Cancer New Moon

July 14, 2007

8:04 am EDT

7:04 am CDT

6:04 am MDT

5:04 am PDT

Cancer (21 Degrees 41 Minutes)

Sabian Symbol:  A woman awaiting a sailboat.

From: http://www.amazon.com/Sabian-Symbols-Astrology-Symbol-Explained/dp/094335840X

What is a New Moon?

A new moon is when the moon is between the sun and the earth and the illuminated part of the moon is very small.   Technically, when you look up in the sky you only see a small, skinny section of moon.       

And the not so technical point of view?

Well, similar to farmers and indigenous people, who have used the different phases of the moon for eons, Astrologers also utilize the different phases of the moon.  Certainly on the New we plant seeds.  But the other seven phases are equally important.

Where should my focus be during this next 28-day cycle?

When we draft a chart for the new moon we can get a sense of the energy that will be up for processing for the next 28 days. 

Okay, what is this cycle?

The Cancer lunar cycle puts the emphasis on family; home life, emotions, mom and god help us, food.   In addition to those garden-variety Cancerian preoccupations, this cycle will also have some shifts in our love life, things we value and ouch---our money.  We also will get our philosophy and opinions in check. And although it could feel like a quiet month, there is a crazy element throughout the next 28 days which is full of surprises-- and there is a bit a bit of a drag from Neptune—who may burst a few of our bubbles.  Darn it.

Cancer:  To ebb? Or To Flow?

Emotionally there is no sign more fluid or more tidal than watery Cancer.   Even Pisces and Scorpio who are water signs and susceptible to strong feelings aren’t as fluid as Cancer.  Scorpio is a fixed sign and knows how to plow ahead,  (perhaps in a stealth manner) through its feelings to get what it desires.  Pisces being a mutable sign uses its mental abilities (perhaps fantasize) to get through its feelings and get what it wants.  But Cancer, being a Cardinal sign knows that its very emotions and feelings are what give it energy.   Where Scorpio and Pisces know that their super sensitive feelings can be helpful for the other areas of their life, Cancer just knows it IS super sensitive and if the moods go up or go down there is no sense getting in the way of it, rather it is better to just let it flow.    

If you have any Cancer in your chart (cough, cough—moon —cough, cough) or Cancer friends or family you know how they can be--- high tide one moment, low tide the next moment.   And just when you think you’ve got them figured out, the tide changes again.  But here is the deal—Tides are good. Tides bring things in and they take things out.   Cultures who rely on fish for their main meal can tell you the value of a good tide.  Also, without getting too graphic, taking things out is helpful in terms of …waste.  ‘nuff said on that.  Tides are important.

Where it gets tricky is when one tries to shift the tides.  You can’t tell a waning tide to be a waxing tide.   It ain’t going to work.   The key is to go with the flow and adapt.   If one looks to the Netherlands, one can figure out how to make this lunar cycle work.  Once the Dutch started to build dams, dykes and windmills they were able to harness the abundantly rich, fertile soil, which was under those changeable tides. This is the beauty of Cancer.  Underneath all the emotions and tides is fertility.  Often great fertility.    But we have to harness and work with the flow just like the Dutch.

During this lunar cycle ideas and feelings will come and seem absolutely perfect. Then a couple days later those same ideas will seem silly, then a couple days after that the replacement idea will show up and be perfect.   What is important is to remain non judgmental of your changeable outlook.  Just have your feelings.  Note them, ponder them, work with them.  Build a dam, build a dyke, turn on the windmill.   If you are feeling one hundred percent tired, then take a nap. And if you feel the glaring sun is shining too much on you and you need to retreat, then for heaven sakes, turn on the phone machine and get lost in a book or a movie.   If you are feeling completely isolated, then call a friend, send an email.  Do not tell yourself, “Once I’m done with this, I’ll call a friend.”  That’s the point, you need to follow through with the feelings as you experience them, then you will get the value of your emotions.   Of course, it would help if you could let your friends and family know that you are feeing a lot of things.   But remember they are feeling things too, so you have to allow them the same space you need.   

