Cancer

Cancer at a Glance

Zodiac Symbol: Crab
Duality: Negative
Triplicity: Water
Quadruplicity: Cardinal
Opposite Sign: Capricorn
Constellation: Cancer
Domicile: Moon
Detriment: Saturn
Exaltation: Jupiter (ancient)/ Neptune (modern/disputed)
Fall: Mars
Day: Monday
Numbers: 4, 5
Birth Dates (Tropical): June 21 - July 22
Birth Dates (Sidereal): July 16 - August 15
Birth Dates (Solar): July 21 - August 9

Cancer in Depth

Cancer is the first sign in the water element and so is associated to the seas and oceans. Cancerians have deep emotions and yearnings like the depths of these waters. They are earnest, thoughtful, sensitive people who do not believe in half-measures - it's all or nothing with them and it's the nothing that usually wins out. Cancer hates taking unnecessary risks, and rather than put all their energy into something that might fail, they prefer to wait, shifting and moving around the problem until they come up with a solution.

Sensitive, caring, domesticated, and nurturing, the wonderful parental figure of a positive Cancerian is sometimes too good to be true. They love to be needed and want to help, but many Cancerians do not know where to draw the line and sooner or later people will try to escape from a Cancerian who is stifling them. When this happens, Cancer feels deeply hurt and gets ready for combat, or may simply turn their backs on the situation rather than run the risk getting hurt. Ruled by the Moon, they are very emotional and their moods wax and wane, being affectionate one moment and withdrawn the next.

Cancer needs money and security in order to feel safe, and although careful with money, they are also kind, generous and thoughtful when their feelings are reciprocated.

Cancer is often associated with the mythical figure of Perseus (from the Greek myth of Medusa) and also with the Greek myth of the Lernaean Hydra (one of The Twelve Labours of Herakles). Cancer is also associated with the Greco-Roman goddess Selene (Luna) and the goddesses Hecate (Trivia) and Artemis (Diana).

At Play

When Cancerians commit themselves to an activity, they are eager, enthusiastic and utterly dedicated. They often prefer to be beside rivers, lakes or oceans and enjoy watching or taking part in watersports, frequently getting involved competitively in rowing, canoeing, swimming, or scuba diving.

Most Cancerians enjoy looking back and reliving the past and may be drawn to history, photography, and furniture restoration. They are enthusiastic collectors of anything old, such as antiques, coins or books, and because they are very domesticated, they are also inclined to enjoy cooking and eating.

At Work

Cancerians are efficient and organised in their approach and are often found in positions of authority. They are usually reliable and hardworking, but they do not enjoy doing extraneous or unnecessary work. Their love of money and security usually drives them to achieve in whatever profession they choose. They hate to part with anything, and this, along with their love of collecting things often sees them in occupations which involve accumulation of some kind. They might take up work as an antique collector, furniture restorer, business executive, welfare officer, sub-aqua diver, sailor or accountant.

Health

Cancerians tend to pay no attention to their health and do not take adequate exercise. Their over sensitivity affects their stomach, causing digestive problems such as indigestion, colitis, stomach ulcers and Crohn's disease.