Cancer Constellation Meaning

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Cancer Constellation [Stellarium]

Constellation Cancer The Crab is one of the 12 ecliptic constellations and lies between Gemini and Leo. It also borders Lynx, Canis Minor and Hydra.
Cancer is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the 2nd century and remains one of the 88 modern constellations. It spans 15 degrees of the zodiac in the Sign of Leo.
Abbreviation: Cnc
Genitive: Cancri

Cancer Constellation Stars

2000	2050	Star	Name	Sp. Class	Mag.	Orb
01♌21	02♌03	ζ Cnc	Tegmine	F7	4.67	1°00′
01♌49	02♌31	λ Cnc	Piautos	B9	5.92	1°00′
04♌16	04♌58	β Cnc	Tarf	K4	3.53	1°40′
06♌21	07♌03	ι Cnc	Zubanah	G8	4.03	1°20′
07♌21	08♌04	M44	Praesepe		3.70	1°30′
07♌33	08♌15	γ Cnc	Asellus Borealis	A1	4.66	1°00′
07♌44	08♌26	ρ¹ Cnc	Copernicus	G8	5.96	1°00′
08♌44	09♌26	δ Cnc	Asellus Australis	K0	3.94	1°30′
13♌13	13♌55	ξ Cnc	Nahn	K0	5.16	1°00′
13♌39	14♌21	α Cnc	Acubens	A5	4.26	1°20′

α Cnc is officially and traditionally named Acubens. Applied with various spellings since medieval times, from the Arabic word al zubānāh, “the claw,” used in Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos in describing the stars α and ι Cnc. Otherwise, the same Arabic word was used for the “claws” of Scorpius, α Lib (Zubenelgenubi) and β Sco (Graffias). ^[1]
α Cnc has also been called Sertan. Applied in recent times from the Islamic-Arabic constellation name al-saraṭān, “the Crab,” for Cancer. ^[1]

β Cnc is officially named Tarf. The traditional name Al Tarf (anglicized as Altarf) is Arabic for “end” or “edge”. ^[2]
β, a 4th‑magnitude, is Al Tarf, the end, i.e. of the southern foot on which it lies. ^[3]

γ Cnc is officially and traditionally named Asellus Borealis.
δ Cnc is officially and traditionally named Asellus Australis.
From their joint name the Aselli (and also Asini), “the Asses, or Donkeys,” being a translation of these stars’ Greek name οι’′Ονοι. Reapplied in Renaissance times, along with the Latin distinctions of “northern” and “southern.” ^[1]
The Arabs similarly knew them as Al Ḥimārain, the Two Asses. ^[3]

ε Cnc is officially named Meleph, which initially applied to the entire Beehive Cluster. ε Cnc is the brightest member of the Beehive Cluster (M44, or Praesepe), but with a magnitude of 6.29, it is barely visible.
Bayer cited Melleff, which Chilmead followed with Mellef, and Riccioli with Meeleph; these were from the Arabians’ Al Ma᾽laf, “the Stall”; and this, in turn, derived from Greek astronomy, for their indigenous Ma᾽laf was in Crater. ^[3]
M44 is the well-known Beehive. Popularly, it also is the Manger, or Crib, the Φάτνη of Aratos and Eratosthenes; the Φάτνης of Ptolemy; and with the Latins, Praesaepe. ^[3]
In Chinese astronomy, M44 is known by the names Jīshī (積尸), “Cumulative Corpses”, Jīshīqì (積尸氣), “Cloud of Cumulative Corpses”, and Tiānshī (天尸), “Celestial Corpses”. ^[4]

ζ Cnc is officially and traditionally named Tegmine. A Latin word in the ablative case meaning “covering, or shell,” used in a Renaissance discussion of the constellation Cancer. The word was subsequently applied as a star name to ζ Cnc (but as a name it should be “Tegmen,” in the nominative case). ^[1]

ι Cnc is traditionally named Zubanah, from the Arabic word al zubānāh, “the claw,” used in Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos in describing the stars α and ι Cnc. ^[1] The star ι, marking the other claw, shares in many of these titles (of α Cnc, Acubens). ^[3]
Another traditional name for ι Cnc is Decapoda, meaning “the ten-legged ones” in Latin. ^[5]

