In the Pacific Time Zone, the New Moon will occur at 11:41 p.m. on Saturday, June 20. This New Moon finds the Moon and Sun in conjunction (0°) at 0° of Cancer. To further clarify how this New Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 0° of Cancer in your birth/natal chart. The issues associated with that house are going to be most influenced by this New Moon’s presence.
This is one of those Moon Updates when it will be almost impossible for me to summarize everything that is going on astrologically. In order to keep this blog post to a reasonable (i.e., readable) length, I will have to leave out some details. However, I think you will get the gist.
Overall, it’s pretty easy to say that the time of this New Moon is very likely going to be significant, both individually and/or collectively. Around June 20, we may see something significant happen that is a catalyst, but the full scope of the changes will likely unfold over the next three to six months. Here’s why:
- This is a Cancer New Moon, and all New Moons represent opportunities for new emotional starts in the sign involved. The higher expression of Cancer includes being nurturing, family-oriented, emotional, and intuitive. The lower expression can lead to being moody, “crabby,” overly protective, dependent, and fearful. Cancer does have to do with the past, so there may be issues from the past that come up now to be understood in a new and deeper way (e.g., family roots, historical influences, people or events from our past). We may also be questioning our motives and needs of both ourselves and others.
- But this is not a typical Cancer New Moon. It is occurring at 0°. 0° of any sign is referred to as a “critical degree,” and it is the most powerful point for new beginnings in that sign. Cancer is a cardinal sign (i.e., Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn). When the critical degree (0°) falls in a cardinal sign, it often coincides with something pretty important coming into awareness. The cardinal energy tells us that something needs to actively be brought into the light of day in order to clear blocks, take action, and initiate something new that is related to our evolutionary progress. Given Cancer is a water sign, whatever it reveals will also likely involve emotions, creativity, and intuition.
- Also, the Cancer New Moon is occurring at the same time as the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere (winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere). The chart at the time of the solstice is believed to be predictive of the influences for the next three months, until the next equinox (i.e., this year that will be on September 22). Therefore, whatever is happening now isn’t going to be short-lived.
- Additionally, this Cancer New Moon is the second of three consecutive eclipses. As we discussed in the last Moon Update, it’s relatively rare to have three eclipses like this; they usually only occur in pairs. This one is a Solar Eclipse, which is often a time of new beginnings and important decisions. Whatever came to light 2 weeks ago during the Lunar Eclipse is now becoming clearer. Again, as we discussed in the last Moon Update, (a) eclipses represent a change in direction that will take us toward the next phase in our soul’s evolution and (b) they often impact the next 6 months, until the next eclipse season occurs (i.e., this year that will be November/December). Because a Solar Eclipse happens when the Moon blocks out the Sun as it moves between the Earth and the Sun, we don’t have as much light to see. Therefore, sometimes a shift happens due to something external that impedes our progress. It’s like tripping over something that we can’t see in the dark. When this happens, it can feel beyond our control. Although it can be frustrating, it is also often exciting. It will help if we can reframe whatever happens as a re-routing opportunity as our souls evolve to the next level of growth, which is the purpose of all eclipses.
To summarize, we have a New Moon at the critical degree (0°) in the cardinal sign of Cancer, which means something is about to be revealed. This is happening on the solstice, and that means it will influence us for the next 3 months. Additionally, this is a Solar Eclipse, which will impact us for the next 6 months and will likely bring something into our awareness that will change our evolutionary path. WOW! Remember, all of this can influence us individually and/or collectively; so, I believe it’s safe to say that we should all be paying attention to this one!
But there’s more! At the time of the Cancer New Moon, Mars will be in a square (90°) to both the Sun and Moon. This was also the case with the last Full Moon. A square tells us that a change in direction is needed . . . a “course correction,” if you will. But Mars is still conjunct (0°) Neptune in Pisces; so for the time being, this is a great time to actively dream, imagine, and visualize what we would like in the future. Once Mars moves into Aries on Saturday, June 27 (see more about this below), Mars will help us take the actions needed to bring those dreams into reality.
The Cancer New Moon is also in a conjunct (0°) the North Node in Gemini, which means it’s also in an opposition (180°) to the South Node in Sagittarius. The involvement of the “nodal axis” in this moon event tells us that it’s very important to continue our efforts to examine what we’ve learned in the past that might be influencing our perceptions. We need to take off any blinders that keep us from seeing all sides of a situation. Our goal should be to gather information and question our assumptions. The facts are important now (Gemini), but so, too, are ethics and morals (Sagittarius). From this exploration, important information may be revealed, but only if we are willing to see the “facts” that are presented to us.
The need for being open to all viewpoints is reinforced by sextiles (60°) between Mars and Sagittarius’s ruler Jupiter (exact on Saturday, June 20). This supportive aspect will help us expand our views, make needed decisions, and have the power to push through any blocks that are hindering us from initiating change in our lives. Assuming the timing is right, this can be a good time to set new goals or begin new projects. Although this aspect can give us the energy and motivation we need to do the prep work before taking any actions in new directions, it may be best to wait until Mars moves into Aries in another week to really move ahead with our plans.
