Cancer and Leo

… And I know you meant to be kind …

The Moon Maiden and the Lion. The Crab and the Lioness. Cancer and Leo. Is that what you call yourselves? You’re making a large mistake. It may seem a small thing, but so is a seed, before it grows into a Sequoia tree. Let’s correct it, and start off right. You’ve no idea how it will help. The Lion and the Moon Maiden. The Lioness and the Crab. Leo and Cancer. A little respectful protocol will go a long way in this association, and never mind the natural astrological Sun Sign sequence on the karmic wheel.

I’ve already mentioned, more than once, the possible dangers existing between any two persons born into the Fire and Water Elements, when they combine their personalities in the office, school or home, but when we’re discussing Leo and Cancer, it’s important to remind them again, in case they missed the warning in other chapters—or in the Elements Section in the back of this book.

If these two wish, they can exchange as much tolerance and learning in their association as any other 2-12 Sun Sign Pattern people. But if they do not wish, in the Fire of Leo and the Water of Cancer each possesses the power to destroy the other—and they may use this power without even being aware that they’re using it, until it’s too late, and the damage to one or the other (or both of them) has already been done.

For reasons known only to the planets, the 2-12 relationship, when it involves Cancer and Leo—unlike its effect on other Sun Signs in this vibratory pattern—does not cause Leo to be quite as tolerant of the Crab’s personality as one might suppose with Cancer representing the twelfth house of the karmic past to Leo. Nor is the Crab usually as anxious as other Sun Sign halves of the various 2-12 Patterns to learn the lessons to be taught by the following Sun Sign, Leo (although it must be admitted that Leo will likely be more than anxious to teach them). However, willing to learn or not, Cancer secretly knows (even though the Crab may not ever admit it) that there are lessons to be learned from Leo’s Sun wisdom, and the longer Cancer postpones the inevitable, the harder those lessons will be to master.

I can image all the Lions and Lionesses grinning and nodding their heads in agreement at this point, and all the Crabs frowning crabbily or sniffling. It’s true, Moon Child. You have many things to learn from the Big Cats, and if you’ve been unconsciously trying to teach and overpower, instead of the other way around, you’re interfering with your own karmic destiny, and also with that of Leo, which is not a very smart or safe thing to do, and you know how you pride yourself on being both smart and safe. You’re only forging karmic obligations into a dreary chain, for future incarnations.

Now the Leos can stop grinning and stroking their vanities because astrology also has a warning for them. Have you been less tolerant and understanding of the Lunar traits (annoying as they may be to you) of your Cancerian friend, relative or mate than you have the capacity of being, since your eternal soul so recently experienced the Cancerian essence itself? Have you been pouting, instead of being protective and sympathetic? Or have you become Shy Pussycats, and allowed the Crab to teach you, when it should be just the opposite? Let the Crabs teach caution to the sign behind them, Gemini—the Twins can use it! You already subconsciously know the need for rain in the soul (Cancer moods) and you’re here now to teach the Crabs the value of sunshine in the human heart. Have you permitted some Cancerian to extinguish the fiery rays of your ruling Sun, to crush the proud spirit of your birthright with water pessimism or gentle disapproval—which is, nevertheless, disapproval? Is this what you’ve done? Shame on you. Where is your roar? Shake your mane (if you’re a Lion) or narrow your tilted cat eyes (if you’re a Lioness) and behave as your Solar destiny intended you should when you drew your first breath upon this Earth. You needn’t go overboard, and completely dehydrate the Water Elements of your Cancer friend, relative or lover with your flames. Crabs can be handy creatures to have around when you need to be hushed and lullabyed and fed chicken soup—and no one else will ever relate such fascinating dreams to you or tell such funny stories—but never allow these people to drown your enthusiasm or drain your adrenalin. Be yourself. You too, Cancer. Be yourself, and you’ll be much happier. Be True to Your Sun Sign Essence is astrology’s wisest rule.

