Astrology Tea: Cancer and The Moon

Happy National Moon Day!

National Moon Day is a special day in the U.S. celebrated on July 20th every year. It commemorates the historic first moon landing in 1969. As humans, the moon holds a special place in our hearts. Not only have we set foot on it, but it also has a profound impact on our planet.

(Image source)

The moon is not just a big, glowing orb in the sky. It has a direct influence on our lives. As we all know, the moon controls the ocean tides through its gravitational pull. Considering that our bodies are made up of more than half water, it’s not surprising that the moon affects us too.

Different cultures hold the moon in high regard for various reasons. In Chinese culture, the moon is believed to carry human emotions and is associated with gentleness and brightness. In some cultures, the moon symbolizes the relationship between mother and child and is associated with feminine energy. For the Incas in South America, the moon is personified as the goddess Mama Quilla and is believed to regulate menstrual cycles. Astrology, which has been practiced for centuries, seeks to understand how celestial bodies influence us and the world. (1)

History of Astrology

Astrology, the study of stars and planets and their influence on humans and earthly affairs, originated in ancient Mesopotamia around the 3rd millennium BC. Initially, it was closely intertwined with astronomy. Over time, astrology spread to India and other parts of Asia and became particularly important in ancient China, where horoscopes for newborn babies became common practice.

During the Hellenistic period in Greek civilization, astrology developed into the Western form that most people are familiar with today. However, the separation between astronomy and astrology occurred in 1543, when Nicolaus Copernicus challenged the prevailing geocentric viewpoint. Despite this development, astrology continued to evolve, and many still believe that celestial bodies can influence our lives on Earth. (2)

Astrology 101

When someone asks, “What’s your sign?” they’re actually referring to your sun sign, which represents the position of the sun when you were born. Sun signs are the most basic characteristic that people know about their own astrological birth chart.

A birth chart is like a snapshot of the sky at the exact moment you were born. It not only reveals your sun sign but also the positions of the moon, and all the other planets. You can find your entire birth chart for free online if you know where and when you were born.

According to Western astrology, there are 12 zodiac signs, each with its unique characteristics. Each zodiac sign is ruled by a planet, which determines its distinct energy. For instance, Mars, the planet of energy and action, rules the sign of Aries. However, there are two signs ruled by stars instead of planets: Leo, ruled by the sun, and Cancer, ruled by the moon. Refer to the chart below to find the ruling planet, element, and modality of your sign.

All About the Zodiac Sign Cancer

The zodiac sign Cancer is unique because it is ruled by the moon instead of a planet. Astrologically, the moon represents our unconscious minds, emotions, intuition, childhood, and relationships with maternal figures. As the ruling planet of Cancer, the moon infuses the sign with these qualities.

When is Cancer Season? Cancer season begins on June 21st and ends just after National Moon Day on July 22nd. If you were born within this period, Happy belated Birthday, Cancer baby!

Symbol

The constellation of Cancer is symbolized by a crab. According to Greek mythology, it is associated with the crab that pinched Heracles during his battle with the Hydra. Although the crab was crushed by Heracles, Hera, Heracles’ enemy, placed it in the heavens, where it became the constellation Cancer. (3)

Element

Each zodiac sign represents one of the four elements:

• Fire: raw energy, bringing light and creating new life.
• Earth: grounding, connecting us to the tangible world.
• Air: allowing us to communicate.
• Water: cleansing, healing, and nourishing.

Cancer is a water sign, along with Pisces and Scorpio. Water signs are highly emotional, intuitive, sensitive, and imaginative. They possess a unique ability to deeply connect and empathize with others.

Modality

Each zodiac sign belongs to one of three modalities: Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable. These modalities represent different ways in which signs express themselves in relation to the changing seasons:

• Cardinal signs begin a season (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn).
• Fixed signs occur in the middle of a season (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius).
• Mutable signs end a season (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces).

Cancer is a cardinal sign, marking the official beginning of summer. People born under cardinal signs are known for their leadership qualities and visionary nature. They have a go-getter attitude and can strongly influence others.

Personal Characteristics

Individuals with their sun sign in Cancer are known for being intuitive, gentle, emotional, sensitive, maternal, and in touch with their instincts. Cancers have a remarkable ability to pick up emotional cues and are often believed to possess psychic abilities. (4)

Compatibility

In general, signs of the same element get along well. Therefore, Cancers usually feel comfortable with other Cancers, Pisces, and Scorpios. Water signs understand each other better than other signs, leading to harmony and understanding in relationships with friends, partners, and family.

Cancers also have good compatibility with Earth signs such as Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. They appreciate the stability and nurturing qualities that these signs bring.

On the other hand, Cancers may find it challenging to connect with Fire and Air signs, including Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Fire signs can come across as too assertive, bordering on aggressive, for the sensitive Cancer. Air signs, on the other hand, may seem too detached and dreamy for a water sign that feels everything so deeply.

It’s important to note that compatibility is not solely determined by the sun sign. When considering compatibility with others, it is essential to evaluate the entire birth chart.

Tips for Cancers

Cancers are known for being empaths, highly attuned to the emotions of those around them. While this is a wonderful quality for building deep connections, it can also be draining and lead to absorbing emotions that don’t belong to them. Therefore, it is crucial for Cancers to take time for themselves and differentiate their own emotions from those of others. Here are a couple of rituals to help Cancers nurture themselves:

Super Healing Flower Infusion

• Enjoy a walk in nature while sipping on a bottle of Super Healing Flower infusion, or bring the beauty of nature indoors by brewing it at home.

Super Healing Lotus Ritual

• Make a cup of Blue Lotus flower tea, known for its relaxing and euphoria-inducing properties.
• While the water boils, declare your intention: “When I pour this water into my cup, it will be filled with energy that refreshes my body and protects my energy throughout the day/night.”
• Pour the water into the cup with the Blue Lotus flower.
• As the flower steeps, close your eyes and visualize a bright, white orb of light emanating from the cup, enveloping your entire body.
• Sit with this protective shield of white light for a few minutes, knowing that it will safeguard your energy.
• Sip on your flower tea and start your day with a shielded energy.

Use code ‘5off’ to get $5 off today!

All images credited to their original owners