EXPANSIVE, OPTIMISTIC, CREATIVE AND HIGHLY SELF-CONFIDENT ... GROWTH AND EXPANSION LINKED TO ONES SELF-EXPRESSION !!!

 

JUPITER - planet representing growth; laws; beliefs; ethics; expansion; opportunity; wealth; faith; broadening - knowledge, horizons and understanding; higher education; travel; religion; philosophy; excess and over doing - began its transit through the highly creative, self-assured fiery sign of Leo yesterday, June 30th, at 1:52 AM EDT ... leaving the highly emotional waters of Cancer, Jupiter is now ready to bring a greatly enhanced joy and optimism to this journey we call life ... Jupiter was last in Leo from July 16th, 2014 through August 11th 2015 ... what was going on in your life back then may now surface again to be addressed in some way !!!

Jupiter in Leo yields expansive, optimistic and highly self-confident qualities ... it brings an abundance of energy and usually creates a strong constitution ... growth and expansion are linked to ones self-expression ... creativity abounds and the more one taps into it, the more creative one has the potential to become ... inspiration is rarely absent with this energy ... it yields an enthusiastic zest for life with the desire that it be enjoyed in a big way ... the keyword for Jupiter in Leo is EXUBERANCE !!!

Jupiter in Leo is helpful and highly ambitious normally acting while others merely dream ... it yields a dramatic and often very colorful personality ... here we have a natural entertainer ... it can also bestow leadership ability, dignity, and an incredible ability to inspire confidence and enthusiasm in others ... it is generous and benevolent but almost always with the expectation of personal admiration and appreciation in return being attached ... being steadfast, reliable and honest are also potential benefits of this energy ... honor and prestige that is well deserved can be conferred by this Jupiter ... here we find an open-hearted person who enjoys including others in their lives ... things are usually done  on a lavish, dramatic grand scale especially parties and social occasions with budgets not being given much consideration !!! ... one might desire to become involved with business involving the entertainment industry, artistic endeavors, sports and education ...  this position often brings great success and as a result, there is a particular affinity for gambling and speculation, but one must guard against overindulgence to the point of bringing about financial ruin !!!

 

Jupiter in Leo can also produce a love of children and interest in their growth - especially their moral development ... here we have the potential for the ability of making excellent teachers, Sunday school leaders and spiritual counselors to the young !!!

The challenges of Jupiter in Leo include conceit because the principle of expansion combined with one of the major downfalls of Leo, egotism, can produce vanity and glory ... one must learn that greatness will eventually come from service to mankind along with cooperation, and not through self-importance ... there is also the possibility of losses in love and romance due to an over inflated ego and excessive pride  ... becoming arrogant, shallow and overbearing resulting in over doing everything is another trap one may fall into ... blowups yielding highly unrestrained displays much like huge, overblown childlike tantrums can occur if one is not careful ... the tendency to get so wrapped up in oneself that one ignores the rest of life is quite possible !!!

Leo naturally rules the 5th house which is considered a "house of life", therefore Jupiter transiting through Leo could potentially bring about expansion and growth in regards to children, artistic expressions, love affairs, romance, pleasures, amusements, holidays, vacations, games, speculations, hobbies, your emotional attitude and the love you give, sports, originality, creative outlets - dramatic, literary or artistic ability, the fine arts, social affairs, and any groups to which you belong which relate to having fun ... in regards to health, there could be issues regarding the back, spine and the heart all being parts of the body ruled by Leo !!!

To reiterate, Jupiter in Leo likes gambling, speculation, pageantry, ceremony, drama and grandeur, children, generosity and lavishness ... it does not like anything dull and ordinary, not taking risks, having no dependents, penny-pinching and mean-heartedness ... the energy of Jupiter in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: big hearted, benevolent, inspirational, prestigious, honorable, noble, self-confident, radiating warmth, energetic, strong stamina, self-assured, generous, an entrepreneur, a big thinker

NEGATIVE: big-headed, pretentious, self-serving, misleading, not keeping promises, hollow, egomaniac, ostentatious, overbearing, intolerant, over-confident, spendthrift, overblown, unrealistic

Leo born, as if you need any more energy to boost your ego and drive the rest of us crazier - love you ... mean it - you are now bestowed with a 13 month period of extra potential for expansion, growth, opportunity and outright luck so keep your eyes and ears open and pay attention - hopefully the expansion won't be just through your waistline !!! ... Sagittarius born, your ruling planet has now moved into a new sign ready to teach you new lessons to further your personal and spiritual growth !!!

As always, if you know what house or houses thirty degrees of Leo fall in your natal chart, then you will be able to get a good idea of what area of your life this exuberant energy for expansion and growth will most likely occur ... Jupiter remains in Leo until July 27th, 2027 !!!

One should be trying to live life to the fullest with a steady, quiet self-confidence which is ultimately what this energy is all about !!! ... to that end, as we all begin to "exuberantly" seek to expand our lives on some level, perhaps we will be blessed by "lady luck" and find ourselves saying, hopefully quite often, whether quietly to ourselves or out loud at the top of our lungs -  JACKPOT !!!

