New Moon Solar Eclipse in Cancer

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Cancer – June 20, 2020; 11:41 pm PDT

From June 2012 to March 2015, the planets Pluto and Uranus came together in a challenging aspect seven times. Pluto is about transformation and Uranus brings radical change and this type of aspect usually presents with a challenge, an obstacle that must be climbed over in order to move forward. The combination of these two planets in this way has been considered the most significant and challenging planetary influence in a generation. The belief was that radical and wide-ranging political, religious, and social change was coming. And yet, as we moved through 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, we did see some societal change instigated; Arab Spring, the Black Life Matters, and LGBTQ rights movement, but mostly what manifested was radical change on the individual level. Astrologers were shaking their heads and asking “Where are all the people? Why aren’t they marching in the streets demanding change?”
It seems that this powerful transformative energy has been lying in wait for the Jupiter/Saturn/Pluto conjunction in January 2020 to get the ball rolling. Now that it is ignited, we can see that 2020 promises to be a turning point in our history. This year brings us eight major cycles and the upcoming New Moon Solar Eclipse in Cancer is one of them.

Before we dive into what’s coming in the second half of June, just a reminder that Mercury turns retrograde at 14 degrees of Cancer on June 18th. It will spend about three weeks asking us to revise, review, and regroup. This is not the best time to start a new project or initiate action of some sort. It’s important during a Mercury retrograde to make sure you clarify what you say and hear, follow up and ask questions if you don’t understand. A little more effort needs to go into communication to make sure messages are received clearly. And, of course, back up your computer.
If you have important decisions to make or documents to sign, try to do it before June 15th. If you can’t make that happen, then wait until the Mercury retrograde period is over on July 12th. If that can’t be done, be sure to go over all communication and documents carefully – check and double check your work and understand that red tape can become a monster during this time.
Also, on June 18th, Mars interacts with Pluto and brings some intense power and motivation. This energy asks us to be decisive and take action, so there is a contrast with the Mercury retrograde energy which is asking us to pause and reflect. The result can be that you feel a bit confused about whether to move forward or not. If this comes upon you, use your intuition to know what the best course of action is for you.
This energy activates the longer Jupiter/Pluto interaction which is one of the year-long influences of 2020.
Generally, Jupiter and Pluto coming together brings a strong yearning for Truth and living by Natural Law as opposed to the Laws of Man. Among many other things, Jupiter represents abundance and, hence, our money and material possessions. Pluto always asks us to explore the darker side of any issue. The combination of these two energies is likely to expose some deceitful practices related to our money system, how it was created, and the ‘house of cards’ that is our global monetary system. This combination can also expose racism, bigotry, and religious issues. We can see that happening already.
Collectively, during this time, the combination of these planets has also correlated with government bailouts and financial aid to citizens. It will be interesting to see if announcements will be made related to this. On a personal level, Jupiter and Pluto can give us each the power to move forward in our lives with integrity and truth. You can use the force of your will to push through a barrier or achieve a substantial goal. Financial windfalls are possible but the focus should be on allowing prosperity in all forms.
June 19th the Sun meets the North Node at 29 degrees Gemini. 29 degrees of any sign is a critical degree and signifies an ending or completion of something. This portends a very strong and dramatic New Moon Solar Eclipse that will occur on June 20 in the western United States and June 21st further east. The combination of the Sun and North Node also has an insatiable quality and gives a hunger for more or the intense desire to move forward. In the sign of Gemini, this will relate to teaching, learning, writing, and communication in all of its forms. There can also be the tendency to ‘over do’ and ‘over promise’ with this energy so be aware of your limits. Rather than taking on everything, be selective about what you want to accomplish so that you don’t burn yourself out.
On June 20th at 2:44pm PDT the Sun enters the sign of Cancer and that brings us the Summer Solstice. The Solstice is a time when the Sun reaches a turning point in the sky. It has gone the highest it will go in the Northern Hemisphere and the lowest it will go in the Southern Hemisphere. The energy feels as if we are standing still, there is a sense of pause and reflection. It asks us to slow down so that we can appreciate and celebrate life itself. One way to use this energy is to take stock of where you are and what you’ve accomplished since the last Solstice in mid-December 2019. Rejoice in what you have done and have compassion for yourself around the things that you haven’t done or wish you had done better. Turn your attention forward toward the next Solstice and think about where you would like to be in December 2020. This is an opportunity to review the last six months and gather inspiration for the future.
