Astrological Correspondences to the Wheel of the Year: The Summer Solstice, Cancer & Leo
I love to explore the fascinating correlations between astrology and the eight seasons of the wheel of the year. In the Celtic tradition, tremendous importance is placed on the honoring of polarities (light and dark, masculine and feminine). With that in mind, I find it beautiful and fitting that each season of the wheel encompasses both a feminine and masculine astrological sign:
Samhain: Scorpio (feminine) & Sagittarius (masculine)
Winter Solstice: Capricorn (feminine) & Aquarius (masculine)
Imbolc: Aquarius (masculine) & Pisces (feminine)
Spring Equinox: Aries (masculine) & Taurus (feminine)
Beltaine: Taurus (feminine) & Gemini (masculine)
Summer Solstice: Cancer (feminine) & Leo (masculine)
Lughnasa: Leo (masculine) & Virgo (feminine)
Autumn Equinox: Libra (masculine) & Scorpio (feminine)
We are now in the Summer Solstice season, which was initiated when the sun moved into the sign of Cancer. Although the Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, it also marks the beginning of our descent back into the darkness, as the days get shorter from there on out. It reminds us how the polarities of masculine/light, feminine/dark, joy/sorrow are always dancing together.
Although there is joy as we celebrate the apex of light, there may also be sorrow as the wheel is turning yet again towards the dark half of the year. The sign of Cancer can be seen as the representation of the dark, feminine energy that is slowly rising again.
Cancer is associated with the mother and child, birth, and fertility; with everything now in full bloom, the fullness of mother nature’s abundance has been birthed. This is a time to celebrate the interconnectedness between the earth, the sun, and us. It is a time to remember that we are the children of mother nature.
The primary spiritual message of the Summer Solstice is that in order for us to shine fully in the world, we must first recognize and own our shadow – that true power comes from being rooted deep within ourselves. The sign of Cancer represents our innermost depths.
The sun spends the last week or so of this season in its home sign of Leo, which is a perfect representation of the solar masculine aspect of this season. The Summer Solstice is about harnessing and giving thanks for the light of the Sun, which rules Leo.
Both Leo and Summer Solstice seasons are also about shining our light in the world, living our lives to the fullest, and making the most of the good times. The energy of Leo in its highest expression and the Summer Solstice remind us that true power radiates from within and does not rely on external validation.
The Summer Solstice tells us there can be no light without dark; the light of Leo cannot come forth without the dark womb of Cancer.
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