COSMIC CLARITY ... COSMIC CHAOS ... OR BOTH AS MERCURY GOES RETROGRADE ONCE AGAIN !!!

MERCURY - began its second RETROGRADE journey for 2026 today, June 29th, at 1:35 PM EDT ... if you've been following my blogs, in addition to being highly aggravated every time this particular one pops up, then you know pretty much what to expect during a Mercury Retrograde - EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED !!!

It is very important to understand that planetary retrogrades are NOT ALWAYS the harbingers of doom and gloom ... even though it is true they can cause disruption and misunderstandings, we have to realize these are simply Universal "time outs" which give us the opportunity to drop back and rethink and review our actions being generated by the planet which is retrograde, especially as the energy relates to the current sign that planet is transiting through ... bottom line - though we often joke about it, retrogrades shouldn't always be feared and dreaded but perhaps approached cautiously ... the Universe is giving us a chance to right our wrongs and redirect ourselves to achieve more beneficial personal and spiritual growth !!!

Some of you may have noticed the energy beginning to move backwards already when Mercury entered its shadow point, the point where it will come out of the retrograde on, back on June 12th/13th at 16 degrees 18 minutes Cancer ... this 24 day retrograde period will be completely in the sign of Cancer going from 26 degrees 15 minutes Cancer back to 16 degrees 18 minutes Cancer ... Mercury was last retrograde in Cancer, in fact the entire time again, June 18th - July 12th, 2020 going from 14 degrees 46 minutes back to 5 degrees 29 minutes Cancer ... also to note, this is the second of three Mercury retrogrades completely in water signs for 2026 ... you can bet the emotions are going to be stirred up somehow !!!

It practically goes without saying that things somehow just don't seem to go right or as we planned, and we often find ourselves re-doing things especially after Mercury stations back into direct motion ... Obviously communications are going to be challenged both to and from others - partnerships and relationships often hit the skids during these periods ... it is NOT a good time to make major purchases - especially Cars, a big NO NO - and that goes double for USED CARS, as well as computers or anything that involves electronics ... purchasing homes can end up producing unforeseen problems and even the contracts can have unexpected difficulties along the way or at closing especially if the closing takes place during the retrograde period ... and let's not forget the potential for disruption in anything electrical and/or mechanical !!! ...it is not a good idea to enter into contracts or start new jobs as they will most likely not pan out and end up being dead ends ... and weddings, well I know it takes a long time to plan a wedding and some of them will just have to go on as planned, but if you can avoid a wedding in a Mercury Retrograde - DO IT !!!

Obviously one cannot put their life on hold, but if there is any way to hold off on these things until Mercury turns direct, it would prove beneficial in the long run ... I have frequently found, though, that in some charts I've done, people born under a Mercury retrograde sometimes seem to thrive during these periods because they innately understand the backward energy and how to work with it ... and it is possible that many of you will not be directly affected by the retrograde period, but I can guarantee you that you will know or hear of someone who is affected !!!

To RE-PEAT, Mercury retrogrades are simply a time for reviewing and revision - as the saying goes, "it might be a good idea to drop back and punt" !!! ... during a retrograde journey it can be said that we are in a mental "down time" and often things will not register on a conscious level with us ... it is said that the use of Mercury retrograde cycles are to reconnect the individual with the Universal rhythm ... if you've had a natal chart done and know in which house or houses these degrees fall, then you will probably get an idea of where the Universe is asking you to step back and take a closer look at what you are doing in that area of your life !!!

Mercury retrograding in the sign of Cancer yields emphasis for an opportunity to rethink how we emotionally respond to life ... and being in a water sign, Mercury retrograding in Cancer produces a strong desire to retreat inward ... when Mercury retrogrades in a water sign our feelings and emotions are strongly activated and, as challenging and sometimes even painful as it can be, we MUST address them in order to promote personal healing by making us have to work harder at producing a more stable balance between our emotional and the mental processes ... as waters can run very deep, that is where we most likely are going to have to dive into ourselves to come face to face with our innermost feelings and emotions ... and wherever this retrograde energy falls by house/houses in your natal chart, actions could arise in that area of your life causing you to undergo a careful and hopefully honest examination to determine if these feelings and emotions are producing a positive or negative contribution to the quality of your life !!!

This is also an excellent time to keep a dream journal to discover what the Universe is revealing to us deep within our unconsciousness ... even though this can be challenging, it can be an excellent time for honest self evaluation if we have the strength, trust and courage to allow the process to unfold !!!

In addition to the "usual suspect" issues which arise during a Mercury retrograde, being in Cancer there is the potential for issues to arise which include : your home, parents, family, foundations, psychological roots, personal security, property - houses and/or real estate, for some the closing years of life, and endings of any kind ... these are all issues addressed in the 4th house of the zodiac naturally ruled by Cancer !!!

Also as Cancer is ruled by the Moon, there could potentially be issues regarding females - mother, sister, wife and women in general, instincts, moods, tides, phases, receptivity, fluctuations, feelings, habit patterns, reflex actions, personal interests, desires, needs magnetism, growth and fertility, the need to touch, impressionability and consciousness, liquids, commodities, sailing, brewing, nursing, tradespeople, and the public in general ... these are all issues governed by the Moon !!!

