Ruling Planet: The Moon
Modality: Cardinal
Element: Water
Symbol: The Crab
Personality: nurturing, sensitive, compassionate, self-protective, security-seeking and offering, loving, goofy, ingratiating sense of humor, emotional, intuitive, insecure, moody, sentimental, introverted, easily overwhelmed, loyal, protective, caring, overly sensitive, vindictive, committed, devoted, overbearing, decisive, deep, attentive, kind, selfless, manipulative, honest, independent, creative, nostalgic, brooding, thrifty, adaptable, organized, self-sufficient
Spanning from June 21st to July 22nd, Cancer season guides us into the realm of feelings. Cancer is the 4th sign of the zodiac, represented by the Crab. Sun in Cancers are holders of memory, creation and the human experience. Like their mascot, they have a tendency to retreat into their shells, but push too far and these crabs come out pinchers-first.
Cancer Suns are thought to be the most caring and nurturing sign of the zodiac, and their commitment to their loved ones runs deep. Intuitive by nature, they are able to tap into the most subtle queues in any emotional interaction.
Solange Knowles, June 24, 1986
Cancers understand the complexity of the human experience and show compassion for others that sets an example for others to follow. As a cardinal water sign, Cancers initiate the beginning of the four seasons. Water signs are emotive and sensitive by nature, and Cancers are creators of familial bonds with great care. The specific focus of these cardinal signs is creating emotional bonds, and they do so organically, in an understated manner.
Patrice Lumumba, July 2, 1925
These self-starting, visionary leaders are characterized by their dynamism and go-getter attitudes. As Cancers are ruled by the Moon, they have the skill of mirroring the light of others back to them. Spending time in their company shows their lucky loved ones how to shine at their personal brightest.
Vladimir Mayakovsky, July 19, 1893
Cancer Suns are introverts by nature, and at first glance seem a tad aloof and hard to access. They just don’t really dig small talk, and wandering around in a room full of strangers is overwhelming for them. Remember, they are crabs and their homebody natures find them most in their element inside their shells. Once a bond is made, however, they are the most loyal friends and lovers around.
Jean Cocteau, July 5, 1889
Their strong ability to bond makes them one of the most devoted signs of the zodiac. The only downside is that by doing whatever they can to help their loved ones, they put their own needs on the backburner, neglecting self-care in the process. When they give of themselves, they give everything. Not ones for frivolous friendships, they are satisfied having deep, meaningful emotional bonds with a select chosen few.
Ida B. Wells, July 16, 1862
Cancers are often protective to a fault: they will go to the ends of the earth to protect their loved ones. Crabs carry their homes on their backs, as does Baba Yaga, and fiercely protect their hearth. They find great comfort in knowing that their loved ones are safe and protected. It is essential for them to create all-inclusive, safe spaces. While overbearing at times, they give of themselves with complete devotion and generosity.
Frida Kahlo, July 6, 1907
Left unchecked, protectiveness can turn to over-protectiveness. Cancers never forget a damn thing, and past slights are often kept filed away. From crabs to martyrs, they can throw out a litany of what they have lavished and what was not reciprocated at the drop of a hat.
Cancers rely on their intuition first and foremost. These are the empaths of the zodiac who are able to feel intensely. They are uncanny at sniffing out the most subtle of emotional fluctuations in others. Cancer suns have a talent for reading the room. Emotionally intelligent and observant, they aren’t easily deceived. Crabs excel at making quick decisions based purely off of intuition. Rationality can prove to be elusive at times for the Crab, and taking time to check in to maintain their sense of rationality without supressing their intuitive gifts is of extreme priority.
Emmeline Pankhurst, July 15, 1858
There is a reason that “feeling crabby” is synonymous with moodiness. Notoriously moody, Cancer suns have a penchant for brooding. Part of the reason for this comes down to sensory overload, which finds them scuttling off into their shells. These water signs should make a concentrated effort to make self-purification rituals part of their routine to get rid of any emotional residue from others that might be clinging to them.
Benazir Bhutto, June 21, 1953
Speaking of purification rituals, Crabs also must tackle flushing out destructive tendencies that - if left to fester - can turn downright poisonous. They often balk at any form of criticism, taking things too personally. Cancer distorted can turn mean-spirited and vindictive. Crabs prefer to get things their way, and when they don’t, they are not afraid of snapping back at any adversary - real or imagined. Taking time to air out any issues they may be brooding on, and stepping back to look at things calmly and objectively will help diffuse future blow-ups.
Alan Turing, June 23, 1912
Cancer suns are true friends who are able to maintain intimate connections over space and time. They shouldn’t be afraid to listen to their gut feelings and apply their perception to the world around them to explore their intuitive natures. To cope with mood swings, writing down feelings in a journal to reflect back on to notice any patterns during flair ups can help sort through the hard stuff. Remember when receiving criticism that most of the time it is given to help, not to harm. Lastly, our dear crustaceans should remember they cannot control the emotions, opinions and actions of others. Letting go of hurt rather than dwelling on it will make that home they carry on their shoulders a lot lighter.