At first glance, focusing on such potentials is of itself a way of attuning to this lunation's promise. However, what about the other half of the formula? The stars and moon now join the word "feminine" to that of "power." The receptive, gentle, at times tentative nature of our right-brain qualities sometimes keeps them on the sidelines, out of reach of our assertive selves. Empowering the woman within is a process which only begins by accentuating our psychic, life-giving abilities. We also need to believe in these, and furthermore, be willing to take any necessary initiatives to follow our intuitive guidance and creative visions.

That’s part of what this summer is about, and the present New Moon cycle—starting in Cancer but reaching across the regal lion’s Sun cycle—is a chance to crown the circle of Divine Mother within, Who thus may also unfold in our personal world as well as in the universe of human existence.

New Moon in Cancer pre-prayerations

Incorporate the living world into your sacred lunar sphere.
This New Moon portal, indeed, the four-week cycle it begins, is a particularly apt time to have white flowers on your altar and in your space.

Men's and women's blessings for New Moon flowers and candles. Bless them by saying something like:

(Women:) "I accept these blessed, beautiful flowers as a gift from the Mother to honor Her presence within and purify my mind and space of any ideas of sacrifice and disempowerment of myself as a woman."

(Men:) "I accept these blessed, beautiful flowers as a gift from the Mother to honor Her presence within and purify my mind and space of any ideas of sacrifice and disempowerment of my feminine capacities."

The flowers in water will join the latter element with earth. You may also enjoy invoking air and fire with some gentle scented incense and white and silver candles. As you light the candles say, "This is the light of my shining worth as a fully integrated being embracing my feminine self."

Consciousness-raising reflections

In a quiet place where you feel safe, ask yourself the following questions and answer them in writing:

1. (Man:)

What ways can I remember that my childhood experience or programming led me to belittle my own feminine side?

(Woman:)

What ways can I remember that my childhood experience or programming led me to belittle myself as a woman?

2. What other, important experiences reinforced that feeling or tendency in my adolescent or adult life?

3. (Man or woman:)

What ways can I remember that I may have put down "feminine" values, women specifically or womanhood?

IMPORTANT NOTE: AFTER RELEASING DIFFICULT EMOTIONS IN WRITING, IT IS VITAL TO FORGIVE ALL INVOLVED, IN YOUR OWN WORDS AND WAY, BUT ALSO IN WRITING. OTHERWISE, THOSE DIFFICULT THOUGHTS WILL BECOME DECREES WHICH CREATE MORE EXPERIENCES AFTER THEIR KIND. AFTER DOING THIS, CONTINUE WITH THE NEXT WRITTEN REFLECTION.

4. How would I like to empower my feminine nature and women in general?

Receive your Angels and Guides

Imagine Archangel Gabriel (related to Cancer, Moon and development of creativity) standing next to your flowers, and call on him by saying,

"I call on Archangel Gabriel and his divine complement, and align myself with any guides (name others if you wish) that can assist my intention to empower the feminine in me and in creation."

Affirmations for the Cancer New Moon

(Man:) I declare myself free from any programming I have previously accepted or generated that was or is belittling to myself as an androgynous being.

(Woman:) I declare myself free from any programming I have previously accepted or generated that was or is belittling to myself as a woman.

I am overjoyed to heed my heightened intuition, I believe in its voice within me, I create the vision she sends me and I fearlessly take inner and outer initiatives to nurture that vision as I follow her leads.

Repeat these affirmations slowly, with full attention, during at least seven minutes.

Then take at least five minutes just to listen to your intuitive impressions, which you may then write down.

Finally, write a Visionary Action Plan, listing those initiatives you might take to nurture the intuitive leadings you now perceive or carry.

Remember, repetition consolidates inspiration, sculpting it into lasting change. Save your notes from these New Moon reflections and look at them daily throughout this lunation, during which you may also choose to write down or talk about your dreams daily (if you don’t already). Include daily repetition of your affirmations, as well as writing a each morning Daily Visionary Action Plan, specifying concrete ways you can nurture and forward those visions your empowered intuition and creativity now send you.