Libra there will be input!) is something you don’t want to talk about. Or someone pointing out that while the argument you’re mounting may be decent enough, you’ve forgotten to put your pants on before making it.

Is there any reason you meant to leave your brass out there for the…uh…observing?

There’s a little bit of vulnerability involved with semi-sextiles. It’s a odd if far too often felt commodity with this aspect. Why this would be is not all that exotic, either: any semi-sextile is going to connect two signs of different modality (manner of action) and element (basic aim or transactional standard).

In this case, Virgo is a mutable earth sign. Virgo finds its way to the goal (that being the modality part) in a trial-and-error manner, the trial-and-error thing being the way that we all learn how to do things more effectively, efficiently and productively. The earth sign part of Virgo is the fact that the Virgo stock and trade involves life’s ‘realities’…which often involves a little wrong with the finding of the way to a lot of right.

Semi-sextiles also connect signs of different elements…which generally translates as ‘concerns.’ Libra is an airy sign into the ‘idea of the thing’ and ‘the moment’ and Virgo is an earthy sign which deals with the tangible and wanting to get things right so that all can continue apace without having to devote every other minute to twiddling with something.

So with Mercurial thoughts moving into Libra mode, there well may be these moments when one person (sitting on the Mercury side of things) says …’just imagine if…’ with the earthier Virgo person answering ‘have you given any thought to what it would take to do that?’

And just think…both of these things are going to be going on in each of our lives. Some of us will undoubtedly use the Mercury-in-Libra factor as a ‘thinking ahead’ and ‘keeping our eye on the ball’ (or how we’re effecting others) part of life with the Virgo New Moon being a new dedication to quality or effort or quantity or just ‘getting it right.’

That we’re likely to be concerned with what we’re bringing to bear on situations and what we’re doing so as to get what we want out of life is also a part of this Mercury/New Moon image. How? It’s just because Virgo and Libra are signs which belong to different hemispheres…

The good news here is that this combination does have some rather useful aspects, particularly for those trying to get something done, anyone trying to get something out in the open (political pundits should enjoy this part!) and people who are wanting to connect with someone in particular (maybe someone in an HR department?) or where working out matters-gone-awry (i.e., misunderstandings, grievances, litigation, avoidance of litigation…etc.) is concerned.

All that comes from the fact that the New Moon is in Virgo – the last of the private-personal-internal signs – with the Mercurial energetic of connecting, transmitting information, conversation, trading thoughts, working out agreements…with Mercury in Libra, the first of the public-visible-external signs.

That would make this a particularly good time to be establishing new connections. Or for renewing some conversation or relationship. Or for presenting someone with something you’ve been working on, particularly if you’re trying to get help with it, get feedback about it or find someone who wants to ‘partner’ with you at any level (paid or unpaid).

Since Mercury will be in Libra until early on October 5th and this Virgo lunation will be with us until October 15th (with a Full Moon on September 30th) we have a while to work things out, through…or in whatever other direction pleases you.

With all the general(issimo) stuff now said, what about the details? Well, for one, there is the fact that this Virgo New Moon is happening some 21 hours before Mercury entering Libra, which is something of a metaphysical suggestion that there will be a ‘critical mass’-feeling period not all that long after this New Moon hits our skies. Not to bore you with the math or anything, but the suggestion here is that the first couple of days after this New Moon could feel urgent….or be when we’re getting urged to do something, consider something or ‘hurry’ ourselves along.

Considering that Mercury will enter Libra and immediately conjunct the position of a gigantic galactic black hole (M87 would be its name), there’s a strong likelihood that no sooner are we off and about our business than we’ll realize that there are other points of view to be considered.

For some – notably those who are in a rebuilding or development phase of some kind – this is a good thing: suggestions and observations which happen in the days between September 16th and (say,) September 21st should be considered. This doesn’t mean that everything you hear or encounter needs to be incorporated in your plans, but chances are you’ll be better off if you’ve at least thought things through.

There is only one really strong planetary aspect to this lunation – one coming from Sedna, which is still at 23 Taurus. With 23 Virgo (the degree of the New Moon) being one about where and how and why we try to escape our responsibilities to Self and others…and what causes us to be out of touch with our greater society or the world’s values (which, like it or not are important to us!)…this suggests that for some, the whole of this next lunar month is going to be about learning why your life works or doesn’t work.

