In this episode Phi shares an update of the collective energy in August 2023 which promises to be a celestial spectacle with two supermoons in Aquarius and Pisces, the Leo New Moon, and several planets in retrograde. She also touches on the the heart chakra, love, soul mates, starseeds and light councils. 

Resources from today's episode

August 2023 Energy Update

Hi beautiful souls, can you believe it’s August 2023 already!? By demand this episode is all about the energetics of August and there is a lot going on and to be honest I think I’ve said that about most months this year. It feels like 2023 is this huge energetic shift all year setting up for what is going to be a BIG 2024. 

This month promises to be a celestial spectacle with two supermoons in Aquarius and Pisces, the Leo New Moon, and several planets in retrograde. So, let’s dive right in and uncover the cosmic influences that will shape our spiritual paths.

Supermoons and Full Moons 2023

August begins and ends with two super full moons. At the time of recording this we’ve just had the Aquarius full moon and the majority of many have been feeling all the feels. It’s interesting because this moon in particular is known as the “Sturgeon” moon, named after the fish and is symbolic of the older parts of ourselves that may be hidden and want to come to light — hence the super full moon illumination. 

Full moons are about release and emotions (the moon symbolic of the feminine and emotions) yet the Aquarius flavour gives us a practicality and groundedness to it. A full moon represents the closing of a chapter so this one links to the Aquarius New Moon that happened in January 2023. Compare where you were then and how you were feeling vs where you are now.

What’s the difference between a Supermoon and normal full moon, well everything is amplified and heightened! Already the case with a full moon and even more so with a supermoon. Energy becomes more intense. Emotions become more intense. Intuition becomes more intense.

Now I will intuitively let you know that the Supermoon that closes the month will be way more emotional than the one that opened because it’s Pisces energy and the beginning was Aquarius. Pisces is a water sign known to be sensitive and in the depths of the feels. 

Starseed, Aliens and Light Councils

Another aside is the strong Alien/Starseed/Light council energy we have coming to the forefront in August. Starseeds are souls that have incarnated on Earth from other star systems, dimensions, or planets to serve a specific purpose. They are believed to have special gifts, knowledge, or abilities that can be used to assist in the spiritual evolution and transformation of humanity and the planet. You can tell if you have star seed origins based on your natal chart and for example I know I come from an Arcturian background. A great way to tap into this all is through meditation setting the intention to connect to the light and spending time in physical sunlight too. 

Lion's Gate 2023

On August 8th of course we have the Lion’s Gate portal. We move from water into the fires of Leo season to transform our emotions into propelling us to new heights of our best selves.

The Lion’s Gate portal has it’s roots in Ancient Egypt and is linked to Sirius, one of the brightest stars in our sky known as the ‘Spiritual Sun.’ It is a special time to align with your highest self and receive energetic upgrades and downloads because of the powerful portal created when Earth aligns with Sirius and the Sun.

On a side note, if you are based in Sydney Australia I will be running an in person event on Sunday 6th of August in Newtown with my beautiful friend Japna. Themes we will explore in this ceremony: Connection. Courage. Manifestation. Abundance.

This supercharged event will help you unlock your infinite potential, make the most of this vibrant energy, access your higher consciousness and accelerate your personal growth and transformation. It also serves as a great check in with your intentions you set at the beginning of the year and an opportunity to recalibrate with your goals for the year.

The Experience:
– Acknowledgement + connection to the land
– Channelled insights and in depth explanation of the Lion’s Gate
– Tarot card goodness
– Journaling prompts
– Activation and connecting with your heart and courage
– Breathwork and movement
  Group share circle

The word that’s prominently coming through for this event is ‘receive’. Spirit is guiding all souls that are feeling a call to attend this ceremony to step forth and receive the magic of this powerful portal.

Leo New Moon 2023 & Venus Retrograde 2023

Mid month comes the new moon in Leo to further amplify the magic of the Lion’s Gate. During this phase, we’re encouraged to express ourselves authentically and passionately. This period serves as an excellent time for setting intentions related to self-confidence, creativity, and stepping into leadership roles in our lives. The Leo New Moon may inspire you to take center stage in your life, stepping into main character energy and to express yourself unapologetically  . 

The backdrop to the month of August is of course Venus retrograde – which isn’t bad. Retrogrades aren’t bad, there is so much fear mongering amongst the spiritual community. Retrogrades are beautiful opportunities to reflect and pause. A good guiding mantra is review, revisit and reflect. 

Venus retrograde is linked to Leo all about relationships whether love, family, friends, colleagues and community. Themes to be aware of and contemplate are areas associated with Leo: love, romance, passion, dating, creativity, being in the spotlight, expression, fertility, children, your inner child. Venus retrograde is also known for bringing together soul mates, soul contracts and twin flames. Venus is also linked to money so don’t be surprised if your relationship to money pops up in August too. Not only that Venus is about beauty and the arts too!

Particularly personally channeling I am feeling such a strong collective energy of the heart chakra and in particular a focus on love especially soul mates. Soul mates are not limited to romantic relationships; they can manifest in various forms of connections that go beyond romance. Soul mates can be found in a range of relationships, including: friendships, family, mentors, within our communities, animals and creative collaborators. 

I love Liz Gilbert’s perspective on soulmates: 

“People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.

A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.

A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master…”

Putting too much emphasis on the idea of finding a soul mate can lead to unnecessary pressure and disappointment, as relationships are inherently complex and multifaceted. Ultimately, what matters most is cultivating genuine connections, personal growth, and loving interactions with the people who come into our lives.