In regards to overall health, remember Mercury is the natural planetary ruler of the 6th house which rules health, so there could be more chances to have health issues in general during a Mercury retrograde ... retrograding in Cancer there could also be issues in the areas of the breast and stomach ... the stomach area most likely being activated by emotional stress conflicting with the digestive process ... as well as the left eye of the male and the right eye of the female which are ruled by the Moon !!!

A Mercury retrograde is usually not a good time to have surgery as the healing process could be slowed down or there could be the chance of having to go back at a later date and take care of something that wasn't done correctly - especially in regards to cosmetic surgery !!! ... now this applies to elective surgery ... as for emergency surgery, we have no control over that and trying to put that off might produce catastrophic results !!!

Below I have re-posted the "Mercury Retrograde "Navigational" Manual" written by my teacher Lyn Hammond Gray ... hopefully it will help out :

"Here is your "Navigational" manual: Mercury retro always creates a repeating action. The Re-Words are common. Some re-words that you will notice during this time are:

Repeat – The action you are making during the RX period you will probably repeat again during the period or later...

Repair – The need for repair will arise. If possible, put if off until Mercury turns direct (July 23rd)...

Reverse - You will be amazed at how many times you change your mind or reverse your thinking during this time. Watch out for that race car driver that is driving in reverse down the emergency lane on the freeway. Yikes !!!

Recall - Your mind will wonder back. You will think of people from the past or you will encounter someone from the past. If old lovers show up, don't bet that it will stick. Believe me... it is just for a "review." (And if it does last, I want to be the first to know about it. E-mail me and let me know). And you know what, I wouldn't start a new romance during this period either - wait until after July 23rd !!!

Review - If you are reading instructions, you may find it necessary to review repeatedly because they simply don't make sense. Sometimes the publisher has actually left out a step. It happens !!!

Regroup - In corporations, it is a common experience during the Rx to hear the boss say, 'Alright, we are going to rework this thing and get it right.' Later when the period is over, they go back to the old way doing things. It is a laugh a minute. Stand back and watch the comedy !!!

Reboot and Revise - The computer world is a definite place to watch the comedy. It is common for one to suddenly, without fore thought, decide to revise their system during the Rx. Oh! Mercy! That revised system may never function in the normal way. Oh, please! Do wait until the period is over. However, it is fine to do your shopping for the new components during the Rx ...

Return - Now here is a good one. You'll find that this period is a popular time for family or class reunions. Should you stay are home? Absolutely not! You go because this is a review that you don't want to miss. But funny thing is that in spite of the fact that you tell these people 'lets stay in touch' it will become lip service and you won't live up to your suggestion ...

Rebirth – Often one will go back into the past and bring up old creative projects to work with during this time frame. Sometimes it sticks and sometimes it doesn't. Only you will be able to activate the discipline to keep it going once the retrograde period is over ...

Recover - You can bet that you will dig into your files, boxes or storage to recover something that you need…you can also bet it won't be an easy find. It is likely that you will be looking for a legal document· While it is possible that you may not find what you are looking for, you may find something that you would like to put back in to use. Fun !!!

Re-examine - Well, just about everything ...

Reduction – Over the years, I have been amazed at how many times a company or person decides to eliminate a job or to leave a job during the retrograde. It is my experience that a job changed during this period is 95% of the time regretted. Can you wait until the period is over ???

And so it is. Three times a year we live this cosmic "going to teach you patience routine". All and all when this retrograde period is over you may "Realize" this simple truth: The flow of the universe is very, very interesting and it is going to have its way with us ...

Good luck and may the Universe bestow upon each one of you a special wisdom and unique insight into your journey through this life at this point!!! "

Back to me now ... Those born between June 30th and July 22nd will definitely have this Mercury retrograde energy in their solar return - birthday chart - for the whole year ahead ... those born on July 23rd and June 29th may or may not get this energy depending on what time your solar return occurs ... some may be lucky enough to escape it for this year - an excellent reason once again to have a natal chart done and then have a solar return chart run for the year ahead by a reputable astrologer !!! ... below is a repeat explanation of what it means to have Mercury Retrograde for the whole year in your birthday chart summed up by Mary Fortier Shea in her book titled "Planets in Solar Return":

"The significance of having Mercury retrograde in your yearly birthday chart or, as we refer to it in Astrology, a Solar Return ...

A Solar Return is the time every year that the Sun returns to the same degrees and minutes it was at when you were born - all the more reason to know your birth time now isn't it, hmmmmm????? ... a new chart is run for you at the time your solar return occurs in that given year and it is run for wherever you are at the precise time of your solar return ... this produces a new horoscope chart which shows what energy you may or may not run into for the year ahead - that is from the current birthday until next years’ birthday ... its energy can be felt from one to three months out before the actual solar return occurs ... often people will relocate for the return time in order to get a particular energy in their solar return chart ...