On the same day, June 20th, Mars interacts positively with Jupiter. This is another precursor to the longer Jupiter/Pluto cycle that will be activated on June 30 and that we will experience throughout the rest of the year. Mars and Jupiter together are about enthusiasm, action, and progress. Potentially, support will arrive at the right time, or a lucky break will be perfectly timed. It brings a sense of confidence, generosity, and opportunities. Allow yourself to receive these blessings and benefits that come now. It’s not a perfect aspect, but it is very supportive to our plans for the future and brings a wonderful energy for collaboration and moving forward.
On June 20th at 11:41pm we have the most powerful New Moon Solar Eclipse of the year at 0 degrees Cancer. This will be much more dramatic and intense than the Lunar Eclipse of June 5th and it brings the potential for a shock of some sort. Eclipses have a wildcard quality so it’s very difficult to predict how it will affect our lives. The energy of an Eclipse is felt long after the event is over; up to three months. So, when the event is particularly powerful it resonates for quite a while. This one will likely bring a heightened level of frenetic energy. It’s important to be mindful of staying calm, of keeping your nervous system balanced. This is not the best day for major social events. 0 degrees is another critical degree and indicates the beginning or initiating of something. Though, beware! It has the quality of the ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ so don’t let yourself get pulled into something that may not be in your best interest.
This New Moon is very close to the North Node at 29 degrees of Gemini which adds intensity, drama, and the classic Eclipse energy of chaos and revelation, a play between shadow and light, of darkness and what we can actually see. The intensity is also amplified by the Solstice which happened earlier on the June 20th. Whenever an Eclipse happens close to a Solstice, besides the emotional and chaotic energy it brings, there is the strong possibility of intense weather and Earth-based events.
Even though it is a New Moon, an eclipse is not the best time to set intentions or participate in Lunar magic. It’s best to take some time to relax, participate in self-healing modalities, and try to remain calm for at least 24 hours after. This is an interruption of the usual pattern of life so we have to be aware of that.
The Eclipse on June 20th will be the last Eclipse in the Cancer/Capricorn sequence. We have been dealing with this sequence for the last two years accompanied by the intense energy of Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter all in the sign of Capricorn. If you have any lingering projects that you have been working on during these last two years, it’s likely that you will see them completed during the weeks following the Eclipse.
Neptune stations retrograde on June 23rd at 20 degrees of Pisces which brings us a period of concentrated Neptune energy. The best use of this energy is to strengthen your intuition, work on a creative project, or meditate with the intention of spiritual inspiration. You may also feel a bit tired, overwhelmed, or have the desire to isolate yourself. This energy resonates out for the rest of the summer. It doesn’t mean that we can’t accomplish things, but it does bring the necessity to care for your body and pay attention to your intuition when making decisions.
On June 25th, Venus ends her retrograde cycle. This concludes a six-week period of reflection, review, and reassessment. This has been a powerful time when we have been made aware of what may not be working in our relationships with others. Whatever has been revealed to you is now ready to take flight. If during the retrograde period, you weren’t pleased with how a particular situation resolved, you will now get a second chance to look at it. Venus in Gemini is very much about communication and how we find mutual ground from which to grow and connect. We now have a chance to repair things that have come apart or reconnect with others who are important to us. As Venus moves forward, you can gain clarity over the Gemini part of your life, issues related to self-love, or how to better connect with the important people in your life. This is a wonderful time for any ritual that will help you release old connections to conversations or situations where you feel you have been hurt and make peace. Look forward, not backward.
June 27th Mars moves into the sign of Aries. Normally, this is the start of a six-week period of action and excitement. However, Mars in Aries in 2020 is very different from what we usually experience with this energy. Rather than its usual six weeks in this sign, it will be spending six months here and won’t shift into Taurus until early January 2021. The reason for the extended period is because of Mars’ retrograde occurring mid-September to mid-November.