λ Cnc is officially and traditionally named Piautos, from the Greek πιαυτος, listed in a Coptic manuscript of lunar stations (the position of λ Cnc near the ecliptic means it is subject to lunar occultation). ^[6] ξ Cnc and λ Leo were the Coptic lunar asterism Piautos, “the Eye”. ^[3]
λ Cnc has the traditional Chinese name Guànèr (爟二), “2nd star of Beacon Fire (Guàn 爟)”. ^[4] With adjacent stars, λ Cnc was Kwan Wei, “the Bright Fire.” ^[3]

ξ Cnc is officially and traditionally named Nahn. ξ Cnc and λ Leo were the Persian lunar asterism Nahn, “the Nose”. ^[3]

ρ¹ Cnc is officially named Copernicus, in honor of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. ^[7]

Cancer Constellation [Urania’s Mirror]

Cancer Astrology

Manilius (@ 35 AD)

But glowing Cancer (where the Summer Sun
With fiery Chariots bounds the Torrid Zone,
Drives fiercely up, then with a bending Rein
Sinks down, and runs the lower Rounds again.)
As close in’s Shell he lies, affords his Aid
To greedy Merchants, and inclines to Trade;
His Births shall sail, through Seas and Dangers tost
To reap the Riches of a Foreign Coast.
What thrifty Nature hath but thinly sown
In Many Countries, they shall bring to One;
Intent on gain ne’re heed the Poors Complaint
But thrive on Scarcity, and live on Want;
For Wealth undaunted gather every Wind,
Out-sail good Fame, and leave Repute behind,
And when their greedy Hands have seiz’d tjhe Store
Of this, search other Worlds, and seek for more.
Complaining at the slowness of the Years,
With swifter Suns, and set too vast a rate
On Time it self, to raise a quick Estate;
Their Bodies shall be Strong, inur’d to Pain,
Their Wits Contriving, and intent on gain. ^[8]

Shining at the hinge of the year by the blazing turning-point which when recalled the Sun rounds in his course on high, the Crab occupies a joint of heaven and bends back the length of day [as the Sun moves through Cancer, the days become longer, until the solstice is reached, and are then “bent back,” i.e. become shorter]. Of a grasping spirit and unwilling to give itself in service the Crab distributes many kinds of gain, and skill in making profits; he enables a man to carry his investment of foreign merchandise from city to city and, with an eye on steep rises in the price of corn, to risk his money upon sea-winds; to sell the world’s produce to the world, to establish commercial ties between so many unknown lands, to search out under foreign skies fresh sources of gain, and from the high price of his goods to amass sudden wealth. With heaven’s favor he also sells seasons of idleness at rates of interest to his liking, wishing the swift passage of time to add to the principal. His is a shrewd nature and he is ready to fight for his profits. ^[9]

ASCENDING

When rouling Cancer riseth veild in Clouds,
I’th’ Skies as deeply hid as in the Floods,
The Moon resembling when depriv’d of Light;
The Births are Blind, and wish in vain for sight:
By Fates a Verse condem’d to Double Death,
Dead whilst Alive, and Buryed whilst they breath. ^[8]

But when that part of the Crab rises which is dimmed by a somber cloud [the cluster Praesaepe, which, like all clusters in astrology, threatens blindness], where his own fire fails, as though burnt out by the Sun’s, and darkens the signs with impenetrable fog, the sight of those born then will fail, and fate will condemn them to death twice over: each one buries himself while still alive. ^[9]

Ptolemy (@150 AD)

Of the stars in Cancer, the two in the eyes produce the same effect as Mercury, and, to a less degree, as Mars; those in the claws, the same as Saturn and Mercury; the cloud-like cluster in the breast, called the Manger (Praesepe),⁠ the same as Mars and the moon; and the two on either side of it, which are called Asses (Asellus Borealis and Asellus Australis),⁠ the same as Mars and the sun. ^[10]

Maternus (@335 AD)

