Coming back to home and hearth ~ How to work with the New Moon in Cancer

July 14: PDT 02:43 | EDT 05:43 | BST 10:43

The New Moon in the water sign of Cancer initiates us into some major July astrology. After June’s Strawberry Moon, it offers an opportunity to step into a new beginning when we need it most. Amidst a watery Mercury retrograde, this New Moon has much to reveal. Let’s dive in…

In this blog, we’ll unpack:

• What the New Moon in Cancer symbolises
• Ways to welcome the New Moon in Cancer, including prompts for working with your journal
• Key dates for this lunar cycle

What the New Moon in Cancer symbolises

The sign of Cancer is ruled by the Moon, so she is deeply at peace here, moving with the ebb and flow of emotional tides, and bringing the focus back to home and family. This water sign teaches us about protection and strength. Just like the humble crab, with a tough outer shell, Cancerian energy quietly guards what lies beneath. This deeply intuitive strength is heart-led and understands what it means to be vulnerable, and because of this, can give the gift of holding space for others. But make no mistake, this softness carries deep power. This is a tropical (also known as a cardinal) sign, its season initiating at summer solstice, and it represents the turning of the key into the second half of the calendar year.

What does a New Moon in Cancer bring?

The water energy of Cancer is receptive to what we cherish most deeply in life on an emotional level. When a New Moon arrives here, it can guide us towards new starts and fresh perspectives around themes of family, home, and what helps us to feel secure. This may be the connections we have to our nearest and dearest, our homely comforts or even deepening our links to those that have gone before us, our ancestors. It is a time for listening to our intuition and what we feel within the body, before the mind has time to rationalise and pick apart.

How can I tune into this New Moon?

The New Moon in Cancer is aligned with Mercury, the planet of communication, (including digital communication), travel, and commerce. Mercury happens to be in retrograde at the time of the New Moon, which suggests that its usual flexible, adaptable, sharp-witted qualities are somewhat dampened. In our lives, this may be reflected as misconstrued communication, travel delays or setbacks, which is why Mercury retrogrades are an opportunity for making sure your communication is extra clear, slowing down and taking a more mindful approach to life in general.

When we combine the energy of Mercury retrograde with a New Moon in Cancer, it points to the need to find clarity from within and to sit with emotions at this New Moon, rather than rushing ahead. Before you communicate how you feel, consider the words you use. Saturn is adding extra gravitas to this process, suggesting that a steady sense of accountability and maturity is required. This is not a time for rushing, but an opportunity to strengthen bonds with others and centre yourself for the cycle ahead.

Looking ahead…

We’ve got some major astrology happening this lunar cycle, with Uranus, Pluto, Neptune and Jupiter making aspects. Before we are fully immersed in whatever changes this astrology brings, this New Moon asks us to get clear on what really matters in our lives and the environment we create for ourselves. Are we well-resourced emotionally within ourselves and our relationships? If the answer is no, maybe it’s time to reassess priorities.

Image courtesy of Risen Wild Photography.

Ways to welcome the New Moon in Cancer, including prompts for working with your journal

Five ways to work with the New Moon in Cancer:

• Pause to explore your feelings: Even when life feels busy, it’s important to pause to honour how we really feel. Rather than brushing emotions aside, create some time to dig a little deeper and feel the feelings.
• Seek clarity within and in your relationships with others: If things feel a little confused or the waters are muddied, stop to clarify the situation so you are clear on your feelings and the feelings of others.
• Celebrate your home comforts: Appreciate all those little things that help you feel secure and settled. Maybe it’s as simple as a morning cuppa routine, a weekly family dinner, or just spending time with someone who feels like home.
• Find pockets of peace: Make time to listen to your intuition. Can you find ten minutes to sit quietly and listen within? What does your intuition want you to know?
• Feel your intentions: If you plan to set intentions with this New Moon, don’t forget to feel what it would be like to achieve them. Let your pen flow but also spend a few minutes imagining how awesome it would feel to make them happen. This adds an energetic boost to your ritual.

Light a candle, get comfy, and grab your journal…here are some prompts to explore and help you set intentions for this cycle:

New Moon in Cancer Journal Prompts:

• What is my intuition drawing me towards?
• How can I strengthen my bonds with others and deepen the connection to my roots?
• What needs clarity in my life right now?
• In what ways can I prioritise my emotional health?

If you’ve enjoyed my New Moon musings, I’m holding an online New Moon gathering on 14th July. Come and join us!

Wishing you a beautiful New Moon,

With blessings,
Charlotte x

Key dates for this lunar cycle

If you have the Moon Phase Studios 13 Moon Journal, remember that each of the main moon phases below has a page dedicated to it - so you can let your pen flow.

14 July: New Moon in Cancer
15 July: Uranus sextile Neptune
17 */ 18th July: Uranus trine Pluto
20 July: Jupiter trine Neptune, Jupiter opposite Pluto
21 July: First Quarter Moon in Libra / Jupiter sextile Uranus
22 July: Sun enters Leo
23rd July: Mercury retrograde ends in Cancer
24 */25 July: Neptune sextile Pluto
29 July: Full Moon in Aquarius
6 August: Last Quarter Moon in Taurus / Venus moves into Libra
*PDT