Karka Lagna (Cancer Ascendant): The Sensitive & Perceptive Crab
“A mind unruffled by the vagaries of fortune, from sorrow freed, from defilements cleansed, from fear liberated — this is the greatest blessing.” - Gautama Buddha, Mangala Sutta
The crab as a sea creature has unique features and traits. It has a very hard outer shell (thick exoskeleton) but a very soft inner core, which in relation to the rashi (sign) of Karka (Cancer) indicates a masking of deep sensitivities and a hidden softness (vulnerability) concealed within. The crab by nature is suspicious, retreating, reactive, and fiercely self-protective.
Crabs are described to be ambidextrous, which is indicative of their capacity to be versatile. They have enlarged claws or pincers which they use for self-protection, communication, excavating burrows, attracting mates and gathering food. Many crabs are scavengers and will eat carrion (decaying flesh of dead animals) and most anything else they find. Crabs typically walk sideways (a behaviour which gives us the word ‘crabwise’). They are mostly active animals. Crabs tend to be aggressive towards one another and males often fight to win over females. Crabs are also known to fight over hiding holes and crevices in rocky seashores.
But there is a cooperative and protective side to the crab as well. It has been observed that when a female fiddler crab’s burrow is being invaded by an intruder, her male neighbour will leave his own burrow to help fight off the intruder. Crabs are naturally territorial but studies have observed that two neighbouring crabs will never fight each other or compete with each other.
Crabs have also been known to work together to provide food and protection for their family, and during mating season the male crab tries to find a comfortable spot for the female to rest and release her eggs.
There is a term called ‘Crab mentality’ which describes a peculiar scenario where if you put a bunch of crabs in a small container (as fishermen do when they catch their share), no crab in the container will climb out because the other crabs won’t allow for it to happen. Every time a crab attempts to escape the container, another crab in the container will pull him down. This peculiar behaviour gave rise to the term ‘crab mentality’ which in human terms translates to: “If I can’t have it, neither can you.”
This is said to be a unique trait of the crab — that when put in a difficult spot it neither escapes nor allows another of its own kind to escape. A trait worth pondering for Cancer Lagna (Ascendant) natives.
The question for Cancer Lagna natives is: “Do they truly relish the success of others around them if they feel weighed down and drained by their own difficulties and challenges in life?”
Perhaps put another way, it suggests that when the Cancer Lagna native is happy, secure, free and unbound, he is at his best and is able to share his goodwill and gifts with others, but at his worst he retreats back into his shell and develops feelings of jealousy, competitiveness, envy, spite, animosity, resentment, and attempts to pull others down to his level.
“The Rashi Kark (Cancer) is pale-red. It resorts to forests and represents Brahmins (the learned people of society). It is strong in nights. It has many feet (i.e. a centipede sign) and a bulky body. It is Sattvic in disposition (seen in Gods) and is a watery sign. It rises with its back and is ruled by Chandra (Moon).” - (Source: Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra of Sage Parasara)
Another interesting facet of the crab is their skills when it comes to trade and their eternal quest to find the ‘perfect home’. To illustrate this point, I shall refer to a narration sourced and paraphrased from a BBC Earth Documentary: It has been observed that Hermit crabs use abandoned seashells as mobile homes. As a crab grows, its shell becomes an ever-tighter fit, so eventually it has to move into a bigger one. If it cannot find a suitable shell (one that is of the right size), the crab tries to adjust with whatever it can salvage. Crabs usually wait near the shore to see if they can find the right shell with which they can make a new home for themselves. They even have this remarkable arrangement where they line-up in an orderly fashion (they queue up as per their sizes) to engage in a form of trade — they are there to trade their shells with each other. A crab cannot live without a shell for very long, as the scorching heat of the Sun would be overbearing.
These distinct facets of the crab life reveal to us a few interesting insights on the Cancer Lagna natives — for one thing, it tells us that finding the right home is extremely important for these natives. The home for these crabs gives them a sense of security and comfort, a feeling of belonging and peace. But these natives are also very adjusting, accommodating and willing to compromise when they can’t get their desired object. They are willing to settle for the shorter straw if they feel that that’s all they can get out of life. The last part of the story tells us that these natives can excel as traders, as they know how to work a deal to their advantage, which perhaps makes them capable salesmen or businessmen or negotiators of some kind, assuming that the rest of the chart propels them towards such occupations. Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra (BPHS) also refers to Chandra (Moon) as relating to the Vaishya Varna, which is a reference to the mercantile class of society, so Cancer Lagna natives could be well suited for business or self-employment roles, if the overall chart permits such a scope of occupation.
