The dark moon is in Cancer, passing yesterday’s sextile to Mercury in Virgo and opposing Pluto in Capricorn later this morning. Mars has made fresh entry to Leo, and Venus retrograde in Leo continues her square to Saturn at Scorpio’s end. Jupiter is separating from his conjunction with Venus in the sign of the Lion, entering Virgo to join Mercury.
Before playing in the rays of leonine insights — some of which I’ve saved for the new moon August 14th — I would like to reflect on Mars’ movement through Cancer over the first half of this summer.
Throughout the confluence of planets in fire and water signs these last several weeks and counting, much has been moved by emotion, passion and polarity swings. Mars in Cancer — the sign traditionally regarded as its fall -- has reminded us not to overstate things, be too pushy or passive-aggressively coerce others, especially in matters domestic, romantic and straight-up assertive. While Mars’ trine to Saturn in Scorpio suggested that effective work was done in the warm drama’s midst, this work inevitably took on a high-strung, ‘hot mess’ kind of vibe.
My experience with two particular individuals born during Mars in Cancer — both Aquarius rising — often brings to mind the image of a warrior drawing on wellsprings, yet afflicted by doubts like angry birds. For those born with or living through the red planet in Cancer, there is a divinely inspired creativity, yet the essential openness of their minds and spirits can invite a chaotic mix. In this way, polar mood swings and emotional bedlam are wrought on the individual and those surrounding in a haphazard blend of borderline sadism and masochism. The native is sometimes unable to see his role in perpetuating the victimhood he may weave, the weight and myopia of passing pains, anger and fears.
These descriptions certainly apply to the Mars in Cancer climate witnessed in the past seven weeks. With the Gemini stellium of June, mental hyperactivity and doubts darted down as Mercury and its home sign are wont to facilitate. On June 24th Mars entered the first decan — that is, the first of three 10° slices — of Cancer, whose occupation thereof astrologer Austin Coppock noted for the “ruthlessness to which unmet needs can push people.”
Sure enough, on June 26th under a Scorpio moon, two people attempted to break into my apartment while I was there with a lovely woman — and Mercury the prying trickster was in its domicile Gemini, sitting in the 4th house of home, roots and ‘the space below oneself’ at the moments they attempted to kick down the deadbolted door then climb in the window. While there was an auspicious Venus-Jupiter conjunction on the Descendant that could have aided the intruders just as much, our luck had it that they were more spooked — notwithstanding the menacing yet surprised voice that replied to mine, its owner mostly hidden behind a half-opened back window.
The erratic disdain of an Aquarius Ascendant squaring Saturn in Scorpio… and its daring wildcard move in opposition to that Venus-Jupiter conjunction. The humanity of Neptune and Chiron in Pisces intercepted in the 1st house… and so the consideration for the welfare of others characterizing a 7th house Libra North Node certainly called into question, what with Virgo’s empty interception in the 7th.
Even more profound… after a long gap (to get on the roof and mistakenly score my floormate's apartment first) between the moment these fellows attempted to drop my door and the moment they started to open that window, Mars (conjunct the Sun in Cancer) moved from the 5th house — which has long symbolized children, gambling and risk-taking — to the 4th. The 4th house, and sign of Cancer to which it’s analogous, are both the receptive window to Mercury and Mars’ knives.
Even more profound… after a long gap (to get on the roof and mistakenly score my floormate's apartment first) between the moment these fellows attempted to drop my door and the moment they started to open that window, Mars (conjunct the Sun in Cancer) moved from the 5th house — which has long symbolized children, gambling and risk-taking — to the 4th. The 4th house, and sign of Cancer to which it’s analogous, are both the receptive window to Mercury and Mars’ knives.
I happened to sign a lease on the Cancer new moon July 16th, of course… securing a new home that gets lovelier by the day. I maintain my old one as a workspace and place for friends to stay, out of love and convenience — and as a middle finger. Trouble has always been awful at robbing or successfully toppling me in any way. Then again, my ancestors and spirit guides have been working overtime for many years. Thanks gang.
