Tag Archives: Cancer

Capricorn Shore, Dancing Waves: Cancer Full Moon and Eclipse

By Amanda Painter

Today the Moon enters Cancer at 3:43 am EST (8:43:07 UTC) on its way to Friday’s Full Moon and penumbral lunar eclipse. I keep looking at this chart — with the Moon, seemingly by itself, facing off against a host of objects in Capricorn — and all these sea-related catchphrases keep popping into mind. I’ll get to those in a moment.

Light dancing on waves, waves dancing on shore; Higgins Beach, Maine. Photo by Amanda Painter.

Light dancing on waves, waves dancing on shore; Higgins Beach, Maine. Photo by Amanda Painter.

For some orientation: the eclipse peaks on Jan. 10 at 2:10 pm EST (19:09:58 UTC). Eleven minutes later, the Sun-Moon opposition (Full Moon) peaks at 2:21 pm EST (19:21:10 UTC).

Astrologically, the Moon rules Cancer. It is strong there, and emphasizes this water sign’s tendency toward cycles, intuition and sensitivity. Astronomically, the Moon’s movements dictate the tides of our actual oceans.

Meanwhile, in Capricorn (sign of business, government, tradition, leadership) we have: the Sun (conscious self-expression), Mercury (intellect and communication), asteroid Ceres (food, nourishment), Saturn (structure, limits, authority), Pluto (compelled evolution, ‘what is below’), and centaur Chariklo (holding space for another).

Full Moons imply a meeting or confrontation. In the chart for this one, the Moon seemingly floats in the water all by itself, reflecting the light of the Sun, and opposing all those other objects that are aligned on the rocky shore. Among those objects: a Saturn-Pluto conjunction — exact just two days later, on Jan. 12 — that describes much of the upheaval and major change we’re witnessing around us.

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Onward into 2020

By Amanda Painter

I don’t know about you, but I’ve found this to be an especially contemplative transition to a new year. I guess that’s true each time we end a decade, as we assess just how much has changed in those ten years. Yet, in moving from 2019 to 2020, I’m aware of just how much extra gravitas, pressure, awareness and restlessness I’m feeling, and its correlation to the Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn.

Photo by Amanda Painter

Photo by Amanda Painter

Ten or so years ago, roughly corresponding to Pluto’s ingress into Capricorn, marked some highly pivotal events in my life.

Tracing the growth I’ve experienced in this last decade — and contrasting it to the general trajectory of the previous ten years — is offering confirmation that the processes of Pluto, daunting as they are, do offer gifts.

Even so, the lessons of Pluto and Saturn tend to be hard-won.

While the lessons of Jupiter (and even Uranus) can seem to fling the doors of one’s life wide open — simply leaving it up to us to stride through (not always easy, depending on one’s circumstances and baggage) — Saturn and Pluto demand more. They ask us to work for what we want. They insist that we make the difficult choice to undo so much that has always appeared solid, or a given, so that we can build anew in ways that afford us more space for who we’re becoming.

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Male dancers performing the Tedung Agung, a dance evoking a protective umbrella, in Ubud, Bali. Photo by Amanda Painte

Body and Soul, After the Full Moon

By Amanda Painter

By the time you read this, the restless Gemini Full Moon will be separating. However, I’m writing this piece in the thick of it, and it’s been a challenge for me to stay focused on the Sagittarian arrow of the Sun and not get mixed up in the less-conscious mental chatter of the Gemini Moon. Thankfully, today you may notice certain interpersonal situations begin resolving, even if other feelings are intensifying.

Male dancers performing the Tedung Agung, a dance evoking a protective umbrella, in Ubud, Bali. Photo by Amanda Painte

Dancers performing the Tedung Agung, which evokes a protective umbrella, in Ubud, Bali. Photo by Amanda Painter.

Mental activity should ease this evening, after the Moon enters Cancer at 6:23 pm EST (23:22:58 UTC). With the Moon in its home sign, emotions are more likely to be felt for what they are.

Yet they might get verbalized less, as the Moon opposes the impressive collection of objects in Capricorn over Friday and Saturday.

While the Moon oppositions act as mini tidal shifts (either with people you encounter or entirely within you), you’ll want to notice whether there’s anything deeper going on for you.

Emotions that intensified during the recent Full Moon likely still have depths calling for exploration — or excavation. Venus makes its exact conjunction to Pluto tomorrow. Venus is the planet of feelings and the senses. Pluto represents not only change, but also all that exists ‘below’ — such as below consciousness, below the Earth’s surface (as in Capricorn), or below the proverbial belt.

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The Day of the Bridge — Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Nov. 17
The Day of the Bridge | 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio available for instant access | All Other Signs

Ideas you offer this year can have greater impact than you realize. Educational pursuits and achievement have been ongoing themes for a while, and you’ve reached a stage where you might serve in a teaching or nurturing capacity to others in some way. You’re approaching a major breakthrough, so stay on course. Let any emotional challenges or frustrations you may encounter be as dust in the wind. You have too much to gain and too much to give. Trust yourself.
— by Victoria Emory

Do you ever feel like your Scorpio Sun, rising sign or Moon gets a bad rap from astrologers? Eric Francis understands the potential held in your depths — and can walk you through how the planet Uranus in your relationship zone might be stirring things up. Order your 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio reading to move past the stereotypes, and meet your life at full strength.

