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What's in the sky this month?

In the sky's tarot, three celestial cards will appear to the most observant ones during this new moon period… The Delta Aquarid meteor shower will reach its peak during Monday's moonless sky-although it's not the thickest meteor shower, the dark sky should help bring a shooting star into view every 5 minutes. On Tuesday, thirty minutes after sundown, careful sky watchers in the Eastern time zone can spot the beautiful sickle of a young Moon, barely 19 hours old, (this is only 3 hours older than the record naked-eye sighting for a new moon). On Wednesday, sunset porch sitters with a low horizon line and discerning vision can see the stunning Leo grouping of Jupiter, Mercury, and Regulus, just below and to the left of the Moon. If it's omens you're seeking, quiet your mind, settle into your body, and gently hold a clear question, as you wait for these celestial cards to appear.

But throughout the month, the most brilliant sky sign continues to be Mars, rising just after midnight in the southeastern sky, bigger and brighter than it's been in 72,000 years. Hours after the New Moon, Mars officially goes retrograde… delivering surprising turns, raising hidden tensions or anger, slowing down the forward momentum of events until Mars goes direct in late September. Find the early degrees of Pisces in your chart; this is the area of life where rethinking your position may be most important… avoid hasty decisions, impatient desires… settle in and observe how people and events are testing your motives.

The bad news: If you're still reeling from last cycle's Mars/Uranus conjunction, this month won't settle matters once and for all. The good news: It will bring more light. Inner light, that is. Neptune's opposition to the New Moon and Mars retrograde suggest that quick or easy solutions may still be elusive, the full meaning of events yet unclear… but it's the journeying that matters now.

Leo journeys with dignity and joy - with the self-possession of a lion, the enthusiasm of a child, the confidence of a king. Leo is a fire sign, and it's the fire in your belly that you should stoke this cycle, no matter how tricky or challenging the outer world appears. Draw from your inner resources. Connect with your life force (the surest route may be through unabashed play). Ask, "Where is my will in this matter?" Let conviction build in your solar plexus (Leo's chakra). When you know where you stand, your ability to express yourself authentically and maintain trust in the outcome becomes much easier.

Last month's New Moon saw six planets in water. This month's New Moon brings six planets in fire. Great progress can be made… fire gets things moving, brings energy and new inspirations. But the requirement of emotional attunement is still strong. Transitioning from water to fire means touching into your emotions with the intention to purify and redirect them toward positive ends. Treat yourself and others with compassion and respect this month. Everyone's growing. At the height of summer, may we all reach towards the Sun!