June 21 - July 22
It’s time to highlight Cancer. These are traits that may come forward during Cancer season even if you’re not a Cancer! We all have Cancer somewhere in our birth chart, so we can look at the house that Cancer rules to find where we approach life in a nurturing and intuitive way.
Loyal • Imaginative • Tenacious • Emotional • Sympathetic • Persuasive • Moody • Sensitive • Domestic • Feminine • Maternal • Romantic • Creative • Gossipy • Hypersensitive • Cliquey
Symbol: The Crab
Mantra: I Feel
Element: Water
Ruling Planet: The Moon
Modality: Cardinal
House: Fourth House
Crystals: Moonstone & Pearl
Anatomy: Chest & Stomach
Flower: Water Lily
Tarot Card: The Chariot
Famous Cancer Suns:
Ariana Grande, Lana Del Rey, Selena Gomez, Meryl Streep, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Tom Cruise, Vin Diesel, Robin Williams, Courtney Love, Lindsey Lohan, Pamela Anderson, Ernest Hemingway
Where did we get the term Cancer? What does it mean?
Cancer is the sign that rules home, family and emotions. The voice of empathy, intuition and sensitivity comes through with the Cancer mantra: I feel. Their sense of purpose is facilitating and nurturing emotional understanding, expression and awareness. Ruled by the Moon, Cancer’s traits are derived from feminine or yin qualities. This sign is oriented toward contemplation and inner awareness. Those with Cancer in their Big Three have a sensitive, intuitive and protective awareness. They are an echo of life-supporting and sustaining energies.
Cancer is a Cardinal sign, taking leadership rules by being a nurturer, host, protector, and caretaker. Those with Cancer as a prominent sign tend to focus on forming family ties. They are naturally empathetic, sentimental, and home-loving.
Symbology, History and Mythology of Cancer
The Moon was assigned the rulership of Cancer. The Moon is the closest celestial body to Earth and it affects our moods the most. The Moon rules over the “inner” self. The Moon is the luminary of the night. It reflects the sun’s rays, guiding us through the darkness. In the time of classical astrology, the Moon was thought to be the protector of Earth. These are where some of the maternal qualities of the Moon were observed. In Greek Mythology, Serene served as the Goddess of the Moon. There are multiple Lunar Deities, all of them are depicted as female or feminine in nature.
Being ruled by the Moon, phases of the lunar cycle deeping Cancer’s internal mysteries and create fleeting emotional patterns that are beyond their control.
Cancer is the second of the four Cardinal signs. These all hold energy of leadership, initiation, and of the beginning of seasons. Cancer season brings light and abundance with Summer. It’s the root of Cancer’s strong cardinal authority and nature.
Being ruled by the Moon, water is Cancer’s element. It was thought by ancient astrologers to be fluid, adaptive and a tangible form of matter. It binds and connects all nature. Without it, nothing could stick together. Water makes the Earth incubate and bloom. Cancer’s affinity for nurturance, protection and leadership in bringing people together as family units are akin to consolidating connectivity of water.
Represented by The Crab that goes between the sea and shore, Cancers are able to flow effortlessly between emotional and material realms. They are much like The Crab that symbolizes them with an impenetrable outer shell and vulnerable underside.
The constellation of Cancer has roots in many ancient civilizations. It has been identified as many hard-shelled mythological creatures. In ancient Egyptian times, it was associated with the scarab, which was the symbol of immortality. The connection with the afterlife continued with Babylonian culture, where Cancer was the God that was to guide the passage through the underworld.
In Greek mythology, The Crab makes an appearance. It’s notable in the tale of Hercules battling the Hydra. Karkinos, The Crab, was sent by the Goddess Hera, who was not a fan of Hercules. It was sent to distract him and give the Hydra an advantage. When Karkinos bit Hercules on the foot, Hercules kills him by cracking his shell. A reward for risking his life to do Hera’s bidding, Karkinos is placed in the heavens to shine for eternity.
The Tarot Card that relates to Cancer is number 7: The Chariot. This card shows a warrior riding off on a journey or battle with poise and calm. This card is the card of a peaceful warrior, who is emotive and intuitive, but also a powerful protector and defender of the weak and vulnerable. This card might appear when we are about to embark on something new. Upright, it is encouraging and bodes well for determination, courage and emotional strength.
About Cancer
Cozy sweaters, a favorite book, trusted friends and a stash of favorite goodies are what Cancer energy is like.
In western tropical zodiac, cancer begins on June 21 around the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s the time of year where the Sun’s heat and light are at their peak and day is longer than night. At this point, the days slowly begin to decrease toward Autumn. Cancer’s connection with nurturance, sustenance, and rejuvenation is found within the energy of the Summer months.
Cancer, the fourth sign of the zodiac, is about home. Those born under this sign are ‘roots’ kind of people and take great comfort and pleasure from home and family. Many Cancers are passionate foodies and love to cook, and of course, eat! They are maternal, domestic, and love to nurture others. Most likely, their family will be large too. Cancers will be happy if their home life is serene and harmonious. Cancers cling to comforts, from job security to beloved family members to pets.
Don’t be surprised if it takes awhile to get to know them. They are shielded by their exterior shells. Despite being hospitable, Cancers are cautious when entering a social gathering. They come in quietly, observing their surroundings before they open up. They have a protective instinct. They are one of the most difficult signs to get to know.
Since Cancer rules the Fourth House of home and memory, traditions are upheld. They prize family history and love communal activities. Their great memory is the basis for stories told around the dinner table. Don’t be surprised if they get emotional. This sign is born with their heart on their sleeve. They are deeply emotional and sensitive. They are sympathetic and attached to the people they keep close. They are able to empathize with people’s pain and suffering.
