cancer season 2024

Hello, everyone!

I hope Summer is off to a beautiful start for you all.

Before I share the overview of Cancer Season with you, I'd love to talk about an exciting collaboration my husband Brian and I, with our sweet pup Suki in tow, recently explored in Fort Bragg, California. We were honoured to participate in creating a Summer Solstice event at the Larry Spring Museum as part of a multi-year project called Redwood Time.

The Redwood Time Project

This project involves reimagining time away from linear, production-line-inspired models by reclaiming nonlinear, cyclical concepts and creations mirrored in nature. These concepts are rooted in older, more indigenous storytelling and story-keeping traditions.

Since Fort Bragg has a history in the forest extraction industry, this ongoing art conversation is based around the cross-section of a massive redwood that was felled on April 18, 1943, amid the Second World War and critical lumber shortages in the nation.

Without an exact time, I’ve created a noon chart for the cutting of this tree. I’m discussing with the Redwood Time team a plan to hold a public chart reading and community conversation around the symbolism I see here.

Until then, this massive tree was protected, but times must have been grim indeed for the people of that era to deem its cutting and processing a critical sacrifice. When I talk with local folks today about it, they look sad and bewildered as they consider the tree's loss and wonder what could have been if there had been more foresight or value for the ancient, primordial forest, now receding into memory.

The cross-section looms large in the town near the Fort Bragg Heritage Museum, with linear time markers on its deep rings to illustrate its age. What's been chosen for this tree's chronology reflects the values of industry, colonialism, and linear Western progress. The Redwood Time Project seeks to fill out other ways of honouring time with different voices, values, and ideas.

As an astrologer, I focus on cosmic cycles, so this project aligns perfectly with my work. Brian also contemplates circular models of sound in his music, looping these together in repeating resonant layers. The resonant layers he creates offer an inspiring sound bed for me to weave my vocals into. I'd affectionately call this musical collaboration "astro-shoegaze" to give you an idea of a genre.

Brian further refined this by calling our sound "stargaze," and I have to say, I love that!

Collaborating in this way was a fantastic experience; our time in Fort Bragg was an excellent opportunity to rebirth our musical collaboration, test out these long-simmering concepts and imaginings between us and share them with a receptive public for the first time.

I found it inspiring and fruitful, and I hope to work with Brian in this way again in the future. Stay "attuned."

A Summer Solstice Sound Journey

Friday, June 21, coincided with the Summer Solstice and a Full Moon. As the sun set, we created a semi-improvisational sound performance for the community. We started with a bright, uplifting Solar theme, transitioning to a mysterious Lunar composition as the Moon rose above the eclectic seaside town.

This performance beautifully brought everyone into phase with the moment, creating a soundtrack for the Sun and Moon's cyclical dance in the sky.

A Workshop on Natural Magic

The following day, I led an introductory workshop on natural magic, journeying through the seven planets' themes, qualities of time and connections to elements, minerals, and plants in nature. I also prepared herbal incense associated with each planet to evoke their moods sensorily.

Meanwhile, Brian created a soundscape to help us contemplate and be attuned to each planet's archetypal character. This day-long journey was a fun, colourful introduction to the scents and sounds of the planets—a sampling that hinted at the depth we could explore in a more extended workshop.

We arrived home on June 26, a bit road-weary but feeling accomplished and satisfied. Since then, I've been getting back into my rhythm around the house and catching up on little duties, like finally getting this season's overview out to you.

CANCER SEASON 2024

On June 20, the Sun leaves airy Gemini to enter Cancer's balmy shores, coinciding with the Summer Solstice. This transition, marking the longest day of the year, heralds a time of warmth, light, and solar splendour in the northern hemisphere.

In the sign of the Crab, the Sun beckons us to nurture our family ties and cherish the bonds that nourish us. Summer nostalgia stirs, inviting us to remember formative summers past and dream about our future hopes while relaxing during long, sunny days.

Homecoming

This season, more than any other, encourages us to embrace the present, bask in the Sun's comforting warmth, and cultivate a deep sense of home and belonging.

June 21: Full Moon in Capricorn, Part I

Cancer Season 2024 is uniquely bookended by two Full Moons in Capricorn, a rare event that profoundly influences the opening and closing of this season.

The first Full Moon, appearing in the first degree of Capricorn, invites profound reflection and prompts us to evaluate our emotional foundations. How emotionally supported are we feeling these days? In what ways are our emotional resources being tested now? The very end of Cancer Season will echo these musings, providing a callback and completion to how this season called on us to fill our cup and strengthen our intimate ties.

June 29: Saturn retrograde

On Saturn’s Day, June 29th, Saturn in Pisces turns retrograde until November 15. This is a crucial time for us to review and reassess our steps and ensure the foundations we've built are solid and enduring.

This retrograde phase offers a unique opportunity to recommit to our enduring aspirations and strengthen the structures that support our soul’s growth. As we revisit our recently laid groundwork, we gain valuable insights to guide us on how to build up and out of this from a sure and steady base of wisdom, empathy, and patience.