I.10. Ascendant in Cancer. If the horoscope is found in Cancer, it will make them always sharp in intellect, but who will accomplish everything with moderation of slowness. It will make them serious scholars, and those who are accustomed to being severely angry, and who will persecute all evildoers with severe indignation, strong and moderate, but whose indignation will be very easily [indignant and] mitigated. They will indeed have the substance of their life from public or royal [and public] places, which will give them the substance of their life, and they will always be occupied with public necessities, but many will flatter themselves when compelled by various necessities. But if the horoscope is set in Cancer [and] Saturn is in them, or he sees him, they will either commit a violent death, or they will fall into a great defect of health, or their former brothers will die as vicarious deaths.
11. If the MC. card is in Aries, constant conversation with more powerful men he will be busy, or from other people’s resources he will be provided with daily sustenance, and he will always be eager and desirous of good things. But his patrimony changes with constant variety, and whenever it is lost, it is always replenished. If it is set in Capricorn, latent envy will always strike, but afterwards it is composed with quiet moderation after many inconveniences of inequality. He will certainly be ingenious, adorned with sharp mental investigations, secretly enduring the torments of a certain pain, or he will be worn out by infinite pains of the soul.
12. If it is in Libra IMC. the axis, he will be worn out by many labors, and being applied to civil duties, or given over to popular conversations, he will dissipate the substance of the previous patrimony. He will certainly be second in all powers, and will be necessary to others. He will have the faculty of substance from letters, and will be someone to whom hidden secrets are entrusted by others. He will reach the extreme reaches of old age, and will be decorated with the honor of a good burial, and if Mercury is found in the following sign, he will be the first among all male children. But if Venus is found in the 2nd place, the daughter is preferred in terms of life, if the lord of procreation, as we said before, is well placed and adorned with the rays of benevolent stars.

III.13. Saturn in Cancer. If Saturn is found in Cancer, those who have it thus will be involved in seditions, lawsuits, and many contradictions, and whatever they have obtained from their father or mother, they will always lose with much tearing, but by their own strength and virtue they will obtain the greatest substance, and Their life will be such that they will always seek and lose. But they will have dangers from some disturbance or from illnesses, but in the ebdomatic and enneatic years, as long as they have passed the 23rd year of age.
14. For up to this age they will be burdened with the greatest dangers. But if at the time of dangers the benevolent stars have the dominion of the times or they look upon Saturn or the lord of procreation with a favorable radiation, or if a benevolent star is the lord of procreation and is well placed, the dangers of the coming dangers will be mitigated. But if at the time of dangers the procreation is helped by benevolent stars, as we have said, there will be losses of parents or brothers or from conflicts of causes [or from] losses, but he himself will be free from all dangers. But when Saturn is <established> in his houses , then he determines losses then storms then dangers then illnesses then causes by constant reason. But if he is found in the diameters of his houses, he determines these same things by a similar reason.
15. But when it is in Gemini, it will disturb them and involve them in sudden anxieties and dangers. For then it both portends misfortunes and will shake them with the continuation of these evils as long as the sign of Cancer passes. For when Saturn comes into the tropical parts of Cancer, then it will cause a loss of patrimony and will place them in such great distress that alien humanity will support them. Then there will be mobs, then seditions, then various dangers of life. But when Saturn passes the tropical parts of Cancer, the preceding evils will be slightly abated, so that they will be separated from anxieties and dangers.
16. But never the first The wife will persevere, and sometimes they will not have a successful outcome in their first contracts. For in their first life they are united with inferior women or degenerates of any kind, but later they exclude these same women by a constant judgment of mind. But if Saturn is placed in this sign, or has the Moon with him, or looks upon it with a strong radiation, he will deny them children, and they will be deformed by some foul color, colored black by an abundance of bile, and constantly contracting inconveniences from black bile. They will certainly despair in illnesses, and after illnesses they will have difficulty recovering.
17. They will be simple in mind, compassionate to humanity, relieving the distresses of others, accepting other people’s patrimony, <and> deriving from them the support of life. They will also be fathers of other people’s children, they will have hidden vices, and they will be endowed with such dignity that they will seem to be the masters of their own brothers. They will certainly be wealthy and pecuniary, known to many and powerful men, slow in all actions and unwilling to be quickly applied to public occupations, separated from all service, and adorned with the splendors of an honest and divine mind, always spending their lives in prosperous ways.

