Self-care. Self-Nourishment. Isn’t that selfish? I almost wrote “isn’t that shellfish?”
The zodiac sign, Cancer, the Crab, is on my mind. Synchronistic signs from the Universe have been sending messages about Self-Care. Self-care can be tricky to manage when one has responsibilities in the world, at home, at work, in community, or when one focuses more on survival than the Soul’s call.
This month, the Soul, or the Higher Self, has some help through Mars ingress (another word for ‘changes signs’) to Cancer on June 4. It activates the energy of self-care, self-nourishment and emotional self-reliance.
When we attend to ourselves, including our emotional needs, we are also, though it may feel awkward due to familial and cultural conditioning, caring for others. It’s a win-win.
Mars in Cancer. June 4- July 20.
The symbolism of Mars is represented by a spear and a shield.
The image of the Crab suits this Cardinal Water sign.
Picture a crab sidling up out of the water. Imagine that part of the crab still rests in the water, while the other half investigates the sand and next steps. The transition from the ocean to the sand is the Cardinal influence. It is moving from Mutable or fluid and flexible to a sense of direction.
Cardinal signs ‘initiate’. They are activated by the Sun as we enter as we enter a new season. Summer-Cancer, Fall-Libra, Winter-Capricorn, Spring-Aries.
Cancer is a Water sign. Water signs correlate to the Emotions
The Crab’s home, in general, is in the water. Some live in the ocean, some along the shore. A few crabs do live exclusively on the land, but most spend time in the water. That’s where eggs are laid, so crabs are born in the water. Fun Facts about Crabs.
In astrology, Water represents the emotions. Cardinal signs initiate or activate. When you put these two together think, “Nurturing—- an Inner Sense of Belonging” (From Zyp Dobbins’ Astrological Alphabet).
Another term used is emotional self-reliance as in “I actively have the ability to care for my needs.”
Astrologer and teacher Kim Marie’s Mantra for Cancer is “I grow emotionally as I move forward.” This is the perfect image for Cancer and the Crab. The womb of the ocean is comfortable, and it’s ok to move around on the beach.
How will Mars behave in the sign of Cancer?
Mars is an assertive energy while Cancer is emotional and active. Mars acts on behalf of Cancer interests: the family, the home, roots, comfort and needs. Mars, on its own, can be a loose cannon, because it runs on instinct. When the emotions get involved, it can be hard to tell what direction that cannon is going be aimed at.
There’s an extra touch of reactivity to Mars. If Mars/Cancer is spending time in the ocean, it’s really hard to move around quickly. Not being able to act is frustrating for Mars. By the time it crawls out of the ocean, so much energy is pent up, that issues become blown out of proportion.
That sounds like a negative spin on Mars in Cancer. Optimally, we might use Mars’ Courage on behalf of ourselves. Identify how we are feeling. Make it a point, to pay attention to our bodies especially the third chakra or the stomach.
If those areas are out of sorts, through emotional eating, or wallowing in moodiness, maybe there is a situation that requires defense, but not over-reactive defense.
In the end, when tending to yourself and loving yourself, healing happens organically to those who were born in the same crab’s egg nest as you were — call them your family or your Soul Family.
How are you courageous on behalf of yourself and your family or Soul Family? Were you born with Mars in Cancer? Please make your comments at the end of this post.
Cancer Keywords
Womb. Roots. Home. Mother. Family. Nurturing. The Nurturing parent, as opposed to the Disciplinarian (Capricorn). Ego/Mind. Familial Ancestors. Emotional needs. Clan. Memories. Security. Medical Astrology: Stomach and containers in the body like the bladder. Breasts, Female organs, Mucous Membranes, Connective Tissue, Eyes. The Moon rules Cancer and is Right Eye in Women, Left Eye in Men.
Cancer Influence in June
June 4. Mars in Cancer.
June 20. Sun enters Cancer – Summer Solstice.
June 21. Mercury enters Cancer.
June 23. Super New Moon in Cancer.
Resources
The Symbolism of Mars. An article posted earlier this year.
This video by Evolutionary Astrologer, Steve Wolfson, is not about either Mars or Cancer. There is not very much astrology in this talk. Don’t let the technical title fool you either. To me, it resonates to concept of self-care and self-love, which is why it is on the resource list.
Amazon.com I highly recommend this book for insight int what motivates us from deep within: our unconscious drives from the perspective of our astrological birth map. Digging into this rich personal material, Mark Jones, a psychosynthesis therapist, besides offering hope and insight, shares how to use what is revealed.
Leave a Reply