Modern astronomers denote the New Moon as the day the moon is at zero illumination. They mark this as the exact point when a new moon cycle begins, ie the New Moon. Modern calendar makers have followed suit & what is marked on most calendars as the New Moon is actually the time when the moon is at 0% illumination.

However when the moon is at 0% illumination this is, technically, the Dark Moon. The New Moon begins when the moon shows the very first, tiniest sliver of illumination. 

While modern astronomers tend to use these terms interchangeably, they are actually two different parts of the moon cycle. And as such, they have slightly different energies and are supporting us in slightly different kinds of introspection and growth.

This week’s New Moon occurs tomorrow (17 September) at 8:30 pm (ACST). This is the moment the moon receives exactly 0% illumination and will begin growing again. Until the moon is illuminated again, we are in the dark moon phase of the moon cycle.

The Dark Moon is a very important part of the moon cycle. A part that is often forgotten. 

This is where the wisdom of the ending cycle settles into our souls and our spirits. Without taking this moment of pause, we are missing this important integration of all our work and all our growth from the previous moon cycle.

It is not surprising to me that in our modern society we have lost the tradition of observing the Dark Moon. In so many facets of life we have dismissed this vital moment of pause. We rarely stop and rest when we complete one thing before moving on to the next. Rarely do we give ourselves these crucial moments of pause and reflection before diving in to the next thing coming.

In losing these pauses, we are also losing this vital time where we absorb and assimilate lessons learned & wisdom gained from our experiences. We are missing this crucial component of our personal growth.

Source:
How Does the Dark Moon Energy Encourage Your Personal Growth?

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The following information comes from Danielle Blackwood, astrologer, author and registered counsellor, who addresses a number of cosmic happenings that will occur throughout this coming month, commencing with some tips on how to navigate Mars being in Retrograde.

Five Tips to Navigate Mars Retrograde
Take a deep breath, and a moment to center yourself, because the intensity is just not letting up this year. Mars, the Warrior entered his own sign Aries on 27 June 27 for the next six months. The last time this occurred was 1988, and before that, in 1941. Mars will finally move into Taurus on 7 January 2021.

Mars is the principle of action and energy. It is the way we handle conflict and anger, as well as our sex drive and libido. In Aries, Mars can lead towards frustration, impulsive action, and hot tempers. When unchecked, Mars in Aries is violence, war and unbridled rage.  Mars is also aligned with willpower, motivation and the ability to stand our ground and fight for what we believe in. When channelled mindfully, Mars in Aries is noble, passionate, strategic, and empowering. It is stepping into your sovereignty, standing your ground, and setting healthy boundaries.

Mars in Aries gives us the green light to break new ground, set plans in motion and heed the call to adventure. However, it might be best to wait on those new beginnings until Mercury stations direct on 12 July.

The following are tips for navigating the next six months constructively:
1.  Channel your energy effectively. Choose a cause that motivates you and clear the decks for action. Be proactive.
2.  Realize that anger is a normal human emotion.  If you are angry, take a deep breath and express it in a clear and direct way. Own your anger and speak your truth. Sublimated anger turns into passive aggression, depression, or buried rage that comes out in a distorted way to someone to whom it was not intended.
3. If you’re feeling heated, count to 10 and take a deep breath before responding. If you need time out, take it.
4. Make space for regular self care. If you don’t, you will burn out. If you burn out, you will not achieve your objectives. Know when to take a break, so you can come back out refreshed, focused, and more effective.
5. Cool that Aries fire with exercise, mindfulness meditation, breathing, and time spent in nature. Go swimming. Start journaling. Dance. Eat nourishing, grounding foods and avoid stressing your nervous system with too much caffeine or sugar.

Saturn Retrograde into Capricorn
On 1 July, Saturn moved into its last stint in Capricorn, before moving into Aquarius from December 2020 until March 2023. While traveling backward in Capricorn, Saturn will get closer again to Pluto, but doesn’t become exact as it did in January 2020. However, it is still close enough to intensify the Saturnian element in the mix, bringing a more sober, serious and discerning tone to the collective.