IV.9. Jupiter in Cancer. Whoever has Jupiter in Cancer will be friends of the powerful and will associate with them, keeping their secrets with faithful silence, and when Jupiter begins to possess their time, then patrimonies, then honors, then insignia of glory are conferred on them. But neither happiness nor the faith of friendship ever endures with them, but they will frequently be humble, especially when Saturn has entered the principal places of procreation, or when the sign comes to Aquarius or Pisces. Then they are involved in difficulties of the greatest danger, then dangers, then crowds, then losses, then illnesses occur, then they will have quarrels with powerful men or with relatives, then they will suffer false accusations and the envy of public discourse.
10. But these are then mitigated when Saturn and Jupiter are found in squares on the sides of this sign. But when Saturn comes to this same sign and Jupiter applies himself to the star, he will be of infinite benefit, but still more when he makes a transition to the sign of Leo. For when he enters the times of his second station in Leo, he decides felicities, glories and the insignia of some honor. Then they will rule over many men, then the impudence of all their adversaries is overcome, then their happy reputation raises their reputation, then there will be license so that they can also support others.
11. But when they have been happy, they again lose a part of their happiness, but these are decreed according to the difference of the decree. They will have joy from a woman or wife, they will also rejoice in the offspring they have received, and they will obtain the dominions of foundations and movables. After varying ages and the unevenness of life, they approach the prosperous advantages of happiness, so that they are worthy of admiration, so that they themselves may wonder by what means they have attained such insignia of happiness. ^[11]

Allen (1889)

Cancer, the Crab,
It is the most inconspicuous figure in the zodiac, and mythology apologizes for its being there by the story that when the Crab was crushed by Hercules, for pinching his toes during his contest with the Hydra in the marsh of Lerna, Juno exalted it to the sky; whence Columella called it Lernaeus. Yet few heavenly signs have been subjects of more attention in early days, and few better determined; for, according to Chaldaean and Platonist philosophy, it was the supposed Gate of Men through which souls descended from heaven into human bodies.
In astrology, with Scorpio and Pisces, it was the Watery Trigon; and has been the House of the Moon, from the early belief that this luminary was located here at the creation; and the Horoscope of the World, as being, of all the signs, nearest to the zenith. It was one of the unfortunate signs, governing the human breast and stomach; and reigned over Scotland, Holland, Zealand, Burgundy, Africa (especially over Algiers, Tripoli, and Tunis), and the cities of Constantinople and New York. In the times of Manilius it ruled India and Aethiopia, but he termed it a fruitful sign. Its colors were green and russet; and early fable attributed its guardianship to the god Mercury, whence its title Mercurii Sidus. When the sun was within its boundaries every thunder-storm would cause commotions, famine, and locusts; and Berossos asserted that the earth was to be submerged when all the planets met in Cancer, and consumed by fire when they met in Capricorn. But this was a reversal of the astrologers’ rule; for, as Pascal wrote:

They only assign good fortune with rare conjunctions of the stars, and this is how their predictions rarely fail.

Showing but few stars, and its lucida being less than a 4th-magnitude, it was the Dark Sign, quaintly described as black and without eyes.
The symbol of the sign, ♋, probably is “the remains of the representation of some such creature”; but it is also referred to the two Asses (gamma, Asellus Borealis, and delta, Asellus Australis) that took part in the conflict of the gods with the giants on the peninsula of the Macedonian Pallene, the early Phlegra, afterwards rewarded by a resting-place in the sky on either side of the Manger. ^[3]

Bullinger (1893)

The Sign CANCER (The Crab).
With regard to the sign of CANCER, one thing is certain, that we have not got the original picture, or anything like it.
It does not agree with the names either of its three constellations which have come down to us, or of its stars.
In the ancient Denderah Zodiac it is represented as a Scarabaeus, or sacred beetle. (The Scarabaeus, passing its early existence as a worm of the earth, and thence issuing as a winged denizen of heaven, was held sacred by the Egyptians as an emblem of the resurrection of the body.) In the Zodiac of Esneh and in a Hindu Zodiac (400 BC) it is the same.

Cancer Constellation [Bullinger]

