In the Pacific Time Zone, the Moon will be full at 7:36 p.m. on Friday, July 23. With this Full Moon, the Sun in Leo will be in opposition (180°) to the Moon in Aquarius. To further clarify how this Full Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 2° of Leo and 2° of Aquarius in your birth/natal chart. The issues associated with those two houses are going to be most impacted by this Full Moon’s presence.
Full Moons ask us to evaluate if we need to make any adjustments to the balance between the qualities of two signs. This Full Moon involves the signs of Leo and Aquarius:
- The qualities of Leo include being self-confident, big hearted, loving, romantic, loyal, and a leader. The lower expression of the sign of the lion includes seeking attention and being overly proud, self-centered, or dramatic.
- The higher expression of Aquarius includes being independent, inventive, humanistic, tolerant, and intuitive. The lower expression of the sign of the water bearer can include being rebellious, eccentric, stubborn, or feeling responsible for everyone and everything, including the world!
As is true with all Full Moons, (a) they tend to be emotional times and (b) the lower expression of the signs may feel easier to choose than the higher expression. We need to consciously select the higher expression in order to fulfill the lessons being offered to us. With Aquarius Full Moons, part of that lesson is finding a healthy balance between using our unique, personal gifts (Leo) to serve the higher good (Aquarius). Additionally, that service needs to come from a heart-centered place and not motivated by Leo’s lower expression, such as a desire for attention or to “feed our ego.”
This heart-centered approach is important to understand because this is the first of two Full Moons in Aquarius that will occur this year, with the second happening on August 22. All Full Moons are associated with endings, but this series of Aquarius Full Moons is packed with messages that tell us something in our lives must end in order to make way for new beginnings.
Here are several of the indications regarding this mix of endings and beginnings:
- This first Aquarius Full Moon occurs in the early degrees of Aquarius and Leo (2°). As mentioned above, Full Moons represent endings, but the early part of a sign often is associated with beginnings. Put this together, and you have endings that lead to new beginnings. But we need to understand that it’s important to deal with the endings first. Although it may feel tempting to skip over the ending part and go directly the exciting new beginning, this will leave unfinished business that interferes with whatever is ready to be birthed.
- The second Aquarius Full Moon on August 22 occurs at the very last degree of Aquarius and Leo (29°). This degree in any sign is referred to as a “critical degree” and often coincides with endings.
- Whenever we experience back-to-back Full Moons in the same sign, they work together to move us forward on our evolutionary path. The first Full Moon (i.e., July 23) may be when we become aware that an ending is likely going to be needed. Then at the time of the second Full Moon (i.e., August 22), we may accept that the ending is inevitable and/or be ready to start implementing the completion of something in our lives. However, there is another way that the back-to-back Full Moons can work in tandem: If we resist the changes that become apparent around the time of the first Full Moon, we could be forced into a change by the second Full Moon. An ending is coming, and it’s our choice to face the music now or later.
- In the last Moon Update, we discussed how Uranus was the focal planet of a t-square, which indicated that change was coming. Therefore, many us may already be aware that it’s time for that ending. With these back-to-back Aquarian Full Moon, Uranus is, once again, playing an important role because Uranus is the ruler of Aquarius. Uranus represents change. As we have discussed before, most humans aren’t comfortable with change. However, we can always trust that Uranus brings us whatever is necessary for our soul’s evolution. The only problem when dealing with Uranus energy comes if we resist it. We don’t have to like it, but things will go more smoothly if we accept and even surrender to the change.
- At the time of this first Aquarius Full Moon, Pluto is conjunct (0°) the Moon and is in opposition (180°) to the Sun. Pluto also brings change through transformation of energy from one form into another. Pluto’s symbol of the phoenix tells the story: We must let something die in order for something new to be born. Pluto was also a prominent player in the last Moon Update, and it continues to urge us to eliminate and clear out any stagnant energy, be that physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. Given Pluto is conjunct the Moon, this could be an emotional process. Also, the Moon-Pluto conjunct tells us that it’s particularly important to clear out the clutter in our lives if it is blocking us from getting our personal needs met (Moon).
For some of us, the endings that need to happen may feel unexpected or even premature. Others may already know what needs to change or may have been experiencing “inklings” of what is coming. Either way, the energy of Uranus is often erratic, so we will do best to “sit light in the saddle,” as my grandmother used to say. What we expect to happen may not be what happens. It’s important that we don’t try to control this process. We need to let the horse (Uranus) take the lead and see where it takes us.
Luckily, we have some intuitive support to help guide us through this process. The Moon and Pluto are both in sweet sextiles (60°) to Neptune. Additionally, the Sun is conjunct (0°) Mercury, and both are in supportive trines (120°) to Neptune. These supportive aspects to Neptune mean we may have access to intuitive insights that help us either be forewarned about upcoming changes or provide us with assistance in knowing what the changes may involve. We may also find that eliminating any stagnant energy (Pluto) is easier than it might be at other times.
Another potential source of support is Saturn, which is conjunct (0°) the Moon. Saturn can serve as a stabilizing force and provide the discipline we need to approach any decisions about endings in a responsible way. However, even though we may think we are ready to move forward with those new beginnings, it may be Saturn that says, “Whoa there! We have to clean things up before moving forward.” Saturn may slow us down by placing limitations in our path. These may seem confusing and frustrating because it looks like we are being given a “green light.” It will help us to remember that Saturn places obstacles in our path in order to assist us in creating a solid foundation and structure that assures that any changes will be successful.
