Lunar Eclipse- Full Moon in Cancer

Eclipses disrupt the natural rhythms of life, bring up shadows, and ask us to see old situations with a new perspective.

Tomorrow at 11:13am PDT the Moon in Cancer at 20º00’ sits across from the Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. This lunar eclipse invites us to release our outdated structures and boundaries we have in place- especially the ones that have kept us isolated. We are asked to let go of the idea that our worth is contingent upon our material success. This is a time to acknowledge the restrictions we have placed on our selves and others- in particular the ones that cut us off from connection, compassion, and a sense of belonging.

Eclipses are a time to let go of the illusion of control, to embrace that everything is temporary, and to move into a space of deep acceptance.

Since July 2018, eclipses have been occurring on the axis of Cancer and Capricorn.

Horoscopes

These areas of life have undergone intense change over the last 1.5 years. Read for your rising sign if you know it.

Aries & Aries Rising

The 4th House of home, family and private life & the 10th House of career, public image and reputation.

Taurus & Taurus Rising

The 3rd House of short-distance travel, learning, and siblings & the 9th House of long-distance travel, higher education, and philosophy.

Gemini & Gemini Rising

The 2nd House of possessions, income, and personal resources & the 8th House of shared resources, inheritances and death.

Cancer & Cancer Rising

The 1st House of identity, appearance and vitality & the 7th House of partnerships, relationships and marriage.

Leo & Leo Rising

The 6th House of work, daily routines, and health & the 12th House of self-undoing, loss, and the unconscious.

Virgo & Virgo Rising

The 5th House of pleasure, children & creativity & the 11th House of groups, alliances and hopes.

Libra & Libra Rising

The 10th House of career, public image and reputation & the 4th House of home, family and private life.

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising

The 9th House of long-distance travel, higher education and philosophy & the 3rd House of short-distance travel, learning and siblings.

Sagittarius & Sagittarius Rising

The 8th House of shared resources, inheritances and death & the 2nd House of possessions, income, and personal resources.

Capricorn & Capricorn Rising

The 7th House of partnerships, relationships and marriage & the 1st House of identity, appearance and vitality.

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising

The 12th House of self-undoing, loss, and the unconscious & the 6th House of work, daily routines, and health.

Pisces & Pisces Rising

The 11th House of groups, alliances and hopes & the 5th House of pleasure, creativity, and pleasure.

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If you have any natal planets between 20º and 22º of the cardinal signs: Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn- including angles such as the degree of the ascendent or the Midheaven, this eclipse may feel especially potent.

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Emotions may run high- stay grounded and try to be compassionate to yourself and others.

What is Mercury retrograde?

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, taking about 88 days to complete its orbit. About 3 times a year, Mercury turns retrograde, or appears to move backwards from our vantage point on Earth. Mercury is not actually moving backwards, but it is the apparent movement we observe against the backdrop of fixed stars that creates this visual illusion.

Mercury rules things that move quickly- technology, travel, and communication. Mercury is also a symbol of the mind. As this fast-moving planet slows down and appears to move backwards, it is a time to reprocess and review the emotional content and landscape of the last few weeks. Repeating, reassessing, reevaluating, redoing…are all things that may surface during any Mercury retrograde.

From July 7 to 31, Mercury will appear to move from 4º28’ Leo to 23º57’ Cancer. During this part of Mercury’s orbit, it will be at its closest to Earth until the next retrograde cycle in October. When a planet moves closer to Earth, and therefore farther away from the sun, its energy can become louder and more intense.

Mercury in the signs:

Mercury will be retracing its steps in the signs of Leo and Cancer. Mercury in Leo is charismatic, charming and performative. In Leo, Mercury expresses itself creatively, passionately and courageously. Mercury in Cancer is reserved, intuitive, and cautious. In Cancer, Mercury is sensitive, emotionally intelligent, and expresses itself subjectively.

Mercury’s journey in the sky:

Mercury will appear to stop at 4º28’ Leo this Sunday, July 7. It will move backwards through the first degrees of Leo until it reaches Cancer on July 19. From July 19 through 31, Mercury will back up all the way to 23º57’ Cancer, where it will then begin to move forward again. It isn’t until August 14 that Mercury returns to 4º28’ Leo- where it is stationing to go retrograde in 2 days.

What does this mean?

Anytime a planet turns retrograde, its energy moves inward. As a symbol of the mind, when Mercury turns retrograde, so do our mental processes. This is not a time to fear, but instead a time to practice patience, awareness and intention. To remember that not taking action is a form of action. To remember that our reality is based on our limited and biased perception. And to remember that we can only control our attitude and response to others.

We are in between eclipses, and as the energy builds to the total lunar eclipse taking place on July 16, give yourself permission to slow down, and practice radical self-love!