Cancer in the tarot

Cancer begins at the summer solstice, the longest day, and it turns inward from there — to the home, the family, the people it would protect. It is cardinal water: feeling that takes the lead. In the cards it is The Chariot, the armoured vehicle carrying something precious, and the early Cups of partnership, friendship and a cup unnoticed.

The Chariot

Cancer belongs to The Chariot, card VII of the major arcana — drive, victory through discipline. It is the card to choose for someone born under Cancer, if you want a card to stand for them in a reading.

Its ruling planet, the Moon, is The High Priestess: feeling, instinct, the tides.

The three decans

The ten-day slices of Cancer are three Cups, the suit of water. If your birthday falls in one, that card is yours.

• Two of Cups — 21 June – 1 July, the first decan: Venus in Cancer. partnership, mutual attraction, a bond of equals.
• Three of Cups — 2–11 July, the second decan: Mercury in Cancer. friendship, community, celebration shared.
• Four of Cups — 12–22 July, the third decan: the Moon in Cancer. apathy, contemplation, boredom with the good on offer.

The court

Two court cards share Cancer. The Queen of Cups — water of water — rules its first twenty degrees, coming in from Gemini (11 June – 11 July). The King of Wands — air of fire — takes its last ten and carries on into Leo (12 July – 12 August).