20-22 June - 20-22 July
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| Imaginary Crab Constellation |
Crab, Scarab, Crayfish. Everything but Cancer, in our times, unfortunately the name taken over by the disease. It is a very special sign-symbol in Western astrology. The ancient called it the mother of all creatures, and prescribed Luna, the goddess of the Moon as the ruling patron.
This is confirmed in palaeontology records. The sea creatures, named Trilobites, 450 million years ago had highly developed respiratory organs, first of its kind. They were a group of marine animals that looked like crabs. They had achieved a stunning evolutionary success, living on Earth for over 250 million years - longer than the dinosaurs! They were the first animals to live both in the sea and on land.
In Egypt, it was a scarab, the beetle that hatched from the ground and flew to heaven. In Mesopotamia - a turtle or tortoise. All those creatures have exoskeleton or shell - a symbol of protection. For humans, this shelter is called home. This is why domestic and family environment is so associated with Crab. The height of the Summertime indicates this need for shelter and shadow, as well.
The constellation of Cancer as we know it now, represents the giant crab that attacked Hercules during one of his twelve labours. He was fighting the water serpent Hydra, but in a moment of madness he killed his own family. The mother-goddess Hera sent the crab as penance.
Crab - Crayfish - Scarab Time
Summer Solstice is the starting point of the Crab time. Sun reaches its highest point in the Northern Hemisphere after which the sizzling and muggy summer time occurs. It was a festivity with many fertility rites and customs. During the night of Midsummer the youngster were hiding in the bushes and procreating a new generation. Accompanying them were the lightening bugs, the scarabs, the symbols of Crab time.
Hiding in the shadow is well advised in this time and this is what Crab people prefer. Small, confined, dark spaces. These are the shells that protect them from the outside rather hostile environment - like the crab shell.
The Midsummer fires reflect a Roman festival in honour of Vesta, the goddess of the sacred domestic hearth. June name is derived from the goddess Juno, Roman equivalent of Hera. The motherly aspects of the Moon qualities. July is named after Julius Caesar, the maker of the Roman Empire. It is the first month to be named after a man, not a god, in Western tradition.
During the Crab time most of the crops are ripening. The need to take care of the pantry for the Winter season is undergoing. This is why Crab represents care, protection, perseverance and nutrition.
Crab Character
Preserve and reserve are the Crab's motto. Crab is about the native place. Susceptible to the home environment - the external home (all the bricks and mortar), and the internal atmosphere. Strong emotional nature - sensitive, receptive, intuitive, Crab energy responds to life through feelings. If you meet a Crab person and gain their trust, you will probably be immersed in their world. They would like to take a dive into yours.
Crab energy, when feeling secure, is warm, kind and caring. When confronted or threatened it will be unapproachable, withdrawn or viciously biting and manipulative. Anyone and anything outside the immediate circle can be viewed as a threat. Crabs will seek shelter in a rock-hard emotional shell.
Because of the sensitivity of the emotional nature, Crabs can change moods suddenly. Can become easily upset. The "crabby" part shows up once in a while. It is important for them to avoid people with problems - they are so receptive that can pick up other's problems as their own.
The enormous need for security, emotional security, makes them tenacious and strong-willed - they like to get their way, whatever the circumstances. If something is a threat - and they feel that life is a threat in many aspects - can be rather vindictive. Can snap someone's head off. They need to remember that nobody likes a tyrant.
Protective of own feelings, as well as the feelings of close ones, having the protective shell in place is all important. The ideal home is the best solution. They have strong parenting instinct and a great deal of satisfaction is gained through caring for others. In the absence of a loved one this energy is usually channelled into one particular vocation or hobby. There is always strong attachment - to home, family values, hobbies etc. Crabs tend to cling to things, collecting them.
Life lesson for Crabs is: Learning through caring, nurturing and protecting.
Crab Keywords:
Protection. Precaution. Shielding. Watchfulness. Vigilance. Defence. Preservation. Privacy. Retreat.
Care. Nurturing. Support. Provision. Consideration.
Sensitivity. Receptivity. Tenderness. Ambience. Emotionality. Immersion. Absorption. Assimilation.
Crab Shadow:
Defensiveness. Cageyness. Distrust. Restrain.
Attachment. Manipulation. Sabotage. Submission. Dependability.
Sentimentality. Resentment. Melodrama. Moodiness. Sulkiness. Flimsiness. Apathy.
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Cancer, the crab. Originally it was the fortress, the impregnable enclosure of protection. In Egypt, it was a scarab, the beetle that hatched from the ground and flew to heaven, the stronghold of the saved. The ancients believed at one time that Cancer was the first sign of the zodiac because this was the entrance of life from the heavens to the primal ocean of mother.
The Crab symbolises the summer-time drought.
People with this Sun sign are sometimes also called "Moon Children" because the Moon rules the sign. When the Moon is so predominate in a chart, it produces a personality that is sensitive, receptive, responsive, with strong emotional nature.
The symbol for Cancer is the Crab. Its protective shell represents home and protection. People with prominent Crab feel good in dark, cosy rooms.
Crabs are particularly susceptible to the home environment.
Crab is about roots, anything that refers to ties to the native place.
The Crab symbolises the summer-time drought.
People with this Sun sign are sometimes also called "Moon Children" because the Moon rules the sign. When the Moon is so predominate in a chart, it produces a personality that is sensitive, receptive, responsive, with strong emotional nature.
The symbol for Cancer is the Crab. Its protective shell represents home and protection. People with prominent Crab feel good in dark, cosy rooms.
Crabs are particularly susceptible to the home environment.
Crab is about roots, anything that refers to ties to the native place.
