Set and Sure of the Way: New Moon in Cancer
The New Moon in Cancer is on July 20, 2020. Like all new moons, the soil is rich and ready for you to plant seeds for new beginnings, some of which should start to sprout by the Full Moon two weeks later (August 3, 2020). While the New Moon on Monday is in the nurturing, compassionate, and intuitive sign of Cancer, it’s balanced by an opposition to taskmaster Saturn, which is known for its restrictive, cold, and challenging qualities.
When two planets are opposite each other, as the Moon is to Saturn this New Moon, they’re situated as far apart from each other as possible—180 degrees. This distance gives them two extremely different perspectives and needs. To make the very best of this new moon, therefore, we will have to harmonize the caring Cancerian moon with stern, stoic Saturn.
Oppositions such as this are like bringing two people together who are nothing alike: They may detest each other on sight, clash and battle. But polar opposites can also be complementary; that is, they can complete each other.
The relationship between David and Maddie was included in TV Guide’s list of the best TV couples of all time. Actors Willis and Shepherd not only shared the same rising sign (Virgo), but his Sun in Pisces is opposite her Moon. While this aspect is ideal within the male and female romantic dynamic, it can also cause conflict.
Take for example Maddie and David in Moonlighting, the television dramedy that aired on ABC from 1985 to 1989. Starring Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis as private detectives, Moonlighting chronicled the escapades of Maddie and David who were complete opposites: He was a slick slacker, often a deceptive and clever jerk, while she was a princessy, anal retentive former fashion model inclined to fly off the handle: Hilarity ensued. But while they brought out the worst in each other, they also brought out the best: Each week they had a case to solve, which meant they had to put aside their differences and zone in on the outcome they wanted to achieve (i.e., cracking the case). Behind the scenes in real life, their dynamic was seemingly similar: The press characterized their relationship as quite contemptuous (it’s a thin line, amirite?) and supposing their relationship was at times contemptuous, they worked together to create a series that was listed as one of Time magazine’s “100 Best TV Shows of All-Time.”
While the term “moonlighting” most commonly refers to a secondary job worked in addition to one’s primary one (“After work, she moonlights at night as a waitress”), the term may also describe the phenomenon of the moon giving light that’s not its own but from another source indirectly. Thus, when we experience an opposition — as we do this new moon — we can benefit from the opposing light, which may at first seem like a colossal pain in the ass.
Over the next two weeks, our emotional needs depicted by the Cancerian moon will likely clash with some opposing responsibility reflected by Saturn. But in truth, our emotional needs this new moon can be fulfilled — ironically — by integrating Saturn’s opposing viewpoint. Just as Maddie and David (and Cybill Shepard and Bruce Willis) knew they had to find some common ground to get their job done, we too can be “set and sure of the way” of achieving our New Moon objectives: We must harmonize opposing, contradictory demands. In the process, we might just create some magic—like moonlighting.
To see where the New Moon and its opposition will shine in your life, determine where 28 degrees of Cancer resides in your astrological chart. Likewise, read your sign and/or rising sign below.
Aries: Your assignment: Feel good emotionally while climbing to the top. Like last month, the Cancerian new moon will transit your Fourth House which is all about feeling at home within the self. Saturn’s opposition takes place in your Tenth House: Your career may put demands on your private life this new moon. Lest we forget, the goal here is for you to create an even stronger emotional foundation, so be sure to not let your career take over your life. Sure, you can still reach great heights professionally, but balance your drive for success with unconditional love for yourself and others — i.e., continue to achieve, but make room in your life for those things that make you feel happy and content. In doing this, you’ll have more energy to give to your career and will feel more secure when you’re at the top (i.e., you won’t be biting your nails once you get there).
Taurus: Your assignment: Tend to what’s in your immediate environment while nourishing the greener pastures up ahead. Like last month, the Cancerian new moon will transit your Third House, which is all about improving your interactions with others as well as with yourself. Saturn’s opposition takes place in your Ninth House: Your desire to expand your horizons needs to be balanced with what you have going on now. Essentially, you’ll have to tend to what’s already on your plate while taking action — or at least keeping an eye on — where you want to go and how you’ll get there. While honoring your current commitments (the main point of this transit) take the time to broaden your horizons with foreign travel, teaching, learning, broadcasting and/or publishing. What you have to do now can improve where you’re going later, and where you’re going later can be improved by what you’re doing now.
