Home Signs Planets Houses Aspects Astro Books Links

Aries Taurus Gemini Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces

Cancer, the Crab
The crab was placed in the heavens by Juno, wife of Jupiter. Juno was jealous of Hercules and sought his destruction. Hercules was the son of Jupiter and a mortal woman named Alcmena. Hercules was sent to complete 12 difficult tasks known as the Twelve Labors of Hercules. One of those tasks was to kill the serpent hydra.
The hydra had nine heads and each time Hercules cut one off, two would grow in its place. During the battle with the hydra, Juno sent the giant crab to attack Hercules and help with his destruction. As Hercules battled the hydra, the giant crab attacked Hercules foot. Hercules crushed the crab before going on to defeat the hydra.  Juno was grateful for the obedience the crab showed in following her orders and the sacrifice it made of its life; and so she placed the crab in the constellation Cancer.