TRANSCRIPT Episode 245 (July 29, 2024)
Leo New Moon: Voyages Gone By!
Hello Invisible Friend, April here, and the date today is July 29th, 2024. Welcome to Episode 245 of the Big Sky Astrology Podcast.
This week, the Sun and Mars further the North Node’s energetic agenda; as Venus squares Uranus, look for the unexpected in money and relationships. Venus enters Virgo, Mercury enters its latest retrograde period, and a Leo New Moon is uncharacteristically reflective. Plus, we revisit a listener question about the Sun’s annual cycle through your birth chart.
Sun trine North Node (July 31, 2024, 1:48 am PDT)
Mars sextile North Node (Aug. 1, 2024, 8:19 pm PDT)
As the week begins, both the Sun and Mars make aspects to the North Node. The Sun trines the Node on July 31st at 1:48 am Pacific Time at 8º38’ Leo and Aries. And Mars sextiles the North Node the next day, August 1st, at 8:19 pm Pacific Time, at 8º23’ Gemini and Aries.
The North Node is on Sabian Symbol 9 Aries, A crystal gazer. Where do we see ourselves heading? What is the direction of the next new adventure? Since the North Node entered Aries in July 2023, it’s been calling us to adventure, doing things that are unfamiliar, or in an unfamiliar way. Aries loves a challenge. It’s never happy if it’s doing the same thing day in, day out.
So, over the last year, if you’ve been struggling to get out of ruts, especially at work, or maybe you’re trying to do the same things in the same way and expect the same success that you’ve had before, probably hasn’t been working out all that well. Because Aries rewards the new thing. If you’ve been taking your vacations in the same places, meeting with the same friends at the same time, every week at the same restaurants, all of this might be fine at another time, but not really while the North Node is going through Aries and demanding a new adventure, challenging our entrepreneurial and pioneering spirits.
As the Sun and Mars make their aspects to the North Node, the Sun is on Sabian symbol 9 Leo, Glass blowers, and Mars is on 9 Gemini, A quiver filled with arrows. So, these are both very hot planets, the Sun and Mars, and sort of in a nice compatibility with that North Node in Aries.
The Sun’s degree speaks of creating something beautiful out of the breath of creative spirit, while Mars and Gemini, with its quiver filled with arrows, speaks of the many skills and contacts that are required, and ideas that we have at our disposal to fan the flames of that pioneering Aries North Node.
Venus square Uranus (Aug. 2, 2024, 6:27 am PDT)
Venus squares Uranus on August 2nd at 6:27 am Pacific Time. It’s at 26º52’ Leo and Taurus. Anytime Venus comes together with Uranus, we’re reminded that in relationships, we never know what’s coming next. It might mean that somebody new is coming along, or it might mean that somebody we thought we knew inside and out behaves in a way that’s quite unexpected.
The Sabian symbol for Venus is 27 Leo, Daybreak, which very much has the feeling of a new beginning, and perhaps an exciting beginning, with that symbol of “daybreak,” and how we’re greeting the new day. So this can be a new relationship, or at the very least, a new direction for an existing one.
Now Venus is related to finances as well, and I usually say when Venus is connecting with Uranus that there’s some kind of unexpected development in that area of our lives. It can be that we get a raise, it can be some other kind of influx of money that seems to come from nowhere, but it can also be unexpected expenditures. You need something done to your car, one of your appliances breaks down, probably something quite ordinary, but it’s still aggravating when it happens.
But the upside of Venus connecting with Uranus, both in terms of money and relationship, is it kicks things up and gives us a little bit of a fresh perspective and a new direction.
Venus enters Virgo (Aug. 4, 2024, 7:23 pm PDT)
On August 4th, Venus finishes up its joyous journey through Leo and enters Virgo at 7:23 pm Pacific Time. It will be in this sign through August 29th. Venus in Virgo combines beauty and practicality. It feels that something that is perfectly functional and perfectly suited to the task at hand is inherently beautiful.
Whereas Venus, going through Leo, enjoyed spending money on luxury and fun, going out to shows, and this kind of thing. Venus in Virgo is truly happiest in modest surroundings that emphasize simplicity. It likes things that are functional and finds them beautiful. When it comes to relationship, Venus in Virgo is particular.