Written in the Planets

Through much of the day Sunday, Cancer Moon will square Mars (in late Libra). Mars is not at home in Libra, and this aspect from the Moon may feel irritating and cause highly charged reactions. This is a typical anger aspect; a diplomatic response, and letting the matter pass, would work better.

Be mindful of your responses to provoking situations. That said, this aspect is most useful for making positive changes for your health and wellbeing. Listening to your physical sensations and your instincts could yield helpful solutions.

The Moon will then enter Leo Sunday at about 4:57 pm ET (21:56:55 UTC) and make a square to Uranus (in early Taurus). This is a wakeup aspect, likely to have an effect more on the innovative and inspiring side; perhaps you’ll feel motivated to take up some slack, or try a new approach to an old problem.

Both aspects presage the forthcoming Mars-Uranus opposition, which takes place in one week’s time. Contacts between Mars and Uranus are often volatile, reflecting the jumpy nature of these two planets.

The Moon’s involvement today offers a potentially valuable insight into the benefits of playing with what might feel edgy or even annoying. This could highlight unresolved matters swimming beneath the surface, and bring them out. If you can engage with this material, it may enable you to work constructively with what are often difficult and discomfiting emotions.


In 2020 we have not one but two conjunctions that mark the turn of a generation, and of an era in history. On Jan. 12, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn form their once per 33-year conjunction. Then on Dec. 21. 2020, Jupiter and Saturn, both now in Aquarius, form a conjunction in the first degree of that sign. Read more here…

The Day of the Boss — Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Nov. 16
The Day of the Boss | 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio available for instant access | All Other Signs

You’re on a path of knowledge, and your emotional compass is your best guide along that road. Part of this process involves gaining perspective on aspects of your past, and becoming conscious of limiting concepts that have held you back. This is your dharma in the coming year, and a profoundly creative, healing process. You’re on a quest: the goal is nothing less than liberation from a worldview that no longer fits who you’ve become.
— by Victoria Emory

Do you ever feel like your Scorpio Sun, rising sign or Moon gets a bad rap from astrologers? Eric Francis understands the potential held in your depths — and can walk you through how the planet Uranus in your relationship zone might be stirring things up. Order your 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio reading to move past the stereotypes, and meet your life at full strength.

Written in the Planets

Under today’s emotionally tuned Cancer Moon, you may be particularly sensitive to the strengthening radiations of multiple cycles that culminate over the coming days and weeks. Mars will soon enter its watery home of Scorpio, as Mercury prepares to station direct. Jupiter will wrap up its year-long sojourn through its home sign of Sagittarius, to magnify the mounting pressure of Saturn’s tightening conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn. Change is in the air.

As the lunar cycle winds down, today is an especially good time to nurture yourself, take care of personal needs that bolster moods, and strengthen your sense of emotional security. Hearts are tender yet open during the first part of the day, and some form of sharing, caring or communication with those you love can be a balm for the soul. It’s a fine time to dig into creative or domestic projects, if you’re feeling more private than social. As night falls on the East Coast, the sweet and protective Cancer vibes lock into the weighty presence in its opposite sign of Capricorn, which can exacerbate feelings of vulnerability. Remember that the Moon’s influence is powerful but temporary, and tend to your inner child.
— by Victoria Emory


In 2020 we have not one but two conjunctions that mark the turn of a generation, and of an era in history. On Jan. 12, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn form their once per 33-year conjunction. Then on Dec. 21. 2020, Jupiter and Saturn, both now in Aquarius, form a conjunction in the first degree of that sign. Read more here…

The Day of Singularity: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Oct. 21
The Day of Singularity | 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio now available for pre-order | Order the 2019-20 Libra Astrology Studio | All Other Signs

It’s natural to have periods in your life when you need to slow down, as well as those during which you work harder and achieve more. You might want to be a 24/7 efficiency machine, though it’ll help you to remember that you’re made of organic flesh. Make room in your life for the ebbs and flows. There will be time enough to get plenty done; and taking pauses to listen to the beat of the world, and really live, can stoke your imagination like virtually nothing else.
— by Amy Elliott

Do you have your Sun, Moon or rising sign in Libra? If so, Eric has much to say about stabilizing your relationships in the chaos of the internet, getting some traction in your career, and most of all, how to frame your own reality. in the 2019-2020 Libra Astrology Studio, now available for instant access. Check out the video preview for the reading here.

Written in the Planets

Mercury (the planet of mind and communication) makes a conjunction to the asteroid Pallas (reason, political strategy) in Scorpio today. Although Scorpio is a water sign related to the emotions, Pallas describes a less emotional, more detached ability to broach certain topics. Specifically, there’s potential here to discuss deep and even taboo subject matter in a fairly objective way. This could come as a relief if you’ve been stewing about something and have been on the fence about whether to pipe up.