There are, sadly, some Cancer-Leo associations in which the Crabs and Lions (or Lionesses) reverse their roles. Cancerians are dear, sensitive souls, but it sometimes happens that the steady dripping of the Water Element over the years will quite literally extinguish Leo’s fire—and confidence. It can begin with a Leo who’s a Shy Pussycat type, who perhaps isn’t tolerant enough of Cancer’s markedly different disposition and goals, and who gradually allows his—or her—pouting over not being sufficiently respected and adored to develop into lethargy, to the point where the Leo charisma is completely submerged.

Or it may be the Crab’s fault. It can’t be said often enough that Cancer is a CARDINAL SIGN OF LEADERSHIP, despite the Lunar surface gentleness and apparent reticence. A Crab with a powerfully aspected Sun and Mars in the horoscope can utilize all the Cancerian patience, tenacity, persistence and perseverance to eventually wear down a Fire Sign like Leo into a sort of spiritual fatigue, which is a very sad and serious matter. A long siege of the subtle but determined strategy of an unusually strong-willed Crab can considerably dampen even Leo’s proud nature. It’s hard to know with which Sun Sign such a role reversal initiates, but usually neither person is aware, on a conscious level, that it’s happening. It’s seldom motivated by malice or deliberate unkindness on either side, but rather caused by a lack of the constant alertness needed when you’re mixing Fire and Water over a long period of time. Nothing is sadder than a Lion or Lioness robbed of pride and dignity, unless it’s a Cancerian who is gradually forced into a kind of aggressive self-sufficiency completely foreign to the Crab’s softness and sensitivity.

It can work the other way too. Leo can burn out all the beauty of Cancer’s deep and normally tranquil emotions. A Cancerian subjected to the arrogant demands of a domineering-type Leo suffers much in silence, sometimes retreating into introversion (in severe cases, into an almost psychotic state), sometimes becoming snappy and irritable, but nearly always escaping in the final reel. (Crabs are expert escape artists.) If the Sun and Moon in their charts are in negative aspect, Cancer and Leo can wound each other deeply, even though unintentionally. Should these Luminaries in their mutual horoscopes be in positive aspect, however, the two of them can become a creative, imaginative and mutually protective pair. The Lion or Lioness will protect the sensitive emotions of the Moon person from the blows of a harsh world, and Cancer will affectionately pamper Leo in return. After all, the Sun and the Moon are their rulers, and they manage to exist in peace and harmony in the skies overhead. Due to their combined Solar (paternal) and Lunar (maternal) influences, Leo and Cancer, regardless of personal conflict or tension, often make fine parents.

They must both remember that Cardinal Cancer was born to lead, however quietly and unobtrusively, and Leo should permit this (as long as Leo’s name comes first over the door). Since Leo is the Fixed Organizer, the Crab should allow Leo to organize his (or her) life—which Leo will do most admirably. This will allow Leo to be the sunny person he—or she—was meant to be, and will, in turn, bring out all the lovely Lunar tenderness of Cancer. It will also coax out the Crab’s delicious, unsurpassed humor, all of which, when added together, conjures a cozy cradle of compatibility, as Cancer lulls Leo with love and laughter, and Leo’s generous heart brings the sunshine after the rain, by understanding and forgiving Cancer’s changing moods.

The two of them are bound to clash over cash, now and then. Cancer will privately think Leo is a little wild and wasteful. Leo may publicly think the Crab is unnecessarily frugal. Waste not, want not, snaps the cautious economical Crab. Get some new carpeting around this place, or I leave! roars Leo. Royalty expects top quality as his or her natural right, and the Big Cats become either very depressed or very angry when they are forced to accommodate to shabbiness or to a denial of what Leo considers necessity (which is often what others consider luxury). There are, let us be sure to note, a few Leos (very few) who are careful spenders, even downright miserly, and these rare Pussycats will get along royally with the Crabs, if you’ll forgive the pun. But the great majority of Leos, whether male or female, child or adult, can’t resist treating themselves (and others, for Leo is generous) to the things that money will buy. They have every right to spend what they earned with their impressive talents and organized minds. It’s when Leo begins to spend, in a business or marital relationship, what Cancer has earned, that the trouble begins.