Interesting also is how Sisyphus is at 18 Virgo and Persephone is at 28 Virgo (and conjunct Mercury to the degree) at the very moment this New Moon occurs. With standard orbs being 5 degrees, that means both Sisyphus and Persephone are 'out there’ or ‘at arm’s length’ or maybe just ‘lingering on the edge’ of our thoughts.

Sisyphus is one of those really complex Greek myths. In simplest form, it’s about our hospitality of spirit – how we treat those who we befriend along the road in life. It’s also about how we use what we know and native brainpower, with that also (at it’s core) being a question of whether we care about anyone else on this planet or just our Self and personal pleasures.

Suffice it to say, Sisyphus is one of the two greatest ‘sinners’ in all of Greek mythology. And with Sisyphus at 18 Virgo, this ‘you shall not take advantage of others’ quality is aimed very specifically at those who are less fortunate that you are, more innocent than you are (which includes but is not limited to children) and our seemingly endless ability to become aggressors in that crucial moment that we consider ourselves victims.

Considering how this New Moon is tied by trine to Sedna (retrograde), this would seem to be a moment of reflection, too – a time when we realize there are wrongs needed to be righted in our own lives personally…and in the lives of others we have encountered or been associated with. There’s also a very distinct Sisyphus quality very much like that alluded to in the old saying ‘oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.’

 

 Unlike spiders (who don't get caught in their

own webs) humans seem to get endlessly

caught by not just the 'webs of lies' we weave,

but by threads of compromise and loose

ends left dangling in our minds and lives.

(photo credit: Luis Nunes Alberto)

The big lesson with Sisyphus is that the person we are deceiving first and last is ourselves.

Considering that, let’s hope that the Mercury-Persephone quality in this lunation is our (Mercury) coming to realize that while we do need to consider our Self, that we need to give (Persephone) ‘equal time’ and equal consideration to the wants, needs and aims of Self and others.

It’s where they (Libra) meet which in the end generally determines how things turn out – yea or nay – for us in our own lives.

Evidently it’s time to pay attention to how that works. 

Looking around, there’s plenty of evidence that just caring about the ‘me and mine’ of it all doesn’t work.

Sometimes life has to show us all the bad in order to inspire us to do something better.

 

 Dwarf planet Pluto

(photo credit: NASA-JPL, June 2010)

Oh yes…and did I mention that Pluto is about to go on station?

New Moon, New Mode

 Earth's Moon and a long shot of Uranus

photo credit (Uranus only): NASA/JPL 

With a New Moon occurring as Uranus is on station with Mercury due to go retrograde in just a matter of days, it's a cinch that the status quo is in for at least a little quiver. And maybe a shake, rattle and roll.

Said New Moon occurs on Sunday, December 5th at 5:37pm (UT/+0). This being the second of six New Moons at 13 degrees of a sign is a metaphor: the continuing trend will be for people to be 'operating' in emotional mode for several months to come!

To be specific here, last month's New Moon having been at 13 Scorpio gave us all (at the very least) a new appreciation - if that's the word for it - for however it is that we feel own, and maybe even isolated in, or by life.

13 Sagittarius is more of a vibe about 'needing to break out of this'...whatever 'this' may be. Interestingly, lore cites this as being a 'Uranian-type' degree as well...yes, even without a Uranus station hanging in the wings.

To be noted is also that lore is specific on this point - the easy way around problems here is not always the productive way to go. Short change yourself or choose some rebellious course in order to try to just bypass the problem ('blow it off' would be the more Uranian term) and trouble surely follows.

Yet this being a New Moon, there is good to be had and established at this point. Just as lunations mark tidal cycles, so any New Moon marks the commencement of some sort of 'new phase.'

With this New Moon we get a whole Sagittarius theme. And where the general theme is Sagittarius, the mode is expansive or about expansion. Of what? Well, that part is up to you! It could be your outlook, your education, your circle of friends, your activities, your income, your belief system, your ambitions - almost anything.

And let's not forget that when we say there's a 'theme,' we mean that across the whole of life's board. That means you could expand your literal horizons by taking a trip, meet new people and through something totally simple...maybe by reading a newspaper or visiting a museum...you could see or hear or learn something which would change your whole outlook on life.

