“Strategic retreat is not defeat.”

Sunday’s Leo Full Moon activates symbols that shine a light on the necessity of strategic retreat, emphasizing humility, discernment, and grace as essential qualities of true leadership.

This lunation’s Tarot Majors include Strength (Leo), The Sun (rules Leo), The Star (Aquarius), The Fool and The World (Uranus and Saturn co-rule Aquarius), The Wheel of Fortune (Jupiter rules Leo’s 2nd decan), and The Magician (Mercury rules Aquarius’ 2nd decan). The decans for this lunation hold the Knights and 6s of Wands and Swords. Together, these auspicious cards depict a significant victory or change in fortune achieved not through force, but through inner strength, restraint, and strategic withdrawal.

The Full Moon occupies the Enthusiasm Sabian expression at Leo 14, a degree associated with recognizing the right moment to express one’s soul purpose, while the Sun illuminates the Improvement expression at Aquarius 14, “A train entering a tunnel.” This symbol suggests a necessary narrowing of focus, where a temporary period of introspection or reduced visibility allows for decisive movement through obstacles towards future progress.

The I Ching reinforces this message through the activation of the 6th lines of Hexagram 33 (Retreat) and Hexagram 19 (Approach), which hold strikingly complementary themes. Hexagram 33.6, where the Moon sits, holds the energy of a spiritual retreat, abandoning attachment to “the good life” in service of higher meaning. Hexagram 19.6, where the Sun sits, describes the return of a great-hearted, humble sage who, after seclusion, steps forward again to offer wise counsel, bringing good fortune through restraint, perspective, and moral authority.

This Full Moon advises us to strategically conserve our energy and lead with humility.