Tomorrow morning, at 6:50AM PT, the moon is emptied in the sign of the courageous lion. Though we are in a dark moon phase, the new moon in Leo is illuminated by the brilliant sun. The seeds we plant now are nurtured by our inner passions and our divine free will.
We are fueled by our sense of purpose, our values and a striving towards authenticity.
When examining this lunation, I first noticed the dynamic relationship between the Sun and Saturn. The Sun is empowered and brilliant in the sign of Leo, and Saturn is equally strong in its austere Aquarian domain. Moving into this new cycle, we are confronted with our long term commitments and goals. What we value and desire must be worked for, and we are acutely aware of our responsibilities. With these efforts, we may feel a stronger sense of self reliance or a determination to 'go it alone'.
Uranus, the planet of liberation, is making a strong square to this new moon. We can expect this planet to serve up some surprises to keep us on our toes. Sudden endings and separations may create turbulence, but will allow us to fully step into whatever new chapter is beckoning our participation.
There is an opportunity here to welcome a fresh start and more freedom in a particular area of your life.
If you have been feeling bored, stagnate or unsatisfied in an aspect of your life, this lunation is a chance to take action. A message that feels especially strong now is that many of us are craving a life that feels more aligned with our current or evolving values. We desire to commit to something more meaningful, purposeful and authentic. For some, this may actually mean commiting to working less so they can spend more time enjoying their relationships and personal lives. What are some ways you can commit to living a life with more joy on your own terms?
Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius bring a combination of faith, positivity, structure and long term planning to this cycle. The courageous changes we make now can produce more stability for the future. On this lunation, consider what kind of life you'd like to be living a decade or two from now. And though it might be tempting, we are not to feel guilty for any happiness and blessings currently in our life. The Leo new moon is a reminder to radiate our warmth and brilliance to the world!
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Cancer New Moon 2020
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Shell photo by Alice B. Gardens.
Tomorrow we welcome the second lunar cycle in Cancer in a row; a rare but not unusual occurrence. At 10:32AM PT on July 20th, the moon and sun will join in the late degrees of the sign of the crab. One month ago, we experienced the summer solstice and major solar eclipse in the very early degrees of Cancer. Eclipses tend to rock our world and bring all sorts of turbulence. As we move into this next lunar cycle, we will actively be responding to the turbulence and looking to create new ways of living in order to survive or thrive in our current environment.
I’m so relieved to leave the eclipse season and the recent Mercury/Venus retrograde cycles, though we have learned so much from these experiences. We have been through a lot; I cannot emphasize this enough! At the start of this lunar cycle, we stand in a place of sober reality. Each of us have peeled away various layers of illusions, and hopefully we have a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
The new moon is receiving a direct opposition from Saturn, who has newly returned to the sign of Capricorn. We may feel more restrictions and stricter boundaries surrounding us, but we are likely to feel prepared to work with these challenges in realistic ways. All new moons are new beginnings which welcome growth, regardless of any stark realities we are facing. With our illusions stripped away, we are empowered to move forward with strength and sensitivity.
Saturn’s opposition can also be a sign we are finally ready to let go of a particular chapter of our lives. If you have been putting a lot of energy and resources into something (or someone) you no longer feel passionate about it, you may be feeling ready to finally make a shift towards a more authentic path. Pay attention to when you feel emotionally drained or depressed.
We might not readily perceive the sign of Cancer as creative, but as a ‘cardinal’ water sign she is the ultimate creator. Cancer is the sign of the fertile mother who is a constant resource of love and care. She births new life from her divine womb and promises new beginnings. With her hard shell exterior, she protects what is vital and most vulnerable.
When I picture this lunar cycle playing out over the following weeks, I see a devout mother coming up with creative solutions in tough situations. True creativity comes from having great boundaries. Creative solutions are birthed through restriction. We all entered this crazy beautiful world through great pressure and a woman in labor.
The card I pulled for this new moon is the 10 of Pentacles, and I’m reminded of the importance of family and tradition to the sign of Cancer. This tarot card represents a supportive family or family-like unit that carries long-standing traditions and a firm structure. As we move through the next few weeks, we are promised the opportunity to create new ways to connect with family and ancestors, gain support or create stable prosperity. This would be a great time to start a new family or group tradition.
