New Moon in Cancer: Seeking A Place of Peace in Chaotic Times

The New Moon on Saturday, June20, 2020 PDT/June 21( in other time zones) occurs at 0’21” Cancer,
just 21 minutes after the Sun and Moon form a perfect conjunction in the first degree and decan of
Cancer. The Sun/Moon conjunction forms a quincunx with Saturn, the Great Teacher focusing us on
what it is that we have to learn from the unconscious energies from within and from the unconscious
making its way to the surface as unresolved needs, issues, and crises erupt in the world around us. 
This New Moon in Cancer, perhaps more than at any other time, challenges us to find a way to create
peace amid one of the most chaotic periods of time in our lives

This New Moon in Cancer opens a new cycle (the heaviest influence of the New Moon extends for the
next 4-5 days) when we ask questions about the seeds we’ve planted in our lives. How are we being called to walk the path we’ve come here to travel? What is or has been the way we’ve normally learned that it was time to make a change? Have we been pushed to our limits yet? Have we broken down walls or expanded barriers keeping us from what we long for? 

This New Moon in the early degrees of Cancer focuses on our need to or for CONTROL. Cancer, one
of the four cardinal signs, is the leader in seeking control (Look to the house/part of life where Cancer
rules to seek where this most affects you). EMOTION is the vehicle for Cancer, and the Moon being
the one force that tempers emotions and moods, is at home in this energy. Another strong Cancerian
quality is LOYALTY. Now is the time to examine where our loyalties lay and to discern whether or not
some of that loyalty is misplaced. Not everything/everyone is of equal importance in our lives.
Who/what are you committed to, and what adjustments need to be made so that you can live in
balance and integrity? The need for LOVE AND REASSURANCE of that love, is another quality of
Cancer (or the Cancerian aspects of your life). Also emphasized in this New Moon in Cancer is the
need for asserting one’s INDEPENDENCE.  The Cancerian need for independence belies their equal
desire to be affirmed in a strong committed relationship. Insecurity arises when there’s a lack of either.
Another quality that the Cancer New Moon calls forth is the call of PASSION/PLEASURE. Cancer
requires both for feeling secure and stable. Another aspect of the Cancerian transit is that of
CONTRADICTION. Listening to a Cancer soul struggle with the complexities of life, is like trying to be
on both ends of a teeter totter out of control.  Their fiercely complex mind ruled by their passions and
needs arouse deep and sometimes dark emotional and mental turmoil. To resolve the contradictions,
Cancer must find the points of balance. 

All these qualities are awakened in us in some form or area of our lives at this New Moon in Cancer.
As the Sun and Moon form this eclipse in alignment with Saturn in 0 degrees of Aquarius, we need to
understand that this is also one of two times in the year when the Moon and Sun make their widest
orbits as they turn back/away from the Earth in their orbit around the Sun. For us in the North, this is
the Summer Solstice (July 20, 2020). In the Southern Hemisphere, it is a
time when the Winter Solstice is approaching. I think it’s interesting to think about what kinds of energy
are affecting us at this time, as it is forceful and strong, but it does occur regularly. Anything that
happens on a fairly regular basis, can help us understand how our own habits, patterns, and choices
may be affecting and be affected by both inner and outer sources. 

The Moon, the fastest moving body in our Solar system, makes a complete orbit of the Sun in roughly
29.5 days. Whereas the Sun requires a bit over 6 months to make the same orbit. The period of time
between when the Moon (or whatever body) begins to enter its turn around point, there is a short
period referred to as the standstill time (often called stationary). It’s akin to the point between the inhale
and exhale of a breath. Hardly perceptible unless you're paying attention or needing more air. The
New Moon marks the point each month when it makes its standstill/pause before beginning its orbit
back around the Sun. It takes two weeks for the Moon to make it halfway, and that’s when we see the
Full Moon. 

So each month at the New Moon we revisit the start of the lunar cycle, and it might just be important
to see if you can track the patterns of your own lunar cycle to observe how you normally behave, feel,
are moved, or blocked in the daily process of life. When we pay attention to the repeated patterns,
habits, and moods, we generally have a better idea of what is causing us  pain, discomfort, frustration,
or distress as well as what leads to greater pleasure, joy, success, fulfilment, or happiness.  One of my
favorite astrologers, Dana Gerhardt wrote that these patterns are like “longitudinal epiphanies;
discoveries that can only be made by walking the same path again and again” (from Gerhardt’s article
in Astrodienst, 2020).  

The Cancer new moon on Sunday, June 21, 2020, is a solar eclipse. The main
influence on solar eclipse June 2020 comes from the planet Saturn, causing an
imbalance between personal freedom and responsibility, between self-expression and
restriction.

A solar eclipse is just like a regular new moon where the Moon passes between Earth
and the Sun. However, a solar eclipse is more powerful because the Moon darkens the
Sun. Solar Eclipse June 2020 is an annular solar eclipse so not all of the Sun will be
darkened. In this type of partial eclipse, the apparent diameter of the Moon is smaller
than the Sun’s, leaving a ring of light around the eclipsed Sun.