It is worth noting that the United States with its July 4 birthday is a Cancer.  Astrologers debate the rising sign of The USA but it will be interesting to see what comes up for America during this cycle. In particular after Jupiter goes direct in August, those hypocrites who have been in power will be put on notice and we will have little stomach for religious zealots.  Politicians have used the sentimentality of the Americans to their advantage for ever and a day, but during a retrograde they really try to pull the wool over our eyes.  But when it goes direct, in Sag the energy will shift in August and those who feel like they are puppets will pull out the scissors and cut the strings.  Additionally, it could be a watery twenty eight day cycle keep your eyes peeled on tropical storms and hurricanes.

A slight word of warning

Naturally, it is not recommended that a person spend every day of the year in a constant state of emotions and feelings, honestly, would anything get done if we did that?   But if there was one 28 day cycle when you are suppose to feel more things and respond -- this is that period.

There is a survival mechanism at play with Cancer who know the value of letting their emotions flow. This is not to say that every feeling and emotion is correct, it just is that they don’t get in the way of those feelings.  This is a gift.  We can have that same experience by accessing our own feelings. If one spends most of the year feeling the same old thing and responding the same way, fine. But what if you get slammed later at some point, will you know how to respond?  This is where the survival test comes into play.  Consider this the month you get to test drive all your emotions and feelings.

Last chance to flow and grow…

It is interesting to note that this Cancer New Moon has some challenges but not the super hideous challenges of previous moons.  One has to wonder if Spirit in its infinite wisdom is giving us this opportunity during Cancer Lunar cycle to flow because in 2009 when Pluto is in Capricorn all the Cancer New moons for 18 years will have a frozen touch to them.  Imagine all this water we are feeling right now turning to ice.   It is going to be a tricky time for Cancer energies during those many years. So, how fortunate we can process our feelings now.  Kind of get our emotional ducks in a row before the big frost in 2009.  Take heed, friends, and flow and grow.

Cookie and Kooky

So, the emotions are running high and low.  Okay. Got it. But now here is where things get interesting, Uranus, the planet of genius and brilliance and crazies is making a gorgeous trine with the Moon and the Sun in Cancer.   Astrologers usually speak in glowing terms about the goodness that manifests when a planet makes a trine.  Almost always a good groove is found. And that is true with Sun/Moon trine Uranus. The only caveat is that a trine from Uranus is a mixed bag.  Sure, you are getting something brilliantly good…but it is coming from a crazy person! 

About a million years ago there was a movie called  “The In-Laws.”  The plot was about a middle-age dentist who meets his engaged daughter’s soon to be in-laws.  However, what starts as a simple enough encounter turns strange –fast—really fast.  The future father in-law (played brilliantly by Alan Arkin) reveals he is in The CIA and with some fast talking, uses the mild manner dentist’s identity to his own advantage.  Soon, the poor dentist goes from cleaning a tooth in his office to running for his life in a dusty town in Central America!  

This is the kind of thing we can expect from a trine with Uranus. Sure it is fun, sure it is interesting but man, it gets weird fast.  And since this trine involves Cancer, we can expect it all to start off innocently enough, probably around a meal or a family member or an innocent enough emotional desire-- but hold on to your seat, because you’re heading for somewhere odd.  It is worth noting that the dentist from “The In Laws” never felt more alive, more confident, more sure of himself until after he experienced the ins and outs of the crazy InLaw.  You will find a crazy perk to all the drama.    

And even if you never leave your small town during this cycle, something odd will show up and take you on a ride.  And because Uranus is in Pisces it is has got something to do with bringing out our humanitarian side.   A famous quote that comes to mind for this aspect is, “Disturb the comforted and comfort the Disturb”.   I guess the question is, which one are you?

A bit of loss, maybe…maybe not…

This new moon brings us a bit of a thing from Neptune.  Technically it is called a quincunx but what it means is Neptune will be coming over and tipping out some of our precious cargo.  You know that box where you store all your hopes and wishes and dreams.  That one that you don’t necessarily even talk about with your friends and family.  Well, Neptune knows all about that box and some part of that box is coming up during this new moon.  It will have to do with ego (sun) and emotions (moon) and Neptune is going to go over and spill a bit of it out of a box.  For example and this is a wildly simplistic example…maybe you secretly have been thinking you need a brand new Mercedes.  It will just feel (moon) so good.  And you have been thinking about it for so long and your soul (sun) just aches for it.  Well, this lunar cycle be prepared to hear the news that the Mercedes you long for is a big, fat lemon.  Or it is just too much sticker shock.  Or your spouse finally has announced, “Over my dead body”.    Pop, there goes that dream bubble.  

