by Lina Elisabeth Preston 4 min read

Leo has a lot of influence over the next couple of months. Many planets are directly or indirectly involved with Leo at this time.

In order to understand Leo’s role now, let’s first take a closer look at the sign and its ruler.

Fiery Energy

Fire has power and dynamic energy. The Sun rules Leo. The fiery Sun is hot, bright, and central in our solar system. In fact, the Sun's power and light are essential to our survival.

In the body, the Sun governs our heart and circulation. The fire element also governs our digestive system.

But fire can be ruthless and destructive when it is out of control. Many places in the world are experiencing unprecedented heat and uncontrolled fires. The effects of climate change are upon us.

Mars, Venus, and Mercury are all in Leo now. Mars has been in Leo since July 1st.
The energetic and fiery Mars is frustrated by an aspect from Saturn, who blocks and slows down his energy. An aggravated Mars can manifest anger, violence, and fires.

Mars leaves Leo and moves into Virgo on August 18th. However, just when Mars is leaving Leo, the fiery Sun enters his own sign. (in Vedic astrology, the degrees are different from Western astrology)

The King

The symbol for Leo is a lion. A lion exudes authority, independence, pride, and self-control.

People who are influenced by Leo’s energy are often determined and ambitious. They also have a need just to be. They are what they are. Leadership and authority are natural qualities in Leo.

The aspect from Saturn to Leo puts the sign under pressure. This is a time when we see leaders facing challenges and obstacles.

Limitation or Expansion?

Saturn and Jupiter both aspect Leo now. Both of these planets move slowly and thus have long transits.

Saturn in Aquarius stays opposite Leo until March 2025. Saturn, the planet of karmic consequences, gets our attention in a different way than the Sun and Leo. Saturn can make us suffer but can also give us the discipline to do what must be done. It is often through hardships and pain that we take the necessary steps toward change.

Jupiter, the planet of expansion and wisdom, aspects Leo until May 1st, 2024. Jupiter influences Leo with a beneficial trine aspect from Aries.

Rahu also aspects Leo from Aries but only for another couple of months because Rahu moves to Pisces on October 30th, 2023.

Venus Retrograde Until September 3rd

Venus wants comfort and harmony and governs relationships and finances.

Venus is currently in Leo. Leo gives Venus the power to shine like a diamond.

Venus in Leo is creative. The trine from Jupiter and Rahu adds a nice touch and expands the creativity and desires of Venus.

However, Venus is also facing the heat of Mars and Leo. Saturn's influence is there as well. This makes Venus uncomfortable.

Furthermore, Venus is retrograde, which makes it difficult for Venus to move forward. This is not a time to start something new if it involves Venus. It may rather be a time to repair or heal something. This can be a challenging time for relationships.

Venus retrogrades back through the gandanta zone from August 5-8. Gandanta is the cusp between a water sign and a fire sign and is unsettling and unstable.

Venus remains retrograde until September 3rd and returns to Leo on October 1st.

This is a time to look at what makes you happy and what is meaningful to you. It can be a life-changing transit and we need to be patient and flexible.

Be Calmly Active and Actively Calm

Mercury rules information and communication. Mercury is our intellect and intelligence. This planet governs business, trade, learning, and education.

The fire element in Leo stimulates Mercury and creates excitement. But especially in the presence of Mars, the intellect and the nervous system may get overly excited and heated.

Remember the quote by Paramhansa Yogananda: “Be calmly active and actively calm.”

Mercury goes retrograde in Leo from August 23rd to September 15th. This may be a time to calmly rethink, revalue, restructure, and reorganize.

Calmness is the only possible foundation for any true, lasting fulfillment
and happiness. Calmness is possible only when the ego stops shouting
for attention.
–Swami Kriyananda

Ego and Soul

So, where is the Sun all this time? The Sun is the ruler of Leo and is, of course, a significant influence.

The Sun and the Moon are gandanta in the last degree of Cancer on August 16th. The gandanta new Moon foretells that the near future is unstable. The day after the new Moon, on August 17th, the Sun moves into Leo.

The Sun is here in mutual opposition with Saturn. The Sun and Saturn are enemies. Both are very strong in the signs that they rule. The Sun is the leader, the ruler, and the father while Saturn serves, labors, and organizes.

The Sun, which rules Leo, represents self, will, and identity. Spiritually, Leo needs to transcend his ego and expand into self-awareness.

A core issue in the world now is a fight for egoic power versus a universal need for awareness and healing.

If we want to find harmony between the seemingly irreconcilable different energies of Sun and Saturn the answer may lie in an expression of humility. Less ego and more soul. Power is an aspect of God. God alone is the doer.

Humility is self-acceptance and self-honesty. You have a right to all power if you seek it in Infinity and if you never hold the thought that it resides in your little self.
–Swami Kriyananda

August 2023 Astrological Dates to Remember

  • August 1: Full Moon in Capricorn/ Sun in Cancer 15°
  • August 1: Saturn / Mercury opposition exact 11°
  • August 1: Jupiter / Mars trine exact 19°
  • August 1: Venus retrograde 2° Leo
  • August 6 - September 3: Venus retrograde Cancer
  • August 9: Jupiter trine Mercury 20°
  • August 16: New Moon Gandanta 29° Cancer
  • August 17 - September 17: Sun in Leo
  • August 18 - October 3: Mars in Virgo
  • August 23 - September 15: Mercury retrograde Leo

Blessings,
Lina

Lina Elisabeth Preston
Lina Elisabeth Preston

Lina Elisabeth Preston has been doing astrological consultations for 20 years. She is a certified Jyotish Visharada and member and practitioner with the Council of Vedic Astrology. Lina also works with vedic gemstones. A long time meditator and disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, Lina lives with her husband Binay at Ananda Village, a spiritual community in Northern California. Lina and Binay founded their business Northern Lights in 1990.



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