And while Venus is moving through this sign, we might evaluate our relationships accordingly. If when Venus was in Leo, it was enough to have somebody that we could go out and have fun with. When Venus is in Virgo, we’re looking at maybe somebody we’re thinking about getting involved with and we’re thinking, is this good partner material?
Once all of the excitement of romance has died down a bit, is this somebody who is going to carry their weight and be sensible and practical? It may not sound real romantic, and it’s not that romantic, but it speaks to the qualities of true partnership, of building something together. And that is something that Venus in Virgo really values.
Now Venus, as we said before, is about money as well. And when Venus is moving through Virgo, we tend to maybe want to be a little more frugal, a little more considered with the way we’re spending our money or our resources. We’re more inclined to save extra money. Instead of going out and splurging on something luxurious, as we might have done when Venus was in Leo.
It’s also a really good transit, Venus in Virgo, for organizing your financial life. Catching up on all your paperwork, if you have a tracking system you use for your finances, getting it up to date with all of your expenditures and your income, so that you can really track exactly where your money is going and make really well-informed decisions about your savings goals and objectives.
Mercury stations Retrograde (Aug. 4, 2024, 9:56 pm PDT)
Mercury stations retrograde this week. On August 4th at 9:56 pm Pacific Time, at 4º06’ Virgo. That’s on the Sabian symbol 5 Virgo, A man dreaming of fairies. Mercury will be retrograde through August 28th, when it stations direct at 21º24’ Leo. So the area of your chart that contains the space between 21 Leo and 4 Virgo are really activated by this retrograde.
We all know the usual advice for Mercury’s retrograde times, to back up your computer and your phone and all of your devices, and to make sure that your car is running properly, and all of those good things. That is good advice, but if we use Mercury’s retrograde times, ideally, I think we’re less apt to run into technological challenges. Because they seem to arise when we’re trying to do too much during Mercury’s retrograde period.
So instead, we should practice Mercury retrograde hygiene, which is to be quieter, to pull back a little bit from tight scheduling in our lives, and to spend more time looking within in a contemplative way.
Not constantly taking in information from outside of us, but rather, combing through and considering the information that we’ve already taken in. I really like that inward facing and contemplative Sabian symbol for Mercury turning red to great. I love that picture of the man dreaming of these fanciful little creatures.
So while we are pulling back and not initiating so much in the outward world, not creating so much content, not maybe being on social media so much. Mercury in Virgo will get a chance to make some of our dreams real, and this might be a good retrograde time for keeping our hands busy and completing little projects that we had initiated and never finished.
Could be something around your house that you’ve been doing. It could be a hobby or craft project that you began a long time ago, but never got around to finishing up. This is a finishing up time, and it’s especially true with practical projects.
Leo New Moon (Aug. 4, 2024, 4:13 am PDT)
And now it’s time for the Moon Report, and it begins with the Leo New Moon on August 4th at 4:13 am Pacific Time. At 12º34’ minutes Leo, on the Sabian symbol, 13 Leo, An old sea captain rocking. Each year, the Leo New Moon focuses us on the celebration of the individual, liveliness, how we express ourselves in the world in a heartfelt way, how we share ourselves with the world, and the way we spend time with and enjoy the children in our lives. It might be your own children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, whoever it is, that maybe you don’t even get a lot of time to spend with these children. And the Leo New Moon is a good time to try to reconnect.
The New Moon starts this day, August 4th, and Mercury’s retrograde station ends it. The New Moon Sabian symbol, 13 Leo, is “the old sea captain rocking,” and it puts me a little bit in the mind of the Mercury retrograde symbol of a man dreaming of fairies. These are both deeply contemplative symbols. In one, a man is sleeping, he’s dreaming. In the other, he’s old, he is rocking, he’s not in great movement.