The familial, domestic and amorous aggressions of Mars in Cancer moved across the sign’s three faces over the first half of this summer, entering Leo on August 8th. Austin Coppock’s description of Cancer decan III, which he calls “The Overflowing Cup”, offers words important to the insatiability and home-related malcontent of Mars in Cancer. Keep in mind Leo’s first decan is never far from these waters:
The familial, domestic and amorous aggressions of Mars in Cancer moved across the sign’s three faces over the first half of this summer, entering Leo on August 8th. Austin Coppock’s description of Cancer decan III, which he calls “The Overflowing Cup”, offers words important to the insatiability and home-related malcontent of Mars in Cancer. Keep in mind Leo’s first decan is never far from these waters:
from 36 Faces: The History, Astrology and Magic of the Decans ::
“In a world of limited material resources, the attainment of luxury for one entails deprivation for others. Yet this world is not our creation, and none of our acts will erase its abundant inequalities. For those who walk this face and seek its fruits there is therefore a karmic dilemma involved. It is therefore of vital importance in this decan to share, to invest the excess that one acquires in good works — to be a conduit for luxury, not its endpoint.
Though many of the figures found here may get lost in the process of obtaining luxury, much lies beyond acquisition. As expressed by Abraham Maslow’s pyramid of needs, many human activities are only possible when the basic needs for food and security are met. Those who aspire to spend their days pondering philosophy or decorating the human world with art have positions which depend upon luxury. These excesses make the specialized labor of aesthetes and intellectuals possible.
Therefore, this decan not only points its residents to the struggle between luxury and scarcity, it also poses a question: what does one do with the excess one accumulates? Success in the attainment of wealth tests and reveals the character of its possessors.”
Though many of the figures found here may get lost in the process of obtaining luxury, much lies beyond acquisition. As expressed by Abraham Maslow’s pyramid of needs, many human activities are only possible when the basic needs for food and security are met. Those who aspire to spend their days pondering philosophy or decorating the human world with art have positions which depend upon luxury. These excesses make the specialized labor of aesthetes and intellectuals possible.
Therefore, this decan not only points its residents to the struggle between luxury and scarcity, it also poses a question: what does one do with the excess one accumulates? Success in the attainment of wealth tests and reveals the character of its possessors.”
Our truest hours of wealth are not merely material, but found in the thoughts, feelings and creations we fill ourselves with and pour out upon others. What we share and build together. Have the chaotic, doubtful airs stilled? Have our cups been open to receiving the ‘right’ treasures? Have we learned to empty them and listen for what will best fill us to overflowing, what will most passionately participate in our ongoing dances of thirst and satiety?
As Mars has joined the skyward Leo stellium, there is a more forward-moving pride and gusto pleasantly tapered by Virgo’s humility and discretion. Yet the Cancer-Leo cusp is called ‘Oscillation’ by Goldschneider and Elffers, and Mars is very much within this energetic seesaw. Moods are incendiary and volatile, the health and hearth of body and home all lit up topics. Desire and asceticism. Pride and prudence.
May we be discerning in our virtues and selective in our expressions of pride. There is courageous sunlight in both the Hermit and the Virgin’s withholding — a wisdom and seasoned hesitation in the Lion’s surefire pounce.
As Mars has joined the skyward Leo stellium, there is a more forward-moving pride and gusto pleasantly tapered by Virgo’s humility and discretion. Yet the Cancer-Leo cusp is called ‘Oscillation’ by Goldschneider and Elffers, and Mars is very much within this energetic seesaw. Moods are incendiary and volatile, the health and hearth of body and home all lit up topics. Desire and asceticism. Pride and prudence.
May we be discerning in our virtues and selective in our expressions of pride. There is courageous sunlight in both the Hermit and the Virgin’s withholding — a wisdom and seasoned hesitation in the Lion’s surefire pounce.