Scorpio’s relationship to sensitive areas of life (sex, death, money, profound transformation) offers some hints about where the conversation may need to venture. If these things usually make you squirm, all the more reason to take advantage of today’s astrology. Just watch your motives if you start getting ‘strategic’ about the discussion. The idea is to allow candid frankness, not to weaponize what you have to say. Think in terms of entering into the matter at hand together with the other person, rather than ambushing them with secrets as a way to dominate them.

This morning’s last quarter Moon bodes well for moving into the home stretch of anything you’ve been working on the last few weeks. That aspect spans from Cancer to Libra. Once the Moon enters Leo around midday EDT, conversations could feel more social, open and forthright. If someone seems to be overstating their case, you can likely chalk it up to a penchant for dramatic flair. Why take it personally when you can be entertained?
— by Amanda Painter


In 2020 we have not one but two conjunctions that mark the turn of a generation, and of an era in history. On Jan. 12, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn form their once per 33-year conjunction. Then on Dec. 21. 2020, Jupiter and Saturn, both now in Aquarius, form a conjunction in the first degree of that sign. Read more here…

The Day of Vogue: Birthdays and Planet News

If Your Birthday is Oct. 20
The Day of Vogue | 2019-20 Scorpio Astrology Studio now available for pre-order | Order the 2019-20 Libra Astrology Studio | All Other Signs

Some rather beautiful astrology today is likely to help you focus your efforts on what means the very most to you. You may find it easier than usual to integrate the various facets of your life and align them with your main purpose. In addition, your creative powers are likely to be at their height, enabling you to experience the world at its most vivid. Soak it all in, and let the everyday wonders that surround you gently enrich and open up your perspective.
— by Amy Elliott

Do you have your Sun, Moon or rising sign in Libra? If so, Eric has much to say about stabilizing your relationships in the chaos of the internet, getting some traction in your career, and most of all, how to frame your own reality. in the 2019-2020 Libra Astrology Studio, now available for instant access. Check out the video preview for the reading here.

Written in the Planets

Have you ever noticed how taking care of things can bring feelings of security? That could mean taking care of others, taking care of yourself, taking care of business, taking care of your immediate environment and basic needs. Is it the simple fact of taking action, or is it the sensitivity and quality of attention that makes the difference? Probably all of the above — and today appears prime for the act of caring in any form, thanks to the Cancer Moon and the aspects it’s making. Domestic pursuits are calling, yet you might also feel drawn to extend the gesture beyond your home and immediate family.

One of the aspects the Moon activates today is a sextile between Venus in Scorpio and Saturn in Capricorn. If you have detailed creative projects or business tasks on your plate, you should be able to dive into them with ease, as long as you make the initial effort. This aspect also bodes well for embracing relationship ‘responsibilities’ without them seeming like burdens; in fact, it will probably feel like it deepens intimacy.

Caring actively is a win-win for all involved, and the Libra Sun is making aspects that offer another spin on the theme. In this case, you may have an opportunity at a second chance of some kind — for example, to “be the change you wish to see,” or to behave in a way that is more ethical or more focused on the highest good, or to act in greater alignment with your sense of purpose. Whatever it is, remember that deliberating on such a thing only gets you so far. Actually acting on the option to build more balanced and just relationships is where the subtle magic happens.
— by Amanda Painter


In 2020 we have not one but two conjunctions that mark the turn of a generation, and of an era in history. On Jan. 12, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn form their once per 33-year conjunction. Then on Dec. 21. 2020, Jupiter and Saturn, both now in Aquarius, form a conjunction in the first degree of that sign. Read more here…

The Aries Full Moon and Friends

By Amanda Painter

How’s your sleep this week? And your relationship to authority figures — the ‘real’ ones and the internalized ones? Where are your thoughts going, and how do you feel about it? What about your urges and responses in your more intimate relationships? How conscious are you about using your energy in a creative, focused way?

The 2015 Aries Full Moon; photo by Amanda Painter.

The 2015 Aries Full Moon; photo by Amanda Painter.

As we end this week, several planetary events are conspiring to drive questions like those. The headlining act is the Aries Full Moon on Sunday.

Before we get there, Mercury enters its pre-retrograde echo (or shadow) phase tomorrow. On Saturday, Venus opposes Uranus to add a little extra voltage. Let’s take them in chronological order.

Mercury entering its shadow/echo phase Friday evening is your heads up to prepare any and all things related to communication, its related technologies, spending, transit, and how you handle your frame of mind in general. As in: back up your computer, tie up any loose ends with contracts and major purchases, and begin to get back into habits that help to safeguard against sending emails that ought not to be sent.

Mercury won’t actually station retrograde until Oct. 31 (Trick or Treat!). But as you may know, things can sometimes get even funkier prior to the retrograde than during it. Mercury will station direct — still in Scorpio — on Nov. 20.

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