Tonight, just four days after the winter solstice, we welcome our next New Moon. In this context, it will be a moment about retreat. Crawling deep into yourself to shed the stressors that have been weighing you down. Finding and returning to a sense of balance. Here's what you need to know about the Cancer New Moon this June.

When is the New Moon?

It arrives at exactly 8:31pm AEST on Wednesday, 25 June, leaving the night sky bereft of light save for the stars. This particular New Moon falls in the sign of Cancer, the nurturer.

What to expect from the June New Moon in Cancer

Energetically, New Moons represent the close of one Moon Cycle and the opening of another. New Moons can be considered a cleanse of sorts. A point where the dominating themes, tensions and any subconscious tug-of-wars will come to a natural close, as the Moon realigns with the Sun. The Moon is then ready to move into a new 29.5-day cycle. This is why New Moons are said to be one of the best times to manifest your dreams to reality. At this reset point, put energy into planting seeds of intention so you can watch them bear fruit as the weeks go on.

June's New Moon will feel particularly rebirthing – watery, maternal, and bone-deep. This is because the Moon is the astrological ruler of Cancer. It means the energy of Moon-in-Cancer placements is somehow both in-balance, but also deeply emotional. Everything feels a little more tender, more porous as emotions sit just under the skin. Cancer is highly perceptive, sensitive and caring. A homebody at its core, Cancer prefers the sheltering walls of home to the overwhelm of the outside world. Much like its symbolic moniker – the crab – this sign draws into itself when it perceives a threat, anxiety or hurt.

As this New Moon's energy washes over us, there will be a siren call to home, to retreat, to security. It's not a messy moment for bed-rotting and avoiding responsibility. Rather, use this time to remember what it means to feel safe in your own skin. This will be the kind of cosmic reset that asks you to listen, rather than act blindly. It’s less about forging ahead and more about fortifying what’s already within.

How to approach this Cancer New Moon

This Cancer New Moon wants you to rebuild the metaphorical nest by finding the things that offer you security and peace. Use this time to remind yourself what truly bring you joy. Familial connections, long dinners and deep conversations. Slow mornings spent enjoying a book or re-centring yourself with movement. Rest and true relaxation instead of self-optimisation. These are the pieces that fill our cups, Cancer does not find sustenance in the superficial.

Elsewhere in the sky, we see Jupiter has just moved into Cancer, Mercury is in Cancer – and of course, so is the Sun. Energetically, it will feel as though the dial has been turned up high and the pull to retreat in your own way is particularly strong.

The Saturn Moon square enhances our need for emotional privacy. We choose what we want to share and when. Protection can be a sacred act. Not armour, but care. Not isolation, but boundary. And if that sounds confronting, that’s okay—Cancer is as much about the tears as it is about the balm that follows. In these moments, the logical mind is asked to take a back seat, so we can lead with our inner, emotional selves instead.

We also see a tense Neptune Moon square. It has us finding comfort by diving into in our imaginative realms, rather than living in the real world. That's okay, as long as you can find balance and moderation. There is immense comfort to be found from diving into a gripping fantasy book or binge-watching a new series. Especially when reality is leaving you feeling raw. Remember, you do not need to fill your cup in the way others expect, but instead in the way you need. Set your intentions. Honour your intuition. Cry if you need to. Let the softness lead.

Image: Justin Wolff on Unsplash