The New Moon in Cancer and the Solar eclipse focus our attention on the push and
pull between personal responsibility and the desire for freedom and independence. We
might want to pay attention to how this is causing tension, conflict, or challenges in
your own life. It’s probably going to be very apparent in the world around you. Instead
of trying to tackle the bigger picture, the overwhelming challenges of the chaotic world
events, spend some time seeking to understand what in your own experience is in
need of attention and alteration. How are you living in relation to the world and all the
challenges we’ve faced over the last six months? We’ve all felt greater restrictions on
our freedoms while at the same time being freed from some of the constraints that
kept us trapped in patterns that have not been good for us, collectively and in our
individual lives. How have you made the necessary adjustments, and what do you
now seek to change or alter in order to find greater harmony and balance? What are
your bottom line safety and security needs, and if things are off center and out of
balance, what steps can you take to make some changes? Most importantly, what has
risen to the surface that demands your attention? 

The unconscious, shadow, unhealed and unexplored parts of ourselves are now
making their way to the surface. It may come in the form of physical or emotional
upset or discomfort. It may appear as an obstacle or challenge you hadn’t expected
or felt prepared for. Whatever is rising up into your awareness is what you most need
to pay attention to, and it no doubt will be in the area where Cancer rules in your
life/chart as well as the area where Saturn is currently revealing the lessons that this
New Moon invites you to explore. Since Cancer is at the start of a new transit through
Aquarius, we can find ourselves contemplating and imagining some odd or
unconventional ideas or solutions to old problems. Saturn’s transit through the air sign
of Aquarius arouses more universal and innovative ways of living and learning about
the paths we’re on. 

The saying goes, “desperate times call for desperate measures”, only at this time it’s
more like chaotic times call for more creative measures. We’re experiencing a major
shift and turning point in human history, and we have the opportunity to re-imagine and
realign ourselves to values we might never have thought possible. We can choose a
new path, or grasp hold of what is disintegrating beneath our feet. Use the power and
beautiful complexity of your mind, spirit, imagination, and passion to find new ways to
live and build a new way of life. The challenges may seem beyond the scope or
capacity of what you’ve been taught or have expected, but it is not often that we’re
stopped in our tracks and given the opportunity to reset our vision, our intentions, and
our hopes in what feels almost like a new dimension of life and living.

A friend of mine wrote to me earlier today, checking in to see how I was doing. She
said she felt what was happening in the world around us and in our own lives was
‘keeping us on our toes’, and I felt an immediate lift when I thought about her words.
We are no longer able to be complacent. We have to be ‘on our toes’ ready to meet the
next challenge or anticipate the next necessary step or turn in the bend. We have
been given a wake up call that asks each of us to stop, look, and listen. Remember
that old childhood warning. Before you cross the street, stop, look, and listen. Use all
your senses, take your time, and appreciate the time you have to reflect on what really
matters, and what resources you have to work with right where you are. And then set to
work, creating a new way of living that hopefully, avoids some of the pitfalls and stresses
and strains of how you might have been living before the world shifted beneath our feet. 

This New Moon in Cancer is one that urges us onto a path of seeking greater freedom
within the bounds of a secure and stable understanding of ourselves. The Cancer
New Moon invites us to remember what matters, who we are in our heart of hearts,
and what it is we know we must do to feel fulfilled and whole. The path is illuminated
at this time, both by the light that is visible but also by the light that is arising within
each of us. Let us shine, even in the darkest times, before the fullness of life arises
as the Moon will surely do over this new lunar cycle. Enter the sacred time before you,
awake, aware, and full of possibility and grace.

New Moon in Gemini, the Unconscious Rising Up.

New Moon in Geminis, the Unconscious Rising Up.

On Friday, May 22 at 10:39 a.m. PDT/1:30 p.m. EDT, the New Moon in Gemini peaks at 2 degrees as the Sun and Moon are in the early degrees of the first decan of Gemini. This focuses attention on that which may arise out of the darkest depths of the unconscious. Therefore it is crucial that we pay attention to what is rising up within us, as well as maintaining vigilance as to what is rising up in the collective consciousness in the world around us, both near and far. This area of Gemini, the first decan (first 10 degrees) focuses on our shadow/the unknown and unhealed aspects of both the personal and collective consciousness.

All of life is about working at recognizing and integrating the unknown (in ourselves and in the world), however at this particular period of time, highlighted by this New Moon, it is critical. One of the ways we cope with shadow aspects of ourselves, is to project them (see them in others or assign blame) rather than recognizing them in ourselves. Of course, it’s much harder to see our own faults or areas where we need to learn and grow, than it is to recognize what we don’t like in others. We have seen this happening quite a lot over the last few months, and now is time to make an attempt to recognize, in ourselves, what we need to recognize.

We also need to protect or buffer ourselves from the perceived ‘dangers and bogey men’ that rise from others expressing their own unhealed fears and prejudices and spewing that out onto the world around them.  Unfortunately, this comes out in those who we look to for guidance sometimes, so it’s important to use our powers of discernment to determine what to expose ourselves to, and what to keep away from.  This may be something as simple as cutting down time we spend on social media, or time we spend cut off from others. Now is the time to connect in meaningful ways, with those we love and care about. It’s also time we learn to face our own fears and inner tensions.  Use your spiritual practices and find inspirational ways to lift your own spirits as well as those with whom you are connected. Letter writing, postcards, phone/video calls, and safe social distance with friends and family to maintain contact.