“The Fourth Sign (Cancer), which has the form of a crab standing in water and which is the region of the chest, is called Karka. To it belong meadows, wells, and sandy beaches, and its places are the pleasant playgrounds of Goddesses. To the Fourth Sign (Cancer) belong women, ascetics, and Brahmanas learned in the scriptures (Sruti); rivers and white durva grass; lotuses (Kumuda) and lilies (Utpala); objects which are cold or soft and wet; sweets, medicines for restoring life (Samjivana), and mirrors; crocodiles (Nakra), frogs (Manduka), crabs (Kulira), turtles (Kurma), Ashoka-trees, and water-plants and grasses; and white birds and carnivorous ones.” - Yavana Jataka by Yavanacharya
The classical text Sarvarth Chintamani says the other names of Cancer Rashi (apart from Karka) is Chaandram, Kuleer, and Chaturth.
Deepanshu Giri ji pointed out that Sage Parashara describes Chandra (Moon) as being ‘twice born’ — so from this we can infer that those ruled by the Moon will experience a rebirth (metaphorically speaking) and undergo a significant transformation in their lives at some stage, either in relation to their overall nature, their attitude towards relationships, their beliefs or worldviews, their fortunes or career. The position of the Moon will further reveal where this transformation will play out in their lives.
It is said that Lord Gautama Buddha was born under Karka Lagna with Lagnesha Moon in the 4th house (Libra) and he experienced great changes in relation to his life, marriage, and general fourth house significations — he left his kingdom, home, the comforts and security of palace life, the pleasures afforded by his royal status and affluence; he left his favourite horse (vehicle), left behind his step-mother, father, wife, child, domestic life, and his princely status in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
Lord Rama is also believed to have been born under Karka Lagna and his Lagnesha Moon is in Cancer (First House) and his life is also characterised by great changes in relation to the natural significations of Cancer (Natural 4th House of Kalapurusha). The central themes of mother, homeland (kingdom), exile from one’s kingdom (home) played a significant role in his life. This is true with all Cancer Lagna natives — their mother or a mother-like figure will play an important role in shaping their life (for better or worse).
“The evolved or mature Lunar (dominated) native turns the mind towards mediumship, occultism, mesmerism, clairvoyance and telepathy, etc, controlling mighty affairs for public good. If undeveloped (i.e. less-evolved), the native is easy-going, unenlightened, indulgent, given to pleasure, changeable and uncertain. Animal flesh is most unsuitable to natives with sensitive stomach, if ruled by the Moon. Plenty of fruit and vegetables are most suited for these natives.” - Chamatkara Chintamani by Bhatta Narayana
Since Chandra by nature is a Sattvic Graha, it is ideal for Cancer natives to adopt a more Sattvic diet and lifestyle to support their overall constitution and spiritual growth. To quote the Chandogya Upanishad (6.5.1) : “Food, when eaten becomes threefold: the grossest part becomes the body waste; the middle part becomes the flesh and the subtlest part becomes the mind.”
The Fourth House of Sukha Bhava or Matri Bhava is the House that represents formal education (up to basic employable-level education), home, homeland, mother, peace, happiness, comforts, luxuries and vehicles. It is also the House that represents our roots, our heart (the inner qualities as well as the spiritual heart or core of one’s being which is described as Hridayam in the scriptures), our real estate, landed property, shelters, the fixed assets we own, ownership of cattle, vehicles, and the house represents Mother Nature herself (as Moon is the Karaka or significator of the Prakriti force and represents Goddess Parvati). In non-Indian spiritual traditions, there is also the same idea of a mother-figure, Gaia or Mother Earth, being the protector and nourishing influence for all her children. The Earth in a larger and more profound sense is our only home, so one can see how it relates to the Fourth House.
The Fourth House represents our inner nature (the quality of guile or lack thereof), our deepest feelings, our inner-sanctity and our capacity to experience peace, contentment, joy and tranquility. Anatomically, this House represents the breast (chest region) and so the 4th House is the House of nourishment which we receive as infants from our mother. It is the House of mental peace and inner well-being and so it points to one’s capacity for experiencing and giving unconditional love and support to others (which is also delineated to the Moon). Moon also represents our capacity to relate with the masses, to empathise with the struggles and feelings of others.
Shri JN Bhasin mentions that any Sattvic Graha impacting the 4th House of the natal chart either through aspects or placement (without any affliction) will give the native a purity of heart, feelings, emotions and intentions.
So one can see the importance of the 4th Bhava when studying the natal chart. Similarly, the planets impacting the sign Cancer, the natural 4th House of Kalapurusha (natural zodiac), will have a big say in defining the native’s inner or mental disposition. So any Shubha Grahas (natural benefics) placed in the sign of Cancer and the 4th house of the natal chart (without affliction) gives pleasantness of character and purity of heart to the native.
Lord Krishna in the Bhagavat Gita says the best among men are the ones who are steady in mind, neither elated by the fleeting moments of happiness nor disturbed by the passing moments of distress (the oscillating experiences in life). The highest and most-challenging goal for all Cancer Lagna natives is to understand their own emotional state, their feelings and the rich inner realities and bring about a balance or stability to their restless mind and heart. This admittedly is their highest spiritual pursuit and simultaneously the most challenging task for any. It can only be achieved through greater self-awareness, reflecting on authentic spiritual teachings, developing devotion towards genuine teachers (Self-realised beings or Jnanis) who can offer them the necessary insight and guidance into higher wisdom and values, which are often traced to timeless sources. By engaging in appropriate forms of Sadhana (spiritual practices) suited to one’s capacity and understanding, it is possible to work upon our shadows and evolve on the level of our consciousness.
