Summer in New Orleans: The Cancer Ingress

The sun arrives in Cancer on June 20, at 9:43 pm (CDT) to kick off the Summer season.

Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash

Sometimes, the Aries Ingress chart can be used to forecast an entire year. However, in 2025, the Aries Ingress chart for New Orleans had a cardinal rising sign (the last degree of Capricorn). When that happens, you must look at quarterly charts for each season to get the whole picture.

Below is an image of the chart, cast using the Western Tropical zodiac and Placidus house system for the moment the Sun enters Cancer. The chart location is New Orleans, LA, US.

Pluto is at the Helm Again

Slow-moving Pluto significantly influences the city's condition and affairs all year. The 26th degree of Capricorn rises on the eastern horizon with Pluto 8 degrees away. On June 20, it is exactly back where it began on March 20, at 3 degrees 20 minutes of Aquarius. The planet slowly moved forward in March and April, but turned retrograde in early May.

This year, Pluto will also play a significant role in the Libra and Capricorn ingress charts.

• In the Libra Ingress (September 22), Pluto lands in the 2nd House. While not angular, the powerful dwarf planet is part of a significant aspect pattern as the Sun, Uranus, and Pluto form a Grand Air Trine. This grand trine creates a kite formation with Saturn and Neptune opposite the Sun.
• In the Capricorn Ingress (December 21), Pluto reappears only 13 minutes of arc from the Ascendant.

This is a big deal. Like the dark goddesses Kali and Shakti, Pluto can destroy and regenerate. Underworld and underground powers are at play. Pluto often activates a sense of fear or dread, which can be overcome when faced. To repeat what I wrote for the Aries Ingress:

With Pluto at the Ascendant, transformative forces are at work beneath the surface of city affairs. This configuration suggests potential corruption, power struggles, and infrastructure challenges, particularly related to water systems and utilities.

Constrained Spending, Dwindling Reserves

While Pluto is a heavy hitter, Saturn is also important as the planetary ruler of Capricorn. Unfortunately, Saturn is stressed, indicating a decline in the general condition of the city and its inhabitants.

The city’s financial position has weakened over the last few years, and its aging infrastructure is poorly maintained. Overspending and legal battles threaten the available resources. On April 7, the Bureau of Government Research called on the City to strengthen financial practices, as reserves have declined.

The private sector is troubled, too. Many area businesses count on a big sales infusion from Mardi Gras through Jazz Fest to carry them through lean summer months. That hasn’t happened this year.

The public is anxious, with market instability, pending tariffs, and expected trade disruption. Tourism is lower, and spending is down. Popular restaurants and venues like MayPop, MoPho, Justine, and Zony Mash have announced closing dates.

Astrological Breakdown of Saturn’s Downgrade

In Pisces, Saturn is in “peregrine” condition. Peregrine planets are like travelers wandering in a strange land, lacking familiarity with the language and the landscape. Aries is the sign of Saturn’s “Fall”. This is the place of a planet’s greatest weakness.

Imagine that Saturn was a weary wanderer in March. In June, this planet of structure and discipline is still far from home, exhausted, and struggling. Imagine Saturn as hangry (hungry + angry), hot, and impatient.

Photo by Jehyun Sung on Unsplash

Structures Breaking Down

Complicating the situation, Saturn is conjunct Neptune (less than 1 degree apart). Although they won’t meet exactly until February 2026, these two planets with little in common are merging.

• Saturn wants security and boundaries. Neptune shifts and dissolves.
• Saturn expects duty and commitment. Neptune evades and distracts.
• Saturn is concerned with cold, hard reality, like money in the bank and food on the table. Neptune is more interested in the spiritual and creative aspects of life.

When Saturn last met Neptune in 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. In the last few weeks, some breakdowns have been observed locally.

1. The on-ramp from Earhart Boulevard to Broad Street is closed due to the risk of collapse.
2. An overturned garbage truck damaged busy exit ramps in the I-10 / Carrollton Avenue/Airline Drive area on May 20. Closures are expected for weeks.
3. The infamous May 16 Orleans Parish jailbreak, where 10 prisoners bolted through a hole in the wall behind a toilet. This appears to have prompted Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson to dissolve her re-election campaign, at least temporarily.

Saturn and Neptune will eventually begin a productive new cycle, combining imagination and diligence for new forms. 2025 is the “falling down and falling apart” end of the cycle, like the darkest night before a New Moon.

