Much like the ocean, Cancer’s energy is regarded not only for its healing capacity, but also for its destructive power. The United States itself is a Cancer, a country born on the 4th of July that has demonstrated these qualities tenfold. This year on the 4th of July, Mars and Uranus will conjunct in Gemini, where they were both positioned in the sky in July 1776. Mars, a planet of violence and action, will use this conjunction as an amplifier, and we will likely experience unexpected turbulence unleashed by Uranus. Both planets in the sign of Gemini (and their aspect to Pluto in Aquarius) indicate both innovation and revolution, and it will be up to us as a society to push the needle towards our liberation and away from Aquarian shadows like technocratic austerity and surveillance. Neptune will retrograde in Aries on the 7th, beginning a five-month period where the god of war influences our dreams and intuition as we face necessary battles. The new moon in Cancer on the 14th will likely coincide with a societal shift or decisive moment related to the protection of children, mothers, and feminine energy overall. In addition, Saturn in Aries will begin its retrograde on the 26th, which will expedite karmic retribution against those whose masculinity has been corrupted. The full moon in Aquarius on the 29th will be a good time for us to gather and strategize collectively. Cancer season will have taught us about healing and protecting, and this full moon and Leo season will be about putting our lessons into practice with the ferocity of a lion.
ARIES
Your cardinal nature will feel very at home as the sun transits your 4th house of home, family, and safety. This is a good time to do some internal and external realignment, which could look like a long overdue conversation with somebody you care for, or like rearranging your bedroom for a more peaceful night’s rest. The new moon in Cancer on the 14th invites prosperity—if you have done the work to show the universe that you love yourself.
TAURUS
Hopefully last month you left behind some outdated attachments, and this month you are open to new frontiers. Cancer and Taurus have many things in common, not the least of which is the desire for comfort and safety. Cancer’s rulership of your 3rd house and the sun’s transit through it suggest that this month will invite in new, authentic friendships and intellectual pursuits, especially if you have embraced Cancer’s emotionality and intuition as roadmaps.
GEMINI
Cancer’s rulership of your 2nd house is notable because it asks you to very quickly move from your head into your heart. The 2nd house concerns itself with material possessions, and more broadly with trust and consistency. Cancer’s influence this month as the sun transits your 2nd house will ask you to feel into what you need for stability, which might seem counterintuitive to your brainy nature.
CANCER
Happy You season, Cancer! If your sensitivities are heightened right now, let them not lead you to despair. Your ability to meet the moment is one of your best qualities, and the global challenges that we collectively face need your leadership and compassion. The sun will conjunct Mercury in your sign on the 12th, followed by the new moon in your sign on the 14th. The middle of the month will demand taking charge in these arenas—be sure to find some solid footing before the tides change.
LEO
Your year-long cycle is coming to a close, and the sun’s transit through your 12th house will have you unpacking (and perhaps ruminating over) this last rotation around the sun. How have you grown, what have you lost, and perhaps most importantly, how will you continue to change? This is a month to slow down for rest and reflection, perhaps by the pool soaking up the sun and beating the heat.
VIRGO
Virgo is a sign known to be helpful, useful, and organized. As we know, there is far more depth to you than being a task master, and this month Cancer will invite you to explore your spiritual virtue. The sun’s transit through your 11th house illuminates how your friendships and values impact the way you move through the world emotionally—perhaps take time this month to intentionally build trust with yourself and others.
LIBRA
The arrival of Cancer season coincides with the 10th house and the highest point in your chart, which is accompanied by a focus on career, public visibility, and clarity. Cancer’s watery nature might make you more emotional than usual this July, thanks to your shared cardinal nature. Try to harness this emotionality to fuel the things you are passionate about. And if you cry during a meeting, at least people know you truly care!
SCORPIO
Finally! A water season arrives just in time to soothe some of your battle wounds. Cancer is more likely than you are to externalize their feelings, and at your cores you are both loyal and heart-centered. The sun’s transit through your 9th house might give you a bird’s eye view of how and when you choose to open your heart, and the ways that travel and exploration play key roles in your emotional development.
SAGITTARIUS
As the zodiac’s resident free spirit, the summer is likely the time you look forward to most. Even if you aren’t able to travel and are stuck in the New Orleans summer heat, your spirit knows that any extreme can be an adventure with the right attitude. The sun’s transit through your 8th house this month will ask you to face some difficult aspects of life—grief, fear, and commitments could all come into play. Meet these challenges as adventures, and perhaps let Cancer teach you a thing or two about honoring your emotions.
CAPRICORN
Cancer and Capricorn are sister signs, and the sun’s transit through your 7th house this month might catalyze some growth that you’ve been putting off. The first six months of your cycle around the sun have focused on personal development, and Cancer is arriving with its big, beautiful heart wide open to encourage you to develop as a lover and a friend. The new moon in Cancer on the 14th could coincide with a loving confession or the end of something toxic. All you’ve got to do is know what you want and deserve.
AQUARIUS
Your health will be center stage this month as the sun transits your 6th house and Cancer demands that you baby yourself after time spent caring for others. If you’re frustrated, cry! If you’re tired, sleep! Your body will be asking politely—and then begging—that you do what you need to regulate, and Cancer’s influence will put the focus on emotional tensions you’ve been storing in your body.
PISCES
You might not always seek the spotlight, as your creativity is often more expansive than a stage or microphone can contain. However, that certainly doesn’t mean that the joy and beauty you bring to the world lacks value, and this month you will be invited to showcase your abilities. The sun’s transit through your 5th house also indicates opportunities to be truly authentic, so let your freak flag fly and the universe will reward you for your bravery.
illustrations by Anneliese DePano
