Cancer Season Brings Chaotic Love Lives and Emotional Upgrades
ILLUSTRATION BY WENJING YANG
Welcome to Cancer season and the summer, too! The planetary ingress will be extremely messy and dramatic, so from June 21, grab a box of tissues. The planets aren't playing, but they are leading us to a place of wisdom and emotional upgrades.
The next few weeks will be extremely intense due to the fluctuating energies at play. On June 21, the sun gets a healing touch from the centaur Chiron, which is in Taurus. Two days later, the sun and the North Node of Destiny harmonize, offering us the chance to accept our fate. Then June 25 brings the sun and Neptune in Aries together, making us hypersensitive to the world and the people around us. The sun and Saturn in Aries share a fraught moment on July 6, urging us to be more responsible and authoritative. The sun and Mercury form a conjunction in Cancer on July 12, creating the “cazimi” effect, which enlightens our minds with knowledge.
Our love lives won't be any less chaotic, especially since Venus in Virgo contacts the South Node of Destiny until July 10, encouraging us to feel a kinship to past relationships. We might feel stuck in current partnerships, which could lead us to seek refuge in the arms of an ex, given that Mercury is in retrograde at this time. It may seem reasonable to flirt with “the one who got away,” but the ramifications and consequences may not be worth it. Our sentiments will change when Mercury turns direct on July 23. Venus in Virgo squares Uranus in Gemini on July 13, motivating us to break free of dynamics and structures that are rigid. We are craving autonomy and freedom in matters of the heart. Plan a trip out of town with friends to have independence and fun.
The end of Cancer season brings an astrological aspect known as Barbault Basket, which is similar to a cradle, a geometric shape resembling a trapezoid that consists of an opposition (the 180-degree polarity between Jupiter and Pluto retrograde), three sextiles (the 60-degree distance between Jupiter and Uranus, Neptune and Uranus, and Jupiter and Neptune), and two trines (the 120-degree aspect between Jupiter and Neptune and Uranus and Pluto retrograde). The opposition creates the contour of the foundational shape, the trines connect the inner planets, while the sextiles tie the outer planets together. Four planets — Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto retrograde — connect from July 15 to 21 at 4 degrees. The “four 4s” are bringing an existential crisis of sorts that leads us to a transformative state. Let's break it down. Uranus in Gemini unites with the fixed star Hyadum I, creating an immense desire to rebel against authority. Neptune in Aries links up with the fixed star Deneb Kaitos, offering a metaphoric spiritual awakening. Pluto retrograde in Aquarius connects with the fixed star Oculus, making us aware of what others don't notice. Their missteps, avoidance, and oblivion will give us the upper hand, so use it to your advantage. All the while, Jupiter in Leo urges us to put our needs and desires first. Our knowledge of matters will shift, changing our opinions and mindsets. Four is numerologically aligned with the home and security. Therefore, we can expect powerful shifts in our personal lives, particularly in our foundations.
By the time the sun waltzes into Leo on July 22, we will be on an upward swing that allows us to transcend to an evolved mindset. Having the right amount of support and self-determination will catapult our consciousness to an enhanced state of being.
Important Dates for Cancer Season
June 21: The sun enters Cancer, setting off the Summer Solstice. The start of a new season brings fresh hopes and aspirations.
June 28: The action planet Mars moves into Gemini, pushing us to fight with words. The pen is mightier than the sword.
June 29: Mercury Retrograde in Cancer begins, heightening our sensitivities and yearning for nostalgia.
June 29: The Full Moon in Capricorn is a moment of contemplation and reflection as we plan for the future.
June 30: Jupiter jumps into Leo, expanding our hearts and lives with bravado and passion for the next year.
July 7: Neptune Retrograde in Aries helps us reclaim our dreams and make moves to attain them.
July 9: Venus glides into Virgo, adding practicality to matters of the heart and financial investments.
July 14: The New Moon in Cancer is an emotional reset that supports our personal growth.
July 22: The sun dances into Leo, elevating our charisma and devotion to others and to ourselves.