Summer solstice, a waxing Moon and retrograde Saturn.

Summer solstice occurs on the 21st June at 3.57pm in the United Kingdom. I tend to think of summer solstice as the solar equivalent of a full Moon. The Sun is at the extreme end of it’s cycle, the days can’t be any longer. It is a peak, a time to acknowledge and give thanks for what has been achieved so far. There is light and warmth.

Summer solstice also marks the Sun moving into Cancer, the fourth sign of the zodiac and the first water sign. While Gemini gives us our thoughts and ideas, it is in Cancer that, according to Mark Jones, we get the first sense of an identity, often given to us by our first caregivers.

So a bit about Cancer. Cancer represents our roots, our clan, our primary caregivers. Ruled by the Moon Cancer is emotionally sensitive, has a strong desire to feel safe, is easily hurt, but can also be changeable, just as the Moon readily changes signs. Cancerians are the nurturers of the zodiac. Nurturing is not limited to children, we can nurture pets, projects, gardens, adults in need, anything that needs love and care.

Also being the first water sign, Cancerians are also intuitive, as well as sensitive.

Each sign has it’s downside and in Cancer this can be over nurturing, smothering with love and care to the extent that the subject of the care feels stifled and at it’s worst disempowered and lacking in autonomy. Represented by the crab with it’s hard shell, Cancerians can retreat if they don’t feel completely safe and if they have been hurt, and it isn’t always that hard to hurt an emotionally sensitive Cancerian.

Planets that work well in Cancer are the Moon, it’s natural ruler. The Moon is at home in Cancer, nurturing, wanting to feel safe and loved ones to be safe, it is instinctual and intuitive.

Jupiter also works well in Cancer. Jupiter is often seen as a benevolent planet and the gift giver of the zodiac. In Cancer is quite literally an expansion of the love, and intuition.

Planets that don’t work so well in Cancer are Saturn and Mars. Saturn feels harsh and limiting in Cancer, and places a restriction on emotional expression. It is harder to get in tune with emotions and feelings with this placement.

Mars in Cancer by contrast can result in too much emotional energy and emotional outbursts. When both planets get together in Cancer there can be the challenging situation of repressed emotions thanks to Saturn being triggered and released unexpectedly in a torrent thanks to Mars.

To balance Cancer, we need to look to the opposite sign Capricorn. Capricorn brings stability and pragmatism, which can help ground Cancer’s emotions. While Cancer is very focussed on home and nurturing, Capricorn asks you to go out into the world and also have a social presence, aspirations beyond nurturing. Not that this is better, we need both, it’s just a question of balance.

What about this summer solstice?

The Moon will be waxing in Leo, but we won’t have reached first quarter. Becoming visible in the sky as it moves away from the Sun, and hopefully we’ll have a clear night in which to see it, a waxing Moon is a time to manifest. The energy of the cycle is growing, and in Leo this is all about creativity and expression. We haven’t yet met the challenges of the first quarter, which will come on the 26th June in Libra, where it will be necessary to find balance and consider other perspectives.

So from a lunar perspective this is a solstice to celebrate, have fun and be open to possibilities. Mars and Venus will also be in Leo, increasing the Leo energy, which is warm, passionate, creative and out going.

They form a sextile, which is a positive aspect with Mercury in Gemini, making this a good summer solstice for communicating, sharing ideas and seeing friends.

There is a tricky aspect between Uranus in Taurus and Mars in Leo. Uranus is always a bit tricky in Taurus as Taurus likes stability, and Uranus is destabilising, liking change, innovation and the unexpected. So with this aspect care needs to be taken with the expression of energy and oneself. Mars in Leo, while having great creative flair, can risk hogging the limelight, which could rock the apple cart. Have fun, but just be mindful of the potential for things to not always land as hoped. When Uranus is in aspect things are not always as easy to predict.

Saturn will also have turned retrograde in Pisces (17th June) and will be for 4 months. So while we are having fun this solstice, there is a more serious side. Saturn is the taskmaster of the zodiac, and when it turns retrograde, it is a time to review. Have we learnt the lessons we need to learn? In Pisces the energy is spiritual and intuitive. Pisces can also be idealistic, but Saturn here asks for some reality. Do we have ideals that aren’t realistic, or do we need to stop dreaming and work on making our dreams real?

Anyhoo, that's enough for now. Have a lovely summer solstice however you celebrate it 🧡🧡

Credits: Mark Jones Healing the Soul: Pluto, Uranus and the Lunar Nodes.