Welcome to this Total Solar Eclipse in Cancer. This eclipse, the first of two this month, is on 10 degrees of Cancer and will be seen most clearly from Chile, Argentina and New Zealand. It will be exact here in Australia on Wed 3rd July. The North Node is where the moon and sun are (New Moon phase) so this eclipse is about moving towards the new. A transitioning, loaded with unpredictable changes.
This series of eclipses will conclude next year in July, but for now we are looking back from the Solar Eclipse in Capricorn earlier this year in January. There will be a theme that has been going on for us all that will be the focus and it may now be in full play so over the next six months or so, we will really be much clearer about where it is we’ve needed to let go of old ways that are not working and move forward (Nth Node) towards our true and more awakened selves. This Nodal axis of Cancer & Capricorn are highlighted more than ever with an eclipse as it is always the proximity to the nodal axis that forms this phenomenon. We have the opposing nature of Capricorn, talking about structure, responsibility, duty, death, government, institutions and rules sitting across the table from Cancer, where we talk about nurturing, feelings, the feminine principal, motherhood, birth and so here we are grappling with some transitioning between the two which requires deep change and adjustment.
The planetary line up here is intense. We have Saturn conjunct the SN in Capricorn which is also conjunct Pluto! This really adds some lead to the this pendulum of astral personalities. So where is that area in your life that has been weighed down by perhaps some power struggles, or in some way been holding you back in the hope that it would serve you but has really been more of a burden, a ball and chain that’s now holding you back from moving into the more authentic you? Where do you need to nurture and nourish yourself so you can move forward and shed the skin that you have outworn now? This is a really special time whereby the eclipse will be like the lights switching off and on again, creating a space for you to reset and walk towards where it is best for you to evolve. Setting yourself free from being bound by what may have had an unnecessary amount of pressure or power over you.
Venus moves into Cancer this week. This is about what we value, family, home, security and creature comforts. Also this can signal a time where we could be more receptive to our partners or loved ones. Trust and intimacy will be strong themes.
Mercury going Retrograde on July 8th is another piece of the puzzle. He will also be conjunct Mars, so being mindful of our words and how we react to annoyances as Mars tends to make us more volatile and quick tempered. It’s the retrograde season (8/7 – 2/8) however remember it takes another week really for the energy to move forward again. So for now he is in Leo which is a nice shift from all the watery energies and this is a lift and gives us all a boost in a way, a voice that may have been slow to speak up and will now be happy to be heard. He will move back into Cancer for a little while but will re-enter Leo on 12/8. Remember to revise, review, double check the details, try to avoid signing contracts until Mercury goes direct but at the very least pay attention to the details and the fine print.
The Sun conjuncts Nth Node on 9/7 and opposes Saturn and Sth Node. This really amplifies the soul’s quest for growth and wherever these planets and nodes are in you chart will highlight where you need to make a move towards those changes. Cancer is pointing to the ‘new’ and the karmic point of where you need to look for that soul’s nourishment. We all have the sign Cancer in our charts somewhere, and truly, this is the most important of the planetary stories for us at this point in time. The tendency for us to stay stuck is a very strong urge right now. Saturn and the Sth Node will make us feel ‘safe’ there and we may feel that it’s all too hard to leave behind whatever it is we need to leave. If we really examine what that is and lean towards it, and maybe walk through the sticky mud of change, we can be so liberated and much happier if we only trust in the process. Nothing new can start without something ending, that is the challenge. I heard a lovely analogy recently about this process – it’s a bit like loosening the soil so we can pull out the weeds with less effort. Those deep roots of the past cannot be pulled out so easily but with a bit of watering and soil loosening, it will happen. Don’t struggle with it, just work on slowly but surely letting go.