Some people interpret the Sagittarian influence as needing to expand on what they know personally. Others insist on expanding the breadth of their effect. Fiery and inventive by nature, the Sagittarian 'vibe' is about seeing how things work and making them work better.

Of course this generally means meeting up with a few corrections too. As polarity sign to all which is about choosing what to learn and apply (in what order) and organizing that in some cohesive way (said sign being Gemini), Sagittarius tests us and tests our ideas, mentality...and theories. Will what I have designed or decided to do work? 

Some people try new things now out of curiosity. Some people do it because they want to create a bigger, better, means of getting things done - and that applies whether your object is to get through those errands or you're doing rocket science in the cause of curing the common cold. Sagittarius is about 'trying' - and yes, you should take that literally and figuratively! A New Moon in Sagittarius can indicate an 'emotionally trying time,' yes sirree!

But if it does, the point would be to remember what Sagittarius is about. The confusion, the turmoil, the disappointments and the triumphs of Sagittarius are not just about getting ahead, they're about learning how you got there. It's Sagittarius as the 'feedback' mechanism for Gemini, the dynamic which describes how we learn and (yes...) if we learn!

And hopefully we do learn.

One more thought for the day here - that being that this New Moon is what 'aims' us in the direction of the Lunar Eclipse which will happen latter this month. That eclipse occurring in Gemini, the whole idea of 'process' (the how you go about doing things) is underlined a bit more firmly.

A house of cards

(no photo credit given)

Yes, there is a little bit of a 'house of cards' feeling to the whole dynamic of the moment...yet what's a person to do? With a Black Hole directly in opposition to this December New Moon, the 'other way' to do or see things is apparent.

But with the quality of same described here as an opposition, that 'other way' may be what we are faced with but don't want to touch with a twenty foot pole (used to be ten...pole inflation, let's call it)...or that 'other way' may be so foreign and the amount of effort it would take to get there so enormous that getting upset about the whole thing seems to best thing to do.

Or, with Uranus on station, at least the easiest thing to do. Moon plus Uranus is a recipe for emotional instability to be sure. Does this mean the whole lunar cycle will be one filled with roller coaster emotionalism?

Maybe. And if it is, or to the extent that it is, the key to 'why?' lies in a different planetary picture drawn by this moment of lunation:

The above figure is known as a 'Yod,' the proverbial 'finger of God.' What it refers to is the having come to a point (the bottom of the 'Y' shape) which seems to pose a highly vexing problem.

At the top (the situational dynamic) is Sun/Moon on one side (the New Moon we've just discussed) and on the other, Saturn-Niobe in Libra...which could be many things, but which is most likely going to manifest as 'stubborn pride' OR the need to be proud of one's self or what one does.

There's a whole quality to this Saturn-Niobe thing which involves what we 'put out' (responsibilities) or 'put out there' (products of our effort). And this may be totally about us...or it might be all about what we meet up with or face in others.

Given that Yods describe an innate sense of tension, the quality of that tension is described by whatever is at the 'bottom' of the 'Y' - in this case, Medusa/Sabine.

A point which deserves its own blog (one of these days...) Sabine is all about being 'forced into' something or 'held captive' by something (someone). And it doesn't have to be dramatic - though this configuration certainly could point to drama. High and serious human drama.

But even at its lower-case end, this is about a requirement (Sabine...or Sabine/Saturn, if you prefer, given that both symbols lend to 'required effort')...that is scary (Medusa).

Medusa being not quite who most folks think she is, here's a link to the standing blog article on Medusa (LINK). If you haven't already read this article, feel free to when you finish this piece, as it explains a lot about the inner conflict which is human fear and how it's often so much more about us and our imagination than the reality of how difficult something is.

In the meantime, let's just say that Medusa may be a fear of knowing what the truth is, the process of learning something new (without which, you're rather held like the Sabine captive) or that, in combination with the New Moon and Saturn/Niobe in Libra, the jig is up - you have worn some sort of mask but others have now got your number.

The "rule" with a Yod is that the 'solution' to the puzzle is defined by the point which is half way between the 'points' of the 'Y' - between the New Moon and Saturn/Niobe.

Interestingly however, there's nothing there. But with Saturn at 14 Libra, Niobe at 12 Libra and the New Moon at 13 Sagittarius, it's pretty safe to say that said 'midpoint' is 13 Scorpio. And what's 13 Scorpio about?

