raybear | Being a Cancer these days isn't exactly fun.

from astrologyzone.com

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

Your June horoscope by Susan Miller

Being a Cancer these days isn't exactly fun. Taskmaster Saturn has been at your side since for a full year, since June 2003, and life seems so much more serious than it did before. Looking back over the last year, certain relationships or a job you thought you could rely on disappeared. This is all part of a renewal process that by now is in full swing. You are finding out that nothing lasts forever, even among things that looked like they were built for a lifetime. The good part is, we always have the ability to wipe the slate clean and start anew.

Mars is now in your sign, giving you more gumption than you've seen in yourself in a long time. If you felt stuck, you probably won't now. When friends say, "Things will get better," you now know this is only true when you do something specific to make things better, You also know that just when things seem the darkest, the sky opens up - perhaps due to something you set in motion months ago, and had probably given up on. That is the magic and mystery of life.

Those who are in the thick of their Saturn experience are those with birthdays from July 2 to July 6. (This group includes the United States of America - the date of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, is the nation's birthday. President George W. Bush was born on July 6, so count him in, too.) Saturn comes by for a visit every 29 years, and it usually brings a time that tests ingenuity, character and fortitude. As you see, not only are YOU in this phase, but so are the President and the country. No one is immune to Saturn. Every Cancer, of every birthday, will be affected at some point. Keep in mind: the projects and people you are involved with now have an enormous potential for longevity.
[It's tempting to edit/delete this paragraph, because I don't care about any supposed difficulties the president is going through and resist any movement towards seeing him compasionately -- I prefer pure clean rage, thanks.]

If your birthday falls prior to July 2, you have become finished with your hardest challenges, for those occurred sometime during the past two years. Everyone gets about eight months of Saturn's direct rays. Later you will see the value of what you have gone through, but right now you are a little too close to what you are grappling with to see the whole picture. When you are done with this period, you will come out trimmer, wiser and seasoned, and you will understand areas of life that are obscured from view now.

With Mars traveling so close to Saturn this month, you seem anxious to put new plans into action, but it would be better to slow down and think through your present commitments more thoroughly. The last thing you need is more on your plate. Perhaps there is a way you could let go of even one obligation before jumping into anything more.

There are many people in your life who depend on you, so you probably feel like Atlas, holding up the world by yourself. Saturn isolates us so that we can be the ones to make our own decisions. Saturn wants you to stand on your own two feet, even if it all feels so hard and even unfair. On top of this, you have become far more sensitive lately, with feelings more easily hurt than at just about any other time in recent memory.

What you need most is a breather. If you can, this month, try to take time for yourself. Perhaps you would like to go out of town on a quick, restful trip. If that sounds right, do so in the second half of the month, just after the new moon on June 17, an ideal moment to drop out for a few days.
[Guess who's leaving for a trip to Los Angeles on June 17th?]

You are about to start a brand new cycle, and you will want to enter it in ship shape. You need to decide which obligations need to be tossed off and which ones you want to keep. It is time to put you first, dear Cancer. Find out what nurturers your spirit and your ambitions, and emphasize these things in your life from now on.

Now let's look at the full moon, June 3, when a big project will come to a finish. It may take a whole team, you can be sure everyone will be pulling in concert.

At the very same time, a health concern may come up on this same June 3 full moon, plus or minus four days. Pace yourself. You may be drained at this time, and you could run yourself down.

One of the big benefits of having Saturn on your Sun (as you do now) is that you will be able to lose weight more easily than at any time in memory. All the other zodiac signs wish I would say that for them too, but alas, it is truer for you, dear Cancer.
[???? For some reason this reminds me of a diet book on the shelves of Borders where I worked that I made fun of all the time -- a Christian diet book. The idea of praying to God to keep that cookie out of one's mouth seems so preposterous. As does astrologically beneficial times to lose weight. Whatever.]

Saturn will be with you until July 2005, but rather than put off your new program to start next year, begin now. You will want lose weight slowly, for Saturn, as the original rulebook captain, wants to see that you have made genuine lifestyle changes and aren't just looking for the quick fix. You can't fool Saturn. Neglect becomes glaringly obvious during Saturn cycles because Saturn finds ways to show us the consequences of our actions.

Being hit with difficult life challenges feels like being hit with a truck - you want to be strong enough to deflect what is coming at you. Most people say strenuous exercise at least four times a week keeps them sane, as well as strong enough to be able to manage what is coming at you.

Be determined to turn over a new leaf. You need to eat a truly nutritious diet, for when you are under stress, your body burns fuel differently. Every morsel you put in your mouth should be packed with nature's vitamins and other nutrients - you need this more than ever these days.

