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CANCER NEW MOON - 20 July 2020

7/18/2020

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Picture
Exact at 6.32pm BST, 1.32pm EDT
 
This is a once in a Blue Moon, as it is the second New Moon in Cancer within a month. Usually we only have one New Moon in an given sign per year, but it seems that we are being asked to spend a bit more time with the energy of Cancer this year! The last Cancer New Moon, on the Solstice, started an energetic ball rolling that came to a head with the Capricorn Full Moon on the 5th. At that time Mercury was Retrograde, causing us to look back and reflect, not to mention that misunderstandings were rife! Now Mercury is going direct again, and this Moon will also set a ball in motion as something new comes into being and anything that needs to pass away is left behind in the dark of the Moon. Cancer is all about home, childhood, family, ancestry, the past, nationhood, tribes, nurturing and motherhood. This is the sign that helps us to find our roots and a sense of belonging, whatever that means to us. This is the part of us that struggles with insecurity and neediness and must ultimately realise that happiness is an inside job. It is not the job of anyone or anything to make us feel secure and meet all of our emotional needs. Ultimately that is up to us.
 
Some questions to ask during a Cancer New Moon might be: Where is home? Is it an external place or a feeling inside of us? Where and how do we find a true sense of belonging? What emotions might the current situation bring up that need to be honoured and expressed? What causes us to feel insecure or vulnerable? What might be pulling us back into the past and preventing us from fully moving forward? Indeed, do we tend to live too much in the past? Who and what are we too dependent on to make us feel emotionally secure? Are we in touch with our true emotions and do we express them in a childish or mature manner? Are we connected to the land we live on? Are we able to parent ourselves and take responsibility for our own emotional reactions to other people’s actions? Who is our tribe, our soul family? Are we nurturing those relationships adequately? What messages might our emotions hold? When it comes to the truth of the matter, how do we really feel?
 
There is still a bit of a Capricorn party at the moment, which is very much a part of this New Moon, as the planets are opposite the Sun and Moon. In fact, Saturn is directly opposite and is a very strong influence, as not only is it the ruler of Capricorn but is also in it own sign of Capricorn right now! This could make us very aware of how we suppress our emotions and protect ourselves by putting walls up. Indeed, we could feel a bit cut off from others during this Moon, as we may have to contend with feelings of loneliness, grief, and sorrow. We could feel a bit weighed down, fearful or burdened and might tend to withdraw from one another somewhat. Saturn is quite a heavy, karmic energy that forces us to see things as they really are rather than how we would like them to be, and sometimes this can be a bit depressing. It can make it a bit hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Saturn energy can make us feel restricted, limited, controlled and constricted by those in authority.We may have to face up to the repercussions of past actions, as we reap what we sow. Saturn asks us to make concrete decisions, take responsibility for ourselves and make a deeper commitment, forcing us to be truly accountable and come from a place of integrity.
 
Jupiter and Pluto are also opposing the Sun and Moon, although not as tightly as Saturn, so their energy will be felt around the time of this Moon. Indeed, this conjunction is one of the most prominent themes of 2020, as it spans most of the year. It brings up huge issues around people’s beliefs, as people attempt to convince or convert others to their version of the truth, even though it is hard to really know what the truth is. Any opposing opinions are bringing up very strong emotions in some people, and there is so much judgement and fear based beliefs around that it is frightening. Fear can make people very reactive and rigid, and tends to contract the heart. It is so very important to do all we can to keep our hearts open and not to operate from a place of fear, as it is so destructive! Capricorn is the sign of control and authority, and when Pluto comes into contact with Jupiter there is the potential for propaganda and mind control by those in power who might have an ulterior motive and hidden agenda. When Pluto and Jupiter join forces the truth can be occluded, hidden, obscured.  
 
There is also the capacity for some very thorough research, digging deep in the search for the truth. The gift of this combination is the capacity to smell a rat, to learn to really trust our sixth sense and our intuition. All is not as it seems, and Jupiter and Pluto can help us to see beneath the surface and find what is hidden there, even if it is not pretty. This is a year for purging some “programmed” or conditioned beliefs, which can be quite a painful yet profoundly transforming process. It is as if we are in a birth canal at the moment, which is quite a dark place to be! With the Sagittarius South Node also forming a “crisis” aspect to the Sun and Moon, there is definitely a sense of us needing to examine some of our more rigid or ingrained beliefs and convictions and to be open to a other peoples point of view and a new way of seeing things.  
 
