Cancer & The Tarot: The Astrological Influence of Cancer on the Tarot Major Arcana
Throughout its history, the Tarot has been connected to a number of mystic and esoteric philosophies, particularly astrology. These connections have been used by mystics to amplify their understanding of the tarot, inviting nuance and new facets of meaning to their interpretations.
The correspondences between the Tarot and astrology that are widely accepted today were cemented by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a society of occultists in the late 19th, early 20th century.
However, other scholars, including myself, have made their own connections between the cards and astrology.
Astrological correspondences have been inherent in the interpretations of the Tarot since its beginning. Occultist Jean Baptiste Alliete (aka. Etteilla) who popularized Tarot as a tool for fortune telling in enlightenment-era France, published several works about his own set of astrological correspondences. These inspired several other European occultists, such as Eliphas Levi and Gerard Encausse (aka. Papus), to create their own set of correspondences.
The works of these Renaissance-era occultists influenced the members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, which, in turn, inspired the mind of Arthur Edward Waite, who has largely shaped the divinatory meanings of the tarot commonly used today.
By looking at these various correspondences throughout history and the merit that each carries, I hope to get away from the ‘traditional’ interpretations derived strictly from the doctrine of the Golden Dawn and to empower each individual to find the system of associations, correspondences and connections that works best for their spiritual practice.
Cancer in the Major Arcana
The Chariot - The Vehicle to Cancer’s Depths
The connection between Cancer and the Chariot comes from the ‘traditional’ Golden Dawn correspondence, however their relationship might not be so apparent at first.
Cancer is commonly thought of as a sensitive, security-seeking caretaker, but the Chariot is action oriented, depicting a young man starting off on some grand journey.
However, if we look closely, the Chariot is made of stone. The movement being made isn’t external or physical, it’s inward-bound, emotional, and spiritual movement that must be achieved.
The chariot itself is led by two opposing forces (horses, sphinxes, or otherwise) that must be carefully controlled, not let to run rampant with reckless abandon.
Cancer is a cardinal sign, meaning it initiates the beginning of a season. In a similar manner, Cancer initiates us into our inner realm of emotions, feelings, longings, stirrings, dreams, and desires. These inner forces are what truly propel the Chariot; the forces the Charioteer must reign in.
Thus, the Chariot is not a physical vehicle, but a spiritual one. It is driven by the power our feelings carry to direct our lives towards something more fulfilling, more purposeful, and more meaningful. In this way, we can see the Chariot as a discharge of emotional, psychological, libidinal (psychological) energy creating the willpower to propel us down a fresh path in life.
The Chariot of the Sun Fantasy (probably 1868–69), Frederic Edwin Church (American, 1826-1900)
One other connection between Cancer and the Chariot comes from mythology.
In the northern hemisphere, Cancer marks the summer solstice, the earth at its maximum tilt towards the Sun, producing the longest day of the year. Thus, Cancer is intimately linked with not only the Moon, but the Sun as well. In many ancient beliefs and mythologies, the rising and setting of the Sun was controlled by a solar deity. This Sun God would drive a vehicle, typically a boat or a chariot, through the sky, creating the day and night cycle.
Depictions of such ‘solar vessels’ exist throughout the world and as early as the bronze age. They are most prominent in Greek, Egyptian, Norse, and Hindu mythologies.
The Sun is an archetypal symbol for the Self, and connecting this back to the Chariot, meeting the Self is what the Chariot is ultimately aiming for.
The High Priestess -
Patroness of the Charioteer
The High Priestess is traditionally associated with the Moon, which is the astrological ruler of Cancer. So, we can think of the connection between Cancer and the High Priestess as thus:
Just as the Moon rules over Cancer, so too does the High Priestess rule over the Chariot. According to Arthur Edware Waite, the priestess’s temple is the ultimate destination for our charioteer. That is where he must go to prove himself. He is her champion, donning the same watery light-blue colored garb, and adorning himself in crescent moons and stars. Pulling his chariot are two sphinxes, keepers of the great mysteries of life, and symbols of the two pillars the High Priestess sits between to receive her wisdom — the Qabalistic pillars of Mercy and Severity.
We can think of the High Priestess as representing the aspect of Cancer that is receptive, feminine and nocturnal. The High Priestess's wisdom comes not from action, but from allowing. From waiting, listening, opening oneself up to the flow of the primordial waters of the soul. Just as the High Priestess drinks from waters of soul to enwisen herself, Cancer lives within them.
Though the Moon is typically associated with the sign of Pisces, I think it foolish not to allow some correspondence between the Moon (the tarot card) and the Moon (the luminary body), especially when The Sun is afforded that same straightforward connection.
The Moon - The Astrological Ruler of Cancer
Though the Moon is typically associated with the sign of Pisces, I think it foolish not to allow some correspondence between the Moon (the tarot card) and the Moon (the luminary body), especially when The Sun is afforded that same straightforward connection.
The Moon in tarot can be see seen as our journey in diving into those aforementioned waters of the soul, navigating through the dark, unconscious parts of ourselves. Cancer, as a water sign, is intimately connected to the unconscious. Cancer is especially dialed into the inner realm of our subjective feelings: our desires, fantasies, and fears. It brings up from those depths an unconditional love and care for the things and people which provide Cancer with stability, security, and a feeling of home.
The essential task of the charioteer is to reign in his ego so he can understand the depths of himself. He must find himself and determine the new direction he is to set off in. The Moon is the complete immersion of the Charioteer in this transformative work. It is by courageously plumbing the depths of one’s unconscious that we can return to the surface with a renewed sense of purpose and a revitalized attitude towards life.
After the Charioteer comes Strength, the fortitude needed to endure. After the Moon comes the Sun, the enlightenment and expansion of consciousness. Both the Chariot and The Moon are inward-bound journeys, but the tarot reminds us we cannot remain in our inner realm forever. We must take what we’ve learned of ourselves, the understanding, and experience, and bring it back into consciousness to make the adjustments needed to further develop ourselves.
The Emperor - Vox Populi, Vox Dei
“The people are ruled by the sign of Cancer, says the astrologer. And thus originally the chosen emperor accepted vox populi as vox Dei. This chosen dignitary was nothing of a tyrant, originally, nor did he have anything to do with rulership or warfare: he was simply the highest and most pure expression of the soul of the people or nation. In China sometimes a poor but extremely virtuous old man without any other antecedents was elected to be emperor. All later usurpations of power and succession were deviations from the old and pure institution. The present position of the president in a republic comes very near to that of the original emperor.”
One intriguing association between the zodiac sign Cancer and the Tarot comes from dutch astrologer A. E Thierens in his book “Astrology & The Tarot”.
Thierens connects Cancer with The Emperor. He explains this link by emphasizing the notion that emperors must rule by vox populi, and in traditional astrology, Cancer symbolizes the people.
An Emperor’s power lies in his ability to rule by ‘vox populi’, the voice, and will of the people, and to treat it as the voice and the will of God.
To be successful, an Emperor must be in tune with what his people are feeling, what moves them, what offers them peace and security. He must intimately understand the zeitgeist of his empire, and in this way, we see Cancer’s qualities as a historian, emotionally and spiritually invested in the spirit of the times.
In this exploration of the correspondence between Cancer and The Emperor, Thierens has eloquently spoken to the responsibility of the power held by those who rule, and their relationship to the voice of the people they represent.
Thierens’ observation highlights that emperor’s rule effectively when aligned with the will of the people, while Cancer signifies the people’s energy and concerns. Through this lens, an intricate and meaningful blend of leadership, empathy, and collective consciousness is revealed.
