The Gate Of The Ancestors
The Northern Hemisphere’s Summer Solstice of late June occurs annually as Sol enters the deeply feeling, Moon-ruled zodiac sign of Cancer. However, this year’s event was a “Super Solstice”. Why? Because Jupiter, our solar system’s “King of Planets,” also just entered Cancer (!), precisely on July 9, at 2:58 pm EDT.
Jupiter’s Cancer “ingress” occurs approximately once every twelve years, remaining here for about one year, signaling an astrologically newsworthy event.
The sign Cancer opens the Gate of the Ancestors, governing memory, mother, and root. Cancer co-governs the navel—where our nutrient-cycling umbilical cord ties us with our mother, and her umbilicus with her mother, and so forth—far back into deep time through our ongoing line of ancestresses. Traditionally, Cancer governs sacred altars, temples, and Great Mother archetypes, plus our connection to our parents, ancestors, encoded genetic memories, and ancestral lands. We all belong somewhere, and Cancer is the quintessential sign of “home.” Benevolent Jupiter’s astrological role as Great Protector of the planetary pantheon will hopefully inspire increased efforts to shield Mother Earth while he visits this sign!
Jupiter’s sojourn through Cancer offers a perfect time for sacred altar work, deep connection with place, and ancestral communion. Do you feel a renewed craving to connect with sacred places, or your ancestors? Or, deep and tender feelings arising from within? Anima Mundi’s Palo Santo Ritual Bundle is available for the ritually inclined. The first three weeks of July (and also July 31 – August 24) are this year’s astrologically ideal times for creating sacred space, home shielding, and all domicile protections. This is the time for intentionally creating beautiful vibrational alignments. The Gate of the Ancestors stands wide open.
What are possible medical ramifications?
Jupiter-in-Cancer notoriously influences the pituitary gland, female hormone balance, upper lymphatics, breasts, glycogen storage, bodily water balances, plus the brain tissue, stomach and lungs. Jupiter brings expansion. Because both Jupiter and the Cancer-Capricorn sign polarity govern the pituitary gland, we hypothesize a heightened need for hormone balancing.
Might this suggest increasing tidal pulls upon the shifting tides within, inclusive of the emotions and the menstrual cycle? Excess water retention, moods, and weight gain are common responses to Jupiter’s sojourn through Cancer. Jupiter-in-Cancer is also notoriously fertile! During this fertile transit, Anima Mundi’s Womb Tea can be a nourishing herbal ally.
Dandelion Root is a noted “specific” herb for breast tissue cleansing; making a warm tonic or mixing the powder into other drinks may be supportive for Jupiter’s sojourn through this sign.
Mucuna offers herbal assistance through many of the notoriously Cancerian themes, such as hormonal health, emotional balance, and stomach comfort.
Chamomile is nature’s delicious answer for calming peevish emotions, quieting nerves and comforting acidic stomachs. Calming and cooling Blue Chamomile essential oil (also known as German Chamomile) is also cherished for its gentle nature, ideal for creating peaceful atmospheres for all ages, it supports a much needed sense of ease and emotional balance.
Because Cancer is a “cold and damp” sign prone to fatigue and depression, inviting warming spices and deep strengthening herbs reputed to uplift moods, stimulate energy, and gently assist the liver, coud provided much benefit to this sign. Try this Golden Sun Milk, an adaptogenic botanical blend to nurture your inner vitality (body and mind) with the “dopamine bean” Mucuna, Maca, Cordyceps, Turmeric, and organic chai spices. Gift yourself a delicious, grounding ritual to begin your day with clarity and strength—come back home to your center.
My recent book, The Twelve Zodiac Sign Syndromes of Medical Astrology, explains the sign of Cancer in fascinating detail. Learn more about cosmic currents at our Medical Astrology Forecast tutorial, or about the Astrology of Fertility.
Disclaimer: All astrological information is to be considered "hypothetical" and does not, therefore, constitute medical opinion, fact, or directive. Please consult your physician if you are experiencing health concerns. Herbs should not be used without your physician’s consent.