And if that weren’t enough, we also have several planets changing directions or signs during the next 2-week period:
- A few days before the New Moon (Wednesday, June 17), Mercury begins its second of three retrograde periods of 2020. It will remain in retrograde until Saturday, July 11. As usual, this is a time when we all turn our mental attention inward, so we should be extra careful when speaking or writing. Check and double-check everything, especially if it’s something important like travel plans or legal documents. Mercury retrograde in Cancer often represents a time when we are reflecting, rethinking, and reconsidering issues related to family, home, security, and our sense of belonging. This could also involve our private world (e.g., our inner child) and reviewing our habits, needs, and emotional patterns.
- Neptune begins its annual retrograde phase on Monday, June 22, which will last for about 5 months until the end of November. Although Neptune is known for being pretty foggy when traveling direct, the fog tends to lift when Neptune goes retrograde. Yes, we will turn inward to explore our hopes and dreams, but our vision regarding these explorations becomes clearer during this retrograde phase. We often feel less fearful during this time, and we won’t be as tempted to escape into self-destructive behaviors or martyrdom.
- Venus is the next planet to change direction when it ends its retrograde on Wednesday, June 24, and begins moving direct again. While in retrograde, we hopefully did the inner work of questioning our values, wants, and desires, especially related to relationships and finances. As Venus begins moving direct again, things will slowly begin to get back on track, and we may even implement some of the new ideas we came up with. Venus will remain in Gemini through August 7. This is beneficial because the energy of Gemini will help us continue to gather information and think through any actions we want to take. But overall, during this 6-weeks of Venus moving in retrograde, we have been reflecting on what we desire and now we can begin the process of making those desires known and even taking action on them.
- Then on Saturday, June 27, Mars ends its uncomfortable stay in murky, foggy Pisces and moves into its home sign of Aries. Mars is very happy and extra powerful in Aries! As the end of June nears, it is likely we will all feel increased energy. Our goals seem clearer, and we have more confidence, courage, assertiveness, independence, and spontaneity (sometimes too much so). But it is very important to remember that this is the warrior energy, which can be used in a healthy assertive way or in a destructive aggressive way. We will have lots of time to decide how we want to use this energy because Mars will be in Aries for about 6 months. Mars is usually in a sign for only 6 weeks, but it will remain in Aries until January 6, 2021, due to going retrograde in September. Mars only goes retrograde every two years, so that retrograde time period will be a pretty big deal. But for the remainder of this summer, Mars will in its “happy place” moving direct through its home sign of Aries. If this energy can be used in a healthy way, it will be influencing us at a very fortuitous time for humanity. It could provide many of us with the energy, confidence, and courage we need to deal with the fall-out from the COVID-19 pandemic. But it could also be used to our detriment if the Mars in Aries energy is used in an effort to dominate others. It’s up to each of us to choose to use the energy to rebuild or to express it as anger, aggression, and a determination to win at all costs. (NOTE: All of this will be particularly important between August through December 2020 when Mars will make a series of challenging aspects with other planets.)
June ends with the second of three exact conjunctions (0°) between Jupiter and Pluto in Capricorn (exact on Monday, June 29). The week before and after this date could see an increase in our energy and power, as long as we are willing to face our inner demons and fears (Pluto). Healing is very possible, but only if we consciously make the choice to change and transform. We do need to avoid any pull toward being self-righteous, forceful, or obsessed, which can all be the lower expressions of Pluto’s energy. Personal growth, expansion, and a desire for success are typically strong now. If we can access this incredible power, then we have the potential for amazing personal growth and/or a chance to achieve what might have otherwise felt like an insurmountable goal. We may have renewed faith. And, all of this is happening in Capricorn, so it will likely have to do with responsible changes to structures that will have long-lasting consequences.
Overall, this Cancer New Moon (and this entire eclipse season!) is very likely going to represent a period in history that we all agree was significant. There are strong indicators for a new start of some kind and for something to be revealed that will help us individually and/or collectively move forward and evolve. However, the Cancer New Moon and the time period immediately after it would be a good time to pause, reflect, and gather more information before taking decisive action. The Cancer energy supports pulling in, seeking the comfort of our “home base,” and avoiding taking any unnecessary risks until after the influence of the New Moon has passed. Yes, it’s likely we are feeling that something is ending and we should be willing to let go. And although we may also be feeling the urge to start something new, waiting is OK. We’ll likely gain a clearer understanding by the middle of July after the eclipse season is over and Mercury is once again moving direct.
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THIS BLOG POST WAS WRITTEN BY
- Anne Reith, Ph.D. (AnneReith.com)
- For information about Dr. Reith’s downloadable ebooks and meditations, feel free to visit her online Store
SOME INFORMATION TAKEN FROM
- The Mountain Astrologer (magazine)
- Various online sources (e.g., www.cafeastrology.com)
REMINDER
- New Moons and Full Moons often influence us for the 3 days before and 3 days after the actual event.
NEW MOON
New Moon at 0° of Cancer
- Saturday, June 20, 2020, 11:41 p.m. PDT
- Sunday, June 21, 2020, 2:41 a.m. EDT
- Sunday, June 21, 2020, 6:41 a.m. GMT