Creature comforts, check in, beware of secret meetings & Self heal
Nature of the Moon forecast for July 2024
Hello everyone, wishing you a happy new Moon! 🌑
If you are new here - I’m Melissa an artist and practitioner of ancient astrology and alchemy for personal transformation.
Today I’m sharing my interpretation of the impending new moon occurring on the 5th and the full moon that will light up our sky on the 21st. I will be highlighting some of the months key dates, some symbolism and archetypal qualities associated with the decans & degrees. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on my next article, which digs into the next 3 months of astrology.
Whole sign chart for the new moon in Cancer on the 5th of July 2024
Summary of the cycle:
🌑 Throughout time, new moons have been synonymous with sowing seeds, imagining and initiating something new. So around the 4th - 6th you may notice your intuition / emotions are heightened so be sure to take notes on what you feel called to begin. Spend some time with water, allow yourself to retreat, be more introverted and consider what you wish to metaphorically sow into the soil this month. Trust there is likely to be signs of growth / progress around the 21st (during the next full Moon) and in December opportunity to harvest the sweet or bitter fruit from the decisions you make now.
The cardinal water sign of Cancer creates more desire to spend time at home, Venus’s co-presence is also encouraging us to indulge in creature comforts. Notice what feelings have become familiar to you. Check how ‘at home’ you feel at home and how comfortable you are around the people you spend the most time around. This dark moon phase, is infused with the Mars sextile Saturn (exact on the 5th) to me, this indicates restraint is required and a need to be mindful of clamming up for too long. When the moon returns to her home of Cancer, I like to tend to any sadness or rage that has accumulated whilst I was out in the world. Perhaps there will be some harsh words or manipulative smear campaigns to process. These were likely to have been launched during the challenging opposition between Mercury and Pluto (this aspect was exact on the 3rd but tends to show up early and linger).
🌓 The waxing moon phase this month is a little challenging, on the 12th, the 1st quarter moon occurs in Libra as Venus opposes Pluto, so trouble may bubble up in your relationships or in your creative projects. The moon is charging up earth and water houses this month, I would also check if you have Cancer / Capricorn / Taurus ruling over your angular houses 1st/4th/7th/10th, if so - you can prepare for some potent transformation hitting where it can hurt, your identity, home, partnerships and career. To add to the intensity we have the conjunction between Mars and Uranus in Taurus on the 15th - 17th. I would say this period of time is especially alchemical for Taurus, Scorpios, Aquarius and Leo placements.
Whole sign chart for the full moon in Capricorn on the 21st of July 2024
🌕 I would also mark 20th - 22nd in your journal - the dates surrounding the Saturnian full moon (baring in mind the last full moon was also in Capricorn). This lunation feels like an opportunity to practice being pragmatic despite any chaos, unexpected information or cruel outbursts - indicated by Mercurys square with Uranus (exact on the 21st) and the moons conjunction with Pluto. As we adjust to Jupiter in Gemini and compose ourselves after an emotional new moon, it seems wise to tackle any lingering rumination (the number 1 sign of depression) by accepting what is and what is not within your circle of control. I personally find it’s easier to knuckle down with work whilst the moon is in Capricorn. Why not focus on improving the aspects of your life that Capricorn rules in your chart - on solutions rather than any problems, which will no doubt comfort / encourage others to do the same.
🌗 During the waning moon phase we have the Sun opposing Pluto (exact until the 23rd) shedding more light on any egotistical / power dynamics that may have emerged during the Mercury Pluto opposition. We may observe how much shame and fear has been heightened in society and in your home. I’m hoping this may be eased as the Sun forms a supportive trine to the moons north node ending the month on a high (31st). Nudging us away from nationalism, materialism and the shaming myth of meritocracy. I believe I heard both Brene Bown and Elif Shafak say something like - if we put shame in a petri dish, we would see it would thrive in silence. Ask yourself where the silences are within your family / relationships, to find the pink elephant - the unresolved shame and trauma. The north node is in Aries, which values authentic self expression and sovereignty above all else, prompting us to address the proverbial elephant in the room.
Some stereotypical, archetypal light and dark qualities I associate with
Cancer:
Water, the Moon, the cups, the crab, snails, the Queen & King of Cups, the Moon & Chariot tarot cards, the caring mother / father / guardian, the chef, the baker, the home-maker, the interior designer, van life & motorhome lovers, the record keepers, the historians, the moody / changeable / defensive friend, the smothering, overly sentimental or emotionally immature mother / father / guardian, the reclusive hermit, being housebound, agoraphobia (fear of leaving the house), the hoarder.