Gemini: Your assignment: Determine what you now value and either 1.) move on from people, places or things or 2.) move in deeper with people, places and things. The rule of thumb is if it makes you weaker, get the F out; if it makes you stronger, move in closer. Like last month, the Cancerian new moon will transit your Second House, which is all about expressing yourself and feeling valuable—as well as living life in accordance to what you now value. Saturn’s opposition takes place in your Eighth House of Rebirth, so it’s likely you’ll need to walk away from something or join forces with it (think of the concept of divorce or marriage, or quitting a job versus going into a new one). However you proceed, the universe now wants you to feel more valuable than ever before, while putting a stake in the ground in regard to where you stand. During this transit, be sure to “say your peace,” which will open up the throat chakra and increase your value in the world. A byproduct of this is higher levels of financial security — something that’s in the cards for you this transit.
Cancer: Your assignment: Assert yourself and your own needs while “showing up” and taking 50% responsibility for every relationship you’re in (the other 50% belongs to the other person). Like last month, the Cancerian new moon will transit your First House of Self, giving you another opportunity to create a brand new you and life story. Saturn’s opposition takes place in your Seventh House, the House of Partnerships. When it comes to partners — both personal and professional — it really helps if both of you grow; otherwise, if you grow and your partner doesn’t, it can cause friction and/or hold you back. Have a conversation with the partners in your life. Align with each other and wake up each day with a common objective (this is KEY to all successful partnerships). Remember, this is the New Moon for you to become more of who YOU want to be — not what other people want you to be — so don’t be afraid to assert what you want for yourself and your life. During this First House transit, be sure to focus on your physical body, too, aiming to feel as perfect as possible. Now that Mercury and Venus are direct (yay!) you may want to buy some new threads for your wardrobe or even start a new fitness regimen. There’s lots of online classes you can to do to feel amazing in the comfort of your own home!
Leo: Your assignment: Align your subconscious beliefs with what you do on a practical level every day. For instance, if you want to be a fit person, you need to convince your subconscious you are a fit person; you’ll also want to act like a fit person, which involves partaking in the diet and exercise protocols of a fit person. Same thing for other goals: Act like the person you want to be. Like last month, the Cancerian new moon will transit your Twelfth House, triggering a new beginning about your beliefs. What we get in life is determined by what we subconsciously believe we are, by virtue of like attracting like: For instance, if you subconsciously believe you’re a big, strong and powerful person you will attract awesome opportunities. Contrastingly, if you subconsciously believe you are not big, strong, or powerful, you won’t attract huge opportunities because you’ll think you’re too small for them. This is for everything that you want — believe you are extremely lovable to be extremely loved, believe you’re valuable in order to be valued etc. Saturn’s opposition to the New Moon takes place in your Sixth House. Make sure your daily lifestyle (work, habits, and regimens) coincide with the subconscious beliefs you want to have about yourself. Simply, make a decision about who you want to be and act like you’ve made that decision.
Virgo: Your assignment: Go after your hopes, dreams, wishes and ideals by letting the inner kid within you play and have fun! Like last month, the Cancerian new moon will transit your Eleventh House. This area of the chart teaches us that if we have a desire, then it can materialize — that there are no “dangling carrots” in the universe. Saturn’s opposition to the New Moon will take place in your Fifth House: Having fun and doing things you really enjoy — letting the inner kid in you play — will help you manifest your New Moon wishes. By expressing yourself and sharing yourself with the world, you’ll shine brightly and attract the right opportunities. Be sure to use this New Moon to find the right community (or communities) of like-minded people with whom you can identify and relate. When it comes to big-time dreams, wishes, and goals, you’ll want the power of people behind you. Whether it’s friends who offer you solace or a group of people that act as your community, be sure to express your authentic self around them. Balance the sharing of values with your group with your own, inimitable, authentic energy! Like Dr. Seuss said, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Libra: Your assignment: Go after your professional goals while feeling as good as possible emotionally. Like last month, the Cancerian new moon will transit your Tenth House of Career which depicts the highest point you can reach professionally. Saturn’s opposition takes place in your Fourth House: Your home and family — and sense of emotional security — will need to be balanced with your professional endeavors. Whether it’s spending more time with loved ones, changing your home, or expending energy on YOU to feel more at home within the self, such maneuvers will be help you achieve more worldly success. This is the two-week period to ensure your homebase is secure while you go out into the world (however you can) and get the attention of VIPs and charge forward as a leader in your field. Should you want to advance in your profession or another field altogether, be sure to get cracking fairly soon! Mars will be retrograde from September to November, so get stuff off the ground now. This current two-week period would be ideal, but if you must wait, don’t delay past the New Moon in Leo August 18, 2020.