You may have to let go of some dream. There could just be an adjustment that you now must make. This is not a hideous aspect meaning it won’t be some hard ass lesson.  It just is going to be time for you to let go of some stuff.   But here is the deal, there is a reason why this has to leave.  Most likely there is something more fitting coming around the corner.  Listen, wouldn’t a Prius be better for you if gas goes up to ten dollars a gallon?  Who knows why some dream is being squeezed out of you now.  Just get out of the way and trust.

Oh, for the love of… 

Not only are we all feeling a lot of emotions during this cycle but we are also going to have a big “Come to Jesus” moment with the planet Venus.   About every 18 months, Venus likes to go backwards just to make sure everyone’s values are screwed on straight.   Venus is a jealous bitch and when she goes backwards she is letting everyone know, we’re messing up somewhere.  

Where is that somewhere?  It has got to do with our daily life, our schedules, our diet, our calendar, the way we serve and the way others serve us.  It ain’t working and she knows it.  If your calendar is overwhelmed with nonsense, Venus is going to go nuts on you. Also, she has a got a bee in her bonnet about where are egos are placed and where is our pride.   Something about it all is twisted, too much ego not enough self esteem.  This came up last month under another aspect, but here we go again. 

And of course, since Venus also rules money, don’t be surprised if some people have to pull back the Visa card.  Or perhaps those people who have been experiencing a financial drought might get a little boost.  It all depends on what they value. Remember it is not the money, it is the value behind the money.  Venus is asking, you to look beyond the money and are your values on straight?  Are you trying to impress others?  Perhaps entertaining too much?  Are you keeping up with the Joneses because you are feeling less than? This is the stuff that a Venus retrograde will bring up.  And it might not be pretty but you will figure out an answer.

By Jove I think we’ve got it!

So our emotions are running full steam, our values and love life are being challenged but in the middle of all that, guess who is straightening up and flying right?  --Our Beliefs!  Hurray, we have got something screwed in right.  Jupiter which rules our laws and our opinions and our judgments has been going backwards since Spring.  Our opinions, our righteousness, the things that make us thump a bible or anything else holy has been ‘off’ for a while.  Ask anyone with a phone number in the black book of the Washington DC’s Madame.   For many of us, we just have been wondering if our Walk and Talk are in synch.  And perhaps we have felt a wee bit guilty about it.  For others, there just has been a level of pessimism in the air.  It certainly doesn’t help that we have a war dragging on.  Finally this month, we will see the light.  It is like the switch gets turned on again and we get a wave of optimism.   We also look inward and make some shifts.  Our beliefs can get in alignment with who we really are inside.   What do we really believe?   Is it any surprise that Venus will be going backwards while our beliefs go straight?   We might be tempted to look at those people who we love  and wonder, “Hmm do they work in my life?”   The economy might churn upwards for a minute or two, which is good.  And any liars in our lives both personally and in the greater public—well, this is the time they get busted.    

 And don’t forget the Treasure Map!

So, for those of you who have been following these new moon discussions since spring, you know that it is during the Cancer New Moon when we look at our Treasure Maps --made during Aries New Moon.  What has come in, what has not come in?   What looks like it might be coming in and what still seems far off?  Take the time during this cycle to re-energize your goals.  Now would be the time to make more big efforts to realize those desires.  Send the right letter, make the right phone call.  Stir the pot, to get what you want.  Look at your map and breathe.

A reminder, even if it looks like your map is NOT working.  You need to remember the bigger picture you had in mind during Aries intent.  For example if you wrote an affirmation, “I have financial freedom” and you got fired from your job then you might think,  “My map is a disaster.”  But in truth, you may have had to lose that job in order to get to another place and job that will truly offer you financial freedom.   Thank Spirit for what gifts the map has brought you and breathe about the other stuff to come.  The next time we take a look at the map is in the Fall during Libra New Moon.  Let’s see what happens between then and now. But right now, make some more efforts and never give up on your map.  Try to find the positive, even when the big emotions of Cancer can sometimes get low..breathe. 