Mercury is usually retrograde in a solar return chart every six years ... during this time it's best to be introspective ... you should be learning and thinking on your own rather than depending on others ... the mind is like an overstuffed drawer seriously in need of re-filing and reorganization ... in other words the time has come to "process" ... the mental processes are not very receptive to new information at this time ... it's time to go back and re-examine and review things in your life which may have been started but not carried through to fruition or maybe interrupted and suddenly abandoned for some reason ... by focusing inward you might be able to see that your own opinions, thoughts and decisions work best for you rather than those made by others ... at the same time be very receptive to the feedback others are giving you especially if you have missed the mark in regard to some endeavor ... another side effect of this energy is secretiveness where you decide to withhold information or sometimes outright lie ... and why ??? .. because you have secrets that need to be kept or else were you to express your opinions and thoughts outwardly it could cause tension in your relationships ... have plenty of ice cream around to soothe the tongue you are most likely going to have to bite frequently this year !!! ... this is a great year to keep a journal and put your thoughts down on paper and also to write original material ... sometimes you can see things differently when thoughts and ideas are written down which is a very helpful way to get organized ... this is a year where you will probably realize old opinions and beliefs are now outdated thus encouraging you to reassess your thinking, reformulate previously developed ideas, and shed new light on something on some level of your life that needs to be addressed ...

It doesn't really have to be a bad year ... done wisely, fast forwarding to the past and clearing out the "clutter", you can propel yourself further ahead in life than you originally may have thought !!! "

Gemini and Virgo born, as Mercury is your planetary ruler, once again it is time for you to "try" to slow down and review and reexamine what is going on in your life especially since the last Mercury retrograde ended back on March 10th - perhaps we all will have to do this ... but also Aries born and Gemini born may be especially challenged as Mercury, ruling planet of Gemini, will be retrograde for 24 days of the current Mars transit through Gemini !!!

For all of us, this becomes a time to review and rethink what is going on in our lives and especially what may have been started or done during the last Mercury Retrograde, that being February 26th through March 20th or possibly actions taken during previous retrograde periods could come back to haunt us as well - for 2025 that would include November 9th through November 29th, July 18th through August 11th and March 15th through April 7th ... and perhaps even Mercury retrogrades even further back than these three !!!

Whatever the case, it is for sure that there will undoubtedly be lights going ON in our heads regarding these actions as well as other lights going OUT as this Mercury Retrograde energy wreaks its cosmic havoc for the next 25 days ... Mercury remains retrograde until July 23rd at 6:58 PM EDT !!!

SO ... slow down, try not to act too impulsively, and go with the universal flow and don't try to swim up stream in a raging current of cosmic chaos or the day may come in the near future when you live to regret what you did ... be aware tempers will flare and patience may become scarce, but that personal sense of humor, being one of your greatest allies, should be kept very close by and called upon frequently as this Mercury Retrograde merrily wreaks havoc and/or bestows enlightenment ... you just might be very surprised at what you are enlightened about during the retrograde - the Universe has a reason for everything !!!

In the end my fellow beings of light, as this second Mercury Retrograde period of 2026 is now upon us, the question once again is will we become the constant victim of Cosmic Chaos, become the recipient of great Cosmic Clarity ... or BOTH ???

SPONTANEOUS, CURIOUS WITH A STRONG DESIRE TO INCREASE PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE AND TO TALK A LOT - BEWARE OF FOOT IN MOUTH DISEASE !!!

MARS - the planet representing the urge to get what you want, personal drive, desires, sexual drive, initiative, courage, and raw energy -  begins its transit through the expressive, intellectually curious sign of Gemini on Sunday, June 28th, at 3:29 PM EDT ... as Mars usually represents fiery actions and Gemini is an Air sign, Mars has the potential to function extremely well and forcefully here ... and why ??? ... because AIR GIVES LIFE TO FIRE !!! ... in fact, it may work too well and too fast at times in Gemini ... Mars was last transiting in Gemini from July 20th, 2024 through September 9th, 2024 !!!

A keyword for Mars in Gemini would certainly be "spontaneous" ... under this energy one is mentally active and naturally curious with a very restless mind and tongue ... one can assert themselves flexibly, cleverly, and with many talents ... verbal expression and learning is important ... in fact the desire to talk and communicate is so strong that one may talk incessantly and we may find ourselves thinking or perhaps forced to blurt out - SHUT UP !!! ... unfortunately this is why gossip and rumors have the potential to spread like wildfire !!! ... in addition, having variety and being on the move is necessary ... energy flows very easily here into mental pursuits and/or skill with the hands ... there is often a display of great dexterity and manual skills ... there is a drive towards learning more, developing new skills and making additional connections between people and/or concepts and ideas ... there is usually versatility and adaptability but there is always the risk of being easily distracted as ones focus and desires change quickly and frequently or get completely lost being influenced by so much stimuli ... think of the phrase "ONCE IS ENOUGH" !!!

Personal identity is tied to ones thinking and communication or to ones manual skills ... sexual drive and physical energy are affected by what one sees, thinks, new ideas, and by conversations ... under this energy if someone is ever ticked off, you can forget about getting a word in at all !!! ... as for partnerships and sex, this energy frequently requires more than one partner for total fulfillment !!!

