Artwork created by Devany Amber Wolfe (Serpentfire).
Greetings friends,
The sun is shining and summer is finally upon us. As we leave the spring season, I am in awe of all that has happened in a short period of time. On a collective level, these past few months have been some of the most turbulent times in our lives. I knew the year 2020 was going to be an big turning point for humanity, but I couldn’t have realized how much so.
Change and transformation are still on the horizon as we enter Cancer season and the Summer Solstice. On June 20th at 11:41PM PT, a major solar eclipse will occur at 0 degrees Cancer. On the longest day of the year of maximum light, the sun is completely blotted out leaving us in darkness. This is the very last eclipse in Cancer, after a series of eclipses over the past year and a half or so. We are wrapping up a chapter in our lives, and it is going out with a bang! As we release and let go of this closing chapter, we are welcoming a great new beginning in our lives.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic many folks are now forced to close businesses, make job changes, and relocate their families. Eclipses often bring necessary change, but it can come with a dose of urgency and turbulence. For some, these changes are welcome and exciting. For others, the changes are more burdensome and challenging. A major eclipse like this will play out over the next six months, but we will likely experience some big shifts right away.
Back on January 10th, we had our last Cancer eclipse. Just two days later, we had the first known Coronavirus death. Six months later, here we are today. This upcoming eclipse is an excellent time for reflection on the past six months. What has changed for you? How have you evolved because of recent events? What is now clear for you that you must do in reaction to these changes? We have all come a long way since January!
Wherever Cancer is in your chart, there is bound to be in an influx of new energy. During this Cancer season as a whole, we may oscillate between embracing the new parts of our life and holding onto the old. Cancer is a sentimental sign, and seeks to protect and hold tightly to what it values. It is indeed important we honor our roots and our history, but we need not allow our past to define us. Cancer is also a deeply sensitive sign, and our emotional selves may feel heightened or extra vulnerable. If this is the case, be gentle with yourself and honor the self nurturing you require.
Mercury recently stationed retrograde in Cancer on June 17th..
..and will remain retrograde until July 12th. I have already been experiencing all the typical Mercury retrograde antics, including schedule mishaps, internet outages, and miscommunication galore. My advice always for any Mercury Rx is to be patient and to make sure that whatever message you are sending is solidly clear.
Being that we are in Cancer retrograde territory, we may feel a strong pull to look backward before we move forward. Cancer rules the family, and this could be an excellent time for you to research family roots or reconnect with family members you have lost touch with. Because of the powerful racial justice movement we are in now, I have been doing some deep ancestral research around race issues. I have also been practicing and studying ways to promote healing in my ancestral lines due to racial harm or trauma. It has been eye opening for me in so many ways, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.
Cancer is symbolized by the crab, and often moves in a ‘sideways’ fashion rather than direct. This cautious approach, combined with Mercury retrograde, speaks to the need of moving slowly and gradually toward big change. The eclipse may bring powerful momentum in an area of life, but it would be good to heed caution before going all in. Towards the end of this Mercury retrograde cycle, we may realize that our plans must adjust or shift. Remember to listen to your intuition — that inner voice that guides you step by step.
As with any solar eclipse, I would advise treating this time differently than a typical ‘new moon’. Here are some suggestions for how to work with the Cancer eclipse energy during this summer solstice:
Research your family tree or ancestral lineage.
Reconnect with your family and loved ones.
Process any turbulent or intense feelings through writing, a creative project or therapy.
Take a break from technology and news sources, and give yourself some time and space for quiet reflection.
Take a salt bath.
Visit a nearby body of water.
Nurture yourself.
Wishing you all the summer solstice blessings!