Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in both Vedic and western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most western astrologers. All the astrological charts below are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.
The Sun and Mercury simultaneously entered the Cancer constellation on July 16, 2022. In Vedic astrology, the entry (ingress) of the Sun in Cancer is known as Karkata (or Karka) Sankranti. Certain schools of thought celebrate this date as the beginning of Dakshinayana, the waning solar cycle of the year. Others (like myself) believe that Dakshinayana begins on the solstice in June.
The Sun’s Cancer ingress occurred on July 16 at 1:26 PM EDT (5:26 PM UTC). The Sun will remain in Cancer until August 16 at 9:53 PM EDT (August 17 at 1:53 AM UTC).
Mercury’s Cancer ingress was shortly after the Sun’s, at 2:39 PM EDT (6:39 PM UTC). Mercury will remain in Cancer until July 31 at 6:14 PM EDT (10:14 PM UTC). You can use World Time Buddy to convert these times to your own time zone if it is different.
The Sun’s transit into a new sign every month is called “sankranti.” The period of twelve hours on either side of the monthly sankrantis represent a period of some instability when we may not feel as strong or confident as we would like, or we can get lost, misplace things, feel more irritable, extra-sensitive, or vulnerable. Those who have hypersensitive emotions or psychological imbalance can tend to “lose it” at these edgy times.
It is very unusual for Mercury and the Sun to enter a new sign at the same time. This means that about an hour after Mercury entered Cancer, it was at its superior conjunction. This happens when an object passes behind the Sun from the perspective of our view on Earth. At this time, Mercury is on the far side of the Sun but also in the “heart of the Sun,” and traveling fast (traversing over 2 degrees of longitude daily). Around Mercury’s superior conjunction, the Sun is completely obscuring Mercury.
The superior conjunction of Mercury occurs three times a year; it happened in April, 2022; and now again in July; and will occur once more in early November. It is a time when our minds may reach a saturation point and require a necessary purification (clearing out) and regeneration process, after which the reseeding of new information or understanding may follow. Insights may come in the form of divine messages or everyday oracles that guide us to realign with our true path in our life, just as Hermes is also re-invigorated by the Solar Logos once more.
At the same time, it may take a while (the next 10 days or so) to integrate and adjust to the new energy coming in. During this period, Mercury is invisible to us as it is making a transition into the evening sky, after having been in its morning star apparition since mid-June. Around July 25, Mercury will reappear east of the Sun before sunset, and will set about 40 minutes after the Sun.
The Sun in Cancer (Karka Rashi in Vedic astrology) is generally (relatively) peaceful in the friendly sign of the Moon. The qualities can be nurturing; socially or family oriented; and pleasure seeking. Our intuition can peak when the Sun transits in Cancer, as can our emotional reactivity and insecurity. As the ever-fluctuating Moon rules Cancer, the Sun’s passage here can be a time when our moods, vitality, and self-assurance also waver. We could also experience fluid retention, digestive issues, and need more sleep that usual during the Sun’s transit in Cancer.
Generally, the Sun’s favorite houses for transit are the third, sixth, tenth, and eleventh from the Moon and/or the ascendant of a natal or mundane horoscope. The transits of other planets modify this (which is known as vedha). Vedic astrologers also look at something called ashtakavarga to determine the impact of planetary transits. I often go over this with my clients to let them know their strongest and weakest months of the year per their solar transits which can especially affect health, career matters, and confidence.
The sign of Cancer and the house it occupies are really going to be affected now as several major planets aspect it from their transiting positions:
Transiting Jupiter in Pisces aspects Sun-Mercury in Cancer by its fifth trinal aspect, which reflects some protection and grace.
Mars transiting in Aries until August 10 throws a square to Sun-Mercury in Cancer, known as its fourth aspect according to Vedic astrology. In its higher manifestation, this can represent some enhanced drive and determination. In its less positive expression, it may also represent overheating, tension, upsets, accidents, irritability, competition, and conflict (especially in families which are ruled by Cancer).
Saturn transiting in Capricorn and the Sun in Cancer are in opposition now. This is a full mutual aspect known as samsaptak yoga. Using a 15-degree effective orb, the effect will be strongest toward the last few days of July and in the first two weeks of August, and the aspect will perfect (be exact) on August 14. In its less favorable expression, this opposition aspect can represent power struggles, fatigue, melancholy, tension, anxiety, aggression, and violence. On the positive side, when manifesting in its highest expression, it may help us with organization, such as establishing more order in our lives, or more efficient processes in our work.
Pluto transiting in early Capricorn is also in opposition to Sun and Mercury in Cancer, in orb from July 16-22. This aspect can represent power struggles and confrontations with threatening people or events that undermine confidence and trigger the need to defend oneself or choose another strategy or path.
Venus will also transit in Cancer from August 6-31. This generally adds some grace and protection to the sign and house it occupies, and tends to have a kind, creative, and constructive flavor. When afflicted (like when it squares the lunar nodes and opposes Saturn in the last week of August, 2022), it can indicate hyper-emotional states, changeable moods, self-indulgent behavior, swelling in the body, and hormonal or menstrual imbalances.
Rahu and Ketu (the lunar nodes) transiting in Aries and Libra are forming T-Squares with the planets in the signs of Cancer (Mercury-Sun) [as well as those in Capricorn (Saturn).] The T-Square aspect pattern is formed when points in opposition (like the nodes) also form a square with another point (or points), i.e., the Sun, Mercury, and Saturn. Mercury will square the nodes within an effective orb from July 22-July 31, with the exact square aspect on July 28. The Sun will square the nodes within an effective orb from July 26 to August 16, with the exact square aspect forming August 10-11. The pattern resembles the letter “T” when viewed in the chart. T-squares occurring in cardinal signs like these reflect drive and ambition, but also some potential for communication or travel breakdowns, anxiety, or chaotic overheated thought processes. It’s important not to make impulsive decisions with the Mercury square to the nodes, though this may be a tendency since the mind may be racing ahead of itself and not well-poised for caution or careful analysis. Sun square the nodes in cardinal signs has a similar characteristic and can indicate obstinance, lack of cooperation, or pushiness. (Additionally, Saturn is squaring the nodes on and off in 2022, which I have written about previously).
When the Sun (and also Mercury) are in Cancer, we may at times feel overly sensitive, vulnerable, emotional, or entangled in difficult relationship issues. Cancer can be like a sponge absorbing too much energy from others. Therefore, we can greatly benefit from establishing and sharing healthy boundaries during this transit. As Cancer is ruled by the Moon, which symbolizes the public, we may also have a tendency to absorb a lot of negative energy through news and social media during this transit. It may be helpful to unplug, and also, to spend time in or near water, and to make sure to exercise regularly to release emotional tension and worry.
May all beneficent beings bring peace to us. May the Vedic law propagate peace all through the world. May all things be a source of peace to us. And may thy peace itself, bestow peace on all, and may that peace come to me also.