Writing for the AIAC Times Issue (Volume 11), Mr Amarnath wrote the following info on Deities connected to the Rashi Cancer. The author in-turn is referencing two other authors whose names have not been mentioned but their original work is presented below in verbatim (refer the quoted passage under Varuna):
Kshetra is another name for Rasi and in the below passage we find the sign of Cancer linked to Lord Varuna, assigned by the two unknown authors of the text titled ‘Skanda Hora’.
Varuna - Cancer
“Cancer is all about the waters. Varuna is the God of the waters, the one with a thousand eyes, all-seeing. When Cancer is well-disposed or under subha-kartari it thrives with wisdom. When Cancer is afflicted, wisdom suffers and vision is blurred. Shri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa had Jupiter (R) in Gemini supporting Cancer. Sri Krsna had Sun in Leo and Venus in Cancer. Cancer was afflicted by Mars and Rahu which stands for war. However, Sun in Leo gives great support, so even in the midst of a war, Krsna could invoke the power of Varuna with a thousand eyes and gave Arjuna the vision of the Vishwarupa. Bill Gates had Jupiter in Leo which supports Cancer. Steve Jobs had Jupiter (R) in Gemini which also supported Cancer. MK Gandhi had Moon in Cancer (with Rahu) and so did Nehru. The vision that Cancer can give goes beyond mental skills and often divines the realm of emotions and the heart.”
The Moon (Chandra) governs our feelings, our mind, our Vasanas (collected mental imprints or mental impressions gathered over many lifetimes), our Sankalpas (intentions or desires or will), and relates to the senses which has a tendency to sway us, delude us, by making us chase after things we falsely assume we need in order to feel secure or happy. The Moon is said to wax and wane and so it represents an unstable quality. Since the Moon is the Lagnesha (ruler) for Cancer Lagna natives, the instability directly impacts them. This is why these natives are often described as fickle, malleable, changeable, lacking in firmness of direction, and in some extreme cases—they are regarded as being unreliable and lacking the balance of mind.
“Mind is held in a pattern; its very existence is the frame within which it works and moves. The pattern is of the past or the future, it is despair and hope, confusion and Utopia, the ‘what has been’ and the ‘what should be’. With this we are all familiar. You want to break the old pattern and substitute a ‘new’ one, the new being the modified old… You want to produce a new world. It is impossible. You may deceive yourself and others, but unless the old pattern is broken completely there cannot be a radical transformation. You may play around with it, but you are not the hope of the world. The breaking of the pattern, both the old and the so-called new, is of the utmost importance if order is to come out of this chaos. That is why it is essential to understand the ways of the Mind…” - Jiddu Krishnamurti, The Book of Life
According to Harivamsa Purana, Chandra was the handsome son of Sage Atri and was nurtured by the Ten Dishas (Directions). He married the Daughters of Daksha Prajapati. So if the sign Cancer is free from afflictions and the influence of Krura Grahas (cruel planets) and if the ruler Moon is favourably placed in the chart, these natives are likely to be ‘handsome’ and graceful in their appearance, possessing attractive eyes and sweet speech.
This is how Chandra is described in the ancient texts. Some of the qualities ascribed to the Moon (as described below) will be noticeable traits in the Cancer Lagna natives:
BPHS: Chandra is extremely windy and phlegmatic (Bahu Vata Kapha). She is learned and has a round body. She has auspicious looks and sweet speech. She is fickle-minded and very lustful. Chandra is tawny. Contemplate on Chandra [who is] white-coloured, dressed in white robes, with two arms, carrying a mace in one hand and a Vara in the other, adorned with white-coloured ornaments and aboard a chariot of ten horses. Chandra has good-looking eyes, pleasant speech, and is eager to cohabit with the opposite sex.
Varaha Mihira (Laghu Jatakam): Chandra is very clean, full of discriminating wisdom (intelligent), of whitish complexion, restless nature, with phlegm (kapha) and wind (vata) as its disposition, having an excess of blood, sweet-tongued, full of mercy (merciful), liked by friends, having a slim but roundish body and a tall stature; such are the attributes of the Moon. The Moon is feminine (rules over women) and represents the mind.