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Full Moon in Capricorn and Eclipse (visible in North America)
Fourth July brings a Full Moon and penumbral lunar eclipse in Capricorn. Beginning on 5 June, this marks three eclipses in one lunar month. The next time this will happen is in 2029. This eclipse season has been intense, illuminating that which has been hidden, closing old doors, and beginning bold new chapters.

This is a serious Full Moon. We may feel contemplative or melancholy. The unadorned truth of something may suddenly be brought to light, causing us to feel the somberness of what actually is, rather than what we wish it would be. The Capricorn Full Moon might also bring a reality check. This Full Moon can also show us where we need to be more accountable, roll up our sleeves and walk our talk.  On the other hand, the Full Moon in Capricorn can also be a time of completion or reaching a milestone. It’s time to push past procrastination and self sabotage and commit to something important. Capricorn brings up themes of survival, commitment, responsibility, consequences, accountability, big business, institutions, banking, the patriarchy, and government. On a personal note, we may be re-evaluating priorities, and making some serious decisions before and after this eclipse.

Mercury Stations Direct
Mercury stations direct on 12 July. In a few days, it will be all systems go as Mercury gets back up to speed. You now have the green light to sign contracts, launch something new, or consider travel – with one caveat – if you are starting something big, signing important papers, or buying transportation or tech, try and wait until Mercury is completely out of its shadow, 26 July.

New Moon in Cancer
The Moon begins a brand new cycle in the sign of Cancer on 20 July. The New Moon in Cancer highlights themes of family, home and hearth, real estate, connection, belonging and security.  All new starts and initiatives in these areas will be on the table now. We might be feeling extra sensitive, intuitive, and craving comfort. Perhaps nostalgia plays a part, and we can gain sustenance and wisdom for our next steps by reflecting on the past.

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New Moons happen each month in a different sign, pointing out where we can best plant our new seeds of intention for the coming six months.  Look to you chart to see what house this month’s New Moon/fresh start will be happening for you.  This is your most fertile ground to plant those seeds. To make the most of this month’s New Moon, think about what home means to you.  Do you like where you live? How can you make it more comfortable?

Cancer is also about family and family of the heart.  The archetype of the Great Mother is also connected to Cancer, and all things associated with mothering and nurturance are underlined: food, shelter, protection and emotional safety.  The Sun opposes Saturn today, lending a serious tone to this New Moon. We may be feeling the need for intentional solitude as we process emotions, memories and wounding.

Daniella Blackwood is the author of The Twelve Faces of the Goddess: Transform Your Life With Astrology, Magick and the Sacred Feminine (Llewellyn, 2018).

The full moon tomorrow evening, Sunday, 9 February 2020 brings energy, courage and passion. It gives the strength and initiative to chase your desires and take what you want. However it also cautions against letting your emotions get out of control. Thankfully, this moon also helps you look carefully at a situation before forging ahead into it.

The major influence on this full moon comes from the fixed star in constellations Leo and Ursa Major. They both act as the planet Mars to reinforce the major aspect, Moon trine Mars. This enhances the influence of the full moon when it offers strength, courage, and initiative.

This full moon also encourages you to act on your emotional and passionate desires, especially regarding your intimate relationships and family.

The fixed stars give the confidence to act boldly and take what you want but they also caution against acting too selfishly and ignoring the feelings of others. Finding the right balance between bravado and sensitivity is the key to having your desires fulfilled.

Are you ready for July? I’m not going to lie – July 2019 is perhaps the most challenging month of the year. We have two eclipses, several tense oppositions in Cancer-Capricorn, and Mercury Retrograde conjunct Mars for two weeks! 

