The Sun enters Cancer on this cardinal day of the Summer Solstice, initiating us into the first body of astrological Water. The 4th zodiacal sign of Cancer is the baptismal font that opens the gate to ones inner experiences and emotional impressions of life through the reflected light of the Moon who rules this section of the great sky-clock. The Moon initiates cyclical changes in the waters of our bodies each month just as her magnetic energy pushes and pulls the tides of the sea. It is the fastest moving and changing planetary body, and learning to track its growth and death cycles in real time as well as in secondary progressed time, can open one up to a whole new experience of reality that has been slowly eradicated through artificial calendars. If you’d like to go down the control calendar rabbithole check out one of the many podcasts Crrow777 has recorded over the years on this topic ~
“Calendars and clocks are a big deal and this is proven by observing how they have been used to control nearly every aspect of life in the modern era. Control through the perception of time has been among the most effective strategies employed by those who seek power over many. We can track this strategy of control, minimally, back to Julius Caesar, whose Julian calendar is still in use at the naval observatory, where the modern emperors of time keeping sustain a synthetic version of Chronos. If it is true that the truth will set us free, then the current methods of time keeping aimed at civil control and separation from nature are not helping. All truth is found and proven in nature, and the strategy of separating cultures from nature is now ancient, and the first step in moving minds away from truth and towards a fantasy-based reality. Once this strategy is normalized minds will believe almost anything – just ask a pagan, or one who lives close to nature. To this day they are persona non grata, and derided by the religious calendar makers whose systems we still march to.”
Note that the opposing sign and polarity to Cancer is Capricorn which is ruled by Saturn aka Chronos, the Time Lord of the cosmos. While the Moon can be tracked in ~28 day cycles of waxing and waning and fractal ~28 year cycles of secondary progressed motion, Saturn travels in parallel ~28.5 year cycles governing these larger maturation cycles in ones life. These 2 planetary bodies are the time keepers of our Earthly existence. Also noted is the timing of the Tropical zodiac versus the “true” Sidereal zodiac, where many see the Tropical system as yet another control mechanism. While I see the relevance of this and don’t disagree, I also see benefits to both systems depending on what one is attempting to do and what orientation one has to the Earth and the Sun.
Time tangents aside, Cancer and the 4th house in ones natal chart governs ones home life and parents, ancestral roots, initial security and emotional patterns imprinted from early family and environmental experiences, connection to the Divine Feminine and Mother archetype, and they are the anchor or root chakra of ones chart. All of these make up our core, inner foundation, a sensitive place in ones natal chart and life. Consider that the 4th, 8th and 12th houses in ones birth chart are oriented to our internal experiences through our ancestors and home life (4th house), hidden power dynamics and the shadow of the soul (8th house), and our consciousness and connection to Oneness (12th house). These are the natural watery homes of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. The other 9 houses (three quarters of our chart!) are all oriented around outer focused experiences of life, these being the Fire, Earth and Air trinities where we interact with other people and more material aspects of the world.
That said, when Cancer season approaches we have the first opportunity of the astrological year to draw awareness to our inner states of being and feel the energy of life and creation in a sensual, embodied way. In Evolutionary Astrology the Moon is the Ego (the small “self” and fragile identity) that has been adopted by the Soul (Pluto) this lifetime, which enables the Soul to have the growth experiences it requires. It bears the brunt of Pluto and Neptune’s evolutionary pulses that force us to evolve or begin to die. Experiences we have starting with our soul’s incarnation in the body in utero and on through the developmental stages of childhood are imprinted upon our energetic and cell structures, patterning them with emotional material that paints a picture of reality for us that is no longer true and can become quite harmful over time. When these emotions remain locked away in the body, projections and unconscious control tactics manifest in relationships as we desperately seek security outside of ourselves. Here, things can start to get clingy, mushy and emotionally confusing, dramatic and tearful, or just completely shutdown and frozen like a little crab retreating into its shell in defense from outside threats. Whether a real threat in the moment or one that has been entrained in its cellular crab memory from its ancestral lineage of crustaceans, both scenarios are just as real to the body and the consciousness of this crab until the emotional pattern is healed and it can re-orient to life as it is in the moment. It is no longer reacting based upon past events that have held it in this delusional captivity. As this healing unfolds, emotional security is strengthened within one’s core self and the need to seek security outside of the self dissipates, leading to healthier relationships and an inner calm that can navigate the seas of change with greater grace.
