On August 18 at 10:42 PM (EDT), there’s a bold and fiery New Moon at 26° Leo, with the Sun in its most comfortable position, in Leo and its corresponding 5th house of the chart. The Sun is strongest in Leo and the 5th house, with Mercury starving for attention in comparison—pitting ego drives against intellect.  

There’s so much Fire in this chart, in fact, that when you consider the amplified effect of the New Moon’s trine to Mars in Aries plus rebellious Uranus on the Ascendant? It’s like watching a Tom Cruise movie that never ends…except you’re not even Tom Cruise. Think about it: The Firm. Risky Business. Mission Impossible. “You can’t handle the Truth.” All apply (all-too-aptly) when it comes to the unstoppable fire of the Sun-Moon in Leo.

Too much Fire in a chart, though, points to literal periods of “burn out,” as we unconsciously push ourselves, willing our material goals into reality and draining ourselves in an effort to maintain an impossible level of enthusiasm that’s rarely sustainable in the long run.

This, along with the lack of planets in Air signs, means that our capacity for abstract thought is temporarily lost. Add a tense aspect to Saturn in Capricorn? And before you know it, even the thought of Communication feels stressful, unrealistic—or at worst, totally pointless.

At first glance, “impossible” is an apt description of this persistent, uncompromising, wildly materialistic New Moon chart, infusing us with a healthy dose of courage on the one hand and filling us with explosive, over-the-Moon ambition on the other.

Yet explosive and power-hungry as this New Moon in Leo may be, it’s also brimming with potential—so whether our actions blow up in our faces or not will depend entirely on where and how you choose to use this potent Leo power drive. 

Sun-Moon in Leo Trine Mars: All Fired Up

With the Sun in Leo, we’re the stars of our own show. Our very presence demands attention and recognition, one of the reasons people instinctively flock to Leos, drawn in if only by their friendly, open demeanor (Bill Clinton and Barack Obama—both quintessentially charismatic Leo men). Leo loves the spotlight, naturally drawing others to them with little to no effort, attracting them like the moth to the flame.  

And with the New Moon in Decan 3 of Leo (sub-ruled by Mars) this Leo New Moon’s trine to Mars in Aries serves to energize us on both physical and emotional levels. The Sun and Moon in Leo Decan 3 is the most generous and magnanimous of the Leo “types.”

Though its trine Mars in Aries inspires Self-Directed Action, favoring a bold, unapologetic approach to life. Interpreted in isolation, the courage and vitality implied by the Leo Sun-Moon conjunction supports creative self-expression, love, romance, pushes us to express ourselves authentically and excel at whatever we do.

In other words, adding Mars to the mix infuses the Leo planets to sincerely start fresh, pressing us to enthusiastically pursue passion projects rather than (continue) doing the bare minimum or play the role of Arbitrary Rule-Follower. 

Leo vs. Capricorn: Who’s the Boss?

This Leo New Moon and Mars in Aries form a dynamic aspect configuration with Saturn in Capricorn, located at the top of the chart in the 10th house. Whenever there’s an aspect of the Sun and Moon to Mars and Saturn, respectively, it’s noteworthy, as the influence of each planet directly contradicts the other: Mars in Aries says “All systems go”; Saturn in Capricorn says “All Systems...No.”

As a matter of fact, Leo and Capricorn on the one hand couldn’t be more different; yet when you look closer, wherever these two Zodiac signs are highlighted, there are several distinct similarities in terms of what motivates them and how they complement one another.

This explains much about how, despite the tension inherent in the inconjunct aspect is stimulating yet subtle in its friction, which has less to do with disagreement about what the goal or plan should entail, but more about the distinct difference in approach.

Leo and Capricorn make natural leaders and bosses, with a sense of competitiveness, dignity and self-respect that commands attention, whether through natural charisma and charm (no one can “work a room” better/with less effort than Leo) or through the hard work that leads to public recognition, promotions and other positions of prominence in society.

Leo rules its kingdom through the power of personal influence, while Capricorn believes almost exclusively in long-term endeavors (why invest in anything else?), consistency and a sturdy work ethic.

There are pros and cons to both, but the crucial difference is in their vastly different perception, shaped by vastly different life experiences. Either way, both are self-directed, self-motivated individuals, who have no problem achieving their goals, with the rare ability to climb the top of the Corporate Ladder while keeping in mind that there’s “No ‘I’ in Team.”

