Painting by Francis Bacon
Tense times are ahead as Mars transits Cancer from August 3rd to September 18th. The warrior planet does not function well in this withdrawn sign. Will, initiative and aggression do not have an easy outlet. Anger is submerged into sulks and enthusiasm is expressed indirectly.
Cancer is a moody sign to begin with. Throw in the planet of primal instinct and you’ve got a bubbling cauldron of emotions. Smothering, over protectiveness, sexual neediness and ferocious mood swings.
But as always, there is choice to tap into the positive side of this energy. Mars in Cancer can spur people to express their needs. This is a combination of male (Mars) and female (Cancer) instinctive energy. Wanting is not a bad thing if you have been suppressing your true self. Cancer takes the aggressive edge off Mars and sex becomes nurturing.
While Mars is in Cancer it will initially trine Neptune in Pisces. This is security driven sex with a romantic/fantasy outlet or creative initiative with emotional inspiration . The rough stuff happens when Mars moves forward and gets caught up in the Cardinal Cross. An opposition to Pluto in Capricorn speaks to power struggles, a square to Saturn in Libra means restrictions on desires and a square to Uranus in Aries (ruled by Mars) says “be prepared to have your self image shaken to the core”.
This Cardinal Cross will be in effect until August 25th. It sounds harsh because it is harsh. But it’s also an opportunity to grow up. Those bad ass outer planets will be giving Mars a hard time but this will force people to confront reality (Saturn). They will be empowered (Pluto) to break away (Uranus) from unhealthy habits/desires based in the past (Cancer). They will learn to express (Mars) their needs (Cancer) in a challenging, adult environment. The Capricorn/Cancer opposition is about parent/child. Libra/Aries deals with partnerships/independence. How did you react the last time someone said “No” to something you really, really wanted?
Look at your chart to see what houses Cancer, Libra, Capricorn and Aries fall in (you’ll need to know your birth time for this). These are the areas of your life where you’ll feel this energy.
Nadia, thanks for your excellent piece on the upcoming Cardinal Grand Cross. Concise, well-written and easily understood.
It’ll be in my Cappy 3rd/Cancer 9th and Aries 6th/Libra 12th houses, but don’t think it’ll be camped on any natal planets for awhile (I have Venus, Merc and Uranus in the later degrees of Cancer).
I know what I’m going to do – I’m going to choose to tap into the positive side of this energy – thanks again for the great post! Glad I found your site too; off to poke around some more . . .
You are welcome!
“They will be empowered (Pluto) to break away (Uranus) from unhealthy habits/desires based in the past (Cancer). It sounds harsh because it is harsh”
I have finally decided to start my diet!
I wanted to start earlier, but it wasn’t the right moment.
It will be difficult, I know…
Thanks
Best of luck with this.
I am approaching the Cardinal Cross as a diagnosis from the cosmos to illuminate where we are at “cross purposes” in navigating the critical “crossroads” at this time for humanity on planet Earth.
Collectively, I see this Cardinal Cross illuminating the energies at cross-purposes in catalyzing (Cardinal) change (Pluto) and liberation (Uranus) from past structures (Saturn) that have thrown humanity out of balance (Libra) with the cosmic energies. Now that I think about it, the cardinal cross may be a plea from the planets for humans to get our act together and stop (Saturn) catastrophically (Pluto) destabilizing (Uranus) the sacred balance (Libra) on which all life on Earth depends, and a call for us to fight (Mars) for our Earth home (Cancer) and revolutionize (Uranus) how we live on Earth with each other (Mars/Cancer).
Personally, this cardinal cross is telling me to aggressively (Mars) let go and let die (Pluto) my wounded (Chiron) sense of self worth (Cap-2nd) by making a clean break (Uranus) from entanglements from my past (Cancer/Mars/8), and awakening my creative powers (Uranus-5th).
I thought if I posted this, it would keep my intentions and focus clear as I go through the next three weeks!
Great use of this challenging energy. Writing things down is a fantastic way to physically manifest (Pluto in Capricorn) changes. Gives them emotional (Cancer) momentum (Mars).
I agree that the Cross will be a catalyst on a larger scale as well (Mundane Astrology). Should be interesting to see what happens in the global arena this month.
Nadia, does Mars in Cancer in one’s 5th house denote the same characteristics, i.e. smothering, sexual neediness, over protectiveness, mood swings? And would this transit doubly effect someone with that placement?
Thanks
These characteristics could be present in any house where Mars in Cancer sits because the house is the area of the person’s life where these characteristics manifest. 5th House represents the ego, creativity, self-actualization and what the person does for fun. This position could magnify these characteristics because it becomes “all about them (the person)”. The only modification might be the Cancer energies become less introverted, more open, and less focused on looking after someone else.
To answer your 2nd question….yes, this transit would have a very strong impact on someone with this position.
You are so right on, LOVE how to the point you describe this all. Just found your site and will regularly check back.
I cannot even explain HOW INTENSE this week has been for me! (cancer sun/ gemini moon/ mars in scorpio) geez!!!! Well, today is actually the first day I’m feeling .. Ummm.. Not depressed or anxious or like my life is over! Coming from someone who is very open and trusting and generally excited about life.. This mars has literally rocke my boat emotionally to the core of bloody tears. Today, I can say it was neccessary so I can realize my life fears. If it wasn’t for this.. I probably would’ve never empowered it. Thanks
Of course this all began in June and has developed and gotten more intense. What a rollercoaster!
You’re welcome.
Sorry it’s been such a rough time for you but things should lighten up considerably by the end of this month.