O Stars Above: Cancer New Moon

Cosmic change fills the air

The first new moon of summer in Cancer ( July 12 at 7:47 am PDT) carries the reset energy of an eclipse and leads a parade with two eclipses following over the next month. The moon's shadow barely infringes upon the sun's circle, but it introduces a new eclipse series in Cancer and Capricorn which echoes like a deeply resonant gong rippling out into the waves of change.

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Saturn, Pluto, Neptune, and Mars along with Chiron invite us to slow down and look inward at many aspects of our psyches. Mercury and Uranus join this jolly backward troupe shortly. Seven of the eleven planets on parade are not moving forward through this reset. Why? Because we have inner work to do which takes a slower, quieter pace.

For the next ten days, there are extremely helpful patterns in these line-ups which dissipate by the full moon on July 27. One is in earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) suggesting that staying in our bodies, breathing deeply and focusing on tasks at hand help us find solutions. Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) join hands to ease us through this period when we monitor our feelings, allow others theirs and use compassion. The fixed signs (Taurus/Scorpio and Leo/Aquarius) help us stabilize, too. Some issues may work themselves out almost magically, but not mindlessly.

On average, three planets are retrograde at any one time. We are well beyond averages here. Between the retrogrades and three eclipses, clarity and certainty are on vacation. It's a major time out for reconsidering almost every aspect of our lives. Breath, ground, find the flowing river of emotions. If possible, avoid white-water emotions!

Mars represents passionate, personal action and is looking inward to see what actions our inner world longs to activate. Saturn shows us how we can use limitations, boundaries and self-discipline to navigate through life. Are we giving ourselves permission to be the authority or expert in our lives?

Pluto handles issues of power and where we hide-out or take a stand – or take a misguided stand out of our woundedness. Neptune works in the arena of imagination and creativity which can inspire future paths. He can also glamorize our world through addictions, pretending and not dealing with reality, too, so be aware of that slippery slope. Chiron helps us see whether we are using our woundedness for strength or as an excuse for wild and crazy behavior. Uranus can shock us back on to our true path, or show us the ways our personal genius is working out the snarls of life.

On July 25, Mercury, who is blamed for everything that goes wrong during its three, three-week periods a year, joins the retrograde party. Well-used, Mercury can assist us in catching up with details, communications and perceptions and getting current with ourselves as recent experiences translate into new thoughts and shifts in our course

Change is not easy. Breaking our hypnotic gaze at the outer world – or on our screens and devices – is not easy. Turning inside ourselves so we can engage in the world from a more authentic place is not easy. It takes quiet time. S-l-o-w-e-d down time. Mindfulness.

Constant reaction to the outer world without the connection to our inner world can leave us feeling like we are living a meaningless life. These energies are not the sky's way of doing-it-to-us! The purpose is help us become who we are meant to be and stay the course with our soul purpose. The world needs who we are and what we bring but we've got to own up to those deep longings – and become more skillful at advocating for those dreams so they can express through us and into the world.

With this much cosmic commotion, the best approach is to kick-back and let the process have its way with us. Take time to smell the roses and make up animals in the cloud shapes that float by in the blue sky. Focus on day-to-day tasks and leave beginnings and resolutions for later. If you've lost the flow, quit. Take a break.

Remember everyone operates under these skies and no one is getting ahead. If it appears that way, the work won't hold and will need a redo when more inner information comes to light. Maintaining full speed ahead is fraught with frustration. Give up on FOMO!

The eclipse itself in Cancer resonates with family, ancestors, clans and homes. A line-up opposite Pluto could reveal family secrets and hidden power structures. Cancer, as the first water sign, takes us into personal emotions, traditions and heritage – the very story lines we expect to stay stable and not change. Any secrets or unexpected awareness about our families can disrupt long-held perceptions and bring up tender or fearful emotions. The full moon eclipse on July 27th is fraught with intense emotions. Be kind to yourself and others through this period.

