New Moon in Cancer on June 22, '09

We have a New Moon arriving on Monday, June 22nd in the feelings-oriented sign of Cancer, the Moon's natural ruler. The New Moon is the time for new beginnings, so take some action directed toward what you want to increase, create or develop in your life. Ride the wave and allow the energy to support you.

The New Moon is in the ultra-sensitive sign of Cancer, which rules your emotional self, your needs and how you get them met, your home (your nest), feelings of tenderness and vulnerability, emotional safety and security, family, food, tradition, connection, nurturing and being nurtured. Are you neglecting your emotional needs for giving and/or receiving? Is there an imbalance on one side or the other (more giving than receiving)? How can you take better care of yourself? Do you know what your needs are - to feel safe, to feel happy, to feel fulfilled, to feel loved, to feel valued? Cancer is the sign of the mother and it is a spiritual practice to "mother" yourself in a loving way.

"A mother who radiates self-acceptance and self-esteem actually vaccinates her daughter against low self-esteem." ~ Naomi Wolf

There are so many people who have to shut down emotionally to function in their lives because their environment (people and circumstances) feel so unsafe or toxic for them - and they may not even realize what the problem is! You may think there is something wrong with you if there is discord in your environment to try to make yourself fit in. I urge you to honor your authentic self and trust your feelings, not your rational mind (which can tell you kinds of erroneous things!). Connecting with your intuition is all about how you feel, not what you think. There is tremendous guidance available via how you feel in any given situation as to whether it's a "yes" or a "no" for you.

Here's a litmus test to tell whether or not you are in the right place or with the right people for you: does your energy feel expanded or do you feel contracted, like you have to pull your energy in to function? When you are in an environment that's nurturing for you or with people who are your "tribe" everything will feel easy. It is that simple, so experiment and see if this approach works for you. And by the way, you don't have to know why, only whether it's a "yes" or a "no." You can find out why later.

"That's okay Honey, they're just not your tribe. When you're with your 'tribe' you will feel perfect!" ~ my teacher in 1994 responding to my despair about not fitting in with a group of people

Self-care is a priority - especially for mothers, caregivers, and those in helping professions who spend much of their energy caring for others. This is a wonderful time to take actions to pamper your innermost self, whether it's having a massage, connecting with a family member or an old friend, creating a beautiful space in your home, expressing your feelings to a loved one, having a favorite food, or whatever feels nurturing for you. The concept of the "inner child" is associated with Cancer, so is there something you loved to do as a child that you've stopped doing? Are you still playful? What makes you feel warm and loved? Are you willing to allow that into your life? Are you too busy to take time out for yourself?

"As we become busier and more manic, we become more unconscious." ~ Robert Holden

Cancer is a highly intuitive sign, so practice tuning into the still, small voice within to guide you as you create your New Moon Intentions for this month. Ask yourself, "What does my Spirit want?" And please remember that messages from Spirit are never fear-based, so be discerning when receiving inner guidance to make sure the information you are receiving is coming from Divine Love and not from ego, which utilizes fear and lack to "protect" you. Drop into your heart and quiet your mind. Take a slow, deep breath into your belly and know that there is peace within.

Sensitivity and vulnerability are highly underrated in our western culture, but they are absolutely necessary for our wholeness and personal fulfillment as human beings. So on this New Moon, treat yourself lovingly and honor your feelings. Commit to nurturing your Self so that you can live an empowered life and be who you came here to be.

Remember, your presence matters and you are important!

"The more you learn to operate in the world based on trust in your intuition, the stronger your channel will be." ~ Shakti Gawain

"Finding out who you are, what you believe, what you enjoy doing, taking time for self communion and self-nurturing, learning to love and accept yourself through the ups and the downs of daily life - these are essential skills for finding peace and happiness. Unless you know how to experience peace and happiness on your own, you cannot possibly experience them in relationship with someone else." ~ Paul Ferrini

"When you are feeling depreciated, angry or drained, it is a sign that other people are not open to your energy." ~ Sanaya Roman

"You are the essence of pure goodness. Your goodness has nothing to do with your actions or the actions of anyone else." ~ The Goodness Process

"H.A.L.T. - Don't get too hungry, angry, lonely or tired." ~ 12-Step guidance

"We all came into this world gifted with innocence, but gradually, as we became more intelligent, we lost our innocence. We were born with silence and as we grew up, we lost the silence and were filled with words. We lived in our hearts and as time passed, we moved into our heads. Now the reversal of this journey is enlightenment. It is the journey from the head back to the heart, from words back to silence; getting back to our innocence in spite of our intelligence. Although very simple, this is a great achievement." ~ Eckhart Tolle

"If a child doesn't feel special at home, they will not feel special out in the world." ~ Dr. Phil

"My body is turning a blind eye to my misdoings and overindulgences, as if to say, 'OK Kid, live it up, I recognize that this is just temporary.' Still, when I look at myself in the mirror of the best pizzeria in Naples, I see a bright-eyed, clear-skinned, happy and healthy face. I haven't seen a face like that on me for a long time. 'Thank you,' I whisper. Then Sofie and I run out in the rain to look for pastries." ~ Elizabeth Gilbert