And they both remind me that in order to express Leo’s creative potential fully, we have to periodically rest and refuel. This vision of the old sea captain rocking may be dreaming of past voyages. Or, maybe thinking a voyage is yet to come, maybe even the voyage into the next world. T
his New Moon point is sextile Mars, which is approaching a conjunction with Jupiter in Gemini, so we can look to many ideas and invitations to express Leo’s heart and opportunities for its performative qualities to shine as well. And I think it’s best that Mars and Jupiter in restless Gemini are square Saturn in Pisces, which is a very grounding influence. But they also have the potential to really fan Leo’s flames with a lot of ideas and opportunities and possibilities for social connection.
Lunar Phase Family Cycle
This is the beginning of a lunar phase family cycle that will unfold over the coming three years. Take careful note at this New Moon about what’s important in your life right now. Some of it might have to do with how we understand the symbolism of Leo, about self-expression, about appreciating ourselves more and putting ourselves out into the world.
Even if it doesn’t fit that symbolism, pay close attention to what is important in your life. At this exact time, at this New Moon, sometimes in a New Moon, we’re not really clear what’s coming up. We know something new is about to happen, but we can’t necessarily identify exactly what it will be. So make notes now.
And then when the First Quarter in this lunar phase family cycle comes along, On May 4th, 2025, we’re called upon to take action in the direction of something we initiated or thought about at this New Moon. At the Full Moon in this Lunar Phase Family Cycle on Feb. 1st, 2026, we might look back at the notes we’re making now with new insights and think, Oh, that’s what was beginning. That’s what I was initiating. And at the Last Quarter in this cycle, on Nov. 1st, 2026, we see the opportunity to fine tune the New Moon vision, to make any adjustments necessary, and to make a final push, take a final considered action to resolve whatever it is that is beginning at this New Moon.
Void-of-Course Moon periods
Let’s look at the Void-of-Course Moon periods for this week. On July 29th, the Moon in Taurus sextiles Neptune in Pisces at 1:59 pm Pacific Time, is Void-of-Course for about half an hour, and then enters Gemini at 2:28 pm. Void-of-Course Moon periods that begin with a sextile aspect represent invitations and opportunities. With the Moon in Taurus, we see the opportunity to handle practical affairs more effectively, to provide a firm foundation for that Neptune in Pisces.
If someone invites you on a fanciful adventure during this Void-of-Course Moon period, don’t say no, because it’s an opportunity that is well worth considering. On July 31st, the Moon in Gemini squares Neptune at 7:46 pm Pacific Time, is Void-of-Course for about half an hour, and enters Cancer at 8:19 pm.
Void-of-Course moons that begin with a square aspect represent conflict or challenge. I think one of the best ways to use this Void-of-Course moon is to write down what you are imagining, what you’re dreaming of. Bringing together the energy of Moon in Gemini, which likes to write, to make ideas real in that way. But also, the strong Neptune influence. Writing things down will be a way to make sense of the ideas and the cravings that Neptune brings our way.
And on August 3rd, The Moon in Cancer trines Neptune at 3:31 am Pacific Time, is Void-of-Course for 38 minutes, and enters Leo at 4:09 am. A Void-of-Course Moon beginning with a trine aspect represents a gift or a reward.
And here we see that doing what comes naturally for a Moon in Cancer, which is to care for the people around us, and to help them learn to care for themselves, will earn you love and acceptance from the people around you.
Listener Question: (Replay from Episode 131) Transiting Sun’s Cycles
In this week’s listener question, we’re going all the way back to episode 131 to revisit a great question from listener Asher, which feels very appropriate during this Sun in Leo season, because Leo is ruled by the Sun. And here was listener Asher’s question.
“Transiting Sun conjunct one’s natal Sun is generally regarded as the beginning of a new cycle in the native’s life. What is reflected or represented at the times Transiting Sun is making trines or squares or opposes your natal Sun. How might the astrological operant make best use of these transits? Is Sun square natal Sun the time to finally commit to not making those annoying mouth noises when one is eating?
Is Sun trine natal Sun the occasion to attack how to win friends and influence people with a highlighter? Is Sun opposing natal Sun a license to behave so uncharacteristically that people one is well acquainted with? We’ll reference the 1976 or 2003 Motion Picture Freaky Friday.”
