In the Northern Hemisphere, July marks the true entry into Summer, where a maximum Solar force assists us to do our Being with all the power and determination we can gather. We are now in a month of fundamental reorientation to be consolidated as a feeling-experience we will release as new creative impulses when the Sun enters Leo.

July expands the externalizing self-gathering that Summer symbolizes in the Northern Hemisphere. It still marks a point of major shift in the Southern Hemisphere, but in a polarity of operation relative to the Northern Hemisphere. Please reference The Mirroring of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere Year Cycles In Astrology to find more about how the seasons are similar yet different.

In any case, for everyone it is a time of decisions and events that will remove everything that blocks the new way of life we've embraced up to now. It is time to accept new ways of experiencing life, new needs and habits, and willingly turn the corner, renouncing old ways of feeling and responding.

This period indicates decisive changes in our basic life allegiances that show us our basic needs and self-preservation instincts, and therefore our true foundations. Find an inner discipline that will help you organize to exploit your potential, and if there is a sense of ineptitude, get a sense of structure.

The downside of Cancer, which we all have somewhere in our charts, requires us all to beware of defensiveness, or touchiness, or a sense of being lost in life in the house it falls. Do what you can, but don't adopt the habits of people who don't know where they're going or why they're going there.

This month is usually dominated by the water sign energies of Cancer. This is the fourth phase in the twelve-step evolutionary process where that which was initiated in Aries, stabilized in Taurus, and expanded in Gemini undergoes a fundamental decision to orient and consolidate its personal experience. This prepares the process for a creative projection of that energy when the Sun enters Leo at 7:26 am PDT, 3:26 pm BST on July 22, 2021.

This Year’s Cancer Energies

This year’s Cancer energies came early and have been non-stop since then! Mars entered Cancer April 23, and finally entered Leo on June 11. However, Venus entered Cancer on June 2, staying there until June 27, after the Sun entered Cancer on June 20. So it’s been a “Cancer tag team” this year, since Venus entered just before Mars left, and the Sun entered just before Venus left!

Mercury entered Cancer on July 11, bringing more Cancer energy to the party after Venus and Mars exited that sign. Mercury will be the last planet to leave Cancer this year, entering Leo on July 27. That means this year Cancer came very early, and by the end of the run at least one planet has been or will be in Cancer for 95 days! When we factor in the two Cancer Solar eclipses in 2019 and 2020, Cancer will be a focus of “cosmic recycling” for some years to come.

Of note is that when Jupiter entered Cancer in June-July 2013, it made significant Grand Water Trines with Saturn and Neptune, stabilizing a powerful “feeling-knowing” in all of us willing to be receptive and learn how to manage that type of awareness. As it was boosted in July 2013 by Mars activating the Grand Water Trine again, there was much promise to be had in Cancerian things after that due to the Mars-Jupiter conjunction at 6 Cancer.

Every inner planet transit since then has echoed and activated some part of the promise of Jupiter in Cancer and all the good it brought us. Mars reactivated the 12 year theme of the 2013 Mars conjunct Jupiter in Cancer in June-August 2015, June 2017, May and June 2019 and most recently late January through mid-June, which activated the Cancer eclipses of the past two years, as well as the various Mercury stationary points in Cancer from 2019 and 2020. One more time, the past has given up its energy to feed the future.

So What Is the Sign of Cancer All About?

Cancer is symbolically associated with the Crab, a sign representing the self-gathering, security-seeking and preserving energies where we define our "living space." In the year cycle we can now use the new discoveries and exteriorizations of Gemini and directly experience new ways of living and being. We now know what we care about, and are willing to make decisions to make our life work more to our advantage by our instinctive surity in our choices.

In our Cancer experience each year we find stability and emotional identification with our widened vision of ambition or worldly service found in Aquarius, deepened in Pisces, glimpsed and communicated in Aries, concretized and anchored in Taurus and incorporating new ideas and information in Gemini.