The Sabian symbol for 13 Scorpio pictures 'An inventor performing a laboratory experiment' which if nothing else emphasizes the new, and a need for cautious application of focus and known facts. This being an emotional degree of a watery emotional sing (Scorpio), we know the subject is not only emotional in nature but emotionally evocative and interactive. So this is not just about us - the 'me, myself and i' of life, though this is about who we are on the inside (and thus why our emotions get evoked). There is an interactive quality to the solution to this Yod, and it involves dealing with fear, dealing with pride, and getting on with getting on in the greater scope of life.

But wait...13 Scorpio....haven't we talked about that degree just recently? Isn't that the degree of last month's New Moon? 

So it was...so it was, so it was! And we've already experienced that dynamic.

Does this mean we have to go back there and do that again?

Probably not. More than likely, this is a karmic and cosmic indicator that we have not yet actualized the solution to last month's challenges. They are still on our plate. Or maybe a new form of them (the "New Moon") gets handed to us. We often think that we can slide right by, blow things off (Uranus on station, remember?) and all will be hinky-dinky.

Well, apparently not. And for those still unwilling to deal with cosmic karma, one other note to jot down on the mental scratch pad: come December 20/21st (depending on where you are) there is going to be a Lunar Eclipse. And that Lunar Eclipse does have two objects sitting at 13 Scorpio: Atropos (endings) and Venus.

You remember Venus in Scorpio, right? The sticky wicked of our recent Venus retrograde?

So many people like to think of Venus as mere mortal beauty. The precept is so much more...and so much more eternal, considering how looks inevitably fade. What we put out comes back to us. Or to put it another way, for every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. Or to put it yet another way...Like attracts like.

There is no escape from who we are because we will inevitably attract that which will teach us to be our better selves...or to struggle with our ineptitude: the reflection of our unwillingness to respect the person we are.

November's New Moon: Raining, Reining, Reigning Emotions

 A Florida freshwater swamp 

photo credit: United States Geological Survey (USGS)

Tomorrow's New Moon occurs at 4:53 (UT) at 13 Scorpio.  Metaphysically, this is a moment where experience and choice meet, symbolizing a moment in which we can choose to decide not only what we're going to do, but how we will feel about ourselves as we go about doing it. 

There are those who will simply go through this moment saying 'I can't help it.' That's very Moon-in-Scorpio and this is a Scorpio New Moon. There is a strength of loneliness portrayed in this image which is about safeguarding the Self; whether that is out of pride, out of fear - or out of an understanding that each person not only has the right but the responsibility to decide for themselves - that's the basic question.

With TNO Huya conjunct Vesta and Echo just ahead, the question is what will we do, what can we do which in being useful in general (or to others), paves the way for us, our existence, our security, our taking that next step towards things we want to do and accomplish.

With Scorpio's first ruler being Mars, and Mars here being in Sagittarius conjunct Eros, our desires play a very large part here. Yet as indicated by Jupiter (ruler of Sagittarius) the real question is why we desire what we desire.

Those who understand this 'why' will do better than those who follow their cravings more blindly.

And the stakes? They seem particularly high at this moment, seeing as the outcome ruler of Scorpio (Pluto) is in Capricorn, conjunct Hel. Being that Pluto as Scorpio's outcome ruler is all about the emotions of elation or despair we experience as a result of what we've chosen to do (or stances we've chosen to take), this Pluto/Hel at 3 Capricorn tells us that we are now in position to use the New Moon symbolism of "beginnings" to move towards means, ends and interactions which will either heal our troubles or plunge us into a maelstrom (Hel) of our own actual making.

What separates plus from minus here? Mostly our ability to reign in our own point desires and personal point of view to the point that what we do becomes a 'rainmaking' event first and foremost in the lives of those around us and hopefully, farther afield.

And we need to have timing. And patience. That the Full Moon (the 'fruition' of this moment) happens just as Venus and Jupiter have both come out of retrograde - and that Venus will at that time be finally moving out of its 'standstill degree' (the symbolic 'taking a step forward')...that's when what we do - or at least decide to do now - begins to free us from whatever sludge we feel emotionally burdened by in this moment.

To have the New Moon positioned in an emotional degree of a sign (Scorpio) which the Moon is neither graceful nor gracious in tells us things feel particularly 'sticky' at the moment. We're touchy. Everybody's touchy. We're frustrated. We feel diminished in our natural power and easily put upon by life itself.