Take note of the key energy this season as the Sun, Mercury and Venus all square the Lunar Nodes, each crossing the threshold of the nodal bend, beginning their respective journeys towards the South Node in Libra. Each will initiate a crossroads moment that will force a choice upon each of us, to continue to embody more of our sovereign self or continue to rumble in the familiar swamp of disempowering relationships.
Planetary Aspects
Thursday June 20 - Summer Solstice - Sun enters Cancer - The gateway to summer opens on this cardinal turning point of the year. A softening and comforting energy may be felt in this shift as the radiant Sun enters the home of the Moon and her supportive waters. Cancer and the Moon govern the stomach and breasts in medical astrology, so these areas are worth attending some extra care to as one sees fit. Cancer is all about nourishing the body in gentle ways, and I know of no better way than through the stomach and comfort foods. Also lymphatic massage, swimming, rolling down grassy hills while lost in the pure joy of the moment are other Cancerian activities that one may revel in this summer.
Friday June 21 - Full Moon at 1º Capricorn, Sun 1º Cancer (the first of 2 Capricorn Full Moons this season) - This powerful lunation is one to take notes on as it will have a final and even more powerful resolution on the last day of Cancer season when the second Full Moon is conjunct Pluto. The Sun holds more power here as the Moon faces off against its home territory so emotions and their expression may feel constricted, an outer stoicism may be presented while inner roilings churn within ones belly. This is the completion of a venture that was seeded at the Capricorn New Moon wayyyyy back in the middle of January this year, this was also in a wide conjunction to Pluto so again there is a theme of massive, foundational transformation underway that is culminating in 2 parts with these Full Moons. The deep psychological and spiritual trauma that our current empires are constructed upon are receiving the penetrating awareness of the Divine Mother, and She is not having it. Personally this may be a time to sort out anything in your life that is not resonating in harmony with Her, or they may just be pulled out of your life naturally; careers and ambitions, relationships especially familial ones, traditions and any ways that power has been consolidated into a structure that does not support life.
Saturday June 22 - Mercury at 11º Cancer square Moon’s Nodes in Libra & Aries - Mercury the messenger of the gods crosses the bending of the nodes, as it now progresses towards the South Node in Libra for the coming months. This is a crossroads moment, where a choice is communicated back to the gods of where one is choosing to evolve or devolve to. Memories of childhood experiences and how these shaped your mental understandings of relationship to self and others is what’s up. Early childhood programming around co-dependency and over-riding ones inner authority to make others comfortable is up for analytical review. The mind is navigating contentious territory here, with the old memories and emotions flooding the body that can overtake ones more rational mind, remember it is a cosmically timed opportunity to see and feel where there are still sentimental attachments to these old entangled ways of being in relationship and to hold the knowing that these can and must be changed.
Wednesday June 26 - Venus at 11º Cancer square Moon’s Nodes // Mercury at 19º Cancer trine Saturn 19º Pisces - Another crossroads day, this time really focusing on ones value systems that inform the relationships we attract. The energy may be mushier and more emotionally charged than the Mercury square we had a few days ago, as Venus in Cancer is more prone to cave to the sob stories and emotional hooks that can keep one trapped in these soul-sucking connections. Are you choosing to remain in emotionally entangled, co-dependent patterns or are you choosing to reprogram your cellular waters and embody the audacity (how dare you, says the collective!) to put yourself first. There may be some finger wagging going on, but just remember that three fingers point back at those who want to remain in these messy, stagnant relationships. Meanwhile, we have Mercury and Saturn channeling harmonious water frequencies to each other, there may be constructive messages received this day that support a strengthening fluidity of consciousness and ones spiritual foundation. I think of the power of living, structured water and the density of energy that it carries. If you have first hand experience of drinking or bathing in such blessed waters your body knows the deeply sensed nourishment and healing that this elixir of life holds. Recognize the functional role of water in your awakening consciousness.
