Zodiac Information: All About Cancer

Those with birthdays between June 22 and July 22 were born under Cancer, the fourth sign of the zodiac. Cancer is represented by the crab, and is the first water sign in the zodiac. The sign is ruled by the moon.

In Greek mythology, Cancer is associated with a minor chapter in which Hercules wanted to kill the great sea monster Hydra. As Hercules was fighting the monster, the goddess Hera, who wanted Hercules to fail, sent a crab in to attack Hercules. The crab latched on to Hercules' toe, and was subsequently crushed. But because the crab had obeyed Hera without question, she honored him by putting his image into the night sky. Cancer is not one of the brightest constellations, but in its center is a cluster or twinkling stars.

The lucky gemstone for Cancer is the ruby. It is a negative, cardinal sign; the key phrase is "I feel." Centering colors for Cancerians are grays and greens. The beneficial metal is silver. Lucky numbers are 7 and 3; lucky day is Monday. Trees that are beneficial for Cancerians are those rich in sap; flowers are white roses; plants are tarragon and verbena.

Good countries for Cancerians to visit are Scotland, Holland and New Zealand. Cities that will provide positive energy are New York, Venice and Amsterdam.

Cancerians are not great risk-takers. Their emotions run deep and when they want things they want them badly, but they would rather sit back and wait than dive into something that might not work out. But when they decide the time is right to do something, they go for it full throttle.

Those born under the sign of the crab have a serious nature. They crave security, whether it be financial or emotional. They are adept with their money, but are generous, loving and thoughtful.

However, they have opinions of steel and can be very closed-minded. They forget nothing, and when they have been wronged, they will use any chance to bring it up. They are complainers by nature.