Cancer Rising

In Astrology, the planet that rules the Ascendant is the "chart ruler" and the lens through which all other aspects of the chart are focused and considered.   The Ascendant (aka Rising Sign) represents how we perceive our ideal self to be, as well as how we want to be perceived by others. It is both a mask we wear and the lens through which we perceive the world. Even if you have a poorly aspected, dark, and brooding Scorpio Moon, you may still perceive yourself as an optimist if your Rising Sign is Sagittarius (the eternal optimist).

People with Cancer rising tend to be less vital than average, sympathetic, compassionate, passive, nurturing, receptive, protective, retentive, changeable, psychic, sentimental, tenacious, timid, quiet, sensitive, acquisitive (pack-rat), and moody.

Just like the crab Cancer represents, you may have the habit of looking ahead and behind you at the same time, not fully wanting to face the future head-on and always worrying about the past and what might be sneaking up on you from behind, causing you great worry.

You go through life in a curious sideways motion, never going simply directly forward. You are sensitive, and you retreat into your shell when you feel threatened. Your feelings can be easily hurt, even when no slight was meant, and you can take things much too personally.

You enjoy travel, but you absolutely need to know that you have a home base waiting for you to come back to. Security is everything to you in life. Physical security comes with a comfortable base of operations, and emotional security comes from all your possessions and attachments that have sentimental value to you. In fact, that's why you keep everything — because of all the emotional value and significance. Once you have latched onto something or someone, you do not tend to let go easily. You respond to life through feeling, not thinking. Your moods go up and down just like the tides.

Spiritual lesson to learn: Discernment (distinguish boundaries). The Moon rules Cancer, so the Moon will be important in your chart.