CANCER

June 22 – July 23

The symbol for Cancer is the Crab and it depicts very well many of the qualities of those born under its sign. Crabs have a very hard shell to protect their soft interior; this is true of both the animal and Cancerian sun signs.

Sensitive is a key word to bear in mind for these folk. Cancerians will pick up subtleties of mood, body language and tone of voice not always evident to the more boisterous signs. They are intuitive and easily hurt. Hence the need for a protective shell around them.

Another physical characteristic of the crab is their claws. If a crab grabs hold of you it is not an easy task to shake them loose – their grip is both strong and tenacious. Possessiveness, hoarding and living in the past can be a negative expressions of Cancerian energy, but on the positive this same energy is steadiness and wise husbandry of resources. It is all about balance, and letting of the old is a major spiritual lesson for this sign. Hopefully without the need to lose a ‘nipper’ in the process!

Crabs are quite shy, and scurry back into their shell or into their hole when they feel threatened. It is where they feel most comfortable and safe. Some crabs are quite adventurous – hermit crabs enjoy travelling across long distances and exploring new places – but they carry their home right along with them… Home is very important to crabs and Cancerians and a lack of a secure home will be a source of major stress.

Finally, crabs live in water – the element of the emotions – and in Cancer we see an exploration of the emotional life for the first time in the zodiac. Cancerians are in touch with their emotions and the emotions of others and make wonderful confidantes, counsellors and listeners. They will become the emotional touchstone for all their family, which will include treasured friends, neighbours and co-workers. Cancerians are the nurturers of the zodiac – often natural mothers and very comfortable keeping the home fires burning. If they reject a traditional wife / stay at home mother role, they will often choose a career that involves caring for others – nursing, hospitality, personal assistant, interior design, feng shui or counselling; something which enables them to make the living spaces of others ‘feel good’ or which entails the assisting others with their emotional or personal care. Of all the sun signs, this is the one which will find the men most comfortable with being a stay-at-home Dad.

What ‘Out of Balance’ Cancerian energy looks like

Moody, difficulty letting go, hypersensitive, worry, insecure, anxious, abandonment issues, rejection issues, living in the past, continuing negative family patterns, emotional burnout, hoarding, manipulative, pining, taking on others’ emotions, guilt, obsession,

giving too much to others.

What ‘Balanced’ Cancerian energy looks like

Nurturing, understanding, sensitive, considerate, kind, patient, intuitive, in touch with feelings, emotionally strong, secure, husband resources well, ‘earth mother’.

Cancer is ruled by the Moon, considered a feminine energy by most cultures both ancient and modern. The Moon in astrology is regarded as the ruler of our emotions, and the Moon is never the same two days running. For two weeks it is waxing from dark to full, then for two weeks it is waning from full back down to dark. It changes zodiac signs every two and a half days (the sun changes signs every 30 days or so). It is the moon that controls the tides on earth, exerting a force strong enough to pull massive amounts of water around the globe every six hours. Putting all of this together, this emotionally sensitive sign has its ruling planet in a constant state of change. Cancerians are often accused of being ‘moody’. Is it any wonder with such a potent and ever changing ruling planet? The solution – Peach-flowered Tea-tree – perfect for mood swings. It’s Doctrine of Signatures is of a flower constantly changing too, so it is a really case of like curing like.

Cancerians will often be drawn to roles which entail caring for others in some way, it is just part of their nature. It is therefore very important that they take care to nurture themselves (not just others). Alpine Mint Bush is the perfect flower to remind them to do so, and it is also the most appropriate remedy should they forget to and end up suffering from emotional burnout. It is a very nurturing, restorative essence on an emotional level.

Their emotional and psychic sensitivity can be both their greatest strength and their greatest weakness and there are some very good flowers to help ensure this remains a blessings rather than a curse. Regular doses of both Fringed Violet and Angelsword will cleanse unwanted and old psychic energies, and help maintain the integrity of the aura. In practical terms, this means Cancerians can be assured that what they are feeling is their own emotions, not that of others.

Illawarra Flame is very good for any feelings of rejection (which Cancerians will feel very deeply), while Tall Yellow Top is almost a constitutional remedy for any feelings of isolation, abandonment, disconnection from their ‘tribe’ or depression. As for the tendency to pine and brood, especially when separated from loved ones, Boronia is wonderful.

On a physical level, Cancer rules the stomach, breasts, uterus and ovaries. Crowea is a good supporting remedy for both stomach and uterus, She Oak for the ovaries, and Bottlebrush for the breasts.

Bottlebrush is a flower essence Cancerians can almost live on, because it helps one to let go – the spiritual lesson for this sign. Apart from that it is very good for facilitating the mother-child bond – crucial for this sign, to whom family is so important.

An out-of-balance Cancerian is prone to anxiety and worry, with Crowea the remedy of choice. If these emotions are left unaddressed over a period of time they filter down to create stomach problems. The mind –body connection is very evident with this sign, and illustrate really well how flower essences can be used very effectively as preventative medicines.

If you would like to know more, we run a One Day Seminar on Astrology and Australian Bush Flower Essences.

The Schedule is available here.

Flower Essences can be purchased here.

Copyright Linn Wiggins.

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