Bhrigu Sutras: The Moon shines only by the reflected light of the Sun. The Sun is the generator of power and light whereas Moon is the conductor of power lent by the Sun. The Sun gives the spirit and life to all planets while Moon nourishes the lives of beings on Earth. Sun represents one’s individuality whereas Moon shows one’s personality. Moon is preserving and formative. The Sun and Moon are considered sovereigns (luminaries). Those born under the rulership of Moon become timid, vacillating, receptive and convertible. People ruled by Moon are usually sensitive, emotional and domesticated, possessing a love for home and kindred relations. They have a good memory. Having a fertile imagination and being also very conscientious, they meet with many ups and downs in life. They are quite receptive and mediumistic and frequently possess musical talent. They like water and environments of natural beauty. If the Moon is not favourably disposed, the natives may be either too easy going and given to self gratification and are prone to over-indulgence in eating, drinking or pleasure-driven activities, or are too changeable, negative in mindset (mentality) and uncertain in disposition. Persons ruled by the Moon do well as nurses, cooks, confectioners, grocers, gardeners, matrons, dealers in liquids, stewards, clerks, companions and in other occupations related to the common people, the public or work which shows fluctuating nature. Natives ruled by the Moon generally have white complexion and charming eyes. They are plump and of short stature. They walk with a rolling gait. The Moon’s influence is said to be cold, moist, phlegmatic and feminine.
Yavanajataka of Sphujidhvaja: The Moon (Chandra) is white, shining and handsome, with an appearance like that of smooth waters. His hair is fine and curly, his eyes wide, and his body beautiful in its symmetry; he is a youthful lover with a charming and spotless form. He is wise, patient, and fond of courtesy, controlling himself in accordance with the laws of Manu. Speaking kindly and clothed in spotless garments, the playful Moon with pleasing eyes laughs softly and sweetly.
Chandra represents the North-West direction and this is generally considered as a favourable direction for Cancer Lagna natives.
The Cancer Lagna natives are characterised as being sensitive, emotional (even if on the surface they don’t reveal it), protective, having sacrificing nature, motherly, intuitive, instinctive, soft-natured, timid, weak, intelligent, considerate, easily-hurt and are perceptive of others’ emotional makeup. At their best, these natives can be compassionate, nurturing, supportive and can offer great counsel and healing to people who suffer, especially on the psychological level. At their worst, these natives can be vindictive, envious, lustful, emotionally unstable, unreliable, jealous, petty and vengeful.
These natives are affable and sociable as the Moon’s nature is to relate with the masses (public). They can be friendly towards everyone as long as they feel inwardly secure in their state of mind. When they are deeply insecure within themselves, they can project their inner demons and darkness upon others, which can manifest at the external level as paranoia, fear, clinginess, miserly behaviour and general projection of insecurities.
In the ancient Vedic stories, Chandra is cursed by his father-in-law Daksha to suffer gradual decay because Chandra favoured one of his 27 wives (constellations) — Rohini — and neglected all the others. It needed the intervention of Lord Shiva to reduce the effects of the curse after Chandra performed severe austerities to please Shiva. So the story shows that these natives can indulge in favouritism of all kinds (i.e. adopting preferential treatment), which is one of the hurdles that they must overcome in order to discover the higher meaning of unconditional love and why this quality is often associated with only real sages. The story also shows that they must pay attention to their surroundings and be aware of the problems that they may unconsciously create through their own emotional choices and actions.
The Vedic stories also tell us that Chandra engages in adultery by stealing the wife of Brihaspati (Jupiter) and so Moon is characterised as being a potential cheat (adulterer). This is why in the Nadi Karakatwa scheme, cheating as a trait is often ascribed to the Moon. This doesn’t imply that all Cancer Lagna natives are natural-born adulterers vying after everyone else’s wives, but the story serves to highlight the fickle nature of the Mind (Moon) and how that can influence one to chase after their desires without really reflecting on the broader consequences of one’s actions.
As Cancer is the natural Fourth House of Kalapurusha — these natives are likely to be homebodies at heart. A domesticated soul. The mother figure for these natives will either be very involved in their life choices and growth or be completely absent to the point of extreme neglect. There is often something extreme that plays out with regards to these natives and their relationship with their mother.
All the general themes of the Fourth House, which are home, vehicles, comforts, peace of mind, emotions, feelings, happiness, homeland, education, heart and property will play a dominant role in their life. Their thinking and emotions may be shaped around these Fourth House matters throughout their life as the Cancer energy influences the Lagna.
