I am still reeling from the Full Moon on June 26 which also happened to be a powerfully intense Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn; but here we are now with a New Moon approaching which also happens to be a Solar Eclipse and in my sign, Cancer. New Moons signify rebirth, beginnings, a clean slate, the start of a new cycle. This new moon highlights Cancer qualities (intuitive, instinctive, protective, sensitive) and 4th house themes (family, home, roots, foundation, the past). Eclipses are uber-powered new and full moons. Here's a brief explanation taken from my original post on understanding eclipses:

Eclipses, in astrology, are accelerators. They speed up events, issues, situations in our personal lives and demand for them to be dealt with.

Eclipses trigger necessary changes to one's journey in life. Because these changes are triggered outside of one's own volition, they are often harsh, sudden and undeniable. The initial shock evoke sadness, confusion, frustration, anger, worry and, possibly, depression. However, it is our reaction past the initial shock that defines how we will allow these eclipses to influence us.This New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Cancer (blending of heart & soul) is beautifully angled with Mars (action/motivation) in Virgo (thorough/analytical), allowing us to take action or make definitive decisions on whatever our heart and mind may desire. The actions we take and decisions we make within the next six months can define the life path of our own choosing; we can change the course of our life's direction. This is a powerful new beginning we are being offered. Please make good and wise use of it. Changing the world begins with changing the individuals living within that world. Heeding the inspired words of the peaceful revolutionary, Mahatma Gandhi, let us truly be the change we want to see in the world.

May it be our family relations that needs mending, defining or redefining what a "family" is, moving forward from a past experience that keeps us from the future we desire, our personal/private life that needs a renewal, or however this New Moon/Solar Eclipse plays out in your life, become aware of what needs a restoration, accept that reality, then allow this Solar Eclipse's opportunistic link with Mars to push you forward and toward your desired new reality. We are the co-creators of our own reality, so envision your new reality and move towards it -- baby steps or big leaps -- it doesn't matter. What matters is taking the steps, one at a time, with intention and heart.

Elsewhere in the sky and contributing to the energies of this Solar Eclipse, the frustrating but seemingly fated link between Saturn in Virgo and Neptune in Aquarius lingers on. Their connection and energy require an adjustment since what they each represent are discordant. Saturn represents structure and reality as experienced in the tangible world while Neptune signifies in the idealism and guidance as enlightened upon through the spiritual realm. When our external world present us with restrictions and many mountains to climb, our inner self reminds us to have faith -- do your part and allow the universe to extend a helping hand by your being 'open' to receive.

Even with an intuitive Cancer-Sun, my Virgo-rising keeps me a practical girl and my Aries-Moon makes me a doer. I see a problem in my life. I mull it over. I may even throw a little pity party :) But I physically/actively DO something about it. So, writing about having and exercising faith reminds me of the many conversations with my Dad, who constantly reminded me that there is room in my life for faith. There are unseen forces that bring about change and manifestation in our life. WE are the catalyst. It is our faith, our thoughts, our intentions, our heart, our will that co-creates the reality of the life we live. I get it, Dad. I do. But practicing it is a conscious effort every waking moment of the day. ahh, therein lies the challenge.

This new moon occurs at 19 degrees and 24 minutes of Cancer. Those born within 3 days of July 11 or January 9; or have planets/house angles around 20 degrees of cardinal signs may feel the effects of this new moon stronger than most. Those celebrating their birthday before or on this solar eclipse day are in for an amazing year. You might consider getting a Solar Return reading.

For me, this Eclipsed New Moon squares my Moon, conjunct my Mars and sextile my Saturn; as a Cancer-Sun, falls in my solar 1st house (self/potential/conscious will) and as a Virgo-rising, my natal 10th house (professional pursuits/future goals/public reputation). There is an opportunity to make steady strides (sextile natal Saturn) with confidence toward personal interests (trine natal Mars) if only I can get past whatever emotionally frustrating or heart breaking events that come my way (square my Moon). The eclipsed new moon's sextile to my Saturn can also provide a sobering effect, stabilizing prolonged emotional responses to effectively assess any restrictions in order to progress with my plans. As most of my blog readers and friends know, I will be moving at month's end, back to my home town where my family still lives. There is the period of adjustment to get settled in, get back into the groove of working while also learning to balance my time/energy between the self (solar 1st house), work (natal 10th house) and family (eclipsed new moon in Cancer). Coupled with my Solar Return falling on the lunar eclipse day, the impact of these eclipses over the next months will indeed have a significant and lasting influence on my life's direction. I don't doubt the next 6-12 months will be a bumpy ride (after all, I've already read my progressed & solar return charts), but meeting the challenges ahead will also be very rewarding.

How might this new moon influence your life? Look to the natal and/or solar house/s this new moon will occupy in your birth chart. Match the sign and degree to the sign on the house cusp/s. Use the list below to identify the Cancer zodiac sign then click here to read about the New Moon in Houses.



Click image to see larger
For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and Rising signs below then click here for an explanation of New Moon illuminating those houses.

• Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 4th House
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 3rd House
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 2nd House
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 1st House
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 12th House
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 11th House
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 10th House
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 9th House
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 8th House
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 7th House
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 6th House
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 5th House

Unsure if you have natal planets/house angles on or around 20 degrees of Cancer? Cast your own birth chart for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

For those doing the new moon wishes ritual, the moon will be new on July 11 at 3:40 p.m. EST (with the solar eclipse occurring just prior at 3:33 p.m.) and will be void of course on July 12 at 7:48 a.m. (EST). Click here for Jan Spiller's DailyOm.com article, briefly explaining new moon wishes. (opens a new window)

I am also available for personal consultations. Are you celebrating a birthday soon? Or know someone who is? Schedule your session for a Solar Return (birthdays) or 3-Chart Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months) or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. You can also give a loved one the gift of insight.

Have a question? Ask me here. Or cruise on over to our free public forum -- AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to start or join a discussion.

Related articles:

• The New Moon in Natal Houses
• Understanding Eclipses
• Solar Returns Explained
• Current Planetary Transits
• Eclipses, Grand Crosses, Cardinal T-Square of 2010 ~ An introduction to the potential of what the celestial events of 2010 offers in the longer term
• Eclipsed Full Moon in Capricorn ~ June 26, 2010
• Sun in Cancer ~ June 21 to July 22, 2010
  
• Mars in Virgo ~ June 7 to July 29, 2010
  
• Saturn Returns to Virgo ~ April 7 to July 21, 2010
• Neptune Retrograde in Aquarius ~ May 31 to November 7, 2010
  

*Click here to learn more about the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum.

Eclipse over the Temple of Poseidon - APOD image credit and copyright to Chris Kotsiopoulos & Anthony Ayiomamitis.