Cancer – The Ancient Greek Myth Behind the Zodiac Sign

 

 

June 21 – July 22

The constellation of Cancer,identifies with the second of the twelve labours, assigned, by King Eurystheus, to the hero of Greek mythology; Hercules.

This task  was to kill the Lernaean Hydra; a water snake with nine heads, the middle head being immortal.

(Read the full story further down the post)

 

Ancient Greeks and Astrology

 

The mysterious night sky thrilled the ancient Greek astrologers who played a huge role in what we now know today about the shape and size of the Earth, the moon, the position of constellations and how they move and their correlation with the stars around them.

They were able to use this information to make detailed predictions, what we know of today as horoscopes.

 

 

In ancient Greece, each one of the twelve signs of the zodiac (the word zodiac comes from a Greek word meaning, “The circle of animals” meaning all living creatures), related to one of the four elements: earth, air, fire and water and identified with twelve constellations, seen in the night sky at different times of the year.

With the exception of Libra, each zodiac sign relates to a Greek myth concerning animals or humans, telling how each group of stars arrived in the heavens.

 

The twelve zodiac signs and their symbols

 

 

 Aries – Ram. March 21 – April 19

Taurus – Bull. April 20 – May 20

Gemini -The twins. May 21 – June 20

Cancer – Crab. June 21 – July 22

Leo – Lion. July 23 – August 22

Virgo – Virgin. August 23 – September 22

Libra – The scales. September 23 – October 22

Scorpio – Scorpion. October 23 – November 21

Sagittarius – Centaur. November 22 – December 21

Capricorn – Goat. December 22 – January 19

Aquarius – Water bearer. January 20 – February 18

Pisces – Fish. February 19 – March 20

 

The Zodiac Sign of Cancer

 

4^th sign of the zodiac

June 21 to July 22

 Symbol: Crab

 Element: Water

Ruling Panet Moon 

 

 

In Astrology Cancer is one of the four cardinal signs (Aries – fire, Cancer – water, Libra – air, Capricorn – earth); signs that indicate a change of season when the sun makes its annual passage into them.

The crab is a symbol of great gripping and holding power.

The ancient Greek poet Aratus a Greek was the first to call the crab Καρκινος (Karkinos) – cancer.

 

The ancient myth Behind the Zodiac sign of Cancer:

 Greek hero Hercules and Cancer the crab

 

 

The constellation of Cancer identifies with the second of the twelve labours assigned by King Eurystheus to the hero of Greek mythology; Hercules.

He was to kill the Lernaean Hydra; a water snake with nine heads, the middle head being immortal.

Hercules was the result of an illicit affair between Zeus; King of the Gods of Mount Olympus and Alcmene; who was nothing but a mere mortal.

It was bad enough for Hera, Zeus’s wife, to know she was married to an unfaithful old goat but to see the living proof of his infidelity right under her nose every day, in the shape of Hercules, whom she hated, made her blood boil.

Hera, Queen of the heavens, Goddess of marriage, women and childbirth, daughter of Cronus and Rhea, was out for revenge and poor Hercules was the one about to pay.

 

 

Hercules it seems was no angel either; after killing his music teacher, Linus, with a lyre, he was sent to tend cattle in the mountains and later, whilst living in Thebes, he fell in love with Megara, daughter of Creon, King of Thebes, whom he married and went on to have children with.

For Hera out of sight did not mean out of mindand using her super powers, she managed to get inside Hercules’ head and sent him completely crazy where upon, in a fit of frenzy, Hercules murdered his wife and children.

To atone for his crime, King Eurystheus of Tiryns assigned to Hercules, his famous twelve labours the second of which was to kill the nine headed Hydra.

It was a fierce battle; as fast as Hercules cut off one of the monster’s heads, another one would grow back in its place.

 

 

Hercules came up with the idea of burning the Hydra’s heads with fire; this worked and in this way the Hydra lost eight of its heads, leaving it with only one.

Hera who was counting on the failure of Hercules to kill the Hydra, on seeing his progress, became worried he was about to succeed in his task and so to distract him she sent Cancer, a giant crab, which grabbed hold of Hercules’ foot, and hung on for dear life.