That's the challenge. And if we recognize that in each challenge lies the kernel of its solution, maybe we'll all do well. We cannot have what we want unless others get what they want too. This thus is a moment to think in terms of 'us' - the all-inclusive 'us,' regardless of preference or drive. What do we all share? What do we all need? 

 The Atchafalaya swamp basin

photo source: US Army Corps of Engineers

There's a good reason Scorpio is so often associated with swamps. Swamps can be stagnant and kill life - or be the most fertile environment on planet earth. Whether any swamp is one or the other is all about whether water (water being the metaphysical image of emotion) passes through the swamp fast enough and constant or consistently enough to keep the system fresh (not stale, not toxic) and well supplied with nutrients.

For us, this is about fear and resistance and hoarding. This is about locking people out or locking ourselves in. This is about being too strict or too lenient - yes, swamps can be ruined by floods as easily as they can sour and decay if sources and outlets get plugged up.

Those who understand this in terms of their own life, their own situations and their own question will, in dealing with the 'not enough' or the 'too much' or the 'nothing new' or the 'overly toxic', recognize how to solve their own problems...and from this moment, move towards new and better functioning solutions.

 

The Leo New Moon

Envisioning the New Moon against a field of distant stars...

Come August 10 at 3:08am (+0/UT) a New Moon will appear at 17 Leo.

Of course the 'trick' word in that sentence is 'appear,' since a New Moon is the Moon in its darkened phase. And why is it dark? It's dark because Earth (reality) has literally come between the Sun (light-will-life-intellect) and Moon (emotions-memories-valuing).

Thus are all reflecting and reflections eliminated.  And since what we would be reflecting on or reflecting in the moment are life issues, thoughts and such...that rather clears our metaphysical slate.

So, with said slate clear, what do we do? Answer: we do what humans do - we find something new to think about or something new to do.

Ergo, voila...! Now you know why the New Moon is associated with 'beginnings.'

As for this particular New Moon, it's at 17 Leo. Here's the chart:

 Chart of the August 2010 

New Moon at 17 Leo

Seventeen Leo is a (2nd decanate) emotional degree in a sign fervently well known for manifesting as inspiring impulses and ideas which enhance our world, which bring incredible new things into being, and which envisions all the wonder of possibilities.

On the other hand, Leo is equally well known for its intensely fixed nature (call that hesitant or stubborn, whichever you prefer), its inability to tolerate critique while being all about your errors and a general 'the sun is in my eyes' sort of blindness to the emotional positions of those near and far.

The mixture gives us very much the picture of the lion on the veldt: a fabulously strong creature which can be aloof, courageous, apparently endlessly self indulgent, which prefers to be provided for by others and yet which is the heart and soul of its pride.

Yes, that would be its own emotional pride and the pride which is the lion's family.

As for 17 Leo in particular, this is a degree known for manifesting as 'will incarnate.' Thus we get a heaping helping of Leo courage and strength with this New Moon as well as all the stubborn self centered-ness we feel entitled to but so dislike in others.

Put simply: those who use this lunar month well will aim towards amassing credibility as a demonstration of competence. They will use power responsibility and show others that they can be trusted to do exactly that. They will build of a platform of creative creations through performance which earns them respect and gives them a position to speak from.

And so much for the noble part. Since we're talking about real human beings here, let's also admit to ourselves that plenty of people are going to own this moment as the starting gun for a siege of acting out.  Seventeen Leo is known as much for its battles as nobility, and only sometimes do the twain work as one.

According to lore, problems which arise now surface where/when people don't think they 'need' anything other than what they have. And while it may be true they may be living the life of rose petals and hog heaven, it may also be true that such people are living at the very roughest, crudest end of their potential. And that's the real issue: the compromise of Self is simply not a plus when living in the zodiacal Land of Leo. 

If you're dealing with such a person, you need to inspire them to think otherwise. Commands and heavy handedness isn't going to work now. Will they be easy to convince? Heck no! But you have a lot better chance to get somewhere with suggestions rather than instructions and with offers of help rather than bland-faced advice.

To make this all a bit more interesting (as if it needed to be?) Nemesis is also in the mix here. You know Nemesis - that voice which says 'you'll be sorry if you do this' just when you're all geared up to do it? Nobody likes meeting up with Nemesis but we all feel righteous entitled to be Nemesis when we embody it. 

