Cancer Rising:  Element: Water, Mode: Cardinal, Instinctual Ruler: Moon, Esoteric Ruler: Neptune. Exalted Planet: Jupiter

 Nurturing, Family and the Creative Imagination: Introduction:

The First Half of Life, Part I, the Instinctual Ruler

Please read page pp. 69-70, the quotations.  Page 72, the two paragraphs on moods and health. Continue reading as far as “Neptune: the Esoteric Ruler,” p. 82.  Skip that section and the story for now.

Next please read, “The Mask in Youth, " pp 87- 88.

Most newspaper readers, even those who know little or nothing about astrology, are aware of the close association between the Sign Cancer and its instinctual ruler, the Moon.

Sometimes in entertainment columns about the Sun Signs, where the 12 daily themes are presented to the general public, the word “Moonchild” is even substituted for  “Cancer,” as if the two are interchangeable. Though that’s not the whole picture for the Cancer Archetype (there’s an Esoteric Ruler too,) the columnists know it’s accurate enough for their purposes.

This is also true of Cancer Rising.  

For this reason, the first set of questions concerns the Moon’s powerful influence upon the persona.

We've now left the Air Element, Gemini Rising and Mercury, for Water, Cancer Rising and  the lunar Rulership.

When you've finished the above reading assignment:

Discussion Question 1: Is there only a minor difference between Mercury and the Moon as instinctual Rulers, or are we making a major shift this week?

Hint:  you might want to consider whether both planets are equally invested in the past, referring to the quotations (pp. 69-70) from people with Cancer Rising, especially Joan Didion.

Are both instinctual Rulers associated with Thinking and Feeling? Are both equally emotional? (Think of the planets in the abstract, rather than residing in individual horoscopes, where they’re modified by appearing in different Houses and Elements.) Which Ruling planet would make the better clinician? Which has the better bedside manner? Which is the better listener or confidante?

Are Mercury and the Moon equally concerned about family? About giving and receiving affection and nurturing?  About caring for need people and helpless animals?

Are both planlets equally receptive to others’ moods?

Both planets are important for writers. But is the Moon better at some themes and Mercury at others?  (The larger world outside one's home and neighborhood?  In social trends and philosophy? (Hint:  Shaw’s New Woman plays or Pirandello’s topics.)

Thinking of the authors in Chapters Three and Four, might one planet be an asset in writing fiction (creating memorable characters that outlive their authors) memoirs, autobiography, biography, poetry, songs and novels?  And might the other be an asset for non-fiction, and plays with amusing banter and snappy dialogue.

Are both equally impersonal, or does one of these planets a) tend to take things personally, and b) tend to draw on personal experience as  background  for books ?  Is one planet more subjective and the other more objective?

Question 2. The Moon as symbol of Mother.  Consider the childhoods of James M. Barrie (author of Peter Pan), of Christopher Isherwood (author of Berlin Diaries, which inspired  “Cabaret,” and  the memoir, Kathleen and Frank,) and of H. Rider Haggard, (author of She and King Solomon’s Mines.)

What, if any, affect did their relationships with their mothers have on their lives and work?  (pros and cons?)  Therapy has been called the Talking Cure.  Could there also be a Writing Cure? 

Question 3. It’s been said that before we create anything new, whether it’s a poem, painting, play, novel or small business, we first need to visualize it. How might the Moon’s Rulership be an asset for Cancer Rising’s creative vision? (Hint: think not only of Blake’s projects, like the Book of Job , but also of Bill Gates’ business vision . He  followed his instincts and left Harvard, much to his parents’ consternation, to develop his product and company.

Question 4) Can you make a case for the Moon being attuned to the Creative Unconscious, dreams and Visions?  (Hint: she’s the greatest light of the Night Sky.) Blake, James M. Barrie and many of my Cancer Rising clients have had remarkable dreams.

5.)  The Cardinal Mode: The Moon and Mars rule two different Cardinal Signs. How does the nature of the Ruling planet strengthen or soften the leadership and administrative style of Cancer and Aries, respectively. If you needed an employer, which of the two Cardinal Signs would you prefer?

Advanced Question for astrologers and astrology students:

Question 6:  Relationships for Cancer Rising/ Capricorn on the 7^th House Cusp.  Cancer Rising tends to have a long, stable marriage. usually loves children and invests a great deal of energy in parenting.   

What, if anything, have astrologers and astrology students noticed about their Cancer Rising clients’ relationships? Do the clients tend towards long marriages? Do they enjoy children, like the Cancer Rising people listed on pp.87-88?  (Note: Joan Didion should be added to the list. Hers was a long marriage, though there was only one child, an adopted daughter who, sadly, died last year. Though not in a traditional marriage, Christopher Isherwood was with Don Bacchardi for twenty-some years.)

Question 7:  The Water Element and the Creative Imagination. Water is associated with fertility and with the Creative Unconscious.  Different types of water have been used as analogies to creativity—rain, wellsprings, poetry about oceanic merging (experiences of cosmic consciousness, ) while aridity is used to describe infertility and spiritual dryness. 

Do you think the Moon’s attributes work well with the water Element? Why or why not?

 Question 8: The Crab Shell.  Background:  Please read William Blake’s verse (p.82) about his dream as a young man, in which he was a Maiden Queen welcoming an Angel.

The same Angel returned in Blake's old age, but found it impossible to reach the dreamer because of his heavy armor.

Now please read footnote #82 on Blake’s poem, “The Poison Tree,” in the “Mundane Ruler” section, at the bottom of p. 78.

What do you think the hard shell means? Does it get in the way of receptivity?

Question 9: Please read the section on the Esoteric Ruler,  pp 82-86.   Did Blake’s Vision, which occurred while he was painting, have a healing effect?  How can we tell? 

Question10. Cancer and Hypersensitivity. Please read the quotes by Joni Mitchell, p.70. Some lyrics seem to speak powerfully to our emotions while others seem whining. Is her Cancer Rising advice helpful?

Question 11: . Please read “The Shining Fish,” pp. 84-85, on surrender, sacrifice and faith rewarded.  Why do you think Blake choose the theme of Odysseus’ sacrifice for his painting?

Question 12:  please read pp. 88-89 “The Imaginative Mask, Cancer Rising after midlife” and the progressions for Cancer Rising.

What are Cancer’s greatest joys in the Empty Nest period (Virgo and Libra? )Might Natal Moon's position in one of the four Elements describe their sense of fulfilment during the progressions? What qualities might Cancer assimilate (Blake's journey provides a clue.)

Question 13: Jupiter will be in Cancer, the Sign of its Exaltation, from June 2013 through mid July, 2014.  Our quality of life is likely to improve in some way, mundane, spiritual, or perhaps both.

If you'd like, discuss 1)  predictions for the US, a Cancer Sun Sign country ( born on the 4^th of July) or 2) what the year might mean for Cancer Rising people, with Jupiter in their First House, or 3) what it might mean for you, in the Natal House Cancer on the cusp Migh the Great Recession come to an end, and life return to normal?