FRIDAY | JULY 05, 2024

The New Moon takes place at 6:57PM EDT (11:57PM GMT+1) in sidereal Gemini in Punarvasu Nakshatra. The planetary influences at the time of the New Moon give an indication of themes that will characterize the next 30 days. This New Moon chart, as read from the Moon sign of Gemini, is blessed with various strengths that support resilience and constructive growth.

The Sun and Moon are together with Venus, a favorable planet that becomes even more so today, where it functions as a uniquely auspicious planet in the chart known as the ‘yogi planet’. The calculation of the yogi planet is derived from the longitudes of the Sun, Moon, and a numerical constant.

The Sun and Moon benefit from being hemmed-in on either side by Mercury and Jupiter, two positive planets that offer support through sitting in the two houses on either side. And while no planet is ever in spotlessly perfect condition, today the Moon is largely free of negative planetary affliction.

Harsh planets Rahu and Mars are in the 10th and 11th houses, where they are well-placed in the sense that their innate intensity can be put to good use here while doing least harm. The 10th and 11th houses are known as upachaya houses, or houses of improvement and increase, where here malefic planets can do well.

A factor of vulnerability in this chart is the difficult placement of Ketu the South node in the 4th house of land, home and environment. Ketu indicates sudden disturbance, and is a fiery influence with effects similar to Mars. This suggests a high potential for environmental extremes in weather, weather change and human-made destruction to land and structures. For matters related to one’s home or overall living situation, Ketu here can bring uprooting, detachment, dissatisfaction or narrow-sighted fixation.

The lunar mansion of Punarvasu Nakshatra where this New Moon occurs has meanings of restoration, return and renewal, a return of light, and of things becoming good again. Life is complex, sometimes truly harsh, and never utopian of course, but this auspicious nakshatra can more readily allow for a conscious and sane response to dark and imbalanced situations.

Punarvasu is a nakshatra that naturally favors communication, efforts towards understanding, greater creativity and also swift movement which may play out this month in the form of short travels.