This Cancer New Moon is a straight shot through the galaxy right to the heart of the issues that affect women, mothers, our bodies, physical and emotional safety, protection, nurturing, the right to privacy, and the imperative to choose based on our individual beliefs.
And while peak light continues to wane slowly here in the Northern Hemisphere, there will be no shortage of powerful omens from the cosmos this season as each of us rides the waves of change, turning the tide away from “power over” and finding our way back home, again and again.
The Moon is in her “domicile” in the feminine water sign of Cancer, making this New Moon the ultimate place for the Empress to rule. With such dignity, her base instincts are vibrating at full throttle as she emanates the archetype of the divine Mother—the waters of “our” living wombs, the waters of memories, family, belonging, our roots, and sense of home.
As a cardinal sign, Cancer represents the energetic thrust of a new season. It’s time to initiate actions that align with our values. Who will you support? How will you support? These questions may not be simple; there are deep emotional attachments here, a deep history, and sensitivity as we push toward greater coherence.
Just as the Moon reaches her homecoming with the Sun, she makes a square to the benefic planet Jupiter in the warrior’s sign of Aries. Sudden changes abound. From our deepest place of righteous protection, we want to respond to any and all injustice. This is truth-telling time, a jolt of fire driven by conviction, a dare to follow our hearts and minds. Emotions are heightened, and uprisings are everywhere as we are called to step out of our comfort zones and take emotional risks that foster positive developments. Robust actions are best constituted surrounded by loving support.
At the same time, Jupiter is touched by another Goddess, Venus in Gemini, by sextile. Raised emotions come with raised voices, and while we may feel prone to polarizing in extreme times to safeguard what we love, Venus in Gemini finds a counterintuitive way forward. Using all of her mischievous charms, she may just find a way to create bridges.
This lunation also includes Neptune’s station from direct to retrograde motion in Pisces, occurring on the day of the New Moon. Stationing planets are considered to be strong as they are moving at a near standstill; significations are magnified. Neptune espouses unity consciousness, universal truths, and our connection to source. In Pisces, Neptune opens us to greater compassion, empathy, grief, and sorrow, but also deception, distraction, and confusion.
While many see this New Moon blessed by the benefics, it’s also happening in a swell of big drama. Power struggles surface. Volatility is in the field as a powerful Mars moves ever closer to an entrenched Pluto in Capricorn by square. And, there’s still the matter of Black Moon Lilith, conjunct Moon-Sun.
As a traditional astrologer, I generally stick to the seven visible planets and the outer planets at most. But I would feel remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the untamed energy of this Goddess, the point along the Moon’s orbit when it’s farthest from Earth. Here, the symbolic meaning is palpable. Spending nine months in each sign, Black Moon Lilith is an outlier—rebellious, unwilling to submit to “power over” dynamics, especially by men. She represents the explosive energy of what has been repressed: a visceral need for sovereignty. In Cancer, she represents generational motherhood and the importance of standing in one’s feminine power. Once again, astrology reflects the moments we are living through with powerful accuracy.
So, yes, revel in the fecundity of all Cancer has to offer, it’s a beautiful Moon to give and receive love. It’s also a divine time to get in touch with what makes you feel safe and secure and to take action that roots you ever deeply in your personal truth.
And like the divine Mother who loves all of humanity, may we recognize that many in this world are denied access to fundamental human rights. Given the planetary omens ahead, there will be plenty of opportunities to navigate from a deep sense of responsibility as we ride the churning waves of change.
Stay tuned to daily and weekly astro musing at Astrum Opus Collective!