Often, much like life, astrology is nuanced and filled with subtlety. Other times it is direct and compelling, the themes urgent, acute, and apparent.
This New Moon represents the latter. First, the New Moon is in Cancer, the sign most associated with our feminine genius. Black Moon Lilith is conjunct it, echoing a fiercely feminine part of us. Mars conjuncts the goddess Eris a few days before this Moon, further igniting matriarchal feistiness with that ongoing square to Pluto. Jupiter squares the New Moon from Aries, adding more fuel to the fire. Lastly, Neptune in Pisces stations retrograde the same day of this New Moon.
What does that all mean?
Unquestionably, themes around feminine rights, freedoms, injustice, and liberties come to mind. Eris and Black Moon Lilith certainly remind us that feminine grace is sometimes soft and nurturing, but other times it is fiery, intense, revolutionary, dynamically angry, and powerfully determined. Jupiter in Aries is no docile creature either. Neptune retrograde in Pisces offers a religious slant. I am writing this before the Supreme Court decides on Roe V Wade (anticipated right around the New Moon). Whatever the decision, the astrology certainly looks tumultuous and relevant to these themes. Emotions will be running high. *edited to note Roe V Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court 6/24.
That isn’t wrong, of course. Strong feelings get our attention. They are meant to. Feelings offer vital insight into our inner world as well as what actions to take. So note to the sensitive souls out there. Make sure to apply some soul screen. The feeling level will exceed 30 SPF.
On a personal level, where this New Moon shines in your chart reveals something to stand for, something to defend, and something to claim. Something that pulls at your heart, calling for some good trouble. The goal is to assert, rather than aggress and to respond, not react. The high road is to ensure that whatever cause is calling you is righteous, just, and honorable and not habitual, riotous, or without empathy.
Adding more to the feminine archetypes so relevant here, I am reminded that chaos often precedes great change. Like birth itself, it can be challenging, powerful, potent, and intense. There is a clear demarcation between the old and the new. What was and what is. Fear is not a friend when birthing anything of substance. We need to connect to something bigger.
Which brings us to Neptune. As I wrote this blog, a news notification arose on my phone with the headline “Is America losing its Religion?“. Good question. Perhaps, a better question considering the clear line between church and state, were we ever meant to have it? Where is that balance between religious freedom, individual rights, and liberties? And who decides the answer to those questions?
Anytime a planet goes retrograde, we are asked to look deeply, review, and reassess what that planet represents. Neptune in Pisces certainly symbolizes the spiritual force in our lives. Call it religion, call it grace, call it doctrine. Neptune represents whatever practice gets you closer to that divine or unseen force.
We can expect these times to be extremely revealing around this theme and how it shows up in our lives- personally and collectively. It will highlight where we get it right and, perhaps more importantly, where we don’t. Our beliefs are powerful because they become the church we frequent locationally or symbolically. Our morals are important because they determine our choices. How in alignment are our words and actions? Our ideals and choices? Are we humbly open to rethinking and unlearning or static and unmoving in our rightness? To be sure, this retrograde will reveal any hypocrisy.
The goal, of course, is not a punishment but a reset—an opportunity to do it better. Perhaps, we are being tasked with removing the spiritual quagmire that demands one religion is any better or more right than another. This hubris-filled dichotomy has caused more violence than any other force in our world. It still is. A reset is needed. We like to be comfortable in our predetermined beliefs, but nothing can grow there. In the words of Adam Grant, “We favor the comfort of conviction over the discomfort of doubt, and we let our beliefs get brittle long before our bones.”
There is nothing inherently wrong with religion as a noun. It is when it becomes a verb it becomes tenuous. When we weave our doctrine with our identity, whether as a person or a nation, dangerous things can happen. Why? Because we equate any change with a loss of self and we instantly react in defense. Witnessing something so inherently loving become a vehicle of hate is heartbreaking. Any force, especially one that speaks on behalf of a higher truth, that promises connection while promoting division requires correction. Spiritual grace without compassion, empathy, curiosity, and inclusion serves to conquer rather than teach and control rather than inspire. It becomes the opposite of what it preaches. It becomes enmeshed, entangled, an echo chamber of emboldened reiteration. Any challenge or doubt becomes an enemy, separate, and “othered.”
It doesn’t need to be this way, though. The high destiny of this force is meant to do the opposite. It isn’t about being stagnant in dictates but almost scientific in its search for more. The very nature of seeking implies a detachment to outcome or esteem. The truth will always welcome questions. It will always ask us to grow- to be better than we are. That is the freedom it promises.
The late great Dr. Wayne Dyer explained it this way. God (or any force of your choosing) is like water at the bottom of the well. Your job is to find a way to dip your bucket to get to the water. Let us not argue over the buckets.
Or, in the words of George Carlin, “Religion is like a pair of shoes…..Find one that fits for you, but don’t make me wear your shoes.”
Spiritual practice becomes dangerous when it is unyieldingly dogmatic.
Maybe it’s actually really simple. Because much spiritual tradition, regardless of the diverse flavor, are rooted in the same basic principles. Be kind. Be of service. Respect all life. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Compassion. Community. Mindfulness. Accountability. Forgiveness. Love.
Maybe we are the ones that make it complicated because instead of honoring what we don’t know, we become addicted to feeling right (regardless if we are right). Then we expect everyone to believe what we believe. The paradox of rightness understands real wisdom is knowing what you don’t know, not what you know.
So, as we are being asked to stand up with all that fierce feminine fortitude, let us do so with those collective truths echoing in our hearts louder than any doctrine defines or separates. Let us fight the good fight that is more inclusive, not less. Where accountability overshadows hypocrisy. Where history teaches, not preaches. Where we strive to move forward not back. Where we expand not contract. Where humility begets authenticity. Where feelings inspire rather than overwhelm. Where trust becomes a practice and hope a promise of potential.
*This New Moon occurs at 7° Cancer.
*Want to know what this time is revealing for you? Contact me, for more information.
*Photo by Johnny Brown on Unsplash