How do I tackle this cycle?

First order of business is start looking at the lunar cycle in installments.  Approximately every three days we have a new phase.  There are 8 phases of the moon and inside those phases is added information.  Let’s take a look. (As always I use Eastern Daylight Time)

New Moon July 14, 2007  8:04 am – July 18, 2007 1:10am

New moon: Plant seeds, make calls, activate, start projects.   Activate something that will ideally lead you to more.  This is the phase where INTENT is critical.  Even if the results are not immediate, the intent is there.  You may not have all the answers or road map but you should put out your Intent.  

The focus is on: Cancerian things.  Our house, our family (and family of choice), our mom, our children, our emotions, our feelings, our food.  This would be a fabulous time to start a diet.  Can you do it?  Or how about a diet from family?  That would work.  What is going on with your family of choice, are they bugging you too?  Are you house shopping?  Or is it simply time to bring in the handyman and finally deal with some stuff.  We could be super sensitive right now but again, the importance of this is to let the feelings and emotions flow through you.  If emotions can do anything and by the way, they are different from feelings because emotions can motivate you. Note the word ‘mote’ is in the word emotion and motion. Let your emotions get you up and moving during the Cancer new moon.  What are they saying to you?  You need to heed the call.

Crescent : July 18, 2007 1:10am – July 22, 2007 2:28 am

Crescent:  We will receive information, we will research a bit more, perhaps get feedback on stuff that we planted on new.  Perhaps get some information that will help down the road on a seed we planted a while ago.  We can collect some data now.  Even if you think you are not getting information, stop, and re-look at everything.  Who called you?  Even the silliest things, when they come up during Crescent are note worthy.  A parking ticket?  An argument with a spouse?  A refund check from the phone company?  All of it needs to be considered a message from the universe.  How can this information help you?

The focus is on our mind.  Is our thinking wound up tight?  Are we having “Monkey Brain?”  What information are we getting about our schedule?  About our daily habits?  Are we nuts and finally someone has the guts to call us on it?   Also don’t be surprised if we get information from others about our critical nature.  Picking at other people or even picking at ourselves.  If we are out of whack we will get called on it.   Seriously, does your criticalness serve you? 

First Quarter : July 22, 2007 2:28 am – July 26, 2007 3:29 am

First quarter: We do more actions based on the information that we just received.  Or we feel our instincts guide us on something.  We pursue again.  We make another call or we see someone. We mail something.  We stir the pot again.  This can be a time when we realize that the goals we planted on New need more action from us, perhaps actions that involve breaking away.   Are there people who say they have our best interest in heart but fear us growing away from them?  Maybe we need to get help from others not the usual suspects.  Some independence may need to be exerted.

Focus on our relationships.  We will be energized to do some actions that will help other people in our life.   Normally, we can be all about number one, but this week we are doing something that helps our partner or our relationship in general.  If we have been neglectful of our mate, we will probably hear about it in a big way this week. Or if we are not in a significant relationship this would be an awesome week to join a dating service or make a friend set us up with someone.  Put the word out that you are available.  Or if you are married, do something that really helps your partner.  And celebrate each other.  During such a sensitive lunar cycle like Cancer you will probably have a good idea what would be perfect for partner. 

July 23 1:00am Sun enters Leo.  Go buy your birthday cards for your Leo friends. They hate to be neglected and will never let you forget it.

July 26,  2007 3:29 am – July 29, 2007 8:46 am

Gibbous:  We refine our information.  We pick and choose, we discriminate, we organize, we tend to be ‘virgo’ like.  We sort through details.  Have we missed something?  How are we sifting through the information?  Go back and make sure something hasn’t been neglected.  Refine our actions. 

Focus on learning and beliefs. This is a very curious Gibbous moon.  Normally during a Gibbous we are refining something and in this case what is up for refinement is our beliefs. What makes this extraordinary is that in about ten days, Jupiter the planet of beliefs and judgments will be going direct.  How curious that during this Gibbous we will refine our big thoughts and opinions one last time before Jupiter goes direct.  It is like we will be tested one more time by Spirit to really think “What belief still works for us?”  Think of it this way, if your beliefs are baggage and you are about to board an airplane, this is the week where you think one more time…do I really need that bag?   Honestly, a few of us perhaps are carrying bags that just don’t serve us any longer and this will be the week to really ‘get’ it.