The typical Crab normally hangs on to everything with a tenacious grip … old photographs, old loves, old tennis balls and shorts, old memories, old nightmares, old feuds, old fears, old key rings, old television sets, old bills, stamped paid.. but Cancer is not selective about money. It matters not whether it’s old or new, Cancer considers it worth keeping. These people can be touchingly generous with their families and children, and almost never will a Cancerian turn down a friend in real need. But they dislike to throw away or gamble their cash reserves in a frivolous manner. Oddly, they’re not frugal when it comes to food. A Crab sometimes turns into the original prototype Big Spender in a restaurant, astounding everyone with the unexpected generosity. Everyone but the waiter. The tip will be adequate, but not cause for celebration. The waiter is not likely to write home to his mother about it. If Leo has been the dining partner, the Lion (or Lioness) may pass the waiter an extra five dollars on the sly. It had better be on the sly, because it’s not a good idea to humiliate the Crab in public.

A very strange thing about Leo and Cancer is that both these Sun Signs tend to enjoy photography. Not every single Crab, Lion and Lioness in the world owns a camera, of course, but about 90 percent of them do. Leo will probably own an expensive one, and the Big Cat’s fondness for photography, we may as well face it, may in some cases be based on the fact that Leos simply adore to have their pictures taken. If they have a Nikon handy, they can always talk their friends into snapping them, while they pose dramatically. The Crab may own simply a cheap Brownie, although it could be a rare German-made model with high-quality lens, because Cancer doesn’t mind investing money in something sensible and practical. To the Lunar person’s point of view, a camera is certainly a sensible and practical purchase because it captures Today, so it can be treasured Tomorrow, when Today has become Yesterday. A camera molds memory into permanency for Cancerians, whose very minds are like sensitive film, recording every impression with vivid clarity.

When there is friction between these two Sun Signs, the Lion or Lioness may be incited into ever greater and grander achievement, just to prove his or her superiority to the cautious Crab. When there is creative compatibility between them, the Cancerian’s unerring instincts and tenacity of purpose will guide the Lion to successfully launch his grandiose schemes, the Lioness to at last realize her glorious dreams. Either way, Leo can then write Cancer a thank you note.

Dear Crab … you made me what I am today, but I like you anyway.

Cancer Woman and Leo Man

It was not to receive his thanks, however, that she hung there in the sky; it was not even to watch him get into the nest; it was to see what he did with her eggs.

A Moon Maid and a Lion who have fallen in love face one of three possibilities, assuming they expect their love to result in a lifetime relationship. (1) After a few years, he will arrogantly domineer her into a trembling, tearful submission to his royal whims, causing her to become even more moody than she was when they first met. (2) After a few years, she will crush his confidence with her gentle, but persistent nagging, causing him to retreat into sad and sullen silences. (3) After a few years, they’ll make adjustments, compromise their differences, and live happily ever after—loving and laughing and weeping and learning.

Turning the third possibility into a reality won’t be a piece of cheese cake, nor is it a task for the faint-hearted or the selfish. It requires a sensitive awareness of the care needed when you’re blending Fire and Water. He’ll have to suffer through her perplexing moodiness, and try to perceive the root cause of her possessive reflexes. She’ll have to overlook his ego-oriented attitudes, and not dwell in self-pity on his sometimes thoughtless disregard for her feelings. He’ll have to realize that half her possessiveness will disappear when she has babies to croon over and wrap in swaddling clothes and the other half will disappear when he takes the time to calm her fears and strengthen her sense of emotional security. She’ll have to realize that much of his arrogance stems from an inner doubt of his abilities (which increases in exact ratio to his success, oddly) and that she’ll get nowhere with him by dampening his pride, yet can almost make him roll-over-Rover by verbally (and sincerely) appreciating his virtues and allowing him at least the choice of taking the initiative in nearly everything. But she must be careful to retain her own dignity and individuality at the same time.