A Sea Trial

As Saturn goes retrograde in Pisces, envision this period as a sea trial for a visionary vessel you've been diligently constructing. This is a time for you to thoroughly review the hull of your plans and ambitions, identifying and addressing any weaknesses or overlooked details before embarking on a long, unfolding journey.

Wherever Saturn falls in your birth chart is the area of life you are strengthening to set sail.

July 2: Neptune retrograde, Mercury enters Leo

Neptune's long orbit causes frequent retrogrades, which might seem subtle outwardly but can have profound psychic implications. As the ruler of oceans and tides, Neptune's retrograde pulls us deeper into our imaginal and psychic processes, creating an undertow that subtly draws us inward.

On the same day, Mercury transitions from empathic Cancer to bold, courageous Leo. This shift sets the stage for empowering conversations. It's time to stand up and be heard, assert our authentic opinions, and express ourselves with dramatic flair. Mercury will revisit its passage through Leo during its upcoming retrograde journey on August 14.

It's important to note the developments in our communications or written work during this period since we may need to revisit and refine these themes starting in mid-August.

July 5: New Moon in Cancer

In the heart of Cancer Season, the Sun and Moon conjoin, creating a night ideal for pausing, retreating, and reflecting. This Cancer New Moon offers a unique opportunity to strengthen intimacy and emotional bonds, especially when our energy is at a low tide.

It's a perfect time to get into a receptive state, listening inwardly and outwardly for ripples of meaning in the dark pool of quiet contemplation. This allows us to notice our longings and feel our yearnings for connection. This New Moon is a still-point between what was revealed emotionally on June 21 and what new intimacy we’re working toward fulfilling by July 21.

Any new beginnings or intentions set under this Cancer New Moon will come to fruition during the Cancer Full Moon in Winter 2024. This lunar phase encourages us to plant seeds of emotional growth and nurture them, knowing they will bloom in the months ahead.

July 10: Sun trine Saturn

The Sun in Cancer forms a water trine with retrograde Saturn in Pisces. The Sun, symbolizing mental clarity and illuminating consciousness, joins forces with Saturn, the sphere of structure and patience. This harmonious alignment helps us clarify our commitments.

We find making necessary edits or setting critical limits easier during this supportive accord. The synergy between the Sun and Saturn encourages us to reflect on our goals and responsibilities, providing the insight and discipline needed to make thoughtful adjustments.

July 11: Venus enters Leo

Venus leaves sensitive Cancer to enter proud Leo, ushering in a period of bold beauty and fiery passions. We may feel more expressive and confident in our desires during this time. Venus in Leo will oppose Pluto in Aquarius shortly after entry into the lion's den, sparking profound transformations from our passionate experiences.

This dynamic opposition encourages us to embrace our emotions' intensity and transformative power with flair.

July 15th: Mars conjunct Uranus

The union between Mars, the planet of combat, and Uranus, the planet of revolution, resonates with current potent social, political, and economic themes. This powerful conjunction punctuates Taurean topics of housing, food, and security, so it has enormous implications for all of us collectively.

We can expect upsets, surprises, and disruptions across many levels. Still, more positively, we can channel this Mars/Uranus merger to get us unstuck from the fertile mud of creativity and prompt us to take bold new approaches to what we’d like to see materialize.

July 18: Sun sextile Uranus

The Sun forms a collaborative sextile with Uranus, marking a period ripe for innovative ideas and solutions. This encourages creativity, making it an excellent time to think outside the box and explore unconventional approaches. Surprises and sudden insights are likely, as Uranus's influence brings a sense of unpredictability and excitement.

Restless feelings may arise, prompting a solid desire to envision and implement changes in our lives. This energy can make us break free from routine and embrace new possibilities. It's a time to welcome the unexpected and see where it leads, as the harmonious connection between the Sun and Uranus supports bold moves and visionary thinking.

July 20: Mars enters Gemini

Mars leaves a solid and steady Taurus to enter changeable and curious Gemini. In this sign, Mars powerfully directs our drive and focus in many directions simultaneously. This transition can significantly stimulate our energy and multiply our focus, encouraging us to explore new ideas, have spirited conversations, and take adaptive action.

July 21: Full Moon in Capricorn, Part II, and the Sun trine Neptune

The Cancer Season ends with the second Full Moon in Capricorn, one in the last degree of the determined goat's sign. This Full Moon is an excellent time for reflection, allowing us to muse on the hopes and intentions we set at the beginning of the season and see if any of the themes resonate now.

It's a time to appreciate how our emotional bonds have become more durable and lasting and trust the new enduring ties we have built and established. This Full Moon in Capricorn can provide a powerful opportunity of gratitude for our emotional abundance.

Our Cancer Season closing mantra may be: We are enough, worthy, and belong.

A last splash

Then, Cancer Season ends on a dreamy, watery, emotive note as the Sun forms a water trine with Neptune. This passage is excellent for delving into the oceanic depths of our most immense feelings, dreams and creative expressions. It’s one last splash in the sentimental Cancerian waters before the simmering heat of Leo Season arrives.

Summer blessings,

Debbie