Cancer season begins at the liminal moment of the summer solstice. The Sun is at its highest point in the sky, and the natural world is voluptuous, lush, and fecund. Summer solstice is the culmination of the waxing season: the Maiden becomes the Mother. It is a time of ripeness and birth, and the fullness of life force is at its peak. Cancer is a cardinal water sign, meaning that it is a gateway to a seasonal turning point (in this case, summer) and resonates with the intuitive, empathic element of water. Cancer embodies the archetypal feminine and is related to the archetype of the Great Mother, the nurturing, embracing womb from which we all come and to which we will all return. The Great Mother is one of the original archetypes and is so ancient and so vast in scope it would be impossible to convey its breadth in one book, let alone a single chapter.
Much of this is also true for the sign Cancer. Unfathomably deep, connected to ancestral memory and the roots of the subconscious, Cancer is, in a sense, our spiritual home, the home we all subconsciously long to return to. Cancer is also ruled by the Moon, another inestimably ancient archetype. The Moon is inextricably tied to the feminine principle, or the anima. Not only does it govern the tides of the ocean, but it also waxes and wanes in sync with the cycles of women’s fertility. It is no wonder that the sign of Cancer rules the stomach, the breasts, and the womb.
As an embodiment of the Great Mother, Cancer is cognate with not only the wider family of humankind, but the personal family as well. Tribe, homeland, ancestral roots, passed-down cultural traditions, and psychological inheritance all come under the embrace of Cancer. So too do the ideas of home, sanctuary, sustenance, and what we belong to—our place in the wider world. Cancer is changeable and, like the tides, moves in and out of waxing and waning cycles from receptivity and emotional fullness to introspective retreat. These shifting internal ebbs and flows sometimes cause Cancer to become entangled in subtle emotional undercurrents, arising in unnameable melancholic longings and inward vision, which has been oft referred to simply as “moodiness.” However, as we will see, the archetype and the psyche of Cancer are much deeper than that.
The Cancer Woman
Ask a Cancer woman why she is feeling pensive, and you are likely to get a vague answer: “I don’t know. I just feel weird.” She may be ruminating or brooding over an actual concern or event, but it is just as likely that she doesn’t know. Part of this is that she’s ruled by the fluctuating phases of the Moon, and another reason is that she is subconsciously tuned into the crosscurrents of ancestral memory that have come upon her without warning, dragging her into murky depths and enveloping her in nebulous memories of generations past. Once she becomes conscious of the voices of the ancestors, she can find great healing and wisdom in her lineage, which will also give her useful glimpses into the origins of unfounded fears, patterns, and drives.
Because of her innate emotional and psychic receptivity, Cancer is a natural conduit. It’s not only the fragments of ancestral memories that tug at her; she is also keenly attuned to the moods and feelings of those in her most immediate circle. Although her extremely heightened intuitive awareness can make her the most empathic of women, the most gifted healer, and the most attentive mother, the unspoken lesson that accompanies her acute emotional sensitivity is about boundaries.
The Cancer woman cares deeply about her loved ones. She is compassionate, loyal, and often fiercely protective. She has a well of love as deep and boundless as the ocean for those in her inner circle. She is a born nurturer, and whether she is a biological mother or not, she tends to take on this role with her friends, family, and animal companions. While this can be a generally positive and admirable quality, we must remember that there is always a shadow side to every sign. The shadow side, where Cancer is concerned, is the potential of enmeshment. Sometimes Cancer identifies so completely with her perceived role as nurturer or protector that she subconsciously oversteps healthy boundaries with her loved ones, resulting in an emotionally manipulative atmosphere that can foster resentment and guilt. While not all Cancers are biological mothers, it is important to note that siblings, mates, partners, friends, and coworkers can also be affected when the shadow side of this archetype is activated. In Cancer’s defense, if this does occur, she is usually not conscious of what she’s doing. Cancer is often terribly hurt and bewildered when a loved one asks her to stop meddling. Requests for space or independence can be taken personally, as an affront to her well-meaning efforts. After all, from her perspective, she was only trying to help. She may feel unappreciated and taken for granted and then subsequently withdraw for a time into her shell.
