Mercury in Leo, July 31st to August 14th - "An Eloquent Mind"

Tarot's card for Leo (of course) comes from
"Steampunk Tarot"© by
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell

Mercury in Leo is an eloquent mind, so pay attention, my friends, because this is an important transit for moving your life forward. Mercury’s intellect and communications skills combine with the lion’s charismatic leadership, making us virtually unstoppable. There’s a boldness, a passion and a natural presumption of success accompanying this transit. Mercury foregoes pure analytical thought to go with gut instinct. Idealism is our friend and we seek each and every one of our opportunities with a dramatic zest for living.

Leo loves center stage and Mercury in Leo is the consummate performer. People born with this transit prominently in their chart have a pleasing personality, effortlessly drawing people to their side. The next two weeks is an optimal time for presenting yourself if a favorable way. Schedule appointments with those tough clients you’ve been avoiding. Send out your resume. Dust off your portfolio and get your presentation ready. You have the answers to people’s dilemmas so get out in front of them with your knowledge and your creative approach. Persuasion is your middle name right now, so what are you waiting for?

As with everything, there is a yin to this yang and Mercury in

The Magician represents Mercury. Shown
here from "Wizard's Tarot" by Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen

Leo can influence us towards arrogance if we are operating a little left or right of center. Leo’s ‘performer’ gene can cause us to become opinionated and devalue the contributions of other members of our family or team. We have lots of planetary influences in Leo currently (Sun, Jupiter, Mercury, Lilith See blog: Sun in Leo), so guard against Leo’s confidence mutating into less desirable attitudes such as arrogance, or egocentricity. We all live on this planet together and no single person or group of people is the ‘whole show,’ regardless of their opinion on the matter.

Mercury’s transit of Leo it an excellent time to push your goals to the next level. Think of it as that summer growth spurt before things start bearing fruit for autumn’s harvest. Opportunities are what you make of them and when properly used, transits like this one give substance to your hopes and dreams.

LADY ORACLE

Astrology Trends for July 2014

Kris Waldherr's "Goddess Tarot"© brings
us Laskshi to represent #10, The Wheel.
#10 is tarot's card for Jupiter

July changes the astrological template we’ve lived with for the past year. Say goodbye to Cardinal Crosses for a while and so long to the stalemate that’s had you butting your head against walls since early spring. The big stories this month are Jupiter’s move from Cancer to Leo on July 16^th and Mars’ move from Libra to Scorpio on the 25th. All the reconfiguring you’ve done during Mercury retrograde is about to pay off people.

Jupiter has been hanging out in Cancer since June of last year, offering us the opportunity for financial and emotional growth. Jupiter expands the energy of the house it occupies. When our planet of fortune moves into confident Leo, we’ll put our growth to work for us in creative and exciting new ways. Leo offers a bold, at times, swaggering energy.  The next twelve months offers us a 'can do' philosophy. Don’t wait for someone else to supply the opportunities.  Assume a leadership role in your own life and create them.  Look for career advancement through big ideas. If you’re not certain how those ideas come into play, relax. Leo’s confidence will see you through. Jupiter’s transit of Leo lasts until August of 2015.

Thoughts translate into effective action under Mars in Libra.

Leo's tarot association is #8,
Strength, seen from "Tarot of the Pagan Cats"©
by Magdelina Messina and Lola Airaghi

Mars wants us to make the social connections that help us put our plans in motion. Timing is on our side right now. Those important introductions will happen through cosmic design, so pay attention. What seems like random chance right now it universal tumblers clicking into place, setting us up with the resources we need, both personal and joint, for the launch party that is Mars in Scorpio.  Mars' Scorpio transit carries vibrancy and ambition ­– two things that are highly useful in accomplishing goals.  However, keep an eye out for flairs of stubbornness.

Saturn in Scorpio turns direct on July 20^th.  Beef up your personal boundaries.  All the retrograde restructuring you’ve implemented gains momentum, working to transform areas of your life.  We have an increased sense of personal power and will be up to Saturn's challenges.

#21, The World, seen here from
"The Wildwood Tarot"© by
Mark Ryan and John Matthews,
represents the planet, Saturn

Mercury restarted its journey through the Zodiac after ending retrograde on July 1^st.  The planet of intellect will continue to hang out in Gemini (remember there was a backslide to Gemini during retrograde) until July 13^th when it returns to Cancer.  Mercury in Gemini helps us to access information files that we’ve uploaded from a variety of sources. It’s rapid fire intellect and hallmark wit are both incisive and amusing.  Look for sharpened communications skills, written as well as spoken during the first two weeks of July. However, when Mercury moves to Cancer on the 13^th you’ll see your mental focus shift to thoughts of home, family and stability.  Your communications will be heart-felt, delivered with understanding and respect.  Be careful not to over-think, though and allow Cancer’s strong, emotional component to cause unnecessary fretting.