Notable Significations of the 4th Bhava (as per different classical texts):
- Conveyances, friends and relatives, mother, happiness, luxuries and resources, treasure, lands, houses — Source: BPHS
- Sacrifice, landed property, vehicles and carriages, grace, beauty, charm, amour, resting, sleeping, growth and prosperity, cattle, birth house, birth place — Source: Prasna Marga
- Learning, kingdom, house, travel, vehicles like rickshaws and small boats and the like, oil bath, relatives, friend, caste, garments, well, water, milk, perfume, a happy being, good name, a life saving drug (a medicine of great supernatural efficacy), trust, false allegations, tent or pavilion, victory, tiresome (wearisome) work, agriculture, a garden, digging of a pond or well, installation of wells for public use, mother’s side (maternal relations), sharp intellect (pure intellect), accumulation of wealth, a palatial house (a mansion), art, house opening (entrance into a house), conclusions, disposition, damage to one’s property (loss of one’s dwelling), paternal property, celestial food, art of disclosing whereabouts of stolen property, ant hill, promotion of Vedic and sacred lore (development of Vedic and sacred texts), buffaloes, cows, horses, elephants, abundance of corn, grain produced from wet-lands — Source: Uttara Kalamrita
- Bravery, ears, water, comforts, netherworld (Rasatal), chest, residence, heart (hrid), conveyances — Source: Sarvartha Chintamani
- Degree-level education, vehicles, house, comforts, auspicious events, mother, pleasures, masses — Source: Pulippani Jyotidam
- Indicates (or influences) the education, mother, happiness, perfumes (pleasant smells), cow, mind or psyche, kingdom, vehicles, land, houses, temples —Source: Jataka Parijata
- A reservoir, tank, well, agricultural land, close friends, mother, chest, dwelling place, preference for sweet water, structure and contents of house, piety of native — Source: Sanketa Nidhi
Here are other notable significations of 4th house that are sourced from non-classical references: the profession or karma (actions) of the native’s spouse (4th being 10th from 7th house), fate of ancestral property (4th being 9th from the 8th house of legacy), travels undertaken in course of work (7th from 10th house), intuitive dreams (5th from 12th house), academic learning or knowledge (Likhita Vidya), motherland/homeland, and matters that give native a feeling of safety and security.
Since one of the key significations of 4th house deals with Education, the Cancer Lagna natives often have strong involvement or beliefs or philosophies concerning how Education ‘ought to be’ or ‘ought to serve’ society. The following passage is an extract taken from a book written by Sri Aurobindo, who is himself a Cancer Lagna native having an exalted Jupiter in his chart:
“It is a fundamental and deplorable error by which we in this country have confused education with the acquisition of knowledge… Amount of knowledge is in itself not of first importance, but to make the best use of what we know. The easy assumption of our educationists that we have only to supply the mind with a smattering of facts in each department of knowledge and the mind can be trusted to develop itself and take its own suitable road is contrary to science, contrary to human experience… Much as we have lost as a nation, we have always preserved our intellectual alertness, quickness and originality; but even this last gift is threatened by our University system, and if it goes, it will be the beginning of irretrievable degradation and final extinction.” - Sri Aurobindo
The Trinal signs to Cancer Lagna (i.e. Scorpio and Pisces) have a big influence on the native’s inherent nature.
“The nature of a person shall predominantly be defined by the planet lording the Ascendant and also the Trines. The lordship of the Ascendant shall get modified based on the nature of the Trinal signs and the relationship of different planets with these Trines. For instance, if Pisces falls in the Trine, the native becomes platonic in love affairs as Venus attains exaltation in this sign. They also abhor formal learning [but] believe in attaining wisdom, since Mercury gets debilitated in this sign. These are some of the significations for Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces Lagna. Note that the signs in Trine always belong to the same Tattva (element) and have similar predominance of nature.” - Sarajit Poddar (explaining with references from classics like Horasara and Saravali)
Cancer is represented by the crab, which can live on both land and water. Being a water element and a movable Rashi, the Cancer Lagna natives are highly adaptable, sociable, flexible and pliable, and will see a lot of travels and movement in their life depending on the placement of the Moon. Being ruled by the Moon and having a strong water element, it makes them appear like “pushovers” to others, but these natives, like the crab, can turn very defensive and protective of themselves and their loved-ones if they sense a threat to their boundaries. But in general, Cancers aren’t known to be fighters; they are seen as shy, timid and withdrawing (retreating). These natives are often introverts. Their hard outer-shell or persona is often a facade to protect their soft vulnerable inner core. There is a quality of the feminine energy and tenderness here even if the native is a male by gender.
These natives are intelligent, motherly, sensitive, deeply attuned to their environment, intuitive and considerate towards others, but they can often be their own worst enemies. They can be hyper-sensitive, vindictive, excessively emotional, irrational and highly-impractical in their lesser-evolved condition.
The classical text Chamatkara Chintamani describes Cancer dominant natives as being “industrious but sensitive to surroundings, brave, short, devoted to preceptor and mother, fond of travelling; life is full of struggles and obstacles, sociable, strong feelings and emotions terminating into poetry or music, likes to deals in liquids, chemicals and [desires to stay] near water. Native is phlegmatic, short-tempered, prone to headaches, having an attachment to home and family.”
Sympathy, tenacity, clannishness and timidity are other general traits strongly associated with this sign.
The following are general descriptions of Cancer Lagna natives as per respected Astrological texts and authors:
Maanasagari: The native has a fair complexion, a bilious disposition, tendency to fulfil the desires of others, courageous, fond of swimming in running water, very intelligent, pious, forgiving nature, religiously-inclined and worthy of being served.
Jatakabharanam: With Karka in the lagna, the native likes sweets; he is devoted to saints, benevolent in nature, restless, likes water sports, extracts the essence of things, and is very kind-hearted.
KS Charak: Karka is a water sign and movable sign, hence there is this quality of restlessness in these natives. Movable signs also indicate sharp intelligence. Karka is owned by the benefic Moon which transmits its beneficence to the native.