Despite the occasional storms that occur because of being so emotionally tuned in, Cancer is unmatched in the art of comfort. As a natural empath, she can make a powerful healer who knows intuitively what is required to restore someone to wholeness. This skill is valuable whether she is a psychotherapist or an energy worker. It also comes in handy when she finds herself, as she often does, listening compassionately to her loved ones and coworkers, as Cancer is often the go-to person when anyone needs a shoulder to cry on. She has a soothing, calming presence that is often all people need to begin the process of emotional healing. However, lest you begin to get the idea that Cancer is simply a mothering, shy, and retiring soul here to take on the troubles of the world, let’s remember that Cancer is by nature cyclical. She has one of the best senses of humor in the entire zodiac, hands down. This woman is seriously funny. She loves to laugh and can have her besties reeling with her impressions, insightful observations, and wacky anecdotes—all delivered with perfect comedic timing. Her insight and intuition give her the ability (as they say in show biz) to read a room like a pro.
If you are lucky enough to be invited into the inner sanctum that is the Cancer woman’s home, you will see why Cancer is aligned with the concept of sanctuary. Cancer is usually selective about who is admitted into her private domain, as this is her safe place of retreat from the harshness of the world. At home, the Cancer woman is in her element. Romantic and mysterious, her hideaway is often decorated with antiques, Oriental rugs, and layers of beautiful fabric. Sentimental objects, keepsakes, and photos are in abundance. Lighting is of great importance in setting her desired ambience: candlelight and Victorian oil lamps provide the atmospheric mood lighting she prefers. In short, the Cancer woman’s home is like a bohemian paradise, with more than a nod to the past. Thirties jazz, classical, or seventies folk music is likely part of her music collection, especially if she has fond childhood memories of listening to a particular genre with her grandmother or a beloved aunt.
Food is another Cancerian theme that will be apparent in her haven. Her lush abode is scented with exotic cooking spices and the intoxicating smell of something wonderful pleasantly bubbling on the stove. Many Cancers are serious epicureans. Of course, there are some Cancers who are not cooks, but they still have a deep appreciation for the delicious. Whether she opts for takeout or has friends come over and cook up a storm while she pours the wine, good food will certainly be a central part of the Cancer woman’s cozy hearth. To the fortunate few who make it across her threshold, Cancer is an unparalleled hostess who enjoys making her loved ones feel at home.
The protective embrace of her home is also where she conjures her creative magick, as her rich and fertile imagination can soar unimpeded in the privacy of her sanctuary. Cancer is a highly creative sign, and whether she channels it through the written word, with paint and canvas, or with stones and silver, she is compelled to birth something into form with frequent visits from the Muse. She is also usually quite creative with her wardrobe. With her romantic imagination and love of the past, she may have a taste for vintage clothing and antique jewelry. Anything with a story will capture Cancer’s heart. She may have a fetish for antique French corsets or shoes from the fifties. Cancer is a born collector, and every piece she covets has a tale to tell. She has a near magical ability for spotting treasures in consignment and thrift shops, and often has a remarkable knack for upcycling some of her finds. She can be quite talented with thread and needle, rescuing a length of antique velvet from a special dress and giving it a new lease on life.
We cannot talk about the importance of Cancer’s home without delving into another strong Cancerian theme: security. Security is of near sacred importance to Cancer. And while this encompasses the security of her home itself, it also includes the area of financial security. The Cancer woman has an instinct for protection and does not leave anything to chance. This is not the woman who occasionally forgets to lock the back door, either literally or figuratively. She may have an alarm system installed and is not afraid to defend her home and loved ones if necessary. She is very practical when it comes to home security measures. If she lives in the country, she will want a fence and maybe a dog to warn her both of potential intruders and unwelcome visitors. To Cancer there is nothing more important than the safety of her home and loved ones. However, financial security does take a close second. No matter her income level, the Cancer woman is often financially astute and takes steps to ensure that whatever happens, she will be okay. Like Taurus, she likely has a secret nest egg put away for a rainy day. For her indulgences, Cancer is also very economical and has a natural aptitude for money.
