The August New Moon in Leo Wants to See You Shine

On August 18, 2020, at 7:42 p.m. Pacific Time, the new moon will be at 26°35’ of Leo.

“We all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun.” At this new moon, John Lennon’s lyrics make an excellent mantra! True, some of us may feel more comfortable seeking the spotlight than others. But the Leo new moon inspires each of us with the burning desire to shine in our own one-of-a-kind way.

At its best, Leo is about recognizing and celebrating what makes us truly special. Each of us has been given our own unique gifts. And we owe it to ourselves—as well as each other—to develop, express, and share them.

Still, it’s important to remember that your authentic offering won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s okay! The key is to shine your light where it can be truly seen—and not waste too much energy on people and situations that make you feel invisible. The more secure we are within ourselves, the easier this is to do.

What Does the August New Moon in Leo Mean?

Of course, it’s not all about us. But with the moon and sun conjunct Mercury in Leo, this can be easy to forget. There’s a tendency to think and talk about everything in terms of how it reflects back on ourselves. Or we identify so strongly with our personal opinions that our minds are closed off to new insights and information. As the sun, moon, and Mercury all trine the south node in Sagittarius, self-confidence can easily slip into self-righteousness.

Fortunately, with Mercury moving into Virgo the day after this new moon (August 19), we’ll soon come off our high horses and back down to earth. In the meantime, though, we can take advantage of a sextile with the Gemini north node. A little bit of curiosity about the world around us goes a long way toward keeping our egos in check. The moon, sun, and Mercury in Leo also trine Mars in Aries. This is an amazing aspect for initiating new creative projects and pursuing our passions! But as always with fire energy, we’ll need to work with it carefully and consciously. Otherwise, we run the risk of burning ourselves out.

After all, while this new moon encourages us to burn brightly, its quincunx with retrograde Saturn in Capricorn reminds us that there are limits. We might feel entitled to expect the best of everything, but this isn’t always realistic. On the other hand, though, it could be that the only thing standing in our way is the belief that we don’t deserve what we want. Either way, we might need to adjust our expectations.

Seeing ourselves in a realistic light, and loving what we see, can be a real game-changer. And with an exact sextile between Venus in Cancer and retrograde Uranus in Taurus, this new moon brings opportunities to do just that. You can start by reinventing your self-care rituals, and giving yourself the real “star treatment.” Read on for your sun and rising signs to learn more about what this new moon means for you.

Horoscopes for the August New Moon in Leo

Leo

Sometimes, Leo, less really is more. For instance, the less you claim to know about the world, the more it’s possible for you to learn and grow. This new moon supports you in stepping out into the unknown. By broadening your frame of reference, you may end up rediscovering yourself.

Virgo

It’s easy to do the right thing in front of an audience. But Virgo, it’s in what we do when no one is watching that our real character shines through. This new moon supports you in realigning with your integrity. Remind yourself (and others) what makes you the “real deal.”

Libra

To know you is to love you, Libra! And at this new moon, people seem especially eager to get to know you. If you’ve got the desire and energy for it, you can form new friendships now. Just make sure you’re not overextending yourself—or overestimating their “BFF” potential.

Scorpio

It’s been said that success is “ten percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration.” But for you, Scorpio, this leaves some key factors out of the equation. At this new moon, it’s about setting goals that you can put your whole heart and soul into—and seeking out supportive people.

Sagittarius

The sky’s the limit, Sag! At least, it sure feels that way right now. With your energy, enthusiasm, passion, and pride, the possibilities seem practically endless. Still, at this new moon, it couldn’t hurt to be humble. Show some love for your weaknesses, not just your strengths.

Capricorn

Up close and personal! For you, Capricorn, this new moon is all about intimacy—whether that’s sexual, psychological, spiritual, or all of the above. There’s a fiery side to you that only a select few in your life get to experience. Sharing it now can deepen and transform your relationships.

Aquarius

“I feel so seen!” Aquarius, the relationships you can honestly and non-ironically say this about are the ones you want to have in your life. This new moon brings opportunities to build and strengthen your connections with people who not only appreciate your unique vision, but actually share it.

Pisces

You’re not in it for the recognition, Pisces—your work is a labor of love. Still, it does feel good to be appreciated for all you do and the contributions that only you can make. This new moon encourages you to share your unique talents where they can really shine.

Aries

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Aries, it’s a safe bet that you’ve got this Helen Keller quote tattooed somewhere! Hopefully, though, you also have enough self-love and respect to recognize when playing it safe is more in your best interest. This new moon supports taking calculated risks.

Taurus

We all deserve to feel like the king or queen of our own castle. But for you, Taurus, it’s especially important. This new moon supports you in claiming your space and establishing the ambiance you want your home to have. Just make sure the energy is warm and welcoming.

Gemini

You’ve always had a way with words, Gemini. But at this new moon, you’re really on fire! People seem especially receptive to what you have to say—so make sure you’re putting your persuasive powers to good use. Be authentic, and take care not to embellish the truth too much.

Cancer

Like a boss! Cancer, that’s how you’re feeling at this new moon. Your self-worth gets a boost from adding new accomplishments to an already-impressive resume. Whether you’re learning new skills or showing off the old ones, you deserve to feel proud of what you’re bringing to the table.

Art by Melissa Leigh