by Robert Wilkinson
The New Moon fell at 28 Leo on August 20, 2009, 3:02 am PDT, 11:02 am Greenwich, 8:02 pm in Melbourne, Australia. This New Moon in close opposition to Neptune and trine Pluto makes a See Saw pattern with many oppositions and squares discussed in recent T-square articles. Over the next few weeks, communication will be a focus, as will the need to get clear about what roles we're playing despite cross currents.
This lunation is the last one in which Saturn will play a part of Grand Irrationality, since it triseptiles Neptune even though it has moved out of the biseptile to Pluto. (More at this link.) This will bring a sense of finality to the choices we've been making since September 2008 when it first entered the pattern. And, as Saturn was part of the pattern during the recent eclipses, we will continue to deal with those lessons for some time to come, even as it moves completely out of the pattern by transit.
Also, in this Lunation Saturn occupies the exact degree of its RX station last December. This also brings finality to the lessons, adjustments, and disciplines we've been dealing with since then in order to know what long range venerable standards we'll be living in the future.
Mercury's recent conjunction should have brought ideas and information about these things, as prelude to them being vitalized in September by the Sun. Due to Mercury going RX we'll get new insights into these standards, and since Mercury goes direct on this degree at the end of September, all will be much clearer by then.
Saturn is moving through the end of Virgo between now and late October, when it will enter Libra. Until then, we are finishing our education in emotional-social and individual-spiritual lessons and trials of doing "the Great Work." We can now experience our "bottom line" issues in a new context based in ways we've begun to live the past 8 months. Just remember that for a long time to come, everything connected to the Saturn lessons in our lives is challenging our ability to deal with the long wave ongoing Saturn opposition Uranus. They are now 4 degrees apart and closing.
This very powerful pattern is revolutionizing our lives and forcing us to adjust, learn, practice, and be very realistic in training for something that is to come. The polarization can assist us in building a new interactive yet protected existence if we embrace needed adjustments, conform to a plan, and do whatever it takes to live the higher standard we believe is worthy.
Back to the overall pattern. The See Saw involves planets in Gemini, Cancer, Leo, and Virgo on one side, with planets in Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces on the other. The oppositions are: Mars opposed Pluto, the Leo Lunation opposed the Aquarius stellium, and Mercury and Saturn opposed Uranus. And as mentioned, the Virgo-Pisces opposition is T-squared by Mars while sextile-trined by Venus (effects explained in the previous post.)
The sum total of possible effects of this many dynamic aspects cannot be discussed here, since it would run too many pages. Suffice it to say that the next few weeks will feature gear grinds, breakthroughs, reorganizations, and a need for clarity as well as elimination of corrosive elements of self expression.
Among other lessons: search for your place of greatest service, keep the initiative despite headwinds, find ways of expressing yourself more effectively, get behind inhibitions, and be practical in seeing what works and what doesn't. Follow the yearning for extended experience in "distant lands," be skillful in displaying your enthusiasm while taking nothing for granted, and allow a new perspective or rhythm of expression to adjust old habits in action, thought, and feeling.
Though the Sun is the ruler of the Lunation, Mercury is extremely strong, since it disposits Mars and Saturn. This makes it the final dispositor for ALL the major outer planets, no small influence! It's on a degree of "cultivation of public spirit," recognition for service done for a community, and the ability to carry things through to completion. Though it may take until early October to get the whole picture, the next few weeks will certainly show many of us what we have done, and done well.Thus Mercury ruled planets and houses will see a lot of action and factor in major ways to what we'll be experiencing. In fact, all late Mutable areas of our charts will be in major change due to the T-square, so if you have something in late Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces, put your focus on expressing those planets the best you're able.
Of special note are Mercury and Saturn are sextile Venus and these are quinicunx Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune. This "Finger of God," or Yod, will force multiple hard adjustments and sacrifices in a productive squeezing out of all that is unnecessary in the late Aquarius sector of our chart. Appreciation, gratitude, dispassion, and conscious choice of response are virtues to be brought out of whatever is being sacrificed.
