MERCURY IN CANCER — June 23 to August 30
Mercury’s journey through Cancer this year is extended, and notably, the last retrograde in Cancer occurred in 2018. One of the more challenging aspects of Mercury in Cancer is its dispositor, the Moon, which changes signs every 2.5 days. This can create instability. For those born with an afflicted Mercury in Cancer, it can lead to restlessness, nervousness, impatience, emotional constriction, a tendency to give undue compliments, and susceptibility to nervous disorders.
Mercury considers the Moon an enemy, and as the planet of intellect, it feels uncomfortable in the emotional realm, which may result in mental confusion at times. If you are ruled by Gemini or Virgo, you have to favor logic and the intellect and not get caught up in emotion when you make decisions.
Fortunately, for the most part, this year’s transit is unaffected by malefic aspects. In fact, helpful Venus enters Cancer on August 21. The Mercury–Venus conjunction supports creative endeavors such as writing, songwriting, and artistic expression.
Mercury lingers in Cancer this year due to its retrograde motion from July 15 to August 11, moving between Cancer 20° and Cancer 10°.
The end of the transit, however, is more difficult. From August 29–30, Mercury moves through the gandanta area in the constellation of Ashlesha. During this time, one should be especially mindful of harsh or cutting speech, as it can easily create conflicts or enemies. It’s also a time to be cautious around poisons, toxins, or emotional triggers. Ashlesha gandanta is a karmically charged zone where individuals may confront emotional residue from the past and attempt to unravel old, unresolved karmic knots.
In the D-9 Navamsha chart, Mercury is debilitated between Cancer 26°40’ and 29°59’, making it difficult for the intellect to function optimally. Rather than relying on logic, Mercury here struggles to find spiritual solace, which is not its strength. As a result, the most intense and potentially destabilizing part of this transit will be August 29–30.
Gemini and Virgo rising signs (or Moon signs) may experience deep emotional and psychological challenges during this transit. However, they may also find the spiritual strength needed to work through the mental disturbances related to home, family, security, and nurturing—themes closely tied to Cancer. For these signs, this transit occurs in the 2nd and 11th houses, which can ultimately be productive and beneficial once the emotional turbulence is addressed.
The silver lining is that Mercury transiting the 2nd and 11th houses generally supports gains, especially once delays, arguments, or blockages are resolved. Conversely, Cancer rising individuals may find this transit more mentally taxing, as it adds to their emotional and cognitive burdens.
Mercury generally performs well when transiting the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and 11th houses from the Moon or rising sign. Therefore, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius, Aries, and Taurus rising (or Moon) signs are likely to fare better during this period—depending, of course, on individual dasha cycles and chart factors.
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