The New Moon at 1° 30′ Cancer arrives the day after the solstice (summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the southern) and is the first of two New Moons in Cancer this year, placing special emphasis on all things related to the fourth house and the Moon – our mothers, our roots, where we feel “at home,” and how we view nurturing of both ourselves and others.

Not only are both the Sun and Moon in Cancer, but they are joined by Vesta, deepening the healing, nurturing side of the watery sign. Vesta’s idea of nurturance is far more impersonal and broader in application than is usually associated with Cancer and the fourth house. She is the fire on the hearth, warming us from a distance rather than the healing touch of a mother’s hand on our forehead. Healing the collective is more in Vesta’s provenance, and there is no doubt in my mind that much needs healing, no matter where you live.

Speaking of healing the collective, Pluto in Capricorn exactly opposes this Cancer New Moon and will be happy to introduce us to all of our shortcomings, especially in how we are managing our lives and resources. Many families are dealing with one or both parents being out of work, and discussions are going on about the painful reality of no funds available for extras. This is an enormous change from just a year or so ago, when many felt “entitled” to expensive perks. Capricorn can come across as very authoritarian — the stern parent — and Pluto has demonstrated time and again that he will have the final say. We are still in the early days of Pluto’s stay in Capricorn and are just beginning to realize how deep the changes will be in both the external and internal landscapes of our lives.

Earth signs can rejoice at the New Moon! The Venus-Mars conjunction in Taurus trine to Saturn in Virgo is perfect for enjoying the types of pleasures you like the most. If you are attending a solstice celebration, it is pretty much a sure thing that the food will be lavish and delicious and the company agreeable. Most of us will be more in the mood than usual for fine food, fine wine, and a laid-back atmosphere, due to the influence of this trine. So light your favorite incense and candles, put on some soothing background music, and relax.

Mercury is back up to speed in his home sign of Gemini and sextile Pallas in Leo. After the stagnation of Mercury in Taurus square Neptune in Aquarius, this is a huge improvement. Those of us who were frustrated out of our minds will love the clarity of this sextile. Networking, organizing, and reading the fine print without your eyes crossing are all favored.

Neptune is currently retrograde, along with Jupiter and Chiron. While the triple conjunction is still in effect, the influence is gradually lessening and will continue to do so for awhile. I don’t know about anyone else, but this is just fine with me. We can only live in the stratosphere so long before coming back to the reality of our day-to-day lives. Those tender places in our hearts and psyches that Neptune & Co. introduced us to now need time to heal. Once a wound has been lanced and drained, it is better to leave it be rather than poking and prodding it some more.

Uranus is currently stationing at 26° Pisces, preparing to go retrograde on July 1. If you have planets at 25-26° in the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), you no doubt are feeling the electricity in the atmosphere. Although the orb is wide, Uranus also forms an out-of-sign T-square with the New Moon-Pluto opposition. This hints at unexpected events disrupting the status quo, both in the collective and closer to home.

I love the Sabian symbol for 2 Cancer: A man on a magic carpet hovers over a large area of land, with the keyword ELEVATION. One of my favorite concepts is that of raising one’s point of view to the highest possible level to gain perspective. That huge mountain seen from above becomes the proverbial mole hole, enabling us to see our next move much more clearly.

The second New Moon in Cancer this year is the solar eclipse on July 21-22 at 29° 26′. Between now and then is an excellent time to discover more about where we came from in preparation for moving ahead. Healing breaches with our families, both birth and chosen, is worth pursuing now. Applying large doses of generosity and kindness never comes amiss either. A gift of good food, chocolate, or fine wine works, too!

posted by Neith . . .

Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.

**Please read Pat’s weekly forecast for this week, June 22, for her thoughts on this New Moon and the Solstice sky.

Image: Stonehenge at Solstice 2007 by Scott Barbour / Getty Images Stonehenge has a long, long association with the solstices, both summer and winter. Here is a link for more information as well as photos: Solstice at Stonehenge