Mars is a planet that represents our desires, our passions, our anger, our frustrations and in its own sign of Aries these qualities are strengthened. This makes Mars in Aries a very volatile combination. If you’re aware of where Aries falls in your chart, it’s important to understand the topics of that house in order to understand how this energy will affect you for the next six months. If you can clarify what it is you like about the Aries part of your chart, what you think you’re doing well, and also reflect on what you’re mad or angry about in terms of that part of your chart, then this energy can be used very productively. If there are things you wish you were doing differently, use this energy to determine what steps can be taken to improve the situation. It’s the idea of taking responsibility for this part of your life and making changes if necessary.
The movement of Mars into Aries brings a huge energy shift. You may notice a drying out process that will clarify your thinking and may also separate you. This can be painful if you are pulled away from something or someone that you want to be connected to. But separation can also be helpful because it gives you healthy space around yourself in order to truly understand who YOU are, how YOU think, and what YOU want in life. You can choose for yourself, independent of others. It might also allow you to step back from a situation that has been intense and all-consuming.
Mars is very happy in Aries so, theoretically, we should experience a lot of forward movement and the desire to initiate action in certain areas of our life. There’s an excess of heat with this combination so we also have to prepare for getting too hot. This can manifest as physical temperature, anger, or passion. Think about your own personality and physiology as a part of this and respond accordingly.
This weekend will bring energy for getting motivated and fired up about something you want to accomplish. The energy is bold, courageous, and very independent so step out there and grab something you want. Don’t compromise or succumb to old boundaries. While this energy is great for personal growth, it can cause some friction if you are prone to just going along in order to get along.
Periodically, throughout the rest of the year, Mars in Aries will be in a challenging aspect to the Jupiter/Saturn/Pluto trio in Capricorn. This energy will fuel aggression and put forth a fierce defense of independence and personal rights. We are likely to see power struggles personally and globally, along with the potential for armed conflict.
June 28th, Mars at 0 degrees Aries makes a favorable aspect to Saturn at 0 degrees Aquarius. This is an important aspect to pay attention to. The best-case scenario is that we can channel the Mars energy into a long-term project and really get our teeth into the completion of something meaningful, putting aside the need for immediate gratification. It’s a bit visionary and there’s strong energy for a positive outcome.
On the other side of the coin lies frustration over things not moving as quickly as you would like or the inclination to begin a project without creating a foundation from which it can grow. Don’t go off willy-nilly and start fourteen different projects because they will all be prone to failure. Steady, measured growth. That is what this combination is asking for. If you have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish, how you’re going to get there, and who you’re going to team up with, then this is beautiful energy for significant forward progress.
On June 30, Jupiter combines its energy with Pluto. This is the second of three times this will happen during the year. It will happen at 24 degrees of Capricorn which is exactly where the first interaction occurred. There will be an echo of when they came together the first time which was March 29, 2020. There’s a theme with this around power and power struggles. About truth and secrets; what is revealed and what is kept hidden. Any time we see Jupiter and Pluto together in any sign, it is an indicator of extreme wealth. That is why it’s called the Millionaire’s Aspect when it occurs in a birth chart. Extreme differences in financial situations can be highlighted with this energy. It’s likely that collectively we will be dealing with fear connected to financial security for the future and the obvious disparity between the extremely rich and the poverty that exists in our country and the world.
This is also about truth telling and realizing that what you hear influences your personal decisions. We are all products of eons of conditioning and with this energy we will have an opportunity to examine those cultural beliefs that have been placed upon us and how our behavior connected to them may no longer apply in our lives. There may also be time spent thinking about the beliefs that you have freely chosen to incorporate in your life. There may be old beliefs that no longer align with who you are now. It will highlight issues of power dynamics, trust and loyalty around the Capricorn part of your chart. This is not necessarily a negative influence, but it is a significant change that requires a shift in mindset.
Also, on June 30th, Mercury interacts with Uranus and the Sun. This is an echo of the interaction on June 5th. It represents a breakthrough or the bringing forth of a very revolutionary spirit that helps us open to new possibilities. It can be very freeing, but also very unsettling because the foundations of our lives are shifting. With the Uranus influence, Mercury is no longer bound by tradition and can bring mind-blowing ideas or circumstances, out of the box ideas, and a break with habitual thinking. Your mind may be restless or very busy and the overflow of ideas may be overwhelming. It’s likely that we will be questioning truths that we’ve believed for a long time and pushing back against the status quo.
— Beth Lauderdale ~ Evolutionary Astrology