July 27  1:28pm – September 8,  12:15pm

Venus Turns Retrograde

Virgo (2 degrees 57 minutes)

Sabian Symbol: Two angels bringing protection

The other piece to this retrograde Venus is that Saturn is very close to Venus in what is called a conjunction.   So, we are really digging in and wanting a relationship that works.  It is not good enough to be soft and loving and nice to have around.  Our relationships really need to do the job. Saturn is a tough taskmaster and the fact that Venus is going backwards to hook up with Saturn one more time, is a clear indicator that people really need to go back and take a look at the foundation of their relationships.  Or at the very least the things they love.  If they love it so much…what are they going to do about it?  Or perhaps they are going back to Saturn to ask themselves, if there love life is really serving them.  

And if anyone has a marriage or a partnership with someone who is phoning it in, well this period will be tough because you will definitely feel you are better off alone than with a phone it in partner.  You might be right. As Venus goes backward you will be processing your part of this mess and how to fix it and sure you could finally do a big dump.  Besides retrograding in Virgo, Venus will also cross back into Leo and that again asks us about our strengths and true love and value.  Are we with someone who really ‘gets’ us?  Why not?  And are we strong like the lion?  Or are we broken down and telling ourselves we don’t deserve more?  The bottom line is that our relationships are being challenged. And not just personal relationships, even our business partnerships are subject to a critical eye.

It is important to remind everyone that Venus is one of the money planets and when it goes backward we might have some money issues up.  Yuck.  But again, it is not the money  as much as it is the value behind the money.  With a Venus retrograde, especially in Virgo and Leo, we have to look at what we value..is it the intrinsic value of the item or is it because someone tells you it is expensive?   Are you the person who buys something because it is expensive and think therefore, "Oh, it cost a lot, it must be good."  Or are you the other person, who goes into a thrift store, sees a ceramic vase for five dollars and you just love it and buy it. Then years later you find out it is worth a thousand dollars.  Which are you the former or the latter?  Tsk, tsk if you are th former... venus retrograde virgo/leo..is the latter. Loving the vase for  being the vase..not because you were told it is a long lost Bauerware. 

In addition we might also feel fugly.  (effin ugly) If we are really unhappy with our looks, perhaps it is time to go to the hairdresser and freshen our cuts.  Or change our wardrobe. Do something Venusian.  

Remember this retrograde is going to last until September so we have awhile to get our Venus act together.  And if you insist on doing nothing during this retrograde (which would be a lame choice by the way)..then you are going to have to wait until the spring of 2009 to shift your Venusian ways again.  Why don’t you make hay now while you have got the good flow of Cancer in the mix.  Even if your feelings are hurt at times, you know your mood will shift a few days later so go ahead and make the changes. 

Good luck!

July 29, 2007 8:46am – August 2, 2007 7:58 am

Full Moon:  We make the needed adjustments on the things we planted. Usually emotions are up and running and for those people who perhaps did not utilize the new moon and the rest of the waxing moon, this is when emotions can get the better of us.  There can often be a big emotional break, for no other reason than to get back on track.   Some partnership will offer up some balance.  The moon is bright and full and there is no room for shadows, what is reflecting on you? 

The focus is on our groups.  The gang of people who are our tribe.  How are they working for us?  Do they work for us?  Considering we are getting ready for Jupiter to go direct in a few days, do our friends match our beliefs?  Are there some people in our life who really don’t gel with us? Why do we keep them in the scene?  Whatever we planted on the new moon –does our tribe support it? They might but we do have to ask during the full moon.    Connections to people who think differently could be important on the full especially if we planted some big seeds on the new.

Disseminating August 2, 2007 7:58am – August 5, 2007 5:19pm

Disseminating: Share information, find a teacher or someone who has more knowledge. Perhaps there was a big ol’ blow out on the full and one feels in need of support and help, this is the phase to reach out to one who knows more. This is when we find a rabbi or a minister or therapist who gives us more insight.   And of course, you too may be ready to teach and share your own information. 

