Much like your favorite Pinkberry swirl cone, summer 2024 starts off with a soft serve. As the sun nestles into cozy Cancer for a month, it joins social Mercury and pleasure-seeking Venus in the sign of the crab. That’s a triple-scoop of sweet sentimentality we could honestly all use right now.
Permission to slow down and ease into your tasks is granted—just make sure you don’t lose all momentum. While you likely know that Cancer is a flowy, emo water sign, what often doesn’t get mentioned is that it’s also one of the zodiac’s four ambitious cardinal signs. Cancer gives “alpha female,” encouraging heart-centered leadership and a sense of power that’s endorsed, not forced. All of that means you probably shouldn’t spend the entire summer floating down a lazy river, nor should you reprise the impossibly exhausting standards of the bygone Girlboss days. There’s a middle ground between the two that Cancer season is calling for; be on your game, not on your grind.
One of the best ways to maximize the four weeks between June 20 and July 22 is to focus on strengthening strategic relationships. Fortify professional connections outside the office, opting to meet on relaxed and neutral ground. Cancer is the zodiac’s foodie. Woo a client over delicate pastries and cappuccinos, or treat your boss to sushi lunch. Reinforce a coworker relationship by inviting her to be your plus-one at pilates class. Studies show that positive social interactions boost oxytocin levels, which can build feelings of trust.
Since Cancer is the sign that rules close family relationships, there’s hardly a better time for connecting to favorite relatives. Restrict a good deal of your off-duty socializing to inner-circle friends only. The more is rarely the merrier during Cancer season, a time where we all need a safe space in order to open up and share more vulnerable feelings.
Warning: Because this water sign turns us all into empaths, it’s easy to absorb the emotions of everyone around you. Time alone is restorative during Cancer season. Enjoy the occasional “cone of silence,” especially if you find yourself needing to cope with the intensity of what you’ve taken in from others.
If you’re the type who says yes to every invitation, get ready to send a few “sorry, can’t make this one” texts when you realize that all you want to do is chill at home on a Friday night.
Guard against isolation though. Cancer season can seduce us a little too far into solitude. There might also be times where you have to push yourself to just go to that brunch or barbecue. If you haven’t spoken aloud to anyone but your dog for more than 48 hours, wash your face, pull your hair back, and leave the damn house.
While silence might be golden during Cancer season, don’t expect to spend all four weeks walking around like a Trappist monk. Theatrical, outgoing Leo season begins on July 22, but even before then, both Mercury (on July 2) and Venus (on July 11) will strut into the sign of the lion. This is certain to shore people out of the stormier moods Cancer season can bring.
In love, Mercury and Venus in Leo can coax you to wear your tender heart a little closer to your sleeve. That’s not something people usually do during Cancer season, a time where we tend to harden our protective, outer shells. Huddle with your BFFs in June to get clear on your present-day wants, desires, and boundaries. (They do tend to evolve over time.) When July rolls in, you’ll be ready to drop your guard with the perfect level of discernment.
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