The areas of your body that might need special attention include your teeth, bones, or stomach. Women Cancers should have mammograms as a precautionary measure, as Cancer also rules the breasts.
[This reminds me -- I need to go to the dentist!]

Now let's turn to your finances. Mars is about to enter your second house of income on June 23, and from then until August 10, you will want to concentrate on improving your cash flow. It is very likely that your expenses will increase during the next two months, perhaps even unexpectedly. With ingenuity and determination you can find ways to bring in more cash.
[PLEASE let this be true.]

Fortunately you will have one of your best aspects of the year for increasing income at the new moon, August 15. If you find yourself in a pinch, know that the second half of August should bring an influx of money. (A new moon always brings in two weeks of energy and in this case, it will come to your second house of earned income.)

The problem with August is that Mercury will be retrograde, an aspect that causes frustrating delays, miscommunications, postponements and so forth. Luckily, Mercury will turn direct on September 2. You can still have meetings, send letters, and contact people from your past in August (any kind of planning is perfectly suited to Mercury retrograde). Just plan to launch those ideas in September. That means your moneymaking efforts may not become fully realized until September, even though normally you would see results earlier.

If you plan to start a new business, product or service, launch a new ad campaign or publicity effort, or take a new job, do so in September, or earlier, in July (this month is fine, too, but July would be better). I am looking ahead for you so that you can plan with the greatest measure of success.
[Why yes, I am planning on starting a "new business" for myself in July.]

Romantically, I am not sure you will be up to doing much this month. Besides, Venus will be retrograde until June 29, suggesting you may not be making good choices for yourself. Your judgment seems to be off, and you may even be tempted to have a flirtation with someone who is not available, or vice versa (that is, that you are not available). This is another example of this month's emphasis on the need to think before you act, so take it slow. You may save yourself lots of heartache if you do.
[Um, yeah. This seems about right.]

If you are happy in a close relationship, you are, of course, in a great position and may have a few outstanding days to look forward to this month. Two stand out in particular:

The first will be Saturday, June 5, when the Sun and Neptune will be so perfectly matched. The moon will be in Capricorn, a spot that blends well with your Cancer sign. [I already made a date for this night!]

Another night, every bit as special, will be Saturday, June 12, when Venus and Neptune send out a hauntingly beautiful scent and allow the person you are with to fall under your spell. Magic will be in the air, so revel in it!

There are other interesting days to watch, for other purposes.

You may get a chance to travel on Tuesday, June 22, and if you do, gladly accept‹it will be a wow of a day. This will also be a terrific day to think up a list of truly original ideas. Mercury (thinking) will be in silky angle to Uranus (innovation). Both these planets are highly cerebral‹test yourself and see what you are capable of!

Another four-star day for travel would be the weekend of June 26-27, when Uranus (surprise, unusual events) will send the Sun a magnificent, positive beam.
[And this will be the day I travel back to Chicago from Los Angeles. So hopefully this means my plane won't crash.]

If you need to sign an agreement, choose Friday, June 25, when Mercury (contracts) will align beautifully with Jupiter (profits, success). This will also be a day for any kind of commerce or sales‹you could sell the steam off the frankfurter!
[Funny, I think this will be the day I sign my project period contract with my mentor.]

As you move closer to birthday time, you'll find your old optimism will return. Planets will gather in Cancer, and will give you an edge. Just a few months ago you would have stood shyly on the sidelines while others moved assertively toward goals, but by June's end you'll feel more confident about stating your ideas and backing them up with sound reasoning. No doubt about it, you are evolving into a shining star of your own making.

Summary:

Mars in Cancer is shouting "Go, go, go!" but taskmaster Saturn is asking you to be slow and sure. This push-pull will be hard to take, but try to see the bright side. While it is true Saturn will likely win this round, going slowly will have benefits. You may find a flaw in your scheme that you will be grateful to find early in the game. Also, you may change your mind on something you felt so sure about as June began.

At the office, a work project will come due for a good but demanding client near June 3. It will take all you can muster to get the project done and out the door. Treat your health tenderly in the first week, for it is clear you will drain your energy quite a bit.

Later in the month, when you know you feel strong and healthy, review your diet to see if there are ways to improve your nutritional intake. Increase your physical activity and you will find yourself instantly calmer. Lucky you, you can lose weight more easily these days, so while you have this ability, if you need to drop a few pounds, make it happen, but do it the slow and sure way.

The second half of June would be ideal for planning your escape. Choose to go to a place where nobody knows your name, where the most strenuous thing you will need to do is perk your cup of morning coffee.

Extra responsibilities have been hard lately, but the bonus is that they have increased your poise. You know that no matter what life throws your way, you can handle it‹and that new attitude is making you irresistible.