Mars in Gemini teaches us to learn how to get what we want through communicating on all levels ... it's the live wire ... it's touch and go ... in fact it is a real go-getter - quick to think, quick to act, and then quick to move on ... if you want to know something, it won't be too long before you simply go and ask ... the desire nature, the tongue and the nervous system are all wired together here ... attaining the object of ones desires and satisfying them is usually achieved quickly ... there is a need with Mars in Gemini to learn to slow down in order to see what is really happening in order to discover what it is your heart truly desires ... and this can be challenging as Mars energy, especially in this sign, DOES NOT like to slow down ... know anyone born under this planetary energy ??? ... I rest, so to speak, my case !!!

The contact ultimately to be made under this energy is with ones self - until you are able to concentrate your attention and learn to distinguish between what you want, what you have, and what you can't have, you will fall victim to your nervous system running in overdrive and dictating what you do ... these high strung energies need a constant outlet ... and when you run into someone who frustrates your energies, it becomes necessary to determine what it really is about that person that is driving you - up, down, forward, backward, wild or plain crazy - and you may ultimately discover it is something inside of YOU !!! ... the energy of Mars in Gemini can be expressed in the following ways :

POSITIVE: sharp-witted, humorous, stimulating, ingenious, dexterous, resourceful, adaptable, quick, agile, lively, mobile, eloquent, inquisitive, communicative, contact-maker, versatile mind, flexible, full of ideas, multi-talented

NEGATIVE: sharp-tongued, sarcastic, irreverent, argumentative, mischievous, meddlesome, unreliable, hasty, jumpy, unable to relax, restless, verbose, nosy, rambling, gets wired crossed, scatters thoughts, changeable, lacking in perseverance

GEMINI BORN - enjoy this second extra burst of get up and go, as if you really need it anyway, for roughly the next six weeks but remember that Mercury, which rules Gemini, will be retrograde for 25 days during this transit ... so be careful not to "incinerate" anyone else with this added "fired" up energy while it is blazing through your birth sign even with your ruling planet retrograde for a large portion of this transit !!! 

Mars now joins Uranus already transiting through the sign of Gemini and given its highly driven energy here, the overstimulation will most likely be in excess wearing one out mentally and physically ... Mars remains in Gemini until August 11th !!! ... again, just a word of caution, Mercury, ruling planet of Gemini, will be retrograde for 25 days of this Mars transit which is June 29th through July 23rd !!!

Two more caveats here ... first, Uranus is in the very early degrees of Gemini which means these two aggressive planets will meet up in a conjunction, that is they will be at the same degree of Gemini that being 3 degrees of Gemini, which occurs on July 4th at 2:08 am EDT - check your natal chart as this could potentially be a "hot spot" for you in the area of life wherever this conjunction occurs in regards to the house position it falls ... the 4th of July holiday in the United States could be quite "explosive" in more ways than one as a result ... second, caution should be taken this whole week ahead, June 28th through July 5th, as Mars moves up to make its conjunction and tension builds should this energy not be expressed positively, there could be a lot of problems on many levels ... best to "drop back and punt" and certainly bite your tongue if you feel rage, anger and rebellion stirring up from inside !!!

One more complete sign transit to go ere Mars takes its next retrograde journey ... Mars will take its next retrograde journey from January 10th, 2026 through April 1st, 2027 ... this will be a dual sign Mars retrograde going from 10 degrees 25 minutes Virgo back to 20 degrees 55 minutes Leo ...  it would be a very wise idea to find out in which house or houses per signs and degrees in your natal chart this lengthy retrograde, 81 days, will take place so you get an idea where in your life the main thrust of this Mars retrograde may make its presence potentially felt ... Aries born especially, but also Virgo and Leo born may potentially be more affected but we all might be to some degree !!!

For now - let's all take a deep breath and get out there and, in one way or another, BUST A MOVE - INTELLECTUALLY ... PHYSICALLY ... OR BOTH  !!! 

LIVING THROUGH NURTURING ... THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME !!!

 

The SUN began its transit through the emotional, nurturing sign of Cancer today, June 21st, at 4:24 AM EDT heralding the arrival of Summer in the Northern hemisphere ... also known as the Summer Solstice - the longest day of the year - the days now begin getting shorter each day until the Winter Solstice - which began in the Southern hemisphere today - in December in the Northern hemisphere ... the Sun, now "swimming" through Cancer, a water sign, hopefully ensures the slowing down of a very hectic pace of life that potentially occurred roughly within the last 30 days while it was racing through the high strung sign of Gemini !!!

We now begin to process life through a more emotional rather than an intellectual filter ... with the Sun in Cancer one needs to grow through nurturing warmth, through protection, through attracting others through sympathy/dependency, and through family, ancestry or roots !!!

Cancer is the sign whose key phrase is its need to give and receive emotional warmth and security, to feel and to give devotion ... Cancer born individuals are warm and understanding but they can be very touchy at times ... wound them or befriend them and they will never forget ... they love to keep in touch and usually have a remarkable memory ... this is probably the most sensitive sign of the Zodiac but it is also often the least likely to let you know what they are feeling deep inside !!!

