The New Moon in Leo on July 24th is all about transformation, inner healing, and shadow work. All of the energy is pointing to reclaiming your power and inner sovereignty so you can shine brightly and embody the fullness of who you are. 

In this New Moon in Leo astrology guide, you’ll learn the main themes and what to pay attention to. You’ll also receive reflective questions and journaling prompts for each theme, and practice ideas to help you integrate the wisdom of this astrological moment. That way, you can flow with the energy, rather than fight against it or have it take you by surprise. Because there is a lot of information to feel into, focus on what resonates and stands out to you the most.

New Moon in Leo Overview 

New Moons are about the beginning of a new cycle. They are turning points, representing the letting go of the old and the beginning of the new. It is a great time to plant seeds for what you wish to focus on over the next few weeks. 

With the Moon and Sun in Leo (at 2°), the energy is all about heart-centered radiance, creativity, courage, leadership, and owning our unique gifts. Like the sun at the center of our universe, Leo is not afraid to take center stage and shine its light for all to see. To keep the energy in its highest expression (rather than an ego expression), anchor it into the heart. 

This New Moon is a great time to reflect on your relationship with shining your light, whether with your friends and loved ones, through your art, or by simply being yourself. 

Reflective Questions: 

• In what areas of my life am I currently dimming my light? Why?

• What would it feel and look like if I were to boldly and courageously shine my light? 

• What creative passions or gifts are calling to be seen, shared, or nourished right now?

• What intention can I plant today that aligns with my soul and heart’s desires?

New Moon Opposing Pluto: Shadow Work 

This New Moon in Leo is perfectly opposing Pluto in Aquarius. Pluto is considered the lord of the underworld, and his energy correlates to power, transformation, death and rebirth, and everything that is hidden within our shadow. 

Because of this dynamic, one of the most important things to do during this New Moon is to pay attention to your triggers and what is coming to the surface. This energy is all about making the unconscious (Pluto) conscious (Sun). This means you may experience old wounds or become aware of patterns or behaviors within yourself that no longer serve. 

Whatever comes to the surface is what you are meant to see at this time. Pluto is all about inner transformation and reclaiming one’s power. While the energy may feel intense and triggering, it is ultimately revealing to you what is ready to be witnessed, healed, or transformed. 

Because this New Moon is in Leo, it could be things related to your creativity, willpower, and confidence. Pluto is asking you to witness and become aware of what is blocking your radiance, your creativity, and your excitement for life. 

Reflective Questions: 

• What emotions, memories, or patterns are surfacing for me right now, especially the ones I’d rather avoid?

• What triggers have I experienced recently, and what deeper wounds or truths might they be pointing me toward?

• What outdated stories or internalized beliefs are blocking my confidence, creativity, or joy?

• How do I unconsciously give away my power, whether to people, systems, or old identities?

New Moon T-square with Pluto, Chiron, and Hekate: Reclaiming our Power and Gifts 

In astrology, a T-square is a powerful aspect, and it essentially means that the planets/asteroids involved are going to be loud and challenging. Although intense, T-squares lead to growth and soul evolution, which is what this energy is asking of us. 

This configuration enhances the Pluto energy we explored above while adding a few more layers to feel into. That said, this energy continues to highlight the themes of old wounds (Chiron), shadow work (Hekate), and inner transformation. 

Chiron is an asteroid whose archetype is known as the wounded healer and shaman. While his energy can be intense because it represents our deepest wounds, it also represents those same wounds becoming our greatest gift. 

Hekate is another asteroid and is named after a goddess in the Greek pantheon. She is known as the queen of the witches and goddess of the crossroads. She holds the wisdom of magic, the four directions, ancestral trauma, and the “witch wound” that many of us unconsciously have in our psyches. The witch wound corresponds to our fear of shining our light and owning our gifts due to how others may respond. 

Combined, these energies are asking us to peel back the layers of who we think we are and get to the deepest truth within us. They are asking us to stop playing small and dimming our light. They are showing us the energy, patterns, emotions, and thoughts that are in the way of us owning our gifts, our power, and our light.