When astrologers say “Don’t do this now…“, “Don’t make any decision at the Eclipse“, “Don’t sign contracts when Mercury is retrograde”, “Don’t fight with your spouse when Mercury is conjunct Mars…”, etc – they are missing the point. It is exactly when we have eclipses, oppositions, and retrogrades that we DO have to do stuff. That’s the whole point of challenging aspects, to DO stuff, NOT to not do stuff. 

An eclipse, an opposition or a square is a time of action – by definition. You can wait a lifetime and chase your trine transits and you’ll notice that nothing happens anyway – because things happen when we have tense aspects, such as squares and oppositions or when eclipses hit your chart. 

A planet is more active when retrograde (because it is at its closest to the Earth) so you can’t ignore its energy even if you try. Yes, you may have to redo stuff when Mercury is retrograde. Yes, some things might get delayed. But that’s what Mercury retrograde is here for. To push us to deal with stuff we didn’t deal with when Mercury was direct. 

If you try to avoid the energy of a planet or aspect, things only get worse (not better). When we refuse to work with the energy of a planet, we either deny it or project it onto other people. And this is exactly when the planet ends up overpowering us. But when we invite it, work with it, this is when we get the best out of it. You’re better off if you swim with the current – rather than against it. 

2 July – Total Solar Eclipse in Cancer

July starts with a BANG. On 2 July 2019 we have a Solar Eclipse at 10° Cancer. This is a Total Eclipse, meaning it’s more powerful than a regular eclipse, and it is a North Node eclipse – meaning it’s about embracing the new (rather than dealing with the old).

Have a look to see if you have a personal planet or angle around 10° Cancer or 10° Capricorn. If you do, then this Eclipse will be very important for you and will bring new things into your life.

3 July – Venus enters Cancer

On 3 July 2019 Venus enters Cancer. Venus is what we value. Cancer is the sign of home, family, nurturing, comfort and security. In the coming weeks, these themes will become more important. Venus is also the planet of relationships, so Venus’ transit in Cancer is a good time to get closer to your partner and re-establish that sense of trust and intimacy.

8 July – Mercury goes Retrograde and Conjuncts Mars 

On 8 July 2019 Mars is conjunct Mercury, and then a few hours later, Mercury goes retrograde. What is interesting is that this time it is Mars applying to Mercury. Usually, Mercury is applying to Mars, because Mercury moves much faster than Mars. But because Mercury is now stationary, Mars takes him over.

If we normally think (Mercury) before we act (Mars), this time around, we will act (Mars) before we think (Mercury). And as a result of this action, we will decide to go back (Mercury goes retrograde) and make some changes. Confusing? There is much more to this story. Everything will become clear two months later, around September 3rd, when Mercury will finally apply to Mars.

9 July – Chiron goes Retrograde

On 9 July Chiron goes retrograde at 5° Aries. Chiron is where we feel broken and inadequate. Now that Chiron is in Aries, these feelings of brokenness and inadequacy are about the very foundation of who we are (Aries is the sign of identity). Basically, with Chiron in Aries, we feel that something is wrong with us.

But these feelings are a symptom of a healing crisis. Healing is about to come, but for that to happen, we have to feel the pain first. If we stuff it down, it doesn’t go away, it just “works” in the background, and becomes even more problematic. If you want to heal, there is no other way around. You have to face the pain. When Chiron goes retrograde, this search for integration moves inwards. When Chiron is direct we look for answers outside. When Chiron is retrograde, we look for answers inside. 

9 July – Sun conjunct North Node and Opposite Saturn and South Node 

On 9 July 2019 Sun is conjunct the North Node. North Node is our soul purpose, what we aim for in this lifetime. The Sun and the North Node are now in Cancer. No matter what your sign is, there is a part of you who is Cancer. There is a part of you who needs roots, who needs a place to call home, who needs to nurture and be nurtured.

However, Sun and the North Node are exactly opposite Saturn – now at 17° Capricorn, which is of course, also conjunct the South Node of the past (the North Node and the South Node are always opposite each other).

