I am the Alchemy of Belonging
We are family
Symbol – Crab, Ruler – Moon, Metal – Silver, House – 4th, Element – Water, Modality – Cardinal, Humor – Phlegmatic, Body – Breasts/Stomach, Polarity – Capricorn, Quality – Feminine
The name Cancer comes from the Latin word for crab. The Cancer glyph ♋️ depicts the crab, the symbol for Cancer.
The zodiac sign was named after a crab from the mythological story about Heracles. Heracles killed his family and was paying penance when Hera sent a giant crab to hinder his progress. The family is sacrosanct to the archetypal Cancerian, so Heracles’ crime was heinous indeed.
Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac; it presides over the fourth house, the house of family and home, and is the second of the cardinal signs. Cardinal signs are the initiators of the zodiac. Cancer starts at the time of the summer solstice, the Sun at its zenith.
Cancer is ruled by the Moon, and like the triple goddess of the Moon, Cancer represents the three aspects of womanhood: the maiden, the mother and the crone. The energy is yin and quintessentially feminine. Cancer is a water sign which correlates to the phlegmatic humor, cold and wet.
Cancer is very intuitive. Memories are held in water, which is possibly how ancestral traits and trauma (miasmatic) are passed through generations.
They are also ardent, enthusiastic and tenacious, and sometimes quite zealous and intense. They are devoted and loyal to their partner, family and friends.
Kind, generous and benevolent Cancer is often maternal and nurturing and loves children and animals (Cancer miasm has a love of animals).
The nosode Carcinosin has strong links to the Cancer archetype not only because of the love of animals, of course, but also because of their somewhat self sacrificing nature in putting the needs of others first such that they don’t attend to their own needs. In homeopath Maria Jevtic’s book, Cave to Computer, she states that we are currently living through the age of the Cancer miasm and that it presents many dichotomies between doing what is right for oneself whilst not neglecting the needs of others, including animals and the environment.
In spite of their benevolence, Cancer can be aloof, but this is usually attributed to shyness. Like their symbol, the crab, their exterior is hard, and their interior is soft. Cancer needs to feel secure before it lets someone in.
Cancer is romantic; they are rarely commitment phobics, tending to be more dependent and sometimes needy. And whilst Cancer may look after the needs of others first (Carcinosin), their motive is not always entirely altruistic. Cancer has a tendency to martyrdom, and it may use ‘altruism’ to manipulate others – after all I’ve done for you, if you loved me, you wouldn’t go. The adjective crabby, meaning disagreeable, sour, peevish, has its etymology in the word crab, originally meaning crooked or rough, but coming to mean cranky.
Homeopath Luke Norland associates the Moon with Sankaran’s ringworm miasm, “phlegmatic, waxing and waning, connecting to feminine image.”
The archetypal remedy picture of Cancer is Calcarea Carbonica. Calc Carb individuals tend to be cautious, practical and possess a strong desire for routine and stability. They might feel anxious about new situations or changes.
Calc Carb balances the more negative traits of Cancer, their moodiness, jealousy, clinginess, manipulative behaviour and extreme sensitivity.
Other characteristics of Calc Carb that may fit the Cancer archetype are unsure, timid, passive, feels watched, so it hides, needs protection, bewildered and overwhelmed. As a sea remedy and by rulership, Calc Carb is very sensitive to the phases of the Moon.
Cancer governs the breasts, the female reproductive organs, pregnancy and the stomach. It also rules the lymphatic system and the remineralisation of the bones (alongside Capricorn). There may be a tendency to develop osteoporosis or arthritis.
The most common ailments of Cancer are indigestion, female reproductive problems, and dentition may be an issue in childhood. Weight gain due to overeating and/or water retention may also be seen. All the latter correlate to the Calc Carb picture.
In his writings about astrology and the periodic table, homeopath Luke Norland maps stages 1 to 6 of the periodic table to the cardinal signs. He equates stage 2 to Cancer as belonging to the water element.
“The easiest way to see this is to look at calcarea carbonica (the Oyster). The signature of the animal reflects the horizontal axis of the Mappa Mundi – they are sea-creatures clinging to rock (Water – Earth). Their shells form the stone we use to build our homes (for nurture, protection and security). These are all Earth – Water themes.”
Ruled by the Moon whose metal is silver, Argentum Metallicum may also be suited to the Cancer picture.
To paraphrase homeopath Peter Morrell on silver:
Silver is the sensitive metal of the emotions and the more refined senses. Maybe they are clairvoyant or just oversensitive; they like to be treated kindly and will not tolerate any roughness. Like copper, they have a fine artistic sense and prefer family and friends most. The lunar silver type is the most caring and compassionate of all the metals; they like people and want to mother them and care for them. They are the archetypal feminine type. People with excess silver may find life rather painful and are constantly on an emotional roller-coaster, as they react to negative and positive things so intensely. Argentum, Pulsatilla and Ignatia are related to the silver type of person.
We might consider remedies that correspond to the Moon’s rulership of Cancer, such as Luna, Moonstone, Pearl and Conchiolinum (mother of pearl).
Calcium Fluoride is the designated tissue salt for Cancer. It is good for muscle and ligament tonicity as well as healthy tooth enamel.
Many other remedies may be suited to the Cancer constitution and temperament, depending upon the entire astrological and homeopathic picture.