The Cancer woman’s need for security also applies to the area of love and relationships. Because of her emotional sensitivity, Cancer can be cautious when it comes to giving her heart away. This is especially true if her heart has been broken in the past. Some Cancerians retreat to the safety of their shells for long periods of time following a relationship gone wrong. They build an impenetrable fortress around themselves and keep potential suitors out with crabby, hard-bitten exteriors that belie the soft, vulnerable creatures they are inside. Some claim they would rather be single forever than allow themselves to be hurt again. Truth be told, in her heart of hearts, the Cancer woman probably wants nothing more than a deeply passionate, committed, emotionally intimate relationship. Even if she is not recuperating from a breakup, it takes Cancer time to develop trust before she gives her heart. When she does, there is no sign more devoted, loyal, and protective of her partner than the Cancer woman. She is also a born romantic. She notices the little things that make her partner happy and never forgets a special occasion. She delights in exchanging love notes, texts, and giving (and getting) sentimental tokens of affection. And many a Cancer woman will keep these emblems of love for the rest of her life. My very good Cancer friend has alphabetized file folders with treasured memorabilia dating back to when she was in her teens and a charming story to go with each one. The Cancer woman often has old-timey values connected to her idea of courtship. No matter how cutting edge or radical she might be in other areas of her life, she has some traditional notions that are nonnegotiable. She appreciates courtesy and respect and loves romantic gestures that show you care: bringing her favorite flowers, opening her car door, walking her to her door in the rain, and calling after a date. She also dearly values the little things that mean you’ve been paying attention. If she mentioned a favorite something offhandedly six months ago and you surprise her with one out of the blue, you will have scored serious points. Even if she’s been married for years, Cancer still treasures every little kindness and never forgets a single one.
Likewise, she also will not forget a slight of any kind. She may forgive, but Cancer’s memory is long and her feelings are easily hurt. More spirited signs like Aries or Sagittarius may not even realize they have hurt Cancer. She will expect you to know exactly what you said or did that wounded her and be even more wounded if you don’t. If you really loved her, Cancer reasons, you would know. She needs to understand that not everyone is as tuned in as she is, and it doesn’t indicate a lack of care. When she’s feeling insecure, or her feelings are hurt, Cancer sometimes resorts to passive-aggressive tactics to show you just how deeply your carelessness has affected her.
Even in the early stages of a relationship, there are some Cancer women who are already daydreaming about the names of their future children. Many, but not all, Cancer women yearn to be a mother. This was the little girl who may have spent countless happy hours changing her doll’s diapers and couldn’t wait until she was old enough to babysit. Of course, there are some Cancer women who are not drawn to the path of being a mother or who cannot give birth to children of her own. Her nurturing instinct will then manifest in other ways. Perhaps she mothers her partner. Maybe she has fur babies who mean the world to her. Still others find an outlet for their mothering instinct as dedicated stepparents or aunties or in a career where they can fulfill their need to look after others. The nurturing instinct runs deep in Cancer, and many Cancer women feel as though something is missing in their lives if they do not have someone or something to care for. Family is very important to Cancer. Whether she has a loving bond with her family of origin or can hardly deal with the thought of going home for the holidays, family is never a neutral concept. If her relationship with family is challenged or even damaged, she will focus on creating her own family of choice.
Sexually, Cancer is a sensual, nuanced lover who almost magically knows how to connect with her partner. Most Cancer women take time to build trust, and she will flourish in a committed relationship where she feels safe to explore her passions. For Cancer, at its best, sex is an ecstatic union, a meeting of the sensual and the spiritual, a deep, otherworldly bond that connects her to an ocean of transcendent bliss. Orgasm can be as overwhelming as a tidal wave, and Cancer sometimes finds herself crying after sex, overwhelmed by the vastness and depth of feeling that washes over her. Cancer is drawn to the intensity she experiences through sex, and therefore it is important that she choose her partners wisely. She will usually be disappointed by casual sex, but on the rare occasion that she does experience connection in this way, she will not forget it and will likely want to forge a deeper bond with the person she experienced it with. When she is feeling emotionally secure and confident, Cancer is highly attuned with her sensual nature, and enjoys the gift of being comfortable in her own skin.
