CANCER (The Crab)

How to define a person’s character from the planetary positions

Above is a summary of the characteristics attributed those born under the period of time when the Sun is in the section of the zodiacal sky known as ...Cancer. To understand a person’s character a start has to be made somewhere. The easiest way is to divide the possibilities into smaller subdivisions. In Astrology this is determined by dividing the time the Earth takes to go around the Sun (a year) into twelve parts - these are the groups we call sunsigns.

Over the years the 12 sunsign divisions have gained, what appears to be, a precise edge to the group divisions. Above you will see that I start with a specific date ... ( 22 June) and finish with a specific date ...... (22 July), but the reality is not so clearly defined. The average time taken for the Sun to be seen in the same part of the sky from one time to the next, is known as 1 year, but it is only that, an average time. The rest of the planets can have an effect on the movement of the Earth, slowing it down or speeding it up, ever so slightly, and this can result in a slight variation in the overall time taken to reach the same point - as much as 1 day, possibly even 2 days, earlier or later than the average time of 1 year. If you were born within two days of the Sun changing sign, it is important for you to ascertain precisely which sign you were born in, and for that it is important for the astrologer to know the year in which you were born. For the those born on days within the rest of the sunsign period the interpretation should apply, as long as there aren’t any other strong influences interfering with your expression through your sunsign.

For most of you, Cancer is the strongest of the water signs, favouring women more than men, since this sign is the one most stronly linked to domesticity and homemaking. Cancerians possess highly developed protective and defensive instincts which are aimed at material and domestic security.

Cancerians are extremely sensitive to social ridicule, and the representation of the crab shell is a symbol of their desire to form a protective covering around themselves. Sometimes, this trait can be so developed that they emotionally withdraw into themselves, cutting themselves off from the world at large, and this is despite their need for home and children which usually can only be gained by intermingling with the rest of society.

Because of this need for emotional security they will do whatever is necessary to establish and preserve that security. They seldom gamble, unless they have already put away some money to deal with an unexpected sudden expense that may arise in the future. However, if they feel they have to take a risk they will usually do so with other people’s money. Yet Cancerians will monitor the investment carefully, for they feel a deep sense of responsibility towards others.. They will therefore pay their debts, but also expect others to do the same.

Usually, Cancerians are well-intentioned but because of their ruler, the Moon, moving so quickly through the sky, they can be very charming and “sweet” one moment, and in the next meloncholic, introverted and distant. Despite this, Cancerians are noted for their diplomacy and usually achieve their goals. But if they are emotionally hurt, they can behave in a nonsensical manner, almost childish, sometimes stubborn, and this is a flaw they must learn to overcome.

Cancerians can desire the absolute possession of their beloved. Once love has begun it is never stopped. Resentment may make then cruel enemies but they never stop loving. It is like the mother, who continues to love her child no matter how badly he treats her. Cancerians tend to be aware of their family trees, are patriotic, and have good memories for historical events.

You will find Cancerians don’t like situations which involve mental or physical discomfort, and will, if they can, seek situations where they can be in refined atmospheres, and among neatness and cleanliness.

Cancerians must learn to say Yes or No at the appropriate moment, and you will find they will not joke about themselves. As masters of the art of passive resistance they use this powerful weapon in ways which makes the individual unapproachable, so beware. They are averse to being told how to do things. You need to be kind to Cancerians. This allows them to be directed more easily towards a mutual solution. Although they often shun responsibility they can work on an enterprise that promotes or requires it. They are very punctual, exact, and efficient, willing to guide things through to a successful conclusion.