New Moon in Cancer, 2012

The New Moon in Cancer (July 19th at 12:24 am EDT) is a time to conserve energy. All dark Moons draw us inward, and in this case, it's into the Crab's shell of protection. Retreat, rest and swim in deep dream waters.

If there's emotional strain, this is potentially a rough dark of the Moon. The Sun-Moon in Cancer (26 degrees) has a re-sensitizing effect. The heart is flooded with memories, longings and feelings. More Cancer New Moon themes.

There's heightened angst, if feelings have been stuffed down, or you've been going along to get along. Instead of judging emotions, let them be the messengers of the soul's needs -- for belonging, intimacy, a sense of place, human connection, family and friends.

The luminaries (Sun-Moon) are square to Saturn (at 23 degrees), and this brings on the heavy mood. The very subjective experience of the Moonchild -- what's shaped us, instinctive reactions -- is asked to be responsive to others. And just when the tender emotional body is at its most exposed.

Saturn's presences plays out in many ways. It's possible that profound feelings with a deep reach into the psyche are intensified, and then meet severity of some kind, or a wall of detachment. These energies might have their showdown within you, too. The spirit of compassion for all that's rising, and patience to gain perspective, goes far.

This is not a time to act for many reasons, but one being the risk of making decisions under duress. Or of reacting from instinctual wounds that are triggered. Give yourself time to spiral into your sheltered place. Your sense of self-authority grows, by being emotionally self-contained, and having patience with all that's unresolved.

I've already had an incredibly honest exchange with my mother (Cancer rules Mother). This Saturn square in clear-eyed Libra is for seeing the vulnerability of 'the other,' especially those so close to us, we hardly know where we end and they begin. Miracles can happen, as hard-won insights elevate us, and allow for more mutual understanding. That's what happened to me, and my Mom and I (both Cancers) have a complex, at times severe (Saturn), other times emotionally waterlogged (Cancer) relationship.

My friend Sarah and I were talking about family, and how it's family that often truly sees the dark, edgy sides of who we are. And that it's these ties that withstand more, because we share an emotional history and roots. We are invested in each other.

This New Moon can be an extraordinarily healing one, with those we call family. Or we can gain clarity about who we are, and see alternatives to the ways of the family of origin. Saturn's scythe becomes Libra's sword of illumination, and cuts us free.

Mars (in Libra) is a wild-card at the New Moon, with its square to Pluto (oh my!) and opposition to Uranus. Mars in the zone, causes longstanding tensions to flare up. Watch for extreme irritability and be careful who you get into it with. Stay away from those that get you riled up.

Mars in Libra is the will to balance things, especially in close relationships. Here again, we see a hot theme of those who walk with us through life -- friends. family and partners.

The red alert is beeping here! Be watchful for revelations. The tact of Libra gives you a sense of timing in the heat of the moment. With trial and error, it's an exercise in knowing when to observe and conserve, and when it's time to fight for what you love.

With so much initiating cardinal energy as a call to action, you dive to greater depths than ever before. You get to the soul root of who you are. Emotions are a force that can alter your path. Can you handle what washes over, and be strengthened by the experience?

Some epic realizations are sensed in the murky waters, but clarity comes later. There's so much to who we are, much of it below conscious thought. This is a time to be a pioneer in the undercurrents. It's a time to find secret water sources, hidden aquifers that can be released with a powerful rush, and have a healing-cleansing effect. Like the Moon card in the Tarot, it's a time of being in the mystery, of in-between, the void, where all things originate.

There's lots of sparks and tensions at the New Moon in provoking cardinal signs.

• Sun-Moon in Cancer: Sinking into the deeper meaning behind what's lived on the surface. Drifting in imaginative realms, and finding markers through memory.
• Uranus Aries: A freer future that originates from the "untamed" instinctual Self, joining with others who sense something alive at the edges.
• Pluto Capricorn: Healing ancient wounds of lineages and the land, bridging the gap that keeps us in illusion of being separate from Earth/nature. Recovering wisdom, integrity, the sense of legacy and care for future generations.
• Saturn Libra: Reaping what's sown, stark results of imbalance, a commitment to right action, taking yourself seriously.

Cardinal signs feel the pressure and heat the most. Some of this is about undoing and releasing. Don't try to figure it out with your head -- let go, surrender, like the Hopi saying goes, trust that the river has a destination.

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