“When love beckons to you follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you believe in him, Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden”
Themes of love are strong in Cancer, love that has often blossomed according to the care and nurture that we have received from our mothers.
This decan is associated with the tarot card of The Three of Cups, and talks of our ability to move out into the world, to make authentic and intimate connections and to give ourselves up to the pure joy of being alive. Heartfelt and authentic connections however, can only come from a place of true self knowledge, where our inner certainty and self assurance provides a secure foundation of security to offer what we have to others, in the knowledge that we offer from a rich store.
The Tarot Card that is associated with this decan, is The Three of Cups, associated astrologically with Mercury in Cancer. I particularly love this image of The Three of Cups from Gentry Smith, blending the rich fertility of three (associated with The Empress and shown in the rich fruits lying at the feet of the women) with the openness and freedom in the connection between the three dancing figures. They give from a place of wholeness and completeness, but also from a place of hard won joy, those vegetables at their feet did not just appear as if by magic!!
The power within this decan is, like all 3’s, the knowledge that all good things come in time, and that the getting of them may not always be easy, and in fact at times can be downright difficult, but that there will be a sense of earned achievement at the end, a project brought forth, a new “child” in the world.
This New Moon Eclipse gives us the opportunity to start growing and developing in ways that may feel uncomfortable at times, but which also hold the promise of a harvest that will give us the confidence to be free to be exactly who we are, in a way that we may have been unable in the past. There is likely to be resistance to this process, which in actual fact can be helpful, as it will contain our desire to move out before we are ready. Being held back can be helpful, building strong “muscle”, holding us back so that lessons will be well learned; “nothing good comes that easy”.
So over the next six months, although at times we may feel like we are attempting to complete “The Twelve Labours of Hercules” we may well find we are growing slowly into a new found confidence, a stronger connection to an ever growing sense of self love, and the inner strength to be completely comfortable being exactly who we are.
The Astrologers Diary
The New Moon every month offers an opportunity to sow new seeds, and as an Astrologer, I find it to be a useful exercise for myself and in working with others, to use the energy of each particular New Moon, according to the Sabian Symbol that it falls on, together with the position in which it falls in the Natal Chart. Such considerations can be invaluable in steering through ups and downs, and in becoming “easy” with the ebb and flow of what life brings.
This particular New Moon falls in the 11th degree of Cancer, which Dane Rudhyar describes as follows:
A CLOWN CARICATURING WELL-KNOWN PERSONALITIES.
KEYNOTE: The value of humour in developing objectivity and independence of mind.
This particular New Moon falls in my own 1st house as I have Cancer rising, so this six month project offers huge potential to make positive changes. For me, its all about self, which for Cancer is always tricky as it is so focussed on caring for others….so really I am mindful that it is time to focus on nurturing self.
I thought I would start the ball rolling with some massage sessions, as I thought that that would give me a good practical way to reconnect with myself in a physical way (the 1st house is connected with the physical body). I am not sure why I was surprised, but all the “sore spots” that I had during my massage, were connected to the stomach, which is of course linked to Cancer, as it often holds emotion. Through this block of therapy sessions I hope to reforge the bond of love with my body.
Waving goodbye to one of my children for a whole two months was another event of 
note, testing the bonds of love. As I let a few more strands of the rope break, allowing her to test her young wings under the protection of a trusted friend, I know that I send her with enough in her storehouse to begin her own “three of cups journey” which undoubtedly will be tough at times, but will give her the confidence for longer “flights” in other years. I just hope that not too many of the “cups” are filled with Gin Cocktails this summer!!!
I have been trying to approach these events with as much humour as possible, even when there is pain that brings tears to my eyes, for the release of emotion is essential to the health of Cancer. Matters withheld can tend to stagnate and putrefy, eradicating joy, and stifling abundance.
Remember to allow the tears and the laughter to flow equally, for somewhere, even though it may be dark, there is always a funny side… although it may take a few hours or days (or even weeks or months) to get there.
Knowing which house the New Moon falls in, and whether it is in close aspect with any planets in your chart can be an invaluable tool, along with the wider cycle of the Progressed Moon, for discovering the secret rhythms of your daily life.
A free natal chart wheel can be set up at www.astro.com
My name is Joanna Grant, I am an Astrologer, Tarot Reader and Writer, who lives for now 
in the South West of Ireland. Through my life, I have watched as Jupiter has brought me the desires of my deepest longings, and also suffered as Pluto has torn my life into shreds, and eaten the remains. I have answered the calls of Saturn, as he has brought me to new lands, hardship, and also to deep learning, and have also witnessed that he has never left my side. Uranus has ensured that I have not stayed in any one location for very long, whilst Mars & Venus have led me by the nose on far more occasions than I care to recall, but who have also brought their passionate 
creative spirit to the fore in my life. Neptune has beguiled and confused me, but also entranced and inspired, whilst Mercury has made certain that I have studied the reasons “why” for everything to the “nth” degree. The Moon, my eternal guide on this journey and the lady of my own chart, has given me my deep love of The Stars, steering me ever onwards along the path to seek The Sun.
At this stage in my life, it is time to give back….. and my long knowledge of Astrology leads and informs my practice in offering guidance and empowerment, helping others to lead a more authentic, productive and magical life. You can read more about me here.
Joanna-Kate Grant 