CANCER

The sign of Cancer is the fourth in the zodiac lineup. It is ruled by the symbol of the crab and is a cardinal water sign of feminine polarity. The Moon rules Cancer and as such, Cancerians are in tune with the lunar tides, as well as their own internal rhythms. And being the fourth sign, Cancer rules the fourth house, which is all about the home. Cancerians are homebodies, loving a safe haven around them and retreating into that shell when threatened. The cardinal influence speaks to their expression of emotions. Of all the signs, Cancers are the first to laugh or cry and will usually emote exactly what they are feeling.

Loving home and family, Cancers are the nurturers of the zodiac. Their home is their shell and they take pride in its appearance. There isn’t really such a thing as typical in astrology, but if there were, a typical Cancerian home would be comfortable, with lots of pictures of family and friends around, many comfortable places to sit, and lots of food in the pantry. Surrounding themselves with cherished memorabilia, keepsakes from the past and hand-me-downs help the crabs to connect to their heritage and ancestry. Traditions are very important to them and they prize family history. They may, however, take this trait too far, forgetting to let go of the past and live in the present. The tenacity that is their greatest strength can also be their greatest weakness when applied in this way. Oils that help Cancer let go of the past are frankincense, cypress, rose, galbanum, honeysuckle and patchouli.

Luckily the Cancer crab has a good memory and a gift for story telling, so mealtime around a Cancer’s table can be one of anecdotes and reminiscences, keeping their personal folklore alive. Fun essential oils to burn around cocktail time or mealtime are rosemary, peppermint, melissa, lemon, basil, sandalwood and black pepper.

Being a water sign, Cancerians are not afraid to express emotions. Couple this with the Moon’s influence and you’ll find these little crabs are the most moody of the zodiac, feeling all the energetic influences around them. Just watch how they cycle along with the Moon, waxing and waning, new to full. They have the ability to innately follow where the Moon is, as it progresses through all the other signs, and they will react accordingly. If the Moon is in a challenging sign for the little crabs, they will feel moody and unsettled. In a compatible sign, the Cancerian will blossom and shine. The compatible and challenging signs are different for everyone. Keeping a Lunar mood calendar is a great thing for Cancers to do to figure out this monthly ebb and flow. Calendars that indicate the Moon’s sign each day are available in all shapes and sizes at most bookstores. All they need to do is jot down the emotion of the day: joyous, content, sad, frustrated, etc. Do this for a few months, and a pattern is likely to appear. Once it does, Cancer can use this knowledge to plan ahead. If you know you like to have a good cry when the Moon is in Pisces, for example, you can schedule the job interview for another day.

Cancers are intuitive, sympathetic, sentimental, kind and loving. But remember crabs have shells, so they can also be strong willed, defensive, tenacious and protective. Crabs can be exactly that – crabby. They like getting their way, and if they can’t do that through kindness and thoughtfulness, then they are not above resorting to manipulation and emotional blackmail. Failing that, the crab will often retreat into his shell and pout. Under threat Cancerians will want to run back to their homes, close the door and take refuge in their safe surroundings. Filling their house with serenity and peace is paramount for the shy and sensitive Cancer. Essential oils that bring a sense of tranquility to the environment are chamomile, melissa, sandalwood, geranium, ylang ylang, rose, vetiver, lavender and neroli.

Cancer is the astrological sign of mothering, and the mother’s influence on a Cancer native is extremely important— for better or for worse. Sometimes Cancer has a difficult time letting go of Mom and recreates her, or the image of her, in all kinds of relationships. Cancers are quick to develop dependencies on others, or act as a mother figure to many other people. This is why Cancers sometimes have a difficult time relating to more freewheeling types, symbolized by Aries or Sagittarius. Herbs to facilitate independence and healthy dependence are rose, geranium, sage, clary, neroli, helichrysum, jasmine and frankincense.

Like people, countries have astrological charts. It should come as no surprise that America is a Cancerian nation. Yes, Mom and apple pie, that’s us. Patriotism and defense of the nation shows in the crab flag-waving her claws.

Cancer rules the breasts and stomach. Often Cancerians suffer from stomachaches and digestive disorders. Essential oils that aid digestion are peppermint, bergamot, fennel, marjoram, rosemary, chamomile, lemon balm, thyme, anise and lemon. Being rules by their stomachs, Cancers gravitate towards good food and can often be found in the kitchen creating a culinary delight. Being a chef in a restaurant would be a good profession for a Cancer. They will also be found in any nurturing job, such as nursing, childcare, social work, teaching, midwifery, and psych-therapy. Loving home and property can be extended out into the community and many Cancers enjoy real estate and property management. Their enjoyment of history can find them jobs in genealogy, as a librarian, archeologist or historian. Whatever employment they settle on, the Cancer person wants to know he will be cared for in later life. Financial security becomes important to the older crab, and there can be a tendency to hoard income to secure comfort later on. Fear of the future can be eased with the essential oils of benzoin, clary, sage, marjoram, lavender, chamomile, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, melissa and cypress.

So, if you are invited into a Cancer’s home, know you’ll be in for a loving, nurturing, dreamy time. They will regale you with stories, feed you yummy things and make sure all you creature comforts are met. What could be better?!?

Thanks to Astrologer Molly Cliborne and her helpful website north-node.com.