 

 

Before finishing off the Hydra Hercules turned his attention to the bothersome crab and crushed it under his mighty foot.

Hera was furious that once again, Hercules had come out on top but felt sorry for the crab’s sacrifice, in order to reward Cancer the crab for its loyalty, Hera put its image in the sky as the constellation Cancer.

 

 

Personality traits of Cancer

 

 

 

The Good:

Loyal – Protective – Caring

 

Cancers wear their hearts on their sleeves but because of their strong connection with the moon, there is turmoil going on inside.

They tell the truth when they are happy and tell a lie when they are not; which makes them appear to be inconsistent.

Cancerians may be difficult to get to know and may come across as rather cold or standoffish but once they open up to you, they are the most loyal and protective friend you could ever wish to know; friends for life.

 

 

Their ability to empathize with others is what makes the Cancers one of the most devoted signs of the zodiac.

They are quite introverted and have no patience for small talk; they prefer to be at home, around family and a few close friends with whom they have deep, intimate relationships.

Large crowds and gatherings overwhelm the Cancerian, causing them to retreat into their shells.

They have a tendency towards mixed emotions causing them to become overly sentimental or moody which is why Cancers are said to be “crabby.”

 

 

Of all the zodiac signs, Cancerians are the most persistent people, loyal and dedicated to all those they love.

They have good taste, a penchant for beautiful things, a love of collecting stuff, which they hate to abandon.

Cancerian intuition is second to none, they rely on this more than any rational sense of judgment, and they can sniff out a lie, detect a mood swing, read people in seconds, in fact, you could go as far to say they have psychic abilities!

 

 

This powerful sense of intuition; a sixth sense, the ability to see through people, makes  the cancer sign have a deep dislike for  anything, or anyone, fake or forced.

 

The bad:

Overly Sensitive and Moody

 

Cancers are known to brood and to be over sensitive to criticism and anything mean said to a Cancerian, you may rest assured, they will not forget.

They have a tendency towards paranoia if they sense that something is not quite right.

Owing to the intricacy of their emotions Cancers are known for being moody and can instantly jump from extreme happiness to extreme sadness.

When a Cancer is upset or uncomfortable they’ll immediately seek refuge in their shells.

 

 

The ugly:

Vindictiveness

 

Try not to ever cross a Cancer and don’t be surprised if they become petty or vindictive.

 Cancers like to get their own way, which they will try to achieve through kindness and selflessness, if that doesn’t work though, watch out, they’re ready to get back at whatever or whoever is causing them to suffer.

A Cancer’s emotions can also make them insecure and even manipulative at times.

 

 

Strengths

 

Attaching great importance to family harmony

Excellent memory and smart

Perceptive and adaptable

Responsible and single-minded

Protective and prudent

Frugal, patriotic and good at managing family affairs

Imaginative and creative

Strong willpower and endurance

Nostalgic, tolerant, affectionate and loyal

Intuitive, considerate and caring

Cordial, warm and artistically talented

Excellent leadership and organization skills

 

 

Weaknesses

 

Indirect and excessive self-protection awareness

Too kind-hearted, harsh and greedy

Jealous and Oedipus complex

Emotional and prone to hysteria

Moody and indecisive

Indulging in the past and unable to face the facts

Self-pity caused by excessive sensitivity

Too sentimental and roundabout

Suspicious, emotional and hard to please

Too serious towards life and making it boring

 

Famous Cancerians

 

Lana Del Ray, American singer and songwriter. Born June 21 1985

 

 

Meryl Streep, American actress. Born June 22 1949

 

 

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX. Born June 28, 1971

 

 

Diana, Princess of Wales. Born July 1 1961

 

 

Sylvester Enzio Stallone, American actor. Born July 6 1946

 

 

The 14th Dalai Lama. Born July 6 1935

 

 

Frida Kahlo, painter. Born in Mexico on July 6 1907

 

 

Tom Hanks, American actor. Born July 9 1956

 

 

Nikola Tesla, inventor. Born July 10 1856

 

 

Aliki Vougiouklaki, Greek actress, National star of Greece. Born 20 July 1934

 

 

Related Links:

All Twelve Signs of the Zodiac