Cancer New Moon 2024

New Moon in Cancer

Astrology by Lisa Stardust

The summer’s first New Moon falls in the water sign Cancer and commences on July 5th at 3:57 PM PT/6:57 PM ET. The New Moon begins the lunar cycle, which resets monthly in a different zodiac sign. This is a time of fresh starts, new beginnings, introspection, and reflection as we grow in the weeks ahead due to the seeds we plant under the lunation.

The Cancer New Moon aspects Mars in Taurus, Saturn retrograde in Pisces, and squares the lunar Nodes of Destiny in the Aries-Libra axis. Mars in Taurus is pushing us to take the high road and focus on romantic sentiments, while Saturn retrograde teaches us the importance of slowing down. The Nodes of Destiny want us to decide how to invest our energy in the weeks ahead and urge us to find a balance in life. It’s vital to take a step back and focus on healing our hearts and spirit — especially with the presence of the asteroids Ceres in Capricorn (who's a maternal influence), Pallas in Scorpio (the wisdom within us), and Juno in Virgo (the asteroid who defines fairness). 

The fixed stars Sirius and Canopus want us to move into a safe space that helps us mend the past. Embracing and caring for the shadowy parts of our personality can allow us to feel unconditional love for ourselves. So, saying positive affirmations throughout the day is vital to lift our hearts. Also, give yourself a big hug because you deserve it — most notably from yourself. The Sabian symbol that aligns with the New Moon is “Two Dutch Children Talking To Each Other, Exchanging Their Knowledge.” Share personal triumphs and stories to let others learn from our experiences. This will create a bond with those we care about and give us the space to be heard and seen without judgment.

New Moon In Cancer Ritual

Written by Bri Luna  

As we embrace the gentle and nurturing energy of the Cancer New Moon, it is the perfect time to tune into our emotional depths and set intentions for self-care and healing.

Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, centering yourself in the present moment. Visualize the moon's soft and healing light enveloping you. Set intentions for self-care, emotional healing, and nurturing your inner self during this lunar cycle.

Light a white or silver candle to represent the Cancer zodiac sign. White symbolizes purity and cleansing, while silver represents the moon's energy. As you light the candle, affirm your intentions for emotional healing and self-nurturing.

Take a moment to reflect on your emotions, desires, and dreams. Write them down in a journal, expressing yourself freely and authentically. Use this as an opportunity to delve into your emotional depths and gain clarity on what needs nurturing and healing in your life.

Sex Magic for Mars Retrograde

Written by Lisa Stardust

Mars, the planet of sexual desire, starts its retrograde from airy Aquarius back into earthy Capricorn during the summer, starting on June 26th and lasting until August 27th. As lusty Mars slides backwards, we may have a hard time asserting ourselves in communications and areas of physical expression, alike. Most notably, this transit can affect our libido, the power to initiate, and our sexual stamina.

Instead of spending the next couple of months tongue-tied, fuming, and sexually frustrated, increase your level of desire and allow it to flow by creating some personal magic to get your summer loving on. Combat the harsh Mars retro energy by using the magic of your own pheromones— your most powerful, unspoken means of attraction.

Using common ingredients found in the kitchen, you can manifest and/or unblock brewing passions by creating this delectable attraction oil.

This recipe calls for vanilla to enhance senses, roses for confidence, cinnamon to ignite fiery passions, and peppermint to awaken the libido. Rub a bit of this fragrant oil on yourself to get your loving groove back, with or without a partner. The most important thing to remember is to infuse the oil with your emotions and your best intentions. While there are directions below, you can double or triple them as needed. Use your emotions and senses to guide you through mixing these beautiful ingredients together. Just like cooking, it’s always best to mix and blend according to how you feel, and for this oil, get yourself revved up with passion by listening to music and setting the mood.

Ingredients:

*Please note, there are two alternatives to make the oil listed below.

