Holding out for Neo - Full moon at 13°03' mins Leo, on 1st February at 22:08 pm GMT

Fire l Fixed l Masculine l Yang

💡The Meaning of the Full Moon in Leo

Leo is the psychological process of becoming the person you already are on the inside without apology, without performance, without shrinking. It's the courage to be witnessed.

Leo is fixed fire.

It doesn’t flicker.

It holds the flame.

At its core, Leo represents the part of the psyche that wants to:

- express what is real

- live from the heart

- create from authenticity

- be seen without performing

- take up space without justification

- let inner truth become outer life

The creative actualisation impulse teams up with a narcissism and ego-centric focus in Leo.

The blown up balloon, ready to burst with expression.

The ultimate aim is the applause in their hearts.

As per all Full Moons, this is a completion/culmination/ending event.

Let's look at the shadow side of the signs and then break things up into more detail.

🌑 The Shadow Side of Leo - I live for the applause

Leo’s core need is simple and profoundly human “See me for who I am.”

When that need is met, Leo becomes warm, generous, expressive, creative, and emotionally honest.

When that need is not met; or worse, when it’s met with inconsistency, criticism, or emotional neglect, the Leo archetype fractures. The heart becomes something that must be defended. This is where the shadow forms.

When the heart feels unsafe, Leo flips into its shadow:

- performing instead of expressing

- seeking validation instead of connection

- pride as a shield

- defensiveness when feeling unseen

- overcompensation when feeling insecure

These behaviours aren’t ego flaws. They’re protective strategies. The shadow appears when the psyche fears not being enough.

Creative actualisation requires dismantling these defences gently, not shaming them.

Leo’s deepest wound is not being seen.

This can come from:

- parents who were distracted, depressed, or emotionally unavailable

- caregivers who only responded to achievement, not authenticity

- environments where emotional expression was mocked or punished

- being the “strong one” or “performer” in the family

- early experiences of being overlooked, overshadowed, or dismissed

The child learns that it must perform for love and is never enough. This is the origin of the Leo shadow.

🔄 Sun in Aquarius (13°) and the Leo-Aquarius Axis:

Leo is subjective. Aquarius is objective.

Leo feels. Aquarius observes.

Leo expresses. Aquarius intellectualises.

Leo creates for itself and Aquarius supports community and humanity to create better.

As always, there is contrast and cohesion in a full moon.

Leo requires creativity and has a need to be validated, which - if carefully parsed through a communal filter, can equal creation that reaches the many. Leo must allow others to enter the picture. Aquarius must steer from Leo's 'heart'. Leo is a fire sign; full of passion, confidence and charm. The heart is central in all endeavours. Yet fire can burn out or burn without a focus. Aquarius is centred in the world. In equality and a better place for all. It gives Leo's fire a place to burn that is needed. It does this in a way that is authentic, innovative and future-seen.

- Leo prevents Aquarius from becoming emotionally numb

- Aquarius prevents Leo from becoming emotionally reactive

- Leo brings warmth

- Aquarius brings wisdom

- Leo says “I matter”

- Aquarius says “We matter”

There is a power of one channelled through the many that is captured in this axis.

Deep Dive Leo

• Creative self-actualisation

• Loyal

• Passionate, warm, generous and playful

• Confident, dramatic

• Leader

• Children

• Love making

• Leisure pursuits, hobbies and play

• Special destiny

• Heart, heart-centred

• Bossy

• Inflated ego

• Requires feedback on specialness

• Over-confident

• Centre of attention

Deep dive Aquarius

• Rebellion, liberation, freedom

• Higher mind, higher self

• Awakenings, quantum leaps

• Space travel and aviation

• Authentic, weird, unique

• Intellectual, creative, scientific, tech, AI, robotics

• Different, smart thinker, excitable, innovative

• Electricity, lightning

• Shocks, surprises, unexpected events, sudden changes

• Humanitarian activities, social justice

• Detachment, cool-headed, visionary, genius

• CNS (with Mercury)

• Lungs and calves

• DNA

• Mental breakdowns

• Alienation

• Misunderstood

Need to be seen? Book a reading.

