Leo New Moon Ritual: Sparkle Bright and Love Big

Open Your Heart and Shine

Once a year, we’re blessed with the Leo New Moon—a powerful cosmic moment when both the sun and moon align in the radiant, heart-centered sign of Leo. Every new moon marks the beginning of a fresh lunar cycle, but when it happens in Leo, its magic is all about confidence, creativity, and wholehearted self-love.

In 2025, the Leo New Moon falls on Thursday, July 24th.

Because the sun is Leo’s ruling planet, a Leo New Moon amplifies the sun’s bold, generous energy even more. It’s the perfect time for setting intentions related to loving yourself, expressing your gifts, and allowing yourself to shine brightly in the world.

Why Leo Energy Matters—and Why It’s Not Selfish

Leo often gets a bad rap for being self-centered or attention-seeking. But, like every zodiac sign, Leo’s qualities have both empowered and shadow expressions. Healthy Leo energy reminds us that we are each the center of our own universe. The sun is literally the center of the solar system—and we’re each the radiant center of our own life experience.

Leo also rules the heart. Physically, we need our heart to live. Energetically, the heart radiates love, courage, and our unique personal essence. True Leo magic is about loving yourself in a way that empowers you to give generously, live boldly, and inspire others by simply being who you are.

Whether or not you have Leo prominent in your birth chart, when the sun, moon—or both—are in Leo, you have a special opportunity to work with this bold, heart-opening energy.

Mercury Retrograde in Leo: A Time for Reflection and Recalibration

And right now, with Mercury retrograde in Leo, this new moon carries an added layer of introspection. Mercury retrograde invites us to slow down, reflect, and rethink how we’re expressing ourselves—especially when it comes to communication, creativity, and personal power. You might find yourself revisiting old fears about being seen or second-guessing your self-worth. That’s OK. This ritual is a beautiful way to recalibrate, clear those doubts, and realign with your authentic confidence.

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Leo New Moon Ritual

You can perform this ritual anytime on the day of the Leo New Moon.

You’ll Need:

• A yellow or neutral/cream clean-burning candle 

• Lighter or matches

• ¼ cup sea salt (if you’re taking a bath)

• Cinnamon incense and incense holder (or cinnamon essential oil and a burner or diffuser)

• Paper and pen

• A clear quartz or citrine crystal point

Step 1: Cleanse and Prepare

Take a shower or bath. If you have a bathtub, dissolve the sea salt into the water and place the candle nearby.

Afterward, dress in something clean, comfortable, and light-colored—white or another light color is ideal. Or go without clothing if that feels more authentic to you.

Step 2: Set the Space

On your altar (or another special space, indoors or out), safely light the candle and incense (or diffuse the oil – be especially careful with oil if you have pets or children). Sit comfortably, take deep breaths, and ground yourself in the present moment.

When you feel centered, say aloud:

Great Goddess, Great God, Great Holy Mystery, All That Is, I call on you.
I open my heart to love—for myself and others.
I choose to shine my light generously and beautifully, like the sun.
I give thanks for the divine support that is already here for me.
Thank you.

Step 3: Visualize Your Radiance

Close your eyes. Imagine your heart becoming radiant sunlight, expanding outward to fill your body and aura with golden light. Feel yourself shining brightly and unapologetically.

Step 4: Write Your Intentions

On your paper, write your self-love and confidence intentions in the present tense, as if they are already true. Examples:

• I love and approve of myself unconditionally.

• I radiate beauty, joy, and confidence.

• I offer my gifts to the world with love, and I know they are deeply appreciated.

• I bravely express my creativity and my light.

• I receive love fearlessly and generously.

Craft your list based on what’s true for you.

Step 5: Seal It with Gratitude

When your list feels complete, place your hands over your heart and say:

Thank you, Great Goddess.
Thank you, Great God.
Thank you, Great Holy Mystery, All That Is.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Blessed be. And so it is.

Step 6: Anchor Your Intentions

Fold your paper toward you with each fold, and place it on your altar with the crystal on top.

You can extinguish your candle and incense now or let them burn a little longer (safely). Feel free to relight them throughout the moon cycle whenever you want to reconnect with your intentions.

Leave your intentions on your altar until the next new moon. After that, you can safely burn or recycle the paper and cleanse the crystal for future use.

Embrace Your Inner Sun

Over the coming days and weeks, notice how you feel—more expansive, more joyful, more ready to share your gifts with the world. Remember, shining your light is not selfish. It’s a service to the world.

Are you planning to try this Leo New Moon Ritual Thursday? Do you have questions about working with Leo energy or Mercury retrograde? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. I almost always respond.

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