The MOON is the archetypal symbol for feminine, receptive energy. In all ancient cultures the MOON was worshipped, usually as a feminine symbol. The MOON moves through its cycle very quickly, which is why it has a reputation for causing moodiness, changeability, sensitivity and delusions. The MOON governs emotions, dreams and longing. It is the endless ebb and flow of all cycles in life, such as the tides. This is the energy of the vast sub-conscious, which gives forms to all the dreams, emotions and fears contained by humanity. The MOON also rules sleep, and desires or needs that come from a deeper source than our conscious understanding. This is why human behavior can become erratic and bizarre under the MOON’s influence. Most Police officers are aware that violent crime and incidents of drunk driving increase dramatically during the full MOON. The word lunatic is based on the Latin root luna, which means MOON. Imbalances in the MOON or lunar energy in a Natal Chart can indicate deep emotional issues to be dealt with and sleep disorders. However, the MOON can also impart extreme sensitivity, visual acuity, good memory, and the ability to comfort and nurture. Cancer is the only sign ruled by the MOON. Cancers usually have an innate understanding of deep human emotion. Cancers are sensitive, caring and emotional, or if they see these qualities as weaknesses, they can be insensitive and unkind. Generally this unkindness is a way of covering their deep feelings of insecurity. Either way they are responding to the element of emotion in their natures. The challenge of course is to find an appropriate and useful way to deal with their feelings, which can be very overdeveloped.

Since Cancer is related to women, it often indicates a strong or difficult relationship with the mother. Many times Cancer people did not feel as though they got their needs met by their mother, and this sets up an emotional tug-of-war between their feelings and the needs that they feel another can fulfill. This is why people complain that the Cancer person can be ‘moody’ in relationships. The Cancer person has strong emotional needs and a great capacity for depth in relationship, but they also have great fears about being emotionally vulnerable to another person. Vulnerability means the threat of getting hurt, and that might make the Cancer cry. Most Cancers don’t want to be seen as weak and will therefore develop a tough shell, like the crab, which is their symbol. Usually, the more difficult the relationship that the Cancer person had with their mother, the tougher the exterior shell is, and the more vulnerable they are on the inside.

One of the most difficult challenges for Cancer people is learning how to deal with their emotions by allowing them to exist and relating to others from and emotionally strong and open standpoint. During their lifetime the Cancer native will either learn to illuminate and share emotion with others, or be controlled by their attitudes towards emotion. If the receptive, feminine element is not valued it can lead to fanatical, lunatic and or abusive insensitive behavior.

Even though Cancer is the only sign ruled by the MOON, every individual has the MOON in their Natal Chart. The placement of the MOON in the Natal Chart of any individual will provide greater information about their emotional nature, and the relationship that they had with their mother. For more detailed information you may want to have a Natal Chart Interpretation.