Real
Life Astrology: Cancer
June 21-July 22
© Maria
DeSimone
There’s a running joke in my family about me and my sister,
Antonietta. If you’re in the mood for some gourmet food served
on Lenox, exquisite linens, fine wine and beautiful presentation,
then come to my house for dinner. But, if you’re in the mood
for “real” food, comforting surroundings, and a gallon
of table wine (which we, in our loving Italian family, like to
call “grape juice”), then go to Antonietta’s.
My sister, you see, has been blessed with the gift of every Cancerian – the
ability to provide nurturance to the deepest part of you. Perhaps
I can feed your senses, but my sister, watery Cancer that she is,
can feed your soul.
Antonietta, born July 3rd, has been nurturing me ever since I can
remember. Not an easy task considering I’m nearly fourteen
months older! And yet, for all the times I might call my brother
to lift my spirit, I call my sister to recharge it. Nothing replenishes
quite like some time with a Cancer.
Why? Ruled by the Moon, Cancers are one of the most intuitive, sensitive
signs of the zodiac. Their instincts are so acute, it’s downright
eerie. Cancer can put into words what you’re feeling, when
you didn’t even realize that’s what was going on.
Razor sharp in their perception, yet tender and fragile in their
self-protection, Cancers have been called both the most creative
sign in the zodiac, and also the most insecure. The creative potential
and sensitivity comes from the combination of the Moon’s rulership,
but also the fact that Cancer is a water sign. Picture the emotionally
angst artist, who must express herself through her art or else she’ll
die – this is Cancer. This same artist however, paints in the
dark and refuses to allow anyone to see her work. No, that’s
too dangerous – then they’ll be exposed. This is also
Cancer.
Antonietta, because the placements in her natal chart happen to
make her less guarded than the average Cancer, might not have any
obvious security issues, but make no mistake – they’re
still there. She always loved to draw and paint but never allowed
herself the time to pursue her passion. Yes, she’s busy raising
three young children right now, but that’s my whole point.
Cancers have an easier time nurturing others and taking care of family
than they do their own needs. Cancers have that selfless mother instinct
where their own happiness will float to the background for the sake
of family or tradition.
I’ll never forget the last time I went to the mall with my
sister. We had “the girls” with us (her two daughters
and my one) and went into GapKids looking for some cute girlie outfits.
She recently had her third child and was in that in-between stage
where old clothes didn’t fit and maternity clothes were out
of the question, so she started moaning about how she had no clothes.
I suggested we go next door to Gap and see what we could find for
her “inbetween” stage. From her response you would have
thought I suggested she put one of her children up for sale:
“No way, I can’t justify spending money on myself now;
it would be such a waste. I’d rather stick to having no clothes
until I finish losing the weight.”
“But Antonietta, why don’t you just buy a couple of
outfits so you feel better about yourself?”
“No, I refuse to buy anything for myself now. But let’s
stop there for a minute; Jay could use a new pair of pants.”
Yes, I wanted to slap my dear sister. Yet again, she put everyone
in her family before herself – in mammoth proportions. Cancer
seems to have a hard time believing they’re worth any investment
in time or money before the needs of their family.
Cancer has this pattern of nurturing anything that isn’t capable
of caring for itself with amazing tenderness and ambition. That’s
right, I said ambition. While it’s easy to picture a Cancerian
around the home fires, don’t forget that Cancer is a Cardinal
sign. This gives them incredible drive and leadership ability. You
will find a Cancer nurturing their career or a pet project just as
much as you might find them nurturing children, family, pets, or
their infamous mood swings.
As a child, my sister didn’t have a lot of self-confidence.
Cancerians often suffer from low self esteem and various insecurities
and this gives them a certain type of vulnerability to the world.
Think of the crab in his protective shell. Braces, glasses, and being
a little overweight during childhood caused her to retreat into this
shell for a long time. But when she finally emerged, she became the
tough as nails on the outside, but soft on the inside woman she is
today.
She has a way of getting right to the heart of the matter, one of
the things I love most about my sister. She’s never blunt or
crude, but always honest and penetrating. One day, when I was sitting
on the couch at her house with her, watching our kids play, we began
talking about my then “new hobby” of astrology. She looked
up from the personalized horoscope book I had given her as a birthday
gift and said:
“Maria, you’re going to become a professional astrologer
and write about astrology someday.”
I couldn’t help laughing. “What are you talking about?
I have no intention of ever doing this professionally.”
She looked right into my eyes and said, “I’m telling
you, that’s what’s going to happen.”
Here I am, a few years later doing exactly what she predicted I’d
do. That’s the thing with Cancer. You have to trust their instincts.
They just know.
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