The 2006 Lunar Cycle that begins with New Moon in Leo
is from July 25 through August 22

New Moon, July 25, 2 Leo 07, 00:31 am EDT

As I said in the chapter called "Living with the Moon in Daily Life" in Moon Tides, Soul Passages, the general mood of Moon in Leo expands egos and feelings are on the line. Minor issues can become major dramas. At best, fiery Leo energy can be creative, generous, honorable, spontaneous, fun...but in the midst of the current crisis in the Middle East, the "downside" potentials of Leo energy for egocentric, arrogant and risk-taking behavior could be dangerous. Still, as always, there's other things going on in the sky, as well. Mercury, planet of thinking and communication has been retrograde (appearing backwards in motion) since July 4th, and remains so through this entire New Moon phase. Mercury's change to direct motion is at 8:40 pm EDT July 28, and Crescent Moon phase begins the next day. Usually I consider Mercury retrograde to be much less troublesome than its reputation, although this time I'll admit that reports of problems have exceeded the usual. Still, at this New Moon, the slowed down retrograde Mercury could, with Saturn, mean a Leo New Moon cycle where responsible negotiations can succeed. In looking at the New Moon chart a bit more closely, I'm finding reasons for optimism. The New Moon is on the midpoint Mercury/Saturn, and Venus (our planetary Goddess ruling peace and love) is also prominently configured. Secretary of State Rice has gone to talk with leaders in Lebanon and Israel. So, let's light candles at this New Moon and send positive energy to her and those she'll be talking with that they may reach a diplomatic solution for peace.

Personal Ritual for New Moon in Leo

Leo is a sign most closely associated with Sun energy, and a primary keyword for Leo is creativity. Sun shines from within us when we express our purpose well. The sky is dark at New Moon because she is "up" with the Sun. Let's charge our creativity at this New Moon by greeting the sunrise. Go outdoors and stand where the rising Sun can be seen. Know that Lady Moon is also there, now moving a little ahead of him in the sign of Leo. Stretch your arms up high...stand on tiptoe and stretch. Reach wide and take long, deep breaths as you draw in the creative energy of Leo. Here is a greeting you could chant:

Rising Sun and Lady Moon
I greet you—feel your energy!
Brightly will I shine this day,
Inspired with creativity!
Hail, New Moon, and blessed be!

Now, if you have a creative project going, devote as much of this day and the entire New Moon phase to it. Or, start a new one!

Gibbous Moon, August 5, 28 Sagittarius 32, 10:46 pm EDT
Lammas, or Lughnasad, August 7, Sun at 15 Leo, 11:41 am EDT

This year the solar seasonal sabbat variously known as Lammas or Lughnasad comes during Gibbous Moon phase. At this sixth phase of the solar year, Sun, having waxed to full culmination of light at Midsummer, warming Mother Earth and bringing her to fruitfulness, now begins to wane a bit and our days gradually grow a little shorter. Mother Earth brings forth the first harvest of her abundance —grains and fruit, and these are gathered and shared among her people. Within the solar eight-fold cycle, the phase is Disseminating, a time to share. This year my circle plans to celebrate Lammas with a ritual involving the gathering of herbs and sharing knowledge of how each may be used. At Gibbous Moon phase, Moon is still waxing, not quite at Full Moon yet, but almost, so work still needs to be done before fulfillment—though we certainly may share our progress! If you click on the Lammas link in the header above, you'll find articles I wrote on the lore of the sabbat, and also a personal ritual that could work well for either solar or lunar phase themes.

Full Moon, August 9, 16 Aquarius 44 at 6:54am EDT

Aquarius is a sign closely associated with friends, interaction with groups and group causes, so this Full Moon could be an ideal time to organize a gathering to share ritual and charge group energy toward a common purpose. Aquarius is an air sign, so let's use the air! Have colored papers ready so that everyone can make a paper airplane. Begin with a centering meditation focused on your primary group goals. Create sacred space in your usual way, or use this very simple method: stand in a circle, then clasp the hand of the person on your left (sunwise around the circle) and say, "From hand to hand, the circle is cast." Each person in turn then clasps the hand of the next person to his or her left and repeating the phrase until all are holding hands.

For the working, begin with a brief explanation of how you'll raise energy for group interaction. If energy stays high, there can be more than one "round" with different themes. You'll all take turns speaking as you fly your airplanes to another person within the circle! You could start by saying, "Let's brainstorm suggestions for reaching our group's goal." Make your own suggestion, then toss the airplane to someone else to make their's and so on until everyone has participated. For a second round, you might each say what you, as an individual, will do to improve your own participation toward the group's work. For a third round, you could each compliment someone else on a way in which he or she contributes to the group.

For a final raising of group energy, fly all the planes into the center, then join hands and circle around, chanting the following phrase nine times, building the tempo as you go:

Foward we go, strong are we,
Working together successfully!

Waning Moon Rite
Last Quarter, August 15, through Balsamic Moon phase, August 19-22

From Last Quarter through Balsamic Phase is the best time of the month for bringing things to closure and letting go of whatever is no longer wanted or needed in your life. Of course, the real work of letting go must be done the hard way, whether by pulling weeds, cleaning out clutter, or banishing emotional issues that are keeping you down and preventing you from moving forward. Often, though, a ritual to connect with Spirit can be of great assistance in your achieving either mundane or inner release. Here's a simple one to use:

Choose natural objects to symbolize what you want to release—stones, leaves, twigs, or if you wish, a paper on which you can write what you will release and then burn it to ash. You'll need to go outdoors to bury the object (or ashes), so you may also need a small trowel or spoon. If at all possible, go out when and where you can actually see the waning Moon above you. Hold your chosen symbol in mediation, as you will your purpose into it and out of your inner self. Then, hold the symbol up to the Moon and call her as Crone Goddess:

Sunlight wanes and Moonlight, too.
Crone of wisdom, come to me.
Bear witness to what I release,
Returned to Earth, so mote it be!

Bury your symbol somewhere you need not return to any time soon. Cover the symbol with soil, then hold your hands over it and repeat the call to Crone, as you feel the release of energy. Then turn and walk away. Don't look back—not even the tiniest glance!