This week’s question comes from Ruth in the UK:

Hello Pat and Neith,

Thank you so much for this wonderful website. I am a student astrologer and am learning so much here!

I’m interested in esoteric astrology and moon cycles, and I’m not sure how much this overlaps with your work, but my question is just how disruptive will this eclipse in the New Moon in Leo be in my life? … I’m really worried. I have a habit of “attacking” those closest to me under stress, and even though I’ve done a lot of personal process work and am fairly “enlightened,” ;0) this one has me a bit worried to say the least! I don’t want to roar and bite people’s heads off, then regret it!

Pat’s response:

Ruth, as you no doubt know, today’s eclipse falls at 9 degrees Leo, which is just a few degrees from your natal Moon at 12 degrees Leo. As a Rising Cancer, you have the Moon as your chart ruler, which makes you all the more sensitive to the raw energy of eclipses (and also explains your interest in lunar cycles!).

So yes, you are going to feel it emotionally. And it won’t be just this eclipse that you feel, but the entire series, which began on February 6, 2008, and runs to August 6, 2009 (for more on the eclipses, see my weekly forecast and Neith’s New Moon post). You are being pushed to grow emotionally, and this usually is disruptive in some way. At the very least, it is going to push you out of your comfort zone.

It sounds like you already have some idea, though, of what you need to learn, and that’s a great start. The degree of disruption that planetary aspects trigger depends on how much we are resisting change and how tightly we are trying to hang onto people, things, and situations.

As for your propensity to attack, I think that has more to do with your natal Saturn in the seventh house, which currently is being conjoined by transiting Jupiter. Jupiter’s influence is expansive and growth-oriented, and this is why you are open to the experience of growth via your relationships.

I would strongly encourage you to get a transit reading. I am currently booked and not accepting new clients, but Neith has a bit of room in her schedule.

Good luck with your astrology work, and thank you so much for the kind words!

Neith’s response:

What I would like to add, Ruth, is with a natal Sun-Venus conjunction in Gemini, your nature is gentle and airy making your emotional “roaring” uncomfortable for you. Your sensitive Cancer Ascendant places extra emphasis on the Moon, so it’s easy to understand your concern.

The New Moon Leo stellium conjunct your natal Moon is triggering all the natal aspects to the Moon, including a square to Neptune. Neptune-Moon aspects are notorious for confusing our understanding of what it is we are feeling. How do those you “roar” at respond? Perhaps it bothers them less than it bothers you to do it.

Your natal Saturn in the seventh house is inconjunct your Moon, and that makes me wonder if you received the message that good little girls don’t raise their voices. If you had been born to an Italian family, where raised voices and emoting were the norm, your naturally dramatic Leo Moon may have been right at home.

If I may make a suggestion, on those days when your fiery Moon is feeling volatile, give your friends and family advance notice. I’m sure your charming Gemini self can come with the right words to smooth the way. Good luck!

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Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.