It is important to point out that at the time of the Full Moon, Venus is conjunct (0°) Mars, and both are in oppositions (180°) to Jupiter. When Venus and Mars are dancing together in the sky above us, they often provide us with a very warm, diplomatic, expressive energy that can lead to positive social relationships and financial undertakings. However, given both planets are in opposition to Jupiter, this could go to extremes. For example, we may need to manage our expectations within our relationships or be careful not to overspend. Additionally, both Venus and Mars are in Leo, so we also need to be careful not to create drama simply for drama’s sake or make decisions based on our ego. Everything may feel a bit “bigger than life” around the time of the Aquarius Full Moon, and we need to be careful not to overindulge in anything or overestimate our capabilities or resources.
As if there weren’t enough indicators of change present with the back-to-back Aquarius Full Moons, we also have 5 out of 10 planets changing signs before the end of July:
- On Wednesday, July 21, Venus will move into Virgo, where it will remain until August 16. This will bring a practical approach to relationships and finances.
- The next day (Thursday, July 22), the Sun moves into Leo. The Sun is ruled by Leo, so the Sun is very happy and extra powerful in this sign. This month-long sojourn can increase our self-confidence. We may laugh more readily, be more playful, and want to enjoy life to the fullest. We will want people to see what we have to offer as an individual, so teamwork may not be as enjoyable. We do need to avoid prideful, ego-centric, or overly dramatic behavior. This can be avoided if we focus on sharing our unique gifts from a heart-centered place.
- Then on Tuesday, July 27, Mercury moves into Leo where it will remain until August 11. Given the Sun moved into Leo the previous week, this change allows our thoughts and words to catch up with our inner, growing self-confidence. We may not be very focused on details and it may be challenging to listen carefully; however, when the Mercury is in Leo, we love telling a good story (either in written or oral format), especially if we can add some drama to the narrative.
- Less than 24 hours later (on Wednesday, July 28), Jupiter, which is in retrograde, moves back into the sign of Aquarius for a final visit. It will be in Aquarius for a while, not re-entering Pisces until the last few days of 2021. During its return to Aquarius (and especially while in retrograde until mid-October), Jupiter may reignite our desire to serve a higher purpose that addresses humanitarian needs. We may also be reconsidering our values related to personal freedom.
- Then the next day (on Thursday, July 29), Mars moves into Virgo for about 6 weeks (until mid-September). This is when we may begin to lay out some concrete, practical steps designed to move us forward with upcoming changes. Mars in Virgo is good at detail, and we often are willing to work very hard to accomplish our goals.
Two final notes:
- Over the course of Sunday, August 1 and Monday, August 2, the Sun will be conjunct (0°) Mercury (both in Leo), and both the Sun and Mercury will be in oppositions (180°) to Saturn in Aquarius. Although the Sun-Mercury conjunct usually indicates a time of increased thinking and communication, the opposition to Saturn definitely puts a damper on the content of our thoughts and words. This may be due to a heavy dose of realism that seems determined to force itself into our awareness. Because Saturn is in rebellious Aquarius, we may want to express something that is rather controversial only to find that those around us don’t agree and/or they actively take steps to block our efforts to move forward in a new direction. Conversely, we may not feel confident enough in our ideas to say anything, but we are thinking about them.
- On Tuesday, August 3, Uranus will be in a trine (120°) to Venus and a square (90°) to Mercury. If we were lacking in self-confidence over the last two days, then the trine to Venus may cause us to lose our inhibitions. We may be ready to express those novel ideas, or it might be that we want to explore novel or unconventional relationships or even explore new financial ideas. Given the Mercury-Uranus square, we may receive flashes of insight. But again, the ideas that we express may not be well-received by others. For this reason, we might want to hold off saying anything for a few days until more positive astrological energy is available to support us.
Overall, this first of two back-to-back Aquarius Full Moons is letting us know that endings are imminent. Although any changes can be uncomfortable, we need to trust that they are designed to make room for something new and positive in our lives. It is clear that at least one chapter in our lives is coming to an end. Depending on how much of our life is wrapped up in that chapter, the changes could occur quickly and easily or they may take some time. But given the involvement of Pluto, any ending will likely require clearing out stagnant energy to make room for something new. We need to be willing to clear out the clutter in our mental, emotional, physical, and/or spiritual lives. Luckily, we have some time and it doesn’t have to happen all at once. These back-to-back Full Moons in Aquarius are interconnected, which likely means that whatever is started or realized around the time of the first Full Moon (July 23) will then become more fully developed or fully realized by the second Full Moon in four weeks (August 22). Whether the changes are expected or unexpected, we should all use the fixed modality of both Leo and Aquarius to willfully move forward in a determined way toward the new chapter in our lives.
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THIS BLOG POST WAS WRITTEN BY
- Anne Reith, Ph.D. (AnneReith.com)
- For information about Dr. Reith’s downloadable eBooks and meditations, feel free to visit her online Store
SOME INFORMATION TAKEN FROM
- The Mountain Astrologer (magazine)
- Various online sources (e.g., www.cafeastrology.com)
REMINDER
- New Moons and Full Moons often influence us for the 3 days before and 3 days after the actual event.
FULL MOON
Full Moon at 2° of Aquarius
- Friday, July 23, 2021, 7:36 p.m. PDT
- Friday, July 23, 2021, 10:36 p.m. EDT
- Saturday, July 24, 2021, 2:36 a.m. GMT
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By Anne Reith, Ph.D.