Cardinal signs start things. There are four cardinal signs - Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. They are inflection points in the wheel of the year. When the Sun enters a cardinal sign, it marks the beginning of a new season. It enters Aries in the spring on the Spring Equinox. The Sun's entry into Libra marks the Fall Equinox. The Winter Solstice is when the Sun moves into Capricorn, and when it moves into Cancer, as it does on Thursday June 20, it is the Summer Solstice, the official start of summer as well as the start of Cancer season.
There is a natural progression involved with the Sun's movement through the signs. Aries is the cardinal fire sign, so it is about the spirit of the individual recognizing its individuality and independence from the collective. There is "me" and there is "you" and all else that is "not me." In Aries season it is time to explore "me".
During Taurus season, which follows Aries, we move into the material plane as Taurus is an earth sign (but not a cardinal sign - it's not starting anything, just shifting focus). What is mine that is tangible? What can I explore with my senses that help define me? My possessions are extensions of myself. How do I demonstrate my values in my daily life?
In Gemini season, which we are just leaving, we explore connections with others. How does this "me" I have been getting to know and understand interact with those others around me? What allows me to be part of a collective, a group while still being me? Can I effectively share and communicate my ideas with others and in turn, receive from them in relationship?
Now we are entering Cancer season. Cancer is cardinal water. The move is from "me" as individual human expression to deeper soul expression. In Cancer, we get to connect with our soul and the path is through the emotions. Water signs experience life through the emotions. Cardinal water experiences itself through its emotions. Cancer is the first sign in the zodiac that brings in the soul and the soul's perspective to our lives.
That is why in Cancer season the focus is on establishing a foundation of self care that nurtures our whole being, body, mind, and soul. Once we have that foundation firmly implanted in our daily life, we are able to share ourselves more fully and comfortably with the world as we move into Leo season. But for now, let's focus on where we are.
On Friday June 21, we have a Full Moon in Capricorn. The Sun, which just moved into Cancer the day before, remember, will be at 1 degree of Cancer opposite the Moon at 1 degree of Capricorn. Full Moons bring things to light. Immediately after the solstice, there will be something that comes into your awareness about what you need to feel emotionally stable or secure.
The Cancer - Capricorn axis deals with image - how you see yourself and how you want to be seen. Capricorn, in essence, wants to be seen as its best, wisest, most competent and capable self. It wants to be taken seriously. Capricorn is ambitious. As the cardinal earth sign, achievement needs to be experienced materially. Capricorn appreciates the perks of success. But a fully realized expression of Capricorn defines success differently than a less realized version. Moon in Capricorn tends to focus on the emotional benefits of showing up as the best version of yourself. The sense of achievement and self worth that is validated by the external world is a big driver for Moon in Capricorn.
Cancer energy is what allows Capricorn ambition to reach the heights it is going for. All work with no repletion is exhausting. Cancer is the foundation, the root system, that allows the plant that you are to grow and flourish. Without those deep roots, the ability to nourish yourself and reach your fullest potential in the world is stunted. If you are not supporting yourself with boundaries and self care practices that demonstrate how you value yourself, your achievements and activities will be attempts to ballast yourself. You will be in a perpetual loop of trying to do things to feel better, to artificially strengthen yourself from outside yourself. But plants don't develop strong stems and roots because of external interventions. This is the time to notice what feeds your soul and commit to doing more of that.
Under this Full Moon, notice what you are shown about your inner circle. Who are those who have earned the right to have intimate access to you? Who are those that nurture you with their presence? Those are the ones allowed into your sacred space. There are others who serve a variety of different roles. Perhaps they are the ones for fun, or the ones for making work enjoyable, or good at distracting you. You are connected but not on a soul level. Be discerning about how you feel when you are around others. This is the time to flex your boundaries and make time (not find time or steal time) to create the supportive space for yourself so you can tend to your needs. This refers to your physical space as well as your emotional space. Clear any clutter and things that carry questionable memories. If it doesn't feel good, it needs to be released.
Cancer energy absorbs emotions. When you have been out in the world, time is required to process and discern which feelings belongs to who. Allow this to happen. Pushing through any discomfort will simply delay the inevitable reckoning that comes with resisting the need to invest in your own wellbeing.
The Sun and Moon are joined by Venus at 5 degrees of Cancer and Mercury at 9 degrees of Cancer, so there is a lot of Cancer energy supporting this Full Moon. The way you connect with others (Venus) and communicate your emotional needs (Mercury) will be up for review here. Transformation is possible if you allow it.
“With every act of self-care your authentic self gets stronger, and the critical, fearful mind gets weaker. Every act of self-care is a powerful declaration: I am on my side, I am on my side, each day I am more and more on my own side.” — Susan Weiss Berry