Mercury and Moon in Leo. In the past few days, we experienced a Cazimi Jupiter at 3° (on Midsummer’s Day) and a New Moon in Cancer (which opened a new cycle related to emotional needs, intimacy, family, roots, and the past). These two days are considered among the luckiest days of the year.
Last night, Mercury has entered Leo, where it will remain until early September, followed by the Moon entering the same sign this morning. With Mercury in Leo, in its detriment, this summer could bring a strong focus on children (since they are now on holiday), as well as on fun, the joy of the present moment, or themes related to leadership, creative thinking, originality, and courageous self-expression. The conjunction with the Moon could carry a deeper need for self-expression, a desire to create or to be validated and appreciated for what we produce, but also narcissism, egocentrism, and megalomania.

The opposition with Pluto in Aquarius (also in detriment) may bring dramatic situations, confrontations, and crises on a collective level—or conflicts in which information might be used for control and manipulation. This transit may catalyze significant collective negotiations, especially in light of geopolitical tensions discussed at the Hague Summit.
The trine with Neptune and Saturn in Aries, as well as the sextile between Pluto–Neptune and Saturn, manage to soften this opposition. The first aspect can bring practical solutions, new perspectives, or pragmatic approaches to these issues. Situations may be presented in a better light than reality, which can also lead to disappointment.
We need to remember that what we experience globally is the result of the unintegrated collective shadow to which we all contribute (through fear, hatred, desire for control, and everything we reject in ourselves and project onto others). That’s why it’s important to turn our attention to the here and now, to live in the moment with the joy and enthusiasm of a child, to live from the heart while calming the mind.

CorLeonis. I don’t know how much of this was about giving free rein to the imagination or about drawing attention with a bold statement, but my inner child associated the energy of these transits with the fixed star CorLeonis (also known as Regulus).
CorLeonis—the “Heart of the Lion”—is one of astrology’s four royal stars, along with Antares (the “Eye of the Bull”), Aldebaran (the “Eye of the Scorpion”), and Fomalhaut (the “Mouth of the Whale”), and is a fixed star associated with royalty, leadership, power, and influence. Any planet conjunct Regulus (note: only tight conjunctions within 1–2° are considered!) brings fame, visibility, positions of authority, and the respect of others.

Even so, CorLeonis brings significant karmic lessons—especially those related to pride, power, and the responsibility that comes with leadership positions. If the native becomes arrogant, vengeful, or abuses their power, their fall will be extremely dramatic. Traditionally, it was located at 29°00′ Leo, but the slow precession of Earth’s axis, it has shifted its position over time. Therefore, since 2012, CorLeonis has moved to 0°00′ Virgo—the sign ruled by Mercury. If Regulus in Leo was about capturing attention, ego, dominance, honor, glory, and charisma, its shift into Virgo symbolizes a reform toward effective, humble leadership focused on doing good in the world without being in the spotlight. Power in this case comes through integrity, not spectacle.

At the election of the new Pope, when he declared he would take the name Leo XIV, I was curious to see what kind of heart does this man that I knew nothing about have. I was surprised to discover that at birth, Regulus was conjunct Pluto in Leo (though slightly over a 2° orb—suggesting themes of transformation through authentic leadership, generosity, loyalty), and since 2012, has been conjunct with his Moon in Virgo (a position indicating emotional needs around service, caring for others, showing affection through practical gestures, and being in the service of people).
In October 2013, Pope Leo returned to his Augustinian Province in Chicago, where he served as formation director at St. Augustine’s Monastery, first counsellor, and provincial vicar—positions he held until Pope Francis appointed him on November 3, 2014, Apostolic Administrator of the Peruvian Diocese of Chiclayo, elevating him to the episcopal dignity as titular Bishop of Sufar. Two months later, he was ordained bishop in Saint Mary’s Cathedral. On September 26, 2015, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Chiclayo, a position he held until 2023, when he was elevated to archbishop.

Throughout his time in Peru, he served the congregation directly with a humble and devoted pastoral style: he visited vulnerable communities even during El Niño floods (being photographed wearing muddy boots), launched major social projects such as urban greening, programs for local entrepreneurs, soup kitchens, and fundraising for oxygen-generating facilities during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Undoubtedly, even before his investiture, Pope Leo XIV personified the CorLeonis archetype in Virgo and became a symbol of servant leadership, using his power and generosity to serve the community.

Heart‑Brain Coherence. Another analogy for the energy of these transits is the heart‑brain coherence, a concept I first read about in Joe Dispenza’s book Becoming Supernatural.
The heart‑brain coherence is a physiological and psychological state where the heart rhythm, the nervous system, and the brain activity are aligned. It’s that moment when the heart and brain work in sync, bringing impressive benefits to physical, mental, and emotional health.

To give you a clearer image, I’ll tell you about the second last constellation retreat I attended in 2022. I intended to work on my self‑esteem, and the facilitator, intuitively, suggested working with parts and invited me to choose representatives for my brain, heart, and self‑esteem. No sooner had we begun that Alexandra, who represented my heart, started hopping from one foot to the other. She was cheerful, talkative—absolutely wild! I smile at the thought: “my heart is wiiiild.”
Delia, my brain, much more measured, responded strategically to all the heart’s rapid-fire questions. Finally, in impatience, my proud heart looked at me and asked: “Seriously? Is this the brain? But I’m smarter than it!” (Neither of them had read Dispenza, but I had learned that the heart is indeed smarter, having its own “brain” with about 40,000 sensory and motor neurons capable of feeling, memorizing, and sending signals to the real brain.)

A strong quarrel erupted, and for both me and the bystanders watching the scene, it felt like a theater play. I laughed until I noticed that my self‑esteem, which had been ignored until then, was crying with sobs.
The wild heart and strategic brain began negotiations, and in the end, an armistice was reached.
When my heart and brain worked together, self‑esteem smiled—and grew, and grew before my eyes.
When my heart and brain were no longer in competition, they both contributed to self‑esteem.
When my heart and brain were coherent, the tragicomedy calmed with much peace and gratitude.

We need the same thing on a collective level: when our hearts and minds cease fire and end the war of “mirror‑mirror, who’s the fairest/smartest of them all?” that fueled conflict for so many years, their skills and coherence will unleash creativity and gratitude.