Mercury was retrograde for most of June, which really sucked. The good news is it is over now, and has been direct for about a week and a half by the time we move into July. That means we can begin summer with full speed ahead. You may have found June to feel somewhat stagnant and slow-moving. That is what happens during a Mercury retrograde, but I found it to be nothing more than a mild nuisance. I really didn't experience too many communication flare-ups or foul-ups -- some minor computer issues, nothing major -- and otherwise an uneventful June. What I did notice, however, was I was doing a great deal of reviewing my recent past, and re-evaluating where I'd like to go when I move forward, and refocusing on how to make things happen. Notice the re- that comes before these words. That's a hint as to what you can do to muddle through a Mercury retrograde, so next time it comes around you don't feel as though you'd like to bury your head in the sand somewhere. Hopefully you found yourself to be introspective as well during the month of June, so let's take a look at July.

 

The season of summer is a good time to reap what you've sown. Hopefully you planted seeds in the spring and you are now seeing them come to fruition in the summer. You may have been cultivating some plantings since the fall season, even. This, of course, is a metaphor I use to infer creative endeavors you initiate in order to manifest what you want. Using the different seasons along with astrological events -- such as Mercury retrograde, or not -- to help you in your endeavors can ensure proper timing. For example, you wouldn't really want to try and initiate anything in the winter season, although this is an excellent time to be reviewing and preparing for new beginnings in the spring.

 

For you, Cancer, July begins with an issue of money and finances as playing a major role. You may be finding money has been tight for you, but that will turn around. If you've had a period of time where money and finances were a challenge for you, you can rest assured that you are going to see a successful new beginning after what has been a difficult time. It is entirely possible that some of you Cancers out there have recently found a new job, or a new source of income to add to your current one, and that has -- or will -- make all the difference for you.

 

Looking at the 10 of Pentacles as the number one card in your spread, this tells me that you have come into a large source of money. Perhaps you will receive an inheritance (do not take this as a prediction of a coming death, please) or win a lottery? You may receive a promotion and a raise at work, or maybe just a raise but additional perks to go along. A new job or new career may be just what is coming your way. And of course we can't rule out any of you who may have been going through a divorce; you may receive an alimony award or child support to pull you out of your little Cancerian shell. How ever this is coming to pass for you certainly depends upon your personal profile. Regardless, because of the Ace of Swords crossing that card, the indication is relief from a desperate time with success as your victor.

 

Now take a look at the Ace of Pentacles in the number 4 position of this spread. That card right there tells us that this windfall of money is not what is coming, but has most likely already occurred. (just thought I'd throw in a little lesson on how cards are read here) The number 4 position in this particular Celtic Cross spread represents something that has already occurred, but not long enough ago as, say, the number 3 position as your foundation or past.

 

As long as we're speaking of foundation, or past, let's take a look at that card. This 5 of Swords has been haunting me for months. (don't forget fellow Cancerians, I am a Cancer as well) The 5 of Swords is kind of a nasty card where mental game-playing and one-upmanship is the major theme. Someone is looking to win and gain power over another person, and will stop at nothing to gain that power. Nasty, nasty stuff, but not always. Sometimes this card represents someone who has left a situation abruptly. And another interpretation of this card can be getting what you want, and then realizing you didn't really want it after all.  How do we tell which meaning it is? Easy, look at all the other cards. The other cards are all favorable cards, with the exception of the Moon, but we'll discuss that in a moment. Your past or foundation, therefore, is telling me that most likely you have been allowing yourself to remain in a situation that does not serve your higher good.

 

Now, you are probably asking yourself, how did she come up with that? I know, I didn't mention that as a possible meaning, but it makes perfect sense. Choosing a situation that causes you to be taken advantage of, or just doesn't serve you, is poor judgement on your part and you only have yourself to blame. Thank goodness you ( I should say we here) came to your senses and chose a new way to be, for your own higher good. You can certainly see the growth you've experienced in the past 6 months to a year, can't you? So regardless of whether a certain someone left the scene abruptly -- or maybe you did -- or you were taken advantage of by someone you trusted, or you got what you wanted only to find out you really didn't want that, the end result is growth within you. You grew from the experience and now you don't have to do that energy of the 5 of Swords any longer, unless you choose to. The lesson was to make better choices.

 

One more alternative perspective on the past or your foundation is this. You may have spent a better part of this past year not really doing what you wanted to do. You may have just chosen to not really participate in anything meaningful to you. What I am trying to say here is that in order to be happy -- truly happy -- you must follow your passion. Sometimes, we remove ourselves from chasing our passion because we've lost our desire entirely. I see this as a time to just be. Why push it? Instinctively, Cancer knows how to do this because we are such emotional creatures. When the feeling isn't there it's just not there, and eventually it will be. As long as you don't allow yourself to sink into a depression or surround yourself with useless anxiety, this kind of respite will work for you. And sometimes you just have to pick yourself up and force yourself to get back in the game, because you know what? If you don't do it, someone else will.

 

For now, you can enjoy your summer and maybe even travel a little bit. It is possible that if you want to you can take a nice vacation or trip this month. If not, you may be thinking about moving to a new residence. Of course, that new job may be moving you to a new location. Movement is the key theme here as a possibility for the month of July. What you can count on for the fall, however, is defining the new you. And maybe that's what all this hullaballoo leading up to now has been for you, a time to redefine your truth, and then choose to live it. You may have just been in this cycle of finding out what it is you really want to do with the next chapter of your life, and now you know. So the fall may very well be a time for you to be testing the boundaries and stepping outside of that box a little bit. Go ahead, color outside of the lines.

 

Don't be afraid you won't find the realization of your personal hopes and dreams. Fear is not an option. Fear only attracts more of what you don't want, rather than what you do want. Look at the card in the number 7 position of this spread -- the 10 of Cups. This card represents a happy marriage and family, joyous celebration of the realization of your personal hopes and dreams. With those you don't need any other interpretations. This is a happy card sitting in your fears position. Uh oh, where is your head, Cancer? Imagine we are switching that card with the 9 of Swords in the number 9 position. Now you have a more realistic positioning as the number 9 spot represents where you are focusing your energies, and the 9 of Swords is not a useful focus. It is fear and anxiety at best, not to mention depression. And although it is not useful at all to have fears, because we attract what we focus on most -- and usually our fears win out in the focus department -- you may as well have an appropriate fear. If you understand how manifestation works -- or the law of attraction -- you will wind up creating that very thing you fear the most, or in other words, what you don't want.

 

So, fear not, you can create your perfect life if that is what your intention is. Take some time to think about it. The Moon card shows that right now you are developing -- or evolving -- your psychic and intuitive awareness. An evolution of your soul is right now taking place, and your job is to allow it. Sit back and relax, and enjoy the journey. Use the month of July to enjoy yourself, and to be still as much as you can so you can hear any messages coming through to you. Rest and prepare yourself for what will be coming soon. And remember, whatever you want, remain focused on that goal and fuel it with your passionate desire, and you will achieve it.

 

Don't forget to check back in August for your new monthly Tarot forecast!