It’s Aquarius Season AND Pluto moved into Aquarius at the Sign’s start on January 20th, a major marker of a New Age that will span almost 20 years.
Aquarius itself is a New Age vibe, absolutely aligned for an experimental employ in the outlier planet of life-death-rebirth. Aquarius’ ability to steer the all-powerful Plutonian ship may echo the Water-Bearer’s lust for evolution - but first, revolution! This weirdo duo will still likely NOT BE all groovy for Earthlings: Pluto’s representation as the Astrological Underworld easily overwhelms us when its lurking shockwaves reach the surface. Interested to see how this particular pairing plays out!
Pluto in Aquarius may manifest sooner rather than later with rapid change, perhaps technologically terrifying, but innovation is at the helm either way (hopefully for a better world). Aqua’s lightning speed compared to traditional Capricorn’s Old Guild will still be in tug-of-war for this year’s Pluto retrogrades, dipping back into the Sea-Goat for important (and anxiety-inducing) historical moments (see our 2024 Astro Guide for more info), BUT from November 19th onward, Aquarius will be in Pluto’s commander seat until March 9th of 2043!
With Pluto in Aquarius opposite this week’s Full Moon in Leo, change is afoot but the Leo-Aquarius Axis always pushes us towards adventure and adaptability.
WHAT: Leo Full Moon
WHEN: Thursday January 25 12:54 PM EST
THEME: Authenticity, Courage in Creativity, Self-Romantic Revival
The Leo-Aquarius Axis at its best does not give a fuck about tradition and the Full Moon in Leo implores us all to let go of ALL the naysaying around stepping outside of the box. The Full Moon in Leo already knows it’s possible to experiment and find ways to live our fullest, most fierce and creatively fabulous lives. The Full Moon in Leo also knows that to make bold moves towards our desires, we will likely drag up a little bit of drama, too (and let’s be honest, sometimes the controversy is a welcome subject to unpack in the UFO-zone of Aquarius Season). The discomfort of stepping outside of our comfort zones, learning to detach from external validation and bring forth unseen and unheard sides of ourselves is warmed by Leo’s light.
Leo wants us to celebrate ourselves AND others; Aquarius wants us to break down the status quo AND help our communities be free.
The downside to the Leo-Aquarius Axis is struggling with emotional capacity. Adverse annoyance in dealing with reactions from outside interactions can make both signs feel unsteady and when too encapsulated in Ego, this Axis can be quite closed off. Even though Leo and Aquarius are larger than Life free-thinkers, when the scale tips too far into “needy” they easily become irate. Though riding out challenges is a welcome adventure, interpersonal conflict where humility is utmost required can be their Achilles heel.
Along with other arduous Astro aspects after this Leo Full Moon (listed at the end of this post), we are invited to make moves that align with a SUPPORTIVE authentic life. We may be letting go of an attachment that does not want to participate in our growth OR coming to terms with the fact that we may be keeping what we want OUT due to fear of attachment itself (luckily Capricorn Venus may help us deal). The stars are fertile for irresistible opportunities to relish in all we are and more, reclaiming parts of ourselves we’ve abandoned while taking the flights of our exploration to greater heights.
Love Language of the Leo Full Moon:
Speak up even if your voice shakes. Though this Full Moon in Leo is not accompanied by much cosmic cluster-fuckery, the weight of the world is felt by brave souls who can acknowledge the mass-produced pain of our times. Leo’s courage lends a voice to and for the people and Leo does not make themselves small for anyone, ESPECIALLY in the face of injustice. As a Fixed Fire Sign, Leo’s sense of purpose gives this Axis fuel to point out corrupt structures that Aquarius LOVES to break down. This Axis also goes to say, “never let the horrors of being alive stop you from being a little bit whimsical”... Gratitude in the little things keep us going. We can show up for both justice and joy and we can bring joy into justice.
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. The best of the Leo-Aquarius hearts and smarts is geared towards juicy, abundant, flowing self-expression. Clues to get in touch with oneself again can be found thru: looking back to what we enjoyed as children, making space for play without the pressure of productivity, analyzing how we try to fit in while suppressing important flavors of our true selves. This Axis hands us the unapologetic permission to be our authentic selves, even if that means showing snobby society the door and giving a good kick to shame and stiff expectations. (We will speak more on the judgment of emotional expression specifically for the Virgo Moon Muse in February.)
The intimacy of vulnerability. Furthermore, to truly be ourselves beyond what we bravely share to the public alone is an additional step into the vulnerable unknown. In the realm of relationships, being ourselves requires some SERIOUS sacrifice. To take off our masks and drop our guard takes work. Peeling back layers to self-reflect how we keep people out on a deeper level is a difficult exercise for these proud signs, but one of humility that can teach us to discern between defense mechanisms that keep us from real connection and overintellectualizing the ways in which we justify self-imposed solitary confinement.
No man is an island. Admitting we need and want to be close to others is not easy for either of these emotionally guarded signs - no matter how much they love to talk or perform, philosophize or vibe in social settings. Optimized Leo Moons LOVE to get to the heart of the matter AND to do so requires unpacking the facades and examining the faulty pillars holding us up and away from others to maintain what may feel “safe” (obviously a subjective question for each of us to explore on our own). When we are no longer able to REALLY show up and express love in our relationships or even for ourselves, it’s time to work through the barriers that keep us small in order to be part of life with love again.
Reviving romance in ourselves. Nurturing our relationships with others becomes more luscious and lovely when we know how to romanticize ourselves. Personal perspectives on our daily environments, movements and rituals blossom when viewed with an artistic eye and fantastical filter. A little “main character” lather allows us to recognize our own worth, practice self-compassion, and treating ourselves with kindness and respect. This goes for our erotic identities as well: the shame that Aquarius rejects and the pursuit of passion that Leo lavishes in can be a path towards healing our relationship with sexuality, too. This subject is a convergence of creative discovery AND a deep dive into our psyches that we will explore more in depth for the Scorpio Full Moon, but this week is a start for those of us who need to practice attuned self-appreciation once again. Call it an early Valentine’s gift if you will.
Remainder January Aquarius Transits:
The days following the Leo Moon will find us on a path of steep stepping stones. The ways we’re challenged and/or strengthened by the Full lunation will be put to test, especially in the face-off of self-worth and how it reflects in our relationships with others. Aquarius Season’s narrative to “go with the flow” is frustrated by the strong Capricorn and Taurus Earth elements but the questions these aspects ask will help us get serious about our commitments.
1/27 Uranus Retrograde ends, one of the few planets that is more peaceful in the backspin, so sudden changes may show up to shake us up. Uranus direct will especially be felt by Aquarius who is ruled by this unpredictable Planet of Revolution. The Sun squares Jupiter in Taurus the same day while Mars and Mercury in Capricorn meet-up, both nudging us forward respectfully and responsibly.
1/28 Mars in Capricorn squares the North Node in Aries and South Node in Libra, granting support to live-out a better crossroads decision-to-destination moment in our near future. Reviewing how to navigate the Nodes and attempting to integrate actual change is a grounding practice that will foster growth for the Spring Eclipse Season.
1/28 Venus in Capricorn sextiles Saturn in Pisces, emphasizing our love for each other no matter how independent we may want to be, but cautioning against disloyal partnerships. The additional trine to Jupiter in Taurus is a much needed confidence boost for decisions around commitments and our focus for the Future re: interdependence.
Caution (per usual) that considering your next steps is always wise and responding instead of reacting is best.