Thank you for your very colorful question, Asher!
Yes, each year within a couple of days of your birthday, the transiting Sun makes its exact conjunction to your natal Sun, the Sun in your birth chart. It’s called a solar return. We’ve talked about it before on the podcast. But as you suggest, Asher, other transits of the Sun to your birth chart, and in particular to your natal Sun, can be really interesting to watch as well.
I think it’s kind of sad that we don’t pay a lot of attention to the Sun transiting through our charts other than the solar return. And I think that for those of us who love astrology, we resist the over importance that is often given to the Sun through Sun sign horoscopes and this kind of thing. So we overlook what is a really powerful annual cycle.
Think of the transiting Sun as a huge spotlight, like those ones they used to put outside movie theaters at premieres, and it shines this huge light. on your planets and houses as it transits through your chart over the course of a year. For fast moving transits from the Moon through Venus, I don’t normally pay a lot of attention to trines or sextiles, personally.
Although, I must say, attacking Dale Carnegie with a highlighter is always a good idea. And please don’t make those sounds with your mouth, because some of us have misophonia and it makes us want to scream!
But when the Sun squares and opposes your natal Sun, as it does around the same days each year, about three months after your birthday, then six months after your birthday, and then nine months after your birthday, approximately…
These are times when you will face challenges to your ego, to your creativity, to your physical vitality. Challenges can be extremely motivating though. So these can be some of the most helpful moments in the overall solar cycle. I think that these relatively fast-moving aspects will also tend to trigger any ongoing aspects to your Sun, your natal Sun, from the outer planets.
So, let’s say you’re having transiting Uranus square your natal Sun throughout the year. Those days when the transiting Sun is square or post your natal Sun can maybe give you a little jolt related to that larger aspect. There can be moments when those aspects are really triggered. The transits of the Sun that I personally pay closest attention to are the Sun’s transits over the angles of the charts – in other words, the cusps of the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th houses, because these points are really sensitive to what’s actually going on around us in the physical world, and they are points where the planets are at their strongest influence. I would invite everyone to take note of the dates each year when these transits take place in their chart, and watch what happens within a day either side.
And you might also find that important people in your life were born around those days or important life changing events in your life took place around those days. It’s really kind of striking.
When the transiting Sun crosses your first house cusp, the Ascendant, the spotlight is on your appearance, personality, the way others see you in general, and usually new challenges are coming your way that you have to figure out how to deal with. As the Sun crosses your fourth house cusp, the IC, we see important matters related to your home, your family, maybe moving, are possible. When the Sun connects with the Descendant, the seventh house cusp, look for important developments in your closest relationships. And as the Sun makes a conjunction with the Midheaven, the Tenth House cusp, your public self is revealed, for better or worse.
Anyway, Asher, I hope that that helps. I think it definitely is worth it, watching the transiting Sun as it goes through your chart, those important moments when you have the Solar return, the squares and the opposition, and when the transiting Sun is crossing the angles of your chart.
I enjoyed going into the Wayback Machine and listening to that one again. I hope you enjoyed it too!
And if you, Invisible Friend, have a question you would like me to answer on a future episode, please Just leave a message of one minute or less at SpeakPipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast. Or, email me at April (at) BigSkyAstrology (dot) com, and be sure to put “podcast question” in the subject line.
Donor Thanks
Well, that is everything I have on my show sheet, so I’m going to wrap this one up. Thank you for listening to the Big Sky Astrology Podcast. If you like what you’re hearing, please be sure to subscribe or follow the show in your app of choice. Thanks for listening! Leave a rating or review, and I hope that you’ll help spread the word by telling an astrology loving friend about the podcast. You can read show notes and full transcripts, and leave your comments about each episode at BigSkyAstropod.com.
I want to thank everyone who has shown support for the podcast over the past year, and especially during last September’s Podathon, and of course, we’ll be coming up with another Podathon during Labor Day week.
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That’s it for this episode. Join me again bright and early next Monday, and until then, keep your feet on the ground and your eyes on the stars!
Writing and images © 2017-24 by April Elliott Kent
For more on this week’s planetary news, read my weekly column!
