Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

impulse. A crab dwells in water as well as on land but is neither found in
deep waters nor far from the shore. It has ten feet.
* Jagriti (wakefulness), Swapna (state of dreaming), Sushupti (deep or
profound sleep) and Samadhi (profound, abstract meditation or Turya).
It sheds its hard crust when it grows too large for it. It is shy by nature. All
these have a close resemblance with important characteristics of the fourth
sign. The ten legs stand for the ten sense organs; the five sense organs
operating on the subjective plane and the five motor organs functioning on
the objective. The development of a wide field of action occurs with the
fourth cosmic impulse. The life on earth corresponds to the physical level of
the individual, and the watery condition of the crab's life corresponds to the
emotional, the psychic or the subjective aspects. Human beings while
functioning on these planes do not move very far to explore the spiritual
depths. The continuity of the individual soul through various incarnations is
symbolized by the crab shedding its shell. Man by nature is also very shy
like a crab, reluctant to come into close contact with the denizens of the
spiritual world.
Cancer makes the manifestation of time and space possible on the objective
plane. It creates heaven and hell and bestows on man appropriate vehicles to
continue his journey. Continuity in evolution through reincarnation is
provided under this impulse of cosmic manifestation. The ten feet of the crab
also refer to the number ten* (Sec Capricorn. Cancer is closely related to
Capricorn; both are counterparts to each other.), which in occult terminology
stands for perfection. The purpose of all physical and psychic experience
through the mechanism of reincarnation is to carry the individual to his
archetypal perfection. It also points to the fact that perfection is the inherent
nature of all things. It is this inborn quality of perfection that assures the
success of the gradual unfoldment of one's potentials through the course of
cosmic evolution.
For predictive purposes also, the symbol of the crab is suggestive. Cancer
born persons are generally shy. The crab is sensitive to the slightest noise or
movement in its vicinity. Cancerians are nervous, sensitive and
impressionable. The crab is not poisonous, it is even edible. Human beings
under this sign are seldom violent in temperament. They will even sacrifice
their lives for their cause. The shining eyes of the crab remind us of the
gracious nature of the Cancer born personality. The aquatic nature of the
crab suggests that this stage of manifestation has not yet severed its