Cancer Zodiac Sign: Characteristics & Associated Crystals
Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac, and is all about home. Those born under this sign are ‘roots’ kinds of people and take great pleasure in the comforts of home and family.
Cancers are maternal, domestic and love to nurture others. More than likely, their family will be large too, the more the merrier! Cancers will certainly be merry if their home life is serene and harmonious.
Traditions are upheld with great zest in a Cancer’s household, this sign prizes family history and loves communal activities. They also tend to be patriotic, waving the flag whenever possible. A Cancer’s good memory is the basis for stories told around the dinner table, and don’t be surprised if these folks get emotional about things. Those born under this sign wear their heart on their sleeve, which is just fine by them.
Cancer Symbolism + Myth
The constellation known as Cancer has its roots in many ancient civilisations, where it has been identified as various hard-shelled mythological creatures. In Egyptian belief, it was associated wih the scarab, the symbol of immortality. The connection with the afterlife continutes into Babylonian culture, where Cancer was thoguht to be the god that was the guide to the passage through the underworld and death.
The crab makes an appearance in Greek legend, with its notable part in the tale of Hercules battling the Hydra, Karkinos, the Crab, was sent by the goddess Hera, who was not a fan of Hercules, to distract him and give the Hydra an advantage. When Karkinos bites Herclues on the foot, he kills him by cracking his shell. As a reward for risking his life to do Hera’s bidding, Karkinos is placed in the heavens, to shine for eternity.
Cancer Element, Mode, and Season
Summer Solstice
In the western tropical zodiac, Cancer season begins on June 21, commencing the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The is the time of year when the sun’s heart and light are at its peak, with daylight outweighing the night hours. From this point, the days slowly begin to decrease toward the Autumn Equinox, representing the second seasonal pivot of the year.
Cancer’s connection with nurturance, sustenance, and rejuvenation is mirrored in the bounty of energy and resources in the Summer months.
Cardinal Mode
Cancer is the second of the four cardinal signs of the zodiac, who all hold elemental energy of initiation and leadership at the beginning of the four seasons. Cancer season is the beginning of Summer, where the light and energy are in abundance. This definitive, nourishing seaonal quality is the root of Cancer’s strong cardinal authority and nature as an archetype.
Water Element
Ruled by the moon, Cancer’s element is water, the second heaviest element, thought by ancient astrologers to be th fluid, adaptive, yet a tangible form of matter. Water representss the moistening and cohering principle that binds and connects all forms of nature.
Without it, nothing that takes a material form could “stick” together. Water fertilises earth so that nature and creativity can incubate and bloom. Cancer’s affinity for nurturance, protection, and leadership in melding people into family units are all akin to the consolidating connectivity of the water element.
Cancer Characteristics
Personality
Ruled by the moon, Cancer’s archetypal traits are derived from its receptive, feminine, or yin qualities, making this sign oriented toward contemplation, and engagement with inner awareness. Alive in both a Cancer woman and Cancer man, those born with the crab as their rising, sun or moon sign have a sensitive, intuitive, and protective awareness in the core of their personality; an echo of the life-supporting and sustaining energies of the summer season.
As a cardinal sign, Cancer takes leadership in the roles of being a nurturer, host, protector and caretaker. Those born with the sign of the crab prominent in their charts are focused on forming and maintaining family ties. They are naturally empathic, sentimental, and home-loving by nature.
Strengths
The primary Cancer strengths can be found in their kind, giving and sympathetic natures. Always ready to host, and set a table, they can be counted on to feed and care for friends, family and any weary traveller that stays in their home. With strong empathic powers and talents for healing, Cancer natives can sense what others need, often long before they have articulated it themselves.
The famous sideways walk of the crab can be observed in the cautious way a Cancer native enters a space or social gathering. They tend to come in quietly, carefully surveying their surroundings, before they open and reveal their whole selves. This protective instinct makes Cancerians good at reading the emotional tone in a room, helping them anticipate danger or crisis early.
There is always something familiar about those vorn under the sign of the crab, and those with this sign rising, especially, give people the uncanny feeling they have met them before. This quality has roots in this archetype’s connection to nurturing and buidling a home, often making people instantly feel at home with them.
