Mercury's stay in Cancer is prolonged due to its retrograde cycle in this sign from June 26 until July 20. Information comes from within and requires more contemplation during this period of backward motion.

Mercury is associated with intellect and Cancer with feelings. This combination offers us an opportunity to perceive and communicate our emotions more directly at this time. Conversation is likely to be more personal than usual, with a greater capacity for i
ntimacy. However, objectivity may suffer as awareness is filtered through the powerful issues of security, family and safety.

Every astrological pattern offers its challenges and opportunities. In fact, they are really two faces of the same thing. In this case, the challenge is to articulate emotions without being overcome by them. The opportunity is to soften the separating aspects of the logical mind to connect with others in a more personal fashion.

Cancer is a water sign. The mysteries of water can not be spoken, only felt. Mercury's passage here does not erase the rational aspects of perception, but it broadens them to include information that can not be put into words. Know that silence can be full of meaning. This time is a reminder that real listening is done with the heart, as well as with the ears.

Mercury in Cancer shows up in the charts of conservatives like Nancy Reagan, Bob Dole and Pat Boone. Prince Charles, a watery Scorpio, has met this placement with both Princess Diana and Camilla Parker Bowles.

David Duchovny and Isabella Rossellini speak with Mercury in Cancer soulfulness, as do storytellers Bill Cosby and Arlo Guthrie. Cat Stevens' Mercury in Cancer helped lead him to Islam, while Salman Rushdie's has led him away.

Cancer adores tradition, the home and the garden. So, it's not surprising that food, style and do-it-yourself goddess Martha Stewart was also born with Mercury in this sign.