New Moon / Solar Eclipse Opposite Pluto: Power Games and Security Issues

The astronomical clock in Prague, pointing to the Cancer/Capricorn cusps

The New Moon at 20 degrees Cancer is opposite Pluto at 20 degrees Capricorn. Symbolically speaking, Pluto is all about power and control. The Sun will be eclipsed by the Moon in maternal, emotional, nurturing, empathetic Cancer. 

Cancer and Capricorn both have "security" issues. Cancer is concerned with emotional security, which is equated with the key words "Food, Home, Mother, Money." Capricorn is concerned with material security, the acquisition and use of power, wealth, and resources. 

The Tribal Rulers of Cancer and Capricorn give further insight into these issues. Reuven, the Tribal Ruler of Cancer, jealously guarded his family honor from a place of emotional need. Dan, the Tribal Ruler of Capricorn, fiercely guarded the borders of Israel against threats from invading "others." 

On a global level, Pluto in Capricorn opposed by the eclipsed Sun and Moon in Cancer is a power and control-grab of resources by the Haves against the Have-Nots. 

On a personal level, this describes the dynamic tension between your control issues and your emotional needs. In what realm those play out depends on which of your 12 Houses the Pluto-Sun/Moon opposition happens in. 

For a personalized natal chart analysis reading, couples/relationship charts and group dynamic analysis, be in touch with me by email: lorelaikude@yahoo.com

Rosh Chodesh Tammuz Tov! Prepare for the Turn of the Tide!

Image from a Torah binder, Germany, 1858, the Israel Museum, Jerusalem

Chodesh Tammuz Tov!
 
Tammuz is the month of Cancer the Crab and the Tribe of Reuven. It's one of the four Cardinal (initiating) Signs, each of which contains a "Tefukah", or turning point in the year. In the case of Cancer, that's the Tekufah of Tammuz, a.k.a. the Summer Solstice. 

Check out my column on Tammuz in the latest edition of J-The Jewish Weekly of Northern California.  

There are four Tekufot during the year: Tekufah Nissan / Spring Equinox, Tefukah Tammuz / Summer Solstice, Tekufah Tishrei / Autumnal Equinox, and Tekufah Tevet / Winter Solstice. 

Each of the four Tekufot occurs in one of the four Cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. Cardinal energy is "initiating" energy: Cardinal signs are "starters". New beginnings! 

The other modalities are the Fixed signs, which is "establishing" energy (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius), and Mutable signs, which is "transformative" energy (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces). 

Tammuz, the month corresponding to Cancer, is Cardinal Water: Initiating Emotion. This quality can clearly be seen in the archetype of Reuven, the Tribal Ruler of Chodesh Tammuz.  

Reuven is concerned with his mother’s fertility (in the incident of the mandrakes) and her honor (in the incident of moving his father’s bed). His sincere but unsuccessful efforts to save his brother Joseph in the pit and to sacrifice his own sons to redeem his brother Benyamin from Egypt reflect Cancerian concerns with family identity, responsibility and status. 

Cancer’s gift to us is sensitivity, loyalty, intuition, pride in our heritage and sacrificial love. The New Moon in Cancer today can help us all initiate heart-centered connection, repair our family ties, and strengthen communal bonds during this Moon-ruled month.

Capricorn Full Moon - Establishing Manifestation

"Full Moon over Jerusalem" by Israeli artist Zoe Sever

Full Moons occur when the Sun and Moon are in opposite signs. The Sun in sensitive Cancer's Full Moon in practical, ambitious Capricorn this evening is supported by a gentle Trine from dreamy Neptune in watery, mystical Pisces. If you can imagine it, you can manifest it. Energetically speaking, it's a good time to take practical steps to fulfill your dreams.

Cancer is associated with the Tribe of Reuven, and Capricorn with the Tribe of Dan. They are placed on the North/South axis as the "Natural First-Borns" of their mothers, and represent the Cardinal directional energies (North/South). The "Natural First-Borns" Reuven and Dan are in contrast to the "Supernatural First-Borns" (Yehuda and Ephraim), which are associated with the East/West axis. 
 

When we come to a turning point in the tide of time, we examine the quality of that time. During Reuven/Tammuz/Cancer it is important to refocus one's attention on family relationships, and to make repairs in areas of your life that concern food/home/mother/money. 

Rededicate yourself to the mitzvah of "Kevod Av v'Am" (honoring your parents), check your mezuzahs to make sure they're in good condition, check the contents of your refrigerator to make sure you're eating right, and check your bank balance to remind you, no matter what the number, true security is not to be found in cash on deposit but in love on deposit in your heart.As the Wizard of Oz said to the Tin Man: "A heart is not judged by how much you love, but how much you are loved by others".