It’s Cancer season – expect gentleness, sensitivity and heightened emotions

The beginning of Cancer season always coincides with the Summer solstice, which marks our halfway point to yet another year: the days run away like horses over the hills. Perhaps it’s this mid-year reminder of time passing that gives Cancer season its nostalgic tone (for, indeed, Cancer is our most nostalgic and emotional sign).

The emotionality of the Crab (Cancer’s symbol) has something to do with the water element it shares with Pisces and Scorpio. Yet, Cancer differs from these other two signs due to separate “modalities.” Scorpio, for instance, is a fixed water sign: it’s like an emotional bog, where nothing circulates, where everything stews. Pisces, on the other hand, is mutable water: its emotions are all over the place, changing like the shoreline and the sea.

Cancer, however, is a cardinal water sign. Cardinal signs start each season (so Cancer forms a posse with Aries/Spring, Libra/Autumn, and Capricorn/Winter). The energy associated with cardinal modality is initiatory. Cardinal Aries, for example, relates to the head (it’s always headbutting its way forward, other opinions be damned). Cancer leads with the heart. It gets what it wants by appealing to feelings.

As such, Cancer can be seen sometimes as emotionally manipulative. Think of its symbol, in this regard. The Crab moves sideways, not directly. Cancer does the same when it comes to reaching its emotional ends through somewhat circuitous means. Such meandering needn’t be construed as nefarious, though. Cancer is an ultra-caring sign: it often moves sideways to avoid hurting others. Cancerians “feel” people out.

We may find ourselves, over the next few weeks, doing the same. Such sensitivity to others is a good thing, no doubt. Rather than the emotional bluntness that comes with, say, Capricorn season, Cancer’s time betokens more gentleness. Its influence should inspire us to get what we want but to do so in a way that leaves everyone feeling nurtured rather than overwhelmed.

While being more sensitive to others’ feelings should be seen as a plus rather than a minus, we could also be much more sensitive to the world and its behaviour toward us. Cancer is notoriously delicate. While Scorpio holds onto slights and gets angry (that’s its Mars-ruled nature), Cancer, instead, will tend to shed tears alone. Over the next month, we might want to spend more time at home, because of this sensitivity. Cancer is a home-loving sign.

Now, even though Cancer/care predominates over the next month, there will, of course, be other transits which will flavour certain days in certain ways. To wit:

Cancer season dates of note

On July 3rd, we have a Full Moon in Capricorn. Full Moons always occur in the sign opposite the current season. This opposition is not only astronomical but also symbolic. Cancer is emotional and sensitive. Capricorn: gruff and all business. This Full Moon transit betokens a moment to show some good old-fashioned indifference toward our own feelings and those of others. Celebrate this Full Moon by engaging in a Capricorn activity: marvelling at the stock market, reading about a titan of industry, or watching cargo being loaded onto docks. If you can’t spell Cancer without c-a-r-e, you can’t spell Capricorn or capital without c-a-p.

Next, belligerent Mars enters Virgo on July 10th. Virgo (the Virgin) is our most practical and prim sign. Mars is about libido. In other words, a day of delicious tension. Expect to have more lust for practical concerns–-cleaning up messes, doing dishes, checking off “to-do” lists with vigour. You may be extra sassy, as well, around the house or office, while out on tasks. That’s Mars at work. It brings a bit of strife to life.

On July 11th, Mercury (communication, messaging, conveyances) ingresses showy Leo, our image-conscious fire sign. Leo also wants to be the centre of attention, so you may find yourself prone to posting photos of yourself on whichever social media platform you use these days. Or worse: you may be drawn to writing long, rambling observations (Mercury) about said pics (Leo). Mercury-in-Leo has a kind of broadcast energy about it.

Finally, a New Moon in Cancer on July 17th. This is a day to beware of. The Moon rules Cancer, indicating a day of supremely heightened emotions and sensitivity. Expect an urge “to process” things with a beleaguered partner, who just wants to watch the match (a desire which will, of course, create more of a need “to process,” in an endless spiral otherwise known as love).