Cancer Solstice + Capricorn Full Moon

The Sun enters Tropical Cancer today, Thursday, June 20 at 4:51 pm EST, activating the Solstice. Cancer is the sign of comfort-seeking. Home, family, belonging, self-care, emotional needs and coziness will be the focus until July 22, so now is the time to make the most of these themes.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere we're experiencing the Summer Solstice, the longest day, while our friends in the Southern Hemisphere are in the Winter Solstice, the longest night. At this time, the Sun stands still as it prepares to shift direction, so take some time to pause and reflect on your purpose and vitality, which the Sun represents. 

The ancient Romans celebrated the solstice with tributes to Vesta and the Vestal virgins, goddess of the hearth, home and sacred sexuality. Around the world, people celebrated the Sun with dance, ritual and festivities to give thanks for the bounties of nature, many of which still continue in some form today.

What makes this year's Cancer Solstice special is that the following day is a Full Moon in Capricorn, Friday, June 21 at 9:07 pm EST at 1 degree Capricorn.The Cancer-Capricorn axis calls for balance between care and responsibility. The stronger we need to be to live up to our responsibilities, the more our roots need nourishment in order to thrive.

This will be the first of two Capricorn Full Moons in a row, the next one will be July 21 at 29 Capricorn, conjunct Pluto. So, while this summer season is one to celebrate, there are important responsibilities looming.

This brings to mind the Daoist philosophy of wuwei, meaning effortless action, which can be especially helpful during times when duty calls. It calls for doing what is required of the moment, not pushing too hard.

Bruce Lee described wuwei like this:

"Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves… Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend."

I think this is the perfect philosophy to keep in mind as we balance the Cancer and Capricorn archetypes within us. I discuss Cancer season as well as Venus and Mercury in Cancer in the latest episode of The Radiant Astrology Podcast.

Have a listen!