Saturn and Pluto are also moving back towards each other, as Saturn is retrograde in Capricorn, having recently left Aquarius for a little while. The conjunction between these two powerful planets back in January was the catalyst for the destruction of systems and structures, both personal and societal. There is a sense that systems that are deeply flawed or no longer have integrity are being broken beyond repair. We have been forced to dive deep into our own shadows and also to recognise the deeper, darker aspects of the power structures that govern us. Fear based control has been rife this year, and it will be interesting to see what happens as the planet of karma, control, authority and structure comes back to meet the planet of power, death/rebirth, the underworld and transformation. They will not form an exact conjunction, as they did on 12 January, but will come closest to each other on 29 September, and the energy will be building up until then.
 
During this New Moon we have an exact “square off” between Chiron in Aries and Mercury in Cancer. This could cause us to come to some understanding  and have realisations that are quite painful but also profoundly healing. We may be forced to be very honest with ourselves and  to realise where the source of our current pain lies, which could have its roots in childhood and even past lives. Indeed, there is a huge amount to be learned from history, as we tend to keep making the same mistakes over and over again as patterns repeat. Someone may say something to us that hurts us or triggers our old wounds and causes us to react or become defensive. Indeed, we may do the same to someone else. There is much healing possible here, but it may involve having to have a difficult conversation or come to a painful realisation. Mercury is in Cancer, so the focus may be our home, family, our country, roots, childhood or sense of belonging. This all ties in with the nature of this New Moon, which is intensely personal.  
 
The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon, the energy of which will play out over the coming month, is in 29° Cancer: “A Greek Muse weighing new-born twins in golden scales”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The intuitive weighing of alternatives…..at this stage in the process of individualisation two ways are open. The individual person may hesitate before making his decision. His “intuition” (the Muse) is able to show him what the choice is. Perhaps there can be a way of combining the two alternatives. But, as the next symbol implies, the one which in the end has the greatest appeal may not be the “nature” way. This symbol reveals to us the pro and con operation of the mind when faced with a vital decision. Because it is the “Muse” that is doing the weighing, it is apparent that forces deeper or higher than the intellect are actually at work - the intuitive mind, or what Jung calls the “anima,” i.e. the psychic function which relates ego-consciousness to the collective Unconscious. What we see happening, at the very threshold of a new cycle, is an INNER PRESENTATION OF ALTERNATIVES”.
 
There is a sense that we may be faced with some kind a decision or choice in the coming month. This symbol also alludes to the extreme polarisation that we are currently experiencing in society, with so many different “camps”. How do we find balance between all of the “opposites”? Do we actually have to take a side and “choose”? How can we find a balance between our head and heart? We are encouraged to listen to our inner guidance to show us the way, which is reinforced by a harmonious sextile aspect between Jupiter and Neptune, bringing the gift of faith and intuition. As Rudyar says, maybe we can combine the two alternatives somehow. The scales could also mean weighing up alternative points of view.
 
The Sabian symbol for Saturn is also interesting, at 29° Capricorn, and could help somehow: “A woman reading tea leaves”, which Rudyar describes as “The ability to see the signature of hidden meaning in every occurrence drawing one’s attention. Man has always sought to interpret the meaning of events or situations which baffle him in terms of specific omens or “Signatures.” What is implied is the ability not only to perceive the facts of everyday existence, but to see through these facts and discover how they are related to the realm of basic meanings or archetypal processes. This is essentially what is meant by true CLAIRVOYANCE, the capacity to see in everything the Signature of deeper realities.” This symbol asks us that we have the potential for receiving messages if we are open to seeing the signs. It is important to use both our left and right brain, and trust in our intuitive knowing and any clues and symbolism that can help us to know which way to turn. The signs are all around us if we can only open our eyes to see.
 
 
The Sun is  about to take us into creative, self-expressive, playful Leo season, but for some reason we are being asked to stay with the theme of Cancer for a little while longer, hence a second New Moon in this sensitive, emotional sign. Saturn’s involvement may force us to take responsibility and make a decision or deeper commitment to something. It certainly seems that we may be asked to weigh up some alternatives, which is where Cancer can help, as it encourages us to recognise what emotions come up when we talk about whatever we are facing. Our emotions hold the key. Our body is wiser than our mind, which can easily play tricks on us, and our emotions can reveal the truth of the matter, because they don’t lie.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo    
 
Painting: Reading Tea Leaves by Harry Herman Roseland
 

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CAPRICORN FULL MOON / LUNAR ECLIPSE - 5 July 2020

7/3/2020

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Picture
Exact at 5.44am BST, 12.44am EST
 
This could be a very interesting 4th of July! This is the third and final Eclipse of the season, culminating in quite a Full Moon! We are undergoing a consciousness shift, the beginning of a new chapter, and whatever happens around this time will have implications for the next 6 months, until the next set of Eclipses in late November, early December. The Moon is full in Capricorn as well as Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, also having slipped back into Capricorn. Indeed, we have the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto and Pallas Athena all currently residing in the sign of government, authority, control, structure, achievement, discipline, parental and societal conditioning.The Moon lies directly opposite the Sun in Cancer, the sign of family, home, our roots, our nationhood and homeland, childhood, emotional security and patterns formed when we were young that follow us into our adult relationships. We are asked to find some balance between the energy of Cancer and Capricorn, rather than veering too far one way or the other. How can we find a greater sense of balance between our inner and outer lives?
 