Gemini time is a positive time to expand communication, improve our listening skills, and discover new ways to find meaning and purpose given the limitations and resources available. It’s almost a better time to take in information (and be discerning about the sources of information you are taking in), that it is to express ourselves without thoughtful consideration for what others are experiencing. Since our lives have changed considerably, it is a good time to improve our communication skills, again, by listening and allowing time to thoroughly process what we’re hearing and believing, and measuring that against what our belief system may be. Beliefs shape so much of how we experience the world, and our beliefs are not always appropriate or right. Time to reevaluate what we believe about our basic understanding of life (for example, how we define ourselves by our jobs, our finances, our roles, or basic philosophy of life), in relation to the changes that we are experiencing.

The New Moon at 2 degrees of Gemini trines in harmony with Saturn, the Great Teacher’s position in Aquarius at 1 degree. We get practical, realistic support for the new path ahead, and a gentle, freeing of the mental processes. Our thoughts and feelings are freer in their ability to move beyond the heavy, grounded experiences that our mundane lives have been adjusting to.

Neptune, the planet that rules the Unconscious, dreams, intuition, and the unhealed aspects of ourselves as well as the highly charged parts of our imagination and inspiration, forms a square with Venus retrograde in Gemini, and Mercury in Gemini. This may cloud our thinking a bit, but only if we forget that what is rising up within and around us, must be faced realistically if we are to heal and move forward. We cannot live in a dream world oblivious to true danger. We can though, live more fully whole and healthy when we recognize limits and guidelines that can provide a clearer path forward and which can open our eyes, hearts, and minds to what is reorganizing within the structure of who we are, what our world is, and how we are to move toward health and healing.

This Sun-Moon-Saturn aspect sets the pace for the new lunar cycle. The Sun and Moon will both form conjunctions with  Venus, Mercury, and North Node as the month progresses. When both the Sun and Moon make their conjunctions with the North Node (now at 29 degrees of Gemini, the anaretic/critical degree), big changes may occur. With the Moon, which makes that conjunction first, it will be on an emotional level. You will recognize an inner knowing that is clear and strong. When the Sun makes its conjunction, you may make a decision that affects you for a long time to come, and which changes the direction you are going in. Remember, that North Node is a turning point/ending the old/beginning the new point in your chart/life. Notice what comes up as The Sun moves toward the end of its cycle in Gemini, and with the Moon, what comes up as life-altering over the next four or five days.

Mars is in Pisces now, and will remain there until mid-June. The planet of action and whim, of fire and new beginnings, is muted in Pisces, so it may seem like things are coming to fruition much more slowly than you’d like. That’s okay. Use the time to check all systems so that when Mars moves into fiery Aries, all the bugs are worked out and you’re more sure of where you’re going, why you want to move ahead, and whether or not you’re really sold on the idea of acting now.  This is the retreat-like time, the 40 days in the Wilderness time, when we confront the hidden dimensions of what is motivating and moving us. Whatever you allow to surface and face, will be helpful in the long run even though it may seem frustrating now. For those who follow a spiritual path, remember, God’s timing is not ours. Trust the flow of life, and use this time to discern what path is calling you.

Saturns’  transit of Aquarius lasts until July 1, and when it goes retrograde back into Capricorn where it stays until December. This is not the time to try to push things too fast. Swimming against the tide will only tire you out and frustrate your efforts. Wait for the tides to change before making major moves.

Mercury squares Neptune on the day of the New Moon making it difficult to face the facts or find a solution to a difficult problem. In a world where we believe (look at those beliefs again), we have the idea that we are in control, and all we have to do is make up our minds to do something and we can manifest it. We can manifest what we dream up, however, and this is the part most of us try to ignore, we have to take the consequences of pushing too fast, moving too slowly, or making the wrong decision.  It’s time to get into a more realistic sense of harmony with our lives and the world we live in. We have the opportunity to reflect, learn, revise, and make some new choices given what is unfolding around us and in our own experiences. The New Moon in Gemini and the cluster of planets gathered in this air sign, move us all, stimulate our minds and inspire us in new ways. Time to look at where we are at this moment. Time to reflect and assess what is essential and what is not. And time to start dreaming some new dreams and looking for some new paths, ones we might never have imagined possible before.

Peace within, and love all around you each. Blessings flow. Let them lift and comfort you.
 Love, Catherine

Venus Retrograde: Mid-course Correction Time May 13-June 25.

Venus, the second planet from the Sun, goes on its retrograde course around the Sun about every 18 months. The retrograde phase lasts for just about 40-43 days. On May 13 Venus goes retrograde until June 25 during which time we have time to reflect on our ideas, beliefs, and experiences with love. As long as we are tied to worn out conceptions and unresolved issues in this realm, we are unlikely to be able to move into the fullness of our ability to experience love. However we use this time for reflection, discernment, and realigning, the effects will have an impact on the next 10 years.

