Cancer
Karkinios
June 21st - July 21st
The “I Feel” energy of the Zodiac, Cancer is the first water sign to step onto the scene and it brings with it the emotional intensity of the inner world, connected to the Moon. Cancer is considered the mother of the Zodiac because of its nurturing and tender nature. This sign cares after all of the others, and is closesly connected to inner and outer homes. It is a covering and protective energy, and the home and hearth are its main values. It is the most subconscious of the signs, with its energies often hidden.
Element:
Symbol:
The Crab
Planetary Ruler:
House Rulership:
Deities:
Hecate
Modality:
Polarity:
Energy:
Parts of the Body:
Breasts, stomach
Tarot Card:
Chakra:
Crystals:
Rose Quatz, Moonstone, Ruby, Pearl, Carnelian, Emerald, Alexandrite, Selenite, Labradorite
Herbs:
Aloe, Fennel, Peppermint, Chamomile, Lavender, Vanilla
Affirmation:
“I Feel”
Sister Sign:
Natural Qualities:
Nurturing, compassionate, loyal, creative, mysterious, enigmatic, sentimental, emotional, secretive, intuitive, passionate, intense, values home & family, caring, sensitive
Qualities to Learn & Develop:
Letting go, honestly, emotional control, equal give and take
Dignities:
Domicile:
This is a comfortable, familiar transit. The Moon rules over the zodiac of Cancer, so when these two are paired up they’re able to use their energies effectively, like its second nature. This transit will amplify the effects of both energies.
The Moon Placed in the Cancer Zodiac
Exalted:
When Jupiter is placed in Cancer, these two energies are able to express themselves with great power and vibrance. Jupiter is a generous planet, and Cancer nurtures everything it can, so when these two energies align, so too do their values.
Jupiter Placed in the Cancer Zodiac
Detriment/Exile:
This is an uncomfortable placement for Cancer because just as its known to be the “Mother” of the Zodiac, Saturn is thought to be the “Father” of the planets, and they have very different approaches to how they handle things. Cancer wants to help, and Saturn does too, but only after you’ve earned it. Saturn can be a cold planet whereas Cancer’s energy is warm, and when they pair up its a bit of a fight for dominance as both energies feel the need to be in control. When these two mix it makes for complications in energetic expression, but that isn’t always a bad thing as it can teach us expansion in different areas.
Saturn Placed in the Cancer Zodiac
Fall:
When a planet is in Fall placement it is considered to be its weakest expression. In this case, that is because these energies can’t get past one another. Cancer is tender and caring, but Mars is ready for battle, no matter the cost. With this placement there is a constant push and pull for power, which results in little forward movement of energies.
Mars Placed in the Cancer Zodiac
Universal Standpoint
TAs the first water sign on the scene, Cancer brings in new emotional depth and asks us to pay close attention to our inner world. Wherever Cancer is placed in your chart is where your strongest values are.
Retrogrades Through the Cancer Zodiac
Mercury Retrograde Through Cancer
Venus Retrograde Through Cancer
Mars Retrograde Through Cancer
Jupiter Retrograde Through Cancer
Saturn Retrograde Through Cancer
Uranus Retrograde Through Cancer
Neptune Retrograde Through Cancer
Pluto Retrograde Through Cancer
Chiron Retrograde Through Cancer
Myths of the Cancer Constellation
The Myth of Hera and Hercules
Hera and Hercules had a complicated relationship due to Hera’s jealousy. Hercules was Zeus’s son, but his mother was mortal and Hera resented Hercules for being a product of yet another of Zeus’s affairs. She sent a madness unto Hercules that caused him to kill his wife and children. As penance for this, Hercules was tasked with Twelve Labors (seemingly impossible tasks) by King Eurysheus.
One of these labors was to slay the Hydra, a multi-headed serpent, and during the battle Hera sent the crab Cancer to distract him. The crab Cancer was ultimately crushed by Hercules, but Hera put the crab in the sky to honor its loyalty and effort.
While the specific artist of this particular vase is not identified in the provided context, the style is attributed to the "Caeretan hydria" workshop, which may have had two main artists.
Section References
Mythology Reference:
Google AI and a lot of questions.
A lot of the information in this section comes from my own personal experience and higher channelings, but I used one main source to fact check myself and fill in any gaps in my knowledge. I have been working with this book for years and I’ve found it to be one of the most concise and straightforward works on Astrology to date. This section wouldn’t have been entirely possible to create without the accompanying works of Isabel M Hickey and her book Astrology: A Cosmic Science.
-Wicked
Source Citation:
Hickey, Isabel M. (1992). Astrology, A Cosmic Science. CRCS Publications