Venus in Cancer

Venus in Cancer - Soothing Defensiveness

"The barriers are not erected which can say to aspiring talents and industry, 'Thus far and no farther.'"

—Ludwig van Beethoven

There are striking and unexpected shifts quietly unfolding this week as we approach the stationing of Mercury to go direct. Venus has been in 'mutual reception' with the retrograding Mercury and the important connection between the two planets has helped to alleviate some of the stubbornness and 'stalled thinking' sometimes associated with Mercury in Taurus. Venus breaks the mutual reception 'connection' at the beginning of this week when she leaves 'vivacious' Gemini and moves into the demure and compassionate sign of Cancer. The initial effect of Venus in Cancer, on Sunday, may seem quite uncomfortable. Alliances shift suddenly and some expectations may be dashed. Communication challenges are geared towards clearing away baggage from the past, suggesting karmic tests that must be faced directly. But Venus is quite comfortable in Cancer and will make a remarkably stabilizing trine to Saturn in Pisces by the end of the week. Venus joins Mars in Cancer and helps to soothe the defensiveness of Mars. Whether through grace, enduring faith, or a lot of very hard work, we find important opportunities to step back from the intense focus on defending boundaries and securing personal safety. The breakthroughs that we make this week are mainly intellectual, personal insights that begin to filter slowly into our awareness. While there may not be many tangible results on display, there are definitely improvements in how we communicate with each other. Doors open, barriers fall, and there is promising, honest dialog. This is an atmosphere that encourages one-to-one, 'each one, teach one' interactions. Wide ranging, general rhetoric that is aimed 'at the masses' in unlikely to make much, if any, headway. However, individual interactions can begin to lay an extraordinary foundation for future cooperation. Our individual insights and awareness takes most of our focus. At some point, common causes and common efforts will find their way back into our awareness but there is an instinctual understanding this week on the part of many of us that we must first 'get our own house in order'. In order to make the most of this environment, a great deal of self-discipline is required. The general sense of optimism and openness may encourage some to try to capitalize on their bit of good fortune — a gambling instinct that is questionable at best. Nonetheless, the plateau that we reach this week offers us a glimpse of a brighter future and some hope that cooperative efforts can produce real, tangible progress.

We may feel something like a 'cold shoulder' on Sunday before we recognize the new opportunities that are forming. The challenges are geared towards clearing away debris from the past. We gain a boost of enthusiasm and optimism on Monday. A new sense of emotional stability is beginning to take shape. Boundaries and barriers begin to fall away on Tuesday. Expanding possibilities help to dissipate the focus on safety and security. Extraordinary intellectual power is available on Wednesday — but we should guard against becoming too clever for our own good. We need to pay close attention to exactly 'who we are talking to'. Complications and misunderstandings may surface on Thursday. We may be inclined to isolate. We are encouraged to drop our defenses on Friday in an effort to make new connections. We feel safe enough to open doors and seek an amiable give-and-take of information and insights. We reach an important turning point on Saturday. We feel safe enough to take time to recognize how far we have come and glimpse a vision of a brighter future.