Hi!
How are you this fine day?
I turned 54 this week, even though I thought I was 53 all month. 😳
When my hubby gently reminded me of my calculation error. I was taken aback. I paused. An entire year slipped by like the sand in the hourglass. It reminded me of the opening scene to the soap opera Days of Our Lives…” Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives”. I remember the hourglass image on my grandmother’s small, portable TV, which she kept on a TV stand in the kitchen. Every day at noon, she turned it on while she prepared lunch for us girls. Time never seemed to pass on soap operas. I would return to my Grandma’s six months later and catch up right away. Time is a funny thing.
On the Solstice, the Sun entered Cancer Season, ushering in Summer in the Northern Hemisphere and Winter in the Southern. At the time of the Solstice, the cycle of the year reached its fullness, like the Full Moon in the sky, representing all the abundance and fullness in our lives. Grandmother Moon is the ruler of this season, much like she rules the tides of the sea. The waters guide us through the season, allowing us to connect with and flow with our emotions.
I feel
This short statement sums up Cancer season: it offers us the opportunity to connect with and tend to our inner and outer lives. It’s a time to tend to our spiritual homes through the deep roots of our subconscious. Instead of relying on our mind to rationalize, criticize, or think our way through situations, Cancer asks us to feel our way through. This includes not only our relationship to ourselves, but to extended family, friends, communities, and the World. During this intense time of conflict, war, oppression, and fear, more kindness, tenderness, and compassion are needed yet required. Fear rises when our bodies, home, security, family, friends, and planet are threatened. Instead of leading from this fear or anxiety, trust your heart and the feelings to allow conversation and connection to flow. Let caring, honesty, tenderness, and devotion be signs of strength, not weakness. Nurturing ourselves and others should be seen as deep work that deserves honor and respect.
In addition to our emotions, Cancer season is a time to care for our bodies and our homes. Planting, weeding, and harvesting gardens provide local food and nourishment for our bodies. Decorating and planting flowers to express the beauty and radiance of the season. Taking a break and relaxing in the shade allows for rest and enjoyment at this time.
The Archetype of Cancer Season is the Mother. This ancient symbol is not only one who births babies but also one who brings life through creative endeavors and connects us to the maternal lineage through time. She is the wise, nourishing, loving Grandmother energy to offer guidance and support in our lives.
The Moon reminds us to care for ourselves and the lives of others.
Cancer season is the one that I identified with the most, as I am a Cancer, baby.
My innate gift of mothering and nourishing began years before I became a mother. As a daughter, sister, and friend, I listened and supported others through challenges and heartache. Through the years, I began to notice friends and strangers coming to me to complain, share, and open up their hearts to me. It was as if I had a sign on my forehead or a T-shirt labeled “Mother, come talk to me.”
I attract people to me.
Random people at dog parks, on trains, on airplanes, or at checkout lanes at the supermarket will share their day or stories with me. This mothering superpower does have its limits. Over-tending can lead to exhaustion, bitterness, and resentment. If not carefully monitored, energy output can be managed by maintaining clear boundaries. I honed in on this necessity by setting time and content limits in discussions with my family and friends.
One of the gifts of Summer in the mountains is the proliferation of flowers. Daisies spread throughout the yard, and my hubby carefully transplanted plants that sprouted in the garden pathway. Their cheerful faces remind me to relax into the season. They fill vases throughout the house. It’s a reminder that time is precious and fleeting. The Daisy’s splendor is fading, making room for new plants to emerge and display their splendor.
I am 54, and I am delighted to circle the sun another year, excited and hopeful of what new discoveries, adventures, and wild magic will be found along the path.
I can’t wait to share them with you.
What is blooming in your world?
Talk to you soon,
❤️ Blythe
Oh you took me right back to when I was 19 and watched Days of our lives between college classes. And fast forward to the time that my husband and I both miscounted how many years we’d been married and my mother corrected us. Seems we lost a year along the way.
Thank you for sharing and happiest of birthdays to you! 🎂
Hi Blythe!
Happy birthday young'un.
As the years pass by I find that time also passes faster (hence why you felt that you were still 53).
Of course you could always let on and not tell others your age and who would know (except perhaps for one's spouse who "gently" reminded you, I suppose). 😁
Like yourself, my wife is also a later season "Cancer baby"; however, unlike yourself, she tends to want to celebrate it all throughout the month of July and let all her friends know so I don't need to remind her of anything (just so long as I don't forget) ... 😏
And, yes - she and you both attract people. I guess it's a "Cancer baby" Rob-attracting-trait!
Enjoy your birthday Blythe.