Mercury Retrograde in Cancer: The Ties that Bind

Miracles, family

When Mercury retrogrades through Cancer issues around family, tribe, and tribal identity often emerge. These can be national or global in scope – nationalism, for instance, is a shadow side of the Cancerian dedication to family and what is “one’s own” but they also show up in our personal sphere and in our own families.

Just as many of us have spent more time in our homes of late, many of us have also been around our families much more than we usually are – and during the best hours of the day. Chances are that there have already been scuffles and misunderstandings and that, by the time June rolls around and we are in Mercury RX territory you and your family members have had some hard conversations.

If you haven’t had these conversations but know that hurt feelings have been simmering in the background then do not be surprised if during this RX period it all comes out to the fore and there is a blowup. It may not be fiery (we are after all dealing with the cardinal Water sign of Cancer) but it is definitely going to be felt. It is possible that right around this Mercury retrograde we will hear calls and be given opportunities to return to the “way that things were before” the Coronavirus hit.

If this is the case then I won’t be surprised to see this Mercury RX in Cancer have us re-thinking what was normal before we had to self-isolate and quarantine with our loved ones and if that “normal” is something we want to change or adjust in various ways. This is an ideal time for peaceful homework.

While things with living family members may feel a bit tense or stressed we may also well feel pressure from the family members who have gone beyond the veil, our Ancestors.

Our Ancestors have collectively very active since the beginning of the year and their activity is only increasing. If you have not felt really connected to your Ancestors then this time of Mercury’s descent into the Underworld might have you sensing their presence in a stronger way.

As is the case with Mercury retrograde periods this is also a time to reflect on what makes your family feel most together and what does not. If there are any wounds with either immediate or extended family members then now is a wonderful time to address them and seek reconciliation and healing. If there are any big issues around the family that need to be discussed and they have not been addressed before Mercury retrogrades in Cancer, then I recommend that they are put on hold until after the retrograde has completed.

Partners who have been in a tense relationship should recognize that now is not the time to either try to “fix” things or make a final decision about the future of the relationship.