Sun into Cancer 2009 Domestic and Emotional Tranquility

With news of North Korean threats to launch its most advanced ballistic missile at Hawaii as one of its naval vessels sets sail in that direction, House Democrats outlining healthcare reform with a $1.6 Trillion price tag in an era of historic deficit spending, 7,000 Marines dispatched to Helmand province along with increasing numbers of N.A.T.O troops to begin staging what is likely to be the decisive battle with the Taliban in the nearly 8-year-old war in Afghanistan, the World Health Organization elevating the Swine Flu/H1N1 virus to pandemic status, the mental activity of Gemini gives way to the intuitive, calming, introspective energies of Cancer, and not a moment too soon. If there are two things Cancer, America’s birth sign, craves, they are domestic stability and emotional security.

To achieve its end, Cancer walks a fine line of vulnerability and self-protection while practicing some of the Cosmos’ most immense nurturing and care-taking of others. With its favorably-aspected eclipses and annual cluster of retrograde outer planets, 2009’s Solar journey through the sign of the crab offers a chance for cooler heads, and hearts, to prevail. After the nerve-racking Gemini journey, nationally and privately, we could probably all use a collective chill pill. But Cancer is not asking us to retreat into our shells. It asks us to be of this world, to accept its complexities and atrocities, and to trust and love enough to overcome our challenges until peace is restored.

Intoning an appropriately more enigmatic resonance than usual, 2009’s Summer Solstice/Sun into Cancer movement occurs during the dark moon (Cancer’s ruler) on the 20th at 10:46pm PST. A new Cancer moon arrives on Monday the 22nd at 12:36pm PST, marking the beginning of our journey toward 2009’s next lunar eclipse which will take place on July 7th. On July 3rd the rapid-fire intellectual energies of Mercury move from Gemini into contemplative Cancer. Mercury in Cancer is much more likely to convince us to get in touch with how we feel about what is going on around us rather than what we think about it. The intellect’s natural tendency is to dissect, label and divide, so it can make rational sense of its world. By contrast, Cancer is all about creating compassion, understanding and appropriate protection by feeling its way through life, as it reaches toward tranquility.

That full Capricorn moon eclipse on the 7th, is in Cancer’s 7th house of partnerships, and features a trine with Saturn. Eclipses can bring sudden and unexpected changes as well as powerful insights. Surprises are not Cancer’s strong suit, but intuition is. With Saturn’s disciplined influence, a sensible resolution to whatever may rear its turbulent head at this time is very possible, and relationships will play a key role.

Echoing the universal chorus to choose hope, wisdom and good will over fear and over-reaction (Cancer can be a little paranoid) is friendly and benevolent Jupiter floating through Cancer’s 8th house of intimacy and transformation. “It is safe to love” is its quiet mantra. As if to hammer the message that old thinking will not solve new problems home, innovative Uranus trines the dark Cancer moon right before the solar eclipse on July 21st.

In the background, Uranus joins retrograding outer planets Neptune, Jupiter and Pluto, as well as Chiron on July 1st. Those large outer planets may be thought of as good and caring parents who lounge around on rafts in the deep end of a swimming pool while keeping a vigilant eye on their children at play in the shallower waters. It is highly unlikely that they will be called upon to rescue anyone, but their loving presence exerts a great sense of safety and well-being. In that space, their children are free to play and explore their watery paradise. The retrograde patterns of these planets will last until early November when they begin turning direct. Saturn, the only large planet now moving forward, moves into Libra at that time. What that means in practical terms is that the results of what is in play and at stake now may not be fully resolved until late Autumn. We saw this pattern last year with the November 4th U.S. election.

So what can you do right here right now to create a sense of trust when the headlines mirror a world in such distress? Gandhi wisely recommended being the change you want to see in the world. I suggest making your home your sanctuary. Having plenty of whatever makes you “feel” secure at hand, along with gurgling fountains, aromatic candles, color therapy tools, herbal bath salts, and long meditations (12Academy is offering many excellent ones) is a viable way to access Cancer’s maternal gifts. With your sense of tranquility amply restored and your inner Guidance system re-attuned to love and Light, you may emerge from the mother ship fully prepared to brave the outer world.

Sun into Cancer: Going with the Cosmic Flow with Love

Remarkable as it is to realize, we are nearly halfway through 2008. On June 20th the Sun shifts into Cancer, marking the Summer Solstice. Presently the large outer planets Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto are retrograde, and on June 27th Uranus joins them. The Sun, Venus and Mercury are all heading out of the intense mental energy of air sign Gemini into watery Cancer. Planetary fireworks are around the corner with August’s eclipses (the 1st and 16th), and tangible options are being made ready to manifest once the Sun moves into earthy Virgo and Jupiter and Pluto turn direct in early September. This year’s passage of the Sun through intuitive and nurturing Cancer is our Cosmic opportunity to chill. Introspection, reflection and ease are the order of the days to come. In embracing the energies and insights of the forthcoming conditions, we are very likely to access the pearls of personal wisdom that will inform the eventful times to follow. Relax and receive.

First, on the significance of so many of the influential outer planets being retrograde simultaneously, most people understand retrogrades through their experience with Mercury, who can be quite the prankster with gadgets and timetables when he goes backwards. He goes direct on June 19th, and fortunately for all of us, having most of the powerful outer planets retrograde for the next several months does not mean that we are going to have to keep rescheduling appointments, replacing tech toys and leaving voicemail messages. Each of these planets has its own unique attributes and they are quite different from those of familiar Mercury. The pertinent aspect of retrograde energy that will be helpful to keep in mind is that it pertains to a time of review. We get to go over things. The retrogrades of the immense outer planets suggest that it will be the big picture aspects of life that we deal with at this time. Fellow heavy weight and taskmaster Saturn, though direct, will also contribute amply to this no stone left unturned process because it is moving through meticulous Virgo. For the resistant and impatient, this could prove to be a very challenging time. For the openhearted and receptive, the “answers” will be generously given. These truths will be empowering and will create a profound sense of peace. Issues that may have been troubling us for months can be laid to rest, for good. And decisions taken at this time can come with the greatest serenity. This is why listening to one’s inner knowing with trust and openness during the Sun’s journey through caregiving Cancer is so important. The path to tranquility and joy can truly be revealed to us.



On August 1st we begin the next set of eclipses. While these will be especially significant for Leos and Aquarians, they alter things for all of us. Eclipses shed light. And this time, as the Sun will be in attention-demanding Leo, the realities they illuminate will simply be impossible to ignore. If we allow our deeper wisdom to emerge during this season of Cancer, the eclipse energies can be harnessed and directed in support of our intentions and Purpose, so long as those are in alignment with the Higher Heart and Divine Will. On September 7th generous Jupiter, still in pragmatic Capricorn, will go direct, and on September 8th Pluto, now in spiritually sensitive Pisces, will also go direct, enabling some of those bigger pieces of the puzzle to fall into place in the physical plane. So as we initiate this summer season with Cardinal Cancer, know that cosmic reality checks will continue as often as the solutions to problems will appear.

Earlier this Spring, through her work with author and teacher Eckhart Tolle, Oprah laid some solid groundwork in the collective cultural conscience for the days on the horizon. For ten weeks she and Tolle taught millions of people throughout the planet how to experience and practice more presence. Whether you participated in the online event or read “A New Earth” is not important, though they are excellent resources. What this cycle of Cancer offers us is the opportunity to practice the awareness of presence and to experience its gifts. In this deeply loving, healing and intuitive sign, we can get to the heart of all matters and align ourselves with Divine Guidance and Purpose. Dive in!