June 17 - July 12, 2016
Click here to learn about Venus. Click here to learn about Cancer.
Venus embodies the Divine Feminine: romance, beauty, pleasure and fine art. Her transits manifest in the emotional body. We’ll move from mind to heart, and a protected one at that. Venus in Cancer is deliciously irrational. She feels as she swims: delicate, fragile, just like the moon. We won’t take risks, nor will we treat matters lightly. Venus in Cancer is so warm and fuzzy, she can be like a too-heavy blanket, smothering with her love.
The focus now is on our roots, settling down and getting comfortable. Venus is very much at home in Cancer. Besides the Moon, Venus is the most feminine of all the planets, and Cancer is arguably the most feminine of all the signs. After the swift, versatile energy of Gemini, Venus wants us to breathe and intuit (words –> feelings). Imagine plunging into a cool lake after a long day of meeting and conversing with others. Water refreshes, soothes and supports. Let’s reflect: what have we learned? Who are we now?
Venus in Cancer is an eternal bond, as with your lover or through the course of motherhood/parenting. You may feel an overwhelming desire to love and be loved, as we will be eager to share our dedication, affection and devotion. The brokenhearted crab cries: no one understands me, and no one wants me! Venus in Cancer can make us feel like we care too much and love too hard. When crabs feel threatened, they retreat into their shells. This is exactly how we may react now to unpleasant external forces. I visualize Cancer as an exposed nerve or soft underbelly: tender, moody, vulnerable. Fear overrides everything for the imbalanced Cancer. Our worries may quickly blossom and multiply, but only if we let them.
Venus enters Cancer just three days before the Sun, so we’ll get a preview of the sweetness. Crankiness aside, the crab is indeed a sweet critter. Let’s look at Cancer from a greater context, taking into consideration the entire zodiac wheel and her position as Leo’s forerunner; as Leo follows Cancer, the themes of Leo therefore build upon those of the crab. So Cancer prepares us to receive the lion’s bounty, and her methods reveal what it is exactly that we are preparing to receive. Water gives way to fire in this instance: the leonine fire of pride and childlike joy. We cannot take pride in the Self if we don’t love who we are, and I think that’s Cancer’s speciality - teaching us how to love and take care of ourselves.
After we have healthy respect for our heart and intuition, which we experience tucked away from the outside world (Cancer), we can step into more expressive, extroverted roles (Leo). After talking to and spending quality time with family, especially mother or other important female figures (Cancer), we cultivate mutual respect for loved ones and practice grandiose generosity (Leo). After we learn how to save and stabilize (Cancer), we can spend freely and enjoy pleasurable, leisurely days ahead (Leo). Life might feel ooey-gooey, touchy-feely, wishy-washy for awhile, but the fire will be here soon enough and who knows, you might even long for the oceanside once it’s fizzled away in the flames. For now, find solace beneath the waves. Curl up inside your egg shell, rest in your cocoon. Calm your heart with Cancer Yoga.
I was born with Venus in Cancer, so this month will be my Venus Return! If you don’t know your personal Venus sign, click here.
Mantra: I feel