Mercury retrograde in Cancer unfolds during one of the most dynamic astrological periods of 2026, inviting reflection, revision, and the release of outdated patterns as profound collective changes continue to take shape. As the year's second Mercury retrograde in a water sign, it draws attention inward toward memory, emotion, and the imagination, encouraging contemplation of the stories, beliefs, and habits that have shaped us.

Beginning with a powerful Full Moon and major planetary ingresses of Jupiter and Mars, the retrograde corresponds with an alchemical process of purification and renewal, ultimately creating space for new visions and directions to emerge as Mercury turns direct near Saturn's station.

By turning inward through memory, feeling, and imagination, this retrograde helps us cultivate new visions and rewrite old stories as the next chapter begins.

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A cosmic configuration of epic proportions will take shape in July 2026, carrying the feeling of crossing a threshold into a new era. In astrological literature, this pattern has been called a "cradle" configuration and has more recently been named "Barbault's Basket" in honor of the esteemed astrologer André Barbault and his remarkable forecasts concerning the astrology of 2026.

Seeded by the conjunction of Saturn and Neptune in the first degree of Aries in February 2026, the configuration is formed by Pluto in Aquarius making a waxing sextile to Neptune in Aries, a waxing trine to Uranus in Gemini, and an opposition to Jupiter in Leo. Neptune in Aries forms a waxing sextile with Uranus in Gemini and a waxing trine with Jupiter in Leo, while Uranus in Gemini forms a waxing sextile with Jupiter in Leo.

In this video, I explore the meaning of this extraordinary configuration and its connections with earlier alignments: the conjunction of Pluto and Neptune in 1891-1892, the conjunction of Uranus and Pluto in 1965-1966, and the conjunction of Uranus and Neptune in 1993.

I then examine the images and symbolism associated with the decans occupied by each of the participating planets: Pluto in the first decan of Aquarius, Neptune in the first decan of Aries, Uranus in the first decan of Gemini, and Jupiter in the first decan of Leo.

Aerin Fogel returns to talk with me about the astrology of June 2026.

The astrology of June serves as a bridge into the major astrological alignments of July, a period that will correspond with dynamic shifts in both personal and collective events.

The month begins with the uplifting conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in Cancer, while Mercury in Cancer activates both Neptune and Saturn in Aries, inspiring vision while bringing important realities into focus.

The New Moon in Gemini on June 14 initiates a lunar cycle marked by a series of significant planetary ingresses: Venus enters Leo on June 13, Chiron enters Taurus on June 19, the Sun enters Cancer at the Solstice on June 21, Mars enters Gemini and activates Uranus on June 28, and Jupiter enters Leo on June 29 or 30, depending on your time zone.

The end of June is especially charged, heating up the astrological atmosphere with a volatile blend of influences that will usher in a dramatic entrance into July. The Full Moon in Capricorn on June 29 illuminates the ingress of Mars into Gemini and Jupiter into Leo while Mercury stations retrograde in Cancer, setting the stage for the powerful developments that will unfold in July.

Aerin's website:

https://aerinfogel.com/

Sign up for Gray's WSAA talk and workshop on Zodiacal Releasing and the Lots of Fortune and Spirit:

https://graycrawford.net/2026/05/18/zodiacal-releasing-foundations-lecture-and-applied-workshop/

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