Capricorn:
Earth, Saturn, the Pentacles / coins, Mountain goats, Sea goats, the Queen & King of Pentacles, the Emperor & the Devil tarot cards, the trustworthy financial advisor, the successful business owner, likeable boss / CEO, the noble, honourable leader, the beloved responsible father / guardian, the pragmatist, BDSM, bondage play, the sadist, the work- horse, the workaholic, the greedy banker, the absent, neglectful or abusive father / guardian, the dishonourable & disliked leader / CEO / boss from hell.
Decans and Sabian symbols:
🌑 The new moon occurs at 14° the 2nd decan of Cancer, the Chaldean order the planetary ruler is Mercury and the tarot card is the 3 of cups. This card often depicts 3 women celebrating, reminding me of how wonderful it is when we feel like we are genuinely connecting and co-operating with others.
Consider how being ‘shy’, clamming up, refusing to dance, communicate or participate can be self-centered. The Sabian image is a ‘very old man facing dark space’, which makes sense as this months astrology is no picnic. Melancholy and loneliness comes to mind, check in with yourself, then check in with others, below is a thought provoking advert to reflect on.
3 of cups - Golden art Nouveau Tarot deck by artist Guila F Massaglia
🌕 The full moon occurs at the 29° of Capricorn, the bitter end of the sign - known as the dreaded anoretic degree, is associated with the Sun and the 4 of Pentacles. A card that makes me feel uncomfortable, the figure is prepared to be uncomfortable so he can hold onto each coin, a warning not to greedily hoard resources, but I also notice the fear in his heart which he protects with his wealth. I know, who really has empathy for the lonely billionaire who seems to have it all? When I look at this card, I sense that when all is said and done, having a scarcity mindset creates a baron wasteland for all, the mighty and small. ‘A secret business conference’ is the Sabian symbol to consider during this lunation, weaving in nicely with the skyscrapers in the background of the 4 of Pentacles. It seems the wealthy prefer mountain bunkers nowadays, WEF, DARPA etc come to mind, but the word ‘secret’ is crucial here, when watching the headlines I try to remember:
“Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden.”
―Phaedrus
4 of Pentacles - Golden art Nouveau Tarot deck by artist Guila F Massaglia
Gemstone for July:
Moonstone is my favourite stone for Cancer but this month I would like to bring some attention to Ammonite - a unique fossilized shell belonging to an extinct group of marine animals known as “ammonoids”. It’s Fibonacci spiral shape represents life’s journey and the cyclical nature of all things. Each turn of the spiral represents a new beginning, reminding us to embrace change and growth as a natural part of life. The word ‘Ammonite’ etymologically means ‘change’, something that many Cancerian’s struggle with. Ruled by the Moon and Saturn Ammonite is associated with the Earth element so is said to be grounding and supportive. I received one for my 30th birthday, I love it because it reminds me of crabs and snails - that home is on my back, just like all the cliches about finding happiness, home is not really a destination.
Celtic feminine archetype
The ancient Celtic pantheon has 100s of goddesses that represent everything from wells to warfare. Although much has been forgotten, stories have been passed down through oral traditions, previous generations have lovingly carried forward memories of a magical past.
As someone who studies Hellenistic ancient astrology, I have become more familiar with the Greco - Roman mythology and terminology. I was born in East Yorkshire (North East England) and now live in Scotland, so I am on a mission to connect with more of the local lore and legends of the land surrounding me, to study and share more about the insular Celts. I am particularly interested in the heroines journey and feminine forces of nature so just before each new and full moon, as a starting point, I enjoy picking a card from my lovely Celtic goddess Oracle deck by Gillian Kemp and artist Julia Cellini.
The card that fell in my lap for this month is the Ban Chuideachaidh Moire, Kemp describes her as a goddess of childbirth and youth. I like how the guide book suggests this is a sign we should value each day as a miniature life: morning is birth and youth, afternoon is maturity and night, death. The visual symbolism of the card also synchronise nicely with the spiral and watery but Saturnian nature of the Cancer / Capricorn lunations. A little research reveals why this Celtic archetype is associated with childbirth, practicality, devotion and forgiveness - she appears in modern Irish legends as the midwife who assisted the Christian Virgin Mary with her birth. There seems to be some connection to St. Bridget (a thinly veiled disguise of the Goddess Brid) and the threefold triplicity goddess represented by the Triskellion (Triskele). Which is unsurprisingly my favourite ancient symbol of strength, for me, it’s a reminder that we always have 3 choices, 3 paths ahead. I also like the theory that the three legs represent the present (physical), otherworld (spritual) and celestial world (astrology).