The Cancer woman can find fulfillment in a variety of vocations. Her nurturing aspect can make her a gifted therapist, an inspired yoga teacher, a massage therapist, a naturopath, or a physician. She could also be a brilliant family systems therapist or social worker, and her connection with women and children may lead her to work as a doula, midwife, or early childhood educator. Her innate compassion may also lead her to a calling involving working with animals, as a veterinarian or animal protection worker. On the other hand, her affinity with home and food could open a host of possibilities that will feed her soul, such as chef, baker, restaurant owner, or caterer. She would also shine as an architect, interior decorator, or in real estate, helping others to find and feather their perfect nest. Her knack for making people feel at home would also make her an attentive bed-and-breakfast hostess or retreat facilitator. Her penchant for history and love of the past may draw her to a fascinating career path as a museum curator, antiques dealer, vintage shop owner, or history teacher. And of course, the Cancer woman’s inspired imagination would make her a gifted natural in any and all of the creative fields. In a completely different direction, Cancer’s financial flair can make her an astute investor or business consultant.
Guiding Goddess Archetype: Demeter
Demeter comes to us from the Greek pantheon. She is the golden-haired goddess associated with the fertility of the earth, as well as being connected to grain and the harvest, signifying her connection to food and sustenance. Her Roman equivalent is Ceres, which is what our word cereal derives from. She is also associated with the divine order of nature. However, perhaps most importantly, Demeter resonates deeply with the essential qualities of Cancer, and she is the quintessential mother archetype.19
In Demeter’s main myth, her beloved maiden daughter is gathering flowers with her friends in a beautiful meadow. Blissfully absorbed in her pursuit, she is drawn by a particularly beautiful narcissus bloom and bends to pick it. At this precise moment, the ground opens beneath her, and Hades, god of the underworld, comes barreling up out of the depths in his golden chariot and grabs her by her delicate ankle, dragging her back down to his domain to be his unwilling bride. She cries out for help as he carries her away. Moments later, not a trace remains of this violent scene: the fields are once again quiet, except for the sound of birdsong. Morning turns into afternoon, and afternoon becomes twilight.
Demeter begins to wonder where her daughter could be. She is never late. She should be home by now. Demeter begins to worry. With torch in hand to light her way, she sets off into the wilderness to find her daughter. For nine days she searches, neither bathing nor eating. She calls frantically over hill and vale and is greeted by silence. Darkness falls, and Demeter is beside herself. In shock, heart pounding and limbs shaking with fear, she sits—head in hands—thinking of what to do next.
On the tenth day, Hecate—wise crone and goddess of the crossroads—finds her thus, and tells her, yes, she did hear something, but she did not see what befell Persephone. Hecate and Demeter approach Helios, the all-seeing god of the Sun, to see if he witnessed anything that would be of help. Helios takes pity on Demeter and replies that Zeus himself gave her to Hades to be his unwilling bride. Demeter is incredulous. Angry. Horrified. She petitions Zeus for the return of her beloved only child, but he turns her away.
Sinking into despair, Demeter disguises herself as an old woman and covers her bright hair. She roams far and wide, bereft, betrayed, and in deep mourning. In her all-encompassing grief and depression, the crops cease to grow. The once abundant and fertile earth shrivels and dries up. There is no harvest. Humans and animals alike begin to starve. Dressed in a simple dark robe, Demeter eventually wanders into the lands of Celeus, the king of Eleusis, who takes her in and invites her to become nursemaid to his son, Demophon. To repay the king’s kindness, Demeter decides to make Demophon immortal. She secretly feeds him ambrosia and places him in the flames of the hearth fire each night as part of the transforming ritual. One night, Demophon’s mother, Metanira, discovers Demeter putting the baby in the fire and screams in horror. Although this interruption stops the process of turning Demophon into a god, Demeter now declares her true nature in all her glory. She rises to her full and awesome height, her golden hair tumbles down over her shoulders, and she reveals herself as the goddess she is before the household of Celeus. She commands that a temple be built for her, and here she ensconces herself, enfolded in her deep depression.
Meanwhile, the earth has been barren for a long while. Long enough that the gods on Mount Olympus have not received their sacrifices for many a moon. Zeus is finally persuaded to intervene and agrees to send Hermes, the messenger god, to retrieve Persephone from Hades—provided she has not eaten any food of the underworld. However, upon her departure, Hades covertly offers Persephone the seeds of a pomegranate, and, perhaps to placate him, she eats several.