The Full Moon could bring anything up that has been building up since the New Moon on 21 June, and in the case of Capricorn it could be repressed or suppressed grief. Capricorn is the part of us that tends to stuff our emotions down, trying to maintain a veneer of control, and this Moon could bring it all up to the surface for us to face and express. It may feel like a pipe bursting that has been blocked! Cancer energy helps us to show our more vulnerable side but can also make us a bit needy and insecure, whereas Capricorn encourages us to pull our socks up and get on with it, sometimes to our detriment. The Moon could bring up issues around conforming to the “rules” and around the theme of judgement. A Capricorn Moon could heighten any feelings of guilt we may have, possibly as a result of feeling judged by others. However sometimes we are our most severe judge! We could even experience feelings of futility, fear and even depression, as it could feel hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This is the sign that forces us to see things as they really are, but can also be prone to fearful or cautious thinking.
 
There is definitely a lot of focus on all things Capricorn right now, but we do have the Sun and Mercury Retrograde in Cancer. Mercury went retrograde in Cancer on 19 June until 12 July. This puts considerable mental focus on all things Cancer, such as home, family, roots, how we express our emotions, where home is, who our tribe is, where we belong. Mercury retrograde can bring people back into our lives who we have unresolved business with, or memories flooding back from long ago that may be of importance to us now. Cancer is known for being quite nostalgic, with a tendency to dwell on the past, while Retro Mercury can make us very retrospective and reflective. Retro Mercury asks us to look back and to go back over anything we might have missed in the preceding few weeks before 19 June, as it might have something to teach us. It is important to remember, while Mercury is retrograde, that miscommunication and misunderstandings are possible, especially in such an emotionally reactive sign as Cancer.Our minds could literally become overwhelmed with emotion at times, so that it is hard to think straight. Certainly there is a big focus on home, family and belonging during this time, and a need to go back over old ground somehow, clearing the way to move forward.
 
Chiron the Wounded Healer is very much involved in this Full Moon, as it is forming a challenging square to the Sun, Moon and Mercury, not to mention that we are moving towards a conjunction between Mars and Chiron that will be exact on 14 July. Chiron is in Aries at the moment, and was a big player at the beginning of this global process we are experiencing, as if it represents the “virus” itself but, more symbolically, a war. Chiron is often present during events that are of great historical importance, and is currently residing in Aries, the god of war. It feels like the next week or two could be important, as Mars, the ruler of Aries, joins Chiron in Aries. Will we be called to find our sacred masculine and stand up and act somehow? Will we experience the next phase of the war on humanity? Will people lash out in anger? Will force somehow be used either for or against us? Will the “virus”and all connected to it gain more momentum and force? Will we see an upsurge in violence, aggression or war-like activity? Will more people come to loggerheads over the situation we are in? Will we somehow be given an opportunity to heal wounds connected to sexuality, aggression, violence and the masculine? It will be interesting to see what happens between the Full Moon and the next Moon on 20 July, as this is a powerful combination.
 
This Moon involves Chiron squaring off against Mercury and the Sun, exact on 1 July but still very present during the Full Moon. Chiron will also be square the Moon in the day of the Full Moon, which could trigger some deep emotions and old grief. This could involve us receiving messages that are painful to hear and that could potentially bring up anger. We may find ourselves being triggered by the words and actions of others, so that we overreact and say things we don’t mean. Information could come to light on a global level that overwhelms us emotionally and makes us angry. Mars in Aries is also square Mercury during this Moon, exact Wednesday 8 July, causing people to speak in anger and blurt out things they might regret, but also helping us to get things out into the open and speak our truth. Whatever happens on 4 July, in the build-up to this Full Moon, could bring some painful realisations and potentially challenging and volatile communication. It will be interesting to see what happens in the world arena this weekend. There could be a lot of action and reaction from various camps!
 
Uranus is also forming a harmonious aspect to the Sun, Moon and Mercury, which brings the potential for some kind of wake-up call that could bring new information to light and helps us to shift somehow. Uranus and Mercury helps us to see outside of the box and can bring profound realisations, insights and epiphanies and help us to see an alternative point of view. Uranus is the harbinger of change, helping to release us from our “programming” and old conditioning so that we are free to think for ourselves and see beyond the consensus narrative. We may find that our minds are blown somehow and the information could come to light that is very liberating and enlightening indeed. We might be asked to be quite flexible and open-minded, as Uranus encourages us to step back and view things from a different perspective.
 
