You may be feeling a shift in the energy around how we go about taking action in our lives. Mars is leaving the sign of Gemini, and moving into Cancer for the next nearly seven months. Anytime a planet shifts from one sign into the next, our focus around what that planet symbolizes shifts as well. And it’s especially true this time, as Mars goes Retrograde in this sensitive, indirect, and deeply loving sign.

Mars represents how we connect with our own will and how we go about taking action to achieve our will and to get our desires met. In Gemini, the focus was on gathering information and acting on the information we learned and collected. Now however, the emphasis for taking action shifts to being emotionally motivated, rather than mentally motivated, as was true while Mars was in Gemini for the past two months.

For the next several months we’re meant to take action more intuitively, from a feeling place. The sign Cancer is ruled by the lovely Moon, and she is all about our emotional responses to what’s happening in our lives. Cancer encompasses all things home and family and focuses our energy on what nurtures and nourishes us, and how we can nurture and nourish those we love. Cancer energy is also very connected to the past, so it’s appropriate to look to the past to see how it might inform what we’re doing now. 

The crab (Cancer’s familiar) scuttles about on the beach in circles, rather than in a direct line, in order to protect itself from seagulls. In a similar way, when Mars is in Cancer it’s good to find a circuitous route to follow, and to let our emotions rise to each occasion. Mars in Cancer is about taking indirect action… which doesn’t mean never making a decision, or never taking any action at all. Rather, it means a slower approach that is safety oriented, and that doesn’t go directly toward a goal, but circles it to understand the many ways in which something can be accomplished. It may be best to observe and hold back to see how things will naturally evolve, rather than pushing for an ego driven end. 

For those who have Mars or other personal planets in Water Signs natally (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) this shift of Mars into Cancer can feel very comfortable, like coming home. For those with Mars or other personal planets in Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn), Mars moving into Cancer can feel quite nourishing and supportive. If you have a dominant theme in your natal chart of either Fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) or Air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) this shift might feel a bit more challenging for you. Think of it as learning a lesson around patience and care. Also, the Cardinal Signs other than Cancer (Aries, Libra, Capricorn) may also feel out-of-sorts with this shift, and again, learning patience and redirecting the will may help to navigate this energy.

Enjoy Mars in Cancer! Because it asks for higher sensitivity, we can be more imaginative and creative in the way we pursue our goals. We can feel our way into what we want, and take more time. We want to feel safe with Mars in this position, and we want to take actions to protect our families and loved ones. If you can, spend more time with them. Show them how much you love them in all the myriad little ways that make home and friendship beautiful. 

There are downsides to Mars in Cancer (passive aggression comes to mind), just like there are for every astrological energy… but recognize that we can choose, and that there’s always a higher vibration that we can reach for. Afterall, that’s how we learn, grow, and evolve.

As always, may you bloom into the fullness of your cosmic promise. May the kindness that you give always be returned, and may you find peace and joy in the eternal dance of the Universe.

With love, Michelle