July 17th ~ 24th

It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless. ~ L. R. Knost

Like an echo, this is the 2nd New Moon in Cancer this year. Occasionally, every 2.5-3 years we will have two New Moons in the same sign, one right after the other. This places even more emphasis on the qualities of that sign, and in the area it falls in your natal chart, particularly by whole sign houses. The first New Moon was a Solar Eclipse on the Solstice, a powerful indicator as it is. The 2nd New Moon, on July 20th, falls at 28º of Cancer. These last few degrees of the sign symbolize the synthesis of all of the Cancer essence and experience encapsulated not only since the last New Moon, but over the past several months, and even the past few years. 

This New Moon is exactly opposite Saturn, which has recently returned to Capricorn due to its retrograde. The stark contrast between the New Moon in Cancer, its need to protect, nurture and defend, against the stark and unsympathetic detachment of the Saturn retrograde in Capricorn feels very similar to the collective soul journey that we’ve all been on since the Summer of 2018. And so we may ask ourselves at this point, What have we processed, assimilated and learned over the past few years? And how are these things that we’ve learned been significant for our own soul’s journey and growth? 

Saturn can and will delay the results and manifestation of intentions sown with the New Moon in Cancer. There are barriers and obstacles standing in our way that still need to be overcome, before we can make our hopes and goals a closer reality. You might want to ask yourself, what are the obstacles or limitations standing in the way of you being able to live the life of your dreams? Is there something that you can do about these limitations? What sacrifices would you need to make? What would you need to give up if you were to make these changes? Would it be worth it? It might be that when you explore your possibilities, you decide to do nothing and stick with your current limitations. If that is the case, or if you aren’t able to do anything about these obstacles, what do you need to change in your perspective, in order to be able to accept your current circumstances? 

Sometimes the obstacles are not external. Sometimes the obstacles have more to do with our own fears and anxiety about impending change. Or we remain in denial about or avoid those things that stand in the way of our happiness and growth. There comes a time however, when we can no longer deny what we’ve been trying to ignore. Saturn also gives us permission set limits of our own, to recognize our boundaries, to acknowledge when we have had enough, and to say No when we need to. 

Saturn can be a bit pessimistic. It may seem as if our mounting problems are impassable. That there is little we can do to improve our situation. Realize however that things may not be as hopeless as they may seem. It may take a little longer for our hopes and dreams to manifest. Or you may need to make some much needed changes and adjustments in your circumstances to overcome your limitations. At the very least, make yourself aware of your options. Things may not be quite as difficult as they appear. Saturn is also asking us all to rise to the occasion. Even if we are feeling a little doubtful of the outcome. Saturn respects determination, discipline and purpose. It may take time and a lot of hard work, but through patience, sheer determination and positive intention, almost anything is possible. Even overcoming seemingly impassable limitations and challenges. 

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There’s no use being a damn fool about it. ~ W. C. Fields

As a reminder of what the sign Cancer is concerned with: 

• Home: Maya Angelou defined home as the safe place where we can go as we are, and not be questioned. What defines home for you? Is it the space? The people? That sense of safety? 

• Family: Family can mean different things to different people. Who are your family? How would you define family for yourself? Who do you turn to for support and consolation? Who are your tribe? 

• Community: Vivian Malone Jones, the first black student to graduate from the University of Alabama, asserted that there will come a day in our own lives when we must act for others, maybe our family, perhaps our community. Ms. Jones, a Cancer, recognized that the sacrifice and struggle she made to pursue her education, was not just for her own benefit, but for her community as a whole. What is your relationship with your community? Do you feel like you are supported by your community? That you are a participating member? Does it nurture you, and allow you to grow? Is there a feeling of commonality of goals and perception? Do you get a feeling of belonging? The values of Cancer lean towards the greater good of the whole community, not just a chosen few: nurturing and caring for one another, but especially those who need it the most, or who may not be able to care for themselves. 

• Empathy and Caring: On the Statue of Liberty are the words from Emma Lazarus: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” This statue has greeted immigrants on the shores of the United States since 1886. In Cancer we are reminded of what it means to care for, to welcome, to embrace. To have empathy and concern for the welfare of others. To bring back the values of warmth and support through shared experiences and understanding. To feed, nurture and care for others are the ideals embodied in the sign of Cancer. 

• Protection: Does it sometimes seem that you do all the caring for others, but never receive any care for yourself or your own? Are you pouring from an empty vessel? Where have your boundaries become eroded? Where do you need to set better limits with others or with yourself? When is it appropriate and compassionate to say No? When is it necessary to protect the things that matter? 

When a society comes together and makes decisions in harmony, when it respects its most noble traditions, cares for its most vulnerable members, treats its forests and lands with respect, then it will prosper and not decline. ~ Buddha

For this week’s horoscopes, click below: 

HOROSCOPES

Image: Cancer” Osman (1582)