by Lady Deane
A New Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon form a conjunction in the sky, and come together in the same sign of the zodiac. This occurs approximately once per month or every 28 days.
This is a time of new beginnings, and represents a special opportunity each month to begin again and get a fresh perspective on things. The power of the new moon is purely instinctual and people tend to go with their intuition. The New Moon is dark, there is little light for illumination, so people must use senses other than their sight. Yet this special time holds all possibilities within it. So we have the ability once a month to set a new course for ourselves. For 2 weeks afterwards the moon will be slowly waxing or increasing in light. And at the Full Moon, the light is once again bright and things become fully illuminated. But before we can “see” with our eyes, we have to activate our “sight” through our hopes and dreams. Set your intentions at the New Moon, and then chart your progress at the Full Moon.
The July New Moon is in the sign of Cancer and occurs on or around July 15th. Cancer is the sign of the family so an area of life where you can 'begin again' would be around family. Who is family to you? Many of us may get a chance to either begin again within our family structure or, we may get to redefine who family is altogether (starting from scratch). For those processing issues from childhood, this is a very good time for intuitive awareness and spiritual awakening. Besides family, Cancer also rules nurturing. This can mean issues around mothers and motherhood, but it can also literally refer to food. So another good area to 'begin again' involves figuring out exactly what your body needs and how to best nurture yourself. We are literally processing what “feeds” us now—body and spirit alike.
In addition to the meaning that the New Moon has in each sign, it also has meaning in each specific degree. These are called Sabian Symbols. For many years now I have been working with Sabian Symbols and their possible use as a predictive tool in astrology. For those of you not familiar with them, they are brief 'psychic vignettes.' These symbols were first conceived of in 1925 by the spiritualist Elsie Wheeler and the astrologer Marc Edmund Jones. Working together they channeled meanings for every degree of the zodiac (the zodiac is a circle containing 360 degrees).
Each channeled phrase represents an individual psychic image or theme for each degree in all 12 signs. Quite an undertaking. I have previously used them with solar returns and eclipses with amazing results, and have begun using them for the monthly New Moon as well. In this usage, the Sabian Symbols represent a collective theme that we are all processing as a society or group. And as the New Moon is a time of “resetting” our emotional clock, these themes can also play out individually in our personal lives. Sometimes you'll notice them as a metaphor operating in the background, and sometimes they can be quite literal and in your face. If you know your own natal chart, you can make each month’s reading even more personal by seeing where the New Moon impacts your individual horoscope. And if you don’t know your chart, guess who can help you with that? : 0 )
July 15th, New Moon in Cancer
The Sabian Symbol for 23 Degrees Cancer: “The meeting of a study group or literary society.”
Like a Square Dance or a Conga Line, this new moon is a dance done together. People will be seeking connection now, and we will want to get together and share ideas. But not just any ideas. Groups form on the basis of a shared interest, belief system, or purpose. What group do you belong to? The entire sign of Cancer is about the tribe we hail from, our childhood, our past, our ancestors, our bloodline. Stuff we don’t get to change (at least not in this lifetime). But in this degree of Cancer we seek out our 'peeps.' The ones we choose based on compatibility and not blood. These are the groups we have chosen to join in order to fulfill a purpose of some kind. But remember, you selected them, and you are the company you keep! So if you’re not in good company, now’s the time to (carefully) change partners and select a new group. Either way, expect group discussion to suddenly morph into intense therapy sessions (as the Square Dance suddenly becomes a Tango!), exploring what’s really lurking beneath the surface. The added drama is all courtesy of Pluto; because during this New Moon, Pluto will be opposing Mercury and Mars. So if you do have group meetings to attend, be prepared to dig deep for meaningful conversation (there may even be a few fireworks). Because polite chit-chat just won’t cut it now.
Tune in next month for another New Moon Ballroom and a quick spin around the Cosmic Dance floor. Til then, remember: play, smile, be kind. Then look up and thank your lucky stars!