The exact quincunx between Jupiter and Saturn will create MAJOR adjustments in the public sector and larger worldly affairs. Many things will be forcibly dislodged, that's for sure! Productive growth is found in cooperative optimism and monitoring expectancies. Follow the adventure, and see how your sustained desires and dreams have brought you a manifestation of them that requires sacrifices so you can enter the gates to a better, more joyous life.
The aspects to this Lunation are many and powerful. I've already spoken of the very intense oppositions between the two sectors of the See Saw. In general, this challenges us to stay balanced in our perspectives and actions, and not get out on the margins of things while seeing the whole of situations from the center. Be a good mediator as you cut through the fogs and unclear ideals that just won't work.
The oppositions also have powerful relief energies coming through the many sextile and trines made to the polarized planets. Mars cuts the Leo-Aquarius opposition, Venus cuts the Virgo-Pisces oppositions, and the Lunation cuts the Mars opposition Pluto. Favorable understanding comes through Libra and Scorpio methods, as well as using the Mystic Rectangle energies to make headway despite the opposing trends.
Here I'll offer a brief explanation of the Mystic Rectangle, though any extensive exploration would involve an entire article. A Rectangle involves 4 or more planets in two oppositions creating sextile and trine relationships to each other. It becomes a Mystic Rectangle when at least one light and one of the Invisible Triad are involved. They set up an interactive dynamic whereby polarizations create interrelated opportunities and understandings in the life areas (houses) occupied and ruled by the planets in the configuration.
In this lunation, the Lights are sextile Mars, trine Pluto, and opposed to the Aquarius stellium. Mars sextiles the Lights, trines the Aquarius stellium, and opposes Pluto. This would imply that the outer invisibles involved will precipitate awarenesses, understandings, and productive opportunities through Sun, Moon, and Mars. Again, a thorough exploration of all possible ramifications is beyond the scope of this article.
A New Moon sets the seed forms for what the following 4 weeks will demonstrate. This New Moon falls at 28 Leo, a point of finding sustainment and happiness in "a larger whole of being" through opening to new and inspiring potentials. Some will be "flooded with new ideas and new possibilities," so enjoy whatever "lightness of feeling" you are able to experience after so many months of striving to come to your particular form of light.
This degree synthesizes the energies of Soul and personality fusion with realizations of new ideas and forms to achieve release of those spiritual impulses. This is a point of taking ideas out into the social realm, powered by Soul magnetism, to achieve a new individual-mental form of spiritual expression.
According to Dr. Jones, creator of the Sabian Symbols, we find this symbol is one of "the transcendence of the lesser things in life" through higher considerations, and finding assurance through centering our attention on "enduring orientations." We are told we can find satisfaction and "a happy lightness of the human spirit as it rejoices in its infinitely varying relations with the beautiful and the good." The keyword is RAMIFICATION, and we are told this degree is an "effective mobilization of all the unrealized possibilities" of our destiny.
Though the Lunation is supposedly Void of Course, it still makes a decile (semiquintile) with Venus. The entire pattern favors many different zones of all the elements, and with so many planets in the last decan of their signs, it makes for a powerful and entirely spiritual focus. Literally every planet is in the last 10 degrees of their signs except Pluto. Therefore this is one of the most spiritual Lunations of the entire year, and a very rare demonstration of the spiritual elements of every planet.
To sum up, go for the "lightness of being" as you reveal spiritual elements in your chart. Whether through Fire (inspiration), Earth (practicality), Air (relationships and ideas) or Water (feeling), many spiritual strengths and realizations will be revealed these next 4 weeks. Find new perspectives, new rhythms, new magnetism, and eliminate obsolete responses through inner transmutation of feelings, efficient functioning, and adaptability.
