New Moon in Cancer — July 20, 2020, 17:33 UT
The New Moon occurred at 28+ degrees of Cancer, in the home sign of the Moon. This was the second New Moon in Cancer this summer. The first was the solar eclipse on June 21, 2020. The current New Moon was exactly opposite Saturn in Capricorn. Also Saturn is in its own sign now. A planet is said to be at home in the sign that it rules, which doesn’t necessarily mean that it would work better there, but it is strong and comfortable at home.
In Capricorn in conjunction with Saturn is one of the most intriguing bodies in the group of centaurs, 10199 Chariklo. Chariklo was discovered in 1997 and named after the water nymph Chariclo, the wife of centaur Chiron. In Greek mythology nymphs were regarded as personifications of nature, and usually depicted as beautiful maidens. The name proposal came from astrologers.
Chariklo is the largest known centaur with its diameter of approximately 252 km. Its shape is probably elongated. The orbital period is almost 63 years. The orbits of the centaurs are typically eccentric, and they usually cross the orbits of one or more of the giant planets. The orbit of Chariklo is quite moderate. Chariklo orbits the Sun between Saturn and Uranus, grazing the orbit of Uranus.
In 2014 came the surprise; astronomers announced the discovery of two rings around Chariklo. It is the first minor planet known to have rings and the smallest known celestial body to have rings.
In the discovery chart of Chariklo, it amazingly forms a rare aspect pattern, the six pointed star, together with the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto. Chariklo’s name means “Graceful Spinner”. Astrologically Chariklo represents compassion and devotion, and it is a supportive and nurturing energy.
The New Moon was in conjunction with 52975 Cyllarus, another centaur planet. Cyllarus was discovered in 1998 by American amateur astronomer Nichole Danzl and named from Greek mythology after the handsome and young centaur, who was loved by many. This name was also proposed by astrologers. Cyllarus was fatally wounded by a spear in the battle called the Centauromachy at the wedding party of Pirithous, the king of the Lapiths. Nobody knows who the striker was. One action led to another. Hylonome, the loving wife of Cyllarus then threw herself onto the same spear that had killed her partner.
The orbital period of 52975 Cyllarus is almost 133.5 years and its orbit crosses those of Uranus and Neptune. Cyllarus is faint and only about 70 kilometers in diameter. Cyllarus came to perihelion (the point in its orbit that is nearest to the Sun) in September 1989.
Devotion, love, despair, sacrifice and unexpected consequences are among the themes of Cyllarus. It reminds us that the decisions we make directly affect not just us but also other people around us.
The mythological centaurs were a group of troublemakers, who drank and brawled, and many of them died in a battle. A death of a centaur is a symbolic one. The centaurs represent shadow material in our consciousness. Change and growth can be reached through awareness. Centaur Chiron represents that awareness and healing. Chiron’s lineage was different from other centaurs. He was a great teacher and healer, the wisest of all the centaurs.
A week ago, on July 14, Mars conjoined Chiron at 9+ degrees of Aries. Mars is the ruler of Aries, so Mars is comfortably in its home sign, too. Mars is giving the courage and will that is needed in a crisis.
Last month I mentioned the recent naming of 541132 Leleākūhonua, an extreme trans-Neptunian object with the tremendous orbital period of over 30,000 years. At the moment Leleākūhonua is about two-and-a-half times farther out than Pluto’s current location, but approaching the Sun (coming to perihelion), and that is why the discovery was possible at all. The Hawaiian name compares its orbit to the flight of migratory birds and evokes a yearning to be near Earth. The ephemeris has now become available. The position of Leleākūhonua at the moment is at 10+ degrees of Aries. The conjunction of Mars and Chiron a week ago took place in conjunction with Leleākūhonua, and since the meeting happened so close with the naming, there seems to be some relation between the two incidents. The triple conjunction of Mars, Chiron and Leleākūhonua is still valid.