Aquarius Full Moon on July 23rd
On July 22nd, the Sun moves from sensitive, imaginative Cancer to fiery playful Leo. On July 23rd, the full Moon in Aquarius rises to crown the evening.
The Full Moon in Aquarius
July’s airy full Moon is cooling to the drama of fiery Leo. This pairing of signs, Aquarius and Leo, highlight individuality and community. Under the light of the Aquarius Moon we can practice the gift of Aquarius and cultivate calmness while touching into our deepest heart’s desire (Leo), holding a vision for the future (Aquarius). The generous and playful heart of Leo seeks something greater than its own concerns unders the Aquarius Moon.
In the tension of Saturn Uranus square with its sudden disruptions, its uncertainties, and struggle between polarities, we might gather with friends to lift our spirits, to establish broader perspectives of the time and mystery in which we live. We re-establish our commitments to ourselves and our Earth during these times of great transition. We might ask ourselves, “How do I now want to participant in my community? How am I balancing my needs for my unique individuality with my awareness of the needs of my friends? What new insights and creations (Leo) have developed over the last year and a half that I can now see with a broader perspective (Aquarius) and share with the community?”
Affirmation for the Full Moon in Aquarius
“May I feel and experience our interconnectedness (Aquarius) while I center within my heart (Leo).”
As this full Moon lights up the sign Aquarius it conjuncts Saturn, bringing to our attention the powerful square alignment of Saturn and Uranus. We stand within the tension, uncertainty, and challenges of this Saturn Uranus square. Saturn wants to maintain rules, laws and structure the way it has been, for a sense of security, to continue the status quo. It wants to assert control. Uranus is the rule breaker, throwing off the old to revision the future. Uranus is lightning, splitting open our realities suddenly, disrupting, upending, and for those who are flexible within their consciousness, potentially exposing a greater world, a broader dimension of being and living that is available to us. With these two planets in play, there is a focused desire to influence the structure of society at large, the structure of our consciousness. But which way will it be influenced?
On an individual level, Saturn can slow us down through obstacles, depression, and core life issues. It pushes us into the deep of self, places we normally do not want to go. It holds a sickle and seeks to cut away what is no longer useful, no longer life sustaining. Saturn is the master teacher pressuring us to focus our awareness on the issues at hand, to connect with soul and come to greater understanding of our essential self and gifts. Saturn teaches us at core levels how to hold and manifest our authentic self, how to focus and persevere toward our chosen goals. Saturn is the one who assists birthing new realities through sustained intention.
This square with Uranus is the road map for coming to new solutions for old problems. This is a “no going back time”. (the waning square of a cycle.) A new state of consciousness is being called for. Under a square like this we are called upon to strengthen, to cultivate resilience and endurance, throughout the year. Any challenges we encounter during this time are also master teachers. We are potentially birthing a new way of relating to ourselves, activating our healing through the collective corridors of historic and family trauma. Aquarius envisions a future that holds a diverse community within the weaving of our profound interrelatedness. Split to the edges of distrust and polarization between people and government, people and people, friends and families, we are engaged in a profound path of death and rebirth, of initiation into a more expansive understanding of who we are and how we can take up our creative powers, making different choices, through the ongoing transformation now enacting itself.
We can imagination that Uranus in Taurus seeks a revolutionary vision for our planet and its species, breaking out of the old patriarchal view of Taurus as the sign of money. Think about it, the earthiest of the Earth signs limited to material manifestations. We are slowly awakening to the immense intelligence of the planet. And how each of our souls are intimately threaded in this intelligence, how life is much more multidimensional and creative then we have imagined.
And so, setting the stage for the full Moon, the planet of relatedness, Venus, enters earthy Virgo and draws us to the Earth, to healing and refinement, through the nuances of awareness.
July 21 – Venus enters Virgo – relationships become more practical. It is a time of adjustment, refinement and alignment. We assess where we are with ourselves and others in discerning, matter of fact, ways. Where can we be of service in our relationships, while practicing healthy boundaries?
July 22 – Venus in Virgo opposes Jupiter in Pisces – love and enjoyment combine the practical and the poetic
July 22 – The Sun enters fiery and radiant Leo – The fullness of summer. Let your light shine. Drop into your heart space. Play more, enjoy the children, enjoy creativity within yourself and among others.
July 23 – Full Moon in Aquarius – See above
July 28 – Jupiter retrogrades back into Aquarius – once again emphasizing how we grow and learn within the community, how we share our creative visioning. As it retrogrades we can review what has been unfolding since the beginning of the year, and take stock of how we will participate, what we might contribute to the well being of the community, how we want to share our creative expressions.
The Twelve signs and opportunities for the full Moon in July 2021: For your Sun and Rising Signs
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): You are emotionally tuned into your friends and community, and searching for that place of belonging. This last period of time has marked challenging passages. On the 24th, as the Aquarius Moon transits Saturn and Uranus, be sure to ground yourself, creating your stability, and stretch into new possibilities. Don’t rush forward. Slow down and cultivate a broader view on this time for yourself. Collaborate with friends, share your creativity.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Has it been a bumpy ride, Taurus? Uranus is testing your flexibility, testing you with uncertainty. It’s offering you a new kind of freedom to more deeply, wholeheartedly, embody yourself, overcoming the defining judgements of society. Saturn asks you, “Are showing up the way you intend to in your career?” Under this full Moon, blending with Saturn in Aquarius, you revisit once again your chosen commitments to yourself, and how you intend to connect with your chosen purpose. Simplify and focus are the key words.