Find your true concerns which move you to serving others' needs appropriately. Through an intuitive understanding of what is ending and the enduring elements of deeper wisdom, find a fresh grasp of your Soul's needs, move into a higher vision, a "quiet inner strength," and a calm objectivity.
This is the final phase of claiming a form of collective power and an enduring vision. We are still growing toward doing a work that will outlive us, so bring your unique gifts into practical usefulness, move from theory to accomplishment, and see how various steps all work together within a larger vision.
© Copyright 2009 Robert Wilkinson

Thank you, thank you. I so prefer this degree of Leo. May this new moon bring wonderful energies and accomplishments to all :)!
Posted by: WarriorLady | August 21, 2009 at 01:16 PM
The shedding of light on these sublimely and powerful truths that are encompassing our universe with such a visible quietness of complexity … is most soothing and worthy guidance…
Much heart,
Laurel
Posted by: Laurel A Light | August 21, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Thank you for your many insights and your enlightened perspective. After reading today's post, I was wondering what the effect might be of having a birthday on the same day as a new moon. I was born on August 20th and am curious if that means I'll feel the ramifications of this new moon more powerfully than I otherwise would. Thanks!
Posted by: Whitebird | August 21, 2009 at 04:47 PM
You have inspired me to jump off the cliff, and to paraphrase a quote I heard last year, ....knowing that I will either be given wings to fly or be provided with a soft landing.
Thank you Robert, every new article is a breath of inspiration and hope........blessings dear teacher! At your feet.........Jai Bhagwan
Posted by: Sue Moon | August 22, 2009 at 05:36 AM
Thank you so much for the posts Robert..
Feeling SOO much better since New Moon...T-square/cross felt too many energies knocking into each other..got whipped around by it..
Strangely enough, since New Moon I now feel like I've control of all of the ways it was affecting me (I super-sensitive) emotionally--to be able to control-label and put in their proverbial "corners". So the rectangle analogy feels right to me..It's weird how you can change perspective so quickly to calling it a "cross" as energies all converging to calling it rectangle now--as to see that smae "cross" jsut a few days ago converging at center of cross-while w rectangle it has the same energies but we are putting them OUTSIDE of self-instead of center of cross..
Starting to see a little how this astrological stuff works by sensing over learing too much about it..So your page is a HUUGE sense of comfort for me!
Thanks..
Posted by: bethincary | August 22, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Thankyou for your generosity and wisdom Robert. I havent commented before now but have been reading your posts for quite some time. Your words and wisdom have increasingly become for me a source of inspiration and guidance through many difficult, changing a beautiful times these last few years. I am deeply grateful I found your site. Thankyou
Posted by: | August 22, 2009 at 06:37 PM
quick question for anyone: acc to 1 chart, i have true node at 0 53'58 Libra. acc to another, it is in virgo. which is correct? thanks
Posted by: AnneTexas | August 23, 2009 at 11:41 AM
good news!
Posted by: hillary | August 23, 2009 at 05:21 PM
These last few weeks of utter chaos do seem to be forming a definite line and path since the new moon. It is a bright, clear path - well lit. And lit with love, focus, practicality and passion with the concerns of all involved addressed.
After spending time on the roller coaster, sometimes it is just as much fun to arrive at the end of the ride and talk about all the speed, hills and curves!
Thank you, Robert. Hope things are beautiful for you and the roller coaster is coming into the station for you as well.
Posted by: BritLitChik | August 24, 2009 at 03:29 AM
This Leo new moon has brought some family time, short road trips and lots of sunshine into my life :)!
Thank you, thank you. Wishing you lots of sunshine!
Posted by: WarriorLady | August 24, 2009 at 11:36 AM
I just need to say thanks to the lions out there. The leo focus and comments got me to ask a question about the sun. I have explored the tides of the moon through the goddess worshippers(for lack of a better phrase) but it is here I have found the sun. Oh my!!
