In the Tarot Deck, the card representing Cancer is The Chariot, which rules over the Element of Water and is illustrative of hidden emotions and intuition. The numerical correspondent of this card is seven...a number which demands control of the senses, elevation and purification of desires. The goal of seven is self-mastery and achievement of complete dominion over the physical body. However, this must be accomplished through free will...there can be no force or coercion. Seven lends a deeply analytical and introspective element to The Chariot, but all analysis is again required to be undertaken internally and rarely spoken aloud to others. The Chariot is often defined as the vehicle which is used by mankind to reach God. One of the oldest Jewish mystical writings was entitled "Merkavah" or "The Chariot." It is the code for meditation by which an individual might reach God via travel which needs no movement.
The Chariot is a member of the Second Third of the Tarot's Major Arcana and symbolizes new beginnings. It can indicate a journey or a change in home location, particularly a long-distance move. However, The Chariot suggests that care and caution should be taken to analyze the situation prior to any action. Once a course has been decided upon, then it should be followd consistently. This is basically a goal-oriented card where achievement demands single-focused concentration...something of a one-track mind. The Chariot also counsels calmness...the maintaining of peace and tranquility regardless of any external changes. In essence, this hopeful and encouraging card represents the facing and overcoming of fears. It symbolizes the strengthening of the physical body which will carry ideas to fruition as well as the fully-realized aspect of nurturing inherent in the Cancer personality.
The chariot itself depicted on this card is a catalyst which will achieve goals regardless of any obstacles while the armor worn by the figure indicates a spiritual warrior as well as protection and encasement. The crab is symbolic of the traveler...one who can find a home anywhere...and the ball of fire represents power and energy. The four pillars of The Chariot represent the Four Pillars of the Universe and the scarlet wheels are indicative of original and primordial energy. The sphinxes are counter-changed elements of the four fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius). They are also sometimes described collectively as the personal will...a powerful and wayward creature to control, even at the best of times. The golden disk carried by the figure is not truly a disk at all, but represents the Holy Grail, and it should be noted that the charioteer is not driving the vehicle but rather is enthroned upon it, symbolizing perfect balance.
In a Tarot reading, this card signifies fast-paced events and may indicate a journey or change of some type...in residence or career, for example. It symbolizes self-control, self-confidence, willpower and triumph over any obstacle. It may also suggest the need for immediate action. Reversed, it may indicate that events have become wearing, possibly leading to stress, pressure, self-limitations, imbalance and even the possibility of destruction. It can also indicate the loss of control due to personality characteristics and the stubborn holding fast to outworn ideas and traditions. It often symbolizes a missed opportunity or hesitation to act.
In the Kabbalah, this card is associated with the Seventh Path...the Path of the Vessel of God, also known as the Way of the Child of Waters. It is a path related to family, home, security and hospitality. Love is not always an easy concept to understand and practice. It demands much attention, discipline, patience and time, which is precisely why this path runs between the two most difficult and most restrictive spheres of the Tree of Life. For most individuals, the family stands as the central connection to love. It nourishes all aspects of this emotion...unconditional love of parents for children, brotherly or sisterly love between siblings, romatic love between spouses and friendly love among counsins, for example. However, this type of love can (and often does) strangle and restrict. This is manifested in the form of family obligations and psychological neuroses frequently inherent in the parent-child bond. The family is protected by the home...the physical vessel for love in a sense...but this notion of family does not necessarily imply exclusive blood ties. Loving and functioning "families" are often created in the workplace and in many other variations of groups and settings. This road of the protected home is also the path of meditation...an ability which demands stillness, inner quiet and discipline. Thus, the purpose suggested by this card is to aid in the personal search for the inner home. The Hebrew letter is Cheth (also known as Chet), which means Fence or Wall. It is symbolic of an enclosed area which marks boundaries...boundaries of a backyard or even a country. It stems from the shell of the Crab and the need for protection. In short, it is the wall around a city which protects it from invaders and is a reference to emotions, ideas and feelings which an individual keeps close inside...personal self-imposed restrictions and limitations. This is the path of the heroic warrior whose sword is guided not by the thirst for blood but by destiny.
The associated Rune is Ansuz...The Messenger Rune. "Ansuz" means "God" or "divinity" and is representative of widsom, knowledge, divine power, prophecy and revelation. It is also associated with instruction, the mouth and oral tradition. This Rune is primarily connected to the Norse God, Odin, and signifies communication and creativity. In a spiritual sense, it is the Rune of Prophecy and Revelation, encompassing the notions of reason and good advice. It also suggests a test, examination or perhaps some type of interview. It can also mean a letter, book, paper, message or other information, as well as being the portend of a surprise, trick or subterfuge. Ansuz suggests that the answers to questions are available but may not yet be recogzised. Hence, signs and confirmation (which are to be found everywhere) should be sought. Everything has significance and appreciation of this will lead to understanding. Care should be taken not to ignore the message simply because the content is not particularly pleasing. All experience is a lesson that teaches by acknowledging the truth, knowledge and wisdom will surely increase. The Runic Number of Ansuz is 4. Its color is dark blue, its element is air and its polarity is male.