Mars squares Uranus on 11/7 – Mars in Leo and Uranus in Taurus. Fire and earth, masculine and feminine. This will be a bit unpredictable as Mars = action Vs Uranus = change. Our actions or perhaps others actions, can and will take us by surprise. These are both ‘fixed’ signs so there will be an element of stubbornness here as well. Be careful not to hold back on your anger or frustration for too long as it can erupt like a volcano eventually. The positive vibe of Mars in Leo alone is a refreshing one though, as it has a real endurance to it. Mars is comfortable there and will manifest well if we can put the energy towards useful tasks.
Sun opposes Pluto on 14/7 – boom! Here we have the Sun – our identity / ego facing off with Pluto the power broker of the zodiac. No surprise to hear this may bring some power struggles. Just being aware and checking in with yourself when you recognise this going on around you is helpful. Use it to make the positive changes and don’t fall prey to lowering yourself if you feel triggered. Find your inner power and recognise where you may have felt ‘powerless’ so as to grow and not just expand the ego. Steer the strong energy towards finishing projects or starting something you’ve been putting off, as the Sun and Pluto will give you the sticking power to see it through.
Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn on 16/7. This is the second eclipse of the month – the Full Moon. This will be on the Sth Node at 16 degrees of Capricorn so it’s about the releasing of old energies as opposed to embracing the new with the Solar Eclipse. We have a chance to see the bearing of the fruits of our labour here. It’s a time of great adjustment and reconciliation. Your personal lunar experience and how you handle change, in general, depends on how the eclipse is configured to your chart.The effect of a lunar eclipse can last up to three months, it can bring a volcanic purge at some point. This can be a sombre, but cleansing and healing time or a joyous, birthing time.
Venus opposes Pluto – Mercury conjunct Sun – so with Venus at 21 degrees of Cancer opposing Pluto in Capricorn we have the planet of love having a tug of war with the planet of power. What we want and what is possible are two different things. Are your desires getting the better of you and if so, at what expense? This can really bring out the demons in our relationships so again, being mindful and aware is the best thing. Can you see how strong this Cancer – Capricorn polarity is? It has been going on for a while but now with the eclipses and major oppositions going on, we have nowhere to hide. This is a time of really going within and doing some serious soul searching if we want to come out alive and transformed for the better.
Sun in Leo on 22/7 – so finally we feel the full strength of the sun in his own sign, Leo the lion! Slowly we are being released from the grips of the sensitive and emotional Cancerian theme and hopefully have learned valuable lessons about ourselves and are now ready to roar with new life and find bundles of enthusiasm which is how Leo likes it. Life really should start to take on a different vibe now. We can dry out a bit and feel the warmth of the sun as he helps us to find our inner strength and see that silver lining in the cloud that may have been hovering above us. The sign Leo and the 5th house represents fun, creativity, children, romance and pure joy. Take any chance to step out and enjoy life.
Venus moves into Leo on 28/7 so again we are graced with more warmth and a very welcome shift in energies. Venus in Leo loves to be noticed. It has a more confident approach so again, we can really feel more comfortable with pampering ourselves and feeling bold and beautiful. We get to express and share with joy what we have discovered over the previous time that may have really tested us, but Leo gives us the opportunity to bravely stand tall and wear the crown of success with pride. She will be happy to share in this vibe with jolly Jupiter in fellow fire sign Sagittarius amplifying her vibrant warmth.
Sun squares Uranus on 29/7 – so with the Sun representing our identity and being challenged by the planet of change and revolution, our lives can be turned upside down a little to say the least! So hopefully we have learned to toughen up during these challenging aspects and eclipses for the month as perhaps the final big shake up will be all about our identity. Who have we become? How have we managed this intense time of transformation and what did we let go of to then let something wonderful blossom in its place? This is a great check in point!
I really hope this juicy planetary dance leaves you feeling hopeful and not too battered and bruised. It is always best traversed with some self awareness and I honestly feel the universe really has our back, as long as we are willing to listen and take action.
Best wishes for a juicy and enlightening Eclipse Season!
