Astrology Transits: Sometimes We Delude Ourselves
- Astro Anarchist
- 13 hours ago
- 8 min read
We are in Cancer season. There is a call back home during this season, and there is a focus on family as either summer or winter (depending on your hemisphere) is initiated. Cancer is a cardinal sign, and that means there is movement and impetus within its signature. Mercury is retrograde in this emotional and sentimental sign, so our thoughts might be tinged with nostalgia, mother wound, nurturing, or hidden resentments. Cancer is noted for being soft on the inside-under its hard and protective shell.
Jupiter recently moved into Leo, where it will remain for roughly a year. That means more leadership, pride, drama, and entertainment. Jupiter is the planet of faith, belief, and excess, so we can expect more fires, more ego, and bigger hair. Venus is currently travelling through Leo as well, but that changes this week.
Last week I was talking about fatigue, and Mars being slow. Well that is no longer the case with Mars in Gemini; we’ve got air, and we’ve got motion. Mars has more oomph in Gemini, especially around communication and social engagements. Today as I write this Mars is separating from a conjunction with Uranus, which is lightning fast in Gemini.
Overall I am feeling good, yet physically compromised. I acknowledge my usual strength is gone, I am a bit of lame duck, and I can’t go about in the world the same way I am used to. And yet I do persist, because I am also an Aries stellium and headstrong, and there is definitely something making me have a hard time accepting my obvious limitations.
Sometimes we delude ourselves or choose not to focus on the real crazy sad/scary/fearful thoughts. I have had a masterclass in the last few years on delusion, confusion, and the lies we tell ourselves. Jupiter is about our beliefs, and our collective agreements. So in this whole story, I have had a hard time seeing myself as a cancer patient. There is a healthy dose of denial going on here about what is the right way to balance what is happening. I do follow what my doctors say-- until a point; and if details are muddy, or suspect, I easily will discard them for confirmation bias. I don’t want to ruminate in the sad place of endings, of fear, or any of that, but I also have to acknowledge that it’s there, and I’m skating close to its edge. This is a delicate balance, and I’m not sure if I’m dealing with it correctly.
It’s not clearcut.
What I know is that Neptune in Aries is very alive for me, Neptune being the planet OF delusion, vision, dreams, spirituality, what is clouded or not clear, what’s hidden, and altered states. Neptune’s goal is purification, and it trumps even Saturn. Neptune in Aries is a big player right now. For ALL of us.
We are all marching towards a very interesting month. One that is already showing a unique and complex aspect pattern. One that astrologers were talking about years and years ago. There is great hope here, and there is an acknowledgement of divine plan.
Have you noticed yourself being moved yet? Have you noticed things moving around you and all you can do is hold on?
The tarot cards I’m pulling these days are decidedly different. Here are the timestamps:
July 6: Cancer Sun square Aries Saturn @ 14°
July 7: Aries Neptune stations Retrograde 04°
July 9: Venus ingresses into Virgo
July 12: Cancer Sun conjunct Mercury RX @ 20°
July 13: Virgo Venus square Gemini Uranus @ 4°
July 14: New Moon in Cancer @22°
On Monday July 6th, Cancer Sun squares Aries Saturn; and cardinal squares usually feel like a kick in the pants. Many times this is because we are frustrated, angry, annoyed; but we could see something we can’t live without or have overwhelming desire in some way. Whatever the impetus, there’s this idea of boundaries being placed, or responsibility being taken for whatever is happening. There is this idea of initiative, and potentially commitment fortifying. It may feel a bit austere, and like you have to work and work and there is no reward. Saturn be like that.
During this day, and into Tuesday July 7th, Neptune will station retrograde at 4 degrees Aries, and this period of stationing and slowing is the most significant time for this energy. We won’t feel clarity and we won’t necessarily feel our cerebral power on this day: what with Mercury in retrograde in an emotional sign, and the overall unfurling from July 4th’s conjunction of Uranus and Mars in Gemini. This usually will come with some sort of vision, dream, or need for rest. If you do explore altered states on these dates, make sure you do so safely, and take extra care of yourself, as this is a potent time where you might get more than you’ve bargained for. If you can let yourself be moved by Neptune’s dreamscape, you might get new downloads or creative and spiritual inspiration. Don’t look for certainty during these days, and if you can postpone signing contracts or postponing legal stuff, this might benefit you overall. This is a great time to make art, if you can muster up the effort.
We should note that this area of your chart, that holds 4 degree Neptune is highly significant this month. It will be one of the sites of this unprecedented astrology The Sabian Symbol for this area is:
A White Triangle is Seen: It Has Golden Wings
This is about going beyond your idea of yourself, and lifting yourself into the extraordinary. Neptune is about your personal vision, and so is this Sabian Symbol, with very spiritual undertones, transcendence, and the idea of angel messages. There is a shadow idea of escapism, untethering, or ungroundedness, but there is a divine elevation too here.
On Thursday July 9th, Venus will move into Virgo, the sign of its fall. That doesn’t mean that Venus is bad here, or at least, not to me. Those of my friends who have Virgo Venus: they have what I would call an essentialist Venus. This is a stripped to bare bones Venus. They have their pleasures and luxuries, but they are housed in connection and in finances on what really matters. Virgo Venus's don't care about things that have no utility, purpose, or overall artfulness; Virgo Venus knows what is important, and cares only about that. Things like love, loyalty, being there for someone, enough money to buy food and shelter, stuff like that. When I think of Virgo Venus, I think of that Shania Twain song “that don’t impress me much.” Incidentally, she is a Virgo, but her Venus is Libra. Regardless, Virgo Venus’s don’t fall for posturing, gifts, and other Venusian things, not unless any of it had THOUGHT behind it. So this is a brass-tacks expression of love, wealth, and connection and we will find ourselves contending on these very basic things. Venus is here until August 6th, giving us some earth energy to ground us.
