Full Moon In Aquarius: Disruption & Reflection

We are having a Full Moon in Aquarius, which will be exact on August 19th at 6:26 PM Universal Time. This marks the peak of the lunar cycle that began two weeks prior with a New Moon in Leo on August 4th. The energies of a Full Moon gradually build up as the Moon increases its light and reach their strongest during this lunar climax. These energies are most noticeable on the day of the Full Moon, as well as in the days before and after. The astrological influences of the Full Moon, and other aspects detailed in this article, will be felt over the next two weeks during the waning period of this lunar cycle.

Full Moons are a period in which we feel a push-pull between two opposing signs, in this case, the Moon in Aquarius and the Sun in Leo. This opposition can reflect either a conflict and/or integration of both signs’ energies. We can feel this opposition manifesting within ourselves, and we might also see it play out around us with some people or circumstances expressing the Leo side and others embodying the Aquarian side. In some cases, Full Moons can also trigger a release or significant change.

Full Moon in Aquarius Opposing Sun and Mercury Retrograde in Leo

This Full Moon in Aquarius highlights an opposition with the Sun and Mercury retrograde in Leo. This dynamic can amplify the tension between self-expression and collective matters. Leo is associated with creativity, leadership, romance, children, playfulness, and a desire to stand out and be recognized. It rules over the heart, both physically and symbolically, encouraging us to pursue what we love with passion and enthusiasm. Leo’s energy is bold, confident, and often focused on personal fulfillment. However, it can also be prone to egoism, stubbornness, and a need for validation.

On the other side of the spectrum, Aquarius represents collective consciousness, groups, social networks, technology, innovation, humanitarian matters, and progressive ideals. Aquarius values individuality but always in the context of how it can serve or contribute to the greater good. It is future-oriented, unconventional, and intellectually driven, seeking to break free from outdated structures. However, Aquarius can also be overly idealistic and emotionally detached, focusing too much on the big picture at the expense of genuine personal connections.

Just 16.5 hours before this Full Moon, the Sun and Mercury came together in an inferior conjunction in Leo, marking the midpoint of Mercury’s current retrograde. This conjunction represents a key moment of insight, reflection, and recalibration during Mercury’s retrograde phase, which adds an introspective layer to this Full Moon. Conversations, ideas, thoughts, and plans from the past may resurface for re-evaluation. This is a time to rethink our approach to certain issues that have come up. The combination of this with the Full Moon can bring some perspective to matters and inspire us to take a different approach moving forward. If you’d like to delve deeper into the specifics of this retrograde period, you can refer to my separate article on this Mercury Retrograde.

Full Moon Square Near Stationary Uranus, Sextile Chiron

This Full Moon in Aquarius forms a very tight square with Uranus in Taurus, bringing in unpredictable energies. Uranus, a planetary counterpart to Aquarius, further amplifies the themes of that sign already mentioned. Uranus is currently slowing down to go retrograde on August 1/2, making its energy even stronger and more potent now and in the coming weeks as it nears its stationary phase.

This square to Uranus can manifest as sudden changes, unexpected developments, breakthroughs, disruptions, separations, rebellion, surprises, or accidents. There may also be a strong urge to break free from anything that feels limiting, stagnant, or out of alignment. However, it’s important to navigate this energy with caution as Mercury is also retrograde (until August 28/29), which can lead to misunderstandings or miscommunications. We are also a month away from the first eclipse of the upcoming eclipse season, making this heightened Uranian energy particularly fitting. The energies of an eclipse can start to manifest 4-6 weeks prior, bringing key shifts in our lives that may be accentuated by the Uranus influence.

This Full Moon also forms a supportive sextile with Chiron in Aries, offering an opportunity for healing or growth amid the turbulence. In Aries, along with the North Node, this affects themes of self-identity, courage, and personal empowerment. The harmonious connection between the Moon and Chiron suggests that any disruptions or breakthroughs we experience can ultimately lead to healing, particularly in areas related to self-worth, independence, and the courage to step into our true selves.

Venus in a T-square Pattern with Jupiter and Saturn

During this Full Moon in Aquarius, we also have a T-square involving Venus in Virgo opposite Aquarius ruler Saturn in Pisces, both in a joint square with Jupiter in Gemini. This configuration heightens tension and brings challenges related to love, relationships, values, and responsibilities, with Jupiter amplifying the dynamic. The exact square between Jupiter and Saturn occurs from August 15th to 24th, which I covered in my previous article here, but the T-square involving Venus becomes particularly strong from August 18th to 20th, peaking during this Full Moon.

Venus in Virgo emphasizes practicality, service, and a more discerning approach to love and relationships. In Virgo, Venus seeks to perfect, refine, and improve. There is a focus on details, organization, and ensuring that everything aligns with higher standards. However, this energy can also become overly critical or perfectionistic, which can create strain in our interactions with others. On the other side of the opposition, Saturn in Pisces brings themes of responsibility, boundaries, and structure to the ethereal and emotional realms that Pisces represents. This opposition between Venus and Saturn can bring up issues around commitment, responsibilities, and where we might feel limited, burdened, or restricted in our relationships, finances, or artistic/aesthetic pursuits.