Mythologically, Cancer is the sign of the Innocent, the wisdom of the primal instinctual nature that leads us to do the right thing without thought of ulterior reward or advantage. This is not instinct as in "gut" instinct, though it may be experienced that way. This is the primal will-to-good that keeps on keepin' on and looks for as total an experience of family, security, and need-fulfillment as could be imagined. This is an up-close-and-personal sign, very tough and very tender at the same time.

Cancer, when freed of the traps of defensiveness, timidity, laziness, self-indulgence, possessiveness and brooding, demonstrate an imaginative creativity that is sympathetic, appreciative, intuitive, unselfish and patient. They are a domestic sign, very romantic and visionary with a vivid artistry in the basics of daily living. They are always on the alert to threats to security, and usually hold back until they see exactly what is needed, and then come through admirably. There may be grumbling and changeability, but this is one of the most loyal signs, and Cancers will hang in there when all others have shown their weaknesses.

They have a universal touch, and what they offer to their world is accessible to all on the most basic and human of levels. They are the sensitives of the zodiac, here to anchor the energies around them in the here and now in terms of basic human feelings and needs. Many famous people of this sign have a universal appeal, and touched the masses in very basic ways, helping them take care of some need.

Famous Cancers of History

A supreme example of a spiritual Cancer is His Holiness the Dalai Lama, global representative of peace, living embodiment of a people's suffering, and one of the most brilliant minds to ever make the case that "War is legalized murder." Cancer also features Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science and teacher of the healing technique that "we are not the body" within the western tradition, and Thurgood Marshall, the pioneering black Supreme who set the standard for humane and enlightened civil and human rights jurisprudence.

Another pioneering Cancer was Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press which introduced the written word to the masses, ending the church's monopoly forever. The printing press gave millions what they needed to become more educated, furthering the human condition. Each of these four remarkable Cancers touched millions, and made a better life by giving the people what they needed.

One notable pioneering political Cancer, "the father of his country," is Nelson Mandela, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and infinitely quotable human optimist. Another notable icon was Princess Diana, touching the hearts of millions with her tenderness and caring, dedicated life. A lesser known US Foreign Service officer Hiram Bingham IV literally saved thousands from the Nazis in WWII.

Two Cancers, each an absolute power unto himself who made their mark in the political realm, are among the most famous names of the past 2000 years. We have "Big Julie" Caesar, warlord who crossed the Rubicon, changed western history forever, and made "the Ides of March" an iconic moment in history. The second of this duo is another Cancer political heavyweight who changed history, Henry VIII. Known killer of wives, absolute monarch, and the first to really challenge the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. That single defiant act gave countless people of those times and those who followed hope that the fate of their Souls was not determined by the inquisition.

Others who attained political significance include Jesse Ventura, Nancy Reagan, Nelson Rockefeller, Vicente Fox, Carlos Saul Menem, Georges Pompidou, Clarence Thomas and Diane Feinstein. Presidents include second stringers John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge, Gerald Ford, and America's second worst president, George Bush.

Cancer is featured prominently among television and musical entertainers who influenced their fans forever. In TV land we have Bob Keeshan, known to the world's children as "Captain Kangaroo," now disgraced educator and former funny guy Bill Cosby, and the pioneer of TV who invited the whole world to tune in, "Uncle Miltie," Mister Television himself, Milton Berle.

Other legendary Cancers we invited into our living rooms who touched us deeply were Red Skelton, Don Knotts, Art Linkletter, Merv Griffin, Bess Myerson, Ed Ames, Dan Rowan, Phyllis Diller, June Lockhart, Pat Morita, William Schallert, Fred Gwynn, Diana Rigg, Diahann Carroll, Polly Bergen, Jean Marsh, and Gilda Radner.

Modern luminaries of our birthday sign who came to stardom as television personalities include Patrick Stewart, Jimmy Smits, Larry David, Lindsay Wagner, Amy Brenneman, Carson Daly, Jamie Farr, Cheryl Ladd, Shelley Duvall, Will Ferrell, Kristen Bell, Jennifer Saunders, Jon Lovitz, Corey Feldman, Bert Ward, Julia Duffy, Stephen Lang, Richard Lewis, Fred Savage, Anthony Edwards, Donald Faison, Michele Lee, Chris O'Donnell, Gregory Smith, Fred Grandy, Pamela Anderson, Montel Williams, Joe Penny, Kathleen Robertson, Lisa Rinna, David Hasselhoff, Andre Braugher, Jared Padalecki, Madylin Sweeten, Sherry Stringfield, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Brian Austin Green.