Other monthly developments include Venus’ move to Cancer on July 18^th, Uranus’ retrograde on July 21^st, Sun in Leo on July 22^nd, Saturn turning direct on July 20^th, a Full Moon in Capricorn on the 12^th and a New Moon in Leo on the 26^th.  Whew! July is a pivotal month, setting up some significant changes that will stay with us into the next year.  Stay balanced through meditation.  Avoid excesses and most of all,  enjoy the opportunities this changing skyscape offers us.

Full Snow Moon In Leo, February 14, 2014 – “Riding With the King”

Smart and sassy, Rome Choi's depiction
for #2 The High Priestess - tarot's card
for the Moon from "Dreaming Way Tarot"©

The Snow Moon is also called the Hungry Moon in Native American culture.  That makes sense. Stores of food were depleted by February and in winter weather game often remained scarce until mid-March.  For some of us in society hunger is never far from the door.  February is a good time to give thanks for what we have and to share a little – even if it’s not the traditional time to do so.  

On February 14th, Valentine’s Day no less, we greet the Full Snow Moon in twenty-six degrees, thirteen minutes of Leo. Ladies and gentlemen, let the rumpus begin.  Full Moon in Leo is exuberant. Heck, just take off the e,x and the a,n,t and say it outright.  Full Moon in Leo is uber-moon.  Leo is a charismatic, flamboyant sign who hosts our Lady Moon in comfort and style.  Leos like luxury. If you have Moon in Leo in your birth chart, congratulations. You are riding with the king.  The rest of us will feel the effects to varying degrees, but people with Moon in Leo are riding shotgun.

Leo has an expansive way of thinking, so both Friday and this

Barbara Moore and
Aly Fell's "Steampunk Tarot"©
show us Leo's tarot card.  

weekend is about connecting with your potential and asking, why not me? This Full Moon want us to be center stage and larger than life.  It is a moon of leadership. What is your maximum potential? See it, touch it, live it.  Be on the lookout for financial opportunities, the chance to be on the cutting edge.  A lion is good with money and is the quintessential early adopter. They believe in teamwork and they have a tremendous capacity for followthrough.  If you’ve had problems in the past with your ability to go the distance expect to see a boost in stick-to-it-ness towards the end of this week and in the beginning of the next. 

Leo is notoriously alluring and when coupled with the Full Moon’s sultry light you’ll find yourself eager to sweep, and be swept, off your feet – or paws.  This particular Full Moon on Valentine’s Day is a marvelous chance for you to heap admiration and affection on your valentine and hopefully receive the same in return. Remember that Leo rules the heart.  Valentine’s Day is also the perfect time to love yourself as the marvelous creation that you are.  Open your heart and let love pour through you. You are the lion’s heart in your own life – worthy of love and admiration.

"OSHO Zen Tarot"© by Deva Padma
Offer a stunning depiction of romance,
love and eternity

Full Moon in Leo effects each sign of the Zodiac a little differently.  Generally speaking, air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) tend to pull that leonine charismatic energy during a Full Moon in Leo.  Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) reflect the strong passions found in Leo, as well as the lion’s money making skills.  Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) who already make a great emotional impact on others find that their powers of persuasiveness reach new heights.  Fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) receive boosts to their creativity and their leadership skills.

Anyway you slice it, Full Snow Moon in Leo is an important Moon.  It is your chance to combine your courage with self-assuredness and to make lasting commitments to yourself and your goals.  Harness the energy of this Full Moon to assert the positive in your life and proudly proclaim who you are.

LADY ORACLE

August 6, 2013, New Moon In Leo - “A Roar of Confidence ”

#8, Strength is tarot's ruling card for Leo
from Barbara Moore and Aly Fells
"Steampunk Tarot"©

Our New Moon at 14 degrees Leo arrives at 2:51 p.m., PDT, on Tuesday, August 6th.  New Moons set the emotional tempo for the upcoming lunar cycle and likewise, they give us all a chance for a fresh start.  This New Moon, as the Zodiac sign implies, comes with a bit of a bite.  Which is good in this case.  As the harmonious flow of the Grand Water Trine recedes into memory, our assessment of our lives, as well as ourselves, has taken a turn towards self-doubt.  (see blog on August's Astrology Trends) However, this month’s leonine New Moon offers us a healthy boost to our confidence while Mars in Cancer nudges us into action and Jupiter in Cancer urges us to sing out. The Lion’s natural confidence asks you to reflect on all the positive things about yourself during the New Moon.  Learn to appreciate your talents and add this information to your storehouse to combat moments of self-doubt.  

