Cancer Dates, Element and Symbol Myth

Cancer Dates and Element

Cancer Dates: June 21 - July 22

Symbol: The Crab

Mode + Element: Cardinal Water

Ruling Planet: Moon

House: Fourth

Mantra: I Feel

Body Parts: The Stomach, Brain, & Breasts

Colors: Silver & White

Tarot Card: The Chariot

Greatest Overall Compatibility: Capricorn, Taurus

About Cancer Zodiac Sign

Cancer, the zodiac's fourth sign, is all about home. Many born under this horoscope sign are 'roots' types of individuals, and take great pleasure in home and family comforts.

Maternal, domestic, and caring to nurture others are cancers. More than likely, their family is going to be huge too, the more the merrier! Cancers, if their home life is serene and harmonious, would definitely be merry.

Traditions are preserved in the household of Cancer with great zest since, as the rulers of the fourth house of home and memory, this zodiac sign prizes family history and enjoys group events. They often appear to be patriotic, wherever possible, waving the flag. The good memory of A Cancer is the basis for stories shared around the dinner table, and don't be surprised if things get emotional for these people. Under this symbol, all born wear their hearts on their sleeves, which is just perfect for them.

Cancer: Symbol Myth

In several ancient cultures, the constellation known as Cancer has its origins, where it has been described as different mythological creatures with hard shells. It was linked with the scarab, the sign of immortality, in Egyptian belief. In Babylonian culture, the link with the afterlife continues, where Cancer was thought to be the god that was the guide to the passage through the underworld and death.

In Greek mythology, The Crab makes an appearance, with its notable role in the tale of Hercules fighting the Hydra. The Goddess Hera, who was not a fan of Hercules, sent Karkinos, the Crab, to distract him and offer an advantage to the Hydra. He kills him by breaking his shell when Karkinos bites Hercules on the foot. Karkinos is raised in the sky as a reward for risking his life to do Hera's bidding, to shine for eternity.

Cancer Season

In the western tropical zodiac, Cancer season begins on June 21, commencing the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the time of year when the sun's heat 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.

Cancer: Cardinal Mode

Cancer is the second of the zodiac's four cardinal signs, all of which hold elemental initiation and leadership energy at the beginning of the four seasons. The season for cancer is the beginning of summer, where light and resources are abundant. The source of Cancer's strong cardinal authority and existence as an archetype is this conclusive, nourishing seasonal consistency.

Cancer: In Water Element

Ruled by the moon, the element of Cancer is water, the second heaviest element, thought to be the fluid, adaptive and tangible type of matter by ancient astrologers. The moistening and cohering concept that links and connects all aspects of nature is expressed by water.

Nothing that takes a material shape could "stick" together without it. Water fertilises the world so that it may incubate and bloom with nature and innovation. The affinity of cancer for nurturance, security, and leadership in integrating individuals into family units is all akin to the water element's consolidating connectivity.

Cancer: Domicile of Moon

In classical astrology, only the rulership of Cancer was given to the moon. The moon is the night light, a receptacle and reflector of the vital rays of the sun, leading us through the darkness. Classically, the moon was assumed to be the earth's guardian, interceding between us and the other strong planets' brazen, active, and spiritual rays.

The moon filters the powerful cosmic rays in its "sublunar realm" for all life, like a mother bird breaking down food into a more palpable shape, so that we are not overcome or killed by their forces.

One wonders if the ancients saw the craters of the moon as confirmation that it was protecting us from possible cosmic impacts. This is where some of the moon's maternal attributes have been found to be at work, granting the moon a special power and divinity in Cancer when at home in the sign of the Crab.

The moon can be as caring, emotive, and as intuitive of a force on the psyche and in the world, as she wants to be, in the watery and protective sign of cancer. Regardless of the sex with which they associate, in their core nature, those with the moon in Cancer would have a powerful maternal, protective, spiritual, and psychic force.

Cancer : Ruling Body Parts

This is the sign of the nurse and mother, the breasts or chest part of their body, the stomach and womb are often regulated. Those born under Cancer can have an especially noticeable bust, which goes up for Cancer, and even in Cancer people, the moon or Venus!

Read on to learn more essential facts about common Cancer traits, career strengths and love compatibility with other zodiac signs, plus a list of famous Cancer celebrities!