Venus Moves into Cancer and Mercury Goes Direct

Pic by http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicepopkorn/

Big energy shift coming up as Venus moves into Cancer on August 7th, and Mercury goes direct at 1 degree Leo on August 8th.

The love/money/self-esteem issues that you’ve been dealing with since Venus entered Gemini (on April 3rd) will be resolved, sorted, left behind or given a new perspective. Every time a planet changes signs, the issues that it represents shift. Venus in Gemini was about choices and information. Talking the talk. Venus in emotional Cancer takes those choices to deeper level. Your options will narrow and you’ll feel those relationship/self-esteem choices in your gut. Forget what you know; this will focus on what you feel. Money will be about more than what it buys; it will be about how you’re caring for yourself (or another).

If a relationship fizzled, Venus in Cancer will help you heal. Existing relationships will become more nurturing or needy, depending on where you’re at. When Mercury goes direct one day later, you’ll get answers; people will respond to any queries you sent out (while Mercury was retrograde) or you’ll move ahead with your plans.

The houses in your chart that will be affected sit next to each other. The events triggered by this dual energy shift may or may not be connected, but they’ll have a similar theme. Cancer and Leo deal with children. Cancer represents mothering, nurturing and the infant inside all of us who cries when he/she feels alone. Leo represents creativity, play and “Look at ME”. There’s nothing wrong with wanting love and attention, as long as you’re looking in the right place. No matter which way things go, keep asking yourself if you feel appreciated, loved, nurtured and acknowledged.

Some examples of how these influences may play out:

• A new relationship moves forward and it immediately becomes clear if it’s going to nurture your self-esteem; you’ll either feel (Cancer) special (Leo) or ignored
• You move forward from a breakup with some new ideas (Mercury) on how to look after yourself (Venus in Cancer) and where you’ll be truly appreciated (Leo)
• A creative project/personal goal (Leo) that’s close to your heart (Venus in Cancer) finally launches

Those with planets or angles in Cancer and Leo will receive the strongest impact, but everyone will feel this shift.

Venus will be in Cancer until September 6th, and Mercury will transit Leo until August 31st.