Cancer lunation review

The Solar Eclipse and Cancer New Moon on July 11, 2010, fell into my 11^th house, the area related to social creativity and group purpose. It activated the mystical rectangle configuration in my chart with dynamic and flowing aspects and thus also triggered a few midpoints in addition to forming a square to SAD Mars in Libra. One could say, things have been set in motion and have been carrying me along on a rather pleasant current that makes it relatively easy for me to ‘ride this wave’. Thus, I responded consciously to the developments with full awareness of the stakes involved, acknowledging that I had to move on and that the time had come for me to confront and resolve my inner conflicts during the process. With the Sabian Symbol stating “Venetian gondoliers giving a serenade”, the message that sounded forth and will be relevant for the next half year is to take it to the next level, which will result in “happiness as an overtone of social integration and conformity to custom”.  Social integration has indeed been the theme for me since I had taken up my residence in Canada, which was back in 2000 when the July Eclipse was conjunct the North Node in the sign Cancer. At this time, the July Eclipse is conjunct the South Node in Cancer.  

courtesy of photobucket - a Venetian gondolier singing while riding the gondola

Over the course of the past decade did I begin my study of astrology that opened my mind to new levels of consciousness as promised by the Sabian Symbol for my natal Mars, ruler over house 9 of the higher mind. This meant that I crossed the ocean physically and metaphorically. And it was an ocean, not just a river – I found myself on another continent altogether. My whole life philosophy changed; everything I knew and had been taught from birth on was left behind in this process together with my land of birth, my family of origin, my friends and my social circle. The more self-aware I became the more I withdrew (Mars in Virgo opposite DSC-Vesta in Pisces). It took me a long time to get past the point of Self-undoing (Mars in house 12). Feelings of insecurity coupled with self-doubts were holding me back, while I kept focusing on my limitations instead on my capabilities. But Mars has progressed to the apex position of a t-square with my natal nodal axis by secondary progression, marking a crossroads in the line of destiny. Progressed by Solar Arc Directions he’s at the apex of a yod with natal Jupiter Rx in Taurus in house 9 and natal Moon in Pisces in house 7, another indicator for a necessary adjustment that requires that I assert myself in a more visible, palpable way and start to reach out to close others. And the other ‘planetary players’ are following suit with the SP Moon and SAD Venus squaring off natal Mars.

Cancer Eye with shell - courtesy of photobucket

Consequently, the pressure has been building up to motivate me accordingly; no more delays and hesitating, indecisiveness and vacillating. With the Eclipse on the South Node, it’s time to release what has been accumulated. I’ve been approached and encouraged from different people and practiced with Angie when I had the opportunity to do so. We both enjoyed it though, which in turn provided me with more confidence. Then came the First Quarter Moon on July 18 and my daughter showed up for a surprise visit. However, we had to leave our place in the sun out on the deck soon as a thunderstorm was passing over us. At this crisis in action did the waxing Libra Moon square the Cancer Sun, for me from house 3 (close surroundings/communication/short distance travel) to house 11 (hopes, wishes, social creativity). We coddled up in blankets inside (Cancer) and I finally had a chance to talk to her about her Solar Return chart (“guests are reading in the library of a luxurious home” was the keynote for the Moon), but since it was so dark and cold and uncomfortable in here on a summer day and she wanted for me to experience something other than the surrounds I’m used to day in and day out, she suggested to drive to Grand Bend to join the social scene (Libra) as soon as it looked friendlier outside. But Grand Bend is directly on the lake and therefore the nasty thunderstorm was circling over it. The moment we entered town, it was pouring rain and then even hailing like I’ve never seen before, which forced us to stay in the car. Thus, I came around (house 3) and had a look at the social scene (house 11), but we had to return home due to the weather. Therefore, socializing attempts were tested and the challenge was to remain balanced, composed and poised under uncooperative conditions in order to nurture the bond by simply enjoying the moment, being happy and content as well as grateful for the good company and the quality time spent together, thereby sidestepping the inconveniences and discomfort (“the interaction of spiritual will and love principle” was the keynote for the Sun).

We got our chance to join the social scene anyway on July 25, at the time of the Aquarius Full Moon that happened for me in houses 5 (recreational activities, children) and 11 (social participation). Lucia, my daughter, and I drove to London to the White Oaks Mall, where they had a sale (“a middle-aged woman, her long hair flowing over her shoulders and in a braless, youthful garment” was the Sabian Symbol for the Leo Sun) and I for the first time in a long while opted for more sophisticated clothes. I don’t say age-appropriate, because I still dress young. (“the will to meet the challenge of age in terms of our modern society’s glorification of youth” was the keynote of Sun Symbol). But somehow, with transiting Venus leaving a conjunction with natal Pluto that day, my taste in clothes had changed as I envisioned myself on an upgraded social level as a business woman (“desocialization” was the keyword for the Full Moon). The sight of the spectacular Full Moon disc on our way home only affirmed this feeling.

Came the Third Quarter Moon and with it the crisis in consciousness on August 3 we had a long weekend here, which was an overly boring and draining experience for me personally, when I due to the confining circumstances (house 12) didn’t undertook anything enjoyable – just knitted away at that big, colored stola (“a woman watering flowers in her garden” was the Sabian Symbol for the Taurus Moon), while J finally applied some finishing touches to the basement and which took him all weekend. Unable to focus under these conditions and at the same time forced to maintain a certain routine in regard to household chores, I couldn’t do any writing and was just longing to get out and do something that would bring me at least some contentment (“spontaneous activity of the innocent mind” was the keynote for the Leo Sun). This was obviously impossible since I don’t have a car and J was busy otherwise (the Third Quarter Moon fell into houses 9 and 12 for me – I felt imprisoned by the long weekend). The challenge here was to overcome the selfish notions (Leo) in order to be able to build things in matter (Taurus). Happiness would be the result of a sense of pride ownership. 🙂