Venus will cross the South Node upon its entrance, at 0 degrees Virgo, and there might be a contractive feeling when this happens. South Nodes are about decrease, and known as the tale of the dragon.
Whenever Mercury goes retrograde, we have what we call a cazimi, where the Sun eats Mercury. This happens on Sunday July 12th, and kicks off a new cycle. This is an excellent day come up with a project or idea; Mercury is infused with the Sun’s power today, and this occurs at 20 degrees Cancer.
The Sabian Symbol for 20 degrees Cancer is:
A Prima Donna Singing.
This symbol is about talent, skill, and the overall effect of using a beautiful voice or making beautiful music. You may become projected upon, inspire jealousy, or find that you really must sing for your supper. There is an idea of your relationship with your audience versus fulfilling yourself. This gets into the power of vocalizaton, what needs to be heard, and commanding attention. This is Mercury's domain, so we can see this idea of using your voice to communicate as being an overall theme. The shadow qualities are about overplaying your role, not staying quiet or in your lane, or hogging the spotlight.
So whatever idea or initiation is afoot, know that you will have to balance your needs with your audience's.
On Monday July 13th, Virgo Venus will square Gemini Uranus at 4 degrees. Both these planets are in signs ruled by Mercury, so this square is literally born out of the cazimi. You’ll notice a lot of astrology at 4 degrees of various signs, because the basket/ cradle formation is starting to take place by now, including this aspect. Most notable is the Gemini Uranus placement, but Virgo Venus joining in is also significant.
A mutable square suggests that something is dissipating, changing, or dissolving into something new. There will be a frustration that will confront Venus's themes of love, connection, finances, enjoyment. Remember both planets are ruled by Mercury, now retrograde in Cancer. Venus squares Uranus, and Uranus will nudge us toward some sort of freedom by handing us a disruption, break, or surprise, and usually this will come by way of our social life. 4 degrees Gemini's Sabian Symbol is:
A Radical Magazine or Publication, Asking for Action, Displays a Sensational Front Page
This symbol is calling for change, revolution, or freedom, which is the same call of Uranus, you can't make this up. There are all kinds of ways of reforming, and there are many reforms to make. The mode of broadcast is one subject, and which medium works best for the change you are looking for. Headlines and wordplay are used to awaken to the cause. Big announcements at play. The shadow side of this degree is disinformation, disruption, and forced change.
Virgo Venus’s Sabian Symbol is:
A Person Becoming Aware of Nature Spirits and Normally Unseen Spiritual Energies
This digs beyond the veil, and plays with rationality versus intuitive ideas. There are messages to be brought back into regular and conscious society. This is an invitation to see into the alternate spaces, but not get lost in the mythic world. The idea is to keep both feet on the ground while allowing yourself into the ether. Shadow expressions are mental illness, wasting time, and not being taken seriously.
These symbols and planets are inviting a real change in perspective, and challenges to the rational way of doing things.
In the wee hours of Tuesday July 14th, we have a New Moon in Cancer conjunct Mercury and this is both the beginning and end of a cycle. Interestingly enough, the basket aspect is almost in place by this point, and the Nodes are at 0 degrees of Pisces/ Virgo, and therefore positively aspecting this lunation. This is complex and introspective energy that accompanies a T-square apexed with Mars and Uranus. There is a LOT going on in the sky on this evening which invites us into some serious contemplation, ideas, and movements, but much of this is happening introspectively and emotionally. This the last New Moon before eclipse season, which will be happening in fiery Leo, so we are guaranteed to see change on our doorsteps. But for this Cancer season, our Cancer New Moon delivers quite a punch at 22 degrees. The Sabian Symbol for this degree of the zodiac is:
The Meeting of a Study Group or Literary Society
Which calls for gathering of like minded folk, sharing of meaning and ideas, and also: study. There’s an idea of finding better understanding, shared knowledge and interest, and discussion. The shadow of this degree speaks to exclusivity, too much talking, and propaganda. We usually see New Moons as solitary moments that invite introspection and intention. This lunation seems to suggest a more social expression, even if it is in introverted Cancer.
We can look to the Sabian symbols to help us understand the currents that we are working with, but ultimately our lives are the canvas upon what we find in these energies.
I look at the Cancer New Moon as the trigger point of the basket/cradle formation, and a sort of cleaning for what’s to come. This is no simple New Moon, since Cancer rules the Moon, and it happens conjunct Mercury in retrograde. The T-square is apexed by both Uranus and Mars conjunct in Gemini, and involves the Nodes at 0 degree. These nodes speak to karmic patterns and purpose, and where you are headed. And they are in the final degree of before they change signs. This is significant. There are a lot of endings and beginnings in the chart itself.
How will this land with us? It’s hard to guess with this week as it seems to be the preparation for the following weeks. This is exciting and blessed, yet we don’t know exactly how it will feel. What we do know, is that we are standing on the precipice of great change, and each of us are midwives to the world we are building.
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