Hope Springs Eternal, Even Now

The Cancer Ingress chart suggests that new financial opportunities or options may emerge over the summer months. Jupiter manages Pisces, the 2nd House of the chart, as it did in March. While Saturn’s position weakened, and the Saturn-Neptune conjunction has a dampening effect, Jupiter has upgraded.

Astrological Breakdown of Jupiter’s Condition

On June 9, Jupiter moves from Gemini into Cancer, a position called “Exaltation”. Exaltation is the opposite condition of Fall. Planets in exaltation are powerful and well-resourced. In Cancer, Jupiter is strong, capable, and willing to protect and provide.

There is a fertile promise, but circumstances challenge Jupiter. In the June 20 chart, Jupiter is located in the weak 6th House (civil servants) and forced into tense adjustments by a square (90-degree) aspect with Saturn-Neptune.

Photo by Susannah Lui on Unsplash

Because Jupiter manages both the 2nd House (city’s wealth and trade) and the 11th House (City Council), expect City Council members, legislative or regulatory efforts, and allies of the city working to find financial solutions. It won’t be easy, but there is reason to hope.

Leadership Changes are Coming

Jupiter’s role representing the City Council reminded me that New Orleans will elect a new Mayor this year. The general election is set for Nov. 15, with a primary on Oct. 11. Mayoral campaigns will heat up over the summer.

The current Mayor, LaToya Cantrell, is battle-scarred and term-limited. On May 1, The Gambit analyzed her 2024 calendar, focusing on her lack of working hours (10-20 per week) and excessive travel. In the Cancer Ingress chart, Mayor Cantrell is represented by Mars in Virgo (10th House ruler) on the 8th House cusp. The 8th House is traditionally a place of decline.

At this writing, the frontrunners appear to be City Council President Helen Moreno and Council member Oliver Thomas.

• Thomas was born on February 10, 1957, in New Orleans. His local political career was launched from the Black Organization for Leadership Development (B.O.L.D.) He is also a convicted felon who pled guilty to accepting bribes and kickbacks earlier in his Council tenure (2007). He was released from federal prison in 2010 and returned to the City Council in 2022. He hosts a radio show and appeared onstage and in the TV series Treme’.
• Wikipedia describes Moreno as a Mexican-American realtor, equestrienne, and former journalist. Born Sept 30, 1977, in Veracruz, Mexico, she formerly served as a state representative. As a young adult, she moved to New Orleans for a position with WDSU-TV.

If you have access to their exact birth time, please message me. I’d like to do further analysis. Whoever wins will have their work cut out for them.

A Moderating Influence from Venus

A prominent and empowered Venus stands at the base of the Cancer Ingress chart. Like the promise of an exalted Jupiter, this placement of Venus suggests moderation, goodness, or sweetness. Venus is associated with pleasure, the arts, and entertainment. The planet also represents social harmony and issues concerning women and other disenfranchised groups by gender and sexual identity.

Venus in Taurus is firmly positioned at the foundational 4th House, influencing 9th House topics like the courts, educational institutions, religion, and foreign relations. As I contemplated this placement, I thought about two prominent figures who might be represented by it.

• New Orleans-born Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett has drawn attention lately for her actions. Once considered aligned with the far-right MAGA agenda, she has demonstrated a streak of independent thought on several decisions.
• The unexpected and pivotal selection of Pope Leo XIV, who has family roots in New Orleans.

Someone or something else may emerge with a highly Venusian influence during the summer. Or maybe there will be a beneficial impact on property, the political power of the people, and even the weather. A planet close to the 4th House cusp can sometimes influence the weather, and I welcome the idea that we might have a pleasant summer!

At the very least, New Orleanians will find a way to laugh. Evidence? Turn on your sound and watch a re-enactment of the jailbreak from puppies at Animal Rescue New Orleans.

Stay tuned for perspective into Fall and Winter.

If you’re in the New Orleans metro and want greater insight into planetary cycles with practical tips, join me for a local event.

1. A New Moon Workshop at Wild Lotus Yoga is scheduled for Monday night before each New Moon. In this space, we use movement and reflective activity to support an embodied, personal connection with the celestial cycles.
2. Astrology Night at Mystic Resource Center is every first Friday of the month at 7 p.m. This is a space for open discussion, and personal chart questions are welcome.

Private consultations and group presentations are available. Book through my website, Astrology with Denise.

In solidarity,

Denise Hancock, PhD, RN, NPD-BC