August 9, 2025

The Full Moon on the Leo–Aquarius axis marks the culmination of an intensely Plutonian lunar cycle that began on July 24. This cycle triggers processes of deep renewal: a change in perspective, facing fears, and bringing to light chronic issues that require healing and purification. At the same time, it highlights our personal power, talents, will, and creative work, as well as the need to express these in new ways within the social or collective sphere and in our relationships with others.

The “locomotive” planetary pattern, led by retrograde Pluto in Aquarius and ending with Mars (transitioning from Virgo into Libra), underscores the need to explore the transmission of information and the shifting of social roles on personal, interpersonal, professional, and creative levels. It also attunes us to what we have neglected—or tend to neglect—while trying to improve situations in our environment, helping others, or leaving matters unresolved. There is a strong drive to revisit issues and resolve them. Discussions about chronic dysfunctions and deficiencies come to the forefront. Shared finances, debts, insurance and resources, taxes, and energy are central themes of this cycle on a collective level, along with our position and relationships within the larger whole. At the same time, the determination to address problems on a leadership level demands a radical change of personal agenda. Mars, being the last in the ‘locomotive’, seems to illuminate the entrance into a new territory where preparation for change is essential. What the warrior within us—and in the world—chooses to fuel or to repel is a particularly complex dynamic, and naturally depends on the environment and the position from which we act.

Pluto transmutes and transforms, bringing us into contact with our obsessions, passions, desires, fears, psychology, research, and all that is unseen, hidden, or lies beneath the surface—birth and death itself. It is an agent of change. Within this cycle, our attention may have been drawn towards what is missing in the world, our world or what is withheld from us, what needs improvement, while at the same time measuring our strength and perhaps gaining a deeper understanding of what is central and essential in our lives—at the very core of our being. The dynamics of power, both around us and in the world, have become more evident, as have the supporters and the absentees, the areas where we give or work without result or recognition, and the moments when we act with sensitivity and discretion to correct or assist.

The dynamic of this cycle is regenerative and revealing. In March 2023, Pluto entered the sign of Aquarius. On January 21, 2025, the first Sun–Pluto conjunction in Aquarius took place, following the previous one, which occurred at 29° Capricorn. This first conjunction in Aquarius illuminated the purpose of Pluto’s transit through Aquarius, while the Mars–Pluto conjunction on February 14, 2024, fertilised it. The current lunar cycle gives us the first glimpse of awareness of its larger scope, as it began with the Sun–Pluto opposition.

The dynamics of power in our lives are shifting—along with the way we make decisions, how we use our willpower, and how we perceive power and strength in general. These themes will concern us in the areas of life where this cycle began (the areas of life houses – ruled by the Sun). Where is the source of assistance and strength? What are our motives and intentions? and those of others. This Full Moon sheds light on what is no longer necessary, what is ailing, what we truly desire, and where we are in denial in relation to our initial intentions and personal power.

While this may not affect everyone on a purely personal level, it does influence society and the balance of power between the group and the individual, which inevitably touches us in some way. Retrograde Mercury in Leo has brought back contacts, conversations, aggreeements and creative pursuits from the past, giving us the opportunity to reconsider these matters. It has also offered a chance for reorganization and revitalization through talents and personal activities, approached in a more subjective way.

It may have reminded us of what we can do with ease, or transported us—either in thought or through interactions and conversations—back to a more playful, childlike state, to times that were more carefree or heroic and action oriented in solving problems. In the context of today’s conditions and current developments, these moments may feel like small fragments or awakenings, reminding us of what we have truly forgotten and what is absolutely essential to us. Stepping away from certain environments may be necessary in the next two weeks—or a desire for simplicity and solitude may prevail—but this serves as preparation for more meaningful future actions and a fresh creative approach to problem-solving.

After the Full Moon’s peak on August 9th, the Moon forms a sextile with Chiron, offering intuitive support and the potential to bridge difficulties. The Leo–Aquarius axis focuses on the relationship between the individual and the collective, on love and friendship, on personal identity and belonging within a group—on how we give and receive love. The participation of Ceres and Chiron in Aries, in harmonious aspects, adds elements of care, relief, and the pursuit of provisions in challenging circumstances, which—with Mars in Libra—may fuel an effort toward diplomatic conflict resolution, addressing wars, and approaching sensitive issues in the world.

However, this will depend largely on motives, as Mars in Libra seeks to eliminate inequalities and collaborate, but with the lack of the Earth element, initiatives may lack grounding or practicality, at least for the time being. Matters of work, organization, finances, resources, possessions, food, supply chains, and institutional support are likely to feature prominently, perhaps even in public discourse, as a form of compensation for the missing Earth energy.

