CANCER / The Crab / June 21st – July 22nd

Cancer is ruled by the Moon and has water as its element which likens it to the shifting of the tides.  Like the tides, Cancer is the sign of powerful forces moving under the surface, but that surface is hard to penetrate. Cancer builds up an elaborate array of defenses to hide its fragility and extreme sensitivity.  This strong need for self-protection makes it hard to break through its shell. Cancer is cautious about revealing too much of itself and guards its secrets.

The energy of Cancer is concerned with instinctive reactions and intuition.  As a water sign, Cancer is highly emotional and nurturing.  It gives unselfishly to anyone who needs it and makes others feel cared for and understood. Cancer draws people to them by their sensitivity. Its greatest impact is in human relationships. A mixture of toughness and softness, Cancer offers deep love and loyalty. While it needs desperately to be loved and approved of, it resents needing this approval so badly.  Cancer can be easily hurt by insensitive people.  

As a cardinal sign, Cancer is active, tenacious, and resourceful.  It attracts experiences and is prepared to take advantage of opportunities rather than create them.  Cancer is cautious and moves slowly yet hates to feel pinned down.

Cancer seeks familiarity and comfort. It is often reserved and doesn’t like to be out in crowds.  It likes to spend most of its time at home.

In its positive expression, Cancer is sensitive and caring.  However, at times it can also be moody, selfish, and irritable, focused on its own needs.  Cancer’s big lesson is to recognize the hidden anger carried within, and not allow this anger to corrode close relationships.

Key words:  Loyal, dependable, caring, adaptable, responsive, moody, clingy, self-pitying, over sensitive, shy, insecure, intuitive, persevering, observant, unpredictable, fragile, sulky, suspicious, cranky, helpful, nurturing, sentimental, emotional, sympathetic, maternal, romantic, possessive, opinionated, protective, traditional, understanding, tenacious, manipulative, receptive, imaginative, kind, shrewd.

Glyph:  The pictograph represents the claws of the Crab.  It is also a picture of the human breasts (a part of the anatomy Cancer rules).  In symbolic terms, the glyph is two circles of the Sun connected to two crescent moons.  The moons represent Cancer’s desire to store memories and possessions; the circles tied to the moons represent force and energy expressed through emotions and imagination. 

Myth: Cancer was the giant crab that Hercules stepped on and killed while fighting the Hydra, a many-headed serpent