There’s no doubt about it, this energy is intense and crunchy. You may feel highly emotional and sensitive, confused, triggered, or just “bleh.” If you’re feeling this way, know that you’re not alone and that it’s all part of the process. A lot is being brought to the surface, known and unknown, that is ultimately for our healing and greatest path forward. Luckily, there’s some grace mixed in with this transformational chaos, and that’s found in the Venus, Hygeia, and Isis conjunction in Gemini. 

Reflective Questions: 

• What fears arise when I imagine fully embodying my gifts or stepping into my spiritual power?

• What emotions am I resisting, and what might happen if I allowed them to move through me fully?

• Where do I feel at a crossroads right now, and what inner truth is calling me forward?

Venus, Hygia, and Isis Conjunction in Gemini 

If things start to feel heavy or intense this New Moon, this is the energy to feel into. These goddess archetypes bring feminine healing, spiritual awakening, and magic. While they are squaring Mars on the South Node and Neptune + Saturn in Aries, their energy is still much lighter and more grace-filled than the other dynamics happening. 

These goddesses are reminding us to lean into grace, to soften our hearts, and that we don’t have to navigate this energy alone. We have support from our spirit guides, and can ask them for help.  

Because these are feminine archetypes, we want to focus on moving energy in the body and mind. This can look like energetic hygiene, dancing, yoga, or any sort of movement that moves a lot of energy. We also want to think of psychic hygiene, because they are in Gemini. Body movement will also help us avoid getting stuck in the dense Pluto energy I talked about above. 

Reflective Questions: 

• Where in my body do I feel heaviness or stagnation right now, and what movement would feel most nourishing or invite release?

• What does it feel like to lean into grace? 

New Moon Trine Saturn and Neptune in Aries: Reclaiming Inner Sovereignty 

The Sun and Moon trine Saturn and Neptune is a supportive aspect for this New Moon. Because both planets are retrograde and in the sign of Aries, the energy is pointing to deep inner restructuring to reclaim true sovereignty.

Aries is all about the Self and taking action from a place of self-empowerment. Neptune brings spiritual wisdom, while Saturn brings structure and discipline. As such, you’ll want to focus on your relationship to your personal spiritual life, including your practices, methods, or teachers. 

Perhaps some methods or routines no longer “fit” like they once did, or maybe you’re feeling drawn to try something new. This New Moon may be asking you to prioritize self-care and healing, and it’s time to commit to a regular reflective or spiritual practice. Notice whatever comes up for you, and if you’re drawn to starting a new book or trying a new workshop, go for it! 

But remember, it’s all about being empowered from within—your connection to the Divine is not something outside of yourself; it is already within you. No teacher, book, or practice is more powerful or wiser than your innate knowing. 

Reflective Questions: 

• How am I being called to restructure or recommit to my spiritual path?

• Where do I rely too heavily on external guides or teachings rather than trusting my own inner wisdom?

• What practices, beliefs, or routines once served me but now feel limiting, outdated, or disconnected?

• What does spiritual sovereignty mean to me—and how can I embody that more fully this lunar cycle?

New Moon Practice Ideas 

For your New Moon ceremony or spiritual practice, lean into shadow work. This may mean entering an altered state of consciousness through meditation, movement, or shamanic drumming, and going on an inner journey into your underworld. Ask a spirit guide to guide and support you on this journey, and hold the intention: May I see what is ready to be revealed. 

As I mentioned above, body movement and energetic hygiene are incredibly supportive for this New Moon. You want to move the energy in your body, and some places to focus on include your heart, solar plexus, womb area or sexual organs, and root chakra (especially your tailbone). Simply bring your focus and consciousness to one of these areas, and allow the energy to move. Trust your body—it knows how to move this energy. 

While you’re moving energy, you can play around with intention and visualization. Perhaps you imagine a bright white or golden, glittering light moving through your body. Maybe you hold the intention, “May this light release and cleanse energy that no longer serves.” 

Because this New Moon is about reclaiming inner sovereignty, it’s important to listen to what you uniquely feel called to do. What is your wise self whispering to you? Trust your intuition for what practices feel right for you, whether they’re here in this guide or something else entirely. 

Lastly, may you move with grace through the intense transformation this New Moon is asking of us. May you be open and curious to the wisdom rising from within.

With love,

Rhianna Quanstrom

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