Sarajit Poddar: Karka — the sign represents peace and not war. Such natives never go to war until they are pushed to the limits. This is the Rasi of Chandra representing mother’s care, love and empathy and is the Uccha Rasi of the Shanti Karaka Guru, and is the Neecha Rasi for the God of War, Mangal.
As Cancer is one of the Moksha signs (Houses 4, 8 and 12 are called Moksha Bhavas) and since Pisces (the natural 12th House of liberation) falls in the 9th house of wisdom, religion and belief-system for Cancer Lagna natives, it gives these natives a natural inclination towards wanting to learn more about the deeper aspects of Spirituality and Mukti (liberation). They are more drawn to spirituality than religion, if such a subtle distinction can be made. If the 9th house and 9th lord Jupiter are both favourably placed in the chart and are unafflicted by malefics, then these natives will gain the knowledge of liberation through some teaching or teacher in the course of their life. How they make use of that knowledge is a different question altogether.
As Gemini falls in their 12th House, these natives are interested in exploring, travelling and communicating about foreign lands, spiritual philosophies, isolated communities and environments, bed pleasures, dreams and imaginative or fictional stories (especially fantasies and fictional realities). All the natural significations of 12th house become a part of their mental curiosity and interests. Since Gemini or Mithuna (the word ‘Maithuna’ in Sanskrit refers to sexual union or copulation) falls in their 12th House, these natives are often quite sexual behind the scenes (even if on the surface they don’t appear to be). Of course, other planetary placements in the chart can either amplify or diminish these traits (that goes without saying).
Since Taurus falls in their 11th House, their deepest desires, ambitions and goals are connected to the idea of building a sense of stability and security in life, both for themselves and their family (both at the financial and material level even though they may not necessarily be materialistic in their mindset). Taurus in the 11th House also shows a deep desire for an earthy intimacy with their partner, a strong yearning for tangible security and wanting enough resources and accumulated goods/wealth to rely upon in life. There is also a desire to be surrounded by beauty and aesthetic elements. There could also be an unhealthy desire for accumulating or hoarding wealth or material assets out of a sense of fear or lack mentality. These natives are always thinking about how best to secure their future financially and materially so that they don’t become dependent on anyone in their old age. Their whole motive to work is built around achieving such goals. If Venus is well-disposed in the chart they often attract rich and beautiful friends and acquaintances (especially women) in their life. They can attract friends or people in their overall network-circle who are materialistic in their attitudes and stubborn in their principles, but such people would also be hardworking and practical. A well-placed Venus will also ensure that their income & earnings through work are sufficient enough to secure their need for material stability and security.
Since Libra falls in the 4th House, these people are always desiring to bring a sense of balance and aesthetics into their domestic environment (home life), their relationships (the people they have to interact with in their homes and homeland) and their relationship with their mother. So any lack of balance in their home environment will affect them badly, more so than others, and bring a sense of disturbance to their mental peace. Their overly sensitive nature only compounds this problem. If these natives are themselves mothers, their life and thought-patterns might revolve around motherhood and home. These natives love to decorate their homes but are unlikely to be ostentatious in their choice of design; however, they are liable to love luxuries and seek quality comforts for the home environment as there is a strong Venusian influence to their 4th House.
As Leo falls in their 2nd House, these natives often gain parents who are Government employees or who have some elevated status or importance in society. Prince Charles, for example, is a Cancer Lagna-born and he was born into a family of Royalty. Cancer Lagna natives are responsible, dependable and mindful when it comes to managing their wealth, savings, resources and handling the needs of their family —i.e. parents. The Cancer Lagna natives, despite their soft outer appearance, can have a dynamic or strong voice (a crowd-puller) especially if Sun (the ruler of Leo) is well placed and if their Second House is not afflicted by cruel planets. An afflicted Sun would bring challenges to their family environment and family life and could cause them to express arrogance, aggressiveness and boastfulness through speech. Where Leo falls in the chart, we tend to exhibit pride, confidence, our creative talents and our sense of individuality there, so these natives would express these traits in relation to 2nd House matters — such as speech, family life, wealth and resources, etc.
To paraphrase the words of CJ Krishnasamy from his book ‘Indian Astrology’: The influence of having Leo (the sign of Sun) in the Second House makes the native truthful and honest in speech since Sun is a Satvic Graha. But attaining domestic happiness is often a challenge for these natives since the 2nd Lord of family and harmony within the family environment (Sun) has an inimical relationship to the 7th lord of spouse and marriage (Saturn).
