This February 9th Full Moon occurs at 20° of Leo. This is a passionate, emotionally intense Full Moon, with Fire as the dominant element in the chart. This Full Moon is unique in more ways than one: our emotions are revved up with the Moon in fiery Leo, as well as Venus in Aries and Mars in Sagittarius in the 1st house of the chart.

With the Moon, Venus and Mars all in Fire signs, our social and romantic worlds are the focus now, and we’re quite literally “fired up” when it comes to reaching our financial, creative and, most of all, removing any blockages when it comes to our relationship goals. 

The warmth of this Full Moon is uplifting in comparison to the somewhat depressing energy of January 12th’s Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Earthy Capricorn, preceded almost exactly by the Lunar Eclipse in Emotional Cancer.

But whether we’re fired up to make nice or start a rumble will depend on our relative ability to recognize (and confront) interpersonal behaviors that may be less reactive—and thus more driven by our own insecurities—than we may have previously considered.

Leo Full Moon: Recognizing Romantic Blocks

While Full Moons in general are about “letting go,” this Full Moon in Leo is in stark contrast to the Lunar Eclipse in Cancer.

Whereas last month had much to do with loss on both literal and figurative levels, this month’s Leo Moon awakens us to what it is we want to pursue—and what’s been holding us back.

So on the one hand we’re incredibly focused on/driven by our emotions. Yet, as the days unfold post-Full Moon, we’ll slowly but surely be manifesting our own path to make our social and romantic self-expression more authentic.

If we do this, it’ll quickly become clear what it is we need to do—and what we need to leave behind—in order to move forward in these areas of life. 

Venus, Relationships & Self-Esteem

One thing’s for sure: self-esteem is in high demand with Venus—planet of “Love & Money”—in such a focal position on the 9th in the following weeks as it transits fiery Aries.

Think of Venus in Aries as the Conductor of the Cosmic Orchestra, with the Sun, Jupiter and Uranus all answering to Venus; yet Venus in its detriment in Mars-ruled Aries diminishes our ability to attract, and personal need to feel loved by others takes over.

What does this mean? How we go about our relationships is the focus, and it’s likely we’re finding ourselves in the middle of one social or romantic pickle or another. Are we using people or superficial interactions as a means of gaining self-esteem?

If so, we’ll need to change things up, as Venus is all about “We,” while Aries is all about “Me.” In other words, with Venus in the sign of its Detriment in Aries, we’re compelled us to search for self-esteem in all the wrong places, as Venus in Aries demands self-love via the approval from others. 

And though Leo and Aries are both Fire signs, they’re not necessarily compatible in this chart: Venus is ruled by Mars, as is the Moon in Leo Decan 3, increasing the intensity and impulsivity of our emotions. So whatever realizations about relationships that come about now need to be thought over carefully.

Venus-Chiron: Compulsive People-Pleasing

Venus is ruled by Mars (“Me”), as is the Moon in Leo Decan 3, increasing the intensity and impulsivity of our emotions. Yet the Sun, Jupiter and Uranus are all ruled by Venus (“We”).

Venus-Chiron in Aries at the very bottom of the chart suggests that we may be unconsciously driven to people-please, or to seek others’ approbation on a superficial level, likely out of a fear of rejection or insecurity that compels us to avoid so-called sensitive topics. 

This in turn can lead to overly aggressive behavior driven by insecurity; or, conversely, we realize we’ve become doormats, constantly trying to please and/or looking to others for validation in order to gain feelings of self-esteem, possibly obsessing yet at the same time resenting our desire to atone or address (perceived) social missteps or romantic wrongdoings. 

Yet the Mars-driven Leo Moon pushes us to express our emotions ardently and authentically. So when it comes to romance and our social world, the question really is: Are we doing what we truly want, or are we just trying to win?

What behaviors are serving us in the long-run when it comes to our relationships? Are we basing our feelings of “like” or “love” on fleeting moments of approbation that are ultimately obsolete? And if so, how can we find ways to eschew our personal need to feel loved by Everyone (not possible) and, instead, learn to find ways to express ourselves more authentically in life & love?

Mercury in Pisces: Procrastination or Introspection?

Mercury in changeable Pisces doesn’t help much, making concrete action feel nebulous, leading us to further procrastinate important conversations, not wanting to upset the atmosphere, much less the apple cart. And with Venus in Aries combined with Mercury in foggy Pisces, we’re not sure if we’re driven to make peace or cut ties altogether.

The fact that Mercury in the sign of Pisces is ruled by Neptune—also in Pisces—is slowing down as it approaches its Retrograde station on February 16th (lasting until March 10th), amplifies the emotional tenor of our thoughts. And even with the Sun in Air sign Aquarius, the intensity of our emotions dominates any logic now.

Our thinking is foggy, and our emotional demands are high. So one word of caution: with Mercury in its Pre-Shadow phase, approaching its Retrograde station on the 16th, be careful of your words and general approach to dealings with others now, as this stage is typically when “mistakes” are made, which are then reflected on during the Retrograde period, and made right once Mercury stations Direct and enters its Post-Shadow phase (March 10th-29th).  

So we may need more time than usual to ponder these with Mercury about to enter its first Retrograde of 2020, it’s okay to take some time with sensitive relationship topics this month.

Venus in Aries: Insecurity Strategies

Because there aren’t many major planetary aspects in this Full Moon chart, there’s sort of a “wild card” feeling about it, where mountains may be made out of molehills just as easily as molehills out of mountains.

And though Leo and Aries are both Fire signs, they’re not necessarily compatible in this chart: Venus is ruled by Mars, as is the Moon in Leo Decan 3, increasing the intensity and impulsivity of our emotions. So whatever realizations about relationships that come about now need to be thought over carefully.

Venus in Aries conjunct Chiron shows a tendency to lean into more superficial interactions that give us instant satisfaction. But the Leo Moon is powerful, demanding we confront any “cover-ups.”

Because if we’ve been hiding in the momentary rush of “likes,” compliments or other romantic/social—or even financial—conquests, we’re now being asked to reflect on how to bring more truth and authenticity to our relationships and interactions.

For example, ask yourself: if you’ve been using the Silent Treatment as a means of putting others in their place, is it really giving you the desired result? Or if you’re trying too hard to reconcile, maybe you need to wait a while. Whatever the situation, we’re all called to regroup and re-strategize when it comes to dealing with ourselves and others in our relationships.

Leo Moon: Demanding Emotional Authenticity

Because at the end of the day, the Leo Moon doesn’t like to play games. And despite its common association with superficiality, Leo is much like its opposite sign of Aquarius in one significant respect—Respect for Truth & Authenticity.

So all in all? The lesson of this Full Moon is pretty simple: the challenge is to let our emotions flow through us rather than repress, and to express yourself authentically when it comes to your relationships, even if this may seem scary.

It takes two to tango (or so they say)…So if there’s something bugging you? Ask yourself what you can do.