am I correct that if a new moon occurs closer to the particular degree˚ of your natal chart, that the effects will be greater?

Yes. This is true. So ... your 29° Natal Leo Moon is way out of range to be affected by this one. But if you have any other Natal placements near 8° - 9° of ANY sign, those could figure into the New Moon in Leo's effects for this cycle. I have Neptune at 9° Libra ... and Pluto at 11° Leo that are part of a fairly strange pattern in my chart called a Yod. So I'm watching this one closely myself to see what comes of it. I have some suspicions, but Yods can surprise you. Anything happening for you in that 9° range?

I (kind of) assume your second question pertains to your on-the-cusp Leo moon ... and is it always emphatically Leo despite being so close to the line?

The real-world practical answer to that is kind of yes-and-no. Yes ... in that if your Moon is at 29° of the sign, that will make Leo traits the primary coloring -- the main traits you will feel and show -- in your emotional world -- and all other "Moon-related" interests.

(Also, your 29° Moon is by itself significant. 29° in any sign is what Astrology calls an "anaretic" degree -- which has many Karmic implications and makes it extra sensitive. I always watch 29° placements with extra interest.)

However, for the purposes of your question, I assume you're wondering if there is likely a lot of cross-over from Virgo into your Leo Moon's expression ... and the answer to that is definitely yes. Here, the issue of "one sign or the other" is very much on a continuum rather than distinctly one or the other.

Your on-the-cusp Leo Moon will prompt you to show a lot of interest in precision, hair-splitting, nit-picking (!!!), and understanding the fine points and little details of a topic. (This question alone could be a good example of that.) You'll also be more analytical, more discerning in your judgment of quality, more interested in the practical applications of knowledge than someone with a Leo Moon placed squarely inside the sign.

Rather than the full-on drama a Leo Moon can display when his emotions get triggered, you may question and study why you feel the way you feel more than most. This makes it a more introspective process for you than for others. (You may also fuss at and criticize yourself more because of it. You may feel you need to justify your feelings instead of just living in them like the true Inner Kid Leo usually does.)

You'll also want to make your emotional response useful, helpful, *good for something," -- want it to do something practical in the real world -- (Virgo attitudes) -- rather than just attract a lot of attention -- which are the Leo concerns!

You may also feel an emotional investment in your daily routines -- and need to be proud of the work you do -- because of the help this work provides others (Virgo again.) A Leo Moon just wants a lot of pats on the back for being so wonderful, so entertaining, such a fabulous generous person, etc. And while those interests aren't exactly absent in your character, they are more subdued ... and muted by the "need to be helpful" -- as I mentioned.

A 29° Leo Moon is looking to makes his talents into something that will make life easier for himself and others. Yes, you'll still want a lot of credit for that -- but it's not all just about ego.

Does this answer your question(s)? Or have I missed the mark completely?