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Cancer:
21 June to 22 July
Element:
Water sign (Feeling) - first Decan of the Water Triplicity
Quality:
Cardinal (Leadership, Nurturing)
Polarity:
Feminine/Negative/Yin (non initiating, passive, receptive).
Symbology:
The symbol for Cancer is the crab, although in ancient times it was
the Scarab beetle. Cancer is the sign during which the Northern
Summer Solstice occurs (i.e. when the sun is at its maximum
declination - 23° 27' thus creating the longest day of the
year). It is also when the sun passes over the Tropic of Cancer.
Seasonally (Northern), the force of spring has eased its outward
surge and the secondary process of maturation occurs. It is not a
time of hard work physically, and there is more time for interaction
with the family. Cancer represents the urge to nurture and care for
loved ones, to protect and defend one's home and family. The function
of Cancer in the chart is to nurture, to ensure that offspring
survive to adulthood to perpetuate the species. It is also to
reconnect with our source, and our roots in order to provide a basis
for future growth. (An old Zen question asks: What is a man without roots?)
Mythology:
Mythologically, the crab was awarded its place in the heavens by
Juno. The second of Hercules' labours was to slay the many-headed
Hydra, but Juno was opposed to Hercules and sent the crab to annoy
and distract him. Hercules promptly crushed the little crab under his
heel, but Juno was so pleased with his service that she placed him in
the sky.
Glyph:
The glyph for Cancer has many meanings. It may represent the breasts
(being the maternal sign) or it may represent the folded claws of the
crab. One semicircle is turned upward, the other faces down. This
means that Cancer is constantly occupied with gathering the necessary
resources so that her children are given the nutrition vital to life.
In pure symbolism it shows the same duality as Gemini, but it is of a
passive nature shown by the two horizontal lines together with the
two circles representing added potential. The house ruled by Cancer
in the chart is where we strive for emotional security and nurturing.
It is also were we are most tenacious and find it hard to let go even
when it is causing us pain. The Cancer house, shows where we act on
an instinctive level, where we attract people and things, rather than
actively seek them. It shows where we have an emotional awareness
that we need to feel part of something, and where we're most
protective. Cancer has an affinity with the 4th house as both have to
do with home, family and emotions. Cancer is ruled by the Moon and
has a relationship with the square aspect.
Ruling
Planet: The Moon. Colour: Silver. Gemstone: Ruby/Pearl.
Body
Rulership: Cancer rules the stomach, the breasts, the chest and
alimentary canal.
Keyword:
Emotion Keyphrase: "I Feel"
Some
other words to describe Cancer: Positive:
Instinctive, understanding, protective, motherly, loving, intuitive,
receptive, sympathetic, patriotic, placid, faithful, frugal, patient. Negative:
Oversensitive, emotional, controlling, fearful, clingy, weepy,
defensive, materialistic, grasping, manipulative, hoarding, touchy,
fears not being needed, vulnerable, habitual.
The
Cancerian: Cancer's basis for understanding her world is emotional -
she feels, she doesn't think. Her home and family are very important
to her and she needs a strong emotionally supportive base in order to
function at her peak. Otherwise, she can become moody withdrawn,
insecure and possessive. Cancer is usually a loving parent but may
have a tendency to overprotect and smother her children. Likewise
Cancer is often the one in the family who cares for aged parents or
takes an interest in the family tree, as family is paramount in her
value system. Cancer is a hoarder by nature and keeps everything, so
as a result, her house is usually cluttered with sentimental
momento's she just can't throw away. She dislikes change and prefers
things to remain the way they are, even if they aren't particularly
pleasant or comfortable. She may see fear of change as worse than the
present circumstances.
In
appearance, Cancer is usually round looking, especially the face.
The women either have very large breasts or virtually none at all,
while the men tend to have very wide chests. There is a strong
tendency to put on weight, especially when emotionally disturbed.
They often give the impression of rounded shoulders trying to protect
their soft inner self from hurt.
Allegory:
"To you Cancer, I ascribe the task of teaching men about
emotion. My idea is for you to cause them laughter and tears, so that
all they see and think develops fullness from inside. For this I give
you the gift of Family, that your fullness may multiply." And
Cancer stepped back into place.
(c)
Cecily Bazak
References:
(The above information was adapted and compiled from teacher’s
class notes, some of which comes from “The Only Way to Learn
Astrology Series”, (March and McEvers. Much of the information
on Mythology is from the Encyclopedia of Astrology (James Lewis),
Mythic Astrology (Guttman and Johnson) and Encyclopedia of Mythology
(Arthur Cotterell) |
