Mars in Cancer
Want to know a secret? I used to carry a lot of shame and resentment around my natal Mars in Cancer. After all, this placement is said to be Mars in its fall. Here, the planet of action and drive is motivated by protective instincts and strong emotional undercurrents. But now that I’ve unlocked its strengths and learned how to harness this complex energy to my advantage, it is one of my favorite parts of my birth chart. And I want it to be yours too.
Mars in Cancer asserts itself in a sensitive, indirect and sympathetic fashion. These natives go after what they want in a sideways manner- cautious and defensive of their soft interior. They may have difficulty expressing emotions in a healthy way, especially anger. If Mars is heat and Cancer is water the result is boiling water. There is a tendency to engage in passive-aggressive behavior and bottle things up until they explode. The key here is to hone your communication skills and learn how to confront others from a place of love. If you don’t tell them how you feel or what is bothering you, they won’t know!
Mars in Cancer’s primary mode of operating comes from the deep well of their intuition. They take action based on how they feel. In order to do something it has to feel good. As a result sometimes moving from point A to point B resembles more of a wave or zigzag than a straight line because there are starts and stops along the way. Due to their protective instincts, Mars in Cancer may be plagued with doubts and insecurities especially when it comes to trying something new. There can be an inherent fear of failure which may manifest as upper limiting and self sabotage.
Remember that you have nothing to gain by holding yourself back and playing small. What would happen in you committed to your goal and went after it 100 percent? There is no such thing as failure, only feedback. Oprah, Einstein, Michael Jordan, Steve Jobs and J.K. Rowling are amongst those who “failed” before making it big time. Just dust yourself off and try again. Once Mars in Cancer decides to achieve something they go after it fiercely with their whole heart and have a fantastic sense of intuitive timing.
The physical energy of these natives ebbs and flows like the ocean. Instead of fighting this aspect of your nature, learn to embrace it. My #1 tip for anyone with this placement is to start living a lunar lifestyle. What does this mean exactly? Each day the moon waxes and wanes. When the moon is full your energy is at its peak. Whereas when the moon is dark or new you require the most rest. Since the Moon is Cancer’s ruling planet, scheduling your activities according to the moon’s phases will likely feel very good. There will be a sense of flowing with the energy in a natural way which makes for a balanced use of your inner resources. You can track the moon’s progress through the sky using this website or my favorite app, Deluxe Moon. You can even take this practice one step further and follow the moon through the astrological signs to gain additional insight about what types of actions are best to take on a daily basis. I explain this further through the lens of work in this post. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Mars in Cancer needs to feel comfortable and safe. You can honor that by cultivating hygge and transforming your home into a personal sanctuary. Surround yourself with with fluffy blankets, scented candles, and listen to soothing music. Adorn the walls with beautiful art, prepare nourishing meals and wear soft clothes. You are at your energetic peak when you feel cared for and secure so make sure to emphasize self care rituals in you daily life. These are a non-negotiable for you!
Since Cancer is one of the most emotive signs ensure that your emotions are being tended to in a supportive manner. Talking to a friend or therapist about how you feel, engaging in vigorous exercise and creative pursuits are all healthy forms of cathartic emotional release that soothe the soul. Journaling is also a therapeutic practice to incorporate into your daily routine. Studies show that journaling is correlated with increased mood regardless of the subject matter. Getting your thoughts and feelings on paper will helps you to process them in a constructive way. Consequently you will become more in tune with your inner world so you can better address the needs of the mind-body.
Mars in Cancer are highly intuitive natural healers.They often know what others need without being told. Their exalted action is embodying the archetype of the Mother and taking on a nurturing role. It may or may not come naturally to them as many with this placement carry a mother wound (ironically enough), but it is one of the central lessons they are meant to learn in this lifetime. Sensitivity is their strength. Mars in Cancer is the ultimate Mama Bear. Think Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones. Cancer may be soft and feminine, but they will defend their loved ones tooth and nail. Mars in Cancer comes with its fair share of challenges, but when you learn how to harness this energy in a positive way it is like embracing the incarnation of the Divine Feminine- intuitive, flowing and magnetic.
Do you have Mars in Cancer? I would love to hear about your experiences with this placement and what it means to you <3
