LIGHT AND SHADOW: A new and potentially life-changing lunar cycle begins this week.

We start sensing and working with the New Moon energies as early as Tuesday, when the Sun enters Leo. The lunation then perfects at 12:10 p.m. PDT on Thursday, July 24, when the Sun and Moon align at 02°08' Leo.

This New Moon is one of the most significant of 2025, and this upcoming lunar cycle is one we are likely to remember for a long time. The lunation aspects and thus activates all the major planets in our solar system: the Moon is tightly opposite willful Pluto (02°36' Aquarius), almost exactly trine sensitizing Neptune (02°04' Aries), strongly trine authoritative Saturn (01°49' Aries), and closely sextile both transformational Sedna (01°41' Gemini) and revolutionary Uranus (00°41' Gemini). 

For those who attended (or have listened to) my recent "Acceleration" webinar: This lunation sets into motion most of the longer-term planetary aspects that I discussed in class: the Saturn-Uranus sextile, the Neptune-Sedna sextile, the Uranus-Neptune sextile, the Uranus-Pluto trine, and the Uranus-Sedna conjunction. Please review those slides in my slideshow for more insights into the potentials of this New Moon and the upcoming lunar cycle.

THE PLUTO EFFECT: Of all the aspects in the New Moon chart, the most powerful is the opposition to Pluto—both because hard aspects involving Pluto are usually quite intense, and because an opposition represents strongly polarized energies. This polarization can manifest internally through inner conflicts and outwardly through power struggles and battles of will.

Through Pluto's opposition to the New Moon, we are likely to see the shadow qualities of Leo the Lion on display. These include arrogance, childish behaviors, a tendency to overdramatize to gain attention, a need to dominate, and the use of "roaring" to intimidate and control. 

THE HARMONIOUS ASPECTS: That being said, the other planets are in harmonious aspect to the New Moon, and thus will encourage Leo's very best attributes to be expressed. Creativity, generosity, confidence, courage, fearlessness, and devotion are just some of the finer characteristics of the Lion.

I like to use the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz to illustrate the higher and lower expressions of Leo. This character demonstrates many of the lower-vibrational traits of Leo when we first meet him: he has a deep underlying insecurity that he hides behind a false bravado, and he uses intimidation to maintain control over others. 

And yet, by the end of the story, we see Leo's high-vibrational qualities in full bloom in our Lion friend. He is kind yet strong, openhearted and generous, and so confident in himself that he no longer needs to resort to dramatic roaring to be a leader.

The harmonious aspects activated by the New Moon will each assist us in different ways: the trine to Saturn will enable us to stay grounded, to take charge of situations, and to focus our intentions. At the same time, the trine to Neptune will connect us with our high hearts, increasing compassion, enhancing intuition and the imagination, and strengthening our ability to embody our Soul. 

The sextile to Uranus encourages us to take creative risks, to be open to new ideas, and to speak our authentic truth. The sextile to Sedna can provide insights into our Soul's destiny and facilitate a spiritual transformation.

LEST WE FORGET: The energies of two other planetary objects are also woven into this week's lunation: Chiron and Eris, the Wounded Healer and the Goddess of Discontent, are both square the New Moon. Thus, we will see painful truths being revealed now, a necessary step before changes and healing can occur.

Because Eris was discovered just 20 years ago, we are still learning about the many ways that its energy can move through our lives. We've known since the beginning that Eris is an instigator, based on Greek myth. However, we gained much deeper insights when the dwarf planet aligned with Uranus in 2016. That year stands out in our memories for several reasons, most notably for it being the start of the #MeToo movement.

With the Uranus-Eris conjunction nine years ago, we learned that Eris tends to expose the shadow qualities of the sign it inhabits; in Aries, Eris reveals how the immature masculine has damaged society and specifically women. This year, as Chiron and Eris align, we are revisiting the basic issues and even some of the same controversies that came to light in 2016. Some of those themes are likely to be in news again this week and throughout the new lunar cycle. 

URANUS IN GEMINI SNIPPET: One of the themes we expect to see in the next seven years as Uranus transits Gemini is a major shift in our forms of communication and transportation. During the Uranus-in-Gemini years of 1858 to 1866, London opened the first section of its now-famous underground railway, President Lincoln authorized construction of the first transcontinental railroad, the Pony Express delivered mail for the first time in the US, and an early version of the bicycle, called a velocipede, was invented.

ASPECTS THIS WEEK: Here are my brief interpretations of this week's most important aspects, day by day: 

Monday

Venus square nodal axis: It may be hard to find agreement with others today, as we can be sidelined by a need to be in control of a situation.

Tuesday

Eris stations retrograde: With Eris' influence heightened now, controversies are stirred and people can be especially irritable.

Sun enters Leo: The Sun will transit the sign of Leo from July 22 to August 22. During this month, we are drawn to play, to be creative, to enjoy life's pleasures, and to take risks. Leo rules the heart, encouraging generosity and warm affections. However, the shadow side of the sign may also be more apparent now: self-centeredness, vanity, arrogance, and melodrama.

Sun sextile Uranus: We feel excited about the potentials that lie ahead and are more adaptable to change.

Wednesday

Venus square Mars: This aspect represents tension and conflict in relationships. People may be especially competitive and critical.

Thursday

Sun sextile Sedna, trine Saturn, trine Neptune, opposite Pluto: With the Sun (and the New Moon) activating so many outer planets, the energies are likely to feel very intense today. Great progress is possible, but resistance to change is also strong. 

New Moon: The Sun and Moon align at 12:10 p.m. PDT today, when both luminaries are at 02°08' Leo.

Friday

No major aspects are exact today.

Saturday 

No major aspects are exact today.

Sunday

Venus sextile Eris: This aspect inspires us to speak our truth, to share our ideas, and to take risks in our relationships. 

IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: You have a powerful wind beneath your wings this year. The planets support you in bringing a vision into reality, in aligning with your higher destiny, and in making progress toward important goals. At times you may encounter external resistance or inner insecurities; these reveal old patterns and fears that have been controlling you from behind the scenes so that you might reclaim your power. They also challenge you to take personal time and prioritize your own inner healing, instead of being focused only on outer achievements. (Solar Return Sun trine Saturn, sextile Uranus, sextile Sedna, trine Neptune, opposite Pluto, square Chiron, square Eris)

In peace, love, and gratitude,

Pam

Aspects of Note This Week:

All times listed are Pacific Daylight Time. For Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours.

• MONDAY: Venus square nodal axis\
• TUESDAY: Eris stations retrograde, Sun enters Leo, Sun sextile Uranus\
• WEDNESDAY: Venus square Mars
• THURSDAY: Sun sextile Sedna, Sun trine Saturn, Sun trine Neptune, New Moon 12:10 p.m. PDT, Sun opposite Pluto
• FRIDAY: No major aspects are exact today
• SATURDAY: No major aspects are exact today
• SUNDAY: Venus sextile Eris

Astrologer Pam Younghans writes the NorthPoint Astrology Journal based on planetary influences and insights received. Her hope is to bring astrology "down to earth" in a way that will help readers navigate current energies, while also utilizing these energies for spiritual and personal growth.
Feel free to share this NorthPoint Journal with others who may enjoy it! Please forward it in its entirety, including all contact and copyright information.
To learn more about Pam's work, please visit www.northpointastrology.com. 

NorthPoint Journal copyright 2025 Pam Younghans. All Rights Reserved.

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Posted with written permission from Pam Younghans.

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