Astro Forecast
Astral Awareness & Insight by Gaia
Cancer New Moon/ Solar Eclipse and Mercury Retrograde
“give me a pillow of strong ever-dependable shoulders
that I can bury my head in.” 
Sanober Khan, Turquoise Silence
 
“The desire to go home that is a desire to be whole, to know where you are, to be the point of intersection of all the lines drawn through all the stars, to be the constellation-maker and the center of the world, that center called love. To awaken from sleep, to rest from awakening, to tame the animal, to let the soul go wild, to shelter in darkness and blaze with light, to cease to speak and be perfectly understood.” 
Rebecca Solnit
 
 
Longing to belong and to be held in the safety of a strong embrace, in the warm hug of a cozy home, cuddled by the sweet silver rays of the moonlight ...
Such universal needs for safety, connection, and for a home are so pervasive that the lack of them feels like an illness. It`s no coincidence that we say we feel "homesick" when those longings are not met.
 
And it is the sign of Cancer, symbolized by the crab that represents such deep-felt yearnings. A hard skeleton protects her soft body, that like a resilient home is carried around, and it`s symbolic of the deeply felt interest for home and family of this sign. With his eights legs and two front claws, the crab swims and moves sideways showing her pair of claws as a weapon for self-defense. While not confrontational, Cancer can and will bite, clinging to what it wants with great resistance.  Crabs live in more places than any other creature in the ocean, dwelling in liminal places, in between the land and the sea, rocks and waves, in salt and fresh water, near volcanoes or under the ice in Antarctica. While some can climb trees, they all need to be close to the sea. It`s no coincidence that Cancer belongs to the water element representing the worlds of emotions which like waves come forward to and recede from the inner shores of our awareness.
A crab shell does not grow, but once it has become too small, the crab climbs out of it, as a new one is created underneath. This process called molting takes several weeks as the inner shell is first formed while the old one cracks and is slowly discarded.
 
This process of molting seems very apt to represent the upcoming new Moon and total solar eclipse in Cancer on July 2nd as the Moon will flow in the sky and pass between the Earth and the Sun which will turn dark for those in South America and the South Pacific.
Astrologically, those with planets and points near 10 degrees of Cancer and Capricorn, and Libra and Aries will feel this more intensely throughout this and in the next 6 months. All that pertains to Cancer and what you might call home, family, safety, and security, close bonds, and attachments might undergo a process of cracking, new growth as the old protective shell will be slowly discarded.
 
Solar eclipses are times of significant new beginnings and seem to constellate a bit more uncertainty than usual. You might experience it in the areas of life where the eclipse falls in your natal chart.  This  “atmosphere” also affects the collective and people in the public eye, as they are symbolically as visible as the Sun and the Moon in the sky.  
 
Despite being considerably smaller than the Sun, the Moon appears as big as the solar disk as she will slowly darken his light, while an eerie greyness will take hold of the land and darkness descends. In the sky, the Sun disk will look like a new planet lined by a fluorescent light; the stars will strangely appear shining over the earth wrapped into silence. When I did witness this astonishing cosmic dance, the only words the few humans nearby spoke repeatedly were "oh my God!” No wonder the Greek word for eclipse meant, “to be forgotten” by the lights and the Gods in the sky. Total solar eclipses feel supernatural and scientific or astronomical explanations cannot take away the somatic and emotional response to such awe-inspiring fleeting phenomenon. Feeling stunned comes short of describing the experience of day-darkness that dissipates as the Moon seems to be moving away and sunlight returns.
 
Feeling a bit shocked, confused, exhilarated are often common experiences during eclipse periods, especially when personal points in the chart are triggered. In resonance with the unusualness of what happens in the sky, eclipses seem to take us into the wilderness, in unfamiliar landscapes filled with unexpected turns and unforeseen paths, that we might not have expected.
 
The energy of these weeks can be dazzling and a bit overwhelming, and it is wise to engage in grounding practices, meditation, and relaxation techniques to navigate this time better. Rather than rushing into action, it might be helpful to wait for the planets to return to their cycle and to make a full assessment of the situation at hand.
 
In such a way, this powerful eclipse might awaken the need to crack the old shell that protects the softcore of Cancer and the Moon, its ruler, in regards to all that is dear to them. On a more intimate level, the Moon presides over the feminine principle, emotional bonding and connections, the experience of motherhood and infancy, feeling nurtured and able to bond with other beings. Perhaps this eclipse might suddenly highlight if and how you feel at home with yourself and your body. We know through attachment theory that the way an infant is cared for in the first five years of his life shapes the way she/he will relate and connect emotionally as an adult. The emphasis on Cancer might correspond with the awareness of new needs or ways of being close that might crack some old outworn pathways that are rooted in our bodies and nervous system, especially for those who struggle with anxiety or feel threatened by closeness. (You may read Diane Poole Heller on avoidant, ambivalent, and secure attachments.) While it might feel weary and scary, this might be a time to honor these new needs as closeness, nurture, and care in infancy are the roots of our species healthy survival.
 
On a more mundane level, you might wonder again, how do you feel about where you live? Does it feel like home? Does it feel a welcoming place where you can retreat as you too, like the crab, live in between the mighty waves of love and losses, day and nights, responsibilities, duties, and joy?
Or how do you feel about your family of choice and family of origin? As the outdated patriarchal model of the family is making way for diversity; you might ponder on what family means to you and how your needs might or might not meet at this time.
As in the face of the horrific separations of parents and children at the borders, and the unpunished abuse of those innocent children, you might wonder what you can do? What safety means to you? And along these lines, how do you feel about your homeland whichever land might be?
 