In their professional life or in relation to the Karma (actions) they are here to perform in the world (10th house), these natives prefer a more direct or honest approach. Being straight-forward, blunt, courageous, bold, decisive, impatient, reckless, hasty and impulsive are some attributes they are liable to express in their dealings with 10th House matters such as their profession. They like work that demands the use of their physical body and allows them to express their natural qualities of leadership which is associated with the rasi energy of Aries. Aries is about initiating new things and taking first steps so those energies will find expression in the house of profession. These natives are seeking independence, something that offers the right amount of challenge, and an active work-profile rather than deal with jobs that are dull, sedentary-in-nature, menial or non-challenging, since Aries falls in their 10th house. If Mars is favourably placed in the chart, these natives can excel in professions that require quick actions, quick thinking, high-energy output in short-bursts (i.e. not long and enduring tasks that require patience and a lot of forethought and discipline). They would excel in jobs that require logical thinking, application of their reasoning faculties and physical activity (such as sports or military work or even something connected to the emergency-rescue line of professions). Any work that requires quick action is what they would excel in. They would also do well in medical professions or engineering work. All these relate to having the Aries energy in the 10th house.
Since Aquarius falls in their 8th house, they are liable to have unique, unconventional and even eccentric outlooks on the subject of sex, death, occult, transformation, hidden matters and Sadhana. There is something peculiar about their desires and a hidden side to them. Aquarius is a futuristic and progressive-minded sign, so Cancer Lagna natives tend to adopt a scientific and progressive outlook in relation to 8th house matters. There is a certain eccentricity about them in relation to these topics and a certain intensity as well, since 8th House carries some of the natural Scorpio energy too. But their views could also be far-ahead of their time and they could be simply misunderstood if they tried to express them in the context of 8th house subjects. They can be defined as either being progressive or having rebellious views depending on how one perceives them in relation to these topics. These natives can have a detached relationship with their in-laws and in matters of interacting with their spouse, especially over joint-resources of the marriage. These natives can be good researchers and are capable of uncovering buried truths. Aquarius is also a philosophical and technological sign so their views in relation to 8th House matters may carry a blend of philosophy and science.
With Capricorn falling in their 7th House, these natives attract a marriage partnership that centres around the themes of practicality, security, stability, work and grounding. Their marriage affair may not be a romantic one since Saturn dominates their 7th and 8th House, but it can be built on some mature values that are based around practical needs and concerns. These natives are very conscious of their Karma (actions) in relation to their married life since Capricorn is the natural 10th House of Kalapurusha. They attract partners who are often highly ambitious, status-conscious, work-oriented, conservative in thinking and dependable. But the married life in itself may seem cold and lacking in emotional warmth and affection as the house is ruled by Saturn. And since Capricorn is the natural Karma Bhava of Kalapurusha, these natives will have to accept the Karmic outcomes of their married life and will have to surrender to the forces of Fate and Destiny in this area of life. When they work in tune with Saturn, showing patience and putting in the necessary efforts, they will find that their married life has some solidity to it. If both 7th lord Saturn and karaka Venus are well-placed in the chart, it shows a mature partner and a long, stable relationship, which is likely to last the test of time.
As Sagittarius falls in their 6th House, these natives can have innate knowledge related to handling weapons, dealing with enemies, handling loans, litigations, diseases and everyday mundane matters. There is the ability to fight battles (dealing with both inner and outer enemies) using wisdom. These natives can be good healers or possess some useful knowledge on the subject-matter of curing ailments, even if they are not academically-trained in the subject of medicine. Since Sagittarius represents higher-education and wisdom, they may be drawn to learning about 6th House matters which include Law as well, since the 6th House deals with conflict and crisis management. The 6th is the house representing our weaknesses, as it signifies Arishadvarga or Shadripus — the six enemies of the mind, namely Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Mada (pride), Moha (attachment), and Matsarya (jealousy). So there is a need to use the wisdom of Jupiter and higher knowledge to conquer these inner demons.
With Scorpio falling in their 5th House, the creative thinking of these natives is influenced by certain hidden impulses or unexplored fears and trauma. Or put simply they may generate creative ideas in very sudden and unexpected ways. There is also a desire for gaining a sense of depth in thinking and in the application of intellect (Buddhi). These natives are deeply attached to their children to the point of paranoia and obsession. There is too much intensity in the way they relate with 5th house matters. There is a lot of ups and downs seen in this area of life which can mean challenging relationships with children as well. Their mentality can be influenced by the Scorpio traits which include harbouring secrets, obsessive thoughts, worries involving imagined negative outcomes, which are usually only real in their head. Often they experience transformation through 5th house significations such as in relation to their children, creative pursuits or with respect to their education and learning. This Scorpio intensity can serve them well in matters of research, learning and knowledge-gathering, as they would seek to learn subjects in-depth and would not settle for superficial learning.
With Scorpio in the 5th House, these natives cannot tolerate superficiality in matters of knowledge and creative expressions, as they are seeking depth and meaning through 5th House significations. They can be intense in the way they express their affections towards children and this in turn can generate an undesired effect in their relationships. But they are also deeply protective and supportive of their children and can be excellent parents, if they can be more self-aware of this heavy energy and bring some measure of balance and stability in the way they deal with their thoughts and children.
