The Key Phrase for Cancer Sun sign is “I feel”. It governs the number 4
Cancer June 20th July 21st (approx)
Cancer is the nurturer and mother of the zodiac. Cancer marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day in the Northern hemisphere. Cancer corresponds to the chest, the breasts and womb and stomach.
Cancerians are governed by their emotions and like their symbol the crab they carry their home on their back. The crab has a protective shell which Cancer has adopted to hide the vulnerable soft interior.
Like the crab they can take three steps forward and two back but once committed they will achieve their goals.
Planetary Ruler and Qualities
Cancer is a cardinal water sign. As the first water sign it gives feeling to the ideas circulated by Gemini, so Cancerians are wonderful at mothering people. It’s governed by the Moon, which guides us through the cold and darkness of the night, but is always changing as it waxes and wanes.
The Moon is the brightest and most fascinating object as it constantly changes shape and moves through the entire zodiac in a month. La Luna is the subject of poetry, songs and movies and we all know the effect that it can have on our emotions. The Moon is the great Mother and there are 13 lunar months in the solar year.
The Moon in our astrological birth charts shows us about how we were mothered and how we mother others.
Relationships
All relationships are personal to Cancerian and it is not possible for them to play it cool. The men are very fond of their mother and will compare all partners to her. The women are looking for a man to mother.
They can appear shy and are very sensitive and take things personally; when hurt they withdraw into their shell.
Cancerians need warmth- they need the light of the Sun so they can absorb it and reflect it back to their partner. Cancerians need to care for people and to have that caring recognised.
They are loyal and faithful and have friends for life. Marriage was made for Cancerians.
The perfect mate is their opposite sign of Capricorn who offer the material security Cancer craves. There is a beautiful easy friendship with earth signs Taurus and Virgo. Aries is the masculine and Cancer the feminine, which makes for a hot combination. Leo is good as long as Leo is the King. Scorpio can be too powerful, and Pisces is perfect – however Cancer needs to be the decision maker for them!
Myth
Cancer is an insignificant constellation of the crab. Cancer was the crab sent to harass Hercules while he was on his second labour. As he battled the Hydra, Hera -the jealous wife of Zeus – sent a crab to bite his heels. Hercules crushed the crab under his feet, but Hera placed it in the heavens as a reward for its faithful service.
Keywords
Sensitive to all feelings, Caring and nurturing, Moody. nostalgic and sentimental. Clannish, snobby and clingy.
Tarot Card: The Chariot.
Colours: white, silver
Gemstones: pearl and moon stone
Best Day of the Week: Monday
Anatomy and physiology: chest, breasts and womb, stomach, alimentary canal
Herbs, plants and trees: cucumber, squash, melons, all plants that grow in water Eg. water lilies
Strengths and weaknesses
Cancer is the most maternal and nurturing of all the signs. Their softness and sensitivity is both their asset but also their weakness. They are very receptive and sympathetic and wear their hearts on their sleeves. They excel in taking care of people, make ideal counsellors, cooks, homemakers and are best suited in any profession that serves the public.
However they can be touchy and snap at people if offended. They are too easily hurt and their emotions can take over, giving them a reputation of being moody and unstable.
They have a vivid imagination and are nostalgic, which gives them great gifts as writers and diarists, but they can cling to the past. They will defend friends and family and value the security of their home.
Shadow
Cancer is the clan and gives a sense of belonging. However this can result in an ‘Us’ versus ‘Them’ attitude. If you’ve ever felt excluded by a group you’ll know how painful being thought of as an outside can be. Rather than consider others as ‘Them’, how much more successful the world would be if we all considered ourselves part of one family of mankind?
By helping our neighbours we help ourselves. Giving to others allows us to receive more and creates bonding and fruitful relationships.
In A Course in Miracles it states “To have all give all to all”.
That doesn’t mean give everything you own away-rather its about an attitude of giving yourself whole-heartedly to every venture, everything you do.
Cancer can also be clingy and ruthless. Just watch crabs caught in a barrel. They’ll tear each other’s claws off in an attempt to escape!
As a Cancerian you need to learn from your opposite sign of Capricorn- to stand on your own two feet and claim true authority over your life.
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