The Upcoming New Moon In Leo Will Shake Your Confidence To Its Core
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Last month, the new moon in Cancer provided us with a much-needed respite amid an otherwise tumultuous summer (on an astrological level and, well, every other level for that matter). The new moon should, generally speaking, act as this kind of spiritual oasis every month, but that very same pensive energy can prompt our inner currents to roil, given the right astrological influence. Case in point: When this month’s new moon arrives on Tuesday, August 18, it will be in the, shall we say, highly self-assured sign of Leo, and we could end up belaboring matters of self-presentation and perception all night long.
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The new moon in Leo turns the spotlight inward.
Leo is the headlining star of the Zodiac. Warm and generous, dignified and dramatic, this fire sign was made for the marquee. When the full moon occurs in Leo, the world takes on a cinematic sheen, encouraging all of us to project our inner diva — those who are normally happy to play supporting roles may suddenly ache for the amount of attention granted to a leading role. However, when the darker, quieter new moon lands in Leo, that desire for praise and attention turns to self-awareness and scrutiny.
They might not act like it, but Leos care very deeply about their public-facing persona and overall reputation. When this sign channels the new moon, which urges reflection, introspection, and self-interrogation, the Leonine instinct is to question, even agonize over, all the choices we make that contribute to how we are perceived. What message does our style send? What kind of conversations do we start? How do we behave when the focus is on us? We’re only human, so it’s fair to assume that we don’t always hit the mark when leaving a first impression — but it might be difficult to forgive these misses under the new moon in Leo, whose message can be easily twisted to suggest that perfection isn’t just attainable, but a requirement for success.
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This new moon is actually an opportunity for inner growth.
Even though feelings of self-doubt and self-consciousness may arise, we should view this lunar phase as a chance to improve, not beat ourselves up. Don’t ruminate over whether you said the wrong thing or impressed the right people. Instead, use the evening of the 18th to decide how you want to be perceived in the future – then craft a plan for how you can work to become that person you hope others see.
When faced with our so-called shortcomings, it’s naturally tempting to get stuck in a rut of negative self-talk. But, no matter what it dredges up within us, the new moon is ultimately about the future. Turn your thoughts toward how you hope to grow — and how your reputation will evolve in kind. By letting yourself sit with an uncomfortable truth about yourself, you could very well discover a new path forward.
