The Myth

I remember the first time I came into awareness of the constellations; I had to be about 4 or 5, and it happened upon me through an episode of Little Bear where Papa Bear showed him the North Star, and subsequently talked about Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. From here, I became obsessed with finding the big dipper, and little dipper at night.

No matter what back story we have that peaked our interest in the night sky, it’s safe to say that we all know about the constellations that make up our galaxy, and some of us may even know how they are tied to Greco/Roman mythology. BUT! Do you know the stories behind these clusters of stars, and how they came to be?

For Cancer, this shows up as an unassuming side character, turned hero in some instances, who was immortalized in the stars by the Goddess Hera.

Cancer, or Καρκινος (Karkinos) as the Greeks called him, shows up in the second labor of the Twelve Labors that were performed by Hercules. These twelve labors were an act of repentance for Hercules after an envious Hera drove him to temporary insanity causing him kill his entire family, and in the myth of this second labor, he had to travel to Lerna to battle the indestructible Lernean Hydra whose immortality involved multiplying their heads by two every time one got cut off.

In this legend, Cancer the Crab was known a fierce protector of the other Ocean creatures around him, and when he learned that Hercules was about to battle a nearby Hydra, he ran to the Monster’s aide by clamping onto Hercules’s foot with his claws. Infuriated with the Crab, Hercules stomped down him and killed him.

Hera noted the efforts made by Cancer, in her favor, that day, and placed him among the stars, immortalizing him for all eternity.

What is Cancer season?

This year we begin Cancer staring at
5:14 AM EST June 21, 2022 and ending at
4:06 PM EST July 22, 2022.

It’s between these times that the Sun makes it’s annual transit through the constellation of Cancer. Those with a birthday during this time may find resonance with the character Archetype of the Giant Crab. A fierce protector, quick to react in the name of defending loved ones, even at their own expense.

This attribute can show up in more than just your sun sign though. You can see it reflect in any of your other planets that may fall in the sign of Cancer, as well as the house(s) Cancer lines up with in your natal chart. Even if there’s no planetary energy, the house Cancer aligns with will be how it shows up for you— it just may not be as pronounced as houses with planetary energy.

For example: a Cancer in the 3rd house may show up in the way you communicate, taking on the mother archetype, tending to everyone’s needs, and becoming emotionally attached to those who show gratitude for your efforts. However, your Mercury placement will show up and stand out above an empty third house. The energies will still be there, bouncing off each other, but Mercury will take a precedence.

It’s important to know that Cancer is one of the four Cardinal signs, meaning it’s a sign that will always begin a season. Capricorn, it’s opposite, begins the Winter months, Aries heads off spring, Cancer starts Summer, and Libra begins Autumn.

This sign is known for it’s feminine energy and is also considered to be the Mother of the Zodiac for it‘s nurturing, healing, protective, and sensitive nature. On the contrary, Cancer placements may also find themselves to be passive aggressive, moody, possessive, and they tend to hold grudges. Ruler of the fourth house, the house of Home, Cancer tends to be recluse often retreating to the comforts of their shell when threatened or uncomfortable.

For Cancer season it is worthy to note the place it holds in your chart, and honor that in whatever way makes sense to you. Think about the things Cancer represents, and utilize it. Looking towards elemental and planetary powers: Water, and the moon. This offers Cancer it’s emotionally driven attribute that is almost too sensitive, making Cancer quick to act on emotion and impulse without thinking too much about the consequences. Case and point, Cancer in the 2nd labor, and his need to come to the aide of Hydra, without considering being killed by Hercules.

This isn’t always the case, and often times Cancer’s defensiveness works in our favor as it goes in claws out, bravely taking on adversity, which is a strength in advocating for change.

Things Cancer Rules:

Color: White and Silver 
Animal: Crustaceans 
Plants: Peppermint, Rosemary, 
Water Lillies, Lemon Balm, White Roses 
Celestial Body: Moon 
Body Parts: chest, stomach, womb, and breasts 
House: 4th House 
Stones: Moonstone, Pearl, Ruby 

What Cancer means for you among your personal planets:

Sun- This is the placement we know most about when we first get into astrology. This is our Ego (which contrary to belief isn’t inherently bad, however an unbalanced ego can cause problems). A Cancer Sun placement will very much have that protect first ask questions later mentality. Evolved, this sign may be more apt to evaluate the situation before swooping in to defend themselves or come to the aide of a loved one. The thing Cancer needs to remind themselves is to not take everything at face value. A Criticism is not always an attack. The sun sign Cancer tends to pride themselves in their maternal instincts and are quick to shut down contact with anyone that makes them uncomfortable.

Moon- Cancer finds solace in its home, the moon. This is where the attributes of this sign truly shine. They crave deep familial connections, and will even take on their small friend group as family members. Their homes are more likely to be a sanctuary of comfort and peace. They feel deeply and intuitively, and are some of the most giving and compassionate people you will ever meet. What a Cancer moon needs to remind themselves is to stop solely tending the needs of those they care about. Self-care is not selfish. It’s okay to mother yourself, in the way you mother others.

Rising- This placement is compassionate and kind, but their hard outer shell protects them from letting anyone get too close. They will drop anything to help a friend in need, but rarely will ever ask for help themselves. The thing that this placement needs to remind themselves of is that not everyone is out to hurt them. It’s okay to protect yourself from potential threats, but it’s also beneficial to show vulnerability every now and again and allow yourself to get close to other humans. Building a community is part of the human experience.

Mercury- A Mercurian Cancer loves to help others with their problems, especially of the emotional nature. They are great listeners, and enjoy talking about deep topics and aren’t ones to lend an ear to small talk. It may even border painful for them to leave a conversation that lacks connection. What this placement needs to learn about themselves, is not everyone holds the same space for discussions on philosophy, family/home life, and other conversations that are usually best held at a patio table at 2 am. It’s okay to move on from conversations that aren’t in alignment with everyone involved.

Venus- The value of family is particularly strong with this placement. Their love language is more likely to be acts of service, and they very much expect to receive what they give in their relationships, whether it be familial, romantic, or platonic. Cancerians tend to be super sensitive, which is why they are often called the Cry-Babies of the zodiac. It comes from a place of caring, and empathy. A Venus cancer may crave comforts brought on by nostalgia, and anyone willing to cater to this need will win a Venus cancer’s heart. It’s important for a Venus Cancer to know that not every relationship they have will hold the same values they do, and they don’t have to cut off everyone who doesn’t align with them perfectly. Unless it’s legitimately harmful to your health in any aspect, it’s okay to let others be who they are, as you want to be accepted for who you are.

Mars- This placement also has a hard outer shell, and can appear to be manipulative, and deflecting of any discomforts thrown their way. There’s a lot to be said about what lies underneath their tough exterior. There’s a lot of depth they try to hide from the world. A Cancer Mars has the strength of determination and persistence, but this is usually in their own favor. What they need to learn from this is how to balance this tendency to get what they want in order to benefit their emotional needs, and to help lift others with their super power as well. Or else they can easily border narcissism.

Jupiter- The energies of Jupiter are exalted in the sign of Cancer, meaning the abundance, prosperity, expansion and growth aspects of Jupiter is amplified with the nurturing, healing, and protective energy of Cancer. A Jupiter Cancer may find themselves to attract good fortune, luck and find that they manifest with ease. The thing they may need to learn is how not to self sabotage their natural flows of success. Trust the process, and let all that is good come to you.

Do you have a Cancer placement? Where might it be? I don’t mention the outer planets as they aren’t so much personal as they are generational. For a personal reading on those planets you would need to look at the house they fall in for you, as well as the degree, and aspects that line up with you perfectly.