Here are a few ways to further your connection with this Cancer new moon:
Identify a part of your life that may no longer be supporting you and perhaps feels like it’s holding you back. Feeling ‘emotionally drained’ is a key sign at this time.
Identify any road-blocks in your life. How can you shift away from what is not working and prioritize other opportunities? Let your creativity blossom.
Cancer is the sign of the nurturer. Seek opportunities to nurture or heal others, as well as yourself.
If you need extra support of some kind, consider reaching out to your family or family like structures.
The most sensitive sign of the zodiac is Cancer. If you identify with this, how can you treat your sensitivity like a strength (rather than a weakness)?
Allow yourself to truly feel your emotions and process them fully. This may be a period of ‘waking up’ on an emotional level.
Begin a new ‘family’ tradition of some kind that creates joy and connection.
Happy new moon!
New Moon in Libra: A Beacon of Hope
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Artwork by: Cosmik Dust
Yesterday evening, at 8:47 PT, the moon joined the sun in the sign of the scales. We are now at the heart of Libra, and experiencing the beauty of autumn and harvest season. Libra is all about our relationships, beauty, harmony and balance. We may assume this new moon is about how we bring 'balance' into our lives, but I see a much more nuanced message here.
The moon is in difficult aspect to Pluto, making a square to this slow moving planet in Capricorn. This tells me we are experiencing the beginning of some BIG changes in our society, but these changes will take time and effort to reach fruition. It can take more than 12 years for Pluto to transit one sign, and thus we may not see the huge results for another decade. Still... our small efforts put forward now will be mirrored by the collective, and positive societal shifts are eventually possible. At this moment we are able to see with more clarity where imbalance and unfairness still exists in our communities, our governments, and the structures that have beenlong standing. With this clarity, comes some distress, but also hope that change is possible. The scales of Libra yearn for justice.
Our biggest challenge is perhaps being able to face these current challenges with continued optimism and with hope. We do have some assistance from another air sign Aquarius. The new moon is in positive aspect to Mars in Aquarius. We are motivated to put our thoughts and actions out into the world, and in an authentic and powerful way.
Libra is ruled by Venus, so we have much more to add to this story. On October 5th, Venus stationed retrograde in the sign of Scorpio. She is traveling in the shadows now, and this may feel a bit uncomfortable. This Venus transit will last till November 16th. During this time, we may be struggling with some internalized emotions. Feelings of jealousy, obsession, power struggles or betrayal may be coming up for us now. We may even have a secret that becomes all consuming.
During this Venus retrograde time, it is helpful to make this energy constructive somehow. What truths are our emotions telling us? Bottling up these feelings would be harmful, but being overly reactive would not be helpful either. Think of ways to process any difficult emotions in a constructive manner, whether through journaling, therapy or your art. This has the potential for a powerfully creative time.
Venus in Scorpio, in an empowering sense, makes me think of the High Priestess in tarot. The wise female sage of the tarot. This energy is inward but powerful. Dark and mysterious. The High Priestess exerts her feminine power only when necessary, and her words and actions are thoroughly planned. She is willing to peer into the darkness and face her fears, knowing this is the only way to positive transformation. As we approach Halloween, Venus seems to be going full witch!
In an aesthetic sense, because Venus rules beauty and design, we may find ourselves drawn to darker colors. We may find beauty in what is normally scary or unnerving. I like to think Venus in Scorpio is the perfect time to connect with our inner 'Goth'. It's time to plan an extra extravagant costume and go deep with this Scorpio mood.
Here is a mantra to welcome this new moon in Libra and for manifestation. If these words resonate with you, you are welcome to use them in your own ritual:
I welcome beauty, harmony and love into my life.
I am a loyal friend and I cherish my friendships.
I welcome exciting new opportunities and adventures.
I feel love deeply and I express my love authentically.
I can overcome any challenges with ease and wisdom.
I do not need to strive for perfection and I embrace all sides of myself.