“We put on the masks that we believe will be more acceptable to the world than the truth of who we are. In doing so we sacrifice the gift of self-acceptance.”
― The Billionaire Buddha
Themes of strength and courage are strong in Leo, but in the first decan, it is hard won, something yearned for, but only earned after a hard road, weighing up the needs of the self against our “duty” or “need” to be the “persona” that we perceive others want us to be.
This decan is associated with the tarot card of The Five of Wands, and talks of strife and struggle, as we meet our inner battles embodied in the outside world, giving us a clue that it is our own inner life that is so often reflected in the dynamics that we meet through others. Are we able to be more authentic, dare we risk the loss of approval that we are reliant upon, do we have what it takes to step out of the spotlight, to remove our masks, and face what has been happening in the shadows.
The Tarot Card that is associated with this decan, is The Five of Wands, associated astrologically with Saturn in Leo, and pictured here, in the example from The Thoth Tarot.
The power within this decan is, like all 5’s, the challenges and difficulties of change, of connecting more deeply with our own inner path, and being less reliant on the perceptions of others in order to feel secure and “real”. The teachings of The Hierophant are reflected in the 5’s… the contrast between following the dictates and dogma of others, and growing
enough to be able to listen to and have faith in the voice of your own heart…. and to do so without feeling the need to convert those around you to your own way of thinking.
The battle between the heart and the ego…. between the soul path, and the dictates of culture, family and social situation, that has often molded us far more that we realise, comes to the fore now, and this New Moon gives us the opportunity to see where change is required, and to understand where we may have become over reliant on the opinions of others, and how our “perceived roles” may now need to change, in order to become more in line with where we are heading. A new audience is required, to suit the new “act” for in line with the change in self, if others cannot change their perceptions of you, then they must give up their front row seats to others who are more adaptable.
The six month cycle that begins at this New Moon, and which ends with the Full Moon in Leo on February 9th 2020, deals with how far we are prepared to leave behind the “masks” to which we have become attached, how far we are able to disentangle ourselves from relationships that have more to do with karmic debt than personal choice, and how far we are able to step away from what no longer serves our unmasked self, as we seek a more authentic way, free from the need for attention, liberated and free to roam between the light and the darkness, rather than being imprisoned within the fear of obscurity.
The Astrologers Diary
The New Moon every month offers an opportunity to sow new seeds, and as an Astrologer, I find it to be a useful exercise for myself and in working with others, to use the energy of each particular New Moon, according to the Sabian Symbol that it falls on, together with the position in which it falls in the Natal Chart. Such considerations can be invaluable in steering through ups and downs, and in becoming “easy” with the ebb and flow of what life brings.
This particular New Moon falls in the 9th degree of Leo, which Dane Rudhyar describes as follows:
GLASS BLOWERS SHAPE BEAUTIFUL VASES WITH THEIR CONTROLLED BREATHING.
KEYNOTE: The need to involve one’s most spiritual and vital energies in the creative act’ if it is to produce significant and beautiful new forms.
This particular New Moon falls in my own 2nd house, so the next six months will be in some way, 
defined by the energy described by this particular New Moon. For me, it’s all about self worth and personal value, forcing me to look at areas of my life which I know that I often choose to ignore, the ones that often lie in the shadows. Trying to connect ever more deeply with my creative source is a challenge that occupies me at the present time, and this month, I am very much focussed on my recent visit to a “medical intuitive”, who gave me startling insight into the energies around me.
I am choosing to use the energy of this New Moon, to look deeper into the dynamics of worth, value and personal power…(2nd 8th houses) the trade offs and unspoken contracts that I have made with others, and how I have become “bound” to the masks that I have used at various times in my life; sometimes to please others, and sometimes just to “survive” the difficult conditions that I have found myself in. I have realised, that through focussing attention on one area, the effect can be to literally make other areas “invisible”. In this way, I have become blind to matters that are actually happening in plain sight, but which have in the past have “escaped my attention”.
I am put in mind too, of parallels that can be drawn on the global stage at the present time, where apparently “ludicrous” political leaders, capture the focus of the world with their controversy and buffoonery, whilst perhaps far greater power is being wielded, hidden in plain sight where we cannot see, distracted as we are by the clowns in the spotlight.
Unmasking ourselves and our perception of others is the challenge of the moment, as we risk standing in the spotlight, to represent our most up to date and authentic version of ourselves so that we can be free of the outdated masks that we wear, and also the outdated projections that we carry for others.
Knowing which house the New Moon falls in, and whether it is in close aspect with any planets in your chart can be an invaluable tool, along with the wider cycle of the Progressed Moon, for discovering the secret rhythms of your daily life.
A free natal chart wheel can be set up at www.astro.com
My name is Joanna Grant, I am an Astrologer, Tarot Reader and Writer, who lives for now 
in the South West of Ireland. Through my life, I have watched as Jupiter has brought me the desires of my deepest longings, and also suffered as Pluto has torn my life into shreds, and eaten the remains. I have answered the calls of Saturn, as he has brought me to new lands, hardship, and also to deep learning, and have also witnessed that he has never left my side. Uranus has ensured that I have not stayed in any one location for very long, whilst Mars & Venus have led me by the nose on far more occasions than I care to recall, but who have also brought their passionate 
creative spirit to the fore in my life. Neptune has beguiled and confused me, but also entranced and inspired, whilst Mercury has made certain that I have studied the reasons “why” for everything to the “nth” degree. The Moon, my eternal guide on this journey and the lady of my own chart, has given me my deep love of The Stars, steering me ever onwards along the path to seek The Sun.
At this stage in my life, it is time to give back….. and my long knowledge of Astrology leads and informs my practice in offering guidance and empowerment, helping others to lead a more authentic, productive and magical life. You can read more about me here.
Joanna-Kate Grant 