Scorpio: Your assignment: Expand your reach in the world while tending to the communications currently on your plate. Like last month, the Cancerian new moon will transit your Ninth House, helping you to expand and grow in the world beyond your previous limits. Saturn’s opposition takes place in your Third House: Let your communications with others and yourself support your efforts to expand during this transit. Is there something you might need to learn or teach to go to the next level? Could your social life use an upgrade? Consider how your interactions with your immediate environment could be improved. At the same time, make moves now to go beyond what’s familiar. Do you wish to travel more in the future? Publish or broadcast yourself and have your ideas be known all over the world? Use this New Moon to broaden your horizons however you can. Feeling like you’re expanding and growing now is everything, so follow your excitement and go beyond what you know while keeping up with your current responsibilities.
Sagittarius: Your assignment: Let go of what’s no longer making you feel good while still maintaining high self-worth and/or financial solvency. Like last month, the Cancerian new moon will transit your Eighth House, helping you release anything in your life that’s been hanging around past its “sell-by” date. Saturn’s opposition will take place in your Second House: Expressing yourself and how you feel will help this transit be most advantageous. Is there something you’re not speaking up about? Are you expressing your talents as much as you can? In expressing yourself and your talents more, you will open up your throat chakra which will help you make more money! It’s also important to check in with yourself now and determine if your values have changed. Maybe in the past your career was the end-all and be-all, but now you’re looking to develop deep, loving relationships? Or maybe a person, place or thing that once “punched your ticket” is no longer doing it for you anymore. In any case, if you are to let something go during this 30-day transit, be sure to have something to take its place. For instance, if you no longer want to eat ding-dongs, you could decide that you’re going to eat carrots instead; if you no longer want to be in the job you’re in, determine the job you’ll go into instead, etc. Most important, be gentle with yourself and stay flexible as you go through this transition. Remember: Change is stability.
Capricorn: Your assignment: Tend to your partnerships (the ones you’re in or want to be in) while honoring your true self — i.e., the person you want to be (which is who you really are). Like last month, the Cancerian new moon will transit your Seventh House, catalyzing a new beginning in the realm of relationships. You may deepen the relationships you have or develop some new ones that help empower you. Saturn’s opposition will take place in your First House of Identity. How you present and assert yourself will be key to your success this new moon. Don’t be afraid to make clear what you — as an individual — need personally in terms of your relationships. This 30-day transit, therefore, is about striking a balance between what your partners need from you and the unique needs of your own. There may be some things that you will not budge on, but do what you can to compromise and be flexible when possible. There’s a way to have your cake and eat it, too — that is, developing stronger relationships without feeling like you’ve given yourself short shrift. Make diplomacy your watchword, pick your battles judiciously, and enjoy togetherness with your partners while honoring yourself.
Aquarius: Your assignment: Create the practical day-to-day lifestyle you desire while instilling new subconscious beliefs that support your goals. Like last month, the Cancerian new moon will transit your Sixth House, catalyzing a new beginning around your work, health and lifestyle. Saturn’s opposition takes place in your Twelfth House of the Subconscious: The thoughts you think (the pictures you see in your head) and the words you say to yourself can really help with your health, work, and lifestyle goals. Don’t let old beliefs hold you back from the perfect life! Consider what you would like your day-to-day to be like, and start introducing such images, thoughts and words to your subconscious. What are you doing for work? How are you of service? What combination of things will keep you well and happy? Once you have more clarity around your ideals, be sure to visualize how your new life looks. If your subconscious — which can’t differentiate what’s being imagined from what’s real— has seen you succeeding, it will be hard to not achieve your ideals if you act on your impulses and hunches. Determine what you want your day-to-day life to be like (work, health and service) and visualize how this will look and feel every day.
Pisces: Your assignment: Express yourself and let your inner kid play while honoring your goals, friends and community. Like last month, the Cancerian new moon will transit your Fifth House, catalyzing a new beginning in self-expression and doing things you really love! Saturn’s opposition will take place in your Eleventh House, which means that it’s advantageous to balance the needs of your friends and community with your desire to express yourself. Likewise, you will want to bridge what you’re doing creatively with your long-term hopes, dreams and goals. As much energy as you have, it’s important for you to focus in order to achieve your aims. Now’s the time to keep an eye on the ideal future you want to create for yourself. When you consider your greatest hopes and dreams, are you doing something creative regularly to put them into effect? Link your self-expression with your biggest aspirations to make the most of this transit. Follow your highest excitement, and if that means recalibrating your big goals for the future, so be it! Everyone changes, so if your hopes and dreams have, too, that’s OK! Just be sure to follow what has heart and meaning with an eye on your ideal long-term future!
Want more? Reach out for a reading or ask about my life coaching by emailing me at josh.macguire@gmail.com or submitting the form below. Blessings!