If all this sounds to you like a path to sainthood, you’re right, that’s just about what it is. It takes a lot of saintly serenity, love and patience for a Crab and a Lion to gradually grow to trust their hearts with one another, for their dreams are very different. Don’t be gloomy. There are reliable astrological blueprints for building this relationship into a Forever design, with a strong foundation of happiness, lit brightly by her Lunar lamps and Solar heated by him. Here’s just one example of such a blueprint.

When I first met good friend Eileen Goldman, she was twinkling with her Looney Bird humor. Eileen is married to the author of a number of best-selling books and TV dramas and is a two-time Oscar winner for his screenplays. Her husband is a Leo, neither a Shy Pussycat nor a roaring Jungle Cat type. He is simply a Lion. A Monarch. A King. He happens to be an exceptionally kind-hearted and generous Leo, but he is a Lion. He is strikingly handsome. She is hauntingly beautiful. She bakes yummy pies. He purrs. (He also growls, of course, but more often he purrs.)

What is your Sun Sign? I asked Eileen, a few seconds after our first hellos. She gazed at me then, with such an expression of mock sadness in her large, starry-lashed eyes, and gave a gentle sigh of resignation, as she replied, I’m a Cancerian. I have two Fire Sign children, a Leo dog, a Leo cat, several Leo relatives, a Leo housekeeper and a Leo husband—and I cry a lot.

I’ll just bet you do, I said with an instant rush of sympathy. Of course, I knew she was only joking (about the weeping—the Sun Signs are actual), just displaying her Lunar humor. Still, her remark did indicate in a subtle manner her recognition of the sacrifices involved for a Moon Maiden living with a jungle pride of Lions and Lionesses. She plays her karmic role with the Sun Sign of Leo smoothly, absorbing all the beneficial lessons she’s astrologically destined to learn during this present life of servitude …… I mean, during this present lifetime. Seriously (I was only jesting) this female Crab is undeniably devoted to her Lion. She respects him, and never tries to upstage him. In return, he has allowed her to wear the glittering crown that designates her as his Queen—and very becoming it is too. But there is no groveling, she’s retained her independence as a woman, and she is not a slave (maybe a footman now and then).

Like every Cancerian wife and mother, when her children were teeny-tiny, she fussed over her entire brood a bit much, drowning them in Vicks salve and chicken soup, and smothering them with loving concern and affection in a house awash with galoshes, thermometers, Crayolas and sentimentally bronzed birthday cakes. But after a while, she firmly adjusted her crown, majestically marched forth and formed a partnership with another close friend to found an organization which has enormously benefited the ecological movement. In connection with this organization, Eileen has managed to chalk up almost as many radio, TV and newspaper interviews as her Lion. I didn’t say more, I said almost as many. The difference is vital.

Eventually, under her maiden name, this Moon Maiden has fulfilled another Lunar dream by becoming a sensitive and highly successful freelance photographer of the theatre and other arts. Wisely, she never allows her own career to interfere with the lavish attention her Big Cat expects and receives. These two genuinely admire each other’s minds, talents and accomplishments, and despite his Lunar Lady’s busy schedule, the Lion is properly pampered. If they gave out Academy Awards for Happiness, Eileen would surely receive an Oscar for her supporting role. Not long ago, when a friend of hers was enduring a temporary but agonizing period of poverty and personal tragedy, she appeared every few days, like an angel of mercy, with Cancer CARE baskets, stuffed full to overflowing with fruits, goodies, cash—and loyalty. (But she was always back home in time for dinner, to feed her hungry Lion and her cubs.)

Now you have a blueprint for compatibility between Crabs and Lions, Moon Maidens and Pussycats, Cancerians and Leos. Also for Lions and Crabs, Pussycats and Moon Maidens, Leos and Cancerians. It works with any combination, but may give quicker results with the last three. Leo likes to win all the battles. Cancer prefers to win the war.