Love, or our perceptions of what that is, are based on what we value in relationships with others. Love is also based on how we value ourselves and our own development and growth. How do we understand how Venus Retrograde cycles affect us most? It all depends on where in our charts/lives the Natal and Progressed aspects appear, and what houses/areas of our lives the Transiting Venus is in our charts. For example, if I have natal Venus in my 6th house, concern for you during this time will most likely be about taking care of the details and beautification of your daily life, your home environment, and work space. Most likely this would make you a prolific list maker and planner about how to organize or reorganize your daily life spaces and time. During retrograde cycles you'd probably take better care of yourself, work on improving your hygiene and appearance, and spend time refreshing your living and work spaces.

In terms of relationships, you'd probably be spending more time with partners with shared interests in the daily life aspects of you, your work, and your home. Ideally, you might even attract those with whom you could live and work with harmoniously.  And if you are not with someone like that, it would most likely be a longing.  The nature of the 6th house is how your sense of order, beauty, and passion are grounded. Another aspect of this would be the sign in which Venus is transiting. Venus in Aries would have more of a quixotic and fiery nature, while Venus in Taurus would be even more soundly grounded in showing love, rather than the flowery speech of lovers. Creating beauty is Taurean domain, and Venus would be enhanced in this sign.

When in retrograde, whatever the house or sign, would signal a time when whatever is out of order in this area, wherever we are not fulfilled or satisfied, would become problematic. At the very least we'd begin to feel the need to rethink issues and conditions related to both the house (area of our lives) and the sign (energy and rulership of the sign). Retrograde times are slowing down times. They are the periods of time when whatever area of our lives are most affected, would be in need of rethinking, renewal, and refreshing.  When we get stuck in old, outworn beliefs or patterns or both, we create limitation where none need be.

Retrograde times are not times of punishment or deprivation, but of a time when we can really examine what we value in ourselves, in our ways of living and being, in our concepts about love, compassion, and beauty, and in our interactions with others in partnerships, friendships, and relationships.

Venus will enter her retrograde cycle in mid-May in the sign of Gemini, at 21'50". This period will be tumultuous as it's a time when we're going to be rethinking just about everything about how we do relationships. We are going to be aware of where we have been lost in the darkness of our own fears, wounds, and distorted views of love. Venus pulls us out of the depths of despair or awakens us to the lapses and distance we've been experiencing. Rather than making plans or making changes, we spend this retrograde time reviewing and remembering what our lives have revealed about how we value and view love, beauty, relationships, and the full expression of who we are.

Artists may revive some part of themselves that set them on the course to creating beauty long ago. We may also be awakened to those times and connections that most deeply touched us and helped us feel alive and fulfilled. This journey into exploring our experiences in and of love, may be somewhat uncomfortable, especially if the beliefs and stories we've created to rationalize or justify our experiences are built on distortions or a clear perspective of how all involved helped create what became those experiences.

Again, depending upon where Gemini is in your chart, this retrograde transit of Venus will swoop in and open our inner awareness and it will evoke the emotions, memories, passions, and woundedness that has yet to heal. As Venus transits through the houses, note how it may affect you in your life:

1st house transits will raise the possibility of rethinking the way you choose to present yourself to the world. Our worlds have all changed significantly and suddenly, so this retrograde period may be just what you need to reevaluate the ways you want to refine or redefine yourself. Some may be reconsidering their public persona, or considering adding a new dimension to what you already do.

2nd house transits are in the area of your life where you determine what you value and what your own worth is. Often this is programmed into us when we're young, but as we grow and develop, it is more and more a choice we make on our own. Who are you, and what really matters to you? What are you willing to do, what can you learn to enhance your skills and scope, and what do you want to do more of and less of? It's a time to get your priorities/values straight, and to work on integrating who you really are with what you need and want.

3rd house transits focus our attention on all forms of communication, particularly with those near us (siblings, neighbors, community) as well as the varied forms of communication. We may notice areas of this realm where you find yourself overwhelmed or out of contact. You may notice ways that no longer satisfy or meet your needs, and may begin remembering how you've compromised or rationalized others' needs over your won. Time for finding balance amid the shifts. Finding new ways of communicating is necessary now, and for you, this is even more important.

4th house transits involve the inner sense of feeling at home, with yourself, and in your home. How are you feeling about where you are and how you are feeling about being at home? How are your security needs being met, and what is in need of readjusting, realigning, or removing in order to regain a sense of safety, security, and comfort?

5th house transits involve our ability to enjoy life, create beauty, find pleasure, and connect with children. Your appetite for joy may be reawakened, and you may discover greater depth in your creativity and may feel the urge to break away from established and routine patterns to open yourself to unknown depths.

6th house transits focus our attention on our daily routines, the work we do, and our physical bodies/health. We may be paying closer attention to the details of daily life and routines, with an aim to create a healthier, more balanced life. It might be a time when clearing clutter and unnecessary parts of life is called for. A good time to sift and sort so that there's room for new plans, new methods and/or a new set of priorities in your daily life/work routines. When we are happy with what we do, we nourish our health and well being.

