Signs (rashis)
Cancer (Karka) in Vedic astrology
Karka, the crab, is the fourth sign: 90°–120° of the sidereal zodiac, a movable water sign ruled by the Moon. Jupiter is exalted here and Mars debilitated. It is the sign of home, mother, feeling and care.
| Number | 4 / 12 |
|---|---|
| Span (sidereal) | 90° – 120° of the sidereal zodiac |
| Ruler | Moon (Chandra) |
| Element | Water |
| Quality | Movable (chara) |
| Exalted here | Jupiter (Guru) |
| Debilitated here | Mars (Mangala) |
| Nakshatras | Punarvasu, Pushya, Ashlesha |
The nature of Cancer
Cancer is water that moves: feeling that sets things in motion, especially care for the family and home. The Moon, its ruler, makes it sensitive, protective and tied to memory. Jupiter reaches its exaltation here (deepest at 5°), so wisdom expresses itself as kindness and nourishment; Mars is debilitated (deepest at 28°) — aggression does not sit easily in Cancer and turns defensive.
Cancer ascendant and Cancer Moon
A Cancer ascendant gives a caring, intuitive, home-loving person whose mood follows the Moon. Mars, ruling the 5th and 10th, is the yoga karaka and the strongest planet for this ascendant. A Cancer Moon is in its own sign: emotionally rich, nurturing and attached to family.
Cancer in a chart
The house that holds Cancer is where you nurture and seek security. Planets here grow protective: Jupiter shines, the Moon is at home, Mars has to learn to fight gently.
The fourth sign of the natural zodiac echoes the 4th house: mother, home, peace of mind.
Nakshatras in Cancer
Cancer holds the last pada of Punarvasu, Pushya (the most auspicious nakshatra) and Ashlesha (serpent wisdom). Its end is the Cancer–Leo gandanta.
Questions
When is Cancer in Vedic astrology?
Why is Mars good for Cancer ascendant?
Who rules Cancer?
See also
Positions and tables: sidereal zodiac, Lahiri ayanamsha — the same as professional Jyotish astrologers use, and the same calculation as the charts in JyotiSoft. Updated 2026-10-10.
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