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The watery Cancer is the eighth of the twelve astrological signs, ruled by the moon. Cancers are emotional, intuitive, and nurturing. With their warm and cozy homes and skill for the domestic, they can be great mothers, fathers, and romantic partners. While it takes time to get past their hard shell and get to know them, on the inside you’ll find a loving and empathetic friend. Cancers are unfailingly supportive, but may struggle with finding healthy relationships. There are many important Cancer correspondences which you can use in your magickal work.

The Cancer Astrological Sign
Sun Sign Dates | June 21-22 – July 22-23 |
Constellation | The Cancer sign comes from a constellation with the same name. According to legend, when Hercules was fighting with the Hydra, Hera sent the crab to interfere. Another legend states that Hercules stomped on the crab after it bit his ankle, so Hera placed Cancer in the darkest part of the sky. Although Cancer is one of the dimmest constellations, it does contain two stars with known planets. |
Location | 90° – 120° |
Glyph | The CrabCancer is represented by a glyph that looks like two 6’s side-by-side. One interpretation is that these represent the god Mercury and Mars. Others say that due to Cancer’s nurturing qualities, the glyph symbolizes breasts. |
Ruler | Moon |
Exaltation | Jupiter |
Fall | Mars |
Detriment | Saturn |
Element | Water |
Quality / Mode | Cardinal |
Polarity | Feminine / Negative / Receptive / Yin |
House | 4th House – Angular |
Lunar Mansion | 7th, 8th, 9th Mansions |
Season / Sabbat | Summer/Midsummer (Sabbat of Litha) |

Cancer Correspondences
Number | 2, 7 |
Day | Monday |
Angel | Gabriel |
Chakra | Heart, Sacral, Solar Plexus |
Deities | Apollo, Artemis, Ceres, Demeter, Diana, Dionysius, Heracles, Isis, Juno, Khepera, Luna, Mercury |
Birds | Blackbird, Seagull, Ibis |
Animals | Beetle, Crab, Other Crustaceans, Dog, Frogs, Octopus, Turtle, Sphinx |
Crystals | Agate, Amber, Beryl, Calcite, Carnelian, Cat’s Eye, Chalcedony, Chrysocolla, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Moonstone, Opal, Pearl, Rose Quartz, Red Zircon, Ruby, Sapphire, Selenite, Turquoise |
Herbs & Plants | Acanthus, Agrimony, Aloe, Balm, Betony, Catnip, Chamomile, Chickweed, Daisy, Dill, Gardenia, Geranium, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Lemon Balm, Lotus, Marigold, Moonwort, Mugwort, Myrrh, Passionflower, Poppy, Purslane, Rose, Sandalwood, Saxifrage, Tarragon, Verbena, Violet, Water Lily, Watercress, Wormwood |
Trees | Alder, Apple, Chestnut, Holly, Horse Chestnut, Maple, Mimosa, Oak, Pine, Spruce, Willow |
Metals | Silver |
Colors | Dark Yellows and Oranges, Amber, White, Silver, Grey, Iridescence (a sheen of shiny blues and greens) |
Traits & Gifts | The elusive Cancer is just like its namesake, the crab. Hard on the outside, it can be difficult to tell what they are really feeling. They may seem to have a rough exterior, often coming across as moody or defensive. It takes time to get past their hard outer shell. But once inside, you’ll find them sensitive, soft, and empathetic. They’re deep and wise, and they’ll be great company when you need someone who listens without judgment. They are fantastic and emotionally available partners, but they have a tendency to be in unhealthy relationships. Cancers empathetic nature may get them taken advantage of, whether by manipulation, codependence, or emotional abuse. As a water sign, Cancers are not without mystery and imagination. They are highly intuitive, able to “read the room” and pick up on what’s not being said. They can do powerful past lives work. Cancers have an extraordinary ability to travel back through time and learn from ancestors who lived before them. Cancer is also a “hearth & home” sign. Nurturing and motherhood come naturally to the Cancer, and they enjoy a life that revolves around family. They can tap into the rhythmic cycle of life and use their caring nature to create a warm and cozy environment for those in their life. |
Cancer Correspondences for Magick
Magick & Rituals | Magickal work on comfort lends itself well to Cancer. Work on creating a warm and cozy home. Perform cleansings to clean up your interior environment, then do a blessing to invite in love. Pray to your deities for abundance, a full fridge, and home full of friendly faces. Cancer is also strong in the natural rhythms of life. Work on fertility and natural cycles. Celebrate conception by blessing a mother’s womb, or hold a birth ceremony. Encourage new beginnings, push for change, and look for a spiritual rebirth. Delve into Cancer’s deep psychic consciousness. Explore your intuition, and look for hidden emotional connections between seemingly separate things. Explore inner worlds of your subconscious and bring your imagination to light. |
Full Moon | The Cancer full moon falls opposite its new moon. So when the sun is in Capricorn, Cancer hosts a full moon. Depending on the exact date, this might be near to the sabbat of Litha. |
Full Moon Magick | During the Cancer full moon, work on acts of gratitude. Remember who has helped you during the past year, and make note of your appreciation. Better yet, send actual appreciation with a thank-you card or a few kind words. You can also cast spells for protection and blessings on these valuable friends and family. |
New Moon | The new moon occurs when the sun is in Cancer itself. |
New Moon Magick | The new moon in Cancer is the perfect time to perform a ritual cleansing of your home and hearth. Invite good energies in with spells for abundance, wealth, and luck. Focus on healing family issues and other issues which affect the home environment. Aim to create a happy, healthy, and positive household for yourself. |
Cancer Correspondences for the Body
Body Systems | Digestive, Chest, Stomach, Breasts, Lungs, Diaphragm, Ribs, Sternum, Alimentary System, Pleura and Pleural Cavity, Speech System, Mouth, Teeth |
Imbalance & Illness | Digestive problems, indigestion, gas, gastric ulcers, heartburn. Lung diseases, infections, tuberculosis, shortness of breath, asthma, wet coughing, excess mucus. Breast swelling and cysts, breastfeeding disorders. Mouth pain, swollen gums, dry mouth. Weight gain, poor muscle tone, poor diet, overeating, undereating disorders like anorexia and bulemia. |
Treatments | Healing rituals using herbs and crystals. Regular exercise and meditation. Weight loss when overweight. |
Mental Health | Due to Cancer’s extremely sensitive nature, they may suffer from over-stimulation. When overwhelmed, this may lead to emotional paralysis, isolation, apathy, and even depression. Cancer is best served when taking time for emotional recuperation with regular and consistent self-care activities. Another area of concern is healthy relationships. Cancer can be over-sympathetic and find themselves in coercive or one-way relationships. An emphasis on boundaries, giving and receiving, and independence can help. |
Cancer Correspondences in the Tarot
Tarot – Major Arcana | There are two important Tarot cards to draw for Cancer. First is the Chariot (VII). On its face, the Chariot seems ready for war. It can signal a battle you will soon have, a hidden enemy, or a devil within yourself. Positive changes are coming in your life. Trust that you will be provided for, and you have the strength so emerge victorious. The second card is the High Priestess (II). It aligns perfectly with Cancer’s intuitive qualities, as the Priestess will induce reflection. Look for hidden memories and search for lessons in difficult situations. She brings the subconscious conscious. |
Tarot – Minor Arcana | 2, 3, 4, Queen of Cups |
Sources
4th Sign of the Zodiac: Cancer
Everything to Know About Water Signs
Tarot Correspondences The Minor Arcana