The ease, familiarity, and trust they inspire allow those who meet them to open up quickly, saying to the Cancerian, “I feel like I could tell you anything” or “its like I’ve known you my whole life”. This uncanny quality serves the crab natives well in their roles and professions, which usually have some healing or nurturing aspect to them. Cancer natives are usually steadfast and loyal, and once you have been accepted into their hearts, and inner circle, they will be your friend for life.
No matter what gender Cancerians identify with, they often have a strong matriarchal presence in their homes, communities, and workplaces. Cancer natives have great sympathy for the underdog and the downtrodden, and though usually quiet and peaceable, their claws come out when protecting the vulverable. They are also vigilant about protecting themselves, learning the importance of strong emotional and energetic boundaries from a young age.
Weaknesses
Some potential weaknesses in the Cancer archetype are rooted in their great strengths. Though they love creating a comfortable home, they can become so emotionally and sentimentally connected to their space and their belongings, that its hard to let go and make changes when needed. Their natural giving tendencies, if unbalalnced, can cause natives from this sign to over-identify with being needed. They could be vulnerable to projecting their neediness onto others, by enabling codependent relationships.
Cancerian emotional instincts can be protective, and helpful, but can also become overactive if they are not feeling healthy and grounded. This could lead them to become fearful, reclusive, and hyper-vigilant when exploring the outer world. Gentle Cancer naturally inspires trust in others; however, this can be taken advantage of, causing those born under the sign of the crab to get caught doing too much emotional labour, and stuck holding other’s emotional baggage.
Like all water signs, Cancer is vulnerable to absorbing toxic energies, so it they are in healing or counselling work of some kind, they need to have cleansing practices. Breathing exercises, saunas, smudging, and protective aura visualisations are all ways the Cancer native can maintain a “psychic shell” to keep their energy clear.
Family, be that chosen or biological, are all important to Cancer, yet these natives need to beware of a tendency to be clannish, exclusive, and slow to trust outsiders. There may be good reasons for this caution, but it is still important for Cancer natives to keep this reflex in check so that they don’t hurt, reject, or alienate anyone who is feeling vulnerable.
The strong matriarchal tendencies of this archetype are a powerful asset but can be overdone, showing up in bossy, smothering, and even manipulative tendencies if the Cancer native is trying too hard to control their environment.
With the moon’s connection to the brain, Cancerians are famous for their long memories, making them prone to holding grudges. Others will feel the pinch of reactive, and somtimes hurtful words if they cross the crab.
Shy and sensitive Cancer children will be well-nurtured if they are allowed to come out of their shells in their own time.
Cancer Compatibility
When exploring overall capatibility, its important to consider more than the sign sign, as the rising sign, moon and other planetary connections will tell the whole story. That being saig, Cancer natives will tend to blend best with water signs and earth signs; and may need to work harder on relationships with fire and air signs.
Fire Signs
Of all zodiac signs, sensitive Cancer may find the volatile and impulsive fire signs the trickiest to relate to.
Although Cancer’s shy and cautious nature may benefit from collaborating with fiery warmth and enthusiasm, mars-ruled Aries especially, may be too brash and headstrong to relax and settle down with Cancer. Both are cardinal signs, so they may westle for leadership and control of their shared environment. Aries may have impatient and harsh words at the moment, but Cancer will never forget the burn.
Sagittarius and Cancer share nothing modally or elementally in common. This pairing is unusual and may have many challenges set against it to truly work. Cancer is sentimental and home-based, whereas Sagittarius is restless and roving, so they may disagree on how to spend their time together. Sincere and sensitive Cancer will not care for Sagittarius’ brand of brutal honesty, and many misunderstandings will ensue.
Leo and Cancer also have nothing elementally or modally in common, being in adjacent signs of the zodiac, so they may have a hard time relating and connecting romatically long-term. Leo is ruled by the outgoing sun, and Cancer is ruled by the insular moon, possibly creating an “opposites attract” connection. This polarity is more likely to keep them forever as divided as the day is from the night.
Air Signs
Air signs are speedy, swift and social, which could be a breath of fresh air in Cancer’s reflective and somewhat moody world, but intimately Cancer may find the air signs a bit too breezy and changeable to truly depend on.
Gemini and Cancer do not share much in common, with the Twins being intensely social, and Cancer being intensely private. The crab may often find they are soothing Gemini’s frayed nerves and may have a hard time keeping up with their mental chatter. But the two may tire of this dynamic after a while and will need to respect each other’s different rhythms to last long-term.