Let's look at the chart for the Full Moon in Leo

Moon aspects only

Aspects to the Full Moon in Leo

Moon opposite Mars at (7°) and Venus at (19°) Aquarius

After the recent influx of Aquarian planets (Pluto, Mars, Sun, Venus and Mercury), we are undeniably in Aqua territory. Much like a speaker, the LEO here can amplify to the collective. With this stellar line up we have psychological and emotional laser focus in Pluto, we have the desire in Mars, we have the mission part in the Sun, the ability to connect with like-minded souls in Venus and the mental capacity for sight/unexpected innovations. This is a thunder clap blinded by lightning. It's a shiny light with an electric outpouring.

As pretty as all that sounds, the simple truth is that the truth is unescapable. The world we are living in, is in need. We cannot fail to see the political, economic and climate fallout. With Aqua, authenticity is absolute honesty. Humanity's plights are laid out stark and openly. And there is only one saviour - ALL OF US. Leo can be the single shining beacon that steps up like Neo in the matrix. But really, we all must be NEO.

Like Aqua, it's time to strip things back to our core DNA. To remove all the shallow, conditioned layers that live in us and to be exactly who we are.

📝 Questions for reflection

Use these prompts to align with the Full Moon's energy:

🔥 1. Questions about Self‑Expression

• Where am I dimming my light to make others comfortable?

• What part of me is hungry to be seen, celebrated, or expressed?

• What creative impulse have I been ignoring?

❤️ 2. Questions about the Heart

• What does my heart want that my mind keeps talking me out of?

• Where have I been brave in love — and where have I been holding back?

• What would it look like to choose joy without apology?

👑 3. Questions about Sovereignty

• Where have I given away my power or waited for permission?

• What boundary would honour my self‑worth right now?

• What decision would the most confident version of me make?

🌟 4. Questions about Visibility

• What fear comes up when I imagine being fully seen?

• What truth about myself am I ready to share with the world?

• What identity am I outgrowing?

🦁 5. Questions about Courage + Play

• What would I do if I trusted my own brilliance?

• Where can I bring more play, pleasure, or creativity into my life?

• What risks feel aligned with my growth?

🔥 FULL MOON IN LEO — RITUALS

Leo rituals work best when they involve fire, creativity, performance, or the heart. Choose one or combine a few.

🕯️ 1. The Fire Release Ritual

Leo is a fire sign — this is the night to burn what no longer fits.

You’ll need:

A candle, paper, pen, fire‑safe bowl.

Steps:

1. Write down what you’re releasing: self‑doubt, dimming, old stories, fear of being seen.

2. Light the candle.

3. Read the list aloud — Leo wants your voice involved.

4. Burn the paper safely.

5. Say: “I release what dims my light.”

👑 2. The Sovereign Self Invocation

This activates Leo’s solar confidence.

Steps:

1. Stand in front of a mirror.

2. Place your hand on your heart.

3. Speak three sentences that begin with:

   • “I am ready to…”

   • “I no longer…”

   • “I claim…”

4. Hold eye contact with yourself for a few breaths.

🎨 3. Creative Expression Ritual

Leo rules creativity. This ritual opens the channel.

Choose one:

• paint or draw intuitively

• dance to one song that feels like your soul

• write a poem or stream‑of‑consciousness piece

• sing or hum — even quietly

The point is expression, not perfection.

💛 4. Heart‑Opening Ritual

For nourishing.

Steps:

1. Sit with your hands over your chest.

2. Breathe into your heart space.

3. Ask silently: “What do you need?”

4. Write down whatever comes up — without judgment.

5. Commit to one small act of emotional nourishment.

✨ 5. The Leo Full Moon Offering

Leo loves drama, beauty, and devotion.

Create a small altar with:

• something gold

• a candle

• a symbol of your creativity

• a photo of you where you look radiant

Sit with it and say: “I honour the light within me.”

Looking at the aspects to planets and points in your own chart will help you see what may effect you - Look at 9 - 17 degrees of the fixed signs (Conjunction - Leo, opposition - Aquarius and square - Scorpio and Taurus). If you don't have access to a chart, you can create one here: Create a Natal Chart | Heart Horizon Astro

You'll need your date of birth, place of birth and the birth time.

Let's talk: Book a reading.