Cancer, Leo and Virgo as seen through the lense of Vedic Astrology
As colourfully described in Jaimini Upadesa Sutras and Yavana Jataka, the signs of the zodiac flow from one to the next, building their character and strengths with each Rashi. These ancient texts use symbolism coming from the natural surroundings, such as animals and types of environments that are found on Earth, to impart the qualities of the zodiac signs. Starting here with the fourth sign, Cancer is symbolised by the Crab, an animal which lives in water. Water is profoundly important within the sign of Cancer (along with the two other water signs), as it represents emotion. This is the first sign that addresses this aspect of human nature, which relates to our need for emotional security and contentment.
The crab has many legs and moves side to side. He does not confront life head-on, but from a round about direction. Perhaps this is because Cancer is too aware of others’ feelings, as well as their own, they may not want to be too forceful or direct, so as not to cause discomfort. The sign of Cancer rules the chest in the human body. The chest is where we hold our emotions, and it also shows our level of confidence and inner security. When we are comfortable with ourselves, we will hold our head high and keep our shoulders aligned. Our emotional heart centre is vulnerable. We can give and receive from this place of security. Also, in this area is where women have breasts, their life sustaining glands. Women can nurture and give from this place. The mother is also represented by the sign of Cancer.
Also seen in these texts about Cancer is that it’s the place of “pleasant playgrounds of Goddesses”. This is an indicator that we are able to experience beauty and goodness when we feel emotionally secure, as we project out whatever we are feeling inside.
The fourth house and Cancer also represent the home. Our home is where we can collect or accumulate things. These things can be material wealth and property, it can be ideas, and it can also be emotional fulfilment. The more resources we have at our disposal, the more adaptable we can be, as we have many options to draw from as needed. When a person is emotionally secure they are non-judgmental of others who have differences, there is no threat to one’s inner security. This sense of security in a person also allows them to enjoy foreign travel, and Cancer is a sign known to often travel or move to far away lands, as they have that ability to adapt well among people who are different than them.
Jaimini points out that, in the case of malefics in aspect to Cancer or the fourth house, there is a chance of having “poisoned blood”, or “frigidity”. What this symbolises is that if we are not emotionally healthy, if we repress our feelings and don’t let them flow (like moving water), we are at risk of poisoning our blood, causing ill health and disease to form; it could be physical illness, or mental/emotional ill health. When we can allow our emotions to flow, all of life will be positively affected by this state of being. This sign is one of the three Moksha signs, which are driven by the desire for freedom from illusion and suffering. To be free is to live in bliss, joy and peace, not for any reason, it just wells up inside from ones Eternal Nature.
We move from the sign of Cancer into the fifth sign of Leo. Leo is represented by the Lion, the king of animals. The Lion views life from a mountain peak. He surveys his kingdom, taking everything in from above. The Leo is meant to live his life for the greater good of all, not just for his own selfish desires, recognition or admiration. The Leo is the king, his life can be lonely (on his mountain peak) and he must make this sacrifice to fulfil his duty and to follow his inspiration.
Leo rules the heart (as well as the vital organs in the torso). The heart is the centre of all blood flow, that vital force without which the human body cannot live. When the heart stops beating, that is it for this life. This is much like the planet that rules Leo, the Sun. The Sun is the centre of our Universe. He radiates out heat and warmth, he gives life and inspiration. The Sun is pure consciousness, without personal identity. He shines his brightness, and no shadows can lurk where the Sun has influence.
This is not a job to be taken lightly, though the Leo is known for his displays of light-hearted fun; the perpetual actor. The Leo is in tune with the collective consciousness, and he channels various roles in order that humanity may work through our karmas more quickly. We can watch the Lila’s, as played by the Leo actor who can slip on any role with ease and avoid lifetimes of births just by seeing many different characters played out before our eyes (on TV, plays and the like), so that we need not act them all out ourselves; we can satiate our needs through indirect experience. The Leo is able to put his own sense of personal self aside, as coming from Cancer he has built the necessary emotional stability and strength to be able to put his ego needs aside to play the part he’s been asked to play.
Leo is the natural place of the fifth house, this is the residence of the mind, the organ through which we perceive life. We process all our experiences through our mind (fifth house), we discern good and bad, right and wrong through the mind. Our concepts are formed here. We can look to Leo and the fifth house to see how a person thinks life should be and what concepts shape our reality and how we view the world. The ancient texts associate fortresses, caves, mountains and forests to the sign of Leo. This can indicate difficult to live places, hard to reach and lonely. Our mind can be like this, a place of defence, a stronghold. Jaimini also mentions that Leo is where “remaining wild beasts of prey” reside. He is referring to the jungle that is our mind, full of scary beasts that appear to lunge and strike at us. We must learn to tame them and turn them into pussy cats. All we’ll be left with in the end, is what resides in the mind.
The Leo often plays lonely roles in higher positions, like political seats, managers, positions that keep the Leo up on his mountain peak, watching from above. The Leo is entrusted with hard to make decisions, thus he will always feel a bit separate and lonely, having to make decisions that not all will like. He must keep himself at some distance from the group in order to make these choices, and to ensure the continuation of his legacy. Leo is a fixed sign that is very steady and unchanging, as we need our wise elders and kings to be.
From the fifth sign of Leo we move into the sixth sign, Virgo. Virgo is represented by a girl, before the age of maturity into womanhood. The maiden is said to be “standing in a boat on the waters, while holding a torch (light) in her hand”. As we already learned, the waters are emotions, and the maiden stands above her emotions – she is “in the world, but not of it”. She is starting to see life differently, as she is entering a new stage of life, puberty.
She holds a light, meaning she is able to see clearly and she can also light the way for others. Virgo is known for being critical and picky, but that isn’t really what Virgo is about. Virgo is able to see clearly what can be better and is working to process out the impurities of life. Virgo is represented by the bowels and belly (intestines), the organs responsible for taking out toxins and impurities and moving them on their way toward elimination. She wants purity and only that which is useful and nutritious to remain. She is fastidious in her job.
Virgo is quite beautiful in that she is truly innocent. She will be direct and honest. She doesn’t wear a mask or play mind games. When she is being her true self, you can trust that what you see is what you get. Her motives and intentions are pure.
The Leo has created a safe kingdom in which Virgo can now make improvements in her daily life. She enjoys exploring skills, making useful creations with her hands, or perhaps playing music to enhance her everyday life. This is the realm of everyday life. The routines we create for ourselves, the things that must be done on a daily basis. The cooking, cleaning, keeping our bodies healthy and strong. The job that needs doing. We think of this part of life as boring, not very exciting. Perhaps the least exciting of all areas of life. But we have the opportunity here, to find or create the spark, by realising that God, the Divine, exists here too. In every moment, as we go about our day, we have the chance to create magic where it doesn’t appear to exist. In the mundane tasks, and the necessary work.
References: Kurczak, Ryan
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