The Full Moon is actually a reflection of the Sun. When the Sun is exactly opposite the Moon and there is no blockage by the Earth (an eclipse), we call this a Full Moon. The Moon itself emits no light. If not for the Sun, the Moon would not be visible. In fact, without the Sun’s light no planet would be visible. This gives us important information about the role of the Sun in our chart.
The Sun in our charts is our ‘Sun sign.’ Few ever ask you what your Venus sign is…In Evolutionary Astrology we ask about the Pluto sign, but that is a feature that distinguishes the EA method.
The Sun shines light on every other part of the chart. Some astrologers ask where the Earth is in the chart and some say the Earth is You standing in the center. The Sun allows all the other bodies: planets and asteroids to be seen. That Sun is both the witness and in many ways, the Founding Source because the Sun is the center of our solar system which would not exist without that central star.
I’m sure many of you have heard of this conundrum: if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around, does it make a sound? We are asked to give our gifts, but without a receiver, an audience, a client….whatever, how can we do this? We may be a writer, but unless someone reads our work, so what?
This shows the ultimate importance of relationship and sheds light on the dilemma of Leo. The Sun rules Leo and needs to be the center of attention. Leo needs an audience. Some say Leo is self-centered. Without others to witness ‘their glory’ they become depressed and sullen. They need people. And yet, we all know what a drag the unevolved Leo, who constantly demands attention and is never satisfied, can be. So Leo needs to learn to share, to let others have a chance to be the center of attention.
Official ‘baby boomers’ all have Pluto in Leo. Many of us are such late-bloomers, we die before we manifest our destiny, yet we spend our entire lives trying to ‘find our thing’. We started the conscious-movement. We opened the doors of perception. We threw ourselves into the spiritual life. But after that, what next? Expanding awareness is important, but to what end?
After the hero goes on his journey and finds the treasure, his task is to bring it back home to those who stayed home and try to find a way translate what he has learned so that it benefits humanity.
But what if no one cares or is listening? What if our ‘message’ is unwelcome or disturbing? This is where the finessing influence of Mercury or Venus enters. Helping to translate the message or make it more palatable. Mercury and Venus are close to the Sun and in our charts are never far from it. They can help us deliver our message.
Mercury and Venus are both in Virgo, slightly ahead of the Sun. They can help us prepare and refine our message.
On the other hand, the Moon in Aquarius can be viewed as the alienated loner. A quote attributed to Aquarius is “I love humanity, its people I can’t stand.” That being said, it looks like Aquarius does not need an audience. As we know, the Moon is invisible without the Sun. The Moon in Aquarius might, in fact be a little uncomfortable with all the attention.
This Full Moon you might think about what you want the shed light on and what you want to remain hidden. Do you really want to be the center of attention? Are you prepared for all that attention? We may dream of fame and fortune, but could we handle it?
Another important transit that is in effect now is the Saturn/Neptune square. Many of us are feeling both stimulated and exhausted. Full of creative ideas and no energy to manifest them. This is one way to see the effects of the Saturn/Neptune square. More me, it makes a Grand Cross with my Sun in Gemini and my Ascendant in Virgo.
As some of you know, besides being an astrologer, I make jewelry www.silkroadsoutache.com
My business is growing which is very exciting. I will be teaching a workshop next April through Art is You www.eatcakecreate.com I have had to ask myself “how much success am I prepared for?” And how can I expand and grow my business in a manageable way? What are my next steps?
For me this is the manifestation of Neptune in Pisces transiting over my natal Moon. I have been receiving so many downloads, it sometimes interferes with my sleep. However, with Saturn squaring that, I find myself unable to translate my ideas into actual pieces. This has led to frustration bordering on self-sabotage. I am highly motivated, full of ideas and stuck and exhausted. The way I am working with this is to take tiny, but continual steps. Not giving in to the frustration, not expecting huge results, but being content with slow progress.  
When I recount events from my own life, I do so hoping they will serve to illustrate how transits affect our lives. Hopefully, you the reader, can get some benefit from these examples.

This month the New Moon corresponds closely with the beginning of the month and thus has a greater influence on setting the tone for the month since New Moons represent new beginnings.

In addition, August 2016 is full of significant transits involving both the inner and outer planets. Generally, the inner planets affect us personally, the outer planets affect the collective. So, in case you missed it….there’s a lot going on both in the sky and on the planet.

From our perspective on Earth, a New Moon is a conjunction Sun and Moon. Leo is ruled by the Sun and so leonine energy is strong during this period of about 3 days – day before, day of, and day after. All the archetypes are complex, but Leo is generally concerned with creativity, play, fun, and a sociability.

Leo loves an audience, and so must have lots of people around for that to happen. Nothing worse than a lonely, isolated Leo. Leos also have a lot of love to give and need to have at least one someone to give it to. They are generous and gregarious. But their pride and need for admiration can be their ‘downfall’. If they don’t get the appreciation they think they deserve…all hell can break loose. They are masters of ‘attention getting devices’ positive and negative.

This being said, how does this affect the rest of us who are not Sun sign Leos? Remember that we are all the center of our own mini universe and thus we are all ‘Suns’. Allow others to get a chance on stage. Learn to share. To get more love, give more.
We start the month with four planets retrograde. Saturn will turn direct on August 13, leaving Uranus, Neptune and Pluto still retrograde.

 Mars will join Saturn in Sagittarius mid-month giving extra energy and will towards goals that have been set during the Saturn retrograde. I love what Steven Forrest says about Saturn work (paraphrasing) “with Saturn you have the choice of exhaustion or depression”. What this means to me is that Saturn sets the task or at least the area where work needs to be done. If you do it, you will get exhausted, but you will make progress and achieve something. If you don’t do it, you will remain where you are and get depressed about it.

The Mars conjunction to Saturn will provide the fire in the belly to do what you need to do. A great time to accomplish something that you know has to be done, but have been ‘too tired’ to do. The ‘hard’ thing about Saturn is that while it is demanding that you ‘do’ something, it takes all your energy away making it harder. Things move sooooo slowly….you may see no results…Like building a mountain one cup of soil at a time. You have to keep at it….. but it seems impossible. Saturn rules TIME.

Now while some see the current square between Saturn and Neptune as difficult I see it as a time when creative inspiration (Neptune) can be manifested (Saturn). Using the energy that will become available when Mars is conjunct Saturn you’ll be able to get a lot done towards accomplish goals that you have until now, only imagined, dreamed about.

Mercury will form a T Square with Saturn and Neptune. That is, it will be opposing Neptune and squaring Saturn. Mercury in Virgo wants you to be prepared by getting all your ducks in a row. Collect your tools, information, personnel or whatever you’ll need to do the ‘work’ at hand. Virgo wants to be prepared. Mercury is the ‘messenger of the gods’, the communicator. It will help you ‘get your message out’ so to speak.

This is all happening while the Sun is in Leo and I feel this New Moon is the launch pad.
GET READY TO CREATE, MANIFEST, AND MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY!!