Cancer in Tarot: Part Two

At the end of Gemini season, we learned valuable lessons from the 10 of Swords and what it looks like to completely abandon our humanity for the sake of intellectualism. However, not all is lost. The clearing over the horizon meets us ever so gently into that first decan of Cancer season through the Two of Cups.

How are all aspects of the self working together for your highest good? Well, Venus gives us a helping hand in this first decan of Cancer season depicted best by the Two of Cups. Let’s get into it.

Terminology:

Decan: A 10-degree section of an astrological chart

Domicile: Place in the zodiac where the planet is ‘home’

Detriment: Opposing sign to the ruler (domicile); uncomfortable energy

Exaltation: where a planet functions at its strongest

Fall: opposing sign to the exaltation; weakest positioning

Femininity: passive, receptive, still energy

Masculinity: active, action-oriented energy

This is the Tarot deck I’ve used for many years.

What We See

In the Two of Cups, we see two persons facing one another on level ground with a caduceus: two serpents intertwine upon a fixed rod upwards towards the lion head with wings. The feminine in white wears a laurel wreath around her head while the masculine has a crown of roses. In the distance is a home, surrounded by trees on a hill.

Notice the positioning of the two persons. The feminine maintains a still, receptive posture, gently offering her cup to the masculine. The masculine steeps forward, reaching carefully towards the feminine’s cup, both positioned at equal heights indicating a well balanced, harmonious offering.

The Caduceus

Though its often associated with the medical field, its origins didn’t necessarily start off that way.

We briefly touched in its symbolism and connection to Hermes during Gemini season, and it seems this energy has carried over into Cancer so I find this particular card to be the perfect segue into understanding it a bit better.

You see, Hermes is associated with the Mercury, the planet of communication, short distance travels, and logic. The caduceus, (also known as herald’s wand, herald=messenger) was a type of protective wand held by Hermes, the messenger god and protector of travelers, herds, and trade to name a few. Hermes was also a trickster, able to manipulate and present himself however he needed to for his own gain.

So when we look at the caduceus’s influence for this card, it feels like Mercury’s influence has carried us over from its domicile in Gemini onwards to the Two of Cups. It is asking us to be fluid in our ability to embrace both our masculine and feminine energies in a way that creates a harmony within self.

Venus in Cancer

The Moon is in its domicile in Cancer, but it’s also exalted in Venus-ruled Taurus: both concerned with the feminine and what makes us feel at home within self in their own ways.

This placement to me feels like a love that feels like home. Venus’s placement here finds a sense of emotional security with the people, places, and things that make them feel safe. In that same breath, there can be a tendency to be too closed off to the unfamiliar. It can also come off as smothering and codependent towards those they may have an emotional attachment to as well.

So whether we’re talking about a Venus-Cancer transit or if it’s your natal placement, the Two of Cups reminds us to maintain harmonious relationships with those you love. Be mindful of how much you lean on others to fill your cup without pouring into theirs, and vice versa.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Two of Cups gives us such a gentle and warm welcome back to ourselves after being completely burnt out by the Sun’s influence over the 10 of Cups in that final decan of Gemini. Venus comes to unite and level out our masculine and feminine energies within ourselves as well our relationships with those we love. The Cancer-ruled Chariot is still in play, here: showing us assured victory when we fully integrate every aspect of self in harmony with one another. Hope this helps!

With love,