Celebrate the Solstice — and the longest day of the year! Summer has finally arrived in the northern hemisphere with the Sun’s entry into CANCER, joined by the New Moon (& Solar Eclipse), on June 20. What an auspicious day for launching the new season! The focus is on finances, fuel, food & feelings during the month ahead. Make time for self-care, refill your cup and nurture yourself on all levels — you deserve it.
Having reached its northernmost point, the Sun will appear to be heading southward from now on. Symbolically, we’re up for a shift in gears ourselves — it’s the time for collecting our scattered energies from the previous month (GEMINI), realigning the compass and tacking in a different direction. Get ready for some cohesive action. Considering that CANCER is a cardinal water sign, you’ll be motivated to hit the river, beach, lake, pool or hot springs, and enjoy water sports such as swimming, snorkeling, sailing, canoeing, kayaking or rafting.
The survival instinct is alive & well this month — your personal needs and emotions will take top priority. Starting with the New Moon (also a Solar Eclipse) on June 20 at 11:41 pm PDT, you’ll want to ask yourself: Are you getting your needs met? Is your lifestyle sustainable? Uplift your prosperity consciousness, re-examine your value systems and strive for self-sufficiency. Balance your checkbook, stock up the cupboards & frig and accumulate the basic necessities of life. With the Sun-Saturn inconjunct on June 21, you’ll want to make whatever adjustments are necessary for getting into the flow.
Emotional sensitivities and patriotic sentiments tend to run high during this month ‒ it’s baseball, mother and apple pie time! Make it a point to absorb, digest, receive, collect, stash, remember, protect, defend or cherish those people and values you care about the most. Pay close attention to your gut-level reactions, face any fears or insecurities, and follow your feelings — let your instincts be your guide.
Nutrition & dietary matters take on particular significance, as CANCER is associated with the stomach, digestive system and breasts. Re-evaluate your food habits and provide your body with the nourishment it requires (and stay well-hydrated). It could be a good time to add in some supplements, see a nutritionist or read a book on the subject. You will be in the mood to dine at your favorite restaurants or brush up on your culinary skills — picnics, barbecues & gourmet meals will be on the menu!
Mercury is in retrograde in CANCER as this solar month begins (and has been since June 17). Utilize this particular cycle to review & re-evaluate your basic security issues — make a realistic assessment of your personal assets, resources & possessions. At the same time, take a closer look at your spending habits & financial obligations. It’s advisable to wait until Mercury turns direct—on July 12—to make any significant purchases or investments, however.
Neptune (in PISCES) begins its 5-1/2 month retrograde on June 22; as a result, you can expect some confusion or chaos for a few days with work, health or pets. Utilize this retrograde period to renew your connection with spirit and to listen to your inner voice. Mars (in PISCES) squares the Lunar Nodes (in GEMINI & SAGITTARIUS) on the 26th; don’t believe everything you hear, avoid gossip and stay clear of unhealthy situations & people. Be conscious on the road.
After being in retrograde for the past 6 weeks, Venus turns direct late on June 24. Social activities & friendships (as well as LIBRA & TAURUS individuals) will start getting back on track and moving forward again, especially since Venus is in restless GEMINI. You can look forward to a breath of fresh air in personal relationships, stimulating conversations, neighborly chats, short trips and numerous phone calls, communications and visits from now on!
Mars finishes its 6-week transit of PISCES (health care, racial inequities & chaos) and begins a long 6-month transit of ARIES on the evening of June 27. Due to its retrograde cycle, it will remain there for the rest of the year! This intense, dynamic energy will inspire you to explore your creativity and immerse yourself in new projects, hobbies, business ventures or romantic adventures. Approach this cycle with a playful, childlike openness and a willingness to take on some reasonable risks. Unleash your entrepreneurial spirit!
The productive Mars-Saturn sextile, on June 28, could get the action going, while some explosive truths, political rhetoric or innovative information could emerge with the exuberant Jupiter-Pluto conjunction on the 29th. Electricity will be in the air as the Sun-Mercury conjunction sextiles Uranus on the 30th — life will be sizzling & sparkling, particularly on the home front!
Saturn retrogrades back into its own sign, CAPRICORN, on July 1, where it will remain until December 16. Since the US pandemic shutdown began just as Saturn took Its initial steps into AQUARIUS on March 21, Saturn‘s return to CAPRICORN could return life back to some semblance of normalcy. New protocols, rules & regulations will need to be developed, however, as the reality of the covid crisis cannot be ignored. Practical, long-lasting solutions could be put in place during this upcoming cycle.
Independence Day weekend could bring up some emotional fireworks as the Full Moon (and Lunar Eclipse) in CANCER & CAPRICORN builds to a peak on July 4 at 9:44 pm PDT. Issues around joint finances, business partnerships, shared possessions, parenting, co-dependencies, taxes, insurance, debts or legal matters could be stirred up. The challenge here is to meet your own needs, and at the same time, honor your agreements and responsibilities to others. Think twice before making emotional demands, impulsive purchases or dietary transgressions.
Watch your tongue as the the testy Mercury-Mars square peaks on July 8 — think before you speak to avoid hard feelings. The healing Sun-Neptune trine will uplift the mood, encourage compassion and provide spiritual inspiration on July 12 (same day that Mercury turns direct — hooray). Head to the beach, take in a concert or set aside some time for introspection & meditation.
Be particularly conscientious in your relationship interactions and conservative in your financial dealings as the excessive Sun-Jupiter opposition — and the high-stress Sun-Pluto opposition — race to a full boil on July 14-15. Hold your words, actions & emotions in check, avoid impulsive expenditures and use restraint with your credit cards. Don’t allow others to put pressure on you, and at the same time, avoid forcing any issues. Instead of trying to reform another, transform yourself — BE the change you want to see happen!
Life could be highly turbulent & explosive around this time in the political, economic or geographic arenas. Hold on to your hat! The frustrating Sun-Saturn opposition on July 20 could bring some governmental or economic realities into the forefront; face any potential financial hardships or obstacles with patience and know that this, too, will soon pass. With the rare second New Moon in CANCER this solar month, also on July 20 (at 10:33 am PDT), make it a point to tend to your personal business instead of that of others. Be responsible to yourself and get in touch with your feelings!
Since the Moon is associated with the sign CANCER, the feminine perspective will lend a softer touch to this month. Enjoy the shifting emotions that occur as the Moon changes from sign to sign every couple of days. Get in touch with your feelings, tune in to the mood and just go with the flow. “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream”.
May your summer get off to a warm & nurturing start!
PS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY & SOLAR RETURN to my CANCER friends!
©2020 Diane Elizabeth Clarke