Persephone returns to the upper world, and Demeter rejoices as she is reunited with her beautiful daughter. In her joy, the fields are transformed once again to a living green, and buds burst open and turn their faces toward the Sun. It is the first spring. Rushing to her daughter in relief, Demeter asks Persephone if she has partaken in any food of the dead. Because Persephone has ingested the pomegranate seeds, she forthwith must spend a third of the year in the underworld with her husband, and two-thirds of the year on earth with her mother, thus explaining the turn of the seasons.20 When it is time for Persephone to return to Hades, Demeter once again grieves the loss of her daughter, and winter descends: the crops do not grow, and the land becomes barren. However, each spring Persephone is reunited with her mother, and Demeter, in her joy, once again blesses the earth with fertility and renewal.
Demeter also provides humankind with the spiritual sustenance known as the Eleusinian Mysteries, a secret religious order that gave its initiates hope that life continues after passing from the earthly realm.
Pathworking: Trusting the Cycles
Cancer wisdom teaches us that all of life is cyclical. The waxing and waning of the Moon, the ebb and flow of the tides, the setting and rising of the Sun, and the turning of the great Wheel of the Year—the change of the seasons that is reflected in the story of Demeter and Persephone. We know with certainty that spring always follows winter. There is great comfort that comes from meditating on the cyclical nature of life. We can rest assured that the adage “it’s always darkest before the dawn” is not just a cliché; it is an irrefutable law of nature. The Mysteries teach us that although Demeter and Persephone are mother and daughter, they are also symbolically two halves of a whole. They are inextricably connected. If this instructional tale teaches us anything, it is not only to accept the waxing and waning cycles in our own lives, but also to keep the seed of faith that spring will always come again—and with it, rebirth and wholeness.
You are walking over a vast plain. It has been a long winter. The fields are bare, and the wind howls forlornly across the bleak landscape. Leafless trees huddle together, as if to try to keep each other warm. The last of the harvest was brought in moons ago, and the earth is in its deep sleep. You shiver beneath your woolen cape. It is easy to believe that this time, this is the winter that will be endless. The flame of inspiration within you seems to have grown dim. It has been difficult to summon your creative spark, and your natural optimism is but a memory. You feel emotionally exhausted and a long way from home.
Far off in the distance, you see a large structure, and you are drawn toward it to see what it is. As you get closer, you realize it’s a temple. Tall white marble pillars guard the steps to the entrance. You ascend the steps, looking around you to see if anyone is about. All is quiet. There is a desolate air about the place. Perhaps it’s abandoned, you muse, and your curiosity brings you to turn the door handle and enter. At the far end of a processional way flanked by bare-branched olive trees, you see what appears to be a woman shrouded in a dark cloak. She sits on a throne decorated with golden sheaves of wheat and dried poppies. Her bowed head is cradled on her arm, and you wonder if she is asleep. She stirs slightly and lifts her head, awoken from her reverie by your presence. She is a beautiful woman in her middle years.
She looks at you and smiles gently. “It is not time yet.” Her voice is soft, yet warm and embracing. She is Demeter, the all-mother. You have a sudden longing to climb up into the safety and comfort of her arms. As though she reads your thoughts, she reaches out her hand, palm up in an attitude of welcome, and enfolds you in her embrace. You find yourself completely and securely held in the lap of the goddess. You close your eyes and rest your cheek against her chest. How good it is to feel supported. To feel that it is okay and safe just to be. She rocks you gently. You are enveloped in oceanic bliss—a return to Source. You exhale deeply, and your breathing slows and falls into rhythm with hers. You marvel at the surety that is the cycle of breath. In breath. Pause. Out breath. Pause. In breath. Like the certainty of the ocean’s tides or the turning of the seasons.
Demeter speaks: “Everything has its cycles. Everything has its time. The space between the seasons of life is the same as the space between breaths. A sacred pause in which to trust that spring always follows winter. Emptiness is always followed by fullness. New life invariably comes after death. All you must do is learn to trust. No matter where you find yourself in the cycle, no matter how bleak, remember this is divine law.”