7th house transits are all about relationships, partnerships, and marriages. The places in our lives where we work in tandem with others. We associate many of our partnerships on love and marriages on love and romance. We also identify our partnerships as an extension of our own fulfillment, and during the retrograde, we may become more critical of what we perceive. No relationship or partnership can flourish and grow if it's stuck in ruts and choked off by the weeds. Time to clear the air regarding what we need, desire, and expect of, first, ourselves in relationship, and then of our partners.  Knowing who I am and what I want or expect is crucial in all relationships. We cannot bury ourselves in someone else's vision without paying a price. Nor do we want to trap anyone in our own unconscious needs.

8th house transit is a time to review life and look for the blast from the past that got you motivated, charged, or set on fire for life. When dreams die, as Langston Hughes wrote, it is often because of that dream deferred. What dreams have you allowed to die, and what might you need to do to revive them and get that passion for life back? Go deep and go out on a limb to refresh your memories, revive you imagination, and let you intuition and spirituality be the path to fulfillment and love.

9th house transits remind us of of the wanderlust that has been put on hold abruptly. Dreams and plans may have fallen apart or at the very least, changed direction or course. Time to reevaluate possibilities, and to remember Emily Dickinson's words, "I dwell in possibilities."  The nature of exploration may be on hold or may be changed in significant ways, but your quest may find new avenues, yet to be imagined.

10th house transits are all about our life purpose, often taken to be a career. But a career is only part of that quest. Life purpose is the bedrock of who we are and what our journey here is. It exists in spite of anything else we do purposely. Our life purpose is what we do to bring service, meaning, and the fullness of our human expression to life.  This retrograde time is when you examine this purpose more deeply and make plans, plans that will carry you into the next 10 years.

11th house transits are about our friendships, associations, group activities, and connections to institutions. As most of us see and experience, this has shifted almost overnight. Some of us are working and homeschooling and taking care of all the household chores. We've had to change the way we rely on others, and have become more responsible in some ways, and less so in others. This period of time, though it may be tumultuous, is a valuable time for reassessing what we need and what we can offer others. We must make some adjustments now in order not to burn ourselves out.

12th house transits are about the unconscious, hidden aspects of our lives, that appear to us in forms like dreams, intuition, sparks of ideas, and chance meetings and opportunities. What are our hidden resources, and how can we more creatively access them so that we can grow and nurture ourselves and those we love? What hidden beauty is longing to be expressed, and how might we engage with the subconscious to bring that beauty into the open?

Whatever the Venus Retrograde transit has in store for you, it's a crucial time for evaluating what we truly love, value, and desire to create in our lives. How we handle ourselves at this time, through this transit in particular, will provide the impetus, energy, and focus for what we do for the next 10 years. For those who were around for the Summer of Love in the 1970s, think back to what was growing in your life then, for this is a new opportunity to take out those old dreams, dust them off, and no longer defer from creating ways for them to come true. Blessings all.

New Moon in Taurus on Earth Day 2020

Tarot Painting by Tammy Heintz

This month’s New Moon in 3’ 24” of Taurus is exact at 7:26 P.M. PDT/10:26 EDT. Both the Sun and the Moon in the first decan of Taurus (heavily influenced by its Aries energy) conjuncts Uranus in Taurus (6 degrees). This New Moon has a major impact on anyone with planets or aspects within 29-30 degrees of Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) and within 0-8 degrees of the Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius). It affects everyone (for we all have the Cardinal and Fixed sings in our charts/lives. Look to the houses and what those houses signify, to see how this New Moon may be affecting you.

As I write this column on Tuesday, April 21, the Moon is completing its transit through Aries, and it will enter Taurus tomorrow around 12:30 PDT/3:30 PM EDT. Earlier this morning (Tuesday) the Sun formed a square to Saturn, the Great Teacher. Saturn is a very slow moving planet, taking nearly 30 years to orbit the Sun. It acts as a force that slows us down and forces us to learn lessons through direct experience, something that is not always pleasant since it usually pertains to an area of our lives which we don’t necessarily want to change/experience.  As this happens at a point when our  collective and personal pandemic experiences are just beginning, it will come as no surprise that you may be facing some difficult and challenging facts of life right now.

 Life has been transformed (as Saturn and Pluto turned the ground beneath our feet over the last few years) and now we are thrown into a new way of living and understanding life. As we’ve faced the challenges so far, we have learned that we are stronger than we thought we might be, and more capable than we maybe ever imagined. We’ve learned, through the grave reality we’re facing together, that the old saying, “things could be worse” has a new somber ring to it. So far, we’ve managed to adapt to the changes, though the uncertainty of what is ahead makes this more challenging than usual for most if not all of us.

The Sun in early Taurus is  also semi-square Neptune, making it more difficult to visualize or focus on our goals. What was important, is now becoming less so, and we are beginning to see or feel that our goals and dreams and plans may be less clear than ever. Because the degree of uncertainty that we face as human beings, and the uncertainty we individually are recognizing more and more are at such an unknown level, we need to do whatever we can to focus on what we can do right where we are now. The practice of mindfulness, of paying attention to what is right before our eyes and under our feet, is crucial. Channeling our energy, time, and attention into artistic, pragmatic, and concrete ways is the highest form of using our creative energy to help ground us in the ‘facts of life’ as they now exist.