Using Oils: 12 drops vanilla oil 1 drop of cinnamon oil 1 drop peppermint oil 1 drop rose oil

Using Fresh Ingredients: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract A pinch of cinnamon 2 sprigs of peppermint 5 crushed, dried or fresh, rose petals

Directions: Blend the ingredients together in a bowl. Place the oil in a jar and close the lid. Save left-over oil in a dark cool place. Place a drop of oil between your legs and behind your ears. Your libido will rise and your pheromones will be triggered, which can add heat to sultry summer evenings. For extra potency, create oil on Mars's day, which is on Tuesdays. Use the oil on a Tuesday to work with the positive energy of Mars, combating the retrograde vibes with some gentle self-love.

Witchcraft as Devotion: A Closer Look at the Practices and Principles of Witchcraft in the Modern Age

Photography by Mo www.phobymo.com

Written By Jaliessa Sipress

With Vogue magazine hailing our time as a “witchy renaissance,” it is safe to say that witchcraft is on the rise.* But, what is witchcraft? What is it really for? Is it all just spells to get rich and make people fall in love with you? Is it about worshiping he who not be named and learning how to pronounce wingardium leviosa? For some, it is all of these things and for others, none. A witch can mean many things and can come in many forms, and much of it's popularity seems to stem from that. While witchcraft and wizardry has gained wild popularity for it's reclamation of power and perceived formlessness, what should not be forgotten is that being a witch is less about the fact that one has “power” and more about acknowledging where that power comes from.

Witchcraft is a work of gratitude. It comes from the practice of honoring the people, land and animals that came before you, that coexist with you now and that have yet to arrive. Witchcraft is the work of the wise because it is the everyday practice of those who are humbled by the world around them. Witches find meaning in the mundane and see the magic in weeds growing through cracks in the sidewalk or a shed feather of a dirty bird. Witches are rememberers, mourners and healers because they have reconciled with the cycles of life and realized what is and is not in human hands. Witchcraft is about gratitude and alignment, treading lightly and respectfully and only taking what you need. We must remember that witchcraft is less about control and more about connection. A connection to our own divinity, but also an understanding of the limitations of it.

A witch’s power is in their ability to adapt, working with the natural cycles of the earth to bring about abundance, clarity and direction. It is not about manipulation or having complete control. Witchcraft is about surrendering. It is the knowledge that most things are out of our hands but continuing to work with our surroundings to help swing things in our favor. It is the act of bowing to the elements and submitting to their power that makes a spell stick. Witchcraft is a labor of love and intention. Spells work because they are an act of communion with the powers beyond us, acknowledging our need for help, and partaking in a mutual relationship with things we cannot measure. It is about giving without the expectation of receiving.

Photography by Gregory Halpern

To practice magick is to be in attunement with a sensitive and dying world and being interested in working with, fighting for and healing with it. Yes, witches cast spells and ask the universe for guidance. This is because they are interested in being led, in asking for help when in need and respecting that whatever shall come, will come. Sometimes spellwork is feeding late Aunt Mable’s altar or lighting a “road opener” candle for weeks until anything finally sets into motion. Sometimes it is the humbling act of continually asking and never receiving because it is not what the universe wants for you. It can sometimes mean waiting, worrying, re-configuring and waiting again. But all of the waiting and worrying is worth it because the craft is about finding understanding in failed spells and magical mishaps. It is about finding true love for yourself and the world around you and being in communion with the gifts that come from that. It is about faith.

Witchcraft is a fun, freeing, beautiful and impassioned practice, and we must acknowledge that our ability to experience it as such is rooted in the magnetic force of offering. Offering our power, offering our light, offering our darkness, offering our strength, offering our material and immaterial gifts, our dedication and our relationship to the deities and beings that guide us. Staying in a state of gratitude and giving helps to attract the exact blessings you are grateful for. Your love and power are precious tools. Use them to uplift, remember and protect and they shall never go to waste.