Shine Through Change
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
5:55 AM, West Coast, USA
8:55 AM, East Coast, USA
2:55 PM, Rome, Italy
24 Degrees Leo
Leo Full Moon Overview
The Leo Full Moon arrives with a burst of creative fire, illuminating themes of self-expression, confidence, and creativity. This lunation is a time when personal expression meets collective change. Leo’s energy encourages boldness, creativity, and stepping into the spotlight, while the Sun in Aquarius reminds us that true innovation happens when individuality contributes to a greater vision.
Venus, moving away from her sextile to Pluto, hints at deepening commitments or power dynamics playing out in relationships and alliances. Mercury and the Sun square Uranus, signaling potential disruptive messaging and unexpected turns.
This Full Moon carries an intense emotional charge, with the Mercury Sun conjunction square Uranus amplified by Mars retrograde and out of bounds as it sextiles Uranus. Mars has been in retrograde motion since early December, creating a sense of stalled momentum or internalized frustration. As Mars prepares to go direct on February 24, a shift is coming, one that, over time, may feel like a slow release of pent-up energy.
This lunation asks us to balance Leo’s need for personal validation with Aquarius’s broader perspective. How can we embrace our unique creative spark while remaining open to the bigger picture? With the approaching Pisces New Moon later this month, the focus will soon shift toward intuition, dreams, and emotional renewal.
But for now, this Leo Full Moon urges us to claim our place in the spotlight, acknowledge where we crave recognition, and prepare for the forward motion that awaits as Mars changes direction.
Sun and Moon Signs
Leo Full Moon:
Bold and radiant, the Leo Full Moon shines a spotlight on creative self-expression, confidence, and leadership. As a fixed fire sign, Leo embodies determination, passion, and an internal fire that constantly fuels creation and performance.
Leo thrives on recognition, radiating confidence and warmth when appreciated and roaring when overlooked. This fire sign is naturally magnetic, embracing life as a stage for creative expression, bold leadership, and an undeniable presence that commands attention.
Leo Keywords: Creative expression, Magnetic, Noble, Confident, Passionate, Confident, internal fire that is constantly creating.
Fixed Fire: Expression characterized by constancy and solidity. Steady and strong in fixed beliefs.
Challenges / Shadow: Arrogant, Controlling, Self-centered, Domineering, Spotlight Seeking.
Psychological Need: For creative expression and appreciation by others.
Archetypes: The King, Father, Nobleman, Performer, Entertainer, Leader.
Symbol: Leo the Lion
Commanding Presence: The lion doesn’t chase attention; it naturally draws eyes with its regal energy, exuding confidence and an undeniable magnetism. Leo mirrors this effortless allure, stepping into spaces as if they belong in the spotlight.
Creative Force: The lion moves with intention, just as Leo thrives on the creative process. Whether through art, performance, or personal expression, Leo’s inner fire is always generating something new, turning ideas into form with passion and flair.
Dazzling and Dynamic: A lion in motion is pure splendor—graceful, powerful, and impossible to ignore. Leo carries this same energy, radiating enthusiasm and inspiring others simply by being fully themselves.
Magnetic Warmth: Though fierce, the lion also knows how to bask in the sun, exuding warmth and affection. Leo’s natural generosity makes them a source of joy, drawing people in with an open heart and a playful spirit.
Boldly Authentic: The lion has no need to mimic or shrink—it moves through life on its own terms. Leo embodies this fearless self-expression, embracing individuality and turning life into a canvas for their unique vision.
Aquarius Sun:
The Aquarius Sun brings a wave of innovation, independence, and forward-thinking energy, standing in contrast to the expressive and personal nature of the Leo Full Moon.
As a fixed air sign, Aquarius operates with intellectual clarity and a steady commitment to progress, often challenging outdated structures in favor of radical new ideas. This solar energy encourages us to embrace individuality, think ahead, and contribute to the collective in meaningful ways.
Aquarius functions best when its visionary and independent spirit is used to pioneer new concepts and reshape the future. However, its strong ideals and resistance to imposed change can sometimes lead to inflexibility, detachment, or rebelliousness for its own sake, especially when the need for logic overrides emotional nuance.