Posted by: caliban | August 25, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Hi WarriorLady - Yes, this New Moon has already brought us some major breakthroughs. Now we must navigate the rapids! Family and sunshine can be very good things (having just done that a few weeks ago.)
Hi Laurel - Sometimes the trick to getting through the rapids is to become more calm and objective. Then the follow through isn't so scary....
Hi Whitebird - It would show that your Light/Life is the focus for the next few weeks. It's also directly related to your Solar Return, which happened the day before or the day of your birthday.
Hi Sue Moon - Well, the only way to learn to fly is by leaving the nest. The funny thing is that with geese, they fly in a V where each takes turns at the front while the previous one moves to the back and slipstreams on the rest. Synergy indeed! Aum and blessings on your soaring adventure....
Hi bethincary - You're most welcome. New Moon in Leo is good for focusing the heart! Rectangles resolve crosses, even when the points are not occupied. But that's a subject for the classes taking shape.
Hi Tim - Thanks and welcome to comments. Glad this site and its community can be a touchstone for your Higher Self.
Hi AnneTexas - True Node is actual position. Mean Node is the average over time. True Node is correct.
Hi hillary - Yes. Despite the currents, there are good things afoot.
Hi BritLitChik - This should help strengthen the hearts of all who aspire to release the powerful Leo energies in their charts. It should put the brakes on stagnant late Taurus, and Scorpio energies while dynamizing late Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sag, and Aquarius energies. Am welcoming the arrival of the friend as preparation for a better way not that far down the road.
Hi caliban - The Sun is the source for all things filtered through all the other planetary "lights." No disrespect to the Moon, but the Sun is the source of all light, life, energy, and forms that exist on Earth. And of course, it too has its own Sun, which we are told is the superstar Sirius.
Posted by: Robert | August 26, 2009 at 10:08 AM
ty, robert. but koch method says true node in vir. placidus says it is in Libra.
Posted by: AnneTexas | August 26, 2009 at 02:24 PM
Hi AnneTexas - Sorry, but that's impossible. Koch and Placidus are house division systems, not planetary/node position calculations. They are two completely different and unrelated calculations. House division systems could put the node in different houses, depending on which you use, but it would not affect the degree or minute of the sign of a planet or node.
Posted by: Robert | August 26, 2009 at 03:32 PM
thanks, robert, as always. love and light. i am distressed to no end about Dominick Dunne's passing--entirely diff level than Ted's. Still upsetting.
Posted by: AnneTexas | August 26, 2009 at 09:35 PM
Dear Robert,
What you say in the paragraphs I quote is exactly what I am trying to follow and practice:
"To sum up, go for the "lightness of being" as you reveal spiritual elements in your chart. Whether through Fire (inspiration), Earth (practicality), Air (relationships and ideas) or Water (feeling), many spiritual strengths and realizations will be revealed these next 4 weeks. Find new perspectives, new rhythms, new magnetism, and eliminate obsolete responses through inner transmutation of feelings, efficient functioning, and adaptability.
Find your true concerns which move you to serving others' needs appropriately. Through an intuitive understanding of what is ending and the enduring elements of deeper wisdom, find a fresh grasp of your Soul's needs, move into a higher vision, a "quiet inner strength," and a calm objectivity.
This is the final phase of claiming a form of collective power and an enduring vision. We are still growing toward doing a work that will outlive us, so bring your unique gifts into practical usefulness, move from theory to accomplishment, and see how various steps all work together within a larger vision."
Today is already the 30th. here in Portugal, and I have been finding this conjunction of the Moon with Pluto rather difficult. It stirred up in the world a lot of violence and turmoil too, as with the fires in LA - they even called a "Fire storm"! Sounds biblical...
Also, you certainly notices, a few days ago, the incredible cross around de chart as well as a mystical rectangle... As if there were never too much to bear without a proper help...
Love
Isabel
Posted by: Ísabel | August 30, 2009 at 05:08 AM