New Moon and the Month Ahead

July 28, 2022

Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in both Vedic and western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most western astrologers. All the astrological charts below are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and the Lahiri Ayanamsa.

The New Moon will occur on July 28 around 1:54 PM EDT in Washington DC. You can convert this to your own time zone on World Time Buddy. The New Moon will kick off the new lunar month which will be in place until the following New Moon on August 27. Here are the current New Moon charts for the US capitol:

According to the weighted score of elements per the placements of planets in the sidereal signs, the New Moon horoscope is heavy on the water element, setting the stage for the new month ahead (at least until the Sun enters Leo on August 16). This water-logged condition suggests potential challenges in the collective consciousness related to extremes of behavior and emotion, such as fearfulness, insecurities, and hyper-sensitivity.

Some of the best ways to balance excessive water energy is to cultivate mindfulness and healthy boundaries; be charitable toward others; tap into creativity; and, make sure to keep a strong and healthy container through spiritual and healing practices and balanced life choices, including time spent in nature.

The focus on the water element may also point to issues with drinking water and other liquids, as well as with storms and high rains in many locations leading to flooding; any kind of focus on matters related to large bodies of water/waterways/ oceans/rivers/lakes/dams/reservoirs; tsunamis or tsunami threats; the navy; fishing industry; shipping, and so on.

In addition to analyzing the elements in an astrological chart, we can analyze the modalities (also known as quadruplicities). They represent principles of energy movement, i.e, how energy is expressed in us and in the world as represented by the planets and signs. There are three modalities: cardinal (creation), fixed (preservation), and mutable (transformation).

The cardinal modality is in excess in the current New Moon chart, whereas there is no fixed energy, and only a bit of mutable. Disproportionate cardinal energy can be ambitious, heated, driven, agitated, opportunistic, and “run ragged.” Without fixed energy to stabilize it, the cardinal mode can push to the extreme.

Cancer is the primary chart signature of the New Moon horoscope, because not only is it the sign of the New Moon, but it is also the cardinal water sign (and as mentioned, the cardinal mode and water element are both intensely represented now). Additionally, the sign of Cancer receives a great number of aspects from so many of the planets transiting in cardinal signs at this time, which I discussed in a previous post. These include the Sun, Moon, Mercury which fall within Cancer; Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn opposing Cancer; Mars, Uranus, Rahu in Aries squaring Cancer: and Ketu in Libra also forming a square.

Cancer brings a focus on security and safety. In mundane astrology, Cancer also relates to crops and agriculture; food production, storage, and transport; the fishing, diving, and shipping industries; all the creatures who inhabit our rivers, lakes, and oceans; land, real estate, property management, and the hospitality industry; mines and their products; families, and especially issues of women and children; municipal services and politics; charitable organizations; biochemicals; and mental health issues, especially among children. Any of these matters could be under some big focus in the coming month.

The New Moon chart has a grand cross (grand square) which is technically formed when two oppositions square one another, creating the large red square configuration that you can see in the aquamarine wheel chart above. The square formation also occurs in the four angles of the US New Moon chart which doubles its intensity. It involves the South Node Ketu; North Node Rahu conjoined with Mars and Uranus (which I have written about in great depth before); retrograde Saturn in Capricorn; and the Sun, Moon, and Mercury in Cancer.

The energy of this particular grand square formation can be impetuous, aggressive, reckless, combative, and accident prone. It also suggests some potential for a geopolitical crisis. In order to navigate its rocky energy, we will need to be patient, focused, firm, and steady.

Jupiter, the significator of wisdom, abundance, and grace, will station retrograde a few hours after the New Moon on July 28, and will remain retrograde until November 23.

As the New Moon represents new beginnings, and Jupiter is stationing around the same time as the New Moon, this can suggest the need for caution when making any new decisions around this time. In addition, according to classical Muhurta (India’s elective astrology system), it is best not to initiate important big events like a marriage or starting a new business venture during the four months that Jupiter remains retrograde.

When retrograde, a planet is closer to the Earth so that its influence becomes more prominent; yet, since it appears to be going backward from the Earth’s vantage point, its energy is somewhat internalized. A retrograde transiting planet can sometimes indicate postponements or reassessment in certain material affairs, but also a deepening actualization of a planet's more subjective qualities.

Jupiter will station retrograde at around 14 1/2 degrees Pisces, and will spin backward to around 4 1/2 degrees of Pisces where it was transiting before in early May 2022. If you have natal planets or house cusps in this area or aspecting it, then perhaps some unresolved matters of the recent past will return to you to be worked out, modified, integrated, or concluded.

When Jupiter is retrograde, we often feel inclined to look within for deeper understanding and new perspectives. We may also review and possibly change certain plans especially related to the house position of Pisces in our natal chart. Especially if any planets or chart points are being activated by the retrograde and direct stations of Jupiter, those in particular may reveal where and how this is unfolding.

I will be writing more as the month of August unfolds, once we pass this sensitive period of the Uranus-Mars-Rahu conjunction over the coming weeks. I will also be writing about the extended retrograde Mars transit in sidereal Taurus, which will begin on August 10. It will be in place until March, 2023 (with a slight side trip of Mars into Gemini from mid-October to mid-November, 2022). It looks to be some interesting times with this transit!

I wish you a blessed New Moon and a peaceful new month ahead.

Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth.

Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust.

Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace.

Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our Universe.

Peace. Peace. Peace. (From the Upanishads. Adapted by Satish Kumar. Peace Prayers: Meditations, Affirmations, Invocations, Poems, and Prayers for Peace, p. 127, Harper San Francisco)