‘Liminality is the quality of ambiguity or disorientation that occurs in the middle stage of a rite of passage, when participants no longer hold their pre-ritual status but have not yet begun the transition to the status they will hold when the rite is complete.’
We have just had, at 11:17 this morning, the second full moon in July. It was at the liminal degree of 29’09 Pisces, Sun at 29’09 Virgo (Full Moons are always Sun opposite Moon).
This Full Moon is particularly interesting as it occurs in the liminal space between the Lights. What do I mean by this? The two Lights in a horoscope are the greater Light, the Sun and the lesser Light, the Moon. The moving from the lesser to the greater light is like moving from the soft, pearlescent, deceptive, balmy light of the Moon, to the bright, bold, burning, life-giving light of the Sun.
When we enter Leo season, the Sun burns bright (if we are lucky), certainly it is the time for play, school holidays in the Northern Hemisphere, leading to the dog-days of August where we kick back and unfurl and luxuriate in long, lazy days and warm, scented nights, time with our families (sometimes a mixed blessing) when we are more social, certainly, in Europe there is a super abundance of music festivals, book festivals and all manner of big parties and fun. All good Leo activities.
So what of the chart? I don’t usually look at full moon charts, as a lunar month is a short period of time, but as was once said, a week is a long time in politics and we are in a liminal space, we have had pleasing results in UK and especially the French election, when all Europe collectively held its breath. And now, we wait, dreading or hoping or both, for the USA to decide its fate.
The first thing to catch our eye is Black Moon Lilith is almost exactly conjunct the Ascendant at 2’26 Libra, the Ascendant is 2’40. What can this mean? Lilith is the symbol of the rebellious woman, in myth she refused to obey Yahweh, and took herself off to the desert to consort with snakes. Lilith is in Libra, the most feminine of signs and arguably the most disputatious. Women, then, will be rebelling, perhaps in a most charming way, but the month will be coloured by disputes.
As if to reinforce this message, the Moon is really close to Pluto, and it might be imagined that this is her next aspect, but Neptune, also in that liminal space, is at 29’50 Pisces. Before the Moon changes sign, to meet Pluto, she makes a sextile to Neptune. Capricorn Pisces is a nice mix, they support each other in their strengths. Capricorn provides structure and reliability, Pisces softens the harsher aspects of Capricorn and offers emotion and creativity.
And of course, the Sun, also teetering at the far edges of Cancer, where she is weak, applies to a trine of Neptune. Cancer, Pisces are in the same element, water, and have much in common, the Sun, though is not happy in water signs. She will shortly move to her ruling sign and sign of exaltation, glorious Leo. Again, Pluto catches our eye. The Sun is applying to the opposition of Pluto, but again, another planet sneaks in. Mars, also in the liminal degree of Gemini, 00’23 appears to make a sextile with the Sun, however, consulting the ephemeris, we see that Mars rushes on, before the Sun can reach it so the Sun’s first aspect in Leo is the Pluto opposition (06:38 gmt on Tuesday 23rd.)
Sun Pluto is the ultimate expression of solar power, Pluto may be exalted in Leo, and so in detriment in Aquarius. This is the collision of giants. The Sun was conjunct Pluto in January 20th this year at (13:46 gmt) also in the liminal degree of 29’Capricorn 59′. The Sun slipped into Aquarius at 14:07 and Pluto followed suit at 00:50 the next morning the 21st.
What can all this mean? The optimist in me, and I am a sunny glass half full person, sees this as the end of an area, even the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, where the old ways, Patriarchy even are washed away and a new dawn…you get the picture.
Time will tell. Certainly, Aquarius has had super PR to change it from Saturn to Uranus, from mean restrictions, rules and gloominess, to head-in-the-clouds Uranus, harbinger of a brave new world. Of course, Aquarius can usher in a new age, but Saturn is not to be denied and the Brave New World might resemble that of Huxley’s novel, where thought is controlled and liberty and choice depend on our toeing the line, see China at its digital economy for clues here.
The effects of the Full Moon last 2 1/2 days before and 2 1/2 days after the exact time. We have already had a massive tech meltdown, which began Friday around 05.00 UT, so within the 2 1/2 day window. A commenter on Marjorie Orr’s site explains a little of what happened and the astrology behind it with regards to Microsoft and Crowdstrike makes an interesting read https://star4cast.com/35507-2/
More on Moon-ology in my Woman’s Book of Shadows buy here
When a planet is at the last degree of a sign it is called the anaretic degree. These degrees have special significance. Opinions vary as to what the anaretic degree signifies, but it seems logical that, at the very end of a sign, this is the last chance salon, for whatever the sign represents. Some say, it shows things are too late to repair, others says that it represents one final attempt to get things right.
What is interesting, is how many people have important planets at the anaretic degree and considering what I was saying above about the US election both Biden and Trump have this degree.
I think we can both agree this is a last chance saloon for both men. Trump’s Ascendant is at 29’49 (other sites make this degree 29’59)Leo, his last attempt to shine, charm, or dominate depending on your point of view.
Biden has Chiron at 28’53 a whisker away from the anaretic degree while his North Node is just on the other side of the degree at 00’9 Virgo. Likewise, his Moon, if the time is accurate, is also just past the anaretic degree at 00’59 Taurus. Both incidentally conjunct Trump’s Ascendant. This is a fated match. Both charts show connection with the upcoming Full Moon. Biden has Jupiter at 25′ Cancer, Trump Venus at 25′ Cancer also, his Saturn, at 24′ is too wide I think. I like close orbs myself.
Biden’s Jupiter is his chart ruler (Ascendant Sagittarius) and so a powerful planet for him, Jupiter is exalted in Cancer so it is a powerful planet for him. Venus in Cancer is less strong, it has some dignity (Terms) but not much. Biden’s Jupiter also rules his 4th house of endings, will be bow out? Perhaps. Going out on that Jupiter gives some dignity to the situation, but with all the fixity in his chart, Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars all in fixed signs, letting go is extremely difficult for him .
Stop press: Biden announced he was not running at today 18:46 (time not verified) on X. the Sun close to the trine of Neptune, the Moon just passed over Pluto. He did the graceful thing (Jupiter in Cancer) and moved on (4th house).
Trump’s Venus rules his Taurus midheaven, but is further weakened by its conjuction to Saturn, the two planets are antipathetic. Venus also rules his 6th house of work and health. I wonder if the after effects of the shooting might be greater than anticipated. Hard to know, Trump’s ebullient, resilient Mars in Leo might override any fallout from the shock (if it indeed was a shock).
Watch this space, and of course, if you have any planets on these degrees look out for showings.
GREEK ISLAND SUMMER SCHOOL 2025: MOONOLOGY
In this course, I will be teaching: how to use the energy of the Moon, the Moon in the sky and the Moon in your chart to make life better for you. The Moon helps with timing issues, for understanding cycles and rhythms, use it for your health and to understand your path in life, through the North and South Nodes. We will look at the rebellious woman, Black Moon Lilith who is wild and wicked and shows us where we want to rebel and stand up for ourselves.
Topics covered
The Natal Moon, the Moon in signs and houses, lessons and challenges to be mastered.
Eclipses and their cycles how they affect your chart.
Lunar returns, how to calculate them and use them to plan ahead.
The North and South Nodes and our destiny, our past and this lifetime’s challenges.
Dark Moon Lilith, the rebellious one.
We are expecting this course to be popular so register your interest here
Elisabeth Brooke 