CANCER
MAJOR ARCANA IN TAROT:
SYMBOL
DATES
June 21 - July 22
ELEMENT
MODALITY
Cardinal
RULING PLANET
KEY WORDS:
Protective, security-conscious, family-oriented, psychic, cautious, emotional, loving, shy, caring.
PROS:
nurturing, sympathetic, tenacious
CONS:
moody, clingy, overly sensitive
DESCRIPTION:
The key to the Cancer mentality is deeply rooted in the home, family and the past. A need to feel safe and to belong is usually the main motivation behind a Cancerians actions. Being straightforward is something Cancer people might find difficult. Just like a crab, they prefer to move sideways or ‘around’ the issues at hand. Their sensitive and shy nature means they might retreat into themselves (or their home/safe space) in order to avoid confronting issues. If they find themselves not able to avoid conflict, they can become quite defensive and unwilling to let go of perceived hurt. Their self-protective tendencies do however expand to those they care about, making them one of the most protective and possessive (often clingy) signs of the zodiac. Even though they are extremely moody, this helps Cancers be in touch with their feelings and those of others.
In a reading this card suggests the need to nurture oneself through self-care, and to watch whether one if being evasive of a situation.
ABOUT THE WATER SIGNS
Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Water signs nature is that of emotional connection - the urge to feel ‘something’. Through these emotional reactions, they decide whether ‘something' it is agreeable or unpleasant.
Water is the element which has no form of its own. It can come in many ways, yet it will always be confined into the shape of its container. Emotional security and belonging are of upmost importance for these signs - they need a ‘container’ in which to feel secure. This can come about through a relationship or sense of community. Either way, Water signs are often very malleable, they possess the ability of empathising with others and ‘feeling’ other’s feelings - sometimes not able to differentiate between their own emotions and others. Whilst this makes Water signs the most responsive and sympathetic of the signs, it also brings about a sense of vulnerability - which makes them extremely self-protective/secretive. Still waters run deep, and with Water signs, what you see is definitely not what you get.
ABOUT THE CARDINAL SIGNS
Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
Each of the Cardinal signs is born at the time a new season is beginning. Aries is born at the beginning of spring. Cancer is born at the beginning of summer. Libra is born at the beginning of fall. Capricorn is born at the beginning of winter. Because of this, the cardinal signs are associated with new beginnings, starting something new and change. These signs like to begin new projects, have new ideas, and switch things around in their daily lives. The way these four signs channel this energy can be quite different to each other: Aries is concerned with being a pioneer, and following their own path - whilst Libra is concerned with creating strong relationships with those around them. Capricorn’s motivations are in beginning/building their own careers and social status - whilst Cancer is focused on creating a secure and reliable home life. Not shy about getting their hands dirty, Cardinal signs are blessed with drive and opportunism that allow for them start any and all ideas they come up with. However, due to their dynamic nature, they do not like to be restricted at all - often meaning they leave projects half-baked or completely abandoned. This could also manifest in the Cardinals pushing their way into a leadership position, without actually having learned what they are supposed to be managing (think trying win a Formula race, without ever taking a driving lesson).