Examples of this are all around us. We’re working in our gardens, painting our houses, inside and out, cooking up a storm, and making art as ways to keep focused and productive. Many of us are working harder than ever, but in new ways. And since many of us are working from home, we’re learning more about our life-work balance, often by overdoing or getting stuck in some new patterns of behavior that we probably need to adjust if we’re going to make the best of this stay at home mode of living. For example, we know we cannot stay in front of the screen 24/7 even though that’s been a kind of lifeline for many of us. We also know we cannot eat, drink, or obsess over household chores (DYI, decluttering) to the exclusion of more balanced ways of living. And for those of us who are going out and working through this difficult time, the levels of stress and anxiety must be dealt with as well. For those whose work requires that they put themselves in jeopardy, this can be a time that is  unparalleled in stress and uncertainty. Whatever our situation and the conditions we are living in, this New Moon in Taurus comes at a time when we need to be making the best choices we can in order for us to stay healthy and maintain our well being.

The Sun-Saturn square is exact today, Tuesday, and indicates we may be feeling where we are blocked or limited in some way. The Moon is in Aries all day, and gives us the feeling that we ‘have to get it done now’. This is an emotional reaction brought on by the Moon (guardian of our emotional temperment) being in the final degrees of Aries, the sign of the Ram who wants to charge headlong into the fray. Now is not the time to do so, and therefore we may feel more anxious and upset than usual. The fixed stars in the horns of the constellation of Aries, are called the Butters (those who butt like a ram). They are Hamal in the head of the ram, Sheraton (in the right horn)  and Mesarthim (in the left)  in the horns. This New Moon is aligned with Sheraton and Mesarthim, and they represent the energy of Mars and Saturn (action and slow, methodical movement). There’s a push me-pull me quality to the energy right now. We may feel compelled to get things done/started/completed, while at the same time feeling stuck or blocked in some way.

How do we cope with such contradictory energy? Again, we need to use the growing earth energy of Taurus Sun and tomorrow the Moon in Taurus as they push us to ground in the pragmatic and immediacy of what is right in front of us. What is it we can control or do right now? It may be simply taking care of ourselves, beautifying ourselves and our surroundings, or creating something beautiful through art, music, language, or some other form of creativity. What woke me up yesterday was moving beyond my dread of having to go out for the first time in two weeks, to do some necessary shopping. When the cat is almost out of food, I know I have to push myself beyond my own qualms and fears, and so out I went early in the day. In the two weeks since I’d last driven into town, the beauty of Spring had blossomed in unimaginable ways.

The bursts of color from flowers, blossoming trees was spectacular. The sky and beauty of the rivers and the ocean were striking and nourishing. And seeing people I hadn’t seen for a while, was life affirming. And there was nothing to be afraid of as I was being cautious and respectful of the restrictions we’d all agreed to follow, in order to protect one another. While this is far from feeling normal, it is a time when we have the opportunity to wake up to the gifts we possess within ourselves and the beauty that surrounds us, when we’re willing to open our minds, our eyes, and our lives to appreciating what is, instead of spending all our time worrying about what might be or what might not be. Practicing active mindfulness in taking care of ourselves, one another, and the world we have connection with, is key. The Taurus energy of the New Moon combined with that of the Sun, gives us a big push onto the path of finding harmony through grounding.

Taurus time is one of my favorite times of the year, for it is a time when we are drenched in the changing seasons, focused on the growing energy of Light/Lifting Up in the North and Darkness/Depth in the South. It is a time of sensuality. The great poet, John Milton, coined the word, sensuous so as to have a synonym of the word sensual that was not sexual in nature. The stimulation of the senses is key to waking up our connections with our body, mind, spirit, and emotions. Staying active and keeping our tactile senses awake and active, helps to keep us aware of our own gifts, talents, skills, and feelings as well as the tactile and concrete connection with the world around us. The integration of inner and outer minds and consciousness is crucial at this New Moon time.

And therefore, this New Moon in Taurus on April 22, 2020, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, is the perfect time to  appreciate what blessings we have. The 50th anniversary is traditionally the time we pause to celebrate and appreciate what has grown in our lives. What have we accomplished? What have we created? What is growing in our selves, our minds, our relationships, our gardens, our friendships, our families, and in our communities? Where are we being called to grow and expand our thinking given the changes that have served to throw us into a great transformation and the subsequent transitions?  This New Moon in Taurus provides the perfect time to daydream, stop and smell the roses, and indeed to take stock of what is growing within us and where we are. It’s time to create some new dreams, draw up a new plan, and acknowledge what has already been accomplished as we wait on the threshold of a changing world.

We are each at a crossroads where we have the opportunity to make some new choices. When we are able to take stock, feel appreciative and open to new growth, then we are also capable of moving forward with a greaters sense of purpose. What do we do when we’re lost? We try to determine our direction. We take stock of who we are and where we are, and then we determine what goals, plans, and directions are pointing us in a new direction. As the New Moon in Taurus aligns with the North Node (Cancer) adjusting our perspective and direction for the future, and as the New Moon in Taurus for whatever path is ahead. With the Moon’s square to Saturn, we may feel blocked, but if we look more closely, it might be that we’re just beginning to understand what we’ve left undone or what we may have neglected, that needs attention in order to free us to move into a new direction.

