Remember when you were a child and felt an unreasonable fear? Maybe you thought monsters were hiding underneath your bed or perhaps you were convinced that the yellow jack following you around in the backyard was going to eat you alive.

What about when you were sick? Who did you run to for that magic hand to go across your forehead, rub your tummy, or kiss your boo-boos away? Most of us had a mother or mother figure in our life we’d turn to whenever we needed to feel safe.

Do you recall that warm, fuzzy feeling you got when mom wrapped you in her loving arms and made everything better? Well if you don’t, get ready to be reminded. All this gooey sweetness is yours as we kick off July with a New Moon and three planets stacked in the most nurturing sign of the zodiac – Cancer.

Sustenance my friend, is yours.

A New Moon in Cancer is the ultimate “chicken soup for the soul” lunation. It’s the opportune time to launch anything of course, that has to do with home and family matters. If you’ve been thinking of putting your house on the market or just “window shop” to see if you can locate your dream home, the two weeks following this lunation are favorable.

There could be significant news from a family member so be prepared. Luckily, the aspects to this New Moon are especially lovely so I’m guessing you’ll be celebrating something. In fact, there’s so much comfort to the New Moon on July 2nd that you might start to feel like the first two weeks of July is an extended spa visit.

With a cushy opposition of expansive Jupiter to the Moon and Venus, and the Moon conjunct Venus, I see nothing but caramel apples and cotton candy.

Remember though – there is the potential for too much of a good thing with these types of aspects. You should practice moderation in everything you do and especially how you eat during these next two weeks.

Yes I know I sound like a fitness guru, but Cancer does rule the stomach. Jupiter and Venus are known to sweeten the pot whenever one of them interact with a planet but this set up is enough to give me diabetes just writing about it since the Moon contacts both benefics AND both Venus and Jupiter oppose each other!

The weekend of July 4th is a common time to celebrate with major cook outs and festivities. It’s going to be wonderful connecting with relatives and sharing great food and fun – you can count on that. Just remember, moderation in all things!

Ok, so now that I’ve given you my food lecture, let’s move onto the deeper meaning this New Moon could have in store for you.

If Cancer is the mother of the zodiac, she’s a sign most concerned with security. We all have different definitions of what makes us feel secure and where this month’s New Moon falls in your birth chart is likely to be the place you are currently most in need of creating more opportunities for that safety net.

Thankfully, the universe is about to give you a giant boost! You’ll be more aware of your needs and those of others and will attract the support you need to cultivate what’s most important to you during this time. Be sure to read your Sun sign and Rising sign monthly forecast in my membership section for more details!

On the 10th there’s a steadfast conjunction of Mars, the planet of action, to Saturn, the planet of restriction. How this energy plays out for you is something of a coin toss. I have this conjunction in my natal chart so I can tell you from lifetime experience that there are days when I feel as if Saturn is crushing my energy and then there are other days when Saturn is my friend, helping me to focus and discipline all that abundant assertive energy I’ve got.

I do believe we can direct energy in our charts through conscious choice. This will be one of those aspects when you choose. Whatever area of your chart this conjunction in Virgo occurs, work will either be stalled or tenacious. The decision is yours.

On the 12th Venus, the planet of love and beauty enters the frisky sign Leo. Everyone will be ready to let their hair flow in the breeze. This is the Venus who loves to drive with the top down and be noticed by the world. If you have a planet in Leo, Venus will bring gifts to them over the next few weeks but whatever part of your chart Leo rules, Venus in that area will spread radiance and harmony.

If you want to attract love, the best way to do it now will be to get all dressed up and flaunt what you’ve got. Leo doesn’t have time for wallflowers.

Be sure to circle the 14th on your calendar if you think this is going to be an important month to negotiate a major business deal or sign contracts. Mercury, the planet of communication, will be sextile Saturn, the planet of business and reputation. You can easily achieve your terms on this day. In fact, with the Sun sextile Uranus on this day as well, you’ll be in for a most pleasant surprise no matter what you do.

On the 18th there’s a Full Moon in ambitious Capricorn. This is likely to be a time of culminating achievement for many of you. Whatever steps you took earlier in the month, around the New Moon, to achieve security, will now come to light under this Full Moon. This is when you’ll know if you’ve reached the top of the ladder or if more climbing is in your future. Either way, you’ll be able to use an innovative approach to handling your goals with the sextile this Full Moon makes to progressive Uranus.

As the month winds down, Mercury will enter Leo on the 26th. Expressive and theatrical communication will be all around you. Creative ideas burst forth faster than the juicy tomatoes ripening in my vegetable garden. By this time, all you’ll want to do is play. Who could blame you?

It seems that everyone wants to be seen and heard this month. But first, we all need to drink up the yummy chicken soup!

Happy July Everyone!

~Maria