A special nod goes out to television journalists who made their mark on history, a stellar and very loved trio of Ed Bradley, David Brinkley, and John Chancellor.

Cancer entertainers include some of the most sentimental and talented people in history, all with a universal touch and appeal. This group includes Woody Guthrie, George M. Cohan, Stephen Foster, blues legends Willie Dixon, James Cotton, Peppermint Harris, Blind Owl Wilson, and Big Bill Broonzy, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Doc Pomus, Lena Horne, Plas Johnson, Billy Eckstine and and Louis Jordan (considered one of the founders of rock and roll).

We continue with music legends Isaac Stern, Mitch Miller, Bill Haley, Jet Harris, King of the New York streets Dion DiMucci, “Queen Mother of Guitar” Lady Bo (Peggy Jones), Desmond Dekker, guitar Master Lonnie Mack, Clifton Chenier, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, producer Richie Barrett, Flo Ballard, founding Stone Ian Stewart, June Carter Cash, Doc Severinsen, Adam Faith, Rosetta Hightower, Niki Sullivan, Estelle Bennett, Jumpin’ Gene Simmons, Joe B. Mauldin, Chuck Berry’s pianist Johnny Johnson, Steve Lawrence, Van Cliburn, Pete Fountain, Bud Coleman, Dave Rowberry, my old friend who fronted the 13th Floor Elevators, the legendary Roky Erikson, Linda Ronstadt, Georgie Fame, Tommy Keene, Dave Van Ronk, Eddie Rambeau, and my dear departed friend Nigel Holton.

Modern musical stars include Ringo Starr, Don Henley, Kris Kristofferson, Carlos Santana, Brian May, Killers Brandon Flowers and Mark Stoermer, Mitch Mitchell, Cat Stevens, John Lodge, Arlo Guthrie, Huey Lewis, Colin Blunstone, Jeff Beck, Mick Fleetwood, Arthur Brown, Blondie Chaplin, Judith Durham, Tom Springfield, John Tesh, Moby Grape bandmates Jerry Miller and Peter Lewis, Butch Hancock, Jimmy LaFave, Damian Marley, Tash Hamilton, Martha Reeves, Christine Perfect McVie, Carly Simon, Phoebe Snow, Spencer Davis, Todd Rundgren, Chris Isaak, Billy Davis Jr., Richie Sambora, Kim Carnes, Debbie Harry, Jack White, Brian Cutean, Courtney Love, Chris Cornell, Cyndi Lauper, Harriet Wheeler, Drake Bell, Marie Serneholt, Jason Mraz, Nicolette Larson, Della Reese, George Michael, Rufus Wainwright, Beck Hansen, Shane Filan, and Suzanne Vega.

Notable Cancer actors and actresses feature some very beloved characters, including such legends as Yul Brynner, Jimmy Cagney, Peter Lorre, Hume Cronym, George Sanders, Jane Russell, Charles Laughton, Olivia DeHavilland, Mel Brooks, Leslie Caron, Gina Lollabrigida, Janet Leigh, Barbara Stanwyck, Ginger Rogers, Eva Marie Saint, Slim Pickens, Warren Oates, Marty Feldman, Ned Beatty, Terrance Stamp, Genevieve Bujold, Susan Hayward, Dale Robertson, Eleanor Parker, Gloria Stuart, Tab Hunter, George Murphy, and Natalie Wood.

Others of this distinguished tribe include theater and movie honchos Joseph Papp, Sidney Lumet, Ingmar Bergman, Neil Simon, Bob Fosse, Paul Verhoeven, Robert Evans, Ken Russell, Jean Cocteau, Norman Jewison, and Billy Wilder. A special nod goes out to pioneering stop-action movie animator Ray Harryhausen.

