Cancer

Cancer (Karka—Crab)

Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac, reflecting our innermost nature. Think of the vulnerable crab that symbolizes the sign Cancer. This feminine, yin sign is sensitive and perceptive. Its keyword is “I feel”. The Moon, the planet of perception and feeling, rules Cancer. It rules our very roots—motherhood, the home, and family. The implications of these roots are very powerful. The entire foundation of society is based upon them. It is how we are nurtured and recharged in order to have the strength to fulfill our karma yoga. It relates to the mother who carries her child. She knows the feeling of two heartbeats, two souls in one body. She feels that closeness. Because the energy of the Moon and its relation to maternal instincts are so powerful, the placement of the sign Cancer in a chart is considered to be extremely important.

Cancer is a cardinal sign, denoting a changeable nature susceptible to the shifting tides of time. Associated with the element of water, it indicates a profoundly sensitive, intuitive and psychic nature. The composite energy of mode (cardinal) and element (water) relates to our tendency to constantly initiate feelings. However, the lesson for Cancer is that although it is fine to feel, it is more important what we do with our feelings, how we use them. Do we use our feelings to get what we want? Or do we use our sense of reason as well, so we can channel our heightened sensitivity to work for ourselves and others?

Cancer is associated with the chest, which houses the heart and lungs. The chest is associated with nourishing—i.e. the breasts that give milk, and also with protection.

Marilyn Monroe has a Cancer ascendant, Martha Stewart has the Sun in Cancer, and Mohandas Gandhi has the Moon in Cancer.