The temperature has been in the hundreds.  I walk through the surrounding pear orchards in the cool of the evening, observing how the rich bounty of pears comes gradually to harvest.  I’m told the pears won’t be ready to eat for a few more weeks.  But yesterday, in the searing heat, many of the trees dropped their entire load to the ground. 

A city girl, I haven’t lived here long enough to know if the tumbled pears are salvageable or a loss.  But staring at the grounded pears and the fruit-bare branches above, I was reminded of the recent Saturn/Pluto opposition…  and how in the pressure of forces larger than ourselves, things don’t always work out as planned.  Perhaps something you had hoped to ripen likewise fell to the ground… Yet here you are, reading another new moon scope, and like the orchard trees, still living and leafy.  It’s time to honor what’s left.  And perhaps ready yourself for one of life’s many second chances. 

Last month a friend told me she was scared hearing astrologers warn about Saturn and Pluto.  Now that we’ve experienced the first of this aspect’s three passes, note both what happened and what didn’t.  Perhaps things went smoothly and you get to learn you don’t have to take all astrology warnings to heart.  Or maybe something difficult did happen.  But did it come straight out of the karma of your own life, suggesting significant new learning, new directions?  What was released in the pressure of events?

Particularly at this new moon, it’s appropriate to do a little backward sleuthing.  In this month’s new moon chart, the tightest sun-moon aspects are separating ones.  This suggests that whatever is going to unfold this cycle has already begun.  With the separating opposition from Uranus, it's possible you were recently surprised, struck by genius, thrown suddenly into a profound or creative alienation.  What was it – an intuition – that came at you like lightening?  And with the separating trines from Mars and Chiron, you may have had a nice opportunity to see your own special genius in action. 

Figure out the most important realizations from the last two weeks and you have your personal seed for this Leo New Moon.  As a fixed sign, Leo brings the energy to stabilize.  Whatever vision or wisp of inspiration came, you can make something lasting of it now.  Leo is also playful, romantic, self-adoring.  This is a good moontime for laughing, loving, playing and creating.  Most of all, try putting your whole heart into whatever you do. 
 

NOTE TO READER: These dates are based upon electional techniques. All of the 
dates apply to all of the signs. I select certain dates for each sign but 
these dates apply to all of the signs. Do not simply read your own sign - 
read all of the signs for significant dates! You will see the theme of the 
best dates everyone being August 8-9, August 14 (early) and August 15.

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19): Practical decisions are not favored until the 2nd half of August but, even then, you may have to fight for what you know to be right. Don't fight too hard. Know when it is time to just let it go. A conflict arises in late August. If you have the facts, you will succeed on the 29th!

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 17): With so many becoming disillusioned in the system and the authorities, self-empowerment is the new wave. You have believed this all along and others feel supported by liberal, progressive thinking, especially on August 8-9, early on the 14 and August 30. These are good days to set up a website, join a List and get your ideas out there!

PISCES (February 18-March 19): Feeling sorry for another will only cause stress and disappointment on August 5-6. Be honest with yourself about what is really going on - there is no such thing as a rescuer...only two people vying for the victim slot! By the August 23-24, you are empowered to define boundaries. 

ARIES (March 20-April 19): There will be an important "light bulb moment" around the Full Moon of August 4. There are matters in desperate need of change and better communication. On August 8-9, there is a conflict arising but a woman steps in and defines a solution. August 30 is a great time to initiate a new project - sans the dreamers!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Jupiter and Venus in Cancer this month favor socializing and bonding over a good meal. There is a nurturing theme this month. CAUTION: August 11-12 can cause a error in judgment. Make sure that you are really right this time! Subjectivity is the fatal flaw! If selling real estate this month, you can demand and get a high price.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The truth is not popular this month but you never wanted to hear it anyway. The week of August 13 is a good time to take off for the beach with the family. The Moon starts out in your sign and you are restless for change. See yourself as a networker this month or one who gets others to reconsider their erroneous thinking.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Venus and Jupiter in Cancer - you feel in tune with the public and mass consciousness. This is a good time for financial decisions based upon your intuition, especially August 15 and before 6:10pm EDT of the 16th. August 23-24 is a very good day for financial and business decisions but you may have to deal with some unpredictability before it pays off.

LEO (July 23-August 22): As the nurturing authority figure who talks over problems at a nice restaurant, you will score high marks with others. "Seeing yourself in everything that you see" will cause a flaw in your reasoning. Make sure communication is on track, that you both understand the facts and each other, especially on August 11-12. This problem can prove quite costly on August 21

VIRGO (August 23-September 22): Around Mid-August, you may find yourself hounding those at work with some lack of precision, error in judgment and out-and-out misrepresentation of the facts. Others may not listen if you are not diplomatic and, when righteousness colors your thinking, you find it difficult to choose your words kindly. If you are not kind on August 20-21, you may lose a friend.

LIBRA (September 23-October 22): Being objective this month will prove highly beneficial when others dwell upon the past and hold it against each other. Appear compassionate but be logical. Curb impulsive spending this month. August 30 can be a good time for romance but there is some illusion coloring the situation.

SCORPIO ( October 23-November 21): Consult a Cancer for your financial planning this month, especially on August 15-16 and 23-24. Water signs can sense the ebb and flow of what is going on in the world - use this to your benefit. The current financial crisis will not bottom until 2004 but there is still money to be made.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21): Errors in judgment for Sagittarius can yranslate into being accident prone. Exercise caution in what you say and how you act on August 5-6, 11-12, 20-21, 26 and especially the morning of the 27th. Mars and Pluto in your sign favor focusing upon new goals and objectives for future gains.