Uranus is currently in Taurus, which is important to note, as it will have an influence on this Moon. Taurus is the sign of finance, Mother Earth and our sense of security on a physical and material level. Uranus is the sign of change, revolution and innovation and can definitely upset the apple cart when it comes to survival issues! Uranus in Taurus can bring a revolution of our financial system, forcing us to think outside the box when it comes to the way we make a living and to change our way of thinking around the financial system itself. Is there a way forward that is more fair, just and equal, that takes the focus away from “possession” and what is “mine” and “yours”? How might we move forward with a lighter footprint, harnessing natural resources such as wind and sun rather than raping and pillaging the earth herself? How can we turn this situation around and create a world that is healthier and more abundant for all who live on the planet? There is plenty to go around - we just have to change our approach, our mindset and our conditioning in this area of ecology, survival and economy. This Moon could bring up some of these issues to contemplate, as it certainly seems that things cannot go on as they have done. The system as we know it is collapsing. What will take its place?
 
The conjunction between Jupiter, Pluto and Pallas Athena in Capricorn is still very prevalent during this Moon and will be for the next month or so. It coincided with the peak of the fear and pandemonium back in early April and it seems that there is a resurgence now as well. Jupiter in Capricorn certainly can magnify and exaggerate the Plutonian fear around death and our mortality! It is very important for us to be mindful of the way we express our beliefs, as this combination can cause people to want to convince and convert others to their point of view and to be quite intolerant of opposing beliefs. We are all entitled to our point of view and should still be able to remain friends despite a difference of opinion. There are many strong beliefs being espoused right now, with so many people on their soap box being very judgemental indeed, so it is very important to be mindful, tolerant and aware of when we are being judgemental. It is also important to listen to our body’s wisdom. We all have the gift of intuition and a “sixth sense” and never has it been more important to use and learn to trust it. Our bodies know the truth.
 
Something else that Jupiter and Pluto in Capricorn can bring is a messianic complex on the part of those who have too much power and authority for their own good. This can be governments, corporations or even individuals who believe somehow that they are the “saviour” of mankind and have the capacity or tools to solve or “fix” the problems we are facing. While one can certainly help to solve the problems we face, it is very dangerous and deluded to think that one has the power to “save” the whole world. The higher potential of Jupiter and Pluto is for us to experience a profound transformation of our belief system, as we purge any old, outworn, toxic beliefs about ourselves and the world we live in. It is very important to keep an open mind during this time and also to do some detective work and research , digging deep under the surface for the truth. Just because we are told something is true, it doesn’t mean that it is! Indeed, it is so very hard to know where the truth lies right now, which is why it is so important to trust our inner wisdom.
 
The Sabian Symbol for the Moon, at 14° Capricorn, is” An ancient bas-relief carved in granite remains a witness to a long-forgotten culture”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The will to unearth, in our culture as well as in any culture, what has permanent value, and to let go of nonessentials.
At a time when in nearly every land men are questioning and challenging the validity of traditional beliefs and customary attitudes, it becomes necessary to separate permanent values and great principles or symbols from the many individual habits and the socio-political developments which more often than not have perverted or even negated the original ideals of the culture. We must strive to free these ideals from the wild growth of personal and class selfishness, from the greed and ambition so prevalent in human nature, and learn to appreciate the excellence of what is the immortal seed-foundations, as well as the spiritual harvest, of any culture – and by extension of every sustained and complete work produced by a man’s indomitable effort to achieve creative perfection.
In this symbol we are shown the procedure which enables us to gain a deep and thorough appreciation of sociocultural processes in their most enduring forms. What is needed is a penetrating and courageous insight founded upon a valid HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE. This applies to the past of an individual’s life as well as to the history of a nation or a group.”
 
This is an interesting symbol in the light of current events, and also considering the planetary energy of this Moon! It is so important to learn from history. We have an opportunity to remember what is truly important and to let go of anything that is flawed, or outworn, or corrupt or “perverted”, as Rudyar says. This feels like an historical moment that has the potential to shape the future of mankind and this planet. The next couple of weeks feel important, as does the next 6 months, until the next set of Eclipses. In the meantime, we can try to harness a few of Capricorn’s highest qualities, the first being maturity. How can we act in a way in which we take responsibility for our actions and reactions and harness our inner adult? How might we need to become more accountable? How can we make sure that we are the biggest person we can be? How can we honour other instead of judging them? One of Capricorn’s greatest gifts is integrity, which involves always doing the right thing even if it involves doing things the hard way. It is so very important to always do what we feel is right, regardless of how it might affect us. Never has this been more important than now.  
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Ancient Carved Bas Relief - Unknown
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Comment

    Amy Bird

    I love writing about the Moon and the effect it has on us all, both collectively and personally. We all look at the same Moon and feel her energy, albeit in different ways. It reminds us that we are not alone and there is something very comforting about that!

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