The retrogrades may bring a sense of being out of control which could bring up our issues since control is a way to keep issues, well, under control. (Duh!) Again, there's that emotional component. If you aren't deep in your emotions now, your friends or family member may be. And with six weeks to navigate before these retrogrades and eclipses end, our turn for being frustrated, scared and out of control could be just around the corner.

Horoscopes July 12 – 27

Cancer, families are the cauldron of all that we are. Children being separated from their families at the borders is a confrontation between society and families - the basic unit of society. What we get right as a society around family issues determines the society we live in. This is the work of the new eclipse cycle coming in. You can be a leader if you've done your inner work. Work it now!

Leo, Greek tragedies are the stories of families and form the basis of art, literature, poetry, dance, music, i.e. the symbolic tools of the inner world. Feel your inner family. Speak from your heart. Speak of the dreams of the collective. You are flooded with primal material that can become powerful work. Keep a dream journal of day and night snippets. Take good notes when the oracle speaks.

Virgo, feed the hungry, heal the sick. Take such care of each other hunger and illness doesn't occur. Join groups that tend to needy children, elderly, poor or animals. Remember why you do this work but, care for yourself in the process. It's so simple we forget: Do small things with great love. Remind us that love means taking care of each other in simple everyday ways.

Libra, diplomacy, negotiations, skilled communications, and societal abstractions are trying to land into the real world. There is a grounding of the emotional component you feel lurking around your peripheral vision. Your work must include the heart flow. The closer you can stay to grounded action, the more fulfilled your work will be. You know human rights are not an abstraction.

Scorpio, the flow of good fortune is upon you. Feel free to share it by preaching about goodness and expansion big enough to care for all. You are hooked up the water flow and the grounded earth energies. You are in the stabilizing pattern. Speak up and out. This is not the time to go into old patterns of hiding out in abstract thoughts and lofty arguments. You are ready for the shift!

Sagittarius, welcome a moment of emotional reflection about how you do and don't do emotions. You, too, have childhood wounds. Sometimes not talking about them inflicts them on your near and dear. You are a bit out of the energies of this eclipse so be the sacred witness and watch how you do “emotions.” Do you preach a harsh sermon from a wounded place? Revelation time.

Capricorn, focus on tasks and beliefs that have heart, are spontaneously fun and ground your energy. Flow with the love you have for your near and dear, as you join in larger groups and around your neighborhood. Consider power between you and your spouse and best friends. Do you always lead? Maybe mentor others (gently) and share the power.

Aquarius, you, home, significant others and work are so stable it may feel like a log jam. Old ways of unjamming the situation, like you leaving, just 'cuz you got to go, no longer work – even if you escape. The question is how do you be you and be in a group. Your work colleagues may be trying to teach you that. Be the pup in the group and let them.

Pisces, you've got flow handled. Now go for fun with your family. Watch the power-works and see if you react by ducking or being arrogant. Not your norm, but arrogance is a fear reaction. Just saying. If you have a vision, remember the symbols and message are personal to you and invite you to step further into the world.

Aries, time at home with family may lead to new sources of fun and entertainment. Some groups you've been working with are outdated. You need a livelier, more playful network. Home and work are the balance points around power. Be an angel at work AND home! Early Aries are stressing over limits and authority. Do you need to set some for yourself? Or lighten up on others?

Taurus, you old, wild and crazy one. Just joking! Although you do struggle with breaking out of your rut right now. More fun, more home, more heart talk with siblings, neighbors, your barrista. Pretend you are walking Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. Mix, mingle and show care and concern for all you touch throughout the day. It won't cost you a thing. Seek out simple pleasure.

Gemini, sometimes it is hard to see, but families are one of our primary assets. They help us and/or they teach us to be self-reliant. In deep ways, we share their values and emotional tone that are hard for a logical creature like yourself to grasp! Take a personal risk and share tea with a family member. Display your drama, power and fun. Feel the flow. Whee!