On a collective level, it might be another time for reckoning what it means to be so lucky to call this Earth our home. What caring for this beautiful planet of ours looks like in a time in which our species is single-handling destroying the very home we and so many other beings share? Such questions simply highlight some of the archetypal threads that are woven in the tapestry of this time as new seeds of awareness twill sprout at the next Full Moon and Lunar eclipse on July 16th and in the next six months.
 
While this solar eclipse at 10 Cancer does not make challenging aspects with other planets other than slightly activating the opposition to Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn, it happens at a time when Mercury and Mars trigger the January lunar eclipse at 0 Leo.
This adds some chaos to this intense time because the energy awakened at that eclipse was likely disruptive, chaotic, and enlightening given the square to Uranus.  Events that happened back in January might relate to discoveries around these weeks and particularly during the weeks before the new Moon  (June 24-July 5).
 
On July 7th Mercury will turn retrograde at 4 degrees of Leo until August 1st. Mercury will be in proximity to Mars and in a loose square to Uranus. You might be aware that Leo is Mercury sign`s of fall, and Mars might add rashness and impulsivity to what is communicated (Mercury). It might be helpful to keep your options open for during the retrograde new information might emerge that will help bring some clarity. The square to Uranus might make this an appropriate time to revise a creative project (Leo), thinking outside the box, unexpected experiences or tackle a project that requires courage and fierceness, which Leo has in abundance.  However the square between Uranus and Mars, which will be exact on July 11th and 12th, suggest tension and unpredictability, excitement and unexpected experiences, awakenings, and impatience. Uranus might feel like a high current of electricity so it might be helpful to be flexible, to keep grounded and rested so to act consciously especially if you have planets and points between 3 and 7 of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
 
New Moon Ritual
 
This is a crucial time to engage in a ritual to honor our needs and align ourselves with Cancer energy so that we can be attuned to the meaning of this time, which is a celebration of feminine energies.
As this solar eclipse is also a new moon; it represents the end of one cycle and the beginning of a new one and it`s a time for releasing, letting go, cleansing and planting new seeds. While a new moon influence lasts for four weeks, as the solar eclipse lasts about six months and again, its effects depend on how interact with your natal chart.
When the moon is in her balsamic phase, a few days before July 2nd, the darkness makes it a good time for retreating in the safety of your shell and taking time to feel into your soft Cancer body. You might perhaps find a safe place in your home, or by the sea and allow yourself to rest and relax. You might honor all that comes up about home, family, needs, connections, and tap into all those vulnerable, places in yourself. You may give a lot of attention to those parts that might feel very in need, especially the one you might have, at some point in your life, call or referred to as “needy.” You may sit with those vulnerable places and bring consciousness (Sun) to those deep needs (Moon). They might speak the wordless language of fantasies, images, intuitions, bodily sensations, or come to you in dreams. Perhaps let all that comes to flow through you, let it grow and let your adult self give compassion as well as expression to them.
You might notice what might feel the need for more room to grow, and perhaps take note by writing these down. And if you can, give them a new home, make on with clay, or drawing it on paper, or take a shell on the beach. Perhaps just use whatever suits you best so that you can have, a little new safe "shell" all for yourself. 
 
“Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone's hand is the beginning of a journey.
At other times, it is allowing another to take yours.” 

Vera Nazarian
 
Thank you for reading this astro-report. Please keep in mind that this is a general description of the upcoming and unfolding planetary weather.  To know more about yourself and the  ‘seasons’ you are experiencing and what is up for renewal in your own life, you are welcome to reach me at gaia@astrothink.com for a personal and more accurate astrological reading based on your natal chart, calculated with your time, place and date of birth. Couples readings are also available. 
You may also give the gift of self-awareness to friends and family so that they can navigate this season with greater clarity and awareness. Please reach out to gaia@astrothink.com for gift certificates.
I refer to the more-than-human species with the pronouns she and he, rather than it as I consider them being equal to humans rather than objects.
 
Moon pictures by Gaia  www.instagram.com/astrothink
About Gaia:
Gaia Somasca is a professional astrologer in private practice and therapist-in-training with a deep interest in psychological and humanistic astrology.
Her rich background includes extensive astrological studies in astrology in NY and London, Jungian psychology, dreamwork, focusing, mindfulness, eco-psychology, and nature-bonding practices. 
 
In 2014 she completed the Master Degree in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at the University of Wales, and she has achieved Level 3 certification with NCGR. (National Council for Geocosmic Research)
She offers astrological consultations in person in the Santa Cruz Mountains, or via Skype. With her holistic approach to astrology, she provides guidance inspired by the rich symbolism and wisdom of the sky and nature aimed at self-understanding and personal growth.
Gaia is also a photographer exclusively focused on sharing the beauty of Moonrises and Moonsets.
 
Visit Gaia:  www.astrothink.com
Please enable images

Shamanic Fire Reiki Soul Haven  •  56 West 45th Street, Suite 1702  •  NY, New York 10036

http://shamanicfirereiki.com

Subscribe  •  Preferences  •  Send to a Friend  •  Unsubscribe  •  Report Spam
Powered by MyNewsletterBuilder
Please enable images
Please enable images
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter More Share Options