What's Your Sign? Series: Cancer

Following the Moon

By Ren Martinez
QuailBellMagazine.com

Let me begin by stating aloud that I, in fact, do believe in astrology. However, I also believe that astrology is bullshit.

A summary explanation:

I was born on July 18th, more than twenty but not quite thirty years ago, on the cusp but still firmly a Cancer, a word more commonly associated with crippling chemotherapy and walk-a-thons. The following summary can be attributed to Astrology.com, surely the Internet authority on such matters.

Cancer, the fourth sign of the zodiac, is all about home. Those born under this sign are 'roots' kinds of people, and take great pleasure in the comforts of home and family. Cancers are maternal, domestic and love to nurture others… Cancers will certainly be merry if their home life is serene and harmonious. Traditions are upheld with great zest in a Cancer's household, since these folks prize family history and love communal activities…. Those born under this sign wear their heart on their sleeve, which is just fine by them.

To sum up, Cancers are sensitive, touchy-feely homebodies who love anything traditional, despise chaos of any kind, and tear up at those SPCA commercials featuring Sarah Mclachlan music.

(Though, admittedly, who doesn’t cry at those commercials - they’re brutal.)

Let’s see what stacks up against the reality of me.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been running from anything resembling home, cringing at the thought of stability as if it were a large, hairy spider invading my home. My maternal instincts extend only about as far as my cat; they instantly curl up and die at the thought of sticky, smelly, screaming children. Traditions are meant to burn (down with the patriarchy) and putting down roots means no longer being able to run.

Indeed, astrology is bullshit. So, how can I believe in such a thing?

How can I believe something that’s never been true?

I’ve always been more spiritual than religious, and being pagan suits me down to my soul. While I never was able to encounter the divine in steepled buildings and masses of people, I was able to find the godly in the curve of the moon, the sacred in the jut of a mountain; I was anointed every time the clean scent of wind rushed past.There are places where I can walk the earth and become connected - a sense that my atoms are no longer compact but spread through space, returning to the stars from whence they originated.

It is here that I believe.

Let’s return to the summary of a Cancer.

Cancers are ruled by the Moon -- the Great Mother of the heavens in ancient times… The element associated with Cancer is Water… The great strength of the Cancer-born is the tenacity with which they protect their loved ones.

The moon, ever-changing, waxing and waning. Water, fluid and flowing, whose currents mask unknowable depths. Love, the strength to be a shield.

Faith, it seems, is always predicated on bullshit. That’s what makes it faith.

I’m just as clueless as the rest of us, a wanderer with many miles to go. And, I believe that if I keep following the moon, my feet will find their way home.

It may be bullshit, but it’s the truest thing I know.
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#Real #What'sYourSign #Cancer #Sensitive #Crab #Spiritual #CurveOfTheMoon

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