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): Gemini your roaming self has been corralled. Saturn and the full Moon in Aquarius highlight your house of philosophy, scouring your belief systems, rooting out the outdated concepts and tightly held beliefs. Uranus is challenging you to break out, to enter new dimensions of perception, to remember your dreams. They hold a key during these times, as the Sun lights up new ways to communicate yourself.
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): Dear Cancer, under this full Moon you are sensitized to the deepest levels of feeling between yourself and another. Pay close attention. Deep learning is now possible, but you must stretch into new possibilities. And as you do, a renewal of yourself takes place. Life is a mirror, as they say in astrology , “As within so without, as above so below”. The cosmos encircles us with ongoing teachings, all promoting moving closer to the heart of the universe, the heart of love and creativity, the heart of our soul’s expression.
Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): Dear Leo, As you swing into your birthday time under this Aquarius full Moon, the relationship of self to others is lit up. Being born a Leo, or with a Leo rising, it is about cultivating your heart, as if your life gathers and sprouts anew each time you open that vulnerable and courageous organ a little more. Let your light shine during this full Moon. Invite a lover or friend(s) over for dinner and a playful evening, and give them the beauty, taste, and generosity of your Leo self in celebration of who you are.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Dear Virgo, this Aquarius Moon lights up your house of work, self refinement, and health. You might ask yourself where do I feel that I am limiting myself or being too hard on myself? The light of the Sun in the house of imagination, dreams, and the collective unconscious stimulate new routines, a new focus, as the Leo Sun and Aquarius Moon blend the practical with the poetic. And now Venus enters Virgo, and on the 29th, Mars enters Virgo, encouraging you to follow your love and passion.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Dear Libra, this full Moon highlights your house of creativity, joining Saturn there. Don’t let those outer/inner judgments stop you. With Uranus stimulating your 8th house of depth and healing, exposing deep levels of psyche, the timing is such to free you beyond Saturn’s confines. You may feel like you are riding a roller coaster, or plunging through intense layers of human experience. A new level of seeing and understanding, of deepening and freeing, is before you. Powerful transformations are cultivating wisdom and gifts of expression that you will contribute to the community.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): Dear Scorpio, under this Aquarius full Moon, you are offered the opportunity to find a balance between fiery Leo and cool observing Aquarius. With Saturn and Uranus stimulating your sign, you may feel like you are in a pressure cooker, Saturn wants more masterful expression of your emotions and Uranus wants to break free of all your responsibilities! With the Moon and Saturn in your house of the home and family, ask yourself where and how can you implement more structure. Where can you schedule a retreat for yourself, because with Saturn in the 4th, the need for deep quiet will restore your vitality.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): Dear Sagittarius, always so good at expressing your philosophies and opinions, the Leo Sun now activates your house of the orator, traveler, and philosopher. With the full Moon in Aquarius shining its light in your house of communication, what is it you really want to say? How do you want to communicate yourself? Saturn is there too, giving you some lessons from the master teacher. You might ask yourself, what am I learning about communication right now? How am I applying structure and thoughtfulness to the radiance of my enthusiastic teachings? Since this is also the house of siblings you might find yourself needing to be thoughtful in situations with a sibling.
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): Dear Capricorn, the full Moon brings light to the house of your self worth, what you value, your talents, and your finances. Saturn has been there two, bringing focused attention to this area. With the square from Uranus, in your house of self expression, romance, and creativity, it’s been shaking things up! Right when you begin to feel stable, there is unexpected disruption or sudden breakthrough calling for a new orientation. Don’t let it throw you off with judgemental thoughts. You are riding through some choppy seas. Your boat is trustworthy, so follow your inner guidance and intuition.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): Dear Aquarius, with this full Moon in Aquarius your uniqueness is highlighted. This year is a significant year for you. With Saturn, the master teacher of manifestation, structure, and consciousness, in Aquarius, you are being shaped and worked, through your commitments and goals. It’s not the usual Saturn transit though, because Uranus squares Saturn, bringing change and/or unpredictability in the home, and family, while potentially liberating your deep self in ways that haven’t taken place before. Keep your balance between these three areas, your own journey, your relationship with others, and your home and family.
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): Dear Pisces, the Aquarius full Moon highlights your house of dreams, imagination, and seclusion. This is the area where you tune into the universal, into meditation and contemplation, and can also feel the challenges of humanity. It is recommended that you take time to tap into your inner resources of wisdom under the light of this Moon. With Saturn moving through this area, it is a time of completion or seeing with clear definition what conditioning within your personality is no longer helpful. The Sun moves through your house of everyday reality, tasks and work, the practical side of life. Under the full Moon, seek a balance between imagination, empathy and the practical tasks to be performed, for the month ahead.
Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 38 years, bringing together traditional & esoteric astrology, Tarot and Qabalah. For info on her Friday monthly astrology groups, her Qabalah, astrology and or, painting classes, and for personal consultations, call (831) 479-3751, or go to www.susanheinz.com