I work as a career and business strategist. But my secret passion is… astrology!
About once a month, I post an overview of what’s happening in the cosmos and how it might influence your career. It’s called: Your Career Forecast.
Whether you’re job-hunting, running your own business, or wondering about the ideal time to ask for a raise or take a vacation, each Career Forecast will reveal the important dates and cosmic shifts that you need to know about.
I am joined by my dear friend, Heidi Rose Robbins, a master astrologer who will provide expert insight into what’s going on in the stars.
Let’s dive in!
OVERVIEW
What’s going on this month…
HEIDI: The Sun moves into Cancer on June 20th, 2016 at 3:34pm Pacific Time.
Cancer is a sign of great care and compassion. The month of Cancer is a time of nourishment, nesting and re-building—a powerful “gestation time.” After the flurry of Gemini, Cancer is a time for quiet productivity, and for feeling things fully and deeply. Wrap your arms around what you love most. Don’t be afraid to feel your feelings, even if they seem unusually intense. Emotions are your friend—and your source of power—during the time of Cancer.
On June 29th, the planet Mercury also moves into Cancer. Again, decisions will be driven by emotions and intuition rather than pure logic. During this time, let yourself “feel” your way forward rather than relying on a linear, tick-all-the-boxes approach.
That same day, June 29th, the planet Mars (which has been retrograde) goes direct. If you’ve been feeling stalled or stuck, Mars can unglue things and get projects moving forward again. This is a time for focused action. Your invitation: become a warrior for what matters most. Right foot. Left foot. Forward. March!
July 4th brings a New Moon in Cancer, which is always a potent time for making new wishes and planting new seeds. What do you want to bring forth? What needs to be born? What do you want to tend to and nourish? This is a day to invest in your future—to plant the seeds that will nourish you in the weeks and months to come.
Also, pay attention on July 11th when Venus moves into Leo—and then two days later, on July 13th, Mercury also moves into this fiery sign. This is a time of courageous self-expression. Whatever you’ve been brewing on and quietly building during the first couple weeks of Cancer now has an opportunity to be creatively expressed. Leo is also a great sign of leadership. Dare to take the spotlight!
On July 16th—when Mercury and Venus sit in the same degree of Leo—there’s an air of enhanced eloquence and leadership. Communication during this time has tremendous magnetism. (Podcast recording, open mic night, or TEDx Talk, anyone?)
Finally, the Full Moon of Cancer lands on July 19th, in the sign of Capricorn. It’s a very potent time to turn within, assess the past weeks, and celebrate your achievements—both personal and professional. Take a few moments to bask in the full moon light. On the night of the Full Moon, imagine yourself as a lighted house, ready to open your windows and doors to friends and allies, willing to beam your light to all who need it most.
JOB-HUNTING?
Here’s what you need to know…
ELLEN: As Heidi mentioned, Cancer is a time when emotions reign supreme—it’s all about feelings, feelings, feelings!
If you send out your résumé—but don’t get an enthusiastic response—the disappointment might feel especially intense during this month. Be aware of that and try to be extra-compassionate with yourself.
But don’t use Cancer-time as an excuse to just wallow and mope all month long. Instead, try use your feelings as “fuel” to create what you want.
For example, if you’re feeling frustrated because you’ve sent your cover letter and résumé to a dozen companies and not one single place has responded, then allow yourself to really feel that frustration! Let that frustration motivate you to improve your job-hunting materials, to find a mentor, or hire a coach, to network more vigorously, and really kick things up a notch. As Heidi pointed out, this is a time when your feelings (both positive and negative) can be a source of great power and productivity.
Heidi also mentioned that on June 29th, the planet Mars (which has been retrograde) goes direct. Think of this like a cosmic light switch flipping from “off” to “on.” Things have been somewhat quiet for a few weeks (maybe you’ve been cruising the Internet and working quietly in your darkened bedroom on your laptop), but now, bam! Quiet time is over. Lights are back on. No more stalling. It’s time to get out of the house and take action in a more “public” way.
If you are job-hunting, this means that—starting around June 29th—you might feel a surge of fresh energy. Ride that wave of energy and connect, connect, connect! Reach out to old colleagues to see how they’re doing and where they are working. Find new contacts on LinkedIn. Go on sites like The Muse, read about interesting companies, and make a list of places you’d like to learn more about.