The pull to stay where we are is stronger than ever. Saturn is a very stable, solid, material planet. If you have a bad habit, something you want to get rid of, don’t fight it. Make friends with it. Thank it for what it has given you. And then let it go by itself.  

11 July – Mars square Uranus

On 11 July 2019 Mars (at 6° Leo) is square Uranus (at 6° Taurus). Mars-Uranus squares are very unpredictable. Mars is the planet of action, and Uranus is the planet of change and unpredictability. With Uranus, you never know what you’re going to get.

Mars square Uranus means that our actions (or other people’s actions) will take us by surprise. Mars and Uranus are in fixed signs, so we will resist change until the very last minute. Until we will eventually blow off, just like a volcano. Because Uranus aspects are almost impossible to predict – or to prevent – the best course of action is to reflect AFTER the event has happened.

At some level – whether you were aware of it or not – you were not happy with that specific situation. Something had to happen. What needs to change – about yourself, or about your life, so you can live more authentically? 

14 July – Sun opposite Pluto 

On 14 July 2019 Sun in Cancer is opposite Pluto, now at 21° Capricorn. The Sun is our identity, our center of gravity, it’s who we are. Pluto is the planet of power and the insurmountable forces of nature. Tense Sun-Pluto aspects always bring power struggles and ego wars. There is something you want to prove – to the world, or to yourself, and you will not take no for an answer.

Sun opposite Pluto ultimately brings the opportunity to expand your identity. You are much more than you think you are.  

16 July – Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn

On 16 July 2019 we have the second eclipse of the month. This time we have a South Node Lunar Eclipse at 16° Capricorn. If North Node Eclipses are about embracing the new, South Node Eclipses are about releasing the old. “Releasing” doesn’t mean we have to get rid of something. Perhaps you have a hidden talent, but you’re not aware of it. A South Node Eclipse will bring it to the surface. ‘Releasing’ means that something is now ripe. All our work has bear fruits and now we have the ‘outcome’. 

That’s why South Node Eclipses are associated with karma. Indeed, what goes around, comes around, and a South Node Eclipse is just that – a time of adjustment and reconciliation. 

19 July – Mercury retrograde re-enters Cancer

Mercury Retrograde is about RE. Re-doing, re-searching, re-viewing, re-examining, re-inventing, re-thinking, re-scheduling, anything that starts with RE. RE means you need to pay closer attention to something. When Mercury retrograde changes signs, its modus operandi changes. The “look at me” Leo vibe changes. Mercury in Cancer is not anymore about getting validation from others, but about coming to terms with its own identity. Mercury retrograde in Cancer is an invitation to retreat into your shell and look for answers within. 

21 July – Venus opposite Pluto

On 21 July 2019 Venus (at 21° Cancer) is opposite Pluto (at 21° Capricorn). This is a “femme fatale” aspect. Cancer and Capricorn are feminine sings. Venus is the planet of love and values. Pluto is the planet of power.

When Venus is opposite Pluto we can completely lose our head. Venus follows her heart, not her head. But Pluto says “I don’t care what you want, there is a larger perspective and the world will not change to accommodate your wishes and desires”.

Venus opposite Pluto will show the tension between what we want and what is possible. You can either accept that you can’t have everything you want, or you can choose to fight even more for what you want. 

21 July – Mercury conjunct Sun

Mercury is retrograde and is conjunct the Sun. This means that we are about to begin one of the three yearly Mercury cycles. The Sun-Mercury conjunction takes place at 28° Cancer – so if you have a planet or an angle around there, make sure you take this opportunity to start something new. You don’t have any planets there? Then find the house in your natal chart where the transit takes place. 

29 July – Sun square Uranus 

Sun (at 6° Leo) is square Uranus (at 6° Taurus) on 29 July 2019. Sun is the planet of identity and Uranus is the planet of sudden change. When our lives turn upside down, the last thing to change is OURSELVES.

To read this article in its entirety, visit Astrobutterfly.