From Inner Waters to Outer Fires
Embracing the Crab’s Inner Resilience for the Lion’s Outer Strength
As we prepare to close out Cancer season and enter Leo, the shift will be palpable for most. After a year, the Sun has returned to its home sign, and the energy and themes of Leo will no doubt evoke a shift within each of us. For some, there may be a sense of relief after the deep emotional work of Cancer season. Others may feel it is a time to play and have some fun. But it isn’t always all fun and games, as there will no doubt be others who feel vulnerable and exposed as they feel a push to show up and create in a way that brings up uncomfortable feelings. Whenever it comes to embodying fire, one of the things I have heard the most over the years is that people feel they have lost their spark or that their water placements are extinguishing their fire. I’m going to keep this one super simple and hopefully illustrate my belief that the opposite is true. I believe that water is the inspiration behind the expansive vigour of fire.
We can see this in a very basic way when looking at the shifts from water seasons to fire. The spiritual warrior of Aries knows what is right action and which instincts to trust. The bold Ram never falls into the trap of becoming the evil that is being fought because the mystical waters of Pisces have imbued the warrior with a keen awareness of the Self as a part of a whole, where we are all one. Thus, the spiritual warrior knows that the battle is always with an aspect of self, as the perceived self is an aspect of the whole, and thus moves through the world with a sense of purpose. The Sagittarian archer is forever on a quest for deeper meaning, curious and optimistic. Yet the centaur only knows there is always more to learn because the transformational waters of Scorpio have shown that there are always deeper emotional insights and death and rebirth go hand in hand, thus spurring on Sagittarius’ adventures on a quest for truth.
Similarly, the vibrant and expressive energy of the lion is deeply rooted in the nurturing and resilient waters of the crab. Cancer season, with its focus on emotional depth and introspection, builds a foundation of inner strength. This strength is essential for Leo’s radiant self-expression. The lessons of Cancer teach us to care for ourselves and our loved ones, creating a safe emotional environment. This nurturing energy provides the courage and resilience Leo needs to shine brightly and fearlessly express its true self with childlike joy and enthusiasm. In this way, water signs do not extinguish the fire but fuel it, providing the emotional depth and resilience necessary for fire signs to thrive. Water is our emotional and spiritual growth. Our ability to work with our water placements directly correlates to the dynamic ways and extent we work with our fire. This is why I began Cancer season with the quote from Rocky Balboa, played by Cancerian Sylvester Stallone, who created this iconic and beloved character:
“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that!”
Living is not just about surviving the slings and arrows of life in isolation, locked within our narrow inner wells. By embracing healthy emotional responses, we can move from a state of merely enduring life’s challenges to actively rising above them, empowered and unvanquishable. We begin to realise that we may not win, but we will never lose, as we shake off the chains of doubt and boldly express our true selves, using our light to make life a brighter and better place for ourselves and others. Thriving instead of just surviving.
As a person who has spent more than half my life dealing with chronic illness, it is hardly surprising that I would view emotional well-being through the lens of that metaphor. A healthy immune system protects the body from viruses and bacterial threats, but in an autoimmune disorder, the immune response attacks healthy tissue. Just as the body’s immune system can mistakenly attack itself in autoimmune disorders, our emotional system, deigned to protect us, can become misdirected, causing us to harm ourselves emotionally. This analogy highlights the importance of healthy emotional responses. A healthy emotional response leads to bold and courageous action, an expression of self-love that is outward and expansive. Conversely, an unhealthy response leads to self-harm, stifling our fire and leaving us feeling weak and incapable.
Cancer season equips us with the ability to recognise what truly needs to be nurtured and protected. In a world often dominated by a focus on material reality and the Capricorn Achiever archetype, we can lose sight of our inner resilience. Instead of nurturing our emotional and spiritual well-being, we often protect and cherish external, paltry substitutes. We may become addicted to external sources or mood adjusters to ‘make us’ feel good, relying on substances, behaviours, or other people to manage our emotions. This dependency can lead to unhealthy behaviours, as we hand over the reins of our inner chariots to external forces. Cancer teaches us to turn inward and develop genuine emotional resilience, so we can withstand life's challenges without falling into the trap of these harmful dependencies.
Healthy emotional responses allow us to channel our inner waters into positive, constructive actions: outer fires. They empower us to take bold steps, to express ourselves fully, and to engage with the world meaningfully. When we nurture our emotional well-being, we build the resilience necessary to face life’s challenges head-on, just as Rocky’s quote emphasises the importance of enduring and moving forward despite adversity.
The journey from Cancer to Leo season is symbolic of this transformation. Cancer’s nurturing energy helps us understand and process our emotions, building the inner strength we need. As we move into Leo season, we are encouraged to take this strength and express it outwardly, to shine our light brightly and confidently. This transition is about moving from introspection to action, from inner healing to outer expression.
Practical Steps to Take the Inner Waters of Cancer and Express Them as the Outer Fires of Leo
Recognise and Embrace Your Emotions: Acknowledge all your feelings without judgment. Understand that even though they may not be a true reflection of literal, objective reality, they are there to guide you and provide valuable insights.
Transform Negative Emotions: Use introspection to reframe fear and doubt into motivation and courage. This is possible by viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.
Take Bold Actions: Step out of your comfort zone. This is supposed to feel uncomfortable, so expecting to feel good about it in the moment will not help. Pursue your passions and interests with confidence, knowing that your inner strength supports you.
Practice Self-love: Engage in activities that nurture your well-being. Surround yourself with supportive people and practices that encourage your growth, and encourage your ability to lean into discomfort.
Express Yourself: Let your inner light shine. Share your talents, ideas, and creativity with the world. No matter what the reaction, you have the inner resilience to grow through it.
The transition from Cancer to Leo season is not just an astrological event but a metaphor for our personal growth. It’s about using the deep emotional work of Cancer to build a foundation for the vibrant, fearless expression of Leo. By nurturing our emotional health and embracing courageous action, we can move from merely surviving to truly thriving. Let the nurturing inner waters of Cancer fuel your fire, and let the bold energy of Leo guide you to shine brightly with outer fires, making life a brighter and better place for yourself and others.