Cancer is a feminine/water/cardinal(beginnings) sign ... its symbol is the Crab - possessing an impenetrable exterior which covers soft flesh below ... the glyph of Cancer is the claws of the Crab which are also representative of the human breasts ... symbolically, the glyph shows two circles of the Sun that are connected to two crescent Moons ... these two Moons represent the Cancer desire to store memories and possessions, and the circles tied to the Moons represent the force which is expressed through the emotions and the imagination ... Cancer rules the breasts and the stomach which explains why Cancer born usually love to eat and often fight the battle of the bulge - unless modified by other energy in the natal chart !!! .. they are also subject to digestive ailments resulting from tension and emotional stress ... anatomically, Cancer also rules digestion, the left eye of the male and the right eye of the female !!!

Cancer is ruled by the Moon - maybe you can now understand why Cancer born individuals seem to go through many mood changes so quickly - after all, the Moon does change signs about every 2 to 2 and a half days ... it takes roughly 28 days to complete a spin around the entire zodiac ... the Moon represents the female principle - mother, wife and women in general ... it also represents the public in general, along with instincts, moods, the tides, phases, receptivity, fluctuation, habit patterns, reflex actions, personal interests, desires, needs, magnetism, growth, fertility, the need to touch, impressionability, consciousness, liquids, commodities, nursing, tradespeople !!!

Cancer is the natural ruler of the 4th house of the horoscope ... the 4th house shows property - houses and real estate - and all that is secluded ... it is the house of endings, the closing years of life, the ending of all matters, fame after death and place of burial ... it represents the parent who has greater influence on you as a child, your subjective self, and the foundation on which you build your own unique character ... as a child one may perceive this house as relating to both parents but as one learns through growth and understanding, the 4th house will ultimately reflect the nurturing parent !!!

While the Sun transits Cancer, the Universe encourages each one of us to learn to live through nurturing oneself as well as others ... it's holding on with Love - the instinct for survival ... Cancer has also been often referred to as the "Lighthouse of Welcome" ... the ultimate lesson here is that ones family is the Human Race itself ... emotional awareness is more acute here so use it constructively ... determine and perform your responsibilities generously ... learn to trust in the Universe and understand that all things must pass, and realize each day is a new day a new beginning ... the energy of the Sun in Cancer may be expressed the following ways:

POSITIVE: emotional, feeling, receptive, sensitive, psychic, gentle, tender, vulnerable, sympathetic, nurturing, providing, caring, protective, maternal, feeding, domestic, patriotic, shy, retiring, collecting, tenacious, oriented toward the past, retentive, emotionally encouraging, thrifty

NEGATIVE: insecure, moody, defensive, devious, over-emotional, non-trusting, hypersensitive, touchy, brooding, smothering, clinging, consuming, over-protective, dependent, fearful, timid, clannish, withdrawn, grasping, stuck in the past, afraid to let go, anti-social, argumentative, apathetic

HAPPY SOLAR RETURN CANCER BORN - this is your time of the year to SHINE even though a lot of you will get Mercury retrograde in Cancer in your solar return chart for the year ahead ... and have a good cry if  you're feeling really emotional - maybe a lot of us will under this energy !!!

The Sun is now transiting through Cancer with Mercury and Jupiter - a lot of emotions have the potential to surface for each of us to deal with in order to move forward by promoting further personal and spiritual growth ... the Sun remains in Cancer until July 22nd ... a gentle reminder that Mercury will be retrograde in Cancer for the final 24 days of this solar transit beginning on June 29th !!!

Obviously our feelings and emotions will be heightened and challenged ... be prepared to become more in touch with them whether it be through a fleeting glimpse or a deeply profound experience with something or someone near and dear to you ... and, as the Crab always carries its home - its shell - on its back wherever it goes, we all might as well click our heels 3 times and repeat what Cancer energy, as well as Dorothy Gale, so lovingly makes us aware of - 

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME !!!

ROMANTIC, PASSIONATE, ARTISTIC, PLAYFUL, FUN TO BE WITH - THE LOVE OF GOOD OLD-FASHIONED ROMANCE !!!

VENUS begins its "roaring" transit through the very dramatic and intensely romantic sign of Leo Saturday, June 13th, at 6:47 AM EDT ... Venus was last in Leo from August 25th through September 19th, 2025... Venus is now in a "relationship" with the Sun, ruling planet of Leo which naturally rules the 5th house of romance, creativity and pleasure - the potential possibilities could be limitless !!!

THIS VENUS CARES - IT REALLY CARES, and will make darn sure you know it !!! .. this energy loves big entrances and high drama ... ultimately, it just outright loves good old-fashioned romance ... it enjoys the limelight, attention, admiration and applause ... it gives a natural magnetism and sex appeal ... others often find the expression of this energy down right exciting ... affection is expressed dramatically and wholeheartedly ... it can make one magnanimous, loyal, playful and magnetic in love ... the handling of money and possessions is usually generous, extravagant, and speculative ... there is a desire for zest, enthusiasm and an adrenaline rush in ones love relationships ... ones pride and urge for recognition affects ones capacity for closeness ... clothes and appearance are also very important with this energy !!!

