Monthly Astro-Forecast; Solar Eclipse in Cancer

A solar eclipse at 0° Cancer, just hours after the Summer Solstice (or Winter Solstice, for my Southern hemisphere friends). Powerful much? The potential is there to birth a whole new way of being in the world, focused on people and connection and empathy, not material wealth and consumption. I hope that some of us at least are finding new awareness in these times of what truly nourishes us, not just physically but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Maybe what we actually need is different from what we thought we needed or wanted, in which case the solar eclipse in Cancer carries the potential for us to focus on those authentic needs.

Feelings are likely to be running close to the surface at the solar eclipse and we may be feeling sensitive and vulnerable. We might be more aware of our own needs as well as hopefully more willing and able to respond to the needs of others. we are going through a profound collective shift which is teaching us, amongst other much needed lessons, about the importance of caring, of a safe place to shelter, of the need simply to look after each other. Wouldn't it be amazing if the solar eclipse in Cancer marked the shift to a new focus on caring, universal love, the oneness of not just humanity but all life? Except of course that we still have some heavy transits in Cancer's opposite sign of Capricorn, established powers digging their heels in and a good deal of resistance to overcome.

Cancer energy is deeply connected with memory and the past, reminding us of our roots, or the people and places which bring us emotional as well as material security. Where do we belong and who to? Maybe to a family, a collective or purely to ourselves - the solar eclipse in Cancer brings an opportunity to reforge and strengthen these emotional bonds, so that we no longer have to feel uprooted or insecure. For me, this resonates with the Black Lives Matter movement, not only in the deeply necessary and long overdue dismantling of internal and external racism and "them and us" thinking but also in the space that this dismantling leaves for all of us to reclaim our ancestors, to stand strong in our lineage. 

Watery and emotional it may be, but Cancer is a cardinal sign, tenacious and determined. Our feelings and empathy for others can inspire us to lift up those who have been silenced, to protect those who are vulnerable. Solidarity is hard work, so is building sustained and lasting change but here again is a powerful seed point for that work. Harnessing the best of Cancer and also of her opposite sign Capricorn (there's a lunar eclipse in Capricorn on July 5th) allows us to be a solid foundation to support our growth and cradle our vulnerabilities.

This solar eclipse is sunlight on water...

There are several planets retrograde right now, including Mercury (as of a couple of days ago) and Venus. Neptune moves retrograde from June 23rd and on June 25th, Venus turns direct, allowing us to begin to reconnect with the world around us as we integrate the lessons of the retrograde period. On June 28, Mars comes home to Aries for an extended stay (with a retrograde period there in September). And then, of course, the months ends with Jupiter again conjunct Pluto in Capricorn, exaggerating the clinging to power of those established authorities who refuse to acknowledge the desperate need for change. And hopefully also expanding the power and energy of the forces for transformation, all those who are doing the deep and necessary work of restructuring our society. There might be more on that nearer the time. On July 2nd Saturn retrogrades back into Capricorn for the last time, for a few more months of following the rules before moving into Aquarius for good at the end of the year. The full moon in early July brings a lunar eclipse and then Chiron in Aries joins the retrograde party on July 11th. I should probably finish that half-written blog entry I've got on all the current retrogrades. Mercury turns direct on July 12th, so that all of the personal planets at least are moving "forwards" again and we can begin the work of manifesting the next phase of transformation in our everyday reality. How will the world look by the next new moon, still in Cancer, on July 20th?