Aquarius Keywords: Unique, nonconforming, progressive, independent, inventive, visionary, rebellious, humanitarian, forward-thinking.
Air Element: Analytical, intellectual, objective, communicative, abstract, experimental, thrives on ideas and concepts.
Fixed Modality: Steady, determined, persistent, holds firm to beliefs and ideals, resists external control.
Challenges/Shadow: Detached, rigid in ideology, rebellious without purpose, emotionally distant, stubborn, overly idealistic, dismissive of tradition.
Psychological Need: To innovate, challenge norms, and create meaningful social change.
Archetypes: The Visionary, The Rebel, The Humanitarian, The Inventor.
Leo vs. Aquarius
Leo centers around self-expression, individuality, and personal pride, often seeking recognition for their unique qualities. Aquarius, however, focuses on collective ideals, innovation, and shared goals, valuing what benefits the group over individual accolades.
Mars Out of Bounds & Retrograde
Mars is currently out of bounds (OOB), amplifying its already assertive and action-oriented nature. When a planet moves beyond the Sun’s maximum declination, it operates outside the usual boundaries, often expressing itself in extreme or unpredictable ways.
Mars, the planet of drive, ambition, and conflict, becomes more impulsive, rebellious, and willing to take risks that might otherwise be restrained. This period lasts from December 30, 2024, to April 7, 2025, making it essential to stay mindful of impulsive actions and heightened responses to perceived challenges.
Mars Retrograde: Slowing Down the Fire
Mars has been retrograde since December 6, 2024, and will station direct on February 24, 2025, just before the Pisces New Moon. This retrograde cycle spans from 6° Leo to 17° Cancer, signaling a time of reassessing how we assert ourselves, pursue goals, and handle conflict.
Unlike Mars in direct motion, which pushes forward, retrograde Mars turns its energy inward, often resulting in frustration, delays, or indirect expressions of drive and ambition.
With Mars in Cancer, actions are influenced by protective instincts, often driven by concerns around security and self-preservation rather than direct confrontation. This placement can manifest as defensive strategies, indirect action, or an instinct to retreat and regroup before making a move.
The combination of Mars out of bounds and retrograde can lead to overreactions, exhaustion, and a greater tendency to act in ways that are protective and passive-aggressive rather than openly assertive.
Key Dates in the Mars Retrograde Cycle:
Pre-retrograde shadow: October 5, 2024 (17° Cancer)
Retrograde begins: December 6, 2024 (6° Leo)
Mars re-enters Cancer: January 6, 2025
Stations direct: February 24, 2025 (17° Cancer)
Post-retrograde shadow ends: May 2, 2025 (6° Leo)
As Mars prepares to move forward again on February 24, energy that has felt stalled or avoidant will gradually return. However, patience is required, as the post-shadow phase lasts until early May, as lessons of this retrograde cycle are integrated.
Venus Retrograde in March
Venus will retrograde from Aries back into Pisces, prompting a reassessment of relationships, values, and priorities when it comes to other people. The shift from assertive Aries to compassionate Pisces encourages introspection on personal passions and spiritual alignments within relationships.
Venus Retrograde in Aries and Pisces
Pre-Retrograde Shadow Begins: 28 January at 24 degrees Pisces
Retrograde: 1 March at 10 degrees Aries
Venus Sign Change: 27 March, Aries into Pisces
Direct: 12 April at 24 degrees Pisces
Post-Retrograde Shadow Ends: 16 May at 10 degrees Aries
Retrograde Degrees: 10 Aries to 24 Pisces
Mercury Retrograde in March
In March, Mercury will enter it’s next retrograde cycle starting in Aries and retrograding back into Pisces, shifting communication style from direct and forward focused to reflective and focused on projects and issues from the past.
Mercury retrograde cycles encourage slowing down to reflect and review, reconsider decisions, and refine what has already been started. Plans may require revisions, errors can be readily found and corrected, and reviewing can add more depth.
Mercury Retrograde in Aries brings a period where communication is bold, fast, and to the point. However, as Mercury begins its retrograde motion, what was said in haste may need to be re-evaluated, what seemed like quick solutions may require reconsideration.