As Virgo falls in their 3rd House, these natives have a style of communication that is calculative, analytical, critical, judgemental, structured and detail-oriented. They are seeking some sort of unattainable perfectionism when it comes to their writing or style of communication or mode of expression — they may spend hours rewriting their thesis in college or editing out essays because they feel some inherent dissatisfaction with their own output. They are often the type that turn out to be “Grammar Nazis” when it comes to judging their own writing. They have high standards in this respect but they apply these standards to themselves mostly (not necessarily to others). They can be quite self-critical too about their own thoughts, their inclinations, their skill-set, their own capacity for learning and their ability to initiate things. As Virgo is the natural Sixth House of Kalapurusha, the sign of enmity and conflicts, these natives often attract problems (sometimes through no fault of their own) because of their manner of expression and communication. They are liable to be misunderstood or questioned when they try to communicate through words, no matter how elucidate or articulate a communicator they may be in reality. Their relationship with their younger siblings, kin (relatives), cousins and neighbours may generate some conflicts in their life depending on the strength of Mercury. When these people deal with paperwork they can encounter strange problems, so they need to be extra careful and alert when they are handling any sort of official paperwork (eg. filing visa documents). These guys can make good accountants or content editors if 3rd house and Mercury are both supportive in the chart.
Venus is Badhakesh for Cancer Lagna natives as it is the ruler of Taurus (11th House). So it will create some obstacles or hurdles in their life, which may be prominent felt during Venus Dasha. But if Venus is placed well, such as in Pisces rasi, as per Sage Pulippani, it will act like a great functional benefic for the native and give excellent results. In the Dushtana houses, Venus will amplify its malefic qualities for the native, but in doing so — it will drive him/her towards the path of spirituality which comes as a consequence of suffering. Other placements of Venus can give certain luxuries and material benefits which are deeply desired by the Cancer Lagna natives.
Sun is a neutral planet for these natives, although being the ruler of the 2nd House, he is known as a Marakesh (death-inflicting planet). Sun placed in Trines or Kendra or Labhasthana or Dhanasthana will bring good resources, wealth and offer a support system to the native, often through their family. A well-placed Sun will also provide the native with some measure of learning, knowledge, good health and an overall good sustenance in life.
Mercury is a functional malefic for Cancer Lagna natives as it rules the negative 3rd and 12th house. Mercury would do well in Virgo rasi for Cancer Lagna natives where he is exalted. In Kendra and Trikona, he would support in matters of education and profession, but is liable to give some mixed results due to his malefic lordship. Mercury dislikes Moon.
I consider Jupiter as a functional benefic for these natives despite Guru’s rulership of the malefic 6th House, as Jupiter gets exalted in Cancer Lagna and rules the most benefic 9th House. Its placement in the Trines would give spiritual knowledge and depth to the native and could make him/her a capable teacher/advisor provided it’s unafflicted. Jupiter in the 9th House (own sign) unafflicted would incline the native towards the knowledge of Self-realisation through philosophies like Advaita Vedanta.
Saturn is a functional malefic for Cancer Lagna natives and since he does not share a friendly relationship to the Lagnesha Moon, it shows that these natives have some heavy karma that they need to work out in relation to 7th and 8th House significations. Marriage is likely to be a challenging affair or a transformative affair for these natives. Saturn will bring some karmic lessons and challenges during its Dasha period. It can also bring healing, growth, gain of patience, practicality and wisdom through some difficult lessons. Much will depend on the overall placement of Shani in the chart.
Mars is the greatest benefic for Cancer Lagna natives. It is the Yogakaraka planet and if it is well placed in Kendra, Trikona, Labhasthana or Dhanasthana and has strength through ShadBala then it will bear excellent fruits during its Dasha period. A strong Mars in the birth chart and varga charts would indicate that the native is intelligent and has a solid foundation with regards to their career and reputation in society.
The overall message for Cancer Lagna natives is to develop compassion and bring mental stability (equanimity) into their lives so that they can share their better qualities with the world. A greater self-awareness and exploration of self through spirituality would help them overcome their frailties, weaknesses or other less-desirable traits which is present in all of us in different degrees.
References and Footnotes: This write-up is a labour of passion and it was influenced from my reading of various authors over the years (and it would be difficult for me to reference each and every one of them as my reading is assorted and stretches sporadically over some number of years). But some authors deserve notable mention. Especially the writings of Sarajit Poddar ji has been immensely helpful as learning material for a novice like me. I am indebted to his work and I would encourage any reader here to look up his blog and refer to the articles he has written on varied topics related to Jyotisha. I also wish to mention Shri Sanjay Rath ji as being another source of learning. KN Rao sir and BV Raman ji are also authors I look up to for their contributions to the promotion of this subject.
I hope to include more content to this article in the future, provided time and relevant material find their way into my life. So some amendments to this article are possible in the future. This work carries no commercial interest or vested agenda (I am not engaged in any commercial activity with regards to Jyotisha); this is entirely a labour of love; feel free to share the article if it interests you, but please respect the intellectual properties of the author when sharing any material. I always take great efforts to attribute the right citation where it is due, but in case I have missed something somewhere please feel free to comment and let me know.