 Blocks may be that what keeps us is a belief about who/what we’re supposed to be. It may be that we’ve neglected some aspect of our life that now needs tending to. Perhaps hygiene or physical exercise. Check in with yourself, and find ways to create more beauty in your life. Look at the things you may be butting your head/horns into, and see how you might let go of the struggle just long enough to see that maybe now is not the right time for something you’ve been struggling with. Slow down, smell the roses, dig your hands into the dirt, walk under the trees in blossom, and sit outside and drink in the beauty that is yours today. Be glad and rejoice, for we have a life yet unlived, and we just may find the best is yet to come.

The Sabian Symbol for this degree of Taurus provides a vivid description of the energy of this New Moon in Taurus:   “A woman of curly hair, having a single child who is dressed in clothes like unto fire, and she herself dressed in similar clothes.  And this is a face of plowing and working the earth, of sciences, geometry, of sowing seed, and making things.” ~ Picatrix

New Moon in Aries: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

On the First Day of Spring, April 19-20, the Sun was at 29 degrees (anaretic/crisis degree)  Pisces.
Two days later, The Sun entered Aries. As these seasonal and lunar events were taking place, we

celebrated the Vernal Equinox  in the North and Autumnal Equinox in the South. And this morning,
March 24, we experience the New Moon in Aries, at 4/23 degrees. It is, to say the least,  a

mind-blowing time for everyone on the Earth.The New Moon arrives on March 24 this month. 

At the time of the Equinox, the Moon was in 9 degrees of Acquarius, Mercury was at 2 degrees of
Pisces, moving forward, and Venus was at 15 degrees in grounding Taurus. Mars was conjunct
Jupiter in earthy Capricorn. Saturn was in the last degree (29) of Capricorn, the anaretic/crisis degree
of Saturn’s long transit through this sign. Uranus was in 4 degrees of Taurus, so even though the Sun
was about to go into a fire sign, the abundance of Earth signs continues keeping the fires of Aries
cooler than usual. Neptune continues its long journey through Pisces at 18 degrees. Pluto is in
Capricorn at 24 degrees, moving very slowly out of a direct conjunction (but still in waning
conjunction) with Saturn. 

The North Node (gateway from past to future) is at 4 degrees of Cancer making safety, security,
protection a primary concern for all of us. Surprise, surprise. Chiron, the Wounded Healer, is at 5
degrees of Aries, so we may see an infusion of healing experiences and/or facing old wounds when
the Sun in Aries transits Chiron in the next week or so. The current crisis that is gripping the entire
Earth, is being gradually transformed as we end one major lunar cycle, and begin a new one.
Remember, the Sun moves one degree a day, so the longest a conjunction will last is 5 days on
either side of an exact conjunction. 

It is now 3 a.m. I awoke with a start at 2:28, at the exact moment the New Moon peaked in Aries.
A time we may normally feel propelled to take action, this New Moon feels more like we’re caught
between a rock and a hard place, unable to move one way or another.  If that wasn’t perfectly
obvious on both the collective and personal level, it certainly is apparent astrologically. This New
Moon in Aries (new beginnings, movement, action) squares the North Node in Cancer (safety,
security, tending to the home fires, protecting). 

We find ourselves struggling with obstacles and challenges that block movement (I’m not making
this up). At this point, we must meet the challenges we’re facing together in order to be free to move
and act.  On top of that hard aspect, the ruler of Aries, Mars is stuck between Saturn (the Great
Teacher) and Pluto (the Great Transformer), further inhibiting movement, action, decision making,
and growth. Furthermore,  making resolutions or finding answers to difficult and even some of the
most simple questions, is restricted.  

This New Moon in Aries affects us all particularly in the areas of life/chart where Aires and Mars are. 
For those with planets, aspects, and transits between 0-8 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries,
Cancer, Libra, Capricorn), this New Moon is especially powerful. While the unusual grounding of Aries
fires (and our own as we go deeper into physical and social isolation during this worldwide pandemic)
has the potential to be extremely productive. It all depends on how we use the energy and make use of
the opportunities that may seem hidden in hardship, challenge, loss, and grief. Grief for what was opens
a new road to what will be. The energy of the Aries New Moon favors independent, working alone kinds
of endeavors. Aries’ New Moon favors pioneering ideas and independent focus and direction by those
who face fear and set out to explore more deeply, the way into the complex nature of what is calling for
us to discover, produce, set forth in search of, and adapt to. We are stripped of the need to meet
expectations that others may have of us, and are free, indeed, forced to operate differently than we
might have in the past. The first decan of Aries (0-10 degrees) is where we find ourselves challenged
to discover greater emotional independence while at the same time, finding it hard who to trust or what
to believe. We’re charting a new course in unfamiliar waters.

