CANCER SEASON
Happy Cancer season! Time of feeling everything deep in your chest, letting it out into the world, pursuing emotional connection, giving and receiving care, and tuning into our intuition. Cancer is the tide, the place where ocean meets land, this point of contact that’s always in flux. Ruled by the moon, it describes the space of cyclical change where we meet the world around us, where we exchange thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
This year, Cancer season comes in two halves. During the first, we have Venus and Mercury in Gemini taking center stage. Mercury, the planet of mental processes and communication, picks up speed and charts new ground after its retrograde, while Venus enters the mutable air sign on June 23rd.
In its home sign, Mercury encourages us to exchange ideas, learn, gather and share information – all supported by Venus’ desire for social connection and joy. While the Sun in Cancer shines a spotlight on our needs, particularly around comfort and safety, the mercurial astroweather is also a perfect time to have fun, meet people and experiment with new ideas. Listen to your intuition and lean into the kinds of exchanges that feel nourishing to you.
On July 5th, Mercury joins the Sun in the waters of Cancer, at the same time as Mars enters Taurus. This is a significant shift for both planets, and we’ll likely feel a collective shift of pace as we move from fire/air to water/earth ways of moving. You might find yourself craving more slowness, a return to routine, or closer forms of connection with others. Mercury in Cancer is, like all the water Mercury placements, somewhat non-verbal (or at least not traditionally verbal). It understands through the body – sounds, textures, images, touch. Words in service of closeness and deeper connection.
Cancer placements want to experience the edge of things, which is where intimacy happens. They want to give and take, explore and unveil without rush, because care entails the transformation of both parties. Growth, and vulnerability. Moon-ruled placements value memory, particularly the act of remembering and reflecting, which is about creating stories from the impressions and feelings refracted inside us over time. Cancer placements understand that our stories and inner spaces are always evolving, and how important it is to befriend and acknowledge the grief that comes with change. The Moon also speaks to the paradox of need – that it is a living, shifting thing, with many names and kinds of hunger.
Mars in Taurus, a fixed sign, begins to activate some of the dynamics around Saturn, Uranus and the nodes we’ve seen over the past year and a half. In Venus’ earth sign, the planet of action and forward motion is forced to slow down, be patient and channel its energy into creating necessary resources. This second half of Cancer season is a great time to think about your more long-term needs, your limitations, and what simply doesn’t fly for you. Mars in Taurus has patience, but don’t be afraid to set the boundaries you need.
Speaking of Cancer, Bangtan as a group itself has both Venus and Mercury in Cancer, in the 8th house of shared resources. It’s a space where the connection and bonds between things are made material. It’s also a house that represents some of the more difficult experiences in life – things we don’t fully have control over, grief, loss, certain aspects of relational experiences. BTS’ planets in Cancer allow them to speak to and connect around not just the lighter, beautiful aspects of life, but also to explore the gritty, painful depths. We’ve seen this time and time again in their willingness to be open about their struggles and to share their feelings through music without shying away from messiness and vulnerability. These planets also speak to the way they’ve created very real, intimate connections with each other and with ARMY – relationships that are deeply emotional, nurturing and protective. We really feel that even when we’re in the dark, they can be by our side and say “it hurts? me too. you’re afraid? me too. it’s okay, you’re not alone.”
In honor of this sweet Cancer season and its ruling planet, here’s a spread that I hope can offer some insight around your needs – how to listen to them, give them space, and be in conversation with them.
Card 1: What needs are calling for my attention during this moon cycle?
Card 2: How can I allow myself grace around both the waves of life and these needs?
Card 3: What gifts of intuition and feeling are mine to embody at this time?
I hope these questions can be supportive, and may this Cancer season offer you comfort, playfulness, connection, and insight!
We’ve curated a special Cancer Szn Spotify Playlist for you! Check it out and vibe with us all month long!