Before we get started, Sun Sign Cancer... You and I both know we've never seen or read a totally satisfying description of the Zodiac Sign Cancer. I can't begin to tell you how many Sun Sign Cancers complain about the how the typical descriptions of Cancer don't fit them. (I could take a "cheap shot" about nagging and complaining, but I won't go there.) Sadly, I doubt I'll do much better in my modest attempt to describe the energies of Cancer.

Why? Cancer is located in the astrological element of Water. Of the four astrological elements (Fire, Earth, Air, and Water) - Water is the most ancient, primitive, and instinctual. Being the most primal element, Water is also the element furthest away from rational, describable, consciousness and thought. Thus, Water energy tends to defy our meager attempts at coming up with rational explanations and descriptions. Astrologically, the element of water is associated with feeling, sensitivity, and emotion. All three Signs placed in the element of Water (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) are rather difficult to describe and/or measure out their true essence. However... Cancer, ruled by the mysterious Moon of the night, is perhaps the Water Sign furthest removed from "light of day" consciousness and description. At least that's my story (and I'm sticking to it.).

Want to know two of the most fascinating bits of traditional trivia regarding the ancient descriptions of the Zodiacal Sign Cancer? I thought so... First - believe it or not - none of the ancient descriptions of Cancer mentioned the words "mother," "cooking," or "cleaning" a single time. The second bit of trivia is that prior to being named the constellation of Cancer, your constellation was known as "the Asses' Crib." What's that about? (Actually, you can check out my description of the Cancer constellation to find out.)

Okay... okay... I suppose I've stalled long enough... truth is that I know I'm quite safe in your thoughtful and caring hands. I never cease to be amazed at how many of you kind Cancer folks write in to reassure me that I've done a pretty good job. So I'll go ahead and give this my best shot.

Nurturing, protective, tenacious, emotional sensitivity, and valuing strong traditional roots. Cancer is the archetypal image of the bond between mother and son (as well as the bond between father and daughter)... Ruled by the ever-changing, but ever faithful Moon - Cancer reflects the mysterious, continual cycles of nature... Cancer reflects the ebb and flow of the tides - and, as such, reflects the ebb and flow of emotions. This varying (ebb and flow) moods of "wild child" Cancerians are often a puzzlement to everyone around, including the Cancer Sun who's having the mood. However, from the very beginning of time, the Moon was seen by our most ancient ancestors as nurturing and generous - yet [paradoxically] could likewise be an undependable, clever, and dangerous trickster. Ouch!

To better demonstrate this Lunar paradox, here's a traditional African folk tale: "Sun and Moon are real siblings. They played clever tricks on each other. Moon said to Sun: we want to throw our children into the water. The Sun agreed. When the agreed upon time came, Moon hid its children, searched for white pebbles and put them in a sack. Sun, however knew nothing about this and really did take all of its children and put them in a sack. So they set out on their way and came to the bank of a river. Moon emptied its pebble filled sack and emptied it into the river. Thus the Sun was deceived and shook its children into the river." ["Afrikanische Marchen;" C. Meinhof] According to this folk tale - Luna, Queen of the Heavens [the Moon], is now always accompanied by her children [the stars] of the night. The Sun's children became fish, populated the waters, and now feed humankind.

People with the Sun in watery (i.e. feeling) Cancer generally thrive and flourish best when developing an emotional relationship with their immediate surroundings. Hard cold logic doesn't have the chance of a proverbial snowflake in a snowstorm when it comes to the energies of Cancer. This is because Cancer's strong preference is to evaluate everyone and everything in terms of feelings and values. "How will I feel if I do that?" "Will I still be able to live with myself if I say that?" You also tend to show your feelings more readily than do the other water signs (Scorpio and Pisces) and so may feel incredibly vulnerable because others seem to have easy access to your emotional life. This is part of why you may often resort to the infamous "Crab Sidestep" - in the attempt to hide your highly sensitive nature from others.

Because of this emotional sensitivity, the "Crab" is seldom genuinely comfy and cozy when in a wider and more impersonal social setting, So you may tend to create a small, enclosed environment (called a home) and honor only a very few select people by allowing them into your sphere of influence. However, with those powerful Crab pinchers of yours, once you do allow someone or something into your sphere - you often experience great difficulty letting go (even when you know you ought to). This stubborn refusal of emotionally letting go applies to people, traditions, and possessions. Remember that piece of kite string you acquired thirty years ago and squirreled away in the very back of a dresser drawer? Yep, better hang on to that piece of kite string. You never know when you might need it for something useful... That rainy day you've been planning for? It might end up being tomorrow. One never knows about these things, do they?

Your birth Sun is the hero of your mythic journey through this lifetime. So Let Your Light Shine!