There is always something familiar about those born under the sign of Cancer, especially with Cancer Risings. They give people an uncanny feeling that they’ve met them before. This has to do with their nurturing and homey archetypes, making people instantly feel comfortable with them. The ease, familiarity and trust allow people to open up to them quickly, feeling like they can tell them anything or that they’ve known them all along.
They are homebodies at heart, even if they’re out and about in the working world or queen bees of their social hive. They love returning to a space they can call their own. Home and deep bonds, especially female ones, keep them feeling secure.
Cancers are typically close to their moms. They may also be the mom of a friend group. No matter what their gender identity is, Cancers tend to have a strong feminine energy and matriarchal presence in their homes, communities and workplaces. Cancers are always ready to host, set a table, and can be counted on to feed and care for friends, family, and any weary traveler that stays in their home. They are kind, giving and sympathetic in nature.
They have strong empathic qualities and a natural talent for healing. They can sense what others need, often even long before they have figured it out in their mind. They are good at reading the emotional tone of a room. They can help anticipate a crisis.
Cancers have sympathy for the underdog, and though usually they are quiet and peaceful, their claws come out when fighting for the underdog. They are vigilant about protecting themselves, learning the importance of emotional and energetic boundaries at a young age. Lack of patience and love when they are younger will manifest later in life through selfishness, self-pity or manipulation.
Change can threaten this security-seeking sign. Though they are creating a comfortable home, they can become too emotionally and sentimentally attached to make needed changes.
Their emotional instincts can be protective and helpful, but they can become overactive if they are not feeling healthy and grounded. They could become fearful, reclusive, and hyper-vigilant in the outside world.
Sometimes, their powerful matriarchal tendencies can be overdone by showing up as bossy, smothering or even manipulative if they are trying too hard to control their environment. They might over identify with being needed or alternatively appear too needy. They can also be needy with others, making relationships codependent.
Family that is biological or chosen are important to Cancer, but they need to be aware of being too exclusive in their cliques and slow to trust outsiders. There is good reason for caution, but it’s important for them to also check to make sure they aren’t rejecting or alienating people.
They can easily be taken advantage of because of how much emotional labor they do. They sometimes get stuck holding onto others' emotional baggage. They are vulnerable to absorbing toxic energies, so especially if they are doing healing or counseling work, they need a cleansing practice. Breathing exercises, smudging, saunas, and protective aura visualization can help with a “psychic shell”.
One key Cancer trait is to have moods that go through many cycles. When Cancers are moody, they either need to be comforted or just left alone! Others will feel the pinch of reactive and hurtful words if they cross the Crab. Cancers are famous for long memories. This makes them prone to holding grudges. Though these celestial crabs avoid direct conflict by walking at an angle, they can inflict a harsh pinch with their distinctive brand of passive-aggressiveness. It may be difficult to convince a Cancer to talk openly about what's bothering them, but if you can do it without making them feel threatened, you'll build long-lasting trust.
They’re naturally intuitive. Even psychic. Cancers can effortlessly pick up a vibe in the room. They should pay close attention to their dreams, especially near a full moon.
If you need someone with a sympathetic ear and shoulder to cry on, call on Cancer. Be sure to return the favor though, because these highly emotional creatures need space to vent and the reassurance of their strength!
Friendships, Relationships, Love & Sex
When it comes to friendship, Cancer will gladly connect with new people. They are skeptical of people who aren’t approved by their closest surroundings. They are respectful of the people they communicate with. Most of all, they enjoy socializing at home where there is an intimate atmosphere and deep understanding shared in circumstances that they can control.
Cancers are loyal, and once you’ve been accepted into their hearts and inner circle, they will be friends for life. They love to host parties in their own house for the regular crew.
Love is a serious business for Cancers. Feelings are the most important thing in their relationships. Cancer wants someone they can nurture, bond with, and above all, trust with their tender hearts. They tend to choose partners who are able to understand them through non-verbal, silent contact and shared daily routine. This sign is sensitive to sexual needs and wants to please. Their affection won’t last long with superficial, flakey or unreliable partners. This sign is prone to making unhealthy compromises only to keep their family image going. They could choose abusive partners. Shared responsibility and a life together makes them feel secure and ready for the next step in life.
They love children, parenthood, marriage and traditional values. They care about their family bonds and home more than most. They are deeply sentimental and tend to preserve family memories. When their personal lives are fulfilled they make wonderful, caring parents that always seem to know how their children feel, even from miles apart.
Career & Money
When a job needs done, Cancers will roll up their sleeves and finish it successfully. Cancer’s caring and comforting nature makes them suited for protective and healing professions. They could be found in many professional roles, but might not be suited for stressful, high-risk jobs. However, they can be found in healthcare, where their attentiveness and vigilance will be an asset. Their healing and caring tendencies do make them suited for healthcare. Otherwise, they will do well in peace, solitude, and intimate environments. They love to belong to a group, but they are great in one-on-one dynamics. If they’re left to work alone, they usually perform better. They are loyal to their employer and focused on the task. They would be great at working from home. If they stay in the office, they will add cozy elements to their workplace to make it feel homier.
Their connection to the home may make them great interior designers. They might manage hotels, host an airBnB or work as landlords or realtors. They may also take delight in setting a table or making a comfortable dining atmosphere. They would do great in restaurants or bakeries. The maternal instinct might make them great at nursing homes, daycares or work as nannies. They will find satisfaction in housekeeping or homemaking. They might even be drawn to teaching, especially in a creative area.
Social welfare and mental health may be especially interesting to Cancers. They are suited to support emotional wellbeing. This expression could take form in therapists or counselors. Their mystic side could emerge as well, making them to local psychic or medium as they offer insight and comfort to spiritual seekers.
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