In Greek mythology, Mars is the God of war. At the end of June, imagine yourself like a warrior marching towards victory. Choose your battle plan and march, march, march.
In my coaching program—GO GET IT!—we continually reinforce the importance of taking small steps, every day, for multiple weeks in a row. That’s how real progress gets made. Every email you send, every lunch date that you set up, every conversation with your career coach or mentor or social media contacts—all of those actions add up and propel your job hunt forward.
ALREADY HAVE A JOB?
Here’s what you need to know…
ELLEN: If you’re employed and you love your current job, June / July would be an excellent time to step into more of a leadership role.
This doesn’t always mean going after a promotion, although it certainly could! There are many ways to establish yourself as a “leader” in the workplace, regardless of your current job title. You could ask your boss to entrust you with a high-profile project and more responsibility. You could spearhead a campaign to recruit more women into your male-dominated department. You could volunteer to lead an important meeting—or to mentor a new hire or intern. Step up to the plate. Seize initiative. Lead on! With both Venus and Mercury in Leo, your communication skills will be enhanced. Plus with the sun in Cancer, you’ll be able to communicate with extra empathy and compassion.
If you’re employed but you’re not that “into” your current job, the Cancer Full Moon on July 19th is an ideal moment to turn within, reflect, assess, and figure out your next steps. This could be the perfect time to sign up for a workshop or conference that will expose you to new ideas, new people, new companies—all kinds of fresh career possibilities that you hadn’t considered. Check out Wisdom 2.0, 99U and the World Domination Summit. Or if you are itching to do something creative—like write a book—sign up for one of Alex Franzen’s workshops. The beauty of attending a workshop or conference is that you never know who you’re going to meet. You might be sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with your new best friend, or your next colleague or boss!
SELF-EMPLOYED OR RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Here’s what you need to know…
ELLEN: The New Moon in Cancer happens on July 4th—which is perfect timing for those of us based here in the United States. July 4th is typically a day we spend with family and friends, celebrating our hard-fought freedoms and the joy of being together (this is Cancer at its best!)
New Moons are all about “planting seeds” for the future. On July 4th, gather with friends and talk about your dreams and wishes for the coming months. If you’re eager to get more clients, say so. If you’re ready to expand your business team and hire a fabulous assistant, say so. Plant little “seeds” in people’s minds so that they’re thinking about you in the months to come. Who knows? One of your closest friends might have an idea—or connection, or referral—that allows your New Moon wish to come true.
Also, since it’s a New Moon on the 4th, the sky will be completely dark. The fireworks will be amazing! Enjoy!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
June 20th – The Sun moves into Cancer (introspection, quiet productivity, intense feelings and emotions)
June 29th – Mars goes direct and Mercury moves into Cancer (quiet time is over! time for public action, shift into warrior-mode)
July 4th – New Moon in Cancer (share new dreams and wishes out loud with friends, plant seeds for the future)
July 11th – Venus moves into Leo (take on a new leadership role!)
July 13th – Mercury moves into Leo (communication is enhanced)
July 16th – Venus and Mercury conjunct in Leo (be daring, seize the spotlight, leadership and communication continue to be enhanced!)
July 19th – Full Moon in Capricorn (celebrate, reflect, assess, figure out where you’re heading next, “feel” your way forward, let emotions be your guide…)
YOUR CAREER MANTRA FOR THIS MONTH:
“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” —Muhammed Ali
If there is a metaphorical “pebble in your shoe” this month—something that is irritating you, frustrating you, or weighing you down—be honest with yourself (“This sucks!”) and then do something to change the situation.
You’ve got big work ahead—you can’t afford to be bogged down by pebbles pricking your feet! Let your emotions be like a piercing, bright light of truth. Let your emotions motivate you to clean up old messes, make positive changes, and really put forth your best effort. That’s the power of Cancer. Use it to your advantage.
Remember: no matter what is going on in the cosmos, ultimately, you are the master of your own destiny. You are always in charge. There is always a way to make progress with your goals and to create the life and career that you want.
Every door can be unlocked.
Have an amazing month!
Learn more about my career & business coaching services here.
Learn more about Heidi and her astrological services here.