The New Moon in Cancer is a tender, perhaps non-eventful one. In the outer world at least. Our inner worlds, however, are rich with feeling. After all, La Luna rules the sign of the cosmic crab, making her feel right at home – but oftentimes also overwhelmed by the waves of emotion characteristic to this sign. Here, we wallow in the depths, allowing tears to come, remembering nostalgically the good times gone by and longing for a home we can’t quite name.

Within these depths, there are pearls of new beginnings. For the next several months, what we’ve sown in the sanctuary of our hearts begins to take shape and form. What do we conceive now? What’s calling us?

Cancer is known for a few topics: home, family, nurturing. Whilst these topics are true to the sign, there’s more here than meets the eye.

Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is a sign that carries constant change, is often fluctuating, on the move, restless, seeking. It’s known as one of the signs of travel, always eager to set sail in search of ‘home’/. Yet, like the crab that represents them, Cancer carries their home on their backs. It’s within. “Not all those who wander are lost,” or so the saying goes by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Nevertheless, as wide and far as Cancer goes, there’s always a tether where they were born – to their childhood home, their lineage, their roots. Eventually, Cancer returns, much like the Prodigal Son coming home to the welcoming arms of their loved ones.

With these parables in mind, where is it that we wish to wander? Is it an inner journey calling us? An exploration of our heritage, ancestry, our past? Or do we wish to look further afield, to set sail, so to speak?

The choice is ours.

With Mercury retrograde attached to the Sun and Moon, our minds are as reflective as our hearts. Decisions come slowly. Being deeply intuitive, Cancer asks us to get closely in touch with our gut instinct, to listen to the feelings beneath the words, to not take anything at face value, and place less emphasis on our intellect.

Practically speaking, being at home, lighting a candle, and feeling all the way into our hearts will serve us best during this tender time.

If we venture out for answers, we may become entangled in the needs of others. What do we need? Where can we find a gentler balance between nurturing others versus caring for the one who matters most – ourselves? We can’t give from an empty, resentful cup.

In this space, there is permission to soften. It’s okay to feel deeply, even when it doesn’t make immediate sense. It’s okay to return inward, to our own rhythm, our own tides. Home is inside. It always has been.