Monday, March 18, 2024

Soul in Solstice

Sun in Cancer square Uranus in Aries

The Cardinal Cross gets re-activated, and things are heating up, no matter what climate you live in.

The seasons have shifted as the Sun lands on the zero-degree mark of Cancer, marking the beginning of Summer or Winter, depending on which side of the equator you live on. But don’t expect gentle wafts of a summer breeze or a soft downy snowfall to mark the event. This Solstice is less than subtle, and you can expect events to resonate with loud bangs, rather than gentle sighs. This is on top of the high-octane energy of two eclipses we’ve just weathered, with a third yet to come.

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The gathering storm comes to you courtesy of what’s known as a grand cardinal square, in which four planets oppose each other and square off at the same time.

Four-Way Intersection

Picture yourself in the middle of a four-way intersection without the benefit of clear traffic signals or stop signs, and you get a feel for the kind of crazy-making potential. And, since you can’t just stand in the middle of the intersection without being run over, you’ve got to decide which of the four possible directions you’re going to move in. Then proceed with caution, as you would with an amber signal.

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Let’s break this grand square (also known as a cardinal cross) down: The Sun and Mercury in Cancer are in opposition to Pluto retrograde in Capricorn, while simultaneously squaring Saturn in Libra and Uranus in Aries – who in turn oppose each other. Phew! That’s some cranky energy to channel through your physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual landscape.

It can feel like being pent up without having an effective release valve. The Cosmos points to a need for people to access deeper understanding – but preferably not through emotional displays or manipulative tactics (Sun and Mercury in Cancer opposite Pluto retrograde in Capricorn).

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Because Cancer and Capricorn are the zodiac signs most associated with upholding familial and cultural traditions, many people are facing monsters from the past that they’ve managed to lock away until now. It’s as if the past comes back to go another round with you. This is the Capricorn corner of the intersection.

Cancer Zodiac

One key is to own your feelings (the Cancer corner) but to account for them by observing appropriate social customs (the Libra corner) and speaking only from a place of personal authenticity (the Aries corner). When you’re planted in the light of your truth – without the melodrama that the Cosmos currently evokes – your boundaries are energetically perceivable by others.

And when someone else – be they family (Cancer-Capricorn), or lovers and others (Aries-Libra)  can sense where you draw the line from far off, it alleviates the tendency to step on your toes or to guilt you into doing something that’s out of alignment with your integrity (Saturn square Pluto). It makes unnecessary the histrionics that can too easily occur in a high-stakes situation (Sun opposite Pluto).

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Venus In Gemini

Thankfully, Venus in Gemini in the waning trine with Saturn helps to provide an open channel to keep communications from melting down completely; this energy corresponds with a marked ability to be adaptable or flexible. Use it to shift perspectives when you need to put yourself in the other person’s shoes.

This is the gift of Venus (values) in multi-faceted Gemini: an appreciation for multiple points of view and an appreciation for where someone else is coming from. This works in tandem with the flowing trine between Sun in Cancer and Neptune retrograde in Pisces. Once you see where another person else is coming from your compassion for them flows more generously.

As the search for deeper understanding continues through the week, part of that journey will entail tuning into subtle messages from the body, remembering that it is a type of barometer that reads the energy field you’re in. In aid of that, Jupiter in Taurus trines Pluto retrograde in Capricorn (an alignment of 120 degrees). This fluid combination of earthy energy allows you to perceive what your body is telling you. It’s another method of gathering the information you need to proceed or terminate, as the case may be. Know that your ability to ‘read’ your physical and emotional bodies is developing into a very handy tool this week.

This corresponds with two mini grand trines consisting of 1) Sun in Cancer trine Neptune retrograde in Pisces, each sextile Jupiter in Taurus; and 2) Jupiter in Taurus trine Pluto retrograde in Capricorn, each sextile Neptune retrograde in Pisces. Once you’ve committed to fully employing all of your senses – physical and intuitive senses working in tandem – the skill will stay with you forever. It’s kind of like riding a bike – no matter how many times you may fall off!

Mars In Gemini

With all of this cosmic music, here comes Mars in Gemini to turn up the volume. We’re now in the process of actively seeking multiple sources of information or ideas. You’ll hear or deliver some pretty bold talk or some passionate speeches. If you’re born with Gemini Sun or Rising this is a major energy boost for you! The possible pitfall: information dumps, or too much personal information. Mars is in a straight alignment with fuzzy Neptune, after all, so it’s easy to miss the line between appropriate versus inappropriate talk. Know your audience – the boss is not your close chum and your colleague isn’t your date.

Because Mars in Gemini is not necessarily adept at making meaning from the information it seeks – nor in really understanding the value of said info – Venus in Gemini will play a necessary role in supporting Mars, even though the two planets are 14 degrees apart. Resonating with the vibration of Gemini, there is a simpatico between them, though.

Venus’ ability to smooth some of Mars’ rough edges (albeit from an arms-length distance) will also play a role in alleviating some of the abrupt comments that can get blurted out with Mars square Neptune. Under less-than-ideal circumstances, this pairing can also correlate with jumping to conclusions or misunderstanding a situation. If you’re able to bring out the higher vibration of this energy, it will help you to advocate for the defenseless. Your words have amazing power, and they can be used to crusade for righteous change that builds a stronger web of support for the disenfranchised.

The upshot do you need information or need to get to the bottom of things? Do you desire a holistic understanding of your current situation? Want to make a beneficial difference in the lives of those who are marginalized? Then look to the people in your life who are reliable resources and play nice with all the kids. Even though some of them may annoy or even block you, we’re all in the same sandbox. Now go play in the Sun and bring some soul into Solstice!





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