Something about this time, this New Moon, and the changes we are going through both personally and
collectively, brings us to a point where we are very attuned to the mission, calling, or purpose we are
seeing ourselves called to. We may find greater purpose simply because the road we thought lay before
us, is no longer an option. We need to reconnoiter and make some new decisions. And we may be
freed from having to stick to one plan or another, and now have new options. It’s a time many will
perform heroic feats, make startling discoveries, and become passionate warriors for altruistic causes
that benefit others in much needed ways. We are after all, looking for heroes, leaders, and trusted
teachers and saints to help guide us into the dark pathways many of us are now experiencing. The
best in us and the worst in us are coming clearly into sight. 

We all become staunchly devoted to protecting and preserving our families, tribes, communities, and
shared identities (nations, regions, cultures). I would include in this, our areas of expertise, knowledge,
information, institutions/systems---all of which we now come to respect and demand the best from. If
we find something lacking in those relationships we depend on, we seek out ones that we can work to
strengthen and transform to work for the growing challenges we’re facing. 

This New Moon in Aries aligns with the fixed star, Deneb Kaitos. This fixed star is in the tail of the
Constellation of the Sea Monster. According to Elsbeth Ebertin’s interpretation, this star represents
“inhibitions and restraints in every way, psychologically and physically.”  Aries rules the head, and
so this fixed star may set off mental anguish, hot headedness, distorted thinking, and stubborn,
egotistical outbursts. Time to rely on some positive, grounding practices to keep ourselves less
argumentative, and more connected to what we can do right where we are. Avoid getting drawn into
battle (metaphorically or otherwise) at this time. Now is the time to find a healthier and less stressful
way to weather the storm. 

Each sign has the potential for both positive and negative expression. The fixed star, Deneb Kaitos, is
what gives Aries the reputation of being headstrong, argumentative, and rash. The challenge is to think
before speaking. Give yourself outlets for your more aggressive and for heaven's sake, think before you
speak so you avoid inadvertently wounding or dismissing others unfairly. This New Moon in Aries falls
in the area of the Zodiac where our basest and most undeveloped qualities are unveiled. The challenge
is to become more self aware and conscious of how our words affect others, how our actions impact
them, and how we are called to develop and hone our skills rather than making one blunder after
another, adding insult to injury in the process.   We can see this as we watch those in leadership
positions either command respect and credibility or fail in their attempts to lead because of their own
egotistical lack. We may find ourselves caught up in fearful mental fantasies, and may even observe
others acting out of that fear.

 The best thing we can do during this crucial time is to seek to observe how we are being affected.
Understand that our reactions and responses to the traumatic events we are experiencing are automatic.
We cannot help but be fearful or panicked at times. That is part of our natural response to trauma.
We can act on our own behalf by  developing some healthy ways of coping with the stress we feel.
Find ways to calm your body’s natural stress reactions through music, dance, art, poetry, concrete
activity, spiritual practices (prayer, inspirational reading, contemplation), meditation, yoga, or other
activities that help you reduce your stress responses. 

Since we’re all caught between the rock and the hard place, my suggestion would be to build yourself
a cozy nest right where you are, and give yourself some positive ways to focus your attention, energy,
and actions so that you are feeling more productive than distracted, more grounded than out of control,
and more inspired than distracted. When you do find yourself dwelling on negative thoughts/fantasies,
refocus your attention  through activating other senses and your attention. Many are looking for ways to
be more useful (making masks for medical personnel), be more prepared (stocking up; don’t hoard
though.Hoarding is fear-based, and though we are rightfully afraid, we need to temper the levels of
fear because that activates the negative, harmful release of chemicals like cortisol which are harmful to
our immune systems. 

Mars’ transit is making harsh aspects to both Pluto ( Great Transformer) and Jupiter (Abundance and
excess).  Saturn has moved out of close conjunction with Pluto and has entered Aquarius. The new
energy of Saturn (The Great Teacher) is in the innovative, altruistic sign where it will be for the next two
and a half years. We are learning new lessons in new ways, and are challenged to release whatever
greed or rooted beliefs and habits we have that keep us from learning, understanding, and acting in our
own best interests at the same time we act for the good of all. We are all connected now, in such  a
stark and obvious way. We can learn from this, a better way to live together. 

Mars’, Aries ruler, is the ‘star’ of this New Moon cycle. Mars conjunction to Pluto is described by Marina
(DarkStar Astrology) as “...the proverbial phoenix rising from the flames.”  This seems a very fitting
description of this New Moon lunar cycle. This aspect highlights our ability to rise above all manner of
obstacles and to meet challenges, successfully, but transformed. This is a time of alchemical change in
each and every one of us, and consequently, who we are as human beings and part of the Earth we call
home. 

Mars conjunct Jupiter gives us the courage of a lion and the bravery of the heroes who fill the classic
tales, and provide the sourcing for myths. We are in a cataclysmic time when we are transforming more
rapidly than ever. It’s as if a fire of spirit has swept across the face of the Earth and into each of our
hearts and souls. We are aflame with passion and energy. Let’s turn this into good, and take good care
of ourselves while expressing and sharing compassion, practical support, and love for one another.
Pray for forgiveness of those who seek to harm out of ignorance, fear, or evil intentions. And turn away
from whatever would seek to harm or bring you out of harmony with peace, compassion, and gratitude. 
Seek harmony where you are in body, mind, emotions, and spirit.