Entering the Sanctuary of the Cancer New Moon
About twenty five years ago I was eating lunch at a restaurant that had a deck of Osho Tarot cards on each table. I eagerly pulled a card and while I don’t remember the name of the exact card I pulled or the exact the message (I am paraphrasing here), it was so perfect the essence of it has reverberated within me across time: Let go of the illusion of control, the Sun rises and sets each day without any assistance from you. Trust the process of your life.
Everything is connected, we are all a part of the fabric of life that is constantly weaving itself. We, our lives, are an intrinsic part of that process that is ever unfolding.
Tuesday, June 28, at 7:52 pm our annual New Moon in Cancer takes place. This year this particular New Moon is emotionally powerful. It is inviting us to go within, ground in our body and take even a brief moment in time to get centered and trust the process of our lives.
In fact honestly, it is kind of demanding that we do so. That we take a brief moment in time to nourish ourselves without any agenda other than the sustenance of simply being in the moment and appreciating it.
The Moon is at home in the sign of Cancer, which means it is comfortable. Relaxed. Think about it; what do we de when we feel most at home? We unwind and let down our guard. Ideally, we allow ourselves to simply be.
How often do you allow yourself to just be?
For myself, and most if not all of the of the people I know, there is always this feeling that we should be doing something “productive” Thus, much of the time we find ourselves striving, relentlessly pushing ourselves forward towards some unknown destination that is beckoning to us like a siren’s call that we simply can’t turn away from. Its lure is inexorable. And while the magnetic nature of all of our unfolding journeys is compelling, sometimes you just need to slow down, catch your breath and take in the view.
This Moon is an invitation to embrace this sense of your quintessence. It offers you the opportunity, even for a brief moment to let down your guard and relax. To just be. To recharge. To refresh.
Cancer is the sign associated with birth. The initiating power of the Moon is towards manifestation; it wants to give birth, wants to reproduce itself and its experiences of life. It wants to replicate its interior life in the exterior world. And if you have ever given birth or have been physically present to witness the process you know how powerful it is, how awe inspiring.
And absolutely beyond the control of anyone. It is a primal force of nature.
Life will continue effortlessly creating itself, we just need to trust its care for us. Think about it: How would you be experiencing your life if your underlying assumption was that you were cared for by the very fabric of existence? Because in the end we actually “get” (aka manifest) what we expect, what we are unconsciously anticipating. So imagine, what if you felt so secure, essentially at home, in the world such that you didn’t have to do or produce anything to earn your sense of belonging? Of safety?
Take this moment to Cath your breathe. Next month’s New Moon in Leo and its aspects are intense and the skies are full of change. Take this time to refresh yourself. I promise you won’t regret it. To this world you belong. To this moment, to this place where you already stand, something greater has ushered you and will continue to call you forward.
Ritual For the New Moon in Cancer
A reminder: The potency of any ritual is intimately tied to the way in which you enter it. Your preparation doesn't need to be elaborate, just heartfelt. Take a moment to center yourself by inhaling deeply bringing your awareness to the sensation of your breath entering and exiting your body consciously breathing our any distracting thoughts. Become aware of your body, appreciate it sensations at this moment n time and space. Tune into your heart. With humility and honesty, offer yourself. Offer your time. Offer your attention. To the Moon, her ever changing nature and all that she contains.
Return your awareness to your body.. Notice how gravity holds and connects you to earth. Envision your body is an ancient stone temple: sacred, solid, strong, secure. Take a moment to sanctify this temple by imagining a priestess pouring consecrated water and scattering rose petals, all the way down, anointing you from your head to your toes. Feel all of your worries, any anxiety or negativity washing away. Notice the thoughts and feelings leaving the temple—your judgments, your distracted mind, your worried heart. Be sure to honor them. Send each of them love and blessings as they depart your temple.
As you sit here in stillness feel your intentions for this cycle gathering. You may already know what you wish to accomplish. Or you may not. Let go and trust that all will unfold perfectly in time. Know that this brief ritual has aligned you with spirit. Now ask your heart if it has a closing message for you. This may come in words or as a picture, perhaps as a body sensation or sound. Give yourself time to receive this message. Digest it. Write it down. Then, in gratitude to yourself and spirit, return to normal awareness.
