July 20 marks the beginning of a new Lunar cycle as we begin to wind down from a powerfully illuminating yet emotionally exhausting Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn.

The New Moon on July 20 is our first non-Eclipse lunation since the New Moon in Gemini on May 22, bringing the demand for “Corrective Communications” to the fore.  This is 2020’s second New Moon in Cancer, representing a “second chance,” if not demand, for Boundary (Re-) Negotiations in Relationships (personal and professional) this year.

We may cling (Cancer) to the idea that everything is within our conscious control (Capricorn). For instance, we may think we can do everything ourselves only to be swiftly reminded of how much we rely on relationships for survival of all kinds.  

In fact, realizing that we’re all innately social creatures regardless of the demand of technological advances on our attention spans broaches the task of determining if (and which) relationships have gone from slightly stale to stunting our growth. 

Does this mean it’s time to revive your love life, feigning the requisite aloofness while you play the (dating) game? Or does waiting patiently in the interest of keeping things “consistent” inevitably lead us to the realization that the spontaneity we’ve been craving is the equivalent of waiting in vain? 

As we move into August, communications (as well as our powers of attraction) will pick up speed at an exhilarating yet ungodly pace. So if you’ve got a mind to initiate or reinvigorate any romantic flames at this New Moon? Get ready for some heated communications, even if there’s more snark than spark in the romantic/physical chemistry department. 

For the time being, though, the focus is on finding a way to confront (if only to yourself) whether certain relationships or situations have become (for you) too much “give” than “get.” How to address whatever emotional realizations came up for air at the Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn is the theme of this New Moon. 

So if there’s family baggage, lingering relationship or work/life balance issues to work out? It’s the Last Dance—the last chance to address any residual conflicts, stalemates or coincidences and correct yourself as best you can.

Sun-Moon Opposite Saturn: Pressure Cooker

This New Moon occurs in Cancer Decan 3, the most sensitive and compassionate of Cancer Decanates. Yet the exact opposition of the Sun-Moon in Cancer to Saturn @ 28° Capricorn is like being plopped in a pressure cooker, as we’re faced with circumstances and communications that pressure us to make a difficult decision. 

There’s so much emotional processing to do at the same time that we feel somehow equally repressed and liberated at once. But with both Mercury and Venus rapidly approaching the end of their post-Retrograde shadow phases, don’t be surprised if you find yourself deluged with practicalities too. 

Saturn is the planet of Realism and Efficiency, the symbol of all the practical and material limitations of life. How will its tense opposition to the Sun and Moon in Cancer affect you? On the most basic level, your living space—and your ability to communicate—has become cramped, sedentary or too socially isolated to sustain, both emotionally and financially.

Whatever the case for you, Saturn's potent influence on this Cancer New Moon chart has a stark “shape up or ship out” feel to it, pressing us to make amends, pay your dues or avoid “pushing your luck” while you’re ahead (or whatever). Much like the Eclipses on June 21 and July 5, there’s a whole boatload of planets in Cardinal signs, hungry for Action & New Beginnings—especially on the Home & Family Front.

Many will decide (or be forced) to move house with this New Moon, as its uncomfortably tight opposition to Saturn in Capricorn shines a light on whatever’s happening at home that isn’t working for you anymore. As a result, there’s a powerful push to make (literal) moves that directly conflict with the need to stave off major decision-making or manifest any potentially “permanent” or unplanned changes this year. 

Mercury in Cancer vs. Chiron-Mars: Fight or (Non) Flight

This chart, like many of the New + Full Moon charts of 2020, highlights the 3rd and 9th house axis—the axis of Communication, Expansion, Education and Travel/Relocation in all forms.

Yet the theme of Restriction hangs heavy in the air in July, intensified by the lingering effects of whatever power struggles came to a head—or (finally) became impossible to ignore—at the second exact Jupiter-Pluto alignment on June 30, followed by the rather harsh news that came up at the Lunar Eclipse on July 5. 

Maybe the Super-Fab RV you bought with your unemployment income or stimulus check to explore the Great Outdoors is on its last legs and needs to be traded in. Maybe you realize you need a home office if you’re going to (realistically) attempt to be productive as you continue working remotely.

Maybe it’s that you can’t afford to stay in your current place and need to find somewhere new to rest your head. Or maybe it’s simply the realization that your Summer Sojourn is quickly coming to an end. 

Mercury in Cancer at a tense angle to Wounded Healer Chiron describes an emotional conflict that began during Mercury’s Pre-Retrograde Shadow phase and is resurrected at this New Moon for the final time—the root of which is an ongoing conflict between fixating on fantasies (Cancer/9th house) v. bearing the burden of the more mundane (routine) aspects of life (Aries/6th house). 

In other words, there’s a mix of extreme sensitivity and harsh reality at once. Added to this is Mars conjunct Chiron in fiery, impulsive Aries, leaving all communications feeling slightly fraught, defensive or downright antagonistic.

