NEW MOON JULY 22nd - CANCER 30 DEGREES - � 12.36 PM � AEST - SOLAR ECLIPSE

This total solar eclipse will fall across South-East Asia and the Western Pacific.  It will last for over six minutes and be visible to millions of people over a path of up to 258 klms wide. It begins just off the coast of India and ends in Polynesia. (Visit NASA’s Eclipse Homepage for more information).

TIC TOC SAYS THE COSMIC CLOCK!

This is the second New Moon in Cancer for the astrological month and is connected to a total solar eclipse. Therefore it is likely to be very potent. As mentioned in the recent Full Moon Musings the themes of an eclipse pattern can last for up to eighteen months and usually starts about three months before the actual eclipse. The eclipse themes are relevant personally and collectively.  So what are the themes and psychological issues that have been relevant to you during this time?  For many these have been based on security, survival and support, all Cancer themes.   Many people are now being challenged to BE the authority (boss of self) they want to become.  To step up to the mark and be accountable!  This is a Capricorn theme, the opposing sign to Cancer.

Sensitive Cancer, the crab, needs to feel emotionally secure before it can strive to achieve the goals of its opposing sign, Capricorn. The caring crab, carrying her hard protective shell on her back likes to cling to the past and the old habits and domestic comforts that provide apparent nourishment. When it is time for the crab to move forward on her life journey she pokes her head out of her shell, looks around at the world to see if she feels secure, and if so, takes a sidewards step!   Then, if she sees some little crabs ahead, she will move ahead to join a crab family, who offer her emotional support and a sense of belonging.   Cancer loves being in her own home, where she can shut out the world and care for her family. She has lessons to learn about self-care, self-nurturing and “making home” within herself.

On the other hand, Capricorn is ambitious and likes to go out into the world to achieve goals and control its world.  Capricorn’s pictograph symbol is that of the mountain goat, willing to climb to the highest heights to reach the mountain summit.   How can these two universal inner forces become balanced?   Herein lies the challenge for each of us at this time.   Each of us carries the characteristics of all the zodiacal signs within our energetic make-up, to differing degrees.  Some people have more Cancer/Capricorn energy than others and for them this New Moon and eclipse period will be more relevant.

Those people with a strong Cancer energy package are being tested to ‘give birth’ to a new beginning that warms their heart, nourishes their soul and enables soul growth. This may feel scary because it requires you step out of your comfort zone. You might have to leave your secure nest and venture further out into the big wide world than you have ever done before.  However, if you allow fear, anxiety and limitation to rule then your potential, both spiritual and physical, cannot be attained.

This is not a time for ‘littleness’.  BE the greatest you want to become.  Your future is at stake and the world needs you!

This Cancer New Moon falls in the final degree of Cancer, a potent energetic point of any sign.   The associated solar eclipse has a theme based on change and reformation.  Changing and re-forming what?  You of course!  And as you change into a more fearless, uplifting, expansive and positive state of being all those around you will be infected and want a slice of what you’ve got. Then the uplifting reformation gathers momentum and touches many more people. 

So how can you become clear about the internal patterns of behaviour no longer needed for your evolutionary journey to the light?  These patterns need to be identified, embraced and ownership taken for them before they can be reformed. Astrology is a wonderful tool to aid this process however if you tune in to your Higher Self, calming and stilling your mind to do so, and ask this pertinent question, you are likely to receive the intuitive answer.

Why not utilize the cosmic energy to be innovative and inventive as you explore new avenues of ambition and commit to new joyful, uplifting and energizing goals for your future?  Why not create a ‘seed’ planting ceremony on the eve of the New Moon to anchor your intention and commitment?   Following your sincere commitment you will be inwardly directed to take each new upward step on your climb up the challenging mountain.

Closely connecting to the New Moon and solar eclipse in Cancer is the South Node of the Moon.   This cosmic power point is in its final degree of its long dance through Leo and Aquarius and offers a potent opportunity for a specific life review relating to your creative expression?  Do you deny the playful, spontaneous and loving inner child aspect of yourself?  If so, why?  Through choosing to commit to an honest appraisal of your game of life you will see areas where you deny your uplifting and energizing life force - fun, joy and love.  Once you see it clearly you can choose to radically change and re-form.  Playing and having fun can be quite a challenge for those who have a large Cancer/Capricorn energy package.  Life is meant to be serious, isn’t it?  However, isn’t ‘all work and no play’ stagnant and dullsville?

On a collective level there could be earth repercussions to the North Korean nuclear bombs.  Just imagine what that huge powerful destructive force has done to Mother Earth.  The poisonous energy of the bomb travels inside the earths’ meridians (ley lines) and comes out –as what? Severe earthquakes?  Volcanic eruptions?

Pluto, the archetypal energy of the Lord of the Underworld, is returning to re-visit the first degree of Capricorn and is also activating the Cancer New Moon and solar eclipse.    It was when Pluto first entered this degree that the world experienced the beginning of the global financial crisis. Pluto is a very powerful force for individual and collective transformation, emergence and regeneration.  Chiron, Neptune and Jupiter in Aquarius are also activating the sensitive New Moon/ solar eclipse, adding more potent cosmic fuel.  You can read my recent article on their rock and roll dance by clicking here. 

What is it that usually brings about reformation and change individually and collectively?  Crisis!  It need not be so.  When we become conscious and self-aware of our internal mechanisms, such as old habits, doubts and littleness we can choose to change, no matter how difficult. 

Some of you may feel pressurised by a challenging Saturn/Venus aspect that can take you into your insecurity zone and bring up issues relating to lack of self-worth, self-value, self-trust and self-love. Saturn requires that you commit to a new, more mature and personally responsible way of being and asks that you utilize your unique and valuable resources to your greatest capacity.    He suggests you set definitive boundaries around your home, family and working life in order to achieve the goals you truly value, that are dear to your heart and ultimately for the greater good of humanity.

The urge of the soul is to evolve to its highest potential in order to return ‘home’ to its place of light, love and nourishment.  Union with Divinity and Oneness is its goal.  Our evolutionary process   requires that we move through and beyond limitations and fears.   This solar eclipse and New Moon provides a potent window of cosmic energy to do so.
Do you care enough to take a strong forward step?

May you choose the Force of Light and Love to guide you always
Blessings,

Ashtara