Much is happening behind the scenes and within this week as we start the New Moon of Cancer. It's a powerful time to bring an end to situations or attitudes in your life that have become more burdensome than rewarding or that have grown toxic for you emotionally. This is a time for reflection and focusing on mental and spiritual health.
We may feel the urge for a fresh start or a new approach to mental health. This is all connected to the energy of this week’s portion: Chukat. The theme of this week is purification and immunity to judgment. Rav Berg taught that this is a time of judgment because there is a lot of Light surrounding us at the moment—an effect from the New Moon of Cancer, which shines a great deal of Light into the world. For this reason, there is a need for immunization. Keep in mind, there are no negative months; there are only months with varying degrees of Light and balance. The month of Tammuz (Cancer) has the same numerical value as shalem, meaning complete.
In this portion, also, we learn the story of the Red Heifer. It relates to the Tree of Knowledge, good and evil, which we want to transcend. The Red Heifer clears up the negative energy of the sin of the Golden Calf, which brought death to the world. Why specifically a heifer, that is, a calf? The ashes of the heifer cause the ritually pure to become ritually impure and the ritually impure to become pure. The power of the ashes connects to a person’s inner consciousness, which could be okay or not okay.
Rav Berg taught that a person must go with the Light and distribute the Light without fear or concern whether it will be accepted or not. Rav spoke about that when he and Karen began distributing Kabbalah, especially in the beginning when everyone was against it. They persevered fearlessly, nonetheless, and then a door opened. A good and true teacher transmits the information of the Light whether it is accepted or not. They cannot be influenced.
The weekly portion of Chukat, combined with the New Moon of Cancer, is a matter of cleansing. In order to achieve the highest consciousness, we must be present here and now so that the right thoughts come at the right time and you can tap into your intuition. According to Rav Berg, it is written in the Zohar that no matter how many good deeds or acts of charity a person commits, they will only connect to their inner power through study of the Torah. Reading the weekly portion gives us strength to control life and prevent chaos.
Chukat always falls in the month of Cancer. According to Abraham the Patriarch, chaos in the cosmos begins in this month. With the week of Chukat, we receive the power of cleansing. This New Moon will help us see old problems or a past matter in a new light. We can direct a lot of attention to past events and relationships.
But the real turning point that sets you on a new path is the very powerful aspect of Pluto retrograde back in Capricorn. Pluto recently entered Aquarius for the first time in more than 200 years, and it’s been activating the critical first degree of this air sign since March 23rd, quietly ushering in a new era of transformation. But just as Pluto’s magic takes time to materialize, so will its full transition into Aquarius—as Pluto retrograde 2023 finds the planet retracing its steps right back into earthy Capricorn on June 11th, hovering over the sensitive cusp of these two signs. Pluto spent the past 15 years in Capricorn, and this retrograde cycle will ensure we’ve truly learned our Pluto in Capricorn lessons and are ready to start excavating a new part of ourselves. In other words, we are coming to a new understanding of a past problem that allows us to move forward with less baggage.