According to the Greeks, Jupiter placed this Crab among the signs of the Zodiac.
In Sir William Jones’s Oriental Zodiac we meet with a crab, and an Egyptian Zodiac found at Rome bears also the crab in this sign.
The more ancient Egyptians placed Hermanubis, or Hermes, with the head of an ibis or hawk, as the symbol of the sign now allotted to CANCER.
The Denderah name is Klaria, or the cattle-folds, and in this name we have the key to the meaning of the sign, and to the subject of this chapter.
The Arabic name is Al Sartan, which means who holds or binds, and may be from the Hebrew אָסַר, to bind together (Gen 49:11). There is no ancient Hebrew word known for the crab. It was classed with many other unclean creatures, and would be included in the general term “vermin.”
The Syriac, Sartano, means the same. The Greek name is Karkinos, which means holding or encircling, as does the Latin, Cancer, and hence is applied to the crab. In the word Khan, we have the traveler’s rest or inn; while Ker or Cer is the Arabic for encircling. The ancient Akkadian name of the month is Su-kul-na, the seizer or possessor of seed.
The sign contains 83 stars, one of which is of the 3rd magnitude, and seven are of the 4th magnitude, and the remainder of inferior magnitudes.
In the center of the Sign there is a remarkably bright cluster of stars, so bright that they can be sometimes seen with the naked eye. It looks like a comet, and is made up of a great multitude of stars. Modern astronomers have called it the Beehive. But its ancient name has come down to us as Praesepe, which means a multitude, offspring.
The brightest star, ζ (in the tail), is called Tegmine, holding. The star α (or α¹ and α²), in the lower large claw, is called Acubene, which, in Hebrew and Arabic, means the sheltering or hiding-place. Another is named Ma’alaph (Arabic), assembled thousands; Al Himarein (Arabic), the kids or lambs.
North and south of the nebula Praesepe are two stars, which Orientalists speak of by a name evidently of some antiquity. Asellus means an Ass, and one was called Asellus Boreas, the northern Ass; while the other, Asellus Australis, is the southern Ass.
The sign was afterwards known by the symbol ♋, which stands for these two asses.
This connects it with the Tribe of Issachar, who is said to have borne upon the Tribal standard the sign of two asses. ^[12]

Robson (1923)

CANCER. The Crab.
Legend. This constellation represents the crab that bit the heel of Hercules during his fight with the Lernean Hydra, and was placed amongst the stars in gratitude by Juno, the enemy of Hercules.
Influence. Ptolemy’s observations are as follows: “The two stars in the eyes of Cancer are of the same influence as Mercury, and are also moderately like Mars. Those in the claws are like Saturn and Mercury.” By the Kabalists Cancer is associated with the Hebrew letter Tzaddi and the 18th Tarot Trump “The Moon.” ^[13]

Rigor (1979)

Congenial surroundings are necessary for these natives. Excess emotions should be avoided, restlessness should be overcome. The marriage partner should be such that they are a good home builder and do all in their power to make the Cancer’s home surroundings comfortable. Cancers native impulses should be continued in all matters. Too many restrictions should not be placed on the Cancer native. Cancerians are generally of a retiring nature, may prefer a certain amount of solitude.
Negative Cancerians find life a real problem, full of difficulties. They can be directionless, timid, touchy and develop an inferiority complex, seeking security and something to pin their hopes upon, a great love of times gone by and home to them merely offers a safe haven. They tend to drift along, lacking enterprise.
Positive Keywords: Self-reliant, compassionate, maternal, sympathetic, industrious, sensitive, idealistic, retiring nature.
Negative Keywords: Eccentric, impulsive, selfish, sensational, clinging, overly emotional.

Sun in Cancer Constellation
Positive: Endows its natives with extreme sensitiveness, but the ability to control their emotions. One who is kind hearted, hospitable, has a cheerful personality. Has a strong imagination, one who is imaginative, has a receptive mentality, has domestic’ and maternal instincts, a sense of tradition, is compassionate and tolerant, has a receptive mentality, has domestic and maternal instincts, a sense of tradition is compassionate and tolerant, has a persistent will and of a kindly friendly nature.
Negative: Native is subject to being fickle, somewhat inconstant, overly emotional, a poor loser, very touchy, of a restless nature, moody, has a love of the past, constantly seeking security, prone to self pity, does not take losses very easily, can develop a passive nature. An unforgiving nature, may be very touchy, life appears difficult. Unstable person, one who is susceptible to flattery. Unable to accept disappointments easily.

Moon in Cancer Constellation
Positive: Native endowed with intuition. Can be friendly, sociable, domestically inclined. Has active feelings and emotions. Sensitive to outside influence. Native is kind, of a sympathetic nature. Has great tenacity, can be graceful and of an adaptable nature. Has a plastic dreamy temperament. Domestic or other security of great importance to the native.
Negative: Native is highly emotional, abuses authority, is of a clinging vine nature, drifts with tide of life, can become indolent. Native is of a grasping nature. May exhibit emotional instability, has a tendency to be withdrawn, develops an excessive imagination.