Saturday June 29 - Saturn retrograde at 19º Pisces - The Time Lord begins its journey back through the second decan of Pisces where it will retread its spiritual journey until mid-November when it turns direct. This is a time of spiritual constructs getting another dissolving reckoning, clearing old traditions and practices that have deviated from Nature and the Universal One. Trust that this retrograde process is washing away frivolous and illusory connections to Source, Spirit, God that need to go. Let them. Periods of disillusionment may be prevalent when Saturn aspects natal planets in your chart, especially planets in the mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and of course Pisces.
Tuesday July 2 - Sun 11º Cancer square Lunar Nodes in Libra - Aries // Neptune retrograde at 29º Pisces // Mercury enters Leo // Venus 19º Cancer trine Saturn in Pisces - A big day with a lot of moving energies, where to begin!? The Sun makes its crossing of the nodal bend, marking the halfway point between eclipse cycles. Take a moment to have a heart to heart with yourself, seeing where any part of your authentic self and heart is still compromising yourself to please others. Neptune’s shift to retrograde motion at the final, anaretic degree of its home sign marks another period of reviewing the grand illusions of material reality and being drawn through another layered process of disillusionment for the collective. A time to look at ones intentions versus the reality of their impact. Then we have Mercury entering the sign of the lion and its big ol’ heart medicine. Authentic and heart centered communication is emphasized here, while consolidating ones brilliance into creative processes that redefine this newly emerging radiance. And finally Venus enters into this flow of water connectivity with Saturn. Relationships that are rooted in spiritual matters receive a boost of cosmic forces, strengthening those that have the fortitude to persist and gracefully cutting away those that do not, making space for new growth.
Wednesday July 3 - Mercury 1º Leo opposite Pluto in Aquarius - The Cosmic Alchemist faces off with the Lord of the Underworld for a collective inventory of what materials are required for the shadowed trek of the soul. The perceptions of the mind are stretched to accommodate the enormity of what it takes to make it through this descent into the unconscious energies that perpetuate the indifference of silent wars on humanity. Stare into the abyss to get your personal instructions and then get moving, don’t get stuck in trying to take it ALL in as it is an endless void that can trap ones soul in a vacuum lost of all meaning.
Friday July 5 - New Moon at 14º Cancer // Venus 23º Cancer square Chiron in Aries - This sensitive New Moon offers an opportunity to rest and plant an intention for ones inner sanctuary of spirit. Imagine and feel what an inner state of emotional security feels like. When this is well anchored in ones center there is no longer a need to try and control ones outer environment and wield power over others that stomps on their own needs and desires (the opposing shadowed force of Capricorn). Imagine a whole world where ones basic human needs are met. What a radical shift from where we are today. Venus, the planet of relational desires and values is in a tense aspect with the wounds and wisdom of Chiron. Well meaning, but still parasitic decrees of love may be met with some retaliatory arrows, as the well-honed warrior can instinctively sense the broken home and heart that these wounded expressions of connection originate from. Paired with the sensitivity of the New Moon, be prepared for people to take things quite personally and either act out accordingly or simmer in their own cauldrons of emotional stew to bubble over later… possibly July 12th, 15th or 20th, so many possibilities for projections!
Thursday July 11 - Sun 19º Cancer trine Saturn in Pisces // Venus enters Leo - Another harmonizing of the waters of consciousness, the Sun illuminates the hard lessons and necessary sacrifices that Saturn quietly demands in a way that energizes ones heart and spirit to flow in concert with what is changing. Creative endeavors get some scaffolding from the Universe this day, a kind of “build it and they will come” energy. Meanwhile Venus enters Leo, infusing ones heart with a blast of creative beauty and potentized self love. Declarations of devotional love to oneself in the mirror each morning can really help to cultivate the reality that we are each a unique work of art, born of the heart of the Universal Spirit. Do this for the month-ish that Venus will spend here and see what inspirations grow from here.
