AQUARIUS FULL MOON, AUG 1 – 16, 2023
We’re heading to a passionate, liberating Aquarius Full Moon on August 1. Significantly – this is the first lunation on the Leo-Aquarius axis, since Saturn left Aquarius in March 2023.
Since 2020, Saturn in Aquarius has changed the face of our individual and collective world, reality, and consciousness. With Saturn out of Aquarius, this lunation offers a first look at the aftermath — and at best, the rainbow after the storm. The emotional tide is rising, but as the Aquarius Full Moon aligns, aspects suggest, we are likely to breathe a collective sigh of relief as we begin to recognize the beauty, love, healing, stability, support, and grace present in our lives.
On August 1, the Aquarius Full Moon opposes the Sun in Leo at 2:31 PM ET, at 9+ degrees. Hours later, action planet Mars in Virgo trines expansive Jupiter in Taurus; followed by (planet of communication) Mercury’s opposition to Saturn (planet of lessons, limits, and time) in Pisces.
This is the culmination of the cycle that began with the Cancer New Moon on July 17. We are coming to major realizations, seeing the light. Expect a powerful release. Life is stabilizing, drawing us to explore new pastures as we close the door to the past. Over the next two weeks, we’re clearing space before renewal with the Leo New Moon on August 16.
A lot has surfaced recently, bringing revelations and fated encounters. Venus’ retrograde, has been awakening fiery desires and familiar fears, reminding us we are alive. We may be nursing bruised egos, raw, tender hearts, and emotions. But as long as we’re aware of our own shadow, it needn’t overshadow all that is bright, beautiful, and blossoming.
On the Leo-Aquarius axis — the lunation is highlighting the need for balance between our needs for community and connection with personal needs and desires, love and friendship, creativity and innovation, and love and acceptance, which begins with self-love and self-acceptance.
Aquarius is a fixed air sign. It is a very unique and individualistic sign. It speaks of the quirks, eccentricities, and differences that make us unique. It is also a futuristic and revolutionary sign that represents the collective consciousness, our community, friends, connections, social media, networks, and technology. Aquarius reminds us we are all connected through time and space. Air is everywhere, we can’t and don’t need to grab it, yet it sustains us with each breath and connects us all — as we have seen with Covid.
The Sun in Leo represents love, the ego, the heart, creativity, life’s fleeting moments, and the eternal, ephemeral here and now. We are learning the power to be the creator of our reality. If we aren’t happy with what’s unfolding, we have the power to change it, and create a new future — starting here and now.
Over the coming days and weeks, remain heart-centered, as you reflect on what (and who) truly makes you happy, feel alive, loved, appreciated, and seen. Have more self-confidence, and dare to be bold, authentic, vulnerable, playful, innovative, and creative. You don’t need validation from anyone for your existence. Dispassionately witness; “be the observer”. Have faith in the divine play and your most optimistic vision. Then you can take conscious, creative, and loving steps toward it.
Things are working out better than we think. With the Sun in Leo, often all it takes is showing up, doing your best. At best, the Leo-Aquarius axis asks that we accept life on life’s terms while playing our part. Current skies strongly suggest, where there’s a will there’s a way.
It will take time, space, creativity, hard work, patience and daring to acknowledge our desires and fears. Also, do we know what’s good for us? The seed of all desire is the desire to be happy. Let go of expectations of others, and external attachments. Seek your happiness within and you can draw in whatever else you need and desire.
Mars’ trine to Jupiter is healing and expansive; offering real tangible progress, resources, support, stability, and a sense of feeling grounded. There is a strong suggestion whatever you need, help is close at hand. It will take humility, courage, and detachment from expectations. But don’t be afraid to ask and be open to receiving. Also, practice gratitude, be big-hearted, generous-spirited, and lend a hand where you can. What goes around, comes around.
With Mercury opposite Saturn —we may be steeling ourselves for a difficult conversation or making difficult decisions. But there’s every reason to feel hopeful about what’s unfolding. We live, we learn, we grow. Reflect on your limits, learn your lessons, but let the past be water under the bridge. Then you can implement constructive solutions that work.
In relationships or where things have gotten heated, complicated, or strained — there’s healing on offer. It will take courage to acknowledge any mistakes. Seek solutions, avoid defensiveness, or picking at scabs. Words can hurt or heal, use yours wisely. Keep things light, and playful, but real. As long as there is mutual love and respect, there can be a deepening of friendships, connections, and bonds.
In the cases of exes, at best, this is a chance to find closure. Then can truly open your heart to experience new love in the present, waiting for you to embrace it. Love doesn’t hurt, our attachments do. The ego is the cause of all suffering. Recognize everything changes, then you won’t cling. At best, we’re learning, true love feels like freedom.
With Venus currently retrograde in Leo —finances, relationships, and creative matters are in flux. Move beyond appearances. Beauty fades, and money can’t buy happiness. As risky as something feels, be conscious not to let your ego stand in the way of your happiness. A heart of gold is more valuable than all the riches in the world. This energy is like the love of the creator — pure, constant, warm, and blissful consciousness. Turn within to seek that source of light, life, love, and all creation in your heart and you can draw in whatever else you desire.
Above all this lunation is a reminder — there is a Divine Consciousness within you, and staring at you through the eyes of everyone you meet. Free yourself to be yourself. Reconnect with the source within, and dare to let it shine.
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On a personal note — this Venus retrograde takes place in my 4th (home and family) and 10th House (career).
I’ve been deeply, re-evaluating my work, life-mission and life goals; de-cluttering my house, reflecting on what and who feels like home to me. And I recently found out a friend is moving out of the city. We hadn’t spent quality time together in a while. But knowing I would bump into him in the neighborhood, made me feel more at home. I’m sad, but trusting the journey, and hopeful for what’s to come.
Also on that note, in the spirit of this Full Moon — I am requesting help, so I can continue to offer you more free content, rather than have to put things behind a paywall.
If you get something out of this newsletter, and have the financial means, please consider a one-time or ongoing donation to support Cosmic Diaries. Or please consider purchasing a reading for yourself, or a friend. It will support the costs of running the website, back-end support, and me. And I would be ever appreciative.
As always, thank you for sharing your journey with me. I am grateful for every one of you reading and I look forward to being your astrologer for the years to come.
With Love,
Priya
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I’m also writing a set of Venus Rx Horoscopes, and hope to have those for you very soon. In the meanwhile here is a quick list of Venus Rx dates. For a more personal in-depth look at this transit, please email me to schedule a Venus rx Consultation ($222 for 60 min). I would love to work with you.
