Most people born under the zodiac sign of Cancer have their birthday in July, which is why the introduction of this month’s installment of Sasstrology will be about the mythology behind that zodiac sign.

But first, I’d like to state that the zodiac sign of Cancer has nothing to do with the terminal illness, cancer. I’ll explain why they have the same name after the story, which begins now.

This story is actually more about Heracles, the Greek counterpart of Hercules, than it is about Cancer. Heracles was one of the many demigod sons of Zeus, the god of the gods, that Zeus had outside of his marriage to Hera, the goddess of marriage. Because of that Hera didn’t care much for Heracles.

Heracles had one battle with a multiple headed snake-like monster known as the Hydra. During this fight a small crab scuttled up to Heracles’ toe and snapped it. Heracles didn’t like that. So, he crushed the small animal with his foot and killed it.

Hera was glad to know she wasn’t the only one who disliked Heracles, and she felt sorry for the crab. She honored the animal by making it immortal by living in the stars as the constellation, Cancer.

Going back to the difference between the illness and the zodiac sign, cancer is Latin for crab. The illness got its name because people thought that a cancer tumor resembled a crab when removed from the human body.

Now that that little misunderstanding is cleared up, and story-time is over, it is time for the horoscopes for this month.

Aries (March 21-April 19)
Discovery is calling your name, as well as social events. At these aforementioned social events new friends will enter your life, and they will make July more lively and bright than fireworks. However, like fireworks, these companions could be dangerous as well. Be mindful of yourself and don’t try to impose your perspective too much, as this could result in a falling-out.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Your sensitivity and sentimentality will blossom and bloom this month. You will have stronger feelings for experiences and moments rather than tangible items. Some relaxation towards the end of July would be good for you. Do this by spending time with someone that you’d like to know better or make more memories with because you won’t forget this month.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)
The sun is shining brightly over you as you sing feel-good songs and dance around in your flower crown. Optimism will become your middle name this month. With your new greater-than-usual joyfulness, communicating and connecting to others will feel like a breeze. You will also become more passionate about your ideas and will be sure to speak your mind.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Any sort of pressure or stress that you have previously felt in the recent weeks will melt away and leave your life. However, it will only occur gradually. Patience is a virtue. Get it? Got it? Good. The best of things take time, and all good things come to those who wait. All clichés aside, the end of July is sure to bring more than enough harmony and serenity to you.

Leo (July 23-Aug 22)
Relationships and communication shall rule your life this month. It shall cometh in the form of your companions or your ideas, or maybe, if you’re lucky, both. Who knows? Either way, it is sure to be a great, big, fun time for you. It will also help you shape and develop goals that you want to set for yourself to be successful for the rest of the year and next year.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22)
A feeling of longing will haunt you in July. You will thirst for more close and sentimental friendships. This can easily be accomplished by socializing more. However, sometimes that may not be enough and your longing could increase. Now may not be the time for all of your wishes to be granted. Just hold on and be hopeful, but don’t hope for the impossible and illogical.

Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22)
Love will be on your mind this month. Even the idea and mere mention of love will make you want to jump up and down out of joy. This is mostly because you feel as if you aren’t being loved enough. Oh Libra, if only there was somebody out there who loved you. But there is, you just don’t notice it. Stop stressing about finding some form of love. Let love find you.

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21)
A surge to take action will electrify your body. July will be the time of the year for you to be more observant in order for you to find things that aren’t visible to the naked eye. In order to decode these hidden messages it will take some intuition and plenty of intellectual conversations that will spark clues, which will lead you to the answers you’ve been longing for.

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21)
Yin needs yang in order for them to balance each other out. July for you will be a contradiction. The first half will be rather chaotic and full of pressure. However that chaos will be balanced out with the second half of the month being more calm. In order to make the most of the more stress-filled part of the month try to find a calming aspect in being hectic.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19)
This month will be centered around relationships that weren’t also the best becoming more stable. In order for this to happen though, you will need to be understanding while making sure that you are also understood. There must be a give and a take for this to work out. In the end happiness and precious memories will be the result of this mutual understanding.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18)
There could be moments this month that your emotions could get the better of you and make you feel as if you’re not being treated fairly as everyone else around you. It will only take some conversation and imagining of another’s perspective. Doing this will guarantee finding a middle ground and being on the same wavelength as others and becoming equals.

Pisces (Feb 19-March 20)
Events will occur this month that will satisfy the sentimental feelings that you’ve had lately. This will be the month that you are the most efficient, but not in a stressful way. You will experience things that you’ve wanted to do for some while now, which will make them much more meaningful. However, it will take determination and ambition to make these experiences perfect.

Sources:
http://www.eastrolog.com/monthly-horoscopes/

http://www.gods-and-monsters.com/mythology-of-cancer.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_cancer

http://www.free-graphics.com/clipart/Zodiac/cancer.shtml