Welcome to the jungle! The new moon in fiery Leo revs up our animal instincts and cranks up the heat in our lives. Passion, romance, fame: this new moon will take all three and supersize them. Friday’s lunar event certainly adds some drama to the mix, but what’s life without a little spice? Here are a few ways to harness this new moon and restore your roar.

Bring On That Blaze of Glory

The Olympians aren’t the only ones going for the gold.  The new moon in Leo gives us the desire to shine like a first place medal, gleaming in the torchlight glow. Where results have been lackluster, the culprit may be our own failure to bring it like we know we should. “Step it up, people!” is the lunar directive. Friday’s new moon in Leo re-ignites our passion switch and calls forth our competitive streaks. Why not end the summer in a blaze of glory? Aim for mastery, work to become the best of the best. This new moon is the beginning of a six-month cycle that culminates January 27, 2013 with the corresponding full moon in Leo. From career milestones we want to achieve to love tanks in need of a fill-up, we’ll all get an A+ for putting in a monumental effort. Err on the side of being too much, over-the-top, and utterly ridiculous. It’s better to overshoot the mark than to come short of it now. Seeds we plant this Friday could bring the lion’s share of fame and fortune over the coming six months.

Find Your Power Animal

Creatures great and small are the domain of the zodiac’s lion king and queen. According to Native American wisdom, animals carry a “medicine” and their behaviors can teach us lessons that can guide us along our paths. You might work with a shaman to find your power animal, or tune in to your own instincts. Has a bird, bug, or beast appeared as a recurring theme in your life? Maybe you’ve seen hawks circling overhead at important moments in your life, or always had a draw towards white horses. Check out Steven D. Farmer’s “Power Animal Oracle Cards” app (Hay House) or nab a copy of the classic tome, “Animals Speak” by Ted Andrews.

This new moon might prompt some peeps to adopt a four-legged or feathered friend. There’s nothing quite like the unconditional love of a pet. If you don’t have time to care for one, you might volunteer to pet-sit for a friend or do a shift at an animal shelter.

Add More Color To Your World

Passionate Leo quite literally wants to experience the rainbow of life’s offerings. This bright cosmic energy understands the power that color has to stimulate, soothe, and heal. Apply some chromotherapy (the official name for color therapy) to your universe. If your wardrobe or living environment is a little too beige for its own good, make a change. Infuse your closet with colorful accessories; streak your hair with fuchsia. Stop by the paint store to pick up an armful of color samples and chips on Friday. A weekend painting project can brighten up your lair. Red revives while blue soothes, so pick the mood you want to create in each room. For a soulful interpretation of each color, check out: deeptrancenow.com/colortherapy.htm

One warning: Leo can be a bit of an overarching visionary, and if the project gets too huge, you might quit halfway through. Remember, there’s no need to attack the whole house. The old trick of painting a single wall a bright color might do the job. For full-spectrum inspiration, check out our favorite HGTV designers on “Home By Novogratz” or thenovogratz.com.

Fall In Love With Your Own Reflection

How many times do we have self-deprecating thoughts when we pass by the mirror? For most of us, it’s too many to count. Leo is the sign  of self-love and adoration, so use this new moon to turn the tide in that very direction. Create a positive mantra that you utter to your reflection when you pass the mirror.

Okay, maybe this provokes some vintage SNL humor, so go ahead and find your inner Stuart Smalley. It’s okay to laugh and have fun with this too. Then again, you could also dress up (or strip down) and read Rumi poems to your gorgeous self.  As Mr. Smalley himself reminds us, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.” Word!

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Photo: photobucket @maharani_r