Venus in Leo is all about learning to love through what we create ... this is where love "shines" ... it is important to give some form of creative expression to your feelings and passion in relationships ... and even though one is very  enthusiastic, there ironically may exist a deep-seated "doubt" of ones own ability to be loved which others cannot detect outwardly from you ... artistic sense is very strong ... life is frequently viewed as an ongoing creative experience !!!

At some point, one must ultimately go looking for their inner beauty ... one thing you can be compared with is your self-respect ... what each of us has to give is priceless ... channel the larger than life energy here into larger than life pursuits or pastimes ... love and allow yourself to be loved in return ... this energy likes admiration, mutual respect, lavish parties, showing off ones partner, and old fashioned classic courtship ... it dislikes even the slightest rejection, behavior that is insulting, being "shown up" by others, and a lack luster love ... the energy of Venus in Leo can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: romantic, ardent, passionate, loyal, artistic, dramatic, entertaining, fun-loving, radiant, outgoing, warm, openly affectionate, charming, attractive, benevolent, gives a lot, social pride, personal pride, fun to be with

NEGATIVE: unrealistic, sexually obsessed, consuming, too loyal, prima donna, overbearing, demanding, inappropriate, self-centered, showy, brassy, flirtatious, seducing, flaunting, expects too much, snobbish, vain,  competitive, game-playing

Leo born, the social and romantic spotlight is now shining brightly on you - enjoy the flames of passion and love ... just be careful not to incinerate yourself or anyone else with it !!!

Venus is transiting through the sign of Leo by itself ... we now have a chance to discover and face what is truly in our hearts and how to genuinely and creatively express that in our partnerships and relationships, or perhaps change something in order to make our partnerships and relationships more beneficial and provide more positive and spiritual growth in our lives ... Venus remains in Leo until July 9th !!!

Heads up for those who might be planning a "special" occasion in 2026 and like to be prepared ... Venus will take its next retrograde journey from October 3rd through November 13th, 2026 going from 8 degrees 29 minutes Scorpio back to 22 degrees 51 minutes Libra ... and least we forget, the last Mercury retrograde, completely in the sign of Scorpio, will be embedded in the final 20 days of the Venus retrograde - take it away Pat Benatar ... "LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD" !!! 

SUBCONSCIOUSLY PICKING UP SIGNALS FROM EVERYONE ELSE ... ENJOYING THE MULTIPLE MENTAL TRIPS DOWN MEMORY LANE !!!

  

MERCURY began its extended transit through the domestic, sympathetic sign of Cancer on Monday, June1st, at 7:56 AM  EDT ... our thinking and communicative processes now turn from a highly intellectual mode towards a more emotional mode of operation as the ruler of Cancer is the Moon which, among other things, rules the emotions ... our thinking and communicating often ends up resulting from how we FEEL !!! ... Mercury was last in the sign of Cancer from June 8th through June 26th, 2025 !!!

Mercury in Cancer has a way of subconsciously picking up signals from everyone else .. the mind becomes as much a receiver as a transmitter under this energy ... here we have a highly intuitive mode of thinking and communicating ... this placement also usually bestows a very good memory along with strong poetic power ... Mercury in Cancer thinks with the heart and often interprets the meaning of others communications through how it "feels" !!!

Mercury in Cancer does not always say everything it is feeling as it tries to avoid hurting itself and others as well with careless ill-spoken comments ... one is very protective of their thoughts ... it likes to nurture ideas and encourage growth before sharing ... one uses emotions as well as logic and often may end up letting sensitivities sway ones decisions ... subconscious fears, habits, or prejudices could inhibit ones objectivity or openness to the new !!!

Mercury in Cancer usually bestows above-average psychic ability ... one learns through absorbing their experiences and making emotional connections ... interest here may include family, the home, the land, the past, the public or security ... Oh yes, we most definitely may find ourselves thinking about food A LOT, and hopefully that thinking doesn't become a nasty habit of overeating causing us to expand in ways we would rather NOT !!!

Mercury in Cancer teaches us the importance of thinking through nurturing ... it is a caring mind ... one has to be careful not to take everything so personally here ... it is important to remember to look at the facts in addition to the opinions of others ... it is also important to remember and be aware that each one of us is our own source of light and warmth ... most importantly it is necessary to make a collection of good memories that will give rise to clear and positive thinking ... the energy of Mercury in Cancer can be expressed in the following ways:

POSITIVE: mentally tenacious, good memory, reliable, sensitive mind, poetic, intuitive, agreeable, absorbs information, attuned to public opinion, profound, polite, softly-spoken, discreet, diplomatic, arouses sympathies, emotionally appealing, persuasive speaker

NEGATIVE: mentally habit-ridden, distracted, inflexible, overly impressionable, impractical, irrational, yes-person, too open, taking things too personally, depressive, self-conscious, unclear, incomprehensible, diffuse,  prejudiced, untruthful



Mercury now joins Venus and Jupiter currently in transit through Cancer ... Mercury will remain in Cancer until - WAIT FOR IT - August 9th and you know why !!!



