THE MOOD: Ablaze

The Sun, the beach, the barbecue, the blaze: July ushers us into Cancer season, that time of year when we do everything that we can to soak in the rays, plunge into the water, and commune with our loved ones. All of these activities are core to Cancer, who combats the heat wave by seeking refuge – refuge in itself, in its people, in tenderness, in the waters of feeling.

Cancer is chill until its refuge is threatened – and when that happens, its claws come out. This Cancer season promises – and has already seen – some battles as the Sun and Mercury in Cancer standoff with Chiron and Jupiter in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn. This month is all about “me and the fam,” the messy matrix of love, safety, obligations, and complications that come with familial (whether blood or chosen) relations.

The Sun and Mercury in Cancer can bring us profound sensitivity, softness, and caring in our conscious selves and in our communications with others. When channeled responsibly, Cancer’s emotional responsiveness is what makes a family a place of refuge and belonging. Jupiter and Chiron in Aries, however, make direct demands for individuality and independence – no matter what mom or dad says or feels. When Aries’ no-nonsense, confrontational style pushes up against Cancer’s tenderness, it can combust into defensiveness and reactivity from all sides. In this heat, it’s important to recognize our triggers and reckon with the boundaries of our bonds. It’s a time to ask:

What are we fighting for?
What are we defending? 
Where are the openings for individual choices within our familial obligations?
Where are the openings for collective care within individual choices?

These questions, of course, are not just personal or familial. What we call the United States is a Cancer Sun, and its national identity is deeply invested in these questions, too. We are seeing the dark side of individual vs. familial orientations right now with the strikedown of Roe v. Wade. Not coincidentally, Cancer is a sign that is associated with maternality, and the forces of individual choice are being beaten back in favor of the formation of families – even if those families are not wanted or adequately supported by the state. When the Sun and Mercury oppose Pluto in Capricorn later in the month, we may reckon with the fact that our words and feelings are not enough for the transformational change that we need. The care and rage that we feel must be met with pointed action and bold agitation to completely overhaul our policies, processes, and systems so that we can be truly safe and cared for. Find links below with some ways that you can take action.

Cancer reminds us we must care, on all fronts, for ourselves and for each other. It is time to care fearlessly, maybe more fearlessly than ever before.

Roe v. Wade: What You Can Do
How to Show up For Abortion Access
Defending Safe Abortion Access Post-Roe v. Wade