Monthly Astro Forecast; New Moon in Cancer
The new moon on July 20th falls in the final degrees of Cancer, echoing the solar eclipse at 0° Cancer just after the Solstice. So we have a second chance, another seed point for stronger emotional bonds and the inner and outer nourishment of all that we care about. All through this eclipse season (now finished until the end of this year) the dynamic of material and emotional security has been in focus and hopefully, by now we are learning the lessons, making changes which honour our needs for both inner and outer stability. The new moon is opposite Saturn in Capricorn, bringing not just restrictions or an awareness of what holds us back but also the opportunity to gain mastery of our inner selves as well as our outer lives. We are able to understand our needs consciously, instead of allowing them to be driven by deeply rooted unconscious emotional patterns which belong to our past selves. These primal needs underpin our thoughts and actions more than we realise and global events of the last few months have thrown both material and emotional security into sharp relief for many of us, shifting our understanding of what we need not just to survive but to thrive.
The new moon in Cancer may bring feelings of vulnerability and a deeper awareness of our feelings in general than we usually admit. we are all on an emotional rollercoaster during these strange times and whilst it's one thing to talk or write about our feelings, sitting with them and actually feeling them may not be so easy. But it also brings a kind of inner strength as we realise that our moods and emotions are like the weather, ever changing. We might be in the habit of ignoring the challenging feelings or wallowing in them and allowing them to define us so that all we see is what we lack rather than what we have. But Cancer is the sign of the sea, ruled by the Moon, reminding us that we too are tidal and that the ebb and flow of joy and sadness are equally important and equally valid for our well being. All of our lives flow between abundance and absence, flow and retreat.
The planetary energies are a little less intense for this lunation than they've been for a while, which is surely a relief to all of us! The Sun moves into Leo on July 22nd, followed by Mercury on August 5th. Leo energy is all about shining, about following our passions and living whole-heartedly. This is a fire sign, the Sun at the centre of the solar system, reminding us not just to express our truest self and our own creativity but also to encourage others to do the same. Leo season is all about fun, spontaneity and honouring our inner child. Even in difficult times, even if we are still in seclusion, we can make time for the things we enjoy. Maybe seeking joy is more important than ever as we move through this time of uncertainty.
Jupiter and Neptune form a sextile on July 27th, a transit which was linked with the spread of the Covid-19 virus and of course we are all concerned about a second wave. This transit reminds us of the importance of boundaries and of the ease with which the virus spreads. On an inner or more personal level, it allows us to make space for expansion and a deeper connection with spirit, as well as the importance of focusing on what is most meaningful to us. The only other outer planet active during this lunation is Uranus, which slows to station retrograde on August 15th. A journey of awakening may be taken inwards, allowing us to break down old emotional patterns and habits which hold us back. Once again, it comes back to each of us doing the work, our inner work and also our work out in the world, to create genuine and authentic change.