#10, The Wheel of Fortune, Jupiter's ruling card
from Barbara Moore and Aly Fell's
"Steampunk Tarot"©

The 6th is your chance to set the tone for your interactions during the rest of this month.  Mercury moves into Leo on the 8th while we’re all still feeling the effects of the New Moon.  Mercury in Leo gives us a chance to open up ours lines for strong and clear communications.  Resist any temptation to roar your requests or opinions.  Confidence doesn’t naturally include a boastful swagger.  Confidence comes from understanding and accepting what makes you tick.  True confidence requires that you be genuinely grateful for your talents and a little humbled by your accomplishments, because you recognize that there are an amazing group of people in your life who help you make everything possible. Lead with sincerity and follow up with compassion and this month’s New Moon will set the tone for a successful August. 

LADY ORACLE

HELPFUL RELATED BLOGS : 

Dark of the Moon

http://ladyoracle56.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-feel-dark-moon-rising-meditation-with.html

Helpful Crystals 

http://ladyoracle56.blogspot.com/2012/04/crystals-every-person-needs-part-2.html

"Steampunk Tarot"© Available For Sale Through My Tarot Store!  Fabulous Deck - Deep and Crystal Clear for Readings!

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July 23rd - August 22nd, Leo, the Lion - “Walking With Pride”

Leo's ruling tarot card, #8 Strength
Steampunk Tarot©
by Barbara Moore and Aly Fell

It is said that pride is a sin and that it ‘goeth before a fall.’ However, when you look at a typical Leo, you don’t see pride in the negative sense of the word.  You see self-assurance and a steadfast commitment towards creating something better in life.  For Leo that doesn’t necessarily mean having more, or having the best.  Lion people generally seize opportunities that make things better for all concerned.  They recognize life’s inequities and make a whole-hearted commitment to fix them.

Leo is the fifth sign in the Zodiac’s wheel.  It is a fixed sign connected to the element of fire.  In layman’s language, this means that Leo is consistent and dependable.  The element of fire makes them idealistic, passionate and energetic.  The sign of Leo the Lion carries male energy and as a result, Leos appreciate direct action and plain speech.  They have little tolerance for ego-driven, mean-spirited people.

Lions are hard workers. Granted, they love their down time, but you should stand clear when they decide to act.  They are natural leaders; both idealistic and confident in their resources.  Leos don’t give up easily on the people or situations that are important to them. They are, by no means, fair weather friends and often assume responsibility for everything in their world and in yours too, if you let them.  Leo

The Sun rules Leo and #19, The Sun
rules the Sun - Barbara Moore and Aly Fell's
Steampunk Tarot©

is ruled by the Sun which lends a particular glow, or magnetic mystique to their leonine natures.  You yearn to be invited to their parties and to bask in their light.  Naturally, their gemstone is the luscious, rich ruby.

Although outwardly confident, Leos harbor insecurities just like anyone else.  The difference is that lion people feel the fear and do it anyway - whatever ‘it’ happens to be.  

Lest you think Leo the Lion is the most perfect sign in the Zodiac, think again.  Off center, ungrounded Leos are arrogant, boastful, pompous and selfish.  They can be easily flattered and therefore are easy to manipulate.

Lions love amour.  They give much in terms of loyalty and adoration to their mates and likewise, they expect much in return.  They deal best with other fire signs such as Leo, Aires and Sagittarius.  Their opposites, Gemini and Aquarius also stir their heart strings.  Moody and sexual Scorpio brings about a glorious and sometimes frightening clash of will and passion.  Boy, howdy – keep a fire extinguisher handy for that one.

Tarot’s #19, The Sun rules Leo’s governing celestial body – the Sun.  Handy, huh?  In tarot, the Sun means greatness, vitality and self-assuredness.  Pretty much sums it up for Leo, doesn’t it?  Leo’s ruling card is (of course) #8, Strength.  That’s probably why the classic depiction shows a maiden soothing a lion through compassion and understanding.  Power through, never power over.  That’s Leo for you.  Leos are complex and extreme, but here’s the thing.  Leos are never by nature, dull.

Here's a YouTube link to Bruce Cockburn perform "Wondering Where the Lions Are," recorded live at KINK Radio's Bing Lounge.  KINK has been helping to keep Portland weird for many years!  

LADY ORACLE

Steampunk Tarot© available for sale through  Lady Oracle's Mercantile - click here!