Friday July 12 - Venus 1º Leo opposite Pluto in Aquarius - The initial declarations of self love will be pretty immediately met with the opposing forces of ones shattered soul pieces that will be screaming back voices and feelings of unworthiness, brokenness and disconnection. Congrats, you’re making progress! These soul screams cry for your attention to penetrate the deeper layers of the wounded heart and see how each of us can come into more authentic relationship to oneself and then interact with the collective of humanity in new, innovative ways. A new depth of values for what is required in ones circle of friends and social networks eventually emerges.
Monday July 15 - Mars conjunct Uranus at 26º Taurus - Ancestrally inherited mental traumas may get triggered around this day, most likely in the few days leading up to the exact conjunction. Survival instincts of the reptilian brain may make some radical choices, causing upheavals in relationships. Further disruptions to supply chains and resources could manifest, along with big Earth rumbles or blasts of energy from satellites, unidentified flying objects or other off-planet technologies.
Thursday July 18 - Mercury 23º Leo trine Chiron in Aries // Sun 26º Cancer sextile Uranus in Taurus - Lower and higher mental channels are open to receive clear instructions and inspirational ideas of radical self care for ones healing journey. Let this information marinate in your consciousness, infusing itself in your head and heart for a few days until the Sun crosses into Leo when these ideas can really be put into action.
Saturday July 20 - Mars enters Gemini, trine Pluto in Aquarius - A hot wind blows, catalyzing some intense intellectual firestorms the next 6 weeks or so, which could be a lot of fun for those that enjoy dropping incendiary tales and fueling mental gymnastics. It may overwhelm the senses as it’s a forceful river of data and energy that is open to all kinds of manipulation and creative interpretations depending on one’s level of consciousness. Creative research projects that reveal deeper collective power dynamics and agendas flies with this energy the first couple days when Mars is in harmony with Pluto. It could look and feel a little like this ~
Sunday July 21 - Full Moon at 29º Capricorn, Sun 29º Cancer, conjunct Pluto, sextile-trine to Mars // Mercury 26º Leo square Uranus in Taurus // Venus 12º Leo sextile Jupiter in Gemini - Talk about a grand finale to end the season with. First is the big Full Moon / Blue Moon as it’s the second lunation on the Cancer - Capricorn axis of foundations, and I would say foundational awakenings are what this day is about. It’s within one degree of separation from Pluto still in the first degree of Aquarius, so the themes activated around this time will be revisited come September 1st when Pluto returns to this final degree of Capricorn. Add in some fiery messaging from Mars in Gemini to rile up the energy in the community and we have quite the recipe for a collective eruption that shears another foundational layer of reality right from under our feet. The collapse of an empire or a reality construct is messy business, so the propaganda machinations will be on overdrive flinging out explanations that seek to consolidate fading power, but the radical nature of Uranus that operates beyond the materialist, human focused constructs of the mind will throw some wrenches in those gears, shocking messages that further destabilize the situation, a little (a lot?) heart and stomach-wrenching perhaps but necessary for the radical changes underway. The really good news is that the lesser benefic, Venus is in a helpful aspect to the greater benefic, Jupiter at the same time, so keep your heart and ears attuned for the golden nuggets of wisdom and cheerleading that inspire new works of art and beauty in the world and see who joins you on this wild ride into the midsummer fixed fire of Leo.
Summary
A dynamic season with lots of changes that keep inviting one to look within and cultivate a deep well of emotional security that makes one practically invincible to outer forces eventually. The first shaky step to embodying the enormity of ones soul through the alchemical process. In the Thoth Tarot, The Chariot card symbolizes this energy. Remember, it’s all an inside job.
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