You rest like this for a long while, healing and gathering strength. After a time, as much as you would love to stay this way forever, you know intuitively it is time to get up. You slide down from the lap of the goddess and turn to thank her. She smiles and looks deeply into your eyes, and then looks off into the distance as though she has heard something. Her eyes dance.
“It is time.” She rises from her throne and allows her dark robe to drop, her golden hair tumbling over her shoulders. She raises her arms in exultation, palms up, and the olive trees along the processional path burst with delicate green leaves. Her face is radiant—expectant. Moments later, the door bursts open and a lovely young woman rushes in, trailing flowers in her wake. You quietly leave the temple to find that spring has returned to the fields outside. The greening of the land has commenced at last. Renewed and regenerated, you walk into the glorious sunlight ready to begin again.
Ritual: Wisdom from Grandmother’s Cupboard
Both the archetype of Cancer and the goddess Demeter are deeply intertwined with the motif of nourishment. Food and cooking are more than just a way to feed oneself. They are a connection to the stories and traditions of the past and a direct link to the wisdom of the ancestors, of whispered spells, long forgotten. Cooking invokes all four elements—fire, earth, air, and water—and magickally transforms one thing into another. Cancer is also aligned with the archetype of the Great Mother, as well as ancestral memory, lineage, and roots.
While many traditions and individuals honor both male and female ancestors, the following is a simple way to connect specifically with the wisdom of the Grandmothers. I use the term the Grandmothers here interchangeably with your grandmother because although you may wish to honor your actual maternal or paternal grandmother, you may also choose to remember the women who came before them in your family line: your great-grandmothers and even those who lived so long ago their names may have been forgotten. You may even wish to delve deeper into your genealogy with one of the DNA-testing kits that are now widely available.
You Will Need:
An old recipe from your family (or from the place of origin of your grandmothers)
Fresh organic ingredients
Beeswax candle (1-inch-thick pillar candle or votive candle works well)
Photo(s) of your grandmother(s)
Small mementos from your grandmother or from her country or place of origin
Implement to inscribe the candle (e.g., inkless ballpoint pen, metal skewer with a point, toothpick, etc.)
Paper
Pen
First, find a recipe either passed down in your family or, if that’s not possible, a recipe for a dish from the place of origin of your ancestors. If, as it does for many of us, your lineage goes back to several places, choose a recipe from the culture that resonates with you the most. Obtain the ingredients you need in the most direct “farm-to-table” way possible: buy from a farmers’ market, choose local produce, or if you grow your own vegetables and herbs, this is even better. The exception is any ingredient you need for the recipe that is grown and harvested in another part of the world.
Ground and center in your preferred way. Make your kitchen a sacred space: smudge, do the dishes, wipe down the counters, and be sure to sweep the floor mindfully. Set up an altar to the Grandmothers in your kitchen. Place the beeswax candle and a picture of your grandmother or grandmothers on the altar. You can also place any small objects that belonged to your grandmothers or are associated with their places of origin on your altar. If you are lucky enough to have a bowl, a pan, a knife, or a spoon handed down to you from your family, you may choose to use it in your cooking ceremony or place it on your kitchen altar as a symbolic talisman of your roots. As an offering, set a small portion of the ingredients you will be using on the altar.
Sit in a chair or kneel before your altar and pick up the candle. Take four grounding breaths. Speak your grandmother’s name aloud, to let her know that it is not forgotten. Carve your grandmother’s name on the candle, light it, and replace it on the altar. Invite her into your kitchen with a few words of reverence, such as,
Grandmother, be welcome at my hearth.
If you wish, you may now ask for specific guidance from the Grandmothers on an issue you are facing, or you may simply wish to connect with your lineage so you can draw strength and wisdom from those who have gone before. Ask,
Honored Grandmothers (or your grandmother’s name),
what do I need to know right now?
Mindfully begin the preparation of your dish. Allow yourself to slip into a light trance state by reflecting on the ingredients you are using. Visualize where they were grown and harvested. See the sunlight and the rain nurturing the seed of what you are now preparing. See your grandmother using the same ingredients and following a similar recipe. From what you know of your grandmother, take a few moments to actively imagine her life: the smells, sounds, and spirit of place and time she lived in.
