New Moon in Leo opposite Pluto in Aquarius
- Katie Salidas
- Jul 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 17
Astrologically speaking, this month's new moon phase is quite eventful. The new moon in Leo this week (7/24/2025) is directly opposing Pluto, which is currently in retrograde in Aquarius. And Mercury is retrograde in Leo as well.
Let's delve into these dynamics and explore the energies at work.
New Moon
Astronomically, a New Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon align in the sky, occupying the same area of the zodiac. In this phase, the Moon positions itself between Earth and the Sun, with its bright side turned away from us, causing it to vanish from view temporarily. In Hellenistic astrology, the New Moon signifies the start of a new lunar cycle and is important for new beginnings and setting intentions. Much like the first crescent of the Moon takes a day or two to become visible, we often don’t fully understand what we've initiated until later. While this merging of solar and lunar energies presents fresh opportunities, it can also lead to uncertainty. A desire is sparked, but the final path remains unclear.
With that in mind, let’s look at the other parts of this transit which may be coloring our perspective.
The Sun in Leo
Leo is the sign where the Sun is in its domicile, meaning it is at home.
This positioning is very strong and enables the Sun's primary qualities of ego, vitality, and self-expression to be fully realized. With the Sun in Leo, you might feel more empowered to shine in your own light, embrace your truth, and stand firm on your identity and boundaries. However, be aware, this powerful energy can be domineering and stubborn.
Pluto (retrograde) in Aquarius
Pluto is often associated with transformation, the underworld, power struggles, death and rebirth, and taboos. While it is not at home in the sign of Aquarius, it does lend its flavor to the quirky Saturnian sign. Themes of societal transformation based on humanitarian ideals, technological advancement, and challenging existing power structures are often brought up during the roughly 20 year transit of this planet in Aquarius. And, while in retrograde, the focus is turned inward. We are brought into a period of deep introspection on how we personally deal with power struggles, social connections, and the technological changes happening all around us.
Blended themes of Sun and Moon in Leo opposing Pluto in Aquarius
An opposition is a push and pull dynamic between planetary energies. This can feel like a fight to find balance. Both sides are equally struggling with their opposing views, neither one wanting to give ground. On the one hand, this can be good for seeing both sides of an argument. Validating the needs of both sides. On the other, it can feel like a no-win situation as the only way to end the struggle is to find that middle ground.
With this opposition of Leo/Sun and Retrograde Pluto, we may be faced with an intense surge of emotions rising to the surface. The energy of Sun in Leo invites us to let our ego run free. With the new moon in play, we want to take this empowered energy and use it to begin new projects or take on challenges we may not have considered before. However, with this opposition to Pluto, our will may feel blocked by others we are in a relationship with and/or people who are in a position of power or authority over us. In trying to get things off the ground and moving, we may face challenges, especially in our personal interactions. People, situations, and often our own mind, may show up as roadblocks that halt or stall our forward momentum. In hitting these roadblocks we will have to make decisions on how to act.
Do we dominate and push our will through out of personal desire, or reflect on why the roadblock appeared and change our trajectory?
This is Pluto’s energetic signature in the opposition. It will force us to stop and think, even (and especially) when we don’t want to.
Mercury Retrograde in Leo
The final player in this transit comes from retrograde Mercury. Because it is in the sign of Leo, we cannot ignore it. Whenever another planet is co-present in a sign, it lends some of its energy. Think of it like adding a dash of spice to flavor the energy of the moment. And a retrograde Mercury is going to do this by highlighting miscommunication and potentially dragging up old connections or relationships. Those can be the catalyst for the opposition energy to manifest, or triggers to intensify it.
It's important to recognize that though this particular transit can be difficult to deal with, the obstacles that arise are an opportunity for self-evaluation and change. Rather than succumbing to the ego’s immediate desires, try to take a step back and reflect on why there is a blockage or need to assert control.
That said, we have the free will to act as we wish. The planets do not dictate our moves, they simply reveal the energetic patterns at play. That’s the beauty of astrology. It is a cosmic weather report that allows us to prepare for potential energetic storms on the horizon. But it is always our choice how we press forward.
For a more direct link to how these energies might be affecting you, you need to know what houses Leo and Aquarius occupy in your natal chart.
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