Okay, so some of us get nervous when we play the Nemesis card, but we are righteously convinced we're doing the right thing all the same.

With all three symbols sitting in 17 Leo as the writing on the blank slate there's lots of energy likely to be taken in dramatic stances, efforts and statements. With Atlantis just ahead at 19 Leo, whatever is going on looms like some giant, huge decision which threatens a great loss of something cherished, clung to, longed after...something!

And who's going to want give something up just because they should? At the moment, not hardly anybody!

In square to this lunation point we also have Medusa and Industria in security/satisfaction loving Taurus... plus poetic Sappho in emotional risk-defining Scorpio. With Scorpio ahead of Leo, this is a general indication of the need to reach out towards or develop some universal (Sappho) answer, agreement or way of dealing with things. 

But the Taurus side of the thing says 'I've already put so much (Industria) work into what I've been doing!' which against the Medusa 'gee, that's scary' quotient isn't likely to win applause and get people all happy on any level.

 A rendering of Medusa's head as the forward

face of Pallas Athena's (goddess of wisdom's) shield. 

Yet it's worth bearing in mind that Medusa is often simply a fear of knowing ourselves. And since in the end we are who we are, does it really do us much good to deny the truth? 

That whole idea of truth is very Medusa - as we know from where her head ended up: on the front of the shield of Wisdom (Pallas Athena). (link to article on Medusa.)

This may be no big thing. Then again, it could be something major (probably depending on how this New Moon aspects your personal chart). All we know for sure is that the fear of moving forward, changing the balance of things, cutting your losses (if there are any to be cut)... that fear may be what is turning you to stone, like the old story says.

Then again...standing straight across the zodiac from this New Moon we have a pretty daunting trio. First is Icarus at 14 Aquarius - call it social/societal risks which may find us insisting on some flight of fantasy which ends up dooming us to a great fall.

At 19 Aquarius we also have Damocles, the 'dangerous point' becoming apparent in a way we so hadn't anticipated. Fortunately, with Damocles sitting in 19 Aquarius, with the recognition of the danger comes enlightenment, proving the Chinese association of 'crisis and opportunity' in one and the very same word.

Here the issue is about your willingness to own the courage to deal with your choices in powerfully regenerative ways. This is all about you and how you act once you understand what's really on the table; if you handle the challenge well, healing brings great rewards. If you don't...

...for those who don't, they won't do so probably because of Nessus sitting at 18 Aquarius. By itself, Nessus is spite which leaves poison which harms others even after (Nessus') death. This is malice. This is selfishness of a highly unscrupulous nature which isn't helped by being positioned at 18 Aquarius, a degree all about perverted sexual passions and isolation in a perversion of seeded influences.

Given this challenging triad sit opposition the New Moon, each and every one of us is likely to project the 'bad stuff' on others. While of course they're in their own world thinking the same about us and/or someone else.

In the end, this all comes down to something of a game of cosmic chicken - who's going to be first to be honorable? And so we get it, let's remember that this isn't about someone else - the game of chicken is something we're playing against ourselves.

Moving from poultry to felines, if we just go back to the original image of 17 Leo, the (perhaps Damocledian) point is clearly made: are we willing to past our reluctance, our petulance, our resistance and be our better selves?

At its best, Leo is magnanimous, forgiving and sunny. At its worst, Leo is dismissive, rejecting and critical. And this is not just about how we are with other people - we need to be not all one thing and not all the other with ourselves. We are neither saints nor sinners - we are vulnerable. We make mistakes. We are humans - and it's pride (aka ego) which makes it hard to be our own better friends (not best - just better!) which in turn makes it impossible to be genuine with anyone else.


All of which brings us back to the lion as king and protector of his pride...

All too often we reflect this Leo quality emotionally, when the far better way to manifest it is physically - as in all the courage it takes to be a productive and courageous member of your 'family pride.'

And while you may think that's just about your local group, it's really not; the greatest of human beings throughout history are those who have reached out to others who need the help we as individuals know how to give.

That's there the real pride and the real winning through  all the emotional (Scorpio) risks and the real (Aquarian) acceptance and thus lasting (Taurean) security and satisfaction really comes from...when your fellow human beings really love, cherish, respect and never forget you.