Summer of Change: The Solstice, New Moon in Cancer, and Solar Eclipse

We are experiencing a whole bunch of change, transformation, and new beginnings starting this weekend. It's the first day of summer, the first day of Cancer season, the first weekend of Mercury retrograde, and the start of a brand-new lunar cycle via the June 2020 new moon. This weekend's new moon will align with the sun in the emotional sign of Cancer, it is also a solar eclipse — which means that it's going to feel a lot more intense. Eclipses tend to speed up fate and bring about rapid changes in our lives. We're seeing this intensity on a large scale right now, as the civil uprisings against systemic racism are bringing about massive change in our society. But this weekend's eclipse in the sensitive sign of Cancer will also induce change on a much more personal level, hitting close to our hearts, shaking our foundations, and stirring up emotions.

This may seem like a bad omen or a warning of tumultuous times; however, change is necessary and it's good. We have all been living a distorted version of reality for months now, and that can be a bit draining on your mental health. It can also be hard to know what parts of our daily routine are still working for us these days and that can be incredibly stressful. Sunday's eclipse is all about being nurturing and gentle on yourself, so prioritize self-care this weekend and take some time out for personal reflection.

I have a full yoga class for the Summer Solstice and New Moon in Cancer HERE for you to work on self care, your third eye chakra that is ruled by Cancer, and opening up yourself to receiving all of the change and abundance that this season will bring.

The Nature of Cancer

Emotional, intuitive, and practically psychic; ruled by the moon and characterized by the crab, Cancer has so much going on in its watery depths. Cancers may seem prickly and standoffish at first meeting, once they make the decision to become friends with someone, that person has a friend for life.

Cancers tends to be happiest when they're part of a pair, and the best relationship brings out their greatest traits. But even though a Cancer thrives in a duo, he or she also has an independent streak, and needs plenty of time to do things solo. This sign has an active internal life and is often happy living in the realm of imagination. Sometimes Cancers need help from one of the more grounded signs to make their dreams a reality.

Cancer loves creating and needs some type of creative outlet, whether it's painting, writing, or even just reading. Cancer also loves connecting to a higher power and may find comfort in religion or spiritual practices. And even though Crabs can be intense, they also have a funny side with a wry sense of humor, and they're adept at observing and mimicking people around them.

Finally, Cancer is incredibly loyal, sometimes to a fault. Cancers will go to the ends of the earth and even against their own beliefs to help someone they love. Learning how to step up for what they believe in—even if it means turning down or against a friend—is a lifelong lesson for Cancer. As the emotional heart of the Zodiac, this sign teaches everyone else that, while there's so much in life that we may not be able to see, we should still pay attention to the unseen because it does exist—and we do need it!

Summer Solstice

While you may think this is the official start of summer, Summer Solstice is traditionally known as Midsummer, and therefore the middle of the summer season, which actually begins May Day (or Beltane). During Summer Solstice, the Sun is at its greatest distance from the earth’s equator and travels its longest path through the sky, and that day therefore has the most daylight making it the longest day of the year, always around June 21st.

Throughout history (for more than 5,000 years), clever, industrious people have marked this moment, building monuments like Stonehenge in the UK and Karnak in Egypt as a place to note the Sun’s path: at the Stonehenge circle the sun rises directly in line with the rock formation on the summer solstice. The event is marked by the sun moving into Cancer, the first of the water signs, so we can anticipate a shift in energy.

The Summer Solstice is also known as Litha, and it is a lovely holiday to be spent watching the sunrise/sunset, gardening, cooking with fresh vegetables and fruit, creating faerie circles, divination (tarot and others), taking a flower bath and more!

Litha brings in abundance in the home and hearth, partnered with Cancer will bring in emotional abundance as well.

Solar Eclipse

Solar eclipses are extra powerful lunar events, rallying the energy of three new moons in one. This one is even more important because it happens the same day as the summer solstice and the day the sun enters Cancer. This solar eclipse is a turning point in human history, poised to accelerate social change. This particular eclipse is happening at zero degrees Cancer, meaning it will bring emotional needs to the surface.

During this eclipse, both the sun and the moon will be forming a tense quincunx aspect to task-master Saturn in Aquarius. At its worst, Saturn represents the rules and limitations that have been imposed on us and that over time have turned corrupt and oppressive. Although Cancer is a sign that would normally want to stay home and feel cozy, this link to Saturn says that the actions we take during this new moon have long-term consequences.

Prepare for an Emotional Tidal Wave + Abundance

This massive build-up of change is sure to shake things loose as we enter a new season this Summer.

Cancer is our cardinal water sign, they lead by the heart, and casts a palpable emotional force that pushes into new territory. Cardinal water uses the force of feelings to envelope and sometimes manipulate others.

Generally cardinal signs are the instigators, ready to forge ahead with plans and attract those who can support their efforts. Cardinal signs are leaders and tend to be outgoing because they're engaged with the world in a dynamic way. They're restless to start new projects and happiest when they're running the show.

Because of the summer solstice and solar eclipse, all of this change and these emotions will also usher in abundance - if you open yourself up to receive it.

Use the mantra “I am open to receive” and embody it with my full yoga class for all of these astrological events!

Remember to focus on self-love during this tumultuous time, I’d love to hear what you’re doing to take care of yourself! Leave me a comment below letting me know! Remember to follow, like, and subscribe on YouTube and Instagram!

Love, Natasha