Mercury ere it takes its second retrograde journey for 2026 occurring from June 29th through July 23rd completely in the sign of Cancer going from 26 degrees 15 minutes back to 16 degrees 18 minutes Cancer ... this is the second of three Mercury retrogrades completely in water signs for 2026 ... the final one will be October 24 through November 13th completely in the sign of Scorpio as well as being completely embedded in the ending of the upcoming Venus retrograde which takes place from October 3rd through November 13th - what a way to end the year !!! ... Mercury enters its next shadow point on June 12th/13th, depending on which time zone in which you live, when it reaches 16 degrees 18 minutes Cancer !!!

While Mercury is transiting through the sign of Cancer, one should realize that the natural ability to influence others is worthy of only our highest motives ... tuning in to ones finer feelings and expressing them is ultimately more rewarding ... and finally, try to focus on what you are after, who you are with and why ... and then stick with that !!! ... and by all means - enjoy the multiple mental trips down memory lane as they will surely "light the corners of your mind" !!!  

THE DESIRE TO NURTURE AND/OR BE NURTURED IN ONES LOVE RELATIONSHIPS - THE NEED TO HEAR THE WORDS "I LOVE YOU" ... OFTEN !!!

  

VENUS - the planet of love, affection, attraction, social interactions and desires as well as the ruler of the 2nd and 7th houses of the natural zodiac - began its emotional swim through the nurturing, intuitive sign of Cancer on Monday, May 18th, at 9:05 PM EDT  ... Venus was last in Cancer from July 30th through August 25th, 2025 !!!  

Venus transiting through a WATER sign such as this, ruled by the Moon, takes on an even more emotional rather than an intellectual connection to everything it is attracted to ... Venus in Cancer enjoys home, food, nurturing and/or dependency ... it can be very sensitive and protective in relating to people, and it appreciates emotional warmth and attachments ... affection is expressed protectively, tenaciously and in a nurturing manner ... pleasure is found through security ... ones comfort level may well depend on feeling like part of a "family" !!!

Venus in Cancer produces a preference to share within a very closely attached group ... if one should lack faith under this energy, there could be a result of moodiness, shyness, over protection - including self and others, and stinginess which could interfere with the potential for closeness and the ability to enjoy life ... money and possessions are usually handled cautiously ... there is a desire to nurture and/or be nurtured in ones love relationships ... closeness involves dependency, care taking and receptivity ... this Venus energy can be somewhat thin-skinned and truly needs to hear the words "I love you" often !!!

Venus in Cancer shows us to learn to love oneself as well as others through the process of nurturing ... it believes that home is indeed where the heart is ... the expression of love here is tied into the need to give or receive comfort and security ... there is the trap to become so concerned with receiving love that you forget the quality and quantity of love you actually give ... this love is usually of the most instinctive kind ... there is a romantic leaning towards the sentimental ... there also comes a rather changeable nature in showing or accepting affection which usually is a result of doubts about ones own attractiveness ... home and family are central to ones happiness here ... there is the possibility that one possesses cooking, decorating, or other domestic skills under this energy ... sometimes the fear of change and/or disruption within the home and family produce worry which physically expressed manifests in the form of stomach or throat problems ... the  energy of Venus in Cancer can be expressed the following ways:

POSITIVE: gentle, kind, tender, romantic, sentimental, sensitive, compassionate, dreamy, devoted, loyal, unselfish, dependable, caring, protective, motherly, sympathetic, home-making, reassuring, comforting

NEGATIVE: timid, gooey, fawning, easily hurt, moody, muddled, clingy, too attached, weak-willed, dependent, fussy, shy, insecure, fears unfamiliar, gluttonous, vulnerable, taking others for granted, emotional threatening, inhospitable

Cancer born individuals, this is your time to "glow" as Venus moves through your birth sign and shines its "love light" on you ... be nice and kind enough and you just might get what you ask for !!!

Venus now joins Jupiter currently transiting through the sign of Cancer ... Venus remains in the sign of Cancer until June 13th !!!

Once again for those who might be planning a "special occasion" this year, a reminder that Venus will take its next retrograde journey, a dual sign retrograde, October 3rd through November 13th going from 8 degrees 29 minutes Scorpio back to 22 degrees 51 minutes Libra ... and to add potentially more drama, the final Mercury retrograde of 2026 will be completely embedded in the Venus retrograde as it will occur at the end of the Venus retrograde from October 24th through November 13th completely in the sign of Scorpio - the more you know !!!

While Venus transits the sign of Cancer, try to relax and enjoy as the Universe is guiding us and teaching us how to gently navigate through the "emotional waters" of love ... perhaps we all now could try and use Mother Nature as a "role model" for how to nurture and nourish ourselves as well as others ... allowing others to sometimes lean on you will help prevent you from continuously leaning on others too much ... by admitting to our hopes and what hurts us we can ultimately encourage others to do so as well !!!

ONE IMPORTANT CAVEAT HERE - with the potential for the love of food, along with "other" things and you know exactly what I am talking about, being greatly heightened, as the old saying goes, ONE WHO INDULGES - BULGES ... in the case of this particular "loving" energy transit, it could be in more than one way - check back with me in DECEMBER/JANUARY ... okay ???