This month's new moon is at 27 degrees of Leo, on August 20, 2009 at 6:02AM EST. Leo is a fire sign, the natural ruler of the 5th house of children, love affairs, and matters of the heart. Leo is no wallflower, and the energy will be instant, fiery, and spontaneous.Matters of the heart and heart's desires' will be on many of our minds. But, this is no simple new moon with clear cut answers. At 27 degrees, the new moon opposes Neptune, the planet of confusion, delusion, lies and deception. The Sun is also at 27 degrees conjuncting the moon, causing the energy to be more combustive in nature, and is also opposing the planet of illusion. This combination is responsible for severe weather conditions which we are seeing play out in the Atlantic with hurricane "Bill," and it will likely create foggy conditions in the northern parts of the US. The new moon will create foggy conditions elsewhere, in terms of thinking, speaking, and it is unlikely we will see or hear the truth about what the proposed health care reform plans actually are. Neptune creates too much fear, and lack of clarity to actually be clear on the big picture at this time. Lies will be told, mis-communication will occur, and we will not know the truth or the facts during this new moon, nor will we know how it will be paid for. Don't believe a thing you hear, and expect rumors to be rampant. If you want to understand proposed healthcare reform it is important to read the proposed bill, and even then it will likely seem confused. We are heading toward the second Saturn-Uranus opposition in Virgo and Pisces the second week of September and what is on the table now, will change then. One Leo that is sure to be the center of attention at this time is President Barrack Obama. With Neptune opposing Uranus in his chart, you might say the party with the media is over. Uranus rules television and with his Neptune opposition, his position on important matters is likely to become distorted, either by his own lack of clarity, or that of other people. No matter how you cut the pie, he comes out the loser with this one. Saturn is conjunct the US President's Mars, making this a time of hard work with little to show in return. Saturn-Mars is a time of disharmony, upheaval, even treachery. Work is difficult, gains are small, if at all. With Mercury conjunct his Mars today, Mr. Obama may lose his temper, and the agitation will be hard to control. The New Moon in Leo is conjunct his Uranus in his 7th house of partners, bringing unexpected events/people/situations to the forefront. The unexpected/unplanned for will occur, he will change his mind and position on important matters. It is a difficult time for America's President. CNN is reporting that 95-100 people, including American's, have been killed today in the bloodiest day in Baghdad in months. This comes a no surprise with the new moon opposing the US's 8th house of death. Saturn is conjunct the US chart's Neptune, squaring Mars. This is a transit of war, friction, disharmony, and in the chart of a nation it is indicative of military action. Using the Sagittarius rising chart the Leo moon is focused on the the 9th house of foreign affairs. With the moon opposing the US's moon we are in for several days of extremely emotional reactions. The chart of Iraq is like that of a powder keg. I do not believe today's incident is isolated, nor will it be the only day of a bloodbath in that Country. Unfortunately, the Iraq people, already beaten down by war and destruction will continue to suffer. This will be the final new moon before the next Saturn-Uranus opposition occurs in September. We, as a country (the US) have entered into a time of endings, and more friction will occur before change can begin. Hang onto your hat, get your own house in order, it's going to be a heck of a ride. Make the best use of the energy of the new moon. It is a time of confusion, no doubt, but the higher use of the Neptune energy is compassion, spirituality, creativity, and a merging with your own heart felt desires. Good Luck!