Cancer New Moon: Ancestral Inspiration

Once upon a time in the 1830s, a young Englishman named Joseph and a young French woman named Elizabeth fell madly in love. But Elizabeth’s wealthy father, who was Joseph’s employer, refused to let them marry – and disowned his daughter when she eloped. So, the newlyweds took a brave step: They left France and hopped on a ship to the New World.

After landing in Mississippi, Joseph and Elizabeth Beatty travelled to Texas in a covered wagon, enduring many hardships along the way. They settled on land above a cemetery, in which they were ultimately buried after raising a family and living full lives. Thanks to the dates on their headstones, I know that my ancestors were (like me) born under the cardinal sign of Cancer. In fact, Elizabeth had Mars, Venus and the Sun in that tender but determined sign. She was willing to renounce her wealth, homeland and family in search of a better future. I have no images of the two, but their Cancerian tenacity inspires me.

The upcoming Cancer New Moon (July 17, 11:31 a.m. PDT) activates our ancestral lineage. It’s a good time to think deeply about the people you come from – and whether you wish to embrace their legacy. There’s an all-or-nothing vibe to this lunation at 24 Cancer, which opposes Pluto at 29 Capricorn. You might feel compelled to bid goodbye to a way of life, an oppressive pattern or even your homeland. Like Joseph and Elizabeth, you could feel ready to sacrifice all for a new life – especially if you have planets or angles in Cancer or Capricorn. Because the Moon opposes Pluto, this process may not go smoothly – particularly if your needs oppose another’s. I think of Elizabeth standing up to her domineering father, which couldn’t have been easy. Yet it was worth it to her to be able to make a life with the man she loved.

Also on July 17th, another significant shift takes place. The Moon’s North Node enters Aries, as its South Node shifts into Libra for the next 18 months. Old Libra patterns – keeping the peace at any price, putting ourselves last – need to be carefully re-evaluated. Aim for being a self-starter and believing in yourself. Like Cancer and Capricorn, Aries and Libra are take-charge cardinal signs. Also, Mars (the Aries ruler) has recently moved into hard-working Virgo through August. There is a lot of just-get-it-done energy happening now, although it’s vital to take the time to do it properly. By the time Mars opposes Saturn on July 20, it should be quite apparent what needs to be fixed, re-routed or abandoned as a viable path. So, it may be wise to wait until that aspect passes before making any important decisions.

The other big news is that Venus is turning retrograde in bold Leo (July 22 through Sept. 3). This is a good time to tap into your inner wildness, especially if you’ve lost touch with this fiery part of yourself. Retrogrades point us backward for illumination and inspiration, though they can also tempt us with patterns or people better left in the past. Venus is extra bright and low-hanging in the sky during her retrograde cycle; you can see her just after sunset in the western sky. Ask her advice about Leo matters such as relationships, self-love, creative projects or how to have more fun, and listen for her response!

Though you may not be hopping into a covered wagon for a life-changing journey anytime soon, I hope you’ve been inspired by Joseph and Elizabeth’s example. Perhaps you, too, have ancestors whose story motivates you to take a brave step forward. You’re invited to plant seeds for fresh growth at this New Moon, a process which entails the willingness to surmount any obstacles which block your happiness.