3 Things to Know About Cancer Season

At the Summer solstice earlier this week, the sun moved into the sign of Cancer, the fourth sign of the zodiac, marking the start to Cancer Season.

Cancer is a cardinal water sign symbolized by the crab.

Here are three things to know about Cancer season:

(1) Get Ready for Waterworks

Cancer is known for being an emotional sign that feels everything.

It is the only sign ruled by the moon. In astrology, the moon is associated with the body and also with emotions.

The water element also symbolizes emotions.

The moon changes signs more quickly than any other planet in the solar system. It also changes in its visibility frequently, going from invisible at the new moon to fully visible at the full moon.

This continual shifting gives Cancer its reputation as a sign of “moodiness.”

It also reminds us that emotions we experience are not permanent or even a part of us. Emotions ebb and flow like waves and tides.

Cancer’s symbol is the crab, which hides its sensitive underbelly under its outer shell. As difficult emotions arise, we can adopt the strategy of the crab and retreat to the safety of our shells to process emotions in solitude.

(2) Nurturing and Care

If you remember one thing about Cancer season, it should be this:

Cancer = Care.

Cancer’s water is a different energy from the fixed water of Scorpio or the mutable waters of Pisces.

Cancer’s waters are the nurturing waters of the womb, the waters of creation.

Cancer is a sign of nurturing and care; it is associated with the mother archetype.

This sign is about how we care for others, how we nurture projects and creations, and also — first — how we care for ourselves.

One of the lessons of Cancer season is that if we don’t care for ourselves we won’t be able to offer care for others or tend to the things we want to grow.

Anything we want to create or grow requires consistent and persistent care, nurturing, and tending.

This is the energy of summer: the long days of tending to the crops and the soil so that eventually we can harvest the fruit of our labors.

(3) A Foundation For Courage

In the symbolism of the seasons, summer is the season of bright sunshine and heat. It is associated with the element of fire.

These are the qualities of Leo season, the fixed fire sign that comes after Cancer in the zodiac. Leo season is about harnessing the courage to put ourselves out in the world and allowing our radiance to shine. Leo season is fire. It’s hot. It’s the warmth or glare of the spotlight.

That said, if we don’t have a good foundation, the fire of summer is also the heat that can lead to burnout.

The water of Cancer season sets the foundation for summer’s heat.

Cancer is associated with the fourth house in astrology; this is the area of our lives focused on our home, family, lineage, and our physical, emotional, and spiritual foundation. Our ability to be vulnerable, take risks, and put ourselves out into the world depends on nurturing this foundation.

Life begins in water. We are incubated in the dark waters of the womb before we emerge into the stark light of the world.

This sign is about care and nurturing. It invites us to focus on how we offer this to others, and first to ourselves.

We cannot care for others if we are not cared for first.