So don’t be surprised or caught off guard if you find yourself (or others) feeling triggered by the most minute of stimuli, hyper-reactive or overly-defensive at the faintest of (perceived) slights. 

Mercury Sextile Uranus: Relationship Refresh

The July 20 Cancer New Moon is a turning point (or breaking point), implying an important decision about an ongoing Home and Family Matter affecting our Financial and Emotional sense of Security. Whatever the decision represented by Saturn’s tense opposition to the Sun-Moon in Cancer involves for you, it’s sure to affect your relationships in a big way, as alienating others and “ending up alone” are all-too-real fears this year. 

Uranus in Taurus occupies the 7th house of the chart, signifying upheaval or sudden events in committed partnerships both business and personal. Whatever the central conflict, it’s likely not so much a new development as one(s) you’ve been dealing with and/or thinking over for some time now. This isn’t to say it’s easy confronting painful (emotional) truths about those we consider (or used to consider) our Nearest & Dearest. 

With Saturn pressuring us to tend to practical responsibilities and put in the work to maintain/manifest an image of Perfection, whether it’s a relationship that’s fallen by the wayside, dehydrated, desperate for a sprinkle of levity or a job that’s just gotten far too stressful, the New Moon demands that we pinpoint what it is we want, what kinks there are to work out—and/or what we need to (finally) walk away from. 

One of Cancer’s greatest strengths, however, is their talent for imagination and creative problem-solving, particularly when it comes to inventing new and novel ways to approach the (emotional) tough stuff.

Heal old wounds by getting innovative and trying out new ways of relating (or finding new people to relate to). Allow another the freedom to self-express, even when the conversation is already tense. Either way, any attempt at resolution will have a “better” outcome in the long-run than, say, absconding from Unpleasantville unannounced. 

Jupiter Sextile Neptune: Love Lives (Revised)

With Saturn pressuring us to tend to practical responsibilities and put in the work to maintain/manifest an image of Perfection, whether it’s a relationship that’s fallen by the wayside, dehydrated, desperate for a sprinkle of levity or a job that’s just gotten far too stressful, the New Moon demands that we pinpoint what it is we want, what kinks there are to work out—and/or what we need to (finally) walk away from. 

Cancer is ruled by the Moon, the symbol of all things out of our conscious awareness, which is highly intuitive yet Cancers can end up inadvertently self-sabotaging in relationships, envisioning fantastical futures replete with expectations just out of reach.

(Kind of like the way they say they want a relationship of separate but equal souls yet in reality often end up acting out relationship scenarios that could be characterized as (co)dependent).

So if you find yourself continually pushing your physical, emotional or financial limits, bursting your own bubbles or putting pinholes in your dreams, breaking your own rules or promises you made to yourself—or if you find yourself continually doing such things to others—why?

What purpose have such patterns served for us in the past? Do they have a place in the present? And if we can’t think of one, then why do we continue to do the same things in relationships again and again? 

Checking in with family, friends and people in general is becoming more an important part of day-to-day life than ever when it comes to our ability to survive. And with the generally lower level of person-to-person or in-person contact we have, the narratives we tell others become the narratives we tell ourselves.

For example: Do you call or text or email or message or whatever those closest to you, with the intent of being a considerate friend or making someone laugh? Or do you suddenly find yourself reaching for the phone only when you just so happen to require some extra cash? 

With Jupiter in Capricorn softened by its sextile to Neptune in Pisces (exact on July 27), yet can at the same time lead to self-delusions verging on the grandiose. So if you notice the latter happening on more than one occasion, you might want to be more honest with yourself and learn how to keep it classy.

Because what do we get out of it when we ignore someone or something we find unpleasant; or one we’d simply “rather not” confront? In the short-term, avoidance of a potential moment of personal discomfort at most. In the long-term, though, while “Time Heals All,” prolonged avoidance only alienates and erodes trust, turning every interaction into a minefield of passive-aggressiveness.

This obviously makes the possibility of cultivating real intimacy (if that’s what you’re after), well, highly unlikely. Those who make a genuine effort, on the other hand, will be the ones we’ll end up appreciating (and who we’ll feel warmest toward) at the end of the (proverbial) day. 

Clinging to the illusion of Control, too, will only prevent us from capitalizing on the opportunity to let go and relinquish it for a bit. If the need for Control becomes imbalanced, all our striving will be for naught, as failure to recognize that the ability to cooperate is just as necessary as the ability to work independently will ultimately leave you feeling overburdened and inevitably resentful. 

But should you decide the obstacle is worth the reward? It’s either all hands on deck or it’s time to re-evaluate any preconceived notions about how realistic your plan really is, whether it’s “getting back on track” or the pursuit of your lifelong dream of living in Shangri La. Either way, the decision is clear—roll up your sleeves or roll with the punches (and/or get out of dodge). 

My only advice? Don’t run away or hide. Just do your best to make sure that whatever conversations you have now are handled with care.