Libra and Cancer can work well together, with Venusian and lunar natures blending more easily than with other air signs. Libra’s social and artistic world doesn’t seem to overlap much with Cancer’s private life, but they could come together as co-hosts of beautiful and intimate dinner parties. Eventually, Cancer will need to withdraw and will seem moodier than upbeat Libra. They would need to learn how to navigate these emotional differences.
Aquarius with Cancer is potentially a challenging match. Cancer is ruled by the nurturing moon, and Aquarius is ruled by stern and remote saturn. Though Aquarius may benefit from Cancer’s attention and care, it may not be natural for them to reciprocate what Cancer truly needs to feel secure. They are perhaps too different on an emotional level to achieve lasting intimacy without conscious, intentional work.
Water Signs
Water signs match Cancer’s vulnerability and emotional intelligence with the greatest affinity. There seems to be a psychic, intuitive current running between them that transcends words.
Cancer with Cancer is a natural, peas in a pod type of fit, where they share many similar values and needs. They easily make a home together and agree on feeling out major life decisions. A potential pitfall presents if they are too much alike and struggle for control, or if they are having an intense mood at the same time. They will likely have enough caring and empathy between them to work it out.
PIsces broadens Cancer’s receptive capacities by bringing spiritual and philosophical ideas to the relationship. This is a complementary pairing that is innately intuitive, mystical, and otherworldly. They will enjoy their privacy and solitude together and may collaborate easily on creative projects.
Mars-ruled Scorpio can bring sexual magnetism to a relationship with Cancer, helping them open up to sensuality and exploration. This is a magnetic match, with both signs able to explore potent themes of power and mystery together. Cancer, being a quite intense sign, is not intimidated by Scorpio’s deep and moody nature. The Scorpion may be at times a little too taboo for shy Cancer, but this may be what they are attracted to, to help broadedn their horizons.
Earth Signs
Earth signs bring a complementary, elemental affinity to a relationship with Cancer since practical earth and emotive water blend well.
Cancer is Capricorn’s polar opposite, bringing care and nurturing to Capricorn that they will sorely need. The two have an opposites attract connection, that may either complete the whole picture, or be too polarising. Cancer enjoys creating a warm home, where Capricorn is often married to their work, so if they can blend other’s strengths, they can help balance each other out.
Cancer and Virgo together are a potentially strong match. They will appreciate each other’s conscientious, sensitive, and thoughtful natures and may collaborate well on a shared business in health or nutrition. Virgo adds detail and structure to Cancer’s nurturing and generous life. Their lives and approaches mesh well, and they make natural companions.
Cancer and Taurus share many affinities and may especially connect over their enjoyment of fine food, wine, and sensual pleasures. Venus-ruled Taurus draws the romantic lover out of moon ruled homebody Cancer, and the crab appreciates Taurus’ supportive, dependable nature. They are sure to have a lot of fun together and will enjoy decorating their home to create a nurturing ambiance.
Extracts from Astrology.com
Crystals for the Cancer Star Sign
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Moonstone | Emerald | Bloodstone | Rhodonite |
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this zodiac sign resonates strongly with a stone named after its ruler planet. Moonstone is quite special as it perfectly aligns with the energy of Cancer. Depending on the type of moonstone you choose, there may be additional uses you can enjoy. Rainbow Moonstone, for instance, balances the chakra, energises the body, and boosts your intuition and psychic abilities. | Emerald may not be a birthstone for Cancer, but nonetheless, it offers a myriad of benefits. Nicknamed the “Stone of Successful Love”, Emerald promotes domestic bliss and stability in one’s home. For Cancers who are devoted to family life, this might just be the perfect crystal for them. It also helps strengthen the bonds between family members. | Cancer natives are fairly gifted psychics, empaths, and mind readers. However, their sensitive nature can also cause them problems as they may also be prone to psychic attacks and soaking up negative energies from other people. As such, bringing protective stones everywhere is a must for them. Bloodstone is one of the most powerful protective stones out there. As a bonus, bloodstone can also extend its protection to their loved ones. | This pink crystal is famous for its healing abilities, whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual. Rhodonite also helps clear negative energy and turn them into positive vibrations. Most importantly Rhodonite assists in promoting self-love. It helps Cancerians who are usually prone to criticising and loathing themselves to build their self-esteem. It teaches them not to be easily affected by other people’s opinions, but rather believe in themselves. |
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