The Cancerian woman is powerfully influenced by the combination of her feminine Sun Sign and its also feminine ruler, the moody Moon. Therefore, she personifies the Mystery of Woman, all the complex yearnings and inexplicable behavior of Eve herself. The Leo man is powerfully influenced by the combination of his masculine Sun Sign and its also masculine ruler, the Sun. Therefore, he personifies the conquering charisma of Man, all the wisdom and strength, contrariness and proud spirit of Adam himself. You can see why she’s able to tempt him in the beginning, why he’s so easily seduced by her home-baked pies. Yet, she’s Cardinal, and this makes her a rather bossy Eve. He’s Fixed, and this makes him a stubborn Adam. They’ll be more at ease emotionally with one another if she doesn’t try to compete with his stronger personality, but allows it to bring out all her tender and tranquil qualities. It’s natural for the Moon (Cancer) to absorb the brilliant Solar rays of the Sun (Leo) and reflect them back in the form of the softer, more gentle illumination of moonlight.

Imitating Mother Nature never leads human nature astray, as long as these two don’t overdo their Solar-Lunar roles, and slip into the trap of overemphasizing them. Too many Cancer-Leo couples drift into this sort of danger unaware. There’s nothing natural about an association with sadist-masochist overtones. But these are the extreme cases. The Cancerian woman and Leo man should strive to temper each other’s divergent personalities through a subtle but constant interchange of themselves, and avoid excessive domination on his part, as well as excessive docility on her part. For this sort of balancing act, it will be substantially helpful if the Moon or Ascendent of one or both of them adds a Gemini or Libra influence.

The chemical attraction a female Crab and a Lion feel when they first fall in love may later ebb and flow. Their physical magnetism is powerful, but it requires a delicate blending of their natures. If he’s impulsive, demanding and careless in his lovemaking, and she’s too sensitive, passive and elusive in hers—his mind may wander, and her emotions will flee into strange shadows. When physical closeness between them is good, it’s very good, for she’s beautifully receptive, and he’s wonderfully warm and affectionate. Because there’s a gentleness and softness in her sexual attitude that complements his intensity, the passion exchanged between them can be very deep. But she can wound him with her moodiness when she’s worried, which he mistakenly judges as a lack of response—and he can hurt her with his aloofness when he’s troubled, which she mistakenly interprets as indifference.

Tears are often part of their togetherness, but tears can be healing, and with Cancer and Leo they can turn into tears of joy those times when he soothes away her nightmares with the comfort of his familiar nearness. Her dreams are always lovelier when she falls asleep with his arms around her, because it means her heart is safe again for a little while from her subconsciously remembered childhood fear of loneliness. This is when he knows how much he’s needed, and then he cries … but she’s not awake, so she doesn’t know, and he’ll never tell her. She has many secrets, but he has only one. His vulnerability.

The Lion who is enchanted on a summer night by a female Crab is always surprised when he knows her better. She seemed to be such a helpless creature, seeking his strength …… as soft as a baby rabbit, and as timid—wide-eyed, needing guidance. He felt a tug of tenderness. Later he learned she’s more than feminine—she’s womanly. Feminine is enticing, but womanly is deeper. She’s cozy and maternal, tucking him under her lavender-scented blankets of security …… and so perceptive she guesses his thoughts and feelings without his having spoken a word. Much later, he’ll discover something else, misty, hard to define. It disturbs him, because just when he’s sure he’s in control of the relationship, she eludes him, makes him feel he’s not really the lord and master of this lady after all. Not in the total way he once believed he was. She never defies him, but he suspects she may have a secret place in her mind she escapes to when he’s hurt her, when they’ve quarreled.

He’d like to follow her there to tell her he’s sorry, but he doesn’t know the way. And so he must wait for her to return, in her own time—from her secret place. She can’t be coaxed, and she can’t be hurried. He’s always glad when she returns and is real again, back to being her normal funny, bright and alert self …… humming as she bakes his apple pie, stirring him with the fragrance of her hair as she kisses his cheek. It’s time to impulsively suggest a trip. Her wanderlust is awakened, she says, Let’s! And he confidently takes charge of the travel plans. Shall they leave as soon as tomorrow morning? Why not?

