Leo New Moon:
Dancing With Fire
by Simone Butler

At Trader Joe's last week, the shaggy-haired checker handed me my grocery bags with an interesting farewell. "Enjoy yourself," he said.

I pondered the phrase all afternoon. It's one thing to enjoy an experience or another person. But enjoying yourself? This requires self-love, something most of us — myself included — are not entirely comfortable with.

One of my favorite teachers, Regena Thomashauer, says that most people - especially women - lack the vital nutrient of pleasure in the same way that sailors once lacked vitamin C. To avoid contracting "scurvy of the soul," says Mama Gena, we must make pleasure a priority, each day.

Pleasure is the reigning theme during the Sun's annual passage through fiery Leo (July 22 to Aug. 22). Now we're in the ripest phase of summer, a time to enjoy life and let our creativity run wild. Yet the current Cardinal T-square of Pluto, Saturn, Mars, Uranus and Jupiter is hardly a walk in the park. This configuration helps to crystallize decisions as it prompt us to face the truth in our lives. We are meant to use the dynamic energy of Leo to take long-delayed action on what really matters, and gain more self-respect in the process.

Mars joined Saturn in Libra on July 31, just after it opposed Uranus the day before. The combination of martial Mars, eccentric Uranus and stern Saturn shakes up the atmosphere and demands accountability. This energy has been building on the world stage all month. Many situations have come to a head; leaked documents exposed the truth about the war in Afghanistan, and in the wake of the Gulf disaster, the Obama administration just announced it's canceling two offshore oil and gas leases and calling a halt to drilling in Alaska.

Tensions build to even greater resolution at the Cardinal Cross on Aug. 6, as Venus and the Moon join the fray, catalyzing a feeling of "no turning back" as we discover that certain bridges have burned and the only way out is forward. The Moon in Cancer brings security issues to the forefront and makes everyone touchier than usual; try to not take things personally and be extra kind to yourself and others.

The prevailing energies of August demand that we become like fire dancers. If you've ever seen a performance of this mesmerizing art, you know that mastering the element of fire means finding pleasure in the midst of danger, and rising above fear.

The Leo New Moon of August 9 (8:08 pm Pacific time) is the perfect time to tap the life-giving element of fire. The Sun and Moon in Leo light up our hearts, as well as our solar plexus, or inner sun. Passions grow stronger as Pluto squares Venus within an hour of the New Moon, igniting our desire nature. Although Pluto/Venus can stimulate jealousy or greed, it can also help us discover what we really want and eliminate the past.

Mercury turns retrograde in Virgo on August 19, returning to the same territory of early August when it stations direct on Sept. 11. This gives us time to integrate and evaluate the decisions and changes that are in process now. Retrograde Mercury in Virgo demands that we pay especially close attention to details. Then on Aug. 21, Saturn in Libra makes its last exact square to Pluto in Capricorn. This can bring power struggles with conservative forces or relationship conflicts that demand fairness on both sides. With Mercury almost immobile at that time, we must take great care to not be too critical.

With all the challenges we're facing this month, learning to work with fire is essential. The following Internal Sacred Fire Ceremony, shared by Sariah Mikaels, can burn away the dross of the past and help us align with the fiery passion of the Leo New Moon (you can also use the Fire Ceremony I shared in my recent blog).

Imagine in your solar plexus an image of your inner Sun. In the center of this sun is a ceremonial fire much like the counsel fires of the indigenous elders. On the inhale, fan that fire and imagine dropping into it any negative thought forms, emotions, images... anger, hurt, fear, judgments, etc to be released and consumed.

On the exhale, transform all that's been incinerated into light that radiates out of every pore, illuminating your energy field and gifting the world with more light. Continue this breathing pattern until your thoughts and feelings have been neutralized. Then, bring your awareness to your heart and feel appreciation and gratitude as your last three breaths radiate your light.

May we all have the skill and grace of fire dancers, as we leap the flames this month. And let's remember to enjoy ourselves no matter what, as we burn through the blocks to what we desire!

© 2010 Simone Butler
All rights reserved