Understanding the Sun in Cancer, from June 22 to July 22

Were you born between June 22 and July 22, or was someone dear to you? If so, you or someone very close to you will exude a high degree of sensitivity and emotional depth. With a strong allegiance to home and country, these Cancer sun sign folks are as traditional as mom and apple pie. And indeed, the watery sign of Cancer rules motherhood and children; childhood and nurturance; the home and family; the past and issues of emotional security. Ruled by the fastest moving luminary, a satellite of the Earth—the moon, sun sign Cancer people are extremely emotionally changeable in keeping with their ruler the Moon which changes signs every 2 1/2 days.

Extremely sensitive and deeply emotional, these individuals are highly tuned into the natural cycles, including the tides and the lunar cycles, with a naturally astute intuition and often keenly accurate instincts. Some may not realize that the cardinal Cancer (one of three cardinal signs including Libra and Capricorn—all three exuding great leadership characteristics) moon children are also extremely shrewd businesspersons and excellent with money, especially accruing it, due to their hoarding tendencies.

Cancers are extremely aware of emotions, yours, mine and ours, and are strongly family oriented, and may be pack rats, who hate to throw anything away. Are you or a Cancer friend close to you obsessed with the past? This isn’t surprising, as Cancerians tend to focus (and sometimes even obsess) on the past. Associated with the glyph or symbol of the crab, Cancers often take two steps forward and three steps back. Sentimental and often quite nostalgic, Cancerians are savers and may collect photographs, souvenirs and mementoes, anything that reminds them of times gone by. Cancer folks are often excellent cooks and definitely have the traditional Jewish Mama tendency, knowing that the way to your heart is through your stomach. Hence, many children of Cancerian parents tend to be members of the clean plate club, and, none too few may have some psychological issues about food, often getting emotions and food all mixed up. This may result in emotional eating, ongoing weight issues, or using food as a form of solace.

When the sign of Cancer is your rising sign, your face may be moon-shaped, with a mothering or voluptuous demeanor, with your weight waxing and waning like the moon itself. (I’m a perfect example, though of late, it’s been mostly on the waxing end.) Like the crab, the Cancer native likes to carry his or her house on his or her back. Sometimes your or their great sensitivity may cause you to become a tad defensive, remembering every slight, imagined or other. Some may be overprotective of their offspring or making their spouses or partners claustrophobic with their constant need for reassurances. Watch for any unhealthy dependency issues, or living through your children. These may not be the healthiest expressions of your care-taking qualities.

A great lesson for Cancerians: It’s not always personal! On July 1, we will be experiencing the third of three eclipses (this final onein the Sign of Cancer – packing a big wallop for all Cancerians); as a result, all of us, especially Cancerians, are going through great emotional upheaval and great lessons nowabout how our past affects our present and how to release the past or free ourselves of the baggage or relationships of the past that may have outlived their usefulness. These eclipse energies open the way for great transformation, growth and reinvention for our fabulously sensitive and insightful Crabs. Take care of yourselves, dearest Cancers, as we weather these dramatic, sometimes confusing but always dynamic times of great growth and change!

Enjoy!