Mercury is in retrograde. Mercury is in the microwave. Mercury is wearing microbraids. However, you want to say it! This transit, happening in the emotional sign of Cancer (and staying there until July 23rd), means that things are going to get a little emotional, nostalgic, and force us to look inward.
Don’t fret, though, Cancer babies. It’s still your season and you can enjoy your summer even while Mercury asks you to step carefully. Mercury in retrograde gets a bad rep, but really, we’re being asked to slow down. Take inventory of what gives you joy, and stay away from anything that makes you feel like you’re progressing backward.
Mercury In Retrograde in Cancer & The Strawberry Full Moon in Capricorn
The sky is alive tonight! The optical illusion of Mercury in retrograde (which is Mercury moving backward in the sky seen from Earth) only occurs three or four times a year. The strawberry moon occurs once a year. Its name comes from the traditional Algonquin-speaking peoples of the northeastern woodlands for the June full moon, which coincides with the peak season for harvesting wild strawberries.
These two astrological moments happening at the same time can actually work together in our favor. The Full Moon in Capricorn is shedding light on our plans and desires. It forces us to think pragmatically and move forward in our hopes of making our passions into reality.
Serious Capricorn (a sign ruled by even more serious Saturn) is all about proper preparation and thinking about the end game. Full moons are for manifesting, but in Capricorn, we need to remember that in order for us to achieve, we need to have patience and realistic goals.
Now, let’s combine the Mercury retrograde in Cancer. Capricorn is opposite of Cancer on the zodiac chart, and both are often referred to as the father (Capricorn) and the Mother (Cancer) of the zodiac. While Cancer wears their emotions on their sleeves (I would say we basically just rock sleeveless shirts), Capricorn is the one with the crisp button-down and fastened cufflinks.
If Mercury in retrograde is here to warn us about being too brash with our emotions during this time period, having big daddy Capricorn help us reel in our feelings and use our discernment is beneficial.
How Will This Impact Cancer Season
During this time period, I think Cancer is being asked to do things a little differently than usual. Different may be hard, but it’s not the worst thing that could happen during your birthday season. There’s no need to analyze every emotion like Cancers have a tendency to do, but slow down when you speak. Mercury is the planet of communication, and when it retrogrades, it can make what we say feel a little more loaded than we intended.
This Mercury in retrograde in your sign is asking you for structure and maturity in your relationships. Spend more time with people who know that your sensitivity is a strength and not just something to be tolerated. These are the same people who will pour into you while you’re so busy pouring into everybody else.
Many say not to do anything that’s too contractually binding during Mercury in retrograde, and they’re not wrong. However, I do believe that retrograde season gives us the “idgaf attitude” that can be helpful when it’s time to free ourselves from weeds that are not going to help us grow.
It’s your birthday, Cancer. Go ahead and cry if you want to under this strawberry full moon and retrograde in your sign. The full moon in Capricorn will help you kick things off with structure, and you can use this Mercury in retrograde to your advantage.