Mercury in Cancer Constellation
Positive: Endows its natives with a kind, pleasing hospitable social attitude. One who has a clear intellect, a good memory and excellent adaptability. One who is alert to responsibility, very impressionable, responsive, intuitive, somewhat reserved with a fertile and vivid imagination. One who is susceptible to flattery, diplomatic and tactful, with a restless mind. More concerned about the past. Great tenacity of opinion. Musically inclined.
Negative: The native harbors resentment, unable to forget past injuries, may become obnoxious to others, the native is very tenacious, exhibits a lack of tact, prejudiced by preconceived ideas, has a closed mind, a love of flattery and praise. Insensitive to others, a tendency to be garrulous. Grasping and greedy.

Venus in Cancer Constellation
Positive: Endows its natives with tenacity. An attraction for home and security. One who is responsible, hospitable, courteous and has a deep affection for their family. An inclination to be cautious and prudent. A sense of self preservation, an artistic taste. One who is responsive to emotions. A mother type complex.
Negative: The native may be super sensitive, have uncontrolled emotions, worry needlessly. Develop a thin outer shell, ready to take offense. The native may develop a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude with their relationships. Demonstrate a lack of responsibility.

Mars in Cancer Constellation
Positive: Endows its natives with boldness, independence, and a fearless nature. A tendency to rebel against any restraint. Tendency to exercise unrestrained authority over all they come in contact with at home or in business. Native is adapatble to many interests, is of a persevering nature. One who is industrious, constructive, has a fondness for social pleasure, luxuries and of a changeable nature. A tendency to gather and protect necessities for comfort. Native is a good provider – generally.
Negative: There is a lack of straightforwardness with these natives. Native is of a quarrelsome nature, subject to temper problems. Has a tendency to move from place to place, job to job. Native is restless and of a changeable nature. Tends to be sensuous. A tendency to tear down what they build up. The native may be a poor loser. ^[14]

Noonan (1984)

Cancer is the most inconspicuous asterism in the zodiac. This is explained in the mythology by the story that when the crab was crushed by Hercules for pinching his toes during the conquest with the Hydra in the march of Lema, Juno exalted it to the sky. Yet few heavenly signs have been subject to more attention in the early days, for, according to Chaldean and Platonist philosophy, it was supposed to be the “Gate of Men” through which souls descended from heaven into human bodies, Egyptian records of about 2000 B.C. describe Cancer as a Scarabeaus, sacred, and a symbol of immortality. Cancer is the house of the Moon, and there is an early belief that this luminary was located here at Creation.
It is one of the more unfortunate signs; and when the Sun is within Cancer thunderstorms are indicative (in ancient times) of commotion, famines, and locusts. Beressos (3rd century B.C.) asserted that the Earth was to be submerged when all the planets met in Cancer, and consumed by fire when they met in Capricorn, Individuals born under Cancer are lovers of mankind and highly respected, but women for which this sign is the horoscope (ASC) may be beset by difficult undertakings, Idn Ezra (The Beginning of Wisdom, 1148) remarks that those who are born under this sign may be deaf and dumb. Cancer is one of the fecund signs and is indicative of large families.
In physical appearance the Cancerian is of moderate height, with thick limbs and fine brown rather long hair. He will have a crooked nose and uneven teeth, his look will be downcast and he will have a tendency toward corpulence. Al-Biruni states that his shanks will be longer than his forearms. Modern astrologers ass that he is apt to be soft and not very muscular, and have a round face.
Those born under the sign of Cancer will be indolent, dumb, fickle, and changeable. Those born in the first decanate will have a good soul, many friends, and he will be an expert in fraud. The second decanate indicates an individual beloved by all creatures, and the third those who will suffer a great deal by themselves.
Modern astrologers assert that the sign is correlative of selfishness. The native will be devoted to his country and his family. His feelings will be easily hurt and he may become moody and sullen. He is kind and self-reliant, but can be restless. They have strong feelings, especially strong feelings in compassion.
The Classicists assert that the Cancerian natives are good sailors, swimmers, and canal diggers. Al-Biruni also includes water diviners. The Modernists add innkeepers, caterers, nurses, housewives, mothers, social workers, and the like. ^[15]

Noonan (1990)

The Constellation of the Crab
Cancer (Cnc), or the constellation of the Crab, presages thunderstorms, famine, and locusts. The stars in the eyes (according to Ptolemy) have a nature similar to that of Mercury and Mars; those in the claws to that of Saturn and Mercury; the nubula to that of Mars and the Moon; and the Asses to that of Mars and the Sun. ^[16]