Clarity can give way to misinterpretation, and messages may need to be refined. This phase encourages slowing down before speaking and reconsidering impulsive decisions.
Mercury Retrograde in Pisces shifts the focus from assertive expression and direct communication to a more introspective and fluid approach. Thought processes become more fluid, daydreamy, and blurry. Conversations may be more reminiscent, and reviewing past ideas can bring deeper insights.
Pre-Retrograde Shadow Begins: 1 March at 26 degrees Pisces
Retrograde: 15 March at 9 degrees Aries
Mercury Sign Change: 29 March, Aries into Pisces
Direct: 7 April at 26 degrees Pisces
Post-Retrograde Shadow Ends: 26 April at 9 degrees Aries
Retrograde Degrees: 9 Aries to 26 Pisces
Leo Full Moon Aspects
Sun opposite Moon: The tension between the Sun in Aquarius and the Moon in Leo highlights the push and pull between collective ideals and personal expression. Individuality seeks validation, while group consciousness challenges ego-driven desires. Finding a balance between individual creativity and the greater good is key.
Mercury conjunct Sun, Moon opposite Mercury: Thoughts and emotions are in opposition, making it harder to communicate feelings clearly. The Sun and Mercury together sharpen intellectual focus, but the Moon’s opposition can make conversations emotionally charged or create inner conflicts between logic and intuition.
Mercury and Sun in Aquarius opposite Full Moon in Leo T-square Uranus in Taurus: Disruptions shake up the status quo. Unexpected changes break old routines, forcing adaptability. Uranus acts as a catalyst, upending stability and revealing where rigid thinking needs to evolve. Like a shaken snow globe, things are in motion, and it will take time to see where they settle.
The Sun and Mercury challenge rigid thinking, pushing for innovation but creating tension between logic and unpredictability. The Moon in Leo amplifies this energy emotionally, with sudden mood shifts or an urge to let one’s individual light shine. Uranus unsettles the Moon’s desire for individuality, highlighting the challenge between personal expression and external instability.
Venus in Aries moving away from a sextile with Pluto in Aquarius: Powerful alliances can be formed with this flowing energy between Venus and Pluto. Pluto will spend more than twenty years in Aquarius, a fixed sign. What seemed easy to enter won’t be so easy to get out of, especially with Venus’ upcoming retrograde activating this sextile three times.
Venus will retrograde in March, forming this aspect again while moving backward through Aries and once more after stationing direct. These repeated contacts suggest ongoing shifts in power dynamics within relationships and alliances, where influence is being negotiated, tested, or recalibrated.
Mars trine Saturn: While Mars retrograde slows direct action, its trine to Saturn provides steady progress behind the scenes. This aspect supports restructuring efforts, reinforcing discipline and long-term planning. Patience is required, but real progress is being made, even if it's not immediately visible.
Neptune conjunct the North Node: The path forward remains unclear. The world is in flux, and the future feels elusive. This aspect highlights the potential for inspiration, but also the risk of misjudgment or confusion. Clarity may only come in time, or perhaps too late in hindsight.
Planet Sign Changes
14 February: Mercury enters Pisces
Mercury’s shift into Pisces brings a more fluid, intuitive, and symbolic style of communication. Logic gives way to imagination, and conversations may become more abstract or emotionally driven. This transit favors creativity, dreamlike thinking, and nonlinear problem-solving but may also blur details and create misunderstandings.
18 February: Sun enters Pisces
As the Sun moves into Pisces, the focus turns toward intuition, compassion, and a more introspective approach to life. This is a time of spiritual awareness, emotional depth, and creative inspiration. Pisces season encourages rest, reflection, and connecting with the unseen, preparing for the new cycle that begins when the Sun enters Aries next month.
27/28 February: New Moon at 9 degrees Pisces
The Pisces New Moon invites new beginnings rooted in intuition, imagination, and emotional renewal. This is a powerful lunation for setting intentions related to creativity, healing, and spiritual growth. As the last New Moon of the astrological year, it encourages release and surrender before the fresh momentum of Aries season begins.