More contemporary luminaries of the film world include Meryl Streep, "Blues Brother" Dan Aykroyd, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Albert Brooks, Angelica Huston, Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Donald Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, Sly Stallone, John Cusack, Kathy Bates, Frances McDormand, Harry Dean Stanton, Forest Whitaker, Turkan Soray, Karen Black, Elizabeth McGovern, Geoffrey Rush, Gary Busey, Shelley Duval, James Brolin, Selma Blair, Liv Tyler, James Daughton, Josh Hartnett, Cheech Marin, Alan Ruck, Matthew O'Leary, Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Chris O'Donnell, Turkan Soray, Jaden Smith, and Vin Diesel.

Famous Cancer philosophers feature interesting and compelling figures, as do authors of this sign. This group includes Henry David Thoreau, R. Buckminster Fuller, Jean Jacques Rousseau, John Paul Sartre, George Orwell, Julian Huxley, Robert Heinlein, Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Naruda, John Calvin, Ambrose Bierce, Hunter S. Thompson, Lucille Clifton, George Sand, Herman Hesse, Franz Kafka, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Pearl S. Buck, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Clement Moore, Marshall McLuhan, E.B. White, Marianne Williamson, Tom Stoppard, Dan Brown, Michael Connelly, Christopher G. Moore, and Erle Stanley Gardner.

Here a special nod goes out to two women who touched millions through our newspapers, both Cancerians who helped the world resolve millions of personal problems, America's public counselors Ann Landers and her twin, Abigail Van Buren.

Others who have made their mark on history in a big way include artists Andrew Wyeth, Edgar Degas, Frida Kahlo, Marc Chagall, George Ohr, and Rembrandt Van Rijn. Legendary Cancer sports figures feature Abner Doubleday, Arthur Ashe, Jack Dempsey, Jake LaMotta, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Dick Button, Barry Sanders, Michael Phelps, Michelle Kwan, and George Steinbrenner.

One-of-a-kind Cancers known to history include Renaissance man Sir Richard Branson, George Washington Carver, John D. Rockefeller, Rube Goldberg, Roald Amundsen, Helen Keller, Maulana Karenga, notorious killers John Dillinger and "Machine Gun" Kelly, Harry Blackstone Jr., designers Pierre Cardin and Giorgio Armani, Twyla Tharp, P.T. Barnum, John Glenn, Norman Cousins, Erno Rubik, Alberto Santos-Dumont, Elias Howe (inventor of sewing machine), electric genius and pioneer Nicola Tesla, sex researcher Alfred Kinsey, H. Ross Perot, and astrologer Paul Clancy, founder of American Astrology magazine. Also, Cancer is the Sun sign of Title IX, which guaranteed equal rights for women in education in the US.

We also celebrate the anniversary of when Sir John met Sir Paul, and The Day Sun Records Shook the Earth. A third momentous occasion in Cancer happened on June 25, 1967 when Our World featured the first global broadcast with a live performance by the Beatles of “All You Need Is Love.” This was followed by the July 7 commercial release of that song.

Finally, a big birthday hello to the international cities of Algiers, Amsterdam, Berne, Cadiz, Istanbul, Genoa, Lubeck, Manchester, Milan, Stockholm, Tunis, Venice, and York, and American cities Juneau, Orlando, Pensacola, Peoria, Gary, Baton Rouge, Portland (ME), Concord and Portsmouth (NH), Santa Fe, Niagara Falls, OKC, Norman, Wichita Falls, Richmond, Casper, and Sheridan. Also happy happy to the nations of Algeria, Canada, Holland, New Zealand, and Scotland.

A big birthday celebration goes out to the states of Idaho, New Hampshire, Virginia, and Wyoming, as well as the good old U S of A. Of course, many astrologers take exception to the July 4 birthday, since we didn’t really become a country on that day. Statistical runs indicate there are other charts which are more "accurate" in terms of predicting national changes and crises than the July 4, 1776 chart. Historically, the vote was taken on July 2 to become independent (passed 9-0 with 2 absent and 2 waiting on permission from their home state), but they waited two more days to make edits and get a final unanimous vote on July 4. You can read more at July 4 is not the birthday of the United States.

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