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Leo New Moon: Mining for Gold

By Simone Butler

I’ve always longed to be a writer of fiction. From my earliest youth, poems and stories would flow from me effortlessly as I mined what author Julia Cameron calls my “vein of gold.” In 1975, I transferred from UCSD to San Diego State, to partake of their excellent creative writing program. My teacher and advisor was the talented Jerry Bumpus. I can still see his eyes blazing as he read us one of his short stories—a wild tale of being stuck in dense traffic that keeps accelerating until everyone is whizzing along at over 100 mph. We hung on every word. That’s what I want to do, I thought—to captivate people that way.

Then, when I was just a few credits shy of graduation, Prof. Bumpus caught me cheating on a test. I don’t remember the nature of the exam; no doubt it was something I could easily have passed without the notes scribbled on my left palm. My teacher was horrified—I was one of his favorite students. Upon receiving the “F” in his class (when I’d always gotten “A’s” in English), I dropped out of college and left town. I focused on journalism from then on. Though I attempted to write several novels and screenplays over the years, failure was the inevitable result. I figured my creative well had run dry. I didn’t connect the problem to that old source of shame until I read Julia Cameron’s The Vein of Gold, and began writing down my life stories. By openly revealing this deep, dark secret, I’m hoping to release its stranglehold on me.

Perhaps you have a similar story. Maybe a teacher disapproved of your artistic style, or a family member made fun of your musical efforts—nipping your creative path in the bud. In her book, Cameron says that many voracious readers are closet writers, and that a love of music can indicate a gift for it. Often we don’t recognize these gifts, adds Cameron, or we give them up in order to make a living. Reclaiming what spiritual traditions call the Divine Child, or creative self, is an alchemical process of healing the heart. “The heart is the origin of creative impulses,” she explains. “If that heart has been wounded, it must be healed for our vein of gold to flow freely.” Writing down our stories is one way to do this, she says; others include daily walks to balance the right and left hemispheres of our brain, and weekly “artist dates.”

The August 17 Leo New Moon (8:54 a.m. PDT) is perfect for reclaiming our creativity. As the Sun and Moon join in heart-centered, imaginative Leo, they’re stabilized by a sextile from Mars and Saturn in harmonious Libra. This brings clarity and decision-making ability to both projects and relationships. Saturn loves structure and commitment; Mars favors action. And Leo is the lion-hearted courage to take a risk, break out of old ruts and try something new. Any habits instigated at this New Moon stand a better-than-average chance of sticking. And, with no significant retrogrades through September, the only thing holding us back is our fear.

Julia Cameron says, “Our dreams and desires are the voice of our soul, the God-voice awake within us, dreaming of expression and expansion through our daring and our faith.” Now is the time to listen to the voice of your soul, and give it an outlet. As for me, at this New Moon I’m signing up for a screenwriting class through UCSD extension. What creative path or heart-felt desire will you commit to?

For inspiration, watch my new two-minute Astro Feng Shui slide-show/video and see how one woman enhanced her Creativity gua, clarified her artistic goals and cleared the way for more love and joy. And, to further prime your creative pump, here’s a fun Leo New Moon ritual from my book, Astro Feng Shui: Making Magic in Your Home and Life.

© 2012 by Simone Butler

Painting by Claudia Fernety. See more of Claudia’s work at her website.

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About Simone Butler

Simone Butler is the author of Moon Power: Lunar Rituals for Connecting with your Inner Goddess. She's been a professional astrologer for 30 years. In addition to a worldwide consulting practice on astrology and Astro Feng Shui, Simone offers New Moon collage classes, and writes for The Mountain Astrologer. She also wrote for and edited the Starscroll for many years. Simone’s book Astro Feng Shui: Making Magic in Your Home and Life fuses Western astrology and Western feng shui into one unique, transformative system. Sign up to receive her entertaining, informative bi-monthly blogs and learn about her monthly rituals and tips.

Comments

  1. Adriana says

    Aug 28, 2012 at 12:17 pm

    This is inspiring thank you.
    Julia’s latest book is “The Prosperous Heart- Creating a life of Enough”
    Many blessings,
    Adriana

    Reply
  2. Jess says

    Aug 15, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    This is so incredibly on point and exciting!!
    I’ve been following your blog and moon wisdom for years now, and deeply appreciate the cyclical guidance – especially as it relates to my creative journey.
    I’m also a huge fan of Julia Cameron and am currently reading her book “Walking in this World” (the 3rd in that series) – so this is such perfect timing!

    Lately my focus has been on helping other people get into their creative zone via my blog and workshops, and in doing so have been realizing that I’ve been avoiding some of my own dreams and creative impulses– dance, writing, and performance. SO – I rented dance studio space for myself this Friday and I’ll be performing in a storytelling class next week. Glad to know it’s good timing and aligned with the moon!

    Thanks as always for your guidance and inspiration. I’ll be sharing this article with my community for sure!

    And I’m excited for you and your screenwriting class! I look forward to hearing how it goes 🙂

    In gratitude,
    jess

    Reply
    • Simone Butler says

      Aug 16, 2012 at 6:29 am

      I wasn’t aware that Julia Cameron had a new book out, Jess! Will have to check it out. Kudos to you for committing to your creative path. So glad the blog hit home for you, and thanks for sharing it with your community! Moon blessings, Simone

      Reply
  3. Grace Allison says

    Aug 15, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    YES! I am writing my first book of fiction. Spoke to my writing coach Jeff Davis as we enthusiastically talked about my project. I have written non-fiction and have self-published, “A Dream Is a Wish The Heart Makes”…Jeff was my coach on that one too.
    My Sun 25 degrees Cancer, Venus 24 degress Gemini, Mercury 3 degrees Leo, Gemini ascendant, Mars 16 Libra with Neptune conjunct at 14 degress. Just turned 62 on July 18th also a new Moon. Feeling inspired and ready to learn how to write, publish and make money with my new book, “Einstein’s Compass”

    Reply
    • Simone Butler says

      Aug 16, 2012 at 6:27 am

      I’m impressed, Grace! You are rockin’ that Venus and ASC in Gemini! I also just had a New Moon on my birthday (July 17), which is very auspicious for a new beginning. Best of luck on your book! Cheers, Simone

      Reply

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The Moon is in its
Last Quarter Phase

in the
Sign of Aries


Today's Lunar Aspects:

  • Moon sextile Pluto, 6:49pm  May 24 2022
  • Moon sextile Mercury, 7:50pm  May 24 2022
  • Moon conjunct Mars, 9:33pm  May 24 2022
  • Moon conjunct Jupiter, 2:27am  May 25 2022
  • Moon sextile Sun, 5:03am  May 25 2022

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Aries


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m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.