Ban Chuideachaidh Moire - The Celtic goddess oracle guidebook by Gillian Kemp & artist Julia Cellini
Plantlore / Herbal tea
Self heal (Prunel / Sicklewort) feels appropriate for some of the bumpy astrology of July. I find it often grows in pretty patches amongst grass, small, creeping like a wild mint. Nicholas Culpepper calls it a ‘Carpenters herb’ of Venus (hot and dry), it’s special because it can treat inward and outward wounds’ and is trusted to ‘cleanse the foulness of sores’. It happens to grow happily in my garden so I’m taking it as a sign - it makes a wonderful cup of tea, tincture or soothing balm for cuts and bruises (recipe links below).
I would love to hear how you feel about the nature of the moon this month? Below is a quick a summary of how the new & full moons are activating your chart.
Wishing you all the best with July,
Melissa 🌹
An abundance of Self heal growing on the Scottish Isle of Mull
Summary of which house / area of your life will be impacted most by the new & full moon (check your rising sign below)
♑ CAPRICORN
🌑 7th: connections, long term partnerships in business
🌕 1st: you, your sense of self, identity and appearance
♐ SAGITTARIUS
🌑 8th: other peoples money, other peoples income, crisis, loss, taxes, sexuality, societal taboos
🌕 2nd: your income, values, assets, money, abundance
♏ SCORPIO
🌑 9th: academia - teaching / studying, long distance travelling, publishing, astrology, spirituality, philosophy and belief systems
🌕 3rd communication, siblings, local travel, writing, reading, social media, neighbours
♎ LIBRA
🌑 10th: career, public reputation, ambitions, calling in life, institutions
🌕 4th: your home, family, belonging, privacy, parents, your memory and roots
♍ VIRGO
🌑 11th: hopes, dreams, friendships, community, networking
🌕 5th: creative expression, children, pleasure, romance
♌ LEO
🌑 12th: isolation, unconscious, secrets, addictions, sleep, dreams
🌕 6th: routine, sacrifice, colleagues, known enemies, health, pets
♋ CANCER
🌑 1st: you, your sense of self, identity and appearance
🌕 7th: connections, long term partnerships in business
♊ GEMINI
🌑 2nd: your income, values, assets, money, abundance
🌕 8th: other peoples money, other peoples income, crisis, loss, taxes, sexuality, societal taboos
♉ TAURUS
🌑 3rd communication, siblings, local travel, writing, reading, social media, neighbours
🌕 9th: academia - teaching / studying, long distance travelling, publishing, astrology, spirituality, philosophy and belief systems
♈ ARIES
🌑 4th: your home, family, belonging, privacy, parents, your memory and roots
🌕 10th: career, public reputation, ambitions, calling in life, institutions
♓ PISCES
🌑 5th: creative expression, children, pleasure, romance
🌕 11th: hopes, dreams, friendships, community, networking
♒ AQUARIUS
🌑 6th: routine, sacrifice, colleagues, known enemies, health, pets
🌕 12th: isolation, unconscious, secrets, addictions, sleep, dreams
P.s I am sharing my summer - autumn calendar with everyone on my mailing list, it’s downloadable (below is a preview) it’s free and provides a practical birds eye view of the next 3 months. It highlights some of the seasons significant transits, the suns movement through the decans, the nature of the moons phase and sign. When you become a free subscriber with your email, the link is below, you will receive the current calendar - I share new ones in sympathy with the equinox and solstices and only send monthly emails.
Nature of the moon members who contribute £7 per month enable me to continue sharing my articles and videos for free. As a thank you, paid membership also receive extended horoscopes which provides alchemical insights into significant aspects / transits, plus occasional seasonal exclusives like lunar return reports. Founding members also receive a personalised lunar return calendar filled with the next 12 months of key dates + the aspects and transits that significantly impact their birth chart.
📚 Resources & further reading
More on Ammonite
More on Self heal:
‘Complete herbal’, originally written in the 1650s by Nicholas Culpepper
An Herbalist's Guide to Using Self Heal
Foraging & Using Self Heal - Unruly Gardening
Celtic mythology:
Sites brimming with original sources
https://codecs.vanhamel.nl/Home
https://celt.ucc.ie/publishd.html
http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/celtic/irish/
Hellenistic ancient astrology:
Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice: A Manual of Traditional Techniques, Volume I & 2, 2019 by Demetra George
Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune 2017 by Chris Brennan
To learn more about the Sabian symbols I recommend the work of James Burgess and Lyn Birkbeck
My favourite oracle decks, featured today: please check your local shops or use the Ethical book search
✨ The Celtic goddess oracle guidebook by Gillian Kemp & artist Julia Cellini ✨ Golden art Nouveau Tarot deck by artist Guila F Massaglia
Disclaimer: Nature of the moon is developed for entertainment purposes. I hope my words act as a catalyst for your own research and self-inquiry. Always trust your own intuition and judgement - astrology is not a substitute for financial, medical or legal advice.