Jupiter in Gemini, at the apex of this T-square, adds a layer of complexity. Jupiter expands and amplifies, and in Gemini, it does so through communication, ideas, commuting, and intellectual pursuits. Jupiter’s influence here can intensify feelings of restlessness or overwhelm, but along with the strong Uranus influence, it can also serve as an outlet to the conflicting Venus-Saturn opposition by fostering a desire for freedom, exploration, knowledge acquisition, and new experiences. It can also create tension between our desire for growth and the need for discipline and careful consideration. Overall, this aspect highlights the tension between love and responsibility, pleasure and duty, while Jupiter’s square (along with Mars co-present) can bring both an exaggeration to these themes or an outlet that revolves around perspective and exploration.

Venus Square Mars, Mercury Retrograde Tied In

From August 21st to 24th, Venus in Virgo will square Mars in Gemini. This aspect creates tension between Venus’s harmonious, relationship-focused energy and Mars’s assertive, action-oriented drive. Venus in Virgo seeks perfection, refinement, and practicality, while Mars in Gemini is quick, versatile, and intellectually curious. This square can bring about conflicts in relationships, especially around communication and differing approaches to tasks. This period may highlight frustrations or disagreements, but it also presents an opportunity to work through these issues and find a balance between these opposing energies. This energy also has the potential to stimulate passion, creativity, and romance.

During the later part of this aspect, Mercury retrograde in Leo will form a sextile with Mars in Gemini on August 23/24, which will also be in a semi-sextile with Venus. This can help to mend any of the challenges of the Venus-Mars square and bring out the more positive potentials of this aspect. The supportive sextile between Mercury and Mars brings a harmonious connection between our thoughts and actions. Mercury retrograde typically asks us to reflect, reconsider, and revise, and the sextile to Mars can provide the motivation and insight to act on these reflections.

Mercury Transitioning To Direct During Venus Aspects

Mercury transitions from retrograde to direct on August 28th/29th; however, the energy of this shift will be felt strongly from August 26th to 31st. This is a time when common retrograde complications, such as delays, may be more apparent due to Mercury being slow-moving and stationary during this period. This phase marks the end of Mercury’s retrograde journey through Leo, bringing opportunities for clarity and forward momentum as we transition into September after weeks of reflection and reconsideration. However, the transitional energy can feel slow and uncertain, making it important to ease into decisions and communications as Mercury’s energy recalibrates. This phase of Mercury stationing direct overlaps with three back-to-back Venus aspects.

From August 26th to 28th, Venus in Virgo forms a harmonious trine with Uranus in Taurus. This aspect introduces a potentially exciting, stimulating, innovative, or liberating influence that could affect relationships, financial matters, material things, art, or aesthetic matters. This trine offers opportunities for unexpected positive developments, whether through new connections, new ideas, or sudden shifts in existing relationships.

Following this, from August 27th to 29th, Venus opposes Neptune in Pisces. This opposition creates a dreamy, but potentially confusing, energy in matters of love, relationships, and finances. Neptune can blur boundaries and heighten idealism, leading to misunderstandings or illusions. While this aspect can inspire deep romantic connections and creative visions, it’s crucial to stay grounded and avoid overly idealistic expectations. There is a risk of seeing things through rose-colored glasses, which can result in disappointment or deception.

Venus will enter its home sign of Libra on August 29th/30th, and during this transition, it forms a trine with Pluto in Aquarius from August 28th to 30th. Venus in Libra brings a focus on balance, harmony, and beauty, and this trine offers opportunities to deepen connections and empower relationships in meaningful ways. It’s supportive for embracing the depth of intimacy and authenticity in our connections. This aspect can also reflect positive developments around finances, support from others, or aesthetic/creative pursuits.

Things to Consider

How can you balance the expressive energy of Leo with the forward-thinking nature of Aquarius in your life? Are there areas where your desire for individual recognition might be at odds with collective goals or responsibilities? How can you shine in your own unique way while also contributing to something greater? In what ways can you embrace the disruptive energy of this Full Moon to break free from things that no longer serve you? How can you integrate new, innovative, unconventional, or technological approaches into your life to bring about positive change? What insights or realizations have come up for you recently, and what adjustments or changes do you need to make? How can you navigate the tension between love, responsibility, freedom, and discipline? Are there areas in your relationships where practicality or duty is clashing with emotional or spiritual needs?

These are just some examples of themes that could come up during this period. However, there may be other variations of this energy playing out as well. If you wish to do any sort of intentional release connected to what has come up, it is best to do so during the waning period of the lunar cycle after the Full Moon’s peak, which is already in effect as this article is published.

 

Carmen Di Luccio is a practicing astrologer who has been studying astrology for 17 years and working with clients for 12 years. His forecast articles were featured in Collective-Evolution.com from 2015 until 2021 and were among the most read astrology content on the internet. Carmen has been a guest on many podcasts and other media throughout the years. He specializes in readings and consultations for individuals, businesses, and entrepreneurs to help them navigate the astrological influences and achieve greater alignment with the best version of themselves.