Traveling somewhere together is like a fresh wind blowing through the love between this man and woman. She has him all alone then, to herself, the way she likes him—and he can instruct her in all sorts of new lessons. No matter where they go, he’ll be an expert on the people, the language, the stores and the surrounding geography. She listens, his gentle Moon Maiden … fascinated. And as she listens, she finds herself remembering why she fell in love with him. It was because she could sit curled up beside him forever, just listening to him talk. He knew so much about so many things, and he made them all sound exciting. He had such confidence, he was so sure of himself, the way she’d always longed to be, and couldn’t. But … something about his sureness bothered her, and for a long while, she didn’t know what it was. Then one day it came to her. If he’s so confident, she wondered, and knows so much, and is so sure he’s always right … why does he need my constant approval?

Suddenly, she knew. He’s only pretending to be brave and strong and wise. Except when he knows that I believe it. Then he believes it too. The knowing gave her a sharp loving-pain. And she wept the same tears wept by Eve herself when she first learned Woman’s deepest secret from Eden’s Tree of Wisdom.

Cancer Man and Leo Woman

Don’t go, Peter, she entreated. I know such lots of stories.

Those were her precise words, so there can be no denying that it was she who first tempted him.

The Lioness muses. This Cancerian male is … strange. He’s a gentle Crab, a sensitive man, more considerate of her as a woman than anyone else she’s ever known. He’s not domineering, he lets her have her own way most every time they disagree. Of course, there are his moods, but … he worries about her, and he really-truly cares about her feelings. He protects her lovingly and affectionately from the insensitive, rude, crude and vulgar people who offend her. Truthfully, she’s never felt so securely cherished by anyone in her whole life, except when she was a baby. At last she’s found a man who sincerely appreciates her. Yet, there’s something she senses in their relationship that troubles her. Something indefinable. It causes her to feel a little uneasy somehow, like a whispered warning. But a warning of what?

That something she senses is the influence of his Cardinal essence. Cancer is a Cardinal Sign of leadership. Over and over, astrologers keep reminding Fire Signs of this, until they’re weary. It means that, beneath all his sweet gallantry and courteous manner, behind his chuckles and rich humor, he manages in a subtle way to ….. well, to manage things, including her life. He never yells at her or flames up in a violent temper, making chauvinistic demands. She could handle that. A Leo woman is stimulated, not frightened or confused, by an open and direct challenge. But she knows, in an unspoken, subliminal way, that she’s expected to follow his gentle lead. Whatever small or large Kingdom over which they preside will be ruled cooperatively. She may attend all the balls she likes, initiate all the gay celebrations she wishes, dress in queenly fashion, add a jewel or two to her tiara when she’s depressed and needs an extra ruby to cheer her up—she can even be the one to give all the orders to the nanny and postman and cleaning people in the castle, and decide which monograms would look best on the linen and silver. On parade days, she may sit up front, smiling and waving, on a throne bearing her name, spelled out in roses. But he will administer the real responsibilities behind the scenes, and it will be clearly understood that, although her whims and fancies will receive his affectionate indulgence 98 percent of the time, his is the final veto power in those matters which make up the 2 percent of the time when her impulsiveness meets in a head-on collision with his caution.

Is it really like that with him? Yes. It is really like that with him. Here she was, expecting this man to personify what she believed were the qualities of the Water Element—kindness, sympathy, mildness, sensitivity, and…. wait. He does possess all those virtues. Every single one. Well, yes, but this leadership thing is disturbing. What about that? Your Majesty, the Lioness, dear girl, if you want a man with all the qualities of the Water Element, but lacking the leadership vibration, you’ll have to find a Pisces or Scorpio male. The Mutable Fish won’t try to boss you, not even in a subtle way, but he’s not quite as dependable as your gentle Crab, and although he is also highly intelligent and sensitive, he’s emotionally elusive. The Scorpion won’t spend his life trying to lead you either. Scorpio is a Fixed Water Sign. He’ll just try to organize things for you, but then there’s that Scorpio sting if you should happen to tread on his pride or anger him. Your gentle Crab won’t sting you. He may pout a little, and crawl under his shell for a few hours or days, but he won’t sting you when you’re least expecting it.

