Bodø, Norway. The rare "midnight eclipse" began on Thursday, June 2, 2011, but crossed the International Date Line to end on Wednesday, June 1. (via space.com)

The third of three consecutive eclipses is upon us. This New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Cancer happens on July 1st at 1:54 a.m. PDT / 4:54 a.m. EDT. New Moons signify rebirth, beginnings, a clean slate, the start of a new cycle. The new moon highlights Cancer qualities (intuitive, instinctive, protective, sensitive) and 4th house themes (family, home, roots, foundation, the past). Eclipses are extra powerful new and full moons.

Here's a brief explanation taken from my original post on understanding eclipses:Eclipses, in astrology, are accelerators. They speed up events, issues, situations in our personal lives and demand for them to be dealt with.

Eclipses trigger necessary changes to one's journey in life. Because these changes are triggered outside of one's own volition, they are often harsh, sudden and undeniable. The initial shock evoke sadness, confusion, frustration, anger, worry and, possibly, depression. However, it is our reaction past the initial shock that defines how we will allow these eclipses to influence us.

Cancer is natively ruled by the Moon, which makes this New Moon a powerful one. Couple that with the energy of an eclipse, and we can really make things happen for us. Where will our attention be focused? What actions will we take? How will we take advantage of this energy for us, those we love, the things we hope for?

The Eclipsed Cancer-New Moon (blending of heart & soul) squares stern Saturn (reality/restriction). Saturn's influence can be a sobering one, but may not necessarily be a welcomed sobriety. Elsewhere in the sky, Jupiter (happiness/ideals) and Chiron (wounds/healing) offer their help, as they harmoniously align with one another. No matter how harsh the truth (Saturn) of our situations may be, there is hope (Jupiter), healing (Chiron), and a chance for renewal where we need it most. But it will take facing our challenges (Saturn) and that may begin with ourselves (new moon). How are we holding ourselves back? Are we living in the past? Are we applying the same tired ways of doing/seeing/reasoning? What are we turning a blind eye on? Are our fears the driving force behind our actions/inaction/decisions/indecision? And how is that working out?

Last year's Eclipsed Cancer-New Moon occurred when celestial skies were intensified by the 2010 cardinal t-square. This year's New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Cancer follows two powerful eclipses, Gemini-Solar Eclipse on June 1st (pictured above) and Sagittarius-Lunar Eclipse on June 15th. For many of us, myself included, life since mid-May has been served with an extra helping of difficulties and stress...oops, I mean challenges and opportunities for growth :) I have a co-worker who flips frustrating situations with something positive by calling those experiences 'opportunities for growth'. I like it. I thought I'd borrow from her and share with you :)

This is the last of the Cancer-Capricorn set of eclipses that began in 2009. I don't even have enough words to describe how incredibly excited I am that it's over! Although we have all had our own personal experiences with these eclipses, those with cardinal Suns or Risings and especially those in the early degrees of cardinal signs (with Pluto poking at their Sun or house angles since 2009 plus last year's surge of tense energies brought on by the t-square) may have been undeniably influenced by these Cancer-Capricorn eclipses. How has life changed for you?

This solar eclipse/new moon occurs at 10 degrees of Cancer. Those born within 3 days of July 1st or December 31st; or have planets/house angles around 9-10 degrees of cardinal signs may experience the effects of this eclipsed new moon stronger than most.

For me, this New Moon falls in my solar 1st house (self/potential) as a Cancer-Sun and natal 10th house (career/goals) as a Virgo-rising; and square my Chiron (ouch!). Who am I (1st house) and where am I going (10th house)? I know who I am ... or do I? It doesn't seem like my life has changed much. Maybe because I'm living it, day by day. Since 2009, I lost my father and gained a spiritual guide; I moved across the country and back to my hometown and family; I started (and continue to) maintain this blog; I had a job, quit that job, worked from home, started a new job, and all the while, continue to give astro readings; I got out of debt, got back in debt, and getting out of debt again. So, I guess there have been changes :) Not just in my tangible world, but in my inner sanctum, as well. I have grown through experience. Surely, that affects what I want in my life now. What I set out to do two years ago or last year may have morphed into a different set of goals/aspirations. hmmm.... Well, here's a new moon for my new beginning...

How might this new moon manifest in your life? Look to the natal (and/or solar) house this new moon will occupy in your birth chart. Match the sign and degree to the sign on the house cusp. Use the list below to identify the Cancer zodiac sign then click here to read about the New Moon in Houses.



Click image to see larger

For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and Rising signs below then click here for an explanation of New Moon illuminating those houses.

• Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 4th House
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 3rd House
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 2nd House
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 1st House
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 12th House
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 11th House
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 10th House
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 9th House
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 8th House
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 7th House
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 6th House
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 5th House

Unsure if you have natal planets/house planets on or around 10 degrees of cardinal signs? Cast your own birth chart at alabe.com for use as reference -- birth date, time and place required.

For those doing the new moon wishes ritual, the moon will be new on July 1 at 1:54 a.m. PDT / 4:54 a.m. EDT and will be void of course at 4:37 a.m. PDT / 7:37 a.m. EDT. Click here for Jan Spiller's DailyOm.com article, briefly explaining new moon wishes. (opens a new window)

Is today your birthday? Schedule your session for a Solar Return (birthdays), 3-Chart Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months), an Eclipses Reading, or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. You might also consider giving a loved one the gift of insight.

Related articles:

• The New Moon in Natal Houses
• Understanding Eclipses
• Solar Returns Explained
• Current Planetary Transits
• Cancer-Capricorn Eclipses
• Sun in Cancer ~ June 21 to July 22/23, 2011

Solar eclipse image from Bodø, Norway. Credit and copyright to space.com.