To summarise;

Self-Expression: Leo is the sign of self-expression, and during the New Moon in Leo, there’s a focus on embracing your unique identity unapologetically. It encourages you to step into the spotlight and let your true self shine.

Creativity: This New Moon phase is an ideal time to tap into your creative potential and engage in artistic pursuits. Whether it’s through art, music, writing, or any other form of creative expression, this is a time to nurture your creative spirit.

Confidence and Courage: Leo’s bold and courageous nature comes to the forefront during this time. It’s an opportunity to boost your self-confidence, take risks, and pursue your goals with determination.

Leadership and Initiative: The Leo New Moon inspires leadership qualities. It’s a time to take the lead in your life and projects, becoming the master of your destiny.

Passion and Romance: Leo is a romantic sign, and the New Moon in Leo may bring opportunities for passionate encounters and the expression of heartfelt emotions.

Inner Child: Leo is also associated with the inner child and playfulness. This New Moon encourages you to reconnect with the joy and innocence of your inner child.

Mercury Retrograde 2023

After Leo comes Virgo season and Mercury Retrograde. The infamous Mercury Retrograde is back and it means doubling down on clear communication and watching out for those from the past returning (especially with Venus retrograde about with people you used to date, ex’s and all that).

Virgo Season 2023

Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury, which governs communication, intellect, and analytical thinking. As an earth sign, Virgo is associated with practicality, groundedness, and a focus on the material world.

So interesting the contrast of emotional supermoons with more logical grounded energy.

With Virgo season we can expect the following themes:

Details: Virgos are known for their keen attention to detail and their ability to analyse situations thoroughly. They have a sharp mind and a practical approach to problem-solving.

Practicality and Methodology: Virgos are highly organised and systematic in their approach to tasks and responsibilities. They excel at planning, scheduling, and executing projects efficiently.

Service-Orientation: Virgos have a strong sense of duty and a desire to be of service to others. They are often helpful, reliable, and willing to assist those in need.

Perfectionism: Due to their attention to detail, Virgos can sometimes be perfectionists. They have high standards for themselves and others, which can lead to frustration when things don’t meet their expectations.

.

Critical Thinking: Virgos have a critical and discerning mind. They can be excellent critics and provide valuable feedback, but they should be mindful of not becoming overly critical or nitpicky.

Being Practical and Realistic: Virgos tend to be pragmatic and realistic in their approach to life. They prefer to deal with concrete facts and may be skeptical of overly idealistic or impractical ideas.

Pisces New Moon 2023

The month ends dipping back into emotional waters with a Pisces full moon. Pisces is associated with qualities like intuition, sensitivity, empathy, imagination, and spirituality. The energy of the Pisces Full Moon can be both uplifting and intense. It’s a time for going inwards, self-reflection, and embracing the emotions that arise.

Themes to be explored with this are: 

Emotional Sensitivity: Pisces is a deeply emotional sign, and during the Full Moon, emotions may run high. People may feel more empathetic, compassionate, and tuned into the feelings of others.

Intuition and Spirituality: The Pisces Full Moon is a powerful time for spiritual insights and intuitive revelations. It encourages us to trust our inner guidance and connect with the unseen realms.

Dreams and Imagination: Pisces is associated with dreams, imagination, and creativity. This Full Moon phase can be a time when vivid dreams and creative ideas are more prevalent.

Boundaries and Compassion: With the heightened sensitivity of Pisces, it’s essential to be mindful of setting healthy boundaries while maintaining compassion for ourselves and others.

Connecting with the Divine: Pisces is linked to the spiritual and mystical aspects of life. During the Full Moon, people may feel a stronger desire to connect with higher consciousness or the divine.

Uranus Retrograde 2023

Venus and Mercury aren’t the only retrogrades. The end of the month Uranus will be also in retrograde known for the unexpected… expect the unexpected. Uranus, the planet of innovation, rebellion, and unexpected change, goes retrograde for approximately five months every year. During this period, the energy of Uranus becomes more internalised and introspective.

Themes to contemplate with the Uranus Retrograde are:

Breaking Free: Uranus is associated with liberation and breaking free from the status quo. During its retrograde phase, we may become more aware of areas in our lives where we feel restricted or held back. It’s a time to find innovative solutions to overcome limitations.

Unconventional Thinking: Uranus rules innovation, technology, and original thinking. When retrograde, it can stimulate unique and unconventional ideas or approaches. Doing something different and new to shake things up.

Surprise: Uranus is known for its erratic and unpredictable nature. During its retrograde phase, unexpected events may occur, prompting us to embrace change and adapt to new circumstances.

Rebellion and Independence: Uranus encourages us to question authority and societal norms. During its retrograde, we may find ourselves challenging established structures and seeking greater independence.

Summary and end of August Energy Update 2023

This in total brings 6 planets in retrograde as we close out August. Yup!! It’s a whole lot and I hope this podcast helps you to better understand everything that’s going on in August. The Leo season has ignited our creative fires, encouraging us to express ourselves boldly and fearlessly. As we move into the practical and analytical realm of Virgo, let us harness this energy to bring order and clarity to our lives, and to take practical steps towards our goals.

After all this heightened energy of releasing and planting new seeds, may we carry with us the lessons learned, the insights gained, and the intentions set. May the seeds we’ve planted in the fertile soil of this month grow into beautiful manifestations in the months to come.

Remember to take moments of stillness and reflection, to connect with nature, and to honor the cycles of life. Embrace the abundance around you, and express gratitude for the blessings in your life.

Until next time beautiful soul, take care and lots of love. 

Phi Dang