Think about it. With your Cancerian man you have all the positive and beautiful qualities of the Water Element, plus the security of astrology’s promise that he’ll never sting you to get even, and the knowing that he’s considerably more emotionally reliable than his Neptune-ruled brothers. His actions and behavior are governed by the Moon, so he’ll reflect your sunlight softly back to you, and you can surely see the value of having your sunlight reflected. (What Leo wouldn’t?) You were born under the Fixed Sign of the Organizer yourself, so why not let him lead, if it’s such a big deal with him, while you organize his leadership? He won’t hide your light. He reflects it, remember? You’re the Sun. He’s the Moon. You’re in charge of daytime. He’s in charge of nighttime. I didn’t mean to get into the sexual aspect of your romance this soon, but here it is, hinting and peeking at us, so let’s discuss it now.

It’s interesting, this thing about the Sun (Leo) ruling the day, and the Moon (Cancer) ruling the night. It could mean that the Leo woman will be happy to allow the Cancer man to lead them into the physical expression of their love at night. It probably does mean just that. But it could also mean that her Sun rulership might coax him into realizing the warm surprise, the special kind of intimacy of physical togetherness shared in the daytime, in the sunlight. The combined Solar-Lunar influences created by their relationship could cause them both to enjoy the exhilarating experience of breaking the orthodox, and changing old, tired, meaningless rules in every area of life. Why must night be the only acceptable—or expected—time of lovemaking?

A thought like that can give birth to a hundred more thoughts relating to the confining codes and mores of society, and she’ll excite him into worlds of originality and daring he only dreamed of until her Sun blended with his Moon. He only dreamed of traveling, before her. After her—and with her—he’ll fasten wings to his heels and his heart, and they’ll fly away to new horizons, places he’s always longed to blaze through the sky. And this is good. Good for him, and good for her.

In mentioning breaking the orthodox, I wasn’t referring to the new styles in sexual promiscuity, such as multiple partners, group massage experiments, or any of those Sodom-and-Gomorrah, Decline-and-Fall-of-the-Roman-Empire, Greek-Acropolis-Drunken-Orgies vibes. That’s the road to regret and real emptiness—of both the heart and the body. I meant a mutual discovery that sex between a man and woman can contain newness and freshness, that it needn’t be dictated by senseless habit patterns seeded into the subconscious mind. The erotic and the sensual can be mixed with special feelings and memories of barns with sweet-smelling hay, Christmas morning snowflakes, starshine, deep, cool woods, a placid stream in the mountains, covered bridges on sleepy country roads, Easter sunrise, lilies of the valley, horses and chickens, Cub Scout camp-fires … even the way a newspaper smells when it’s brought in from the front porch after a summer shower, like ozone splashed on the special scent of newsprint … that announces a new day. Or maybe woodsmoke … and baby squirrels.

That’s what sex is like when it’s right and good and special. Physical Oneness between a Cancerian man and his Leo woman can be a moving experience, for his sexual feelings are poetic and perceptive, still and deep—and hers are fiery with intense desire, yet sometimes as serene and calm as an August day. His emotional depth and her emotional warmth can make their union a blissful, peace-restoring moment between them. But they’ll have to be watchful of the Fire and Water dangers. She can freeze into frigidity when her pride is wounded, and he can either pout and weep—or grow tough and impassive—when he’s made to feel rejected for any imagined reason. Crabs are good at imagining unintended hurt. She’s even better at nursing her false pride. They both have other talents they would be wiser to nurture than these. Tenderness is always the cornerstone for intimacy between Cancer and Leo. When it’s missing, the peace and fulfillment of their sexual blending is missing.

