Monday afternoon's Full Moon in Aquarius  has a lot of moving parts, all of which are pushing us to make long needed changes. The Sun at 27 degrees of Leo is opposite the Moon at 27 degrees of Aquarius. Leo energy knows and accepts the personal power inherent in each of us. Leo also understands that power comes with the responsibility to use it as a force for good, in ways that inspire others to shine. The Sun is at home in Leo, the sign it rules. It shines brightest here and by extension, amps up your individual expression of your best self. 

Aquarius offers a vision for a better world that Leo energy can be directed towards creating. It honors the power of the group to establish a vision for a future in which every person is  free to develop and express their unique talents, thereby  contributing to the collective experience. Aquarius's loyalty is to the creation of that better world.  The Moon in Aquarius derives emotional security and fulfillment from friendships and being part of a group dedicated to a common purpose. In Aquarius, the Moon will rebel against any perceived restrictions on emotional expression. In fact, Aquarius energy does not take kindly to  limits on pretty much anything . Because Aquarius is an air sign, emotions can be intellectualized rather than felt. We tend to think about how we are feeling more than actually feeling our feelings. This can offer some insights that we can't access when the Moon is in watery or earthy signs. 

Mercury (still retrograde until 8/28) is tightly conjunct the Sun at 26 degrees of Leo and opposite the Moon in Aquarius. There is a need to balance how you think (Mercury) about your own power and leadership capacities (Leo) with the desire to be part of a group dedicated to a greater goal for humanity (Aquarius). Explore how you view your own power. Do you deny it or seek external validation? Are you confusing "power over" with leadership?  Are you willing to be seen and offer your unique contribution to the group? Are the groups/friends you have reflecting your priorities? Do you feel the need to "go along to get along" or can you be authentic? The Leo-Aquarius axis expects your best self, not a watered down version.   

This Full Moon is complicated by not one but two T-squares. Each is bringing up old patterns that are causing frustration. Change is needed to ease the tension and we all know change can be challenging. 

T-square #1 has Uranus at 27 degrees of Taurus squaring Sun/Mercury and Moon. With this T-square, Uranus is  adding its disruptive energy to the way we approach balancing personal power with group coherence. Taurus is concerned with security and managing resources and values. On what does your sense of security rest? Are you limiting your power or authentic expression to stay comfortable? In what are you investing your time and talents? Do those things light you up? If not, what are you being called towards? 

The way to work with this T-square is to bring in the energy of Scorpio. Scorpio brings a higher perspective that allows a clearer vision of all the different aspects in play. It learns from past mistakes and transforms fear into empowerment. Fully realized Scorpio energy is resourceful, perceptive and persistent. No other sign has the capacity to heal the way Scorpio does. What are you ready to release? What stories are keeping you stuck? What would happen if you rewrote them? 

T-square #2 has Jupiter conjunct Mars at 17 and 20 degrees of Gemini, respectively, squaring Saturn at 17 degrees of Pisces and Venus at 18 degrees of Virgo. Venus is how we connect to our important others and express our values. In Virgo, we connect through acts of service. Venus in Virgo is organized, task oriented and shows love by keeping the systems of life running smoothly. 

Saturn in Pisces brings a reality check to spirituality. Pisces knows we all have a spark of the divine. It is the sign of connection to a something larger than just ourselves. Saturn is the planet of practical considerations. It expects nothing but your best. In its lower expression this expectation can show up as a judgy critical voice. It can feel harsh to gentle Pisces energy. That said, the compassion of Pisces can soften Saturn's edges and allow it to expand its realistic, materialistic focus to include a bit of the mystical. 

T-square #2 requires the Venus in Virgo energy to balance with Saturn in Pisces energy so the acts of care and service are done in the spirit of compassion rather than as an atonement or attempt to make things perfect. 

Jupiter/Mars in Gemini complicates this balancing act by adding the desire to interact with lots of different people and groups. They are focused on growing connections (Jupiter) and expressing personal ideas, beliefs, and agendas (Mars). 

Here, we need to bring in the energy of Sagittarius as an outlet for the cross purposes. Sagittarius is concerned with ethics, beliefs and expanding perspectives to include different points of view. Sagittarius wants growth. It also brings playfulness and optimism. While you may want to prioritize your to do list as a way to feel worthy (Venus in Virgo), it's important to include some activities that are not task oriented. There is a strong potential to link self worth to productivity under these energies. That pattern is unsustainable because it craves external validation rather than the recognizing your inherent worth. Self acceptance will never result from doing all the things. You will never be able to do enough to create a sense of ease within your being. That perceived hole is never filled from the outside; it requires inner healing. The opportunity for that healing is being provided under these energies.  A wise teacher once shared, "Healing is a process, not an event. It requires your participation."

Be teachable. Wrap your ego in curiosity as you approach challenges that arise. Full Moons bring things to light. Consider what is being shown to you. How else can it be interpreted? Are your actions aligned with your beliefs? Is there an ulterior motive underlying your actions - the desire to be accepted; to avoid conflict; to be seen as 'nice'?  Are you demonstrating your values and your own value? What is your vision for your future? What do you want it to look like? What expectations do you have for yourself and others? Are they serving you and your relationships? It's your life. You get to create it. 

"Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hold onto the past is holding you back from a new life."   ~Mary Manin Morrissey