The new Moon

The Moon in Leo is ruled by the Sun. This suggests that both conscious and subconscious/emotional factors move in concert. Leo is a fire sign, fixed in mode; it emphasizes creativity, children (and the children of our minds and hearts), play, and drama.

There is a stellium in Libra composed of Vesta, Saturn, Venus and Mars; all are conjunct. Square this stellium is a retrograde Pluto in Capricorn. In opposition are Uranus and Jupiter, both conjunct and retrograde.

I interpret this stellium as a reference to the on-going conflict in Afghanistan. Assuming Vesta to be an indicator of personal viewpoints, we have Mars and Saturn on each side of Venus, the ruler of the sign. Michael Munkasey in Midpoints: Unleashing the Power of the Planets presents positive and negative interpretations under his Politics or Business header:

• Thesis Curtailing force of military power by authorities; enforcement of honor through the use of strife or struggle; wars which persist; frustrations imposed upon or by criminal elements; demands to halt armaments.
• Anti Military actions which continue under political or other restrictions; an obligation to use force when restraint is required; the ambitious taking of that which belongs to another; an older enterprise become angered.

The presence and rulership of Venus emphasizes negotiation and the need to find a middle ground acceptable to all parties -- a seemingly impossible goal. There may be a growing awareness of new and unexpected factors developing, but too soon for them to have an effect. It is disconcerting to see that the citizens of Afghanistan have experienced "30 years of violence in their country" (ICRC Director of Operations, interview March, 2009).

Here is a fine description of the new Moon qualities, described by Jeff Jawer at a new location -- www.tarot.com:

Monday, August 9, 8:09 pm PDT, 11:09 pm EDT

The New Moon in the Sun's warm-hearted home sign Leo inspires romance, creativity and playfulness. It is a time to let our inner child express itself with joyful enthusiasm. However, hard aspects from this lunation to the Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto T-square could provoke explosive reactions if innocence is tainted with arrogance. One person's pleasure can be annoying to others, reminding us to balance the desire for self-expression with respect for other people's limits.

It's a rebirth of youthful enthusiasm and mature artistry. Acts of creation empower us with hope and generosity of spirit produces a group of loving and generous leaders. Pursuing pleasure is appropriate as long as it comes from giving and doing instead of becoming passive consumers. We grow stronger when we act as if we are the captains of our ships, even when sailing through unfamiliar waters.

What more can I say?

This new Moon occupies the U.S.'s 10th house and is conjunct the Midheaven (MC). Again the cosmos speaks of spiritual matters. In reference again to Michael Munkasey -- he says of the Sun-Moon in aspect to the Midheaven that we may find ourselves -- both individually and as a nation --

Choosing deliberate paths for personal development; developing through association with your family or the general public; gaining perspective on your life's direction; stressing personal attainments

The stellium discussed earlier occupies the U.S.'s 11th house, emphasizing the House of Representatives and current legislation. The sign on the cusp of the 11th is Virgo; its ruler is Mercury, which currently occupies the 10th house. Here is a link to active legislation.

This full Moon balances on the Virgo/Pisces axis. Here the Moon emphasizes compassion, sensitivity and selfless giving and the Sun counters with logic, discrimination and conscious service.

Other than a close conjunct between Venus and Mars in Libra, Mercury, Venus and Mars have no other major aspects. It could be a quiet time during this full Moon, or it may be a romantic one.