False color image of Venus' clouds as seen by the SSI instrument on Galileo. © NASA

Love and relationship take on a more serious tone as Venus leaves light and carefree Gemini for the deep, complex waters of Cancer. Venus enters Cancer on July 3rd at 9:17 p.m. PDT / July 4th at 12:17 a.m. EDT, where she stays until July 28th. Venus governs love, relationships of all types, our values/value system, and worth (self-worth/material worth).

In Gemini, Venus is less complex, requires mental stimulation and is driven by logic. In Cancer, Venus is sensitive, emotional, loving, maternal, and is driven by intuition. At best, is nurturing, intuitive, protective, sincere, loyal. At worst, unsure, needy, confused, manipulative, moody, vengeful.

Cancer is the first zodiac sign to think about others, to consider someone else's wellbeing other than that of the self beginning with family (biological or otherwise). Venus in Cancer reminds us that there is more to love and relationships than what I need or want (Venus in Aries), what I own or can get (Venus in Taurus), or what makes sense and can be explained (Mercury in Gemini). Venus in Cancer encourages us to nurture relationships with those we care for and set aside time for things that matter to us, for those people/things/activities make loving and living more worthwhile.

As we treasure one another, we invest our time, give our love, and entrust parts of the self to that person. We become vulnerable to another being, as that person also opens himself/herself to us. Caring for another or others requires emotional support and sensitivity to their needs and not our own. Matters of the heart cannot always be understood with words, reason or logic. Emotions are raw and valid with their own merit. They are sourced within the self and the 'why' is sometimes inexplicable. In issues relating to finances, Cancer is less frivolous than Gemini. Perhaps this can be a time for planning on saving for a rainy day or anticipating future needs or tightening the spending plan and sticking to it. Cancer is also the first water sign of the zodiac so there is sensitivity to the unseen world. We all have some degree of intuitive ability. Tap into yours during Venus' transit in Cancer.

Cancer also governs the 4th astrological house. Venus in Cancer might be a time where you spend money, time, and energy on your home. Maybe have more quality time with family. Or something more basic like honoring your private life, especially if you've been too busy catering to others (at work, with friends or family).

On the day Venus enters Cancer, she quickly makes friends with Jupiter (ideals/opportunities), Neptune (hopes/dreams), then Chiron (wounds/healing). Elsewhere in the sky, Jupiter is also still linked with Chiron while Mercury (thought/communication) allies with Uranus (awareness/radical change). Keep a look out for opportunities, even from the most unlikely places or sources. Think out of the box when brainstorming or troubleshooting. Listen to your intuitive self more. Awareness. Acceptance. Release. Transformation.

How might Venus' transit in Cancer manifest in your world? Look to the natal house/s ruled by Cancer in your birth chart. Match the sign with the house cusps on your birth chart. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify the Cancer zodiac sign on your birth chart then click here for a brief explanation.


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For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and Rising signs below then click here for a brief explanation of Venus transiting those houses.

• Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 4th House
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 3rd House
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 2nd House
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 1st House
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 12th House
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 11th House
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 10th House
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 9th House
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 8th House
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 7th House
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 6th House
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 5th House

Alternatively, you may cast your own birth chart at alabe.com for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

Are you celebrating a birthday? Schedule a session for a Solar Return (birthdays) or 3-Chart Package Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months). Or you might consider giving a loved one the gift of insight.

What significance do planets, signs, and houses have in astrology? Planets have the function, the job to do. The style/manner they will use get that job done is defined by the zodiac sign they occupy. Where in our life the job gets done is determined by the house the planet occupies/transits. So, when Mars (aggression) is in Aries (bold), he is more assertive than when he is in Cancer (sensitive). When traveling through the 10th house (professional life), he may bring his confidence and motivation in matters relating to our career. While in the 11th house (friendships), we may be more inclined to having our social calendar packed with activities. Having the foresight for what may be coming up or receiving confirmation on what may be happening now are ways astrology can be beneficial ... as above, so below.

Related articles:

• Transiting Venus in Natal Houses
• Current Planetary Transits
• Solar Returns Explained ~ your personal year
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False color image of Venus' clouds as seen by the SSI instrument on Galileo. Credit and copyright to NASA.