His changes of mood as the Moon overhead moves through its phases, and simultaneously moves through his mind and emotions, will sometimes worry her, at other times annoy and anger her. But her Leo heart is large and generous, quick to forgive when she loves, and she’s not a woman who holds grudges. Unless she has the Moon or Ascendent in Cancer herself, in which case they’ll be extremely compatible as lovers, and both hold grudges, usually not against each other, but against those outside their circle of love—which could be hard on their friends and relatives. Just so his mother is never the recipient of a grudge, or even the tiniest slight. His mother was—is—and always shall be a saint, whether formally canonized or not. The Lioness would be well advised to keep that in mind. While Leo doesn’t ordinarily cling to old injuries, unfortunately Cancer does tend to hang on to them with a fairly firm grip, whether they occurred several hours or several years ago. If the Crab would imitate his Leo woman’s magnanimous spirit, he’d be a happier man, and this is one of the things astrology means when it decrees that Cancer has lessons to learn from Leo.

When these two marry, and they likely will, because Cancerians plan for permanency, and the Lioness auditions only for the role of Queen-Wife, never mistress or discarded girlfriend—the Crab should know this about his sunny and charming mate: she must rule something. Or she will try to rule someone. Namely, him. (And the children, of course, but what about after they’ve left home? They might produce a passel of Sagittarian youngsters, and some of them leave home as early as ten or twelve.) The Cancerian man who sincerely loves his Lioness—and gracious knows Cancerians never love any other way but sincerely, because they are all so sincere—will encourage her to pursue a career worthy of her talents (the Leo woman has never been born who doesn’t possess one or more impressive talents) or allow her to be the absolute, if benevolent, monarch over their home. One or the other. Otherwise, she’ll be desperately unhappy, and he’ll be a mighty miserable Man-in-the-Moon, frequently scorched by her ruling Sun. Then he might have to resort to the bottle, or other liquid escapes, like swimming at midnight during an eclipse, around the rocks on the beach …… perhaps even floating beyond the rocks to the next town, and maybe even staying there until she’s ready to apologize. Considering Leo’s great allergy to apologies, it could be a long siege.

What kind of life would that be, with him sitting in a drab rented room, surrounded by stacks of towels from Walmart, a case of soap he found on sale at Walgreen’s, and a bottle of wine to drown his troubles—and her bravely trying to hide her heartache wandering around all by herself in the large, comfortable, luxurious and tasteful castle she decorated for him? Then there’s the question of property settlement. Who will receive custody of the fluffy eiderdown quilt mama gave him, his Lincoln autograph collection, his old political campaign button collection, his fishing pole … her hair dryer, her ruby tiara, her Oriental rugs, her peacock feathers and her throne, spelling her name in faded roses.. their dogs and cats and aquarium, dishwasher and power lawnmower … the stereo equipment, station wagon and beach house she gave him—and the tiny gold charm shaped like a New Moon he gave her? (These two give different kinds of gifts. Hers are larger, lavishly given from her generous heart. His are a mite smaller, yet lovingly given from his affectionate heart.) Last, but not least, what about their joint checking and savings accounts, insurance policies, annuities and real estate holdings? Lord save us from that day of division!

It would be much easier for her to swallow that large lump of false pride, and for him to crawl out from his self-protective shell. The Crab and the Lioness are not at home in the ocean, where she feels out of place—nor in the jungle, where he feels out of place. They are only at home together in the sky, on the astral level, where their spirits can commune … or in each other’s arms, where Fire and Water defy the law of the elements, and blend … in the kind of communion that has never recognized any law but its own.

Cancer Virgo
Water—Cardinal—Negative Earth—Mutable—Negative
Ruled by the Moon Ruled by Mercury
Symbol: The Crab Symbol: The Virgin
Night Forces—Feminine Night Forces—Feminine

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