Cancer

The name derives from Latin, meaning literally, the crab. The ruler of the fourth sign of the zodiac is the Moon, the Crab, its symbol. The glyph is often seen as representing the breasts, indicating the area of the body ruled by Cancer. This is also seen as two crab claws, intertwined in a way which represents the dual nature of the Cancerian personality.

                   Personal Traits
The Cancerian character is the most perplexing of the signs. Cancerians can range from the timid, shy, dull and withdrawn to the brilliant, friendly and famous. Cancerians run the entire gamut of human emotion.

Cancerians possess strong paternal and maternal instincts. Fundamentally conservative and home-loving by nature, they appreciate the security of a home-base in which to retire when the stresses of life become too much to bear.

Cancerians have an unemotional demeanor, appearing uncompromising and obstinate. This is the facade they use to mask an insecure nature. Their intimates, however, may see a different character, one with sympathy and sensitivity to others.In their personal relationships they are a mixture of toughness and tenderness. Emotional, romantic and sentimental on one side, and tenaciously possessive and loyal on the other side. Even when they have affairs, their first loyalty is to their partner and family.

They are rather close minded and opinionated. They have a retentive memory, and rarely forgive slights and hurts. With a tendency toward chronic complaining, a Cancerian will never let you forget an error. They are driven by their emotional nature, and, in this respect, can be the best and the worst of friends.
The overall nature of Cancerians is deeply emotional. Although private and reserved, they possess sensitivity and sympathy. Rarely will a Cancer stand on pretense. What appears to be a front is nothing more than a protective shell. Within this tough armor often resides an intuitively compassionate individual yearning for a deep exchange of love and understanding.
                                  

                            Positive Traits

Cancerians are strongly influenced by childhood memories, and have a tendency to live in the past. Cancer is a tenacious, purposeful, energetic, shrewd and intuitive type. Sometimes wise, with a philosophical view on life. They are over-imaginative and prone to be a victim of fantasy. They have a flair for the dramatic, and may possess literary or artistic talent. They tend to absorb their environment and have a talent for mimicry.

Main positive traits: Nurturing, protective, traditional, sensitive, understanding, caring, intuitive, tenacious.

                    Negative Traits
The Cancerian can be sulky, devious, moody, and inclined to self-pity. They respond foremost to the urges and dictates of their feelings. One of the interesting contradictions in their nature is that they are prone to a sense of personal inferiority on one hand, and on the other they believe their views, opinions and behavior to be impeccable, and beyond question or criticism. By nature, very giving and selfless, they need to be aware of falling into the role of martyr in certain situations.

Main negative traits: Self pity, moody, clinging, manipulative, overly-emotional, insecure.

Their abilities fit them for a range of careers. Always interested in what people are thinking, they have an intuitive sense that makes them good journalists, writers or politicians. They do well in the public sector, and may serve in anything from welfare and nursing to catering.

Their love of good living and comfort is personified in many excellent chefs and housekeepers. Cancer has a penchant for trade or business. Being superior organizers, with a sense of value and economics, they are often successful in industry. The Cancer's love of the past make some of them great history buffs, and others, astute antique and curio collectors. Other suitable vocations are real estate, and the service fields of gardening and caretaking. True to their native element, many Cancers are involved in marine activities.

                   Lucky stone       

                                         Ruby

So what gives a ruby that lovely rich red color? The answer, trace amounts of chromium. Interestingly pure corundum is not red, but a colorless, triagonal crystal with a hardness between that of emerald and diamond. Ruby is a term for red gemstones derived from the mineral corundum, formed primarily from aluminum oxide.

For more info on rubies click here

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                Origins in Mythology

The association of Cancer with water dates back to the dawn of astrology. The image of the crab is Babylonian in origin. In Egypt, this sign was represented by two turtles.The later placement of the crab within the zodiac is related to a minor chapter in Greek mythology.. Hercules wanted to kill the many-headed Hydra, a great sea monster, living in the marshes of Lerna. Hera, the goddess who sent Hercules to these tasks, often encouraged his failure.

During his battle with Hydra, Hera commanded a nearby crab to attack Hercules and draw his attention away. Without question, the little creature took a claw-hold of a conspicuous toe. This act cost the crab its life, for Hercules abruptly crushed him. Impressed by its loyalty and courage, Hera placed the crab's image in the night sky.

The Hydra had been a favorite to Hera, and was equally honored by the goddess. Cancer itself, is not a brilliant constellation. However, at its heart is a lovely star cluster, sometimes known in astronomy as the Beehive. The name derives from the appearance of a swarm of stars in a dance of activity.

     Cultural Translations of Cancer

                               Famous Cancerians

Julius Caesar (July 12, 102 BC)
Emperor of Rome
Henry VIII (June 28, 1491)
King of England
Dr. John Dee (July 13, 1527)
English Mathematician, Inventor
Jean Jacques Rousseau (June 28, 1712)
French Romantic Philosopher
Helen Keller (June 27, 1880)
American Educator
Rose Kennedy (July 22, 1890)
American Matriarch
Duke of Windsor (June 23, 1894)
King of England
Ernest Hemingway (July 21, 1898)
American Author
George Orwell (June 25, 1903)
English Author
Pablo Neruda (July 12, 1904)
Chilean Nobel Poet, Ambassador
Frida Kahlo (July 6, 1907)
Mexican Painter
Andrew Wyeth (July 12, 1917)
American Painter
John Glen (July 18, 1921)
American Astronaut, Senator
Pierre Cardin (July 7, 1922)
French Fashion Designer
Nelson Mandela (July 18, 1926)
South African Patriot, President
Bob Fosse (June 23, 1927)
American Dancer, Choreographer
H. Ross Perot (June 27, 1930)
American Billionaire, Presidential Candidate
His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV (July 6, 1933)
Tibetan Spiritual Leader
Georgio Armani (July 11, 1934)
Italian Fashion Designer
Donald Sutherland (July 17, 1935)
Canadian Actor
Bill Cosby (July 12, 1937)
American Comedian, Actor
Harrison Ford (July 13, 1942)
American Actor
Sylvester Stallone (July 6, 1946)
American Actor
Tom Hanks (July 7, 1956)
American Actor
Lady Diana(July 1, 1961)
Princess of Wales
Tom Cruise (July 3, 1962)
American Actor