New Moon in Leo – July 28, 2022, 17:55 UT
The New Moon in Leo is in conjunction with asteroid Ceres and trans-Neptunian Varuna. Mercury is in Leo too, squaring the lunar nodes and Uranus in Taurus at the North node. In Pisces a trans-Neptunian object Teharonhiawako is in aspect with the New Moon (sesquisquare), Mercury (quincunx), and Uranus (sextile).
Ceres is the first asteroid discovered (in 1801). It is the biggest asteroid and the only dwarf planet orbiting in the Main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Ceres is named after the Roman goddess of agriculture and grain crops.
Varuna is a large trans-Neptunian object, the largest classical Kuiper belt object known at the time of its discovery (in 2000) and the first object named beyond Pluto (in 2001). Varuna is named after an old Vedic deity, who rides the sea monster Makara and catches liars and those who do not honor contracts with his noose. He is the guardian of moral law.
Mercury rules formal agreements, contracts and treaties. Mercury square Uranus can indicate disruptions and difficulties in compromising or reaching agreements.
Teharonhiawako is actually a binary trans-Neptunian object, named from Iroquois creation myth after two twins who personify good and evil. The primary is named after Teharonhiawako, the maize god. Maize was considered as a special gift from the creator to mankind. The secondary is called Sawiskera after the cruel and destructive twin, who eventually was conquered by his good brother. The myth is a story about the morals of people.
The Ukrainian grain has been the topic of the past week. Ukraine is normally one of the major grain exporters of the world. Now more than 20 million tons of wheat and maize are trapped in the country because of the war. The grain is desperately needed to tackle a global food crisis that has worsened since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Last Friday after difficult negotiations a United Nations-brokered deal was signed to ensure the safe movement of Ukrainian grain to global markets. Russia agreed not to target ports while grain shipments are in transit. The ink had not even dried on the agreement, when Russia the next day attacked the port of Odesa. Putin cannot be trusted; he does not honor international law or any contracts. However, Ukraine aims to start the grain exports soon.
Eventually Putin will have to meet with Varuna.