Leo Sun, Moon and Mercury Inconjunct Saturn: All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go

Personal planets in Leo demand creative expression, romance and will (almost) always choose play time over work time whenever possible. Capricorn is the opposite, thoroughly Productivity-Obsessed, often finding it difficult to relax if they haven’t checked every item on their To-Do List according to their schedule (Work/Productivity in all forms is Cap’s comfort zone).

As such, Cap can be judgmental (or jealous) of Leo in this respect, resenting quietly how “easily” the material success they seek seems to come to them in proportion to the (perceived) effort put forth.

Leo is strong-willed, though, and has the courage and follow-through necessary for (material) success. But when it comes it where they’d rather directly their time and energy, if given the choice? Leo is all about sports, games, gambling—any recreational activity that involves luxuriating, leaning back, leaning in and generally, just having fun (especially at any venue Leo considers “exclusive”).

With the trine to Mars there seems to only be fuel added to this fire, as long-bottled impatience takes hold, pushing us out of the house and out of our comfort zones. But when the Sun, Moon and Mercury in Leo are all in an uncomfortable, itchy angle to Saturn in Capricorn, it’s as if you're all dressed up with nowhere to go.

It’s like you’re planning the most glamorous yet socially-distanced parade you can muster, only to encounter news of an impending monsoon. This is because Saturn is the Taskmaster of the Zodiac, demanding we not lose sight of our long-term goals and not eschew the practicalities of our current chores, commitments and career paths in pursuit of raw, un-curated self-expression(ism).

So how do we do both? Again, this question is at least tangentially-related to the “issues” we’ve been working through since July of 2018 at this point. This could be breaking away from long standing Relationship Codependency or realizing the need to “work to live” rather than fall prey to the (inevitable) burnout of the old “live to work” philosophy which, well, just isn’t serving us anymore. The purpose of this? To effectively prepare ourselves and open ourselves up to the Opportunities coming down the pike later this December.

The Many Contradictions of Mars (Pre-Retrograde) in Aries 

Mars in Aries, slowing down until it begins its Retrograde cycle beginning on September 9, is focal in this chart; however, Mars entered its pre-Retrograde Shadow period on July 25, gradually slowing down until it arrives at a full stop, entering its Retrograde on September 9 at 28° Aries.

As with any planet, the pre-Retrograde Shadow period is typically when we’re presented with situations or circumstances that, if mismanaged, can turn the raw spark of creativity and natural inspiration signified by this potent Fire sign trine from “Warm and Friendly Bonfire” to “Impulsive Arsonist” on a dime. 

Although it’s not moving at its typical Turbo Speed, Mars is well-situated in Aries, with the planet of Action and Energy in the sign focused mostly on, well, Action and Energy. This slows down the pace of whatever we do, and has a noticeable effect on our ability to initiate, or start any new projects now. And when you add a tense square to Saturn in Capricorn? The “stop-go” contradiction can easily become (all the more) disorienting.

With Pluto so exactly conjunct the Midheaven, the power drive shown in the chart is unmistakable. In addition, Mars pre-Retrograde in Aries falls in the chart’s 12th house of “self-undoing,” amplifying the potential for (self) destructive action. 

Mars square Pluto (and, in this case, the chart’s Midheaven, also in Cap) is a notoriously violent aspect in astrology, and may point to outbursts of anger based in deep feelings of frustration at “not being where we want to be” in terms of feeling valued, productive, or appreciated in our relationships.

Charts with an overabundance of Earth and Fire and comparatively lacking in Air and Water are too materialistic and literal, lacking in empathy and imagination. The latter are the qualities we need to tap into now, as stewing in frustration will only lead to inevitable cycling and negative thinking. 

Venus Sextile Uranus: Looking for Levity

With Mercury in its Fall, besieged by Saturn, the lack of planets in Air signs places a lot of pressure on Venus in Cancer, which just so happens to form a sextile to Uranus in Taurus, right on the chart’s Ascendant.

Venus in Cancer in the 3rd house on its own implies that nurturing via communications and taking care of details for those we love (or just like) or “checking in” does more than a little wherever there’s a need for relationships reparations.