In Your Chart
You will always get more information on how this energy will show up for you by looking at your natal chart. The twelve astrology houses describe all of the human life experiences. Look at your chart and find the houses that are occupied by the signs the planets are traveling through.
The topics and themes associated with the astrology house of the signs in your chart will give you details on what’s likely got your attention:
Aries: Venus, Chiron
Taurus: Uranus
Gemini: Jupiter
Cancer: Mars (retrograde)
Leo: Full Moon
Virgo: South Node
Aquarius: Mercury, Sun, Pluto
Pisces: Saturn, North Node, Neptune
If you would like help understanding how this energy may show up in your chart, click below to schedule a consultation with me.
If you would like to get a free copy of your chart, I recommend either astro.com or astro-seek.com
Leo Full Moon Quote
‘Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.’ – Brené Brown
Leo Full Moon Activity Ideas
Own Your Spotlight
Express yourself boldly by sharing a creative or personal project. This could be writing an astrology blog, making a social media post about a planetary transit, recording a video on astrological insights, or creating artwork inspired by the cosmos. Whether through astrology, art, writing, or performance, step into the spotlight and own your unique voice. (Leo Full Moon, Sun in Aquarius)
Personal Power: Reflections and Journaling
Journal about where you hold influence in your life and relationships. Are you using your power effectively, are there alliances or dynamics shifting that require your attention? (Venus sextile Pluto)
Break the Routine
If things feel stagnant, shake up your usual patterns. Try something unconventional, switch up your daily rituals, take a different approach to a problem, or introduce a fresh perspective to your work. (Mercury and Sun square Uranus)
About Full Moons
Full Moons are a time of release, culmination, and powerful energy. They bring things to a peak, inviting us to let go of what no longer serves us and to make clear choices. The Full Moon illuminates the qualities of the sign it occupies, bringing those energies to the forefront.
In the days before and after the Full Moon, the atmosphere is charged with intensity and insight, offering us wisdom and the opportunity to see things in a new light.
The Full Moon Vibe Review
Balancing Self & Community: Express yourself while honoring collective needs (Leo Full Moon, Sun in Aquarius opposite Moon in Leo)
Magnetic Confidence: Shine, but recognize where you fit into the bigger picture (Leo Full Moon, Sun opposite Moon)
Creative vs. Collective: Finding the sweet spot between standing out and being part of something greater (Leo Full Moon, Sun in Aquarius)
Power Dynamics: Shifting alliances test influence and control (Venus sextile Pluto 3x)
Unpredictable Shifts: Disruptions shake stability and force adaptation (Mercury and Sun square Uranus)
Courage to Stand Out: Step into the spotlight unapologetically. (Leo Full Moon, Mars Out of Bounds)
Tension & Slowdowns: Frustration grows as momentum stalls (Mars Retrograde)
Deliberate Action: Slow but steady progress, patience is required. (Mars trine Saturn)
Disruptive Messages: Unexpected news, breakthroughs, or tension in communication. (Mercury square Uranus)
Lingering Uncertainty: The path forward remains unclear (Neptune conjunct North Node)
Leo Full Moon Wrap-Up
The Leo Full Moon highlights the balance between individual self-expression and collective purpose, urging us to embrace our individuality while recognizing how we contribute to the bigger picture. This lunation encourages bold creativity, authenticity, and the courage to step into the spotlight.
With Mercury and the Sun squaring Uranus, unexpected disruptions may shake things up, requiring adaptability.
Meanwhile, Venus sextile Pluto brings the power of alliances into focus. Some connections may have formed quickly, but with Pluto in fixed sign Aquarius, they won’t be so easy to walk away from. The balance of control in relationships, agreements, and global power structures may be shifting, with long-term consequences.
At the same time, Mars retrograde slows direct action, favoring strategic patience, while Mars trine Saturn supports slow and steady behind-the-scenes progress. Neptune conjunct the North Node keeps the future feeling uncertain, reminding us that clarity will come in time, or perhaps too late in hindsight. This Full Moon invites us to express ourselves, navigate shifting dynamics, and trust the unfolding process, without needing all the answers right away.