Next, turn your attention to the alchemy that is the act of cooking: the heat and the blending of ingredients that transforms and creates magick. As you are cooking, stirring, or kneading, listen for a message. Don’t discount what comes to you. Hold an attitude of openness and receptivity. It may be a word, a sudden insight, or an image. Take a moment to write it down and place the paper on the altar so you can return to it later and meditate on the message you have received and what it means to you in your life.
Serve your dish either with family and family of the heart or just to yourself as a moment of personal contemplation. Meditate on the idea that you are the living link in the chain and one day you will be the ancestor. Although you can do this ritual anytime, Cancer season, a New or Full Moon in Cancer, or any time the Moon is in Cancer are especially potent times to connect with the wisdom of the Grandmothers.
Ritual: Full Moon Scrying
While the Moon is Cancer’s ruling planet, the following ritual can be performed on any Full Moon of the year, regardless of what sign it’s in. The full phase of the Moon is conducive to all forms of divination, including scrying, as it is a time that is associated with clear vision and revelation. Scrying is the ancient art of gazing into a surface to divine the future or gain insight, and the Full Moon often brings things to light that were previously hidden from our consciousness. The Full Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon are exactly opposite of each other, and the Moon is completely illuminated from our perspective on Earth. The astrological sign of a given Full Moon will therefore always be opposite the sign the Sun is currently in. For example, the full Cancer Moon falls each year in December or January (when the Sun is in Capricorn, Cancer’s opposite sign). The Moon is considered full for three days: the day before the Full Moon, the exact day of, and the day after. So if you cannot do this ritual right on the exact Full Moon, not to worry. It is useful to take note of what sign the Full Moon is in, as you can also attune with the themes of that sign and acknowledge the guiding goddesses associated with the sign ruling the Full Moon.
You Will Need:
Mugwort smudge stick
Pitcher of water
Large dark bowl
4 white candles
Handful dried flower petals (edible if you plan on ingesting the water) or loose herbal tea leaves
Journal
Pen
Find a place where you can see the Moon. It is best to be outdoors for this ritual, but if that’s not possible, indoors by a window works well too. Clear your space and ground and center in your preferred way. Smudge your working area with mugwort, a herb long associated with prophecy, divination, and enhanced psychic vision. It is readily available in many natural foods stores.
Pour the water into the bowl. Light the candles. Cast the petals or herbs and the dried mugwort into the water and swish the water clockwise until they are dispersed. Sit comfortably before the bowl and gaze into the water.
Allow your vision to soften and diffuse by half closing your eyes. Slow your breathing and relax into a light trance state. Take note of images and shapes that spontaneously arise in the petals or leaves. Don’t try to force the images or control them, just let them shift and morph into whatever they will be. (If you’ve ever lain on your back in the grass and watched the clouds on a beautiful summer day, just allowing yourself to notice the ever-changing images, it’s the same idea). Scry until you feel you’re done.
Pick up your journal and record what came up for you. Write down words and thoughts and describe the images you noticed. You may wish to draw them instead. Put out the candles. You may either pour the water and petals from your scrying bowl outside as an offering or leave it to charge in the moonlight for a few hours, remembering to bring it in before sunrise. Moon water keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks. You can use the charged Moon water in a variety of ways, such as in a ritual bath, as a libation, in a recipe, or in other ceremonial work. Be creative.
After Full Moon scrying, you may wish to take a bath; see “A Bath to Ground and Center after a Ritual or Divination” on page 61. If so, bring the candles with you to the bath, and relight them safely around your tub while you bathe.
Cancer Correspondences
Astrological Dates: June 21 through July 22
Sabbat: Summer solstice
Cancer Goddess Archetypes: Abuk, Anahita, Atage, Ceres, Danu, Demeter, Holdja, Isis, Ixchel, Kupala, Mother Mary, Meskhoni, Parvati, Rhea, Taweret
House: Fourth
Element: Water
Mode: Cardinal
Planet: Moon
Colors: Blue, aqua, sea green, silver, soft gray
Crystals: All moonstones, blue calcite, chalcedony, larimar, morganite, selenite, stilbite, watermelon tourmaline
Essential Oils: Clary sage, lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, sandalwood, ylang-ylang
Parts of the Body: Womb, breasts, stomach, female reproductive system