So, it’s as if we instinctively look to Venus in Cancer to relieve the (temporary) tension and moments of frustration shown by the focal Mars, Uranus and Pluto in the chart, all emphasizing not Communication, but (yet again) Action, Action and more Action.

Yet the combination of Venus and Uranus is one that combines levity with an equal dose of high-strung energy that can lead to arguments or upheaval in significant relationships. Though the chart ruler, Venus is at 10° Cancer, its aspects to Uranus and Chiron, and its placement in the 3rd house (Air) of the chart lends it more of a nervous than nurturing style of self-expression and communication in relationships.

Venus is in a tense aspect to asteroid Chiron, the Wounded Healer, in Aries as well, inspiring new ways of communicating that challenge us to break old patterns or possibly come clean or initiate a conversation you’ve been procrastinating involving finally expressing how you “really feel” re: your current feelings of security, both in terms of love and money.

In sum? We could all benefit from taking ourselves a little (or a lot) less seriously now.

Past wounds (Venus square Chiron in Aries) and the urgent desire to assert our personal freedom (Uranus conjunct Ascendant) regardless of the consequences on our relationships affect how we relate to our immediate environment. Like Venus in Cancer, the Moon in Leo is driven by the need for emotional security.

Consequently, the New Moon in Leo + Venus in Cancer combo finds us wanting to boldly assert ourselves yet ever-cognizant of the fear of confrontation—not to mention the (likely) possibility of emotional outbursts and other such “blurts.”

Or it could be because we’re finding ourselves so unprecedentedly self-willed and uncompromising now that it’s as if we find ourselves anticipating conflict or confrontation at the faintest hint of conversation. 

Friction, Competition and Creative Inspiration

Despite the ultimate goal of achieving a relatively healthy Work/Life balance, though, the New Moon and Mercury in Leo in such harsh aspect to Saturn in Capricorn doesn’t just affect our potential for material gains or losses.

With Saturn so tightly constricting the naturally dramatic and fun-loving Leo, it’s as if every time we try to relax, get romantic, do something artistic or (try to) pursue a reasonable social life, we feel the Productivity Pressure of Saturn.

This pressure could take the form of an authority figure—a nagging parent, sputtering spouse or belligerent boss, for instance—who just doesn’t know when to quit (e.g., leave us alone). Or the push might come from our own internal critic, pressuring ourselves to slay the Procrastination dragons and continue on in the noble name of Productivity.

So yes, there’s most definitely an intense desire to create and compete, whether against ourselves, others—or even in the weird world of social media. But with the Sun, Moon and Mercury inconjunct Saturn, there’s a deep-seated need to regroup and think about the consequences that allowing others to abuse or take advantage of us is a real possibility should we put too much pressure on ourselves to do any particular thing right now.

Friction—a theme that dominates this New Moon chart—isn’t innately “good” or “bad”; it can be tense, or even scary for some, but friction is where the spark of life originates from, without which we’d be unable to survive. This is why Fire signs, though notoriously idealistic, “shoot for the stars” when it comes to their life goals, rarely (if ever) taking “No” for an answer. Because for them? Like the Earth signs, Fire’s desire to aim high is (at least to them) tantamount to the instinct to not only survive but thrive.

If you want to use this Leo New Moon energy to your advantage, you’d do best remain particularly self-aware, especially if you tend to “overshoot” when deciding on personal priorities.

Whether you can balance these two contrasting energies (e.g., the Leo New Moon aspecting both Mars in Aries and Saturn in Capricorn simultaneously) will depend almost entirely on how you choose to channel them.

The key to not setting yourself up for failure? Setting small, achievable goals is the way to avoid the many booby traps of this New Moon—not giving away our energy in whole-hogged, misguided pursuit of capitulating to the needs of others, all with the promise of a relationship, a paycheck, or any form of reward or transaction or even any particular goal or outcome in mind.

Because that’ll only lead you to seething resentment or outright rebellion in the end. And with Mars in its pre-Retrograde shadow, there’s a tendency to “shoot yourself in the foot,” aka, inadvertently setting up the circumstances that reveal our mistakes as they arise in the form of problems you’ll see much more clearly later on this Fall.

So do yourself a favor by staying focused on your personal needs, giving when and where you can while artfully dodging any persistent feelings of guilt or responsibility—particularly to people, places and things that you may realize now (if only out of pure frustration) have in effect become obsolete.