The Moon in Aquarius craves solidarity, friendship, groups, reform, and networking. It is a placement that invites reflection—with Saturn in Aries retrograde as its ruler—but also a return to something in order to resolve lingering issues. It signals an alignment with what we wish to see being ordered, and currently perceive as disorganized, as well as a reminder of the simple and essential things that nourish the soul and the need for not losing faith in the process.

A key configuration in the Full Moon chart, is the Kite formation, with Saturn and Neptune as the focal planet and a Grand Trine in Air. Mental discipline and a clear framework are required to support partnerships and eliminate inequalities and injustices. The emphasis on the Air and Fire elements, as well as on cardinal and fixed placements, suggests that the next two weeks will be marked by action, new developments, and attempts at stabilization—yet there may be difficulty in completing tasks, making them practical and organized, or yielding tangible results.

Many things may unsettle or disapoint us, but the way we participate or contribute is equally critical. The Saturn–Uranus sextile may provide supportive energy for reforms and delayed projects, as well as for changes we wish to implement around August 11th. The terrain is dynamic, communicative, with movement, information, contacts, discussions, ideas, and action, along with potential help through communication.

However, the absence of the Earth element feels like a lack of substance or final outcome. The chart shows overstimulation on a mental level, and possible overcompensation—either leading to wasted energy and resources or to finding calm and kindness in the safe and familiar through the Venus–Jupiter conjunction, which may also point to excess.

Jupiter is in contraparallel aspect to Pluto, highlighting a form of absorption in what interests us—an intensification of enthusiasm and creativity or a dissatisfaction with our goals. It also brings a broader sense of the most important and essential themes and objectives, and may connect us with people with whom we have little in common, yet with whom we can find a creative way to temporarilly share. A deeper understanding of what truly improves or strengthens our path may become clearer. We may find ourselves becoming fervent about ideas, opinions, and subjects for research.

The challenging Saturn–Neptune and Mars minor aspects—a semisquare and an sesquiquadrate—to the luminaries increase sensitivity but also cause nervous and physical fatigue, irritations, overstimulation, or possible disappointment or delys due to lack of proper support.

However, these aspects can also highlight a gentler approach in relationships with others, help clarify mistaken perceptions, or provide an opportunity to ease tension or through the Mars Saturn Neptune opposition find a compromise in a relationship or collaboration or decide for a different approach. Maintaining a calm routine and protecting one’s private space are critical to avoiding unwanted influences or absorbing negative feelings that do not belong to us.

The Venus–Jupiter conjunction in Cancer completes a ~15-month cycle, bringing to the forefront our values, relationships, excesses, and resource management. This aspect, activated by the Moon in Pisces in mutual reception with Jupiter and Venus on August 11–13, favors emotional connection, intuitive understanding, relationship growth, and creative expression. It may also bring soothing of feelings, comfort, gifts, confessions, revelations, or even farewells.

Sirius, upon which this conjunction forms, belongs to the Canis Major constellation. There are beneficial interpretations regarding Sirius’s fame and increased influence. Mythologically, Canis Major is linked to one of Orion’s hunting dogs. As such, it is associated with dogs, loyalty and faith, and followers, raising questions about whom we follow, who influences us, the faith we place on them. (If you have planets at 13–14 degrees Cancer or in the Water and Earth signs on those degrees, this conjunction and the above interpretations may hold special significance for you.)

The Mars opposition to Saturn/Neptune calls for sensitivity in managing relationships and may manifest as indecisiveness. Mars in Libra (until September 22) is connected to the fight against injustice and the pursuit of harmony, but it requires a balance between discipline and vision. The mutual reception of Mars and Saturn, also in aspect with Neptune, strengthens interaction but demands a realistic assessment of both parties’ capabilities and a vision. A noble sport, dancing, or filming a movie care good examples of this aspect. There may also be a tendency to explore boundaries regarding sport, physical exercise, ideas, acting, desires, or subtly revealing something that was unnoticed by others.

The kite formation in the Air element emphasizes the need to channel ideas, social interactions, and communication into new frameworks, with possible developments in technology, partnerships, corporate structures, and energy projects. This may deviate from the mainstream, so it coud be pionnering or strange. The current absence of planets in Earth signs until the Sun enters Virgo (August 22) may cause delays in completion but also makes it necessary to remember grounding, finding practical solutions, and caring for our physical and mental wellbeing. Simplifying life or conditions around us can assist in finding balance and valuing what is of real essence to our well-being.

The current lunar cycle and the Full Moon have a more personal feel for you:

If you have planets or points at 02–05 and 16–18 degrees of the fixed signs, at 01–03 degrees of the cardinal signs and air signs, and at 13–14 degrees of the water and earth signs.

© Eleni Kostika 2025