The Mouth is the source of every speech,
The mainstay of wisdom,
And solace of sages,
And the happiness and hope of every eorl.
The associated stone is Rutilated Quartz (also known as Rutile which comes from the Latin word rutilus, meaning "red"), once believed to have been created by Angels when they froze water from Heaven. It was formerly thought that this stone was the home of Guardian Angels who bestowed wisdom and protection upon the holder. Rutile is said to intensify the power of the Quartz Crystal in addition to affecting both the etheric and astal bodies, stimulating an awareness of the connections between physical life and the personal views of a given situation. This stone is said to assist in getting to the root of a problem so that it may be remedied and has been used in the fashioning of ornamental and religious objects for thousands of years. It is also believed to relieve depression and loneliness while aiding to slow down the aging process and strenthening the immune system. Other names for this stone are Venus Hair Stone, Cupid's Darts and Fleches D'Amour.
In an anatomical sense, this card is said to rule the right rear neck, the anterior pituiatry and endocrine in general. It is also said to have jurisdiction over past life recall. Other associated items include thyme, nasturtiums, cherry trees and, of course, the crab, while the associated magical symbols are the furnace, the Holy Grail and, not surprisingly, the chariot. The colors of this card are amber, maroon, bright russet and dark greenish-brown. Some of the names by which this card is also known include Child of the Powers of the Waters, Lord of the Triumph of Light, The Grail, and Law of Receptivity and Will. In tales of classical mythology and lore, this card is associated with the Warriors of Bhagavad Gita, the Chariot of Helios and Shiva in his Fire Chariot. It is also associated with the Deities Thor and Urdl and with Enoch (the teacher who sees God face-to-face) as well as the Banshee. The credo of The Chariot is "Conquest."
"I have a strong will...I have a voice that will speak out when necessary. I am decisive...I have a sense of direction, a goal and a purpose. I will defend that which needs defending. I have a healthy and strong sense of my own boundaries and the boundries of others. I have a healthy ambition and drive. I take action...I am courageous...I cope. I can surmount conflict."
In the Tarot Deck, the card representing the Moon (the ruling "planet" of Cancer) is The Priestess (also known as The High Priestess). This card's Element is Water. It is a reflective and receptive card which does not seek action but rather mirrors the actions of others. The Priestess is symbolic of true and total creativity...but not in its physical form. The Priestess is creativity of thought, which is the idea behind all form. In essence, this card is transcendent of everything which is physical. The Moon is generally accepted as the symbol of all that is feminine, indicative of subconscious awareness, intuition and the mystical. This is the most pure and glorious image of the Moon, unsullied by mundane desires and petty sexual idiosyncracies. The Priestess is the connecting link between the conscious and subconscious minds...between the physical body and the ethereal soul. Also sometimes referred to as the "Lady of the Archives," this card maintains the personal record of life, where the "database" of information known as memories are stored. The numerological value of The Priestess is two...the number of balance and harmony. Thus, this card is the balancing power between two opposites...light and dark...with no preference shown for either, rather awaiting the result of a focused effort of the conscious mind.
The Priestess is a member of the First Third of the Tarot's Major Arcana. In spiritual terms, this card represents the middle Pillar between the Father in his most glorious aspect and the Son in his most perfect manifestation. The Priestess is the direct connection, clothed only in a radiant veil of light. However, some authorities believe that this light represents not the divine light of spirit but rather the veil which hides the spirit. This card is indicative of one who is not only in touch with intuitive abilities, but also possesses perfect faith and trust in such abilities. This manifests itself in an individual who totally accepts personal responsibility...one who is independent of anybody or anything in the higher sense of living.
The form of The Priestess herself is a symbolic balance, the top half of her body being female in an expression of the receptive, subconscious and reproductive power, further accentuated by the upturned crescent moons behind her head. The lower half of the body is masculine in nature, symbolizing the active male principle...straight, direct and aggressive in its purpose. This symbolism is again accentuated by the bow and arrow laying across the lap of The Priestess. The overal blue tint to this card symbolizes spirit and peace. The white body of the figure is indicative of purity while the crystals represent clarity of perception. The light rays are symbolic of true spiritual nature while the veil indicates hiding of the true nature of the spirit...seeker of the deeper truth. The images at the bottom of the card represent the beginnings of life and the camel is a symbol of self-sufficiency, inner strength and wisdom.
In a Tarot reading, this card denotes insight and intuition, suggestive of new solutions to old problems. It also indicates a period of gestation...a time when changes are beginning to take place on the inner planes, but not yet manifesting into the physical world. This card is also indicative of hidden influences in the nature of an individual which are probably affecting circumstances...suggestive of mysteries and secrets. The Priestess promises that things will turn out allright, but probably materialize much differently than imagined. This card can indicate intuitive abilities, such as clairvoyance, telepathy and healing. The Priestess is also symbolic of a woman's influence on any given situation and may represent a platonic relationship...one which is based on the higher principles. Reversed, it indicates problems resulting from a disregard for (or ignorance of) intuition. A suggestion of surface knowledge only with no depth of understanding. The Priestess may also be symbolic of escapism, isolation and an excessive retreat into the inner world.