Focus on dreams and visions and humanitarian causes.  All the energy you put out on the new moon will now have a bit of twist. It is very clear, especially with a cancer new moon that the seeds you planted on the new were very personal.  They were about your family, your emotions, your feeling, your home.  But now, during this phase you are being asked to go beyond your personal world.   Your neighbor may need something from you or have something for you, your community at large could be in your face.  It could just be that you run into some old lady who needs a ride.  You are being asked to share something of your world with others.  At the same time, your dreams could be calling you.   Allow yourself the benefit of a good day dream.   What do you want?  What is fun to think about?

August 4, 1:14pm Mercury enters Leo

Third Quarter August 5, 2007 5:19 pm – August 9, 2007 4:00am 

Third Quarter moon:  Now we do the final adjustments to the seeds we planted on new. The final call, the final letters to send, we follow all the trails that came up that still make sense.  And we let the other parts lay fallow. It is a time of action but wise action.  It is a time for living  “The serenity prayer”

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change Courage to change the
things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

The focus is on the practical things.   During the new moon, we were all so sensitive and emotional and our feelings were so on our sleeve, and that is fine. But now we have to just do the hardcore practical stuff.  We didn’t feel like paying our bills all month but now we do.  Now we want to be practical.  Dig in the dirt.  Make the concrete changes we need to do.  

August 6, 2007 10:05pm

Jupiter goes Direct

Sagittarius (9 Degrees 56 minutes)

Sabian Symbol: A golden haired goddess of opportunity

Hurray.  It is over.  Since April Jupiter has been going backwards and finally today it is straightening up and flying right!  A lot of astrologers don’t get that worked up about Jupiter partially because Jupiter is such a benevolent planet.  And they have a point it is safe to say that Mercury retrogrades are probably a bigger pain in the ass. But Jupiter retrogrades are more subtle than Mercury. Because when it goes backwards it really hits us in the solar plexis.  Jupiter rules our beliefs, judgments and points of view.  Which when you think about it, really are the center of our life.  Is the glass half full or half empty?  Many people will say that the glass is half empty because of the shit that has happened to them.  Others will say that the shit that happened to them is because of their half empty belief.  Ah, the conundrum.  The point is now we get to unwind a bit.  Our opinionated head has been in our ass since spring.  And because Jupiter is in Sag it has to do with our ability to learn a lesson, stretch out of our comfort zone, embrace things that are foreign, which could be people or ideas.  Those individuals who have been way deep in their comfort zone, unwilling (read scared) to go to some area they consider foreign will see the dawn.  How silly to sit there in need of something but fear has kept you from reaching out, driving out, calling out, doing whatever it takes to expand your world and solve your dilemma.  The negative side of Jupiter is it can be totally prejudice and usually after a retrograde we can see how the person our prejudices hurt is not others, but us.   Now with the direct motion of Jupiter you will be willing to open up a bit.  We can finally go to a new community for some help.  Perhaps it is a  new church, a new teacher, a new sage, a therapist, a judge, hiding in our closed world will no longer work for us and finally we can have the strength to reach out and get the assist we need.  It’s time, my friend----S-T-R-E-T-C-H!  

August 7, 2007 2:01am

Mars enters Gemini

August 8, 2007 8:58pm

Venus enters Leo (still retrograde)

Balsamic August 9, 2007 4:00am – August 12, 2007 7:03pm

Balsamic:  We release.  We let go.  We prune, we discard, we ditch stuff. We house clean. The things that no longer work, we let them out of our life.  We release so we can clear our unconscious and dream.  We prepare our unconscious to be ready for the next New Moon. 

Once again, we get to focus on family and emotions and feelings but this time, because it is balsamic, it is releasing.  Oh, the feelings we had in the beginning of the lunar cycle were so important, so significant and now they mean less than zero.   The family members who really tweaked us out and pissed us off, now it doesn’t mean that much to us.   “Let it go” will be the overall feeling for this balsamic phase.  It will be hard to dig in on much, and if we are, man did we lose the point of cancer lunar cycle.  Let it flow out, my friend. Then you will be ready to be a star for Leo New moon.

Leo New Moon August 12, 2007 7:03 pm

Links to Think during Cancer Lunar Cycle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_of_Fundy

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003641.php

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Copland-Album-Aaron/dp/B00002S5EW

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1642653,00.html

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/