If you've been feeling a quiet urge to step out of the shadows, to create something just for the joy of it, or to finally stop shrinking to make others comfortable, pay attention to that feeling. On Wednesday, August 12 at 1:43 PM EDT, the New Moon arrives at 20° Leo. A New Moon is a cosmic reset—a moment when the sky goes dark so we can plant new seeds. When this fresh energy lands in the vibrant, heart-centered sign of Leo, it makes you reconsider where you have been dimming your own light.
This energy asks one bold question: What would you create, say, or pursue if you completely stopped worrying about being judged?
Here is what to watch, when the energy is strongest, and what the Leo New Moon is asking each sign to initiate.
Why This Lunation Is a Creative Awakening
The Sun and the Moon are conjunct in Leo, operating as a unified force of pure vitality. Leo rules the heart, the inner child, romance, creative life force, and the courage to exist unapologetically. Put a New Moon here, and you get a powerful drive for self-actualization. You may want to be seen and celebrated, but this transit demands that you celebrate yourself first. When the New Moon strikes, the dynamic shifts from external validation to internal joy. Instead of asking, "What does everyone else expect from me?" you are urged to ask, "What actually makes me feel alive?" Old habits of playing small, hiding your talents, and waiting for permission will suddenly feel suffocating. The Leo New Moon is not about performing for an audience; it is about reclaiming your right to take up space. Whatever projects, passions, or versions of yourself have been waiting in the wings are ready for center stage.
How to Work With This Energy: The Lunar Timeline
August 11 · Tuesday · The Spark Builds: Notice where you feel a surge of inspiration or a craving for more joy. Do not brush it off as impractical. Write down exactly what you would do with your life if you knew you could not fail.
August 12 · Wednesday · The New Moon Peaks: At 1:43 PM EDT, the New Moon is exact. Avoid the temptation to shrink your goals or criticize your own ideas before they even have a chance to breathe.
August 12 · Wednesday Night · The Intention: Ask yourself what part of your authentic identity you are ready to show the world. Set one clear intention around joy, creativity, or self-worth.
August 13 · Thursday Morning · The First Step: Choose one area where you can inject more playfulness or passion. Wear something that makes you feel powerful, start that creative project, or simply tell someone how you really feel.
The Following Weeks · Integration: Watch how the world responds when you stop apologizing for who you are. The Leo New Moon often teaches through bold action. The places where you feel most exposed are often exactly where your greatest magnetism lies.
How the Leo New Moon Affects Your Sign
Read for your rising if you know it, sun if you do not.
♈ Aries · Mar 21 to Apr 19
The Message This New Moon lights up your sector of romance, creativity, and pure fun. You are being called to remember what it feels like to play without an agenda. You do not need to monetize every hobby or overthink every crush.
What to Plant Plant a seed of unapologetic joy and allow yourself to create just for the thrill of it.
♉ Taurus · Apr 20 to May 20
The Message Your home, roots, and emotional foundations are getting a fresh start. You may feel a strong desire to beautify your space or redefine what family means to you. True confidence starts where you feel most safe.
What to Plant Plant a seed of warmth and pride within your private sanctuary, creating a home that truly reflects your heart.
♊ Gemini · May 21 to Jun 20
The Message Your voice, local community, and daily interactions are receiving a surge of main-character energy. You may realize that your ideas deserve a bigger platform. Stop watering down your thoughts to make them more digestible.
What to Plant Plant a seed of bold communication, trusting that your unique perspective is exactly what people need to hear.
♋ Cancer · Jun 21 to Jul 22
The Message Your self-worth, finances, and material resources are ready for a reset. You may reconsider how you value your own talents. Abundance flows when you recognize that you are the prize, not the backup plan.
What to Plant Plant a seed of financial confidence and raise the asking price for your time and energy.
♌ Leo · Jul 23 to Aug 22
The Message The New Moon is in your sign—this is your personal cosmic New Year. Everything about your identity, your appearance, and the way you walk into a room is being refreshed. It is time to drop the outdated version of yourself.
What to Plant Plant a seed of radical self-belief and step into the era of you that refuses to be ignored.
♍ Virgo · Aug 23 to Sep 22
The Message Your subconscious, spirituality, and inner world are being illuminated. You may realize that the most courageous thing you can do right now is rest. Healing requires the bravery to look at your shadow and love it anyway.
What to Plant Plant a seed of quiet, spiritual confidence and give yourself permission to heal out of the spotlight.
♎ Libra · Sep 23 to Oct 22
The Message Your friendships, networks, and long-term visions are getting a vibrant refresh. You may notice a desire to lead your community or step up in a group setting. Your light shines brightest when it inspires others to shine too.
What to Plant Plant a seed of collaborative leadership and surround yourself with people who applaud your ambition.
♏ Scorpio · Oct 23 to Nov 21
The Message Career, public image, and legacy take center stage. You are being handed a megaphone in your professional life. If you have been waiting for the right moment to launch a project or step into authority, this is it.
What to Plant Plant a seed of professional courage and let the world see what you are truly capable of building.
♐ Sagittarius · Nov 22 to Dec 21
The Message Your sector of expansion, travel, and belief systems is on fire. You may feel a deep restlessness to explore, learn, or share your philosophy with a wider audience. The world is too big for you to play a small role.
What to Plant Plant a seed of adventurous expansion, committing to a path that makes your spirit feel completely free.
♑ Capricorn · Dec 22 to Jan 19
The Message Intimacy, shared resources, and deep vulnerability are asking for your heart. You may realize that letting your guard down is the ultimate act of bravery. True power in relationships comes from radical honesty.
What to Plant Plant a seed of fearless vulnerability and trust that you are worthy of deep, unconditional support.
♒ Aquarius · Jan 20 to Feb 18
The Message Partnerships, commitments, and one-on-one dynamics are being reset. Whether in love or business, you are craving a connection that honors your individuality while matching your warmth. It takes two kings/queens to build an empire.
What to Plant Plant a seed of mutual adoration, attracting relationships where the effort and the spotlight are equally shared.
♓ Pisces · Feb 19 to Mar 20
The Message Your daily routines, work habits, and physical health are ready for a glow-up. You might realize that treating your body and your schedule with respect is the highest form of self-love. You can be productive without losing your spark.
What to Plant Plant a seed of vibrant vitality, creating a daily routine that treats your well-being like a masterpiece.
Last Note
The New Moon in Leo arrives on August 12, offering a blank canvas and a surge of creative fire. You do not need to build your entire empire on the day it begins. Just notice where your heart is asking for a little more room to breathe. Sometimes this energy is teaching you to speak up. Sometimes it is showing you that your joy is your greatest compass. May this lunation help you fall back in love with your own life.
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