In the Kabbalah, this card is associated with the Second Path...the Path of Heart Connections, also known as the Way of Love. This path is the longest on the Tree of Life, leading from the shining will of The Crown (the source of light) to the beauty of the heart. It is also the path of nurturing. The Moon rules this road and it is here that an individual is called upon to pay attention to the connection between the mind and the heart and, indeed, many struggle to unify feelings with logical thoughts. Memory and the collective archive reside here, as do motherhood, healing and unconditional love. This path suggests duality and relationship, but strictly in the service of others. It evokes giving and an end to selfishness. This is the path of healers, nurses and the givers of life. The Hebrew letter is Gimel which means Camel, an animal which can go for long periods of time without water and the only beast capable of crossing the desert. The Camel is highly temperamental but also very loyal. It possesses the ability to store within its body its own sustenance (water) which allows it to survive for weeks at a time. Thus, this card is representative of self-sufficiency, symbolic of an inner reservoir of strength, wisdom and power...a ship which can ferry its cargo across the harsh landscape which can be the desert of life. The symbol of this path is the Virgin Mary, the direct channel between spirit and the individual soul, which was a vehicle for the physical incarnation of Christ. According to some sources, The Priestess is also symbolized by Mem, the second of the Hebrew Mother Letters. Mem is primarily associated with the Tarot card, The Hanged Man and is a symbol of the highest initiation, being representative of the higher qualities of the spiritual to be found within an individual.
The associated Rune is Kauno...Rune of Fire. Kauno means "Torch" or "Firebrand." Some sources define it as an "Ulcer" or "Wound." Basically, it is symbolic of light, enlightenment and opening (in the form of a gateway or portal leading from darkness into light or unconsciousness to consciousness). Kauno dispels darkness and ignorance, allowing an individual to discern the truth, thus becoming more aware and gaining new insight. This Rune also teaches that enlightenment needs to be used and shared in order to be of any worth, as well as suggesting natural warmth and companionship. However, this Rune may also serve as a warning to beware of the sources of heat and/or light or of physical danger. Therefore, care should be taken to avoid accidents and to quickly treat any illness, as well as working toward resolution of any mental dilemma. Kauno suggests a understanding of life and its meaning on a personal level. New insights await, but there must be a guard against becoming complacent. New understanding must be used or it will be worthless. Thus, ways should be sought in which to use insights for both personal good and the good of others. Enlightenment is replenishable...the more it is used, then the more knowledge is gained. Enlightenment in and of itself should not be the ultimate goal...simply the starting point of a great adventure that leads to abundant wisdom and understanding, provided truth and honesty are employed. The Runic Number of Kauno is 6. Its color is light red, its element is fire and its polarity is female.
A Torch alight is known to all alive
Brilliant and bright,
It burns most oft
Where Aethlings rest themselves within.
The associated stone is Amethyst (derived from the Greek word amethustos, which means "not drunken"), also known as the Crystal of Spirit. The Priestess does not require the approval of others since the entire Universe lies within her spirit. She has the power to heal what requires healing and the power to know what must be known. In short, she is "at one" with the Universe. This stone may be found throughout the world and is believed to represent contentment as well as spirituality. It aids in the transmutation of lower energies into higher frequencies on both the spiritual level as well as the ethereal level...representative of the principles of complete metamorphosis. Amethyst is said to be most useful against attacks of a psychic nature...the energy associated with such an attack being transformed into a positive and loving energy before being emitted into the Universe. This stone was once used in the treatment of hearing disorders and ailments related to the nervous system. It is also thought to eliminate distressful conditions and has been used as an ornamental object for thousands of years. The early Greeks believe the Amethyst to be a protection from the effects of drunkeness and, when worn as an amulet, an antidote against poison.
In an anatomical sense, this card is said to rule the spine and spinal cord. It is also said to have jurisdiction and control over dreams, as well as being linked to clairvoyance. Other associated items include sage, red clover, buttercups, maple trees and ghosts, while the associated magical symbols are the bow, the arrow and the veil. The colors of this card are all shades of blue and all hues of silver. Some of the names by which this card is also known include Priestess of the Silver Star, Virgin, Papess, Pope Joan and Law of Memory. In tales of classical mythology and lore, this card is associated with Jacob's Ladder (upon which the Angels ascend and descend), Isis, Artemis, the Wiccan Triple Moon Goddess, the apples of Eve and Snow White, the pomegranate of Persephone and the Four Rivers of Paradise. It is also associated with the Deities Heimdall, Freyja and Frey. The credo of The Priestess is "Hidden Influences."
"I am wise...I know many secrets but I keep my own counsel. I know the advantages of being quiet and still. I am contemplative...I am sensitive. I feel and I see through the reflections of life. I draw on the mysteries and magic and power of water. I know when to listen to the Moon and when to look to the light of the Sun."
As a Water Sign, Cancer is also associated with the Tarot's Suit of Cups
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Much of the tarot information found on this page is taken from
"The Royal